This archive report was first published on 31 December 2021.
South Africa, where the Omicron variant was first detected in November, has announced that the country's latest coronavirus wave has likely passed its peak. The country's latest wave was marked by a significant increase in infections, but a marginal increase in Covid-19 deaths was noted, according to the South African presidency.
As of December 31, 2021, infections had dropped by almost 30 percent in the past week compared to the preceding seven days, while hospital admissions also declined in eight of the nine provinces. The presidency stated that 'all indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave.'
South Africa has been the hardest hit by coronavirus on the continent, recording more than 3.4 million cases and 91,000 deaths. However, fewer than 13,000 infections had been recorded in the past 24 hours.
South Africa has been reversing course on virus countermeasures, announcing the end of the nightly curfew just ahead of New Year's Eve celebrations. The government has also lifted restrictions on the hours of movement of people, allowing alcohol sales after 11 pm for licensed premises.
Mask-wearing remains compulsory in public spaces, and public gatherings are limited to 1,000 people indoors and 2,000 outdoors. The government continues to stress the need for caution and vaccination, warning that the risk of increased infections remains high given the high transmissibility of the Omicron variant.
