South Africa passed the peak of the Omicron wave

A healthcare worker performs a Covid-19 PCR test at the Lancet laboratory in Johannesburg, November 30, 2021. AFP - EMMANUEL CROSET

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1 min

While the WHO is worried about a "

" following the increase in the number of infections due to the Omicron variant in the world, South Africa is for its part carrying good news.

According to the government, the country is past the peak of its fourth wave of contagion, which began in late November and was much shorter than expected.

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With our correspondent in Johannesburg

,

South Africans will find a little freedom.

notably decreed a lifting of the curfew, an announcement eagerly awaited as New Year's Eve approaches and greeted with relief by restaurants and bars.

And now, up to 1,000 people are allowed to assemble inside, 2,000 outside.

The government therefore considers that the bulk of this short wave has passed with, according to a press release, contamination down by 30% last week.

A figure to be taken with caution because the positivity rate remains at 28% and the number of people having been tested has fallen due to the long summer holidays.

The presidency also justifies its decision by explaining that " 

 ".

The country has also not seen a dramatic increase in the number of deaths.

Cyril Ramaphosa, however, calls on South Africans to continue to focus on the vaccine effort, when only a quarter of the population has received the necessary doses.

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• South Africa

• Coronavirus