Omicron threat: Covid's global surge raises testing, quarantine alarm

Global Covid-19 infections hit a record high over the past seven-day period, the data showed on Wednesday, as the new Omicron variant raced out of control, keeping workers at home and overwhelming testing centres.

Almost 900,000 cases were detected on average each day around the world between December 22-28, and the tally held over one million for the second day, with myriad countries posting new all-time highs over the past 24 hours, including the United States, Australia and many European nations.

World Health Organization (WHO)  Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the circulation of the Delta and Omicron variants