Omicron poses a 'very high' global risk but data on severity limited: WHO
Omicron was first detected last month in southern Africa and Hong Kong.
Dec 13, 2021, 17:56 PM IST
COVID-19 pandemic pushed over half a billion into extreme poverty: UN report
The findings, launched on International Universal Health Coverage Day, highlighted the devastating impact of COVID-19 on people`s ability to obtain healthcare and pay for it
Dec 13, 2021, 09:42 AM IST
Omicron variant now present in 63 countries, might surpass Delta in spreading speed: WHO
"As of December 9, 2021, cases of human infections with this variant have been identified in 63 countries across all six WHO regions," read the overview by the WHO, reported Sputnik.
Dec 13, 2021, 06:47 AM IST
Omicron threat: 23 cases across India, health officials inform standing committee
The health officials gave a detailed presentation on Omnicron variant and other issues related to COVID-19.
Dec 09, 2021, 22:51 PM IST
Omicron threat: People with health issues or inactivated vaccine should get booster dose, says WHO
Many countries have been rolling out booster shots, targeting the elderly and people with underlying health issues.
Dec 09, 2021, 16:43 PM IST
Omicron variant now in 57 countries, may change course of COVID-19 pandemic, warns WHO chief
The WHO has called on all countries to increase surveillance, testing and sequencing, and to submit more data to the WHO Clinical Data Platform using an updated online case reporting form.
Dec 09, 2021, 08:20 AM IST
Omicron reported in 57 countries, hospitalisations set to rise: WHO
The WHO said more data was needed to assess the severity of disease caused by the Omicron variant and whether its mutations might reduce protection from vaccine-derived immunity.
Dec 08, 2021, 15:53 PM IST
How can you protect yourself from Omicron? Here's what top health experts say
For all the attention omicron is getting, the overwhelming cause of infections and deaths in many places remains the extra-contagious delta variant. “Delta is the real risk right now. Omicron is an uncertain threat,” Dr. Francis Collins, director of the US National Institutes of Health said.
Dec 07, 2021, 06:49 AM IST
With 2 new Omicron cases, Maharashtra's tally reaches 10; total cases in India 23
Until now, five high-risk and 315 low-risk contacts of the patients have been traced. Further tracing is currently underway, the Maharashtra government said.
Dec 07, 2021, 06:21 AM IST
More omicron cases detected in US as hospitals strain under virus surge
The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages. The number of people testing positive statewide each day for the virus has doubled in the last 30 days.
Dec 05, 2021, 06:45 AM IST
India detects its 4th Omicron COVID case; Centre sounds caution, states tighten curbs
The country's first two cases of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 were reported on Thursday in Karnataka--in a 66-year-old South African flyer and a 46-year-old Bengaluru doctor with no travel history and both men fully vaccinated.
Dec 05, 2021, 06:24 AM IST
Omicron's mutation rate more than doubled - Health Ministry
The Ministry of Health, Government of India gave special information on Omicron. Said- Passengers coming from 'at risk' countries will have to undergo RT-PCR test on arrival.
Dec 02, 2021, 17:42 PM IST
COVID vaccines offer protection against severe infection from Omicron strain: Data
With the coming of the Omicron variant, there are chances of reinfection with COVID-19 despite being vaccinated. The vaccine however still offers protection against severe infection.
Dec 02, 2021, 10:38 AM IST
Omicron variant confirmed in 23 countries: WHO chief
Tedros said that WHO is learning more all the time about Omicron, but there`s still more to learn about its effect on transmission, the severity of disease, and the effectiveness of tests, therapeutics and vaccines.
Dec 01, 2021, 22:27 PM IST
'Was shocked at what I was seeing': How South African scientists spotted Omicron variant
South Africa's daily COVID-19 infection rate is expected to quadruple to more than 10,000 by the end of this week.
Dec 01, 2021, 13:42 PM IST
Omicron outbreak: 23 countries including Canada, USA have detected cases of new COVID-19 variant
It is feared that most COVID-19 vaccines could be ineffective on the new Omicron variant.
Dec 01, 2021, 12:27 PM IST
WHO warns against blanket travel ban, says it won’t stop spread of Omicron variant
The WHO, in its latest guidance to authorities and travellers issued on Tuesday, said that people over 60 years of age who are not fully vaccinated or do not have proof of previous SARS-COV-2 infection and those with underlying health conditions should be advised to postpone travel as they are at higher risk of disease and death.
Dec 01, 2021, 06:03 AM IST
Omicron scare: Centre advises states to ramp up testing for early detection of cases
While underlining that the new variant doesn't escape RT-PCR and RAT tests, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan asked states and UTs to ensure adequate infrastructure and supervised home isolation, a Union Health Ministry official said.
Nov 30, 2021, 12:09 PM IST
Why Omicron COVID variant can be more lethal than Delta
Over 100 cases of Omicron variant have been detected in South Africa, where the new strain is slowly becoming the dominant one.
Nov 30, 2021, 09:20 AM IST
New COVID-19 variant Omicron poses 'very high' global risk, warns WHO
If the virus proves dangerous as feared, "the impact on vulnerable populations would be substantial, particularly in countries with low vaccination coverage, WHO said, noting that no deaths linked to omicron have been reported so far.
Nov 30, 2021, 06:10 AM IST
