25 Dec

South African health authorities have warned of the rapid rise in coronavirus cases in the second wave of infections that is hitting the country now.

Coronavirus cases had peaked in July, but infections resurged in late November. The daily number of new cases exceeded 14,000 on Wednesday. Local media reported that the figure was the highest so far.

Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said the rate of the spread is much faster than in the first wave. He said that infections in the second wave would surpass the peak of the first wave in the coming days.

It is now the summer holiday season in South Africa as well as Christmastime.
Mkhize said the need for citizens to take every precaution as they celebrate the festive season cannot be stressed enough.

Last week, South African health authorities identified a new variant of the coronavirus in the country. They suspect the variant is driving the second wave of the infections.

The World Health Organization says the South African variant is different from the strains found in Britain.

NHK