WHO warns Omicron could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems

Wednesday, December 29, 2021 - 12:48

World

 The WHO warned Tuesday that the Omicron coronavirus variant could lead to overwhelmed healthcare systems even though early studies suggest it sparks milder disease, as China and Germany brought back tough restrictions to stamp out new infection surges.

世界卫生组织周二警告称，尽管早期研究表明，奥密克戎毒株会引发较轻的疾病但仍可能导致医疗系统崩溃，以至于中国和德国恢复了严格的限制，以遏制新的感染激增。

stamp out：扑灭、踩灭

China put hundreds of thousands more people under lockdown, while infections hit new highs across Europe and in several US states.

中国数以万计的人被隔离，与此同时，欧洲和美国几个州的城市确诊人数不断刷新。

Covid-19 surges have wreaked havoc around the world, forcing many nations to make tough choices between economically punishing restrictions and controlling the spread of the virus.

新冠疫情的爆发对世界带来巨大损失，致使多国在沉重经济惩罚限制策略和控制疫情扩散中做艰难选择。

wreaked havoc  /riːk ˈhævək/ 肆掠，造成严重破坏

havoc  n. /ˈhævək/  

[ U ] 灾害；祸患；浩劫• The floods caused havoc throughout the area. 洪水给整个地区带来了灾害。• These insects can wreak havoc on crops. 这些昆虫可严重危害农作物。

The United States has halved the isolation period for asymptomatic cases to try and blunt the disruption, while France has ordered companies to have employees work from home at least three days a week.

美国已将无症状病患的隔离期减半，以试图缓解干扰，而法国已下令公司让员工每周至少在家工作三天。

asymptomatic adj.   /ˌeɪsɪmptəˈmætɪk/  ( medical 医 ) ( 人或疾病 ) having no symptoms 无症状的

Contact restrictions were in place in Germany for the second year in a row heading into the New Year, as Europe's biggest economy shuttered nightclubs and forced sports competitions behind closed doors.

在新年到来之际，德国连续第二年实施接触限制，作为欧洲最大的经济体，德国关闭了夜总会，并强迫体育比赛闭门进行。

Despite facing a much smaller outbreak compared with global virus hotspots, China has not relaxed its "zero Covid" strategy, imposing stay-at-home orders in many parts of the city of Yan'an.

相比全球疫情感染热点地区，尽管中国面临零星小规模爆发，但仍没有放松“零感染”策略，在延安很多地区实施居家隔离措施。

原英文链接：http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/12/29/world/268789/who-warns-omicron-could-lead-overwhelmed-healthcare-systems