The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of infection with the omicron variant in the United States, further confirming that this strain has spread to most parts of the world. According to the CDC, the public health authorities of California and San Francisco have confirmed that a recent case of new crown infection in California was caused by the omicron variant. The case returned to the United States from South Africa on November 22, after completing the entire vaccination process. The patient developed mild symptoms and is currently improving, and has been in self-isolation since the test was positive. All close contacts have been contacted and the virus tests have been negative.

Fed Chairman Jerome Powell reiterated that the Fed will ensure that inflation is under control. For the second time in two days, he said that officials should consider speeding up the withdrawal of policy support measures. "We have seen inflation more persistent. We have seen the factors causing inflation to rise more persistent," Powell told the House Financial Services Committee on Wednesday. “Past policies have adapted to this situation and will continue to be the same.” Powell reiterated his statement to the Senate Banking Committee on Tuesday that, given the high risk of inflation, it would be “appropriate to discuss whether the Federal Reserve should complete bond purchases at a faster rate".

OPEC+ started a two-day policy meeting where representatives will debate the planned production increase arrangements. More and more people predict that the threat of new virus variants will cause OPEC+ to suspend production. The ministers of the member states have been tight-lipped about this. Participants revealed that Wednesday’s talks focused entirely on administrative issues, such as the appointment of the next secretary-general. Technologists are evaluating forecasts for oil supply, and it is currently expected that the supply will be surplus again in the first quarter of next year.

An indicator of the state of the US manufacturing industry rose in November because of the acceleration of new orders and increased production and hiring by factories. According to data released on Wednesday, the Institute of Supply Management's manufacturing index rose to 61.1 from 60.8 in the previous month, in line with expectations. The index above 50 indicates that the manufacturing industry is expanding.

US companies continued to hire more employees steadily in November, suggesting that employers continue to gradually fill vacancies close to record highs. According to data released by the ADP Research Institute on Wednesday, corporate employment increased by 534,000 in November, which was revised to an increase of 570,000 in October. Economists surveyed by Bloomberg expected a median increase of 525,000 people. The data shows that the labor market is improving steadily; skill mismatches, employee changes, and factors related to the epidemic still make it difficult for employers to attract and retain employees.

According to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Britain is expected to achieve the fastest economic growth in the Group of Seven (G-7) this year and next, but if the supply chain shortage is not alleviated, the economy will suffer. The Paris-based OECD pointed out in a report released on Wednesday that the lack of workers to fill vacancies and the continued interference of cross-border commodities may force companies to reduce production and impair the pace of economic recovery.

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