Covid cases surge in South Africa where Omicron variant emerged - BBC News

South Africa which recorded some of the earliest cases of Omicron is seeing a major increase in levels of the disease.

In the past week the daily number of new Covid infections has risen rapidly, from less than 3,000 to more than 11,500. 75% of new cases in South Africa are now being caused by the Omicron variant.

So far hospital admissions remain low and symptoms of the new variant are reported to be mild.

But the early figures suggest an increase in the number of people who have already had the disease becoming re-infected.

Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Africa correspondent Andrew Harding in Durban.

#BBCNews

[whatsinaname]

It didn’t emerge in South Africa. It was just South African scientists that informed the world of the new strain. It was proven that there were cases in Europe before they were picked up as a new strain by our scientists!

[justmadeit]

The BBC wont let this go will they, totally pushing a narrative yet rarely if ever having anyone on who doesn't agree with the hysteria

[aarondoyle]

That was a lot of extra words to explain low hospitalization, mild symptoms and more transmissible which are the relevant parts of this story.

[allahjohnson]

it didnt emerge in south africa it was first discovered and reported in south africa, kind of a scummy tittle

[mgh]

This time last year they were blaming the Indian variant which they had to name Delta

[ZoidPickle]

If there are no deaths, or very few.
Why is this such a problem ? The
Only thing you need to worry about,
Is how organisations and governments
Are bending this, to suit themselves.

[TheSamboy]

Why do the protected need to be protected from the unprotected by forcing the unprotected to use the protection that didn't protect the protected in the first place?"

[dalecrocker]

I wish journalism could evolve as fast and as efficiently as covid does.

[tetro]

3 weeks ago I bet a friend $20 there would be a new varient that shuts down travel here in Canada. I'm buying a case of beer with my winnings.

[Team-Jesus]

Ahh the BBC doing what they do best ramp up the FEAR!

[TheGreatBackUpVIDEOS]

*Footage of people playing in the water*
"We're very worried"

Whoever put that footage together did not think this through XD
I also note a lack of masks.

[jamesbaird]

Majority of docs in South Africa are amazed at the reaction of western governments in relation to this apparent variant 😂😂😂

[altheaagbebi]

Stop with these incorrect headlines, it was first detected in Belgium two days before it was detected in South Africa

[thefirstKenpachi]

It didn't emerge from south Africa

[bobsilver]

Omicron is Moronic, and thats the bottom line!

[xav]

The only thing surging is the politician's lies!

[PatronSaintofKnives]

Wouldn’t it be interesting if the virus just gets more transmissible as it gets milder and milder?
Just plays itself out?
And we can all get on with our lives.

[kennyjohnson]

People who refuse jab are the smart ones !

[przybyla]

Notice how now the story is evolving (pun intended) to be that we will get nasty new variants until every single person is vaccinated (and boosted continually). Are they still doing gain of function research? (Yes, full steam ahead - except a month or two ago they rebranded it).

[jacekmiksza]

I'd love to hear something about flu. Has it completely disappeared, or is not in fashion anymore ... ?