https://apnews.com/d916ab2d889e33d3ad2826e24ce4caa6 > JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's new cases of COVID-19 nearly doubled in a day, authorities reported Wednesday, signaling a dramatic surge in the country where scientists detected the omicron variant last week. > New confirmed cases rose to 8,561 Wednesday from 4,373 a day earlier, according to official statistics.