Health News Roundup: Sinopharm protein-based booster stronger against Omicron than earlier shot - study; India's COVID-19 cases set for new highs as Omicron spreads and more

China reported 116 domestically transmitted infections with confirmed clinical symptoms for Thursday, mostly in Xian and the province of Henan, down from 132 a day earlier, official data showed on Friday. Overwhelmed by Omicron surge, U.S. hospitals delay surgeries Hospitals across the United States are postponing elective surgeries to free up staff and beds due to a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Following is a summary of current health news briefs.

Sinopharm protein-based booster stronger against Omicron than earlier shot - study

A protein-based COVID-19 vaccine made by Sinopharm, when given as a booster after two doses of an earlier shot from the Chinese firm, elicited a stronger antibody response against the Omicron variant than a third dose of the original, a study showed. The study, which was published on Tuesday and had not been peer-reviewed, came amid concerns over the effectiveness of Sinopharm's BBIBP-CorV shot, one of the two leading COVID-19 vaccines exported by China, against the Omicron variant.

India's COVID-19 cases set for new highs as Omicron spreads

India's daily COVID-19 cases jumped to 117,100 on Friday, a five-fold increase in a week and on course to overtake its previous infection peak as the fast-spreading Omicron variant replaces Delta in cities. Government officials have privately said they are working under the assumption that daily infections will surpass the record of more than 414,000 set in May, given what has happened in countries, such as the United States where daily cases have risen past 1 million.

China warns hospitals against rejecting patients over COVID curbs as cases decline

China reported fewer COVID cases on Friday as several cities have curbed movements, while a top official warned hospitals not to turn away patients after a woman's miscarriage during a lockdown in the city of Xian sparked outrage. China reported 116 domestically transmitted infections with confirmed clinical symptoms for Thursday, mostly in Xian and the province of Henan, down from 132 a day earlier, official data showed on Friday.

Overwhelmed by Omicron surge, U.S. hospitals delay surgeries

Hospitals across the United States are postponing elective surgeries to free up staff and beds due to a surge in COVID-19 cases driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant of the coronavirus. Administrators say hospital staff shortages have been compounded in the last month by medical practitioners isolating or quarantining as they themselves are infected or exposed to the virus.

Weak testing, data outage leave Brazil 'in the dark' as Omicron advances

Insufficient testing for COVID-19 and a data blackout caused by hackers have left Brazil in the dark as it grapples with a wave of infections from the Omicron coronavirus variant, health experts warn. Brazilians with COVID-19 symptoms are facing long lines to get tested due to the lack of kits in a country without a comprehensive testing strategy since the start of the pandemic.

German leaders to agree new restrictions to stem Omicron variant

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will meet regional leaders on Friday to agree new measures to tackle the highly contagious Omicron variant of the coronavirus, including tighter restrictions on restaurants and bars. Among steps being considered is a requirement for people with only two coronavirus shots to show proof of a negative test to enter a restaurant or bar, in an effort to encourage more people to get a booster.

Japan to declare COVID-19 curbs in 3 regions hosting U.S. bases

Japan is to step up coronavirus restrictions in three regions that host U.S. military bases to stem a COVID-19 surge that some officials have said the bases have helped fuel. The restrictions, which authorities call "priority measures", are being brought back for the first time since September, when Japan lifted emergency controls that had prevailed across the country for most of last year.

Exclusive-Congressional watchdog warns U.S. health agency unprepared to take over COVID vaccine program

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) appears unprepared to assume full responsibility for the nation's COVID-19 vaccine program, including activities currently managed by the Pentagon, according to a draft government watchdog report reviewed by Reuters. The report cites a failure to ensure HHS has enough staff or a clear timeline for taking over those additional responsibilities. The COVID-19 vaccine program, dubbed “Operation Warp Speed,” by the Trump administration in May 2020, involved hundreds of officials from multiple agencies.

Omicron spike in most vaccinated German state heralds nationwide surge

The northern German maritime state of Bremen has the country's highest COVID-19 vaccination rate by far, but it has become the hardest-hit by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, reporting the highest infection rate of any region in Germany. Experts say that the spike in Bremen could herald where Germany as a whole is heading in the coming days.

France's current COVID wave could peak in around 10 days time - national vaccine chief

The current COVID-19 wave engulfing France could reach its peak in around 10 days time, said Professor Alain Fischer, an official responsible for France's COVID vaccine strategy. "I think we are coming to the peak of this new wave," Fischer told LCI TV, adding that this peak could come "primarily towards the beginning of the second fortnight of January, so if we work it out this would be in around 10 days time."

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)