COVID-19 fears dash hopes for the holiday season — again
3 years ago

COVID-19 fears dash hopes for the holiday season — again

Associated Press  

Lines again stretch around blocks at some COVID-19 testing sites. The accelerating cancellations seem “to have thrown us back into that sort of zombie world of the first week of March of the pandemic last year,” said Jonathan Neame, the chief executive of Shepherd Neame, Britain’s oldest brewery and chain of pubs. New York Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that the city would “watch very carefully” whether to press ahead with plans to welcome a fully vaccinated crowd back to Times Square on New Year’s Eve, a celebration that was canceled last year. “Try to get to a place where the expectation is that this is going to continue on for a while, and if you’re feeling stuck, try to find ways to make your life meaningful right now.” The world has been on edge over the omicron variant, which could become the dominant strain of coronavirus in weeks in many nations. “I think it’s just prudent to stay put.” Dakota LeRoy, a 25-year-old product designer in Manhattan who is fully vaccinated, had reasoned that it would be safe to go to a Christmas-themed dive bar to celebrate a new job last week.

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History of this topic

Here’s why Covid cases are spiking again and how it could affect you
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Here’s why Covid cases are spiking again and how it could affect you

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The American Hospital Association said that the 18.1 percent test positivity rate for that week …

More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge
1 year ago

More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses. “What we’re seeing right now, in the first week of January, is really an acceleration — of flu cases, in particular,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease …

Highly contagious new Covid variant HV.1 spreading across US: All you need to know
1 year, 1 month ago

Highly contagious new Covid variant HV.1 spreading across US: All you need to know

Hindustan Times  

HV.1, the new highly contagious Covid-19 variant is sweeping through the United States. According to the data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the variant was responsible for an estimated 25.2% of all the newly diagnosed cases during the two-week period ending on October 28. Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center …

Covid-19 | Lurking presence
1 year, 11 months ago

Covid-19 | Lurking presence

India Today  

On January 23, 2023, India logged just 92 fresh Covid-19 infections and no deaths. China, on the other hand, which is grappling with a major Covid wave triggered by Omicron sub-variant BF.7 and lifting of restrictions, saw record hospitalisations—the highest since the onset of the pandemic, per World Health Organization reports. Since August 2022, a whole bouquet of Omicron sub-variants—BA.2.12.1, …

After a year, omicron still driving COVID surges and worries
2 years, 1 month ago

After a year, omicron still driving COVID surges and worries

Associated Press  

A year after omicron began its assault on humanity, the ever-morphing coronavirus mutant drove COVID-19 case counts higher in many places just as Americans gathered for Thanksgiving. “It’s making a clear comeback.” Nationally, new COVID cases averaged around 39,300 a day as of Tuesday — far lower than last winter but a vast undercount because of reduced testing and reporting. …

Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a 'tripledemic'
2 years, 1 month ago

Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a 'tripledemic'

NPR  

Experts are concerned Thanksgiving gatherings could accelerate a 'tripledemic' For each of the last two years, Thanksgiving helped usher in some very unwelcome guests: Devastating waves of COVID-19. "Intensive care units are at or above capacity in every children's hospital in the United States right now," says Amy Knight, president of the Children's Hospital Association. "I think it's a really …

Festivities Pick Up, Active Cases Dip, New Variants Spark Risk; A Lethal Strain 'Made'
2 years, 2 months ago

Festivities Pick Up, Active Cases Dip, New Variants Spark Risk; A Lethal Strain 'Made'

News 18  

The festive season is here in full swing, with Covid situation in the country seeming to be in control as the active cases have now declined to 25,968, as per Union health ministry’s bulletin on Wednesday. The Maharashtra government also cautioned on Tuesday that Covid cases could rise especially during winters and the festive season, citing new variants like BA.2.3.20 …

Omicron’s staying power is key to mild winter as cases rise
2 years, 2 months ago

Omicron’s staying power is key to mild winter as cases rise

Hindustan Times  

The rhythm of pre-pandemic life is back around much of the world. “It’s totally possible that some strange new combination of mutations is emerging in some person who is chronically infected and that could spark a new variant,” he said, “but we don’t have the ability to predict that.” The more infections there are, the higher the chances of unpredictable …

New Covid, more dangerous than ever, may emerge this winter: US expert
2 years, 3 months ago

New Covid, more dangerous than ever, may emerge this winter: US expert

Live Mint  

This winter, don't be shocked if a new, more dangerous Covid variety emerges. Fauci was speaking at an event with the USC Annenberg Center for Health Journalism.There is always a risk of upsurge in the winter, he warned, so people shouldn't let their guard down. Fauci mentioned how people experienced similar mild pandemic patterns in the summer of 2021, only …

COVID-19 pandemic 'nowhere near over', says World Health Organization
2 years, 5 months ago

COVID-19 pandemic 'nowhere near over', says World Health Organization

India TV News  

Highlights The number of new Covid-19 cases worldwide has risen by 30 per cent in the last two weeks: WHO I am concerned about the increasing trend of deaths, says WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Recent changes in testing policies have also been hindering the detection of new cases, says WHO Covid-19 news updates : The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic is …

The Omicron subvariant spreading across the U.S. shares an ominous trait with Delta
2 years, 7 months ago

The Omicron subvariant spreading across the U.S. shares an ominous trait with Delta

LA Times  

Coronavirus particles are seen under a microscope. A genetic trait that harks back to the pandemic’s past, known as a Delta mutation, appears to allow the virus “to escape preexisting immunity from vaccination and prior infection, especially if you were infected in the Omicron wave,” said Dr. Wesley Long, a pathologist at Houston Methodist in Texas. The Omicron subvariant gaining …

What Omicron taught us about Covid-19
2 years, 10 months ago

What Omicron taught us about Covid-19

India Today  

The Omicron variant hit the global radar in November last year when South African health authorities reported a complicated new variant to the World Health Organization. India reported the first Omicron in late November and Delhi saw its first case in December, within weeks India braced for one of the fastest jumps in cases as people feared a Delta-like situation …

Is it true that everyone will get Omicron? WHO answers
2 years, 11 months ago

Is it true that everyone will get Omicron? WHO answers

Live Mint  

Omicron is less severe than Delta but it's still a dangerous virus, Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization's technical lead on Covid-19, said on Sunday while addressing a programme. Replying to a query on why are people ending up in the hospital and dying from it if the Omicron variant is less severe, the WHO Covid-19 technical head said, …

Is Omicron the end game of Covid-19? Study in South Africa may have an answer
2 years, 11 months ago

Is Omicron the end game of Covid-19? Study in South Africa may have an answer

India Today  

When will the Covid-19 pandemic end? This is where studies conducted in South Africa which reported Omicron first to the World Health Organization in mid-November last year, and where scientists have devoted a lot of time and resources understanding the variant bring cheer amid the Covid-19 gloom. In a South African laboratory study, researchers found those previously infected with the …

WHO counts 18 million Covid-19 cases last week as Omicron spread slows
2 years, 11 months ago

WHO counts 18 million Covid-19 cases last week as Omicron spread slows

India Today  

The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20 per cent last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the Omicron variant's spread, according to the World Health Organization. In its weekly report on the pandemic, the UN health agency said the number of new Covid-19 infections increased in every world region …

Covid-19 pandemic nowhere near over, says WHO chief
2 years, 11 months ago

Covid-19 pandemic nowhere near over, says WHO chief

India Today  

World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Tuesday that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus also raised concerns over low vaccination rates in some countries and cautioned against a narrative that the fast-spreading Omicron variant is risk-free. I remain concerned about countries with low vaccination rates, as unvaccinated people are many times more at …

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US

Associated Press  

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. “What we need to do is make sure the hospitals can still function — transportation, other essential services are not disrupted while this happens.” The University of …

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain

Hindustan Times  

Scientists are seeing signals that Covid-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the US, at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. Shabir Mahdi, dean of health sciences at South Africa’s University of Witwatersrand, said European countries that impose lockdowns won't necessarily come through the omicron wave with fewer …

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain

India Today  

Scientists are seeing signals that Covid-19s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the US, at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. Shabir Mahdi, dean of health sciences at South Africa’s University of Witwatersrand, said European countries that impose lockdowns won’t necessarily come through the omicron wave with fewer …

Data shows Omicron variant driving third wave of COVID-19 pandemic across states
3 years ago

Data shows Omicron variant driving third wave of COVID-19 pandemic across states

Firstpost  

The government has reiterated and urged people to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and avoid mass gatherings New Delhi: The third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic across all states is being driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant, official sources said on Saturday, citing the latest data. A source said, however, the latest data suggests that all eastern states have also reported high …

Column: ‘Everybody’s getting COVID.’ That doesn’t mean you should try to get it, too
3 years ago

Column: ‘Everybody’s getting COVID.’ That doesn’t mean you should try to get it, too

LA Times  

The latest statistics are terrifying. “I don’t believe we’ve seen the peak,” Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, told the “Today” show on Friday, adding that “hospitals right now are full of people who are unvaccinated.” And yet, in Dr. Roberto Vargas’ corner of California in South L.A., where he’s been helping lead an …

If you caught Covid this holiday here’s what you need to know
3 years ago

If you caught Covid this holiday here’s what you need to know

CNN  

CNN — If you caught Covid-19 over the holidays – and with the highly contagious Omicron variant in circulation, record numbers of people did – you may be wondering what your next steps should be. There are some things you catch then never catch again, but this is one of those things where, yeah, you’re gonna keep getting it.” In …

Soaring Omicron could lead to more dangerous COVID-19 variants, warns WHO
3 years ago

Soaring Omicron could lead to more dangerous COVID-19 variants, warns WHO

Firstpost  

But WHO senior emergencies officer Catherine Smallwood sounded an ominous note of caution, telling AFP that the soaring infection rates could have the opposite effect. Stockholm: Soaring Omicron cases around the globe could increase the risk of a newer, more dangerous variant emerging, the World Health Organization in Europe warned on Tuesday. Now, Omicron is lethal, it can cause death …

Outbreak team says lockdown extension likely; Retailers angered
3 years ago

Outbreak team says lockdown extension likely; Retailers angered

NL Times  

Due to uncertainties about the "important characteristics" of the Omicron variant, the Outbreak Management Team is not in favor of a quick relation of Covid-19 measures, apart from reopening schools. According to OMT, the hospital admissions resulting from the wave could remain relatively limited. Although Omicron appears to be milder than delta, there is still a risk it could overload …

Can Omicron's ‘immunity’ end Covid-19 pandemic? Experts hint at ‘silver lining’
3 years ago

Can Omicron's ‘immunity’ end Covid-19 pandemic? Experts hint at ‘silver lining’

Hindustan Times  

A string of new studies has confirmed the silver lining of the omicron variant: Even as case numbers soar to records, the numbers of severe cases and hospitalizations have not. “The virus is always going to be with us, but my hope is this variant causes so much immunity that it will quell the pandemic.” The omicron variant was discovered …

Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022
3 years ago

Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022

Associated Press  

PARIS — Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were — again — the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022. “We have just been in so long.” The mostly muted New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world …

Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022
3 years ago

Omicron’s New Year’s cocktail: Sorrow, fear, hope for 2022

Deccan Chronicle  

PARIS: Sorrow for the dead and dying, fear of more infections to come and hopes for an end to the coronavirus pandemic were — again — the bittersweet cocktail with which the world said good riddance to 2021 and ushered in 2022. “We have just been in so long.” The mostly muted New Year’s Eve celebrations around the world ushered …

Omicron mutes New Year parties worldwide as countries impose COVID-19 restrictions
3 years ago

Omicron mutes New Year parties worldwide as countries impose COVID-19 restrictions

Firstpost  

In Britain, the United States and even Australia — long a refuge from the pandemic — the variant’s prominence is driving record new cases. New York: The world ushered in 2022 on Friday with scaled-back celebrations due to new restrictions aimed at slowing soaring Covid cases — although hope remained for a better new year. New York revived its New …

Omicron dampens new year celebrations amid COVID restrictions
3 years ago

Omicron dampens new year celebrations amid COVID restrictions

Al Jazeera  

Most of the festivities and events cancelled or scaled down as the Omicron variant continues to rapidly spread despite restrictions. The Omicron coronavirus variant dampened new year festivities around much of the world with Paris cancelling its fireworks show, London relegating its to television and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square. But in …

New Year's Eve muted by Omicron; many hoping for better 2022
3 years ago

New Year's Eve muted by Omicron; many hoping for better 2022

India TV News  

Highlights In India, millions of people were planning to ring in the new year from their homes The annual New Year’s Eve bell-ringing ceremony was cancelled for the 2nd straight year in Seoul Popular fireworks from atop Auckland's Sky Tower has been cancelled amid Covid scare New Year 2022 News: Good riddance to 2021. In many places, plans for New …

How the world plans to celebrate New Year under COVID cloud
3 years ago

How the world plans to celebrate New Year under COVID cloud

Al Jazeera  

Some of the most iconic celebrations will be going ahead as countries hit new record levels of infections. Skyrocketing COVID-19 case rates, driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, have caused some countries to mute their New Year’s Eve celebrations, while others have been hesitant to reimpose strict controls. Unlike last year’s spectator-free event, tens of thousands of revellers are …

Dec 28: What more we know about Omicron
3 years ago

Dec 28: What more we know about Omicron

Hindustan Times  

As the second week of December began, the number of new Covid-19 cases began to inch up in Delhi. Representative Image From there, the trajectory of new cases went on a sustained rise: The city has had an average of 256 new cases every day for the last week, compared to mere 29 a month ago. From there, the trajectory …

The CDC slashes estimates of omicron's prevalence in the U.S.
3 years ago

The CDC slashes estimates of omicron's prevalence in the U.S.

NPR  

The CDC slashes estimates of omicron's prevalence in the U.S. Enlarge this image toggle caption Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Alarms that the hyper-contagious omicron variant accounted for the vast majority of new COVID-19 infections over the past couple of weeks were significantly overestimated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sponsor Message "There's no way around …

Between Christmas and New Year’s, doctors expect the Omicron surge to grow
3 years ago

Between Christmas and New Year’s, doctors expect the Omicron surge to grow

CNN  

CNN — Covid-19 numbers keep soaring as travelers scatter back across the country after Christmas and Americans prepare for another holiday weekend. “I think we’re going to see half a million cases a day – easy – sometime over the next week to 10 days,” CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner told CNN on Sunday. With the highly contagious Omicron …

COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel but not shopping
3 years ago

COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel but not shopping

Associated Press  

NEWARK, N.J. — The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travelers — but it didn’t do much damage to holiday shopping. Airlines canceled hundreds more flights Sunday, citing staffing problems tied to COVID-19, as the nation’s travel woes extended beyond Christmas, with no clear indication when normal schedules would resume. “This was unexpected,” United …

Another COVID Christmas brings anxiety, but also optimism
3 years ago

Another COVID Christmas brings anxiety, but also optimism

Associated Press  

Christmas arrived around the world Saturday amid a surge in COVID-19 infections that kept many families apart, overwhelmed hospitals and curbed religious observances as the pandemic was poised to stretch into a third year. Alex Karloutsos, of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Church of the Hamptons in Southampton, New York, said attendance at the Christmas Eve liturgy was a …

Typhoon misery in Philippines and COVID spikes elsewhere dampen Christmas joy
3 years ago

Typhoon misery in Philippines and COVID spikes elsewhere dampen Christmas joy

LA Times  

Alona Nacua and her son look over their demolished home in the Philippines’ Cebu province on Christmas Day. Hundreds of thousands of people in the Philippines, Asia’s largest Roman Catholic nation, marked Christmas on Saturday without homes, adequate food and water, electricity or cellphone connections after a powerful typhoon left at least 375 people dead last week and devastated mostly …

Covid-19 marches toward endemic status in US as Omicron spreads
3 years ago

Covid-19 marches toward endemic status in US as Omicron spreads

Live Mint  

The Omicron variant’s aggressive advance is the latest twist in the course of a disease that public-health experts say is on a path toward becoming endemic in the U.S. “I don’t think there’s going to be a day where the whole thing feels over," said Joshua Schiffer, an associate professor in the vaccine and infectious disease division at Fred Hutchinson …

PM Johnson urges Britons to get COVID-19 jab for Christmas
3 years ago

PM Johnson urges Britons to get COVID-19 jab for Christmas

Al Jazeera  

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, on the eve of Christmas, has urged people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as a gift to their families and the nation, as a surge in cases driven by the highly transmissible Omicron variant casts a shadow over the festivities. “Though the time for buying presents is theoretically running out, there is still a wonderful …

To grandmother’s house or no? Omicron disrupts holiday plans
3 years ago

To grandmother’s house or no? Omicron disrupts holiday plans

Associated Press  

Dave Fravel and his wife invited several relatives to their Cape Cod home for Christmas to share food, gifts and the togetherness they’ve longed for during the lonely days of the pandemic. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus put it starkly this week when he said that “an event canceled is better than a life canceled.” But pandemic fatigue …

Large Holiday Gatherings Not Safe Even If Vaccinated And Boosted: Anthony Fauci
3 years ago

Large Holiday Gatherings Not Safe Even If Vaccinated And Boosted: Anthony Fauci

ABP News  

New Delhi: With a surge in Covid-19 cases, and the fast-spreading Omicron variant adding to the concerns, people in the United States have been advised to reconsider travels and large gatherings for Christmas and New Year. At a White House briefing Wednesday, top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said people can spend the Christmas holidays with family but it won’t …

Christmas, New Year celebrations: States limit festivities as Omicron cases rise
3 years ago

Christmas, New Year celebrations: States limit festivities as Omicron cases rise

Hindustan Times  

With cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus starting to rise in different parts of the country, several the states have started imposing restrictions on Christmas and New Year celebrations. The order by state’s principal secretary health, TK Anil Kumar, said 19 cases of Omicron have been detected in the state since December 2, when country’s two first Omicron …

Coronavirus Updates: Delhi Bans Gatherings for Christmas, New Year Celebrations
3 years ago

Coronavirus Updates: Delhi Bans Gatherings for Christmas, New Year Celebrations

News 18  

In an effort to fight the Omicron variant surging through the country, President Joe Biden announced on Tuesday that the government would provide 500 million free rapid tests, increase support for hospitals under strain and redouble vaccination and boosting efforts. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday ruled out imposing additional lockdown measures in England before Christmas but said the …

Brian May ‘optimistic’ about Covid-19 as he battles the virus in isolation
3 years ago

Brian May ‘optimistic’ about Covid-19 as he battles the virus in isolation

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Musician Brian May has said he is “optimistic for the …

Omicron complicates holiday travel plans across the US
3 years ago

Omicron complicates holiday travel plans across the US

Al Jazeera  

Long lines for testing and fears of the new coronavirus variant have undermined holiday travel plans for a second year. Americans are facing a second Christmas of upended holiday plans, with a surge in COVID-19 infections fueled by the now-dominant Omicron variant forcing some people to cancel their travel and fret about whether it is safe to visit loved ones. …

Christmas and New Year travel on high alert, lockdowns renew as Omicron spreads
3 years ago

Christmas and New Year travel on high alert, lockdowns renew as Omicron spreads

Hindustan Times  

New Zealand delayed the planned reopening of its international border because of the sweeping spread of Omicron around the world on Tuesday, as several other countries re-imposed social distancing measures. Christmas and New Year travel on high alert, lockdowns renew as Omicron spreads Many nations are on high alert just days ahead of Christmas and New Year celebrations, as the …

Omicron accounts for 73% of new infections in US as country reports first death from COVID-19 variant
3 years ago

Omicron accounts for 73% of new infections in US as country reports first death from COVID-19 variant

Firstpost  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in Omicron’s share of infections in only one week Health officials in Texas said the state recorded the first death related to the Omicron variant, ABC News reported. — Lina Hidalgo December 20, 2021 Meanwhile, Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant …

Omicron sweeps across US, accounts for 73 per cent of new Covid-19 cases
3 years ago

Omicron sweeps across US, accounts for 73 per cent of new Covid-19 cases

India TV News  

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the US, accounting for 73 per cent of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday. In the week that ended December 11, omicron's share of new infections in the US increased to 2.9 per cent from 0.4 per cent the week …

Omicron Now the Dominant Strain of Covid-19 in US; Makes Up 73% of Cases
3 years ago

Omicron Now the Dominant Strain of Covid-19 in US; Makes Up 73% of Cases

News 18  

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday. Adalja said he was not surprised by the CDC data showing omicron overtaking delta in the U.S., given what was seen in South Africa, the U.K. and Denmark. …

Omicron: Daily Covid-19 case numbers ‘could exceed previous peaks,’ CDC warns
3 years ago

Omicron: Daily Covid-19 case numbers ‘could exceed previous peaks,’ CDC warns

CNN  

CNN — The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warns that the Omicron coronavirus variant could drive Covid-19 cases higher than ever before, according to modeling posted on the agency’s website this week. “Current increases in Omicron cases are likely to lead to a national surge in the coming weeks with peak daily numbers of new infections that could …

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