Worldwide new daily COVID-19 cases reached a level of 610-620,000/day about a week ago, and temporarily levelled off. This is about halfway between the lows and highs of the last 16 months. (All figures here are in new cases detected, on a 7-day average basis, going from 15 to 8 to 1 day ago.) South Africa has gone up over 400%, climbing from 4,300 to 10,000 to 19,400. France climbed from 29,300 to 42,500 to 48,800. The U.K. continues its relentless climb upwards, from 43,100 to 45,400 to 50,700. Otherwise, it is hoped that Germany peaked two weeks ago at 57,600, going to 56,700 last week, and 49,300 now. Vietnam may have reached a peak, with 16,500, then 14,100, but now 14,900. Russia continues its slow decline, 33,200 to 32,400 and 30,200.
The first official Omicron death in the U.K. was reported by Boris Johnson on Dec. 13. The U.K. has identified 3,137 Omicron cases, with 10 of them serious enough for hospitalization. It reports doubling of Omicron cases is now down to 2-3 days, and an estimated 40% of infections in London are Omicron. South Africa estimates that 70% of their new cases are Omicron. South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa has also tested positive, is in quarantine, reportedly with mild symptoms, and has delegated responsibilities temporarily to the Deputy President David Mabuza.
