New COVID-19 cases in South Africa have tripled in three days, according to new figures released by the country's health ministry on Thursday, sparking concerns over the spread of the new omicron variant. South Africa is entering its fourth wave of COVID-19 infections due to the omicron variant, Phaahla added at a media briefing on Friday. He said that the infections with the new variant have been detected in seven out of the country's nine provinces. Since omicron was first detected in the country eight days ago, cases have risen steadily, he said on Friday.