tokyo. covid-19 cases are hitting new records in new south wales and the spread made worse by the omicron variant. meanwhile south korea is reporting record numbers of covid-19 patients in critical condition. health officials there say that the medical system is at risk of reaching its limit. new restrictions will only allow four people in private gatherings in the greater seoul area. and to new zealand, it's be becoming one of the most vaccinated countries in the world with 90% of its eligible population fully vaccinated. the country is set to start a phased reopening of its borders in january after being shut for nearly two years. >> thanks to our correspondents around the world for that. and pending holiday travel and the rapid spread of the omicron variant have many people worried about another massive pandemic wave. i spoke earlier with cnn medical