Omicron still dominating
Shireen Darmalingam
Global cases update:
- Cases have surpassed 270.43 million, while the death toll has surpassed 5.32 million; recoveries are at 243.10 million.
- The US has 50.80 million cases, accounting for 19% of global cases; the US death toll is 817,956.
- India has 34.69 million cases and 475,636 deaths; Brazil has 22.18 million cases and 616,941 deaths.
- UK PM Boris Johnson warned that the UK is facing a "tidal wave" of omicron infections; infections in the UK doubled in day.
- Johnson set a booster program deadline for the end of the year.
- Most of the new cases reported in Europe are now local transmissions not related to travel to or from the original epicentre of omicron in southern Africa.
- France may be reaching the peak of its fifth viral wave.
- US infectious disease specialist Anthony Fauci has reiterated boosters offer the best protection against omicron.
- SA scientists have said that it is still too early to assume that omicron may be less severe than other variants, but severe cases remain low.
- Globally, more than 8.45 billion doses have been administered across 184 countries at a rate of 42.7 million doses a day.
Africa cases update:
- Africa’s Covid-19 cases are at 9.02 million; fatalities are at 225,426.
- Morocco has 951,482 reported cases, Nigeria 217,481, Ghana 131,547, Kenya 256,335.
- African countries are stepping up measures to detect and control the spread of omicron.
- Africa’s vaccination program remains an immediate priority.
- Less than 10% of African countries are projected to reach vaccination goals by year end.
South Africa cases update:
- SA currently has the 18th highest caseload, at 3.167 million; 37,875 new cases were reported yesterday.
- Active cases are at 164,128; Gauteng leads the way, with 88,551 active cases, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 22,486.
- Covid-19 deaths rose by 21 yesterday, to 90,137; 2.913 million people (or 92%) have recovered from the virus.
- 20.238 million tests have been conducted since 5 March 2020; the positivity rate is at 28.9%.
- 27.090 million vaccines have been administered in SA to date; 10,602 vaccines were administered yesterday.
Please note that this is the last publication of the Covid-19 Tracker for this year. Publication will resume on 10 January 2022.
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