'Omicron' Could Be Dominant In France Within Weeks, Says Adviser
NDTV
French government adviser Jean-Francois Delfraissy told a French TV channel the "true enemy" for now was still the Delta variant, spreading in a fifth wave.
Omicron could become the dominant COVID-19 variant in France by the end of January, the top scientific adviser said on Thursday, after both France and the United States reported their first cases and countries around the world tightened curbs.
The first known U.S. case was a fully vaccinated person in California who returned to the United States from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive seven days later. France reported a case in the Ile de France region of greater Paris.
President Joe Biden is working on a strategy to fight COVID-19 this winter and sources briefed on the matter told Reuters one step would be extending requirements for travellers to wear masks through mid-March. A formal announcement is expected on Thursday.
The White House also plans to announce stricter testing for international visitors.