Omicron Spreads Fastest in Angola Within a Week (Wednesday, March 16, 2022)

The Omicron (B.1.1.529) variant of the Covid-19 virus continues to spread globally, reaching 2.09 million cases by Wednesday, March 16, 2022. According to GISAID data, Angola recorded the highest number of new Omicron cases, with 36. The total number of Omicron cases in Angola currently represents 0 percent of the global total.

Russia follows in second place. Compared to the previous week, new Omicron cases in the country increased by 58.8 percent. Daily new Omicron cases rose by 23.26 percent compared to the previous day, which recorded 688 cases.

Furthermore, new Omicron cases in Slovakia increased by 56.7 percent to 7,031 compared to the previous week; Ecuador saw 1,054 new Omicron cases (a 48.03% increase); and Morocco saw a 46.32 percent increase in new Omicron cases, reaching 139 compared to the previous week.

Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the number of new Omicron cases recorded to date is 8,273, a 0.01 percent increase compared to the previous day. Since it was first monitored, Omicron cases in Indonesia have continued to rise.

The Ministry of Health (Kemenkes) urges all parties to remain vigilant in the face of the global surge in Omicron cases. The public is urged to consistently adhere to the 3M health protocols: wearing masks, maintaining distance, and washing hands.