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
welcome back to cnn newsroom. i m isa soares. if you re just joining us, let me bring you up to date with our top stories this hour. america s top health officials are warning of an omicron variant take over that will bring another pandemic wave. it comes as the u.s. marks 800,000 coronavirus deaths. and lawmakers have voted to recommend criminal contempt charges against former trump chief of staff mark meadows. the case now goes to the justice department who will decide whether or not to pursue those charges. meadows failed to comply with january the 6th investigators. and lawmakers are also hearing from a key organizer of the rally that preceded the january 6th attack. dustin stockton was interviewed by the house select committee on tuesday. he spoke with cnn a short time later. he says he feels betrayed by former president trump. a moment of clarity that came when trump told his followers to march on the capitol, even