France records over 1 lakh Covid cases amid Omicron concerns

France is facing unusual surge in Covid cases.The country has recorded 104,611 cases over the previous 24 hours on Saturday. The latest figures, from France's public health agency, come ahead of a video-conference meeting Monday in which President Emmanuel Macron and key members of his government will discuss new Covid safety measures. Officials are concerned about the effect of the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Now the government is moving to make the health pass issued to the vaccinated valid only if people accept the booster jab. The pass is required for access to cafes, restaurants and public spaces, as well as for international travel. Some regions have already enacted their own safety measures.The latest figures mark a dramatic rise since the beginning of the month: on December 4, the numbers broke 50,000 for the first time before rising steadily. To date, France has recorded 122,546 deaths from the coronavirus. So far, 76.5 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. France has recorded 122,546 deaths from the coronavirus. So far, 76.5 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

Italy reported a third successive record tally of coronavirus cases, with new infections hitting 54,762 against 50,599 a day earlier, the health ministry said. The number of coronavirus-related deaths rose to 144 from 141 on Friday. Italy has registered 136,530 deaths linked to COVID-19 since its outbreak emerged in February last year, the second-highest toll in Europe after the UK and the ninth highest in the world.