As it happened: Covid: Omicron sub-variant detected in 57 countries - WHO - BBC News
In some countries BA.2 now accounts for over half of sequenced Omicron cases, the WHO says.
Switzerland will begin lifting its Covid-19 restrictions from Thursday, when the mandatory work-from-home rule and the quarantine requirement for those coming into contact with someone who has Covid will be lifted.

A proposal to lift all further restrictions - including the Covid certificate, limits on public and private gatherings, and the wearing of masks - has been submitted to the cantons (provinces) and could take place as early as 16 February, depending, the government says, on whether case numbers indicate the Omicron wave has peaked.

Swiss health officials believe the country is moving out of the pandemic and towards a situation where Covid-19 is endemic.

They say the lifting of restrictions is justified because the feared pressure on hospitals due to the rapid spread of the Omicron variant did not materialise.

Switzerland has recorded more than 12,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, and continues to have one of the lowest vaccination rates (around 66%) in western Europe.