Some other European countries have also reported cases of the new variant, which British authorities said appears more contagious and was spreading fast. France reopened the border but now requires anyone entering from Britain to have a test showing they do not have the new variant. A second partial lockdown sharply curbed France’s infections, but they have been again on the rise over the past two weeks. The state health department reported 10,868 patients hospitalized with confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state on Christmas, less than 30 behind the record high set in July. Intensive care units in several parts of Texas were full or nearly full, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

Source: Daily Sun December 26, 2020 05:48 UTC