South Africa reports daily record of 26,976 COVID infections

Medical scientists prepare to sequence COVID-19 omicron samples at the Ndlovu Research Center in Elandsdoorn, South Africa, December 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)
Medical scientists prepare to sequence COVID-19 omicron samples at the Ndlovu Research Center in Elandsdoorn, South Africa, December 8, 2021. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay, File)

South Africa reports its highest tally of new coronavirus cases in 24 hours since the start of the pandemic, just weeks after announcing the discovery of the Omicron strain.

The tally of 26,976 COVID infections was even higher than the previous record of 26,485 infections on July 3, at the height of the country’s third wave caused by the Delta variant.

Earlier today, the UK announced 78,610 laboratory-confirmed coronavirus cases, the highest daily total since the pandemic hit the country last year.

The arrival of the Omicron variant has sent cases in the UK spiraling, with the daily total overtaking the previous highest figure of 68,053, which came in January as the Alpha variant spread.

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