Europe was dominating headlines as it became the epicenter of the coronavirus pandemic once more – Austria went into full lockdown and restrictions were put on public life in several countries.
Here, though, we were daring to dream that we might not have a severe fourth wave, especially as we’d already seen the worst of the Delta variant run rampant throughout Europe.
And then – seemingly overnight – South Africa and its neighbouring countries once again became the pariahs of the pandemic when SA scientists reported the discovery of a worrying new variant that took even top science brains by surprise.
Omicron, as it was named by the World Health Organisation, sent our numbers soaring. Daily new infections rose from an average of 275 to 1 600 in a week.
Just a few days later figures had jumped to 3 220, with Gauteng accounting for 81% of cases.
And across the world borders were being closed to South Africans amid cries of discrimination and haste.
We unpack everything scientists know so far about Omicron – and what you can do to fight it.
BOOSTERS
In November, the government announced that the almost 500 000 healthcare workers who received the J&J vaccine through the Sisonke trial programme will now be offered a booster dose as part of the Sisonke 2 booster study.
ãã®èšäºã¯ YOU South Africa ã® 9 December 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ YOU South Africa ã® 9 December 2021 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã8,500 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL!
Kourtney Kardashian and other celebs are honouring the glory of new moms' postpartum bodies
LEON'S ORDEAL IS NO JOKE
Pain has dominated entertainer Leon Schuster's life after a serious back injury landed him in bed. But despite being depressed he remains hopeful he will recover so he can get back to work
'BREAK THE SILENCE'
That's the message of the Scottish comedian who turned his experience of stalking and sexual abuse into a hit Netflix show
A PLACE OF HOPE AND HEALING
Damaged people and abused dogs find a safe haven and a chance to start again at this farm in the Cape Winelands
FROM SPERM DONOR TO DAD OF 37
Peter Ellenstein's life took an unexpected turn when a message from a daughter he never knew he had led to him meeting dozens of his children and exploring what it means to be a father without ever having raised them
GRATEFUL FOR EVERY BREATH
A double lung transplant has given this chef a second chance at life - and he'll never forget the young man who made it possible
THE GAMES ARE GO!
Preparations are well under way in the City of Lights for the world's greatest sporting spectacle
MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT
We break down what the new rules are and what to expect for the seventh national elections later this month
TOM'S A TOP GIFTER
He's known to go ALL OUT for his movies and stunts, so it's no surprise TOM CRUISE also PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS for his friends when it comes to GIFTS
TAMING THE BEAST
Recognising and managing your anger can make for a happier and healthier you