Global coronavirus infections are at a record high, propelled by the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant.

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday that over 15 million new cases were reported worldwide in the week to January 9. That's a 55 percent increase from the previous week and a new weekly record.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says daily coronavirus cases and hospitalizations remain at record-high levels in the United States.

Europe also continues to see a surge in cases.
Daily new infections remain at record levels in Italy.
France on Wednesday reported over 360,000 new daily cases, the second highest figure since the record marked on Tuesday.

Also on Wednesday, Saudi Arabia reported over 5,300 new infections and Kuwait confirmed over 4,500 -- both new daily records.

Daily cases also rose to a new high in the Philippines on Monday at over 33,000.