South Africa lifts curfew as Omicron wave subsides
The Independent|January 01, 2022
South Africa’s fourth Covid wave fuelled by the more contagious Omicron strain may have peaked, government officials believe as restrictions were lifted ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations.
MATT MATHERS
South Africa lifts curfew as Omicron wave subsides

Infections rates in the country, where Omicron was first detected, have been steadily declining for days, with just under 13,000 recorded in the latest 24-hour period – compared to around 20,000 on 17 December.

The seven-day average is rate is now at less than 11,000, compared with nearly 24,000 at the height of the Omicron wave earlier in December. At the beginning of November, before Omicron took hold, South Africa regularly logged less than 1,000 new infections each day.

The government in Pretoria removed a midnight to 4am curfew, citing decreasing cases, vaccination levels and increased capacity in hospitals.

This story is from the January 01, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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This story is from the January 01, 2022 edition of The Independent.

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