US registers spike in Omicron cases

Covid-19 hospitalisations in the United States are poised to hit a new high as early as Friday, according to a Reuters tally, as the highly contagious Omicron variant fuels a surge in the number of cases. The seven-day average for new cases set a record for a 10th day in a row at 597,000 new infections, while Covid hospitalisations reached nearly 123,000



and appeared poised to top the record of over 132,000 set last year in the coming days.

Health officials have warned that the sheer number of infections caused by Omicron could strain hospital systems, some of which have already shown signs of distress, partly due to staffing shortages.