South Africa prepares itself as Omicron starts a fourth wave of Covid-19

A woman is vaccinated against COVID-19 at the Hillbrow Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Monday. Pic/AP

South Africa is readying hospitals for more admissions, as the Omicron variant pushes the country into a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases, President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Monday. South Africa's daily infections surged last week to more than 16,000 on Friday from roughly 2,300 on Monday.

Ramaphosa said that Omicron appeared to be dominating new cases in most of the country and urged more people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. "South Africa now has sufficient supplies of vaccines, ... vaccination is essential for our economic recovery because as more people are vaccinated more areas of economic activity will be opened up," he said.

Cyril Ramaphosa, SA president

The government will soon convene the National Coronavirus Command Council to review the state of the pandemic and decide on further measures to keep people safe, Ramaphosa said.

Unvaccinated Italians face new restrictions

Italy is making life more uncomfortable for unvaccinated people this holiday season, excluding them from indoor restaurants, theaters and museums starting Monday to reduce the spread of coronavirus and encourage vaccine skeptics to get their shots. Italian police can check whether diners in restaurants or bars have a "super" green health pass certifying that they are either vaccinated or have recently recovered from the virus. Smart phone applications that check people's health pass status will be updated and those who have merely tested negative in recent days for COVID-19 will no longer be allowed into concerts, movies or performances. The measures run through Jan. 15.

‘Next pandemic may be worse'

One of the scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is warning the next pandemic may be more contagious and more lethal unless more money is devoted to research and preparations to fight emerging viral threats. Professor Sarah Gilbert says scientific advances made in fighting deadly viruses "must not be lost" because of the cost of fighting this pandemic. "This will not be the last time a virus threatens our lives and our livelihoods," Gilbert said. "The truth is, the next one could be worse. It could be more contagious, or more lethal, or both."

NYC vaccine mandate on pvt sector staff

All private employers in New York City will require their workers to get vaccinated against COVID-19, mayor Bill de Blasio announced Monday, imposing one of the most aggressive vaccine rules in US.

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