South Africa

Former captain and wicketkeeper-batsman of South Africa team Quinton de Kock announced his retirement from Test cricket. As per the statement issued by Cricket South-Africa, De Kock intends to spend more time with his family, who played his last Test against India and scored 34 and 21 in the two innings. De Kock, however, said that he intends to continue playing white-ball cricket for South Africa.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, on December 24, alerted India over fourth surge of COVID-19, globally. Addressing a press conference, Bhushan said, "The world is witnessing the fourth surge and the overall positivity is 6.1 percent. Therefore, we have to be on guard and can't afford to be slacken". Countries like the US, Europe and South Africa, witnesses a rise in COVID-19 cases, leading to curbs and precautions. 

Karnataka on December 12 reported its third case of COVID-19's new variant, Omicron. K Sudhakar, the Health Minister of Karnataka, said, "A 34-year-old returnee from South Africa has tested positive. He is isolated and being treated at a government hospital.'' His five primary and 15 secondary contacts have also undergone the test for the variant. Besides, Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh also reported their first case of the variant. 

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Chief slammed countries for continuing direct flight ban to Africa, the origin of Covid-19's new variant Omicron. The WHO, on December 5, condemned the travel ban imposed amid Omicron scare and criticised nations for not accepting negative Covid-19 reports of South Africa and demanding "Third Country Report." Travel bans targeting Africa is attack on global solidarity, said WHO. 

Brazil reported first confirmed case of Omicron, new Covid-19 variant, on December 1. About two South Africa returnees, a 42-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman, tested positive for Omicron, the first confirmed case of the new variant in Latin America, said Sao Paulo Health Secretariat. Besides Latin America, Japan and France also reported cases of Omicron, classified as the "Variant of Concern", by the Word Health Organization (WHO).