Omicron variant dethrones Delta in South Africa, reaches United States

Germany locks down the unvaccinated; Yellen says pandemic could be here for a while

South Africa’s daily number of confirmed Covid-19 cases almost doubled from Tuesday as the Omicron variant spreads across the country and the world. After the US reported its first Omicron case in a fully vaccinated traveller from South Africa, it prepared to announce steps to fight the virus this winter.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who aren't vaccinated will be excluded from non-essential stores, cultural and recreational venues, and Parliament will consider a general vaccine mandate, as part of an effort to curb coronavirus infections that again topped 70,000 newly confirmed cases in a 24-hour period. While Norway, too,