A COVID-19 variant-driven 'tsunami' is threatening to overwhelm healthcare systems, the World Health Organization has warned, as cases surge across the world to record levels.
World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says he's concerned the Omicron and Delta variants circulating at the same time will continue to put"immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse".
"This is and will continue to put immense pressure on exhausted health workers and health systems on the brink of collapse," he added. France on Wednesday registered a new daily record of more than 200,000 cases - more than double the number recorded on Christmas Day - and extended into January the closure of nightclubs.
In Europe, where more than 3.5 million cases have been recorded in the last seven days, Greece banned music in bars and restaurants until 16 January, including on New Year's Eve.
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