According to South African officials, the coronavirus cases in the country have been on the rise for the first time in months. The country's COVID-19 tracking agency said 4,631 infections were reported in the last 24 hours.

South Africa reports surge in coronavirus cases; Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal worst-hit

The White House announced on Friday that it will lift temporary travel restrictions on southern African countries on December 31. White House spokesman Kevin Munoz in a tweet said: "The restrictions gave us time to understand Omicron and we know our existing vaccines work against Omicron.

Omicron update: Will lift travel restrictions on southern African countries, says US

As South Africa battles a surge in coronavirus cases, reports claim hospitals in the country are bracing for more virus cases amid growing the Omicron variant threat.

Omicron spreads in South Africa as President Ramaphosa urges vaccination

The finding of the Omicron variant in southern Africa has fueled suggestions that low vaccination rates foster viral mutations, which can subsequently spread to nations with greater vaccination rates.

Only one in 15 Africans fully vaccinated: Vaccine discrimination risks leaving Africa behind

South Africa reported a surge in COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant continued to spread across the country. Health officials reported over 16,000 coronavirus cases with the total number of infections crossing three million.

Omicron spreads to more provinces in South Africa; Gauteng worst-hit

The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus carries a threefold higher risk of reinfection than the currently dominant Delta or Beta variant, a South Africa group of health organisations said on Thursday.

With Omicron, reinfection is three times more likely: South African health body

As the world grapples with the Omicron variant, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at least 23 countries from five of six WHO regions have now reported cases of the new variant.

This virus has demonstrated it will not simply disappear, WHO chief Tedros on Omicron

India on Wednesday decided to postpone resuming international flight operations which were due to start from December 15. The country had suspended international flights in March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic began to surge worldwide.

Omicron alert: India postpones resuming international flight operations

Dutch authorities detected another Omicron variant case in a passenger after 61 people were detected with the virus in two flights which had returned from South Africa and landed at Amsterdam airport on Friday.

Netherlands-SA flight: Omicron cases rise; couple caught fleeing quarantine

Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has lavished huge praise on Narendra Modi and India's spirits as the country is ready to extend their support to African countries reeling under the new Covid variant named Omicron.

Kevin Pietersen lauds PM Modi as India ready to help African nations amid Omicron scare

Spain reported the first case of the Omicron variant as the strain continued to spread in Europe. The case was reported after a 51-year-old man arrived from South Africa on Sunday, authorities said.

Spain reports first case of Omicron variant

Reports say at least six Omicron variant cases have been detected in Scotland taking the total number of new virus variant cases in the UK to nine. We're taking action to prevent the spread of the #OmicronVariant of #COVID19.

Scotland detects six Omicron variant cases as UK tightens restrictions

The Australian government said today it has temporarily stopped plans to reopen borders for students and skilled workers as more people were detected with the Omicron variant.

Australia halts border reopening after two more Omicron cases detected

After the UK reported two cases of the Omicron variant on Saturday, British PM Boris Johnson declared that all passengers arriving in the UK must isolate themselves until they can show a negative PCR test to the authorities.

PM Johnson imposes new measures after UK reports Omicron variant cases

As concerns mounted over a potentially more contagious coronavirus variant spreading to many countries, the Centre on Sunday decided to review the resumption of international flights, introduced stricter guidelines for people travelling from or transiting through "at-risk" countries and issued a slew of directions to the states for ramping up testing-surveillance measures and health facilities.

Omicron alert: Government to review resumption of international flights

Dutch authorities said on Sunday at least 13 cases of Omicron variant has been detected among passengers who had landed in the country from South Africa on Friday.

'Tip of the iceberg': Dutch authorities confirm 13 Omicron variant cases in South African flights

After Belgium and UK reported the Omicron variant, reports say Austria recorded the first suspected case of the variant. Austria has been on lockdown as it battles the fourth wave with vaccination made mandatory for all citizens.

Austria detects suspect Omicron case as Europe battles virus surge

The British government on Saturday confirmed the existence of two cases of the Omicron variant in the country. UK had banned flights to South Africa after authorities revealed they had discovered the B.

After Belgium, UK reports two Omicron variant cases