Overview: International developments-_Australia, Asia, Europe

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus right now: Reuters Reuters

-- Australia suffered its deadliest day of the pandemic on Tuesday as a fast-moving Omicron outbreak continued to push up hospitalisation rates to record levels, even as daily infections eased slightly.

A total of 77 deaths was recorded, exceeding the previous national high of 57 last Thursday, official data showed. read more

-- Romania reported 16,760 new cases of COVID-19 on Tuesday, more than double on the day and the biggest single-day rise since October, as the Omicron variant takes hold.

Romania is the European Union's second-least vaccinated state, with just under 41% of the population fully inoculated amid distrust of state institutions and poor vaccine education. read more

-- Elsewhere in eastern Europe, the Czech Republic reported more than 20,000 new cases, the biggest single-day rise since Dec. 1. read more

Poland is experiencing a fifth wave of infections, the health minister said on Monday, warning that the spread of Omicron could send daily case numbers soaring to levels not yet seen in the country. read more

-- Israel will continue to offer a fourth COVID-19 vaccine shot despite preliminary findings that it is not enough to prevent Omicron infections, a senior health official said on Tuesday, predicting cases stoked by the variant will wane in a week.

The fastest country to roll out vaccinations a year ago, Israel last month started offering a fourth shot - also known as a second booster - to its most vulnerable and high-risk groups. It has held off on expanding the offer to the wider population. read more

-- The Chinese city of Tianjin reported fewer COVID-19 cases on Tuesday after mass testing and lockdowns in some areas to curb the Omicron variant, steps that have affected the local operations of foreign firms such as Boeing.

Tianjin, a key port in northern China, reported 18 domestically transmitted cases with confirmed symptoms for Monday, National Health Commission data showed on Tuesday. That marks the lowest daily number in a week. read more

China is urging people to wear masks and gloves when opening mail, especially from abroad, after authorities suggested the first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant found in Beijing could have arrived via a package from Canada. read more