Omicron is now dominant COVID-19 variant in US, officials say

The United States on Tuesday said that it will distribute hundreds of millions of free coronavirus tests in the face of surging Omicron cases, which forced governments worldwide to re-impose restrictions ahead of the holidays.

Washington also said Tuesday it will donate $580 million in international coronavirus aid to help countries battle the pandemic, while Israel announced tough new restrictions on US travel.

The highly-mutated Omicron variant, now present in dozens of countries, appears to be more infectious and possibly have higher resistance to vaccines, despite early indications that it is not more severe than the Delta strain.

The US announcements come after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Omicron now accounts for 73.2 percent of new US cases over the past week ending Saturday.

Its lightning dash around the globe has forced governments to re-impose restrictions ahead of the holidays, dampening hopes the worst of the pandemic is over.

US President Joe Biden was due to address the nation later Tuesday after a White House official said the government will distribute 500 million free coronavirus tests and mobilize military medical personnel if needed.

As Omicron fears loomed large over the end of year holidays, Israel become the latest nation to re-impose tough restrictions in an effort to contain Omicron. Paris has already canceled its New Year celebrations, and Germany is expected to roll out tight restrictions on private parties and close nightclubs.

London on Monday said it had canceled a New Year’s Eve event in central Trafalgar Square for 6,500 people. But British Prime Minister Boris Johnson ruled out any further tightening of England's coronavirus rules over Christmas

The Netherlands has already imposed a Christmas lockdown, with EU officials warning that the Omicron variant could be dominant in Europe by mid-January.

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