Daily roundupFriday's key coronavirus developments from Luxembourg and abroad

Starting with Luxembourg

• A record 1280 new coronavirus cases were discovered in Luxembourg over the last 24 hours - the highest daily tally since 1,230 were registered yesterday.

• The government announced on Friday the introduction of a new tracing system to deal with the wave of infections that the Grand Duchy is currently experiencing. Here’s how it works.

• The epidemiologist from the Health Directorate was a guest on RTL Radio on Friday morning.

• The increase in Covid-19 infections naturally implies an increased demand for PCR tests. The government has thus called on the various laboratories in the Grand Duchy to increase their Covid-19 testing capacity.

• The Minister of Health remains optimistic that the current coronavirus measures should be sufficient to slow down the new wave of infections.

• The Health Directorate organised the online Q+A session on Thursday evening.

• Both vaccinations and prescriptions for PCR tests are currently in high demand at general practitioners’ offices, which in return increases the administrative work of most doctors.

• With a number of long-awaited blockbusters hitting the big screen, many people decided to flock to the cinema over the holidays. The new 2G+ system does however complicate the usual visit. The restrictive entry rule is in place for adults and adolescents starting from the age of twelve.

And abroad

• Hospital staff absences due to Covid have more than doubled in a month in England as the virus surge puts strain on beds, according to data published Friday.

• Israel on Friday started giving fourth Covid vaccine shots to people with weakened immunity, becoming one of the first countries to do so in hopes of countering a case surge driven by the Omicron variant.

• Rafael Nadal revealed on Friday he had arrived in Melbourne ahead of the Australian Open after recovering from coronavirus.

• The world prepared on Friday to usher in 2022, after another tumultuous and pandemic-ridden year capped by new restrictions, soaring case numbers, and a slight glimmer of hope for better times ahead.

• Former Indian cricket captain Sourav Ganguly was on Friday discharged from hospital four days after being admitted with Covid-19, a senior doctor said.

• Ikea will hike its prices by an average of nine percent next year due to ongoing supply and transportation disruptions, the company that operates most of the Swedish furniture giant’s stores said.

• As daily coronavirus infections in Italy hit new highs, hospital admissions across the country are surging once again due to the new Omicron variant and the persisting reluctance among some to get vaccinated.

• A woman on a flight from Chicago to Iceland tested positive for Covid mid-air, forcing her to spend five hours in the lavatory.

• South Africa, where the Omicron variant was detected last month, says its latest coronavirus wave has peaked without a surge in deaths or hospitalisations, enabling the country to lift a nightly curfew for the first time in 21 months.

• Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes his side’s crucial match against Chelsea will go ahead on Sunday despite three new coronavirus cases in his camp as another Premier League fixture was called off.

• Champions Toulouse may be short of match practice due to their last two games being postponed but they travel to Clermont for Saturday’s Top 14 clash boosted by several stars having committed to the club.