Yes, millions of Americans have caught Omicron. No, we don’t have herd immunity
2 years, 10 months ago

Yes, millions of Americans have caught Omicron. No, we don’t have herd immunity

LA Times  

Experts say it’s unlikely the Omicron strain of the coronavirus — or any other variant — will lead us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19. While the highly transmissible coronavirus variant has spread quickly and infected — if not necessarily sickened — millions of people, including the fully vaccinated, experts say it’s not likely that Omicron, or any other strain, will lead to herd immunity. “Herd immunity is an elusive concept and doesn’t apply to coronavirus,” says Dr. Don Milton at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Herd immunity is when enough of a population is immune to a virus that it’s hard for the germ to spread to those who aren’t protected by vaccination or a prior infection.

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History of this topic

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 …

WHO: COVID still an emergency but nearing ‘inflection’ point
1 year, 10 months ago

WHO: COVID still an emergency but nearing ‘inflection’ point

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The coronavirus remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization chief said Monday, after a key advisory panel found the pandemic may be nearing an “inflexion point” where higher levels of immunity can lower virus-related deaths. Speaking at the opening of WHO’s annual executive board meeting, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said “there is no doubt that …

Omicron BF.7 scare: What is herd immunity; can it save us from fourth Covid wave?
1 year, 11 months ago

Omicron BF.7 scare: What is herd immunity; can it save us from fourth Covid wave?

Hindustan Times  

Amid the fears of a fourth Covid wave in India triggered by Omicron BF.7 that is currently wreaking havoc in China, a top official of CSIR- Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology said that the severity of Omicron BF.7 in India may not be as serious as in China because Indians have already developed 'herd immunity'. So can herd immunity …

Covid-19’s spread in China might tell us how deadly Omicron really is
2 years ago

Covid-19’s spread in China might tell us how deadly Omicron really is

Live Mint  

Covid-19’s rapid spread in China has prompted reports of crowded hospitals and inundated crematoria. China is meeting the Omicron variant with less exposure to the virus and lower vaccination rates among the elderly, public-health experts said. Covid-19’s spread there will help explain to what extent lower rates of severe disease and death are influenced by Omicron’s nature compared with a …

Covid-19’s spread in China might tell us how deadly Omicron really is
2 years ago

Covid-19’s spread in China might tell us how deadly Omicron really is

Live Mint  

Covid-19’s rapid spread in China has prompted reports of crowded hospitals and inundated crematoria. China is meeting the Omicron variant with less exposure to the virus and lower vaccination rates among the elderly, public-health experts said. Covid-19’s spread there will help explain to what extent lower rates of severe disease and death are influenced by Omicron’s nature compared with a …

Next Covid-19 Strain May Be More Dangerous, Says New Study
2 years ago

Next Covid-19 Strain May Be More Dangerous, Says New Study

News 18  

While China is experiencing a sudden surge in COVID cases, the rest of the world is comparatively doing better with the current Omicron strain in retreat mode. However, our concerns may be far from over as a new lab report says that the next COVID-19 variant may be way more dangerous than the Omicron strain. This study has been conducted …

After a year, omicron still driving COVID surges and worries
2 years 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. …

New Omicron Variants Not Causing Significant Rise in Hospitalisations, Say Experts
2 years, 1 month ago

New Omicron Variants Not Causing Significant Rise in Hospitalisations, Say Experts

News 18  

The new variants of Omicron, XXB and BQ.1, have not led to any significant rise in coronavirus infections and hospitalisations in Maharashtra, experts have said. Dr Anita Mathew, Infectious Disease Specialist at Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said many of the new patients are asymptomatic. The department had also cautioned that coronavirus cases could rise during winter and the festive season, citing …

New Omicron sub-variants: 5 ways mild Covid infections are affecting our health
2 years, 1 month ago

New Omicron sub-variants: 5 ways mild Covid infections are affecting our health

Hindustan Times  

New Omicron sub-variants are spreading across the world rapidly but the panic associated with Covid-19 is comparatively less compared to a year back considering the symptoms associated with Omicron have largely been mild. Omicron XBB the latest variant with its immune-evasive properties can dodge host's immune response and is highly infectious but it causes only mild symptoms in those vaccinated. …

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, 2 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 …

Can you catch Covid twice? How likely you are to catch the virus again
2 years, 3 months ago

Can you catch Covid twice? How likely you are to catch the virus again

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. Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London, told The Guardian, Omicron is …

CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Targeting Omicron Strains
2 years, 3 months ago

CDC Recommends Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Boosters Targeting Omicron Strains

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING New COVID-19 boosters that target today’s most common omicron strains are set to begin soon after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention endorsed the updated shots Thursday. The decision by CDC Director Rochelle Walensky came shortly after the agency’s advisers said if enough people roll up their sleeves, the shots could blunt a winter surge. The …

Omicron infections provide protection against new COVID-19 variants, says study
2 years, 3 months ago

Omicron infections provide protection against new COVID-19 variants, says study

India TV News  

Vaccinated people who were infected by the earlier Omicron subvariants have four times greater protection than vaccinated people who were not infected against the new variants like BA.5, finds a new study. The study indicates that previous infection in vaccinated people continues to confer immunity for the variants that are known for their ability to evade the immune response. "Vaccinated …

U.S. authorizes updated COVID-19 boosters targeting newest variants
2 years, 3 months ago

U.S. authorizes updated COVID-19 boosters targeting newest variants

LA Times  

The U.S. on Wednesday authorized its first update to COVID-19 vaccines, booster doses that target today’s most common Omicron strains. “Give a clear, forward-looking set of expectations.” Here’s the rub: The original vaccines still offer strong protection against severe disease and death from COVID-19 for most generally healthy people, especially if they got that important first booster dose. First, FDA …

US approves updated COVID boosters targeting Omicron variants
2 years, 3 months ago

US approves updated COVID boosters targeting Omicron variants

Al Jazeera  

Drugmaker Pfizer said it has doses ready to ship and can deliver up to 15 million shots by the end of next week. The United States has authorised booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccines that target the most common Omicron strain, and shots could be available within days. “You’ll see me at the front of the line,” FDA vaccine chief …

You may have been spreading the omicron variant without knowing it
2 years, 4 months ago

You may have been spreading the omicron variant without knowing it

Salon  

While omicron subvariant BA.5 has revealed itself to be the most contagious and immune-evasive iteration of COVID-19 yet, scientists have known for a long time that many cases of COVID-19, regardless of variant, are completely asymptomatic. As the recent study published in the medical journal JAMA Network Open makes clear, more than half of the people who contracted the omicron …

Omicron-targeted COVID vaccine gets approval: All you need to know
2 years, 4 months ago

Omicron-targeted COVID vaccine gets approval: All you need to know

Live Mint  

Late last year, the Omicron COVID variant was first spotted in South Africa and within months, it became the dominant coronavirus strain the world over. Owing to this, the experts have been working on an Omicron-specific vaccine that became a reality recently with Moderna Inc. receiving approval from the UK government for a Covid-19 booster shot that targets omicron. The …

Omicron BA.5 dominant subvariant, Covid hospitalisations rising, says WHO expert
2 years, 4 months ago

Omicron BA.5 dominant subvariant, Covid hospitalisations rising, says WHO expert

Hindustan Times  

Omicron, the latest variant of concern, is dominant worldwide, the World Health Organization’s infectious disease epidemiologist, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, has said, underlining that about half of the cases are linked to BA.5 sublineage. It’s the fifth or sixth week in a row where we’re seeing increases in the reported number of cases,” the world health body expert said in …

Should you wait for the Omicron booster? Why experts say you should ‘get it now!’
2 years, 4 months ago

Should you wait for the Omicron booster? Why experts say you should ‘get it now!’

LA Times  

Vials of COVID-19 vaccines are ready to be administered. So you may be asking yourself, “Should I get a booster shot now, while cases are surging, or should I wait until the new boosters are ready, probably this fall?” The answer, multiple vaccine experts said emphatically and without hesitation, is that there’s no time like the present. “And even with …

Even if you're the president, it's hard to avoid a breakthrough COVID infection
2 years, 5 months ago

Even if you're the president, it's hard to avoid a breakthrough COVID infection

NPR  

Even if you're the president, it's hard to avoid a breakthrough COVID infection Enlarge this image toggle caption Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images Few Americans are shielded as heavily from the coronavirus as President Biden. Sponsor Message These sorts of breakthrough infections have been climbing steadily as the highly transmissible BA.5 omicron subvariant spreads throughout …

The omicron subvariant dominating U.S. COVID-19 cases is more vaccine-resistant
2 years, 5 months ago

The omicron subvariant dominating U.S. COVID-19 cases is more vaccine-resistant

NPR  

The omicron subvariant dominating U.S. COVID-19 cases is more vaccine-resistant Enlarge this image toggle caption Matt Rourke/AP Matt Rourke/AP The BA.5 omicron subvariant, which is now the most prevalent coronavirus strain in the United States, is four times more resistant to COVID-19 vaccines, according to a new study. Sponsor Message Unvaccinated people have about a five times higher chance of …

Yet another highly infectious Omicron variant is raising concerns in India and beyond
2 years, 5 months ago

Yet another highly infectious Omicron variant is raising concerns in India and beyond

LA Times  

The quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super-contagious Omicron mutant that’s worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States. “It’s still really early on for us to draw too many conclusions,” said Matthew Binnicker, director of clinical virology at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. “But it does …

Can new Omicron subvariants evade vaccine immunity?
2 years, 5 months ago

Can new Omicron subvariants evade vaccine immunity?

Al Jazeera  

Dr Khan on why COVID cases are rising and what we know about how past infections and vaccines interact with Omicron BA.4 and BA.5. The uptick in new COVID cases and hospital admissions is thought to be driven largely by new subvariants of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, known as BA.4 and BA.5. The European Centre for Disease Prevention and …

Being ‘fully vaccinated’ but not boosted doesn’t help against Omicron, study finds
2 years, 6 months ago

Being ‘fully vaccinated’ but not boosted doesn’t help against Omicron, study finds

LA Times  

Two shots of COVID-19 vaccine without an additional booster offer essentially no lasting protection against infection with Omicron, and a coronavirus infection is as effective as a recent booster shot in preventing a new Omicron-fueled illness, researchers reported Wednesday. It is “essentially a new virus.” The passage of time since the last boost of immunity from either an infection or …

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 64% in a week as Omicron variants take hold

Dutch News  

The number of positive coronavirus tests registered with public health institute RIVM rose 64% over the past seven days to 15,526. The rise in official positive tests is probably connected to two new Omicron variants which are ‘gaining ground’ in the Netherlands, the RIVM said. The RIVM is monitoring the spread of the virus via traces in waste water, and …

Dominant coronavirus mutant contains ghost of pandemic past
2 years, 6 months ago

Dominant coronavirus mutant contains ghost of pandemic past

India Today  

The coronavirus mutant that is now dominant in the United States is a member of the omicron family but scientists say it spreads faster than its omicron predecessors, is adept at escaping immunity and might possibly cause more serious disease. A genetic trait that harkens back to the pandemic's past, known as a “delta mutation," appears to allow the virus …

Dominant coronavirus mutant contains ghost of pandemic past
2 years, 6 months ago

Dominant coronavirus mutant contains ghost of pandemic past

Associated Press  

The coronavirus mutant that is now dominant in the United States is a member of the omicron family but scientists say it spreads faster than its omicron predecessors, is adept at escaping immunity and might possibly cause more serious disease. A genetic trait that harkens back to the pandemic’s past, known as a “delta mutation,” appears to allow the virus …

The Omicron subvariant spreading across the U.S. shares an ominous trait with Delta
2 years, 6 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 …

Omicron infection better at upping immunity than boosters, claims study
2 years, 7 months ago

Omicron infection better at upping immunity than boosters, claims study

India Today  

As coronavirus continues to infect people across the world, the latest trends in India show that hospitalisation rates are very low and the recovery is faster. A new study now reveals that Omicron infections produced even better immune responses than a booster shot in vaccinated people. The study conducted by vaccine maker BioNTech SE and the University of Washington reassures …

Omicron infection induces limited immune response in unvaccinated: Study
2 years, 8 months ago

Omicron infection induces limited immune response in unvaccinated: Study

Hindustan Times  

The following is a summary of some recent studies on Covid-19. Omicron infection induces limited immune response Unvaccinated people infected with the Omicron variant are unlikely to develop immune responses that will protect them against other variants of the coronavirus, a new study suggests. Unlike antibodies induced by Covid-19 vaccines or infections with earlier SARS-CoV-2 variants, antibodies induced by the …

What do we know about \'stealth omicron\' so far?
2 years, 8 months ago

What do we know about \'stealth omicron\' so far?

Deccan Chronicle  

What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far? It was given the “stealth” nickname because it looks like the earlier delta variant on certain PCR tests, says Kristen Coleman at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. In rare cases, early research indicates BA.2 can infect people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection. COVID-19 vaccines appear …

What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far?
2 years, 8 months ago

What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far?

Associated Press  

What do we know about “stealth omicron” so far? It was given the “stealth” nickname because it looks like the earlier delta variant on certain PCR tests, says Kristen Coleman at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. In rare cases, early research indicates BA.2 can infect people even if they’ve already had an omicron infection. Health officials also …

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US
2 years, 9 months ago

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID cases in US

Associated Press  

With coronavirus cases rising in parts of Europe and Asia, scientists worry that an extra-contagious version of the omicron variant may soon push cases up in the United States too. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, told ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend that he also thinks the U.S. will likely face an “uptick” similar to …

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID-19 cases in the U.S.
2 years, 9 months ago

Scientists worry virus variant may push up COVID-19 cases in the U.S.

LA Times  

After about two months of falling COVID-19 cases, pandemic restrictions have been lifted across the U.S. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious-disease expert, told ABC’s “This Week” over the weekend that he also thinks the U.S. will face an “uptick” similar to what’s happening in Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, where BA.2 is the dominant strain. It’s clear, …

Study reveals likely reason for ‘stealth’ Omicron’s recent success
2 years, 9 months ago

Study reveals likely reason for ‘stealth’ Omicron’s recent success

LA Times  

COVID-19 vaccines are holding up against “stealth” Omicron almost as well as they do against the original version of the variant, a new study finds. It’s based on the team’s finding that the virus, whose official name is BA.2, is only slightly better than the dominant BA.1 at evading the protective effects of COVID-19 vaccines. We were really talking about …

Omicron still spreading at intense level, cases rising after weeks of decline, says WHO
2 years, 9 months ago

Omicron still spreading at intense level, cases rising after weeks of decline, says WHO

India Today  

The Omicron variant of Covid-19 is still spreading at a very intense level across the globe, said epidemiologist Maria Van Kherkhove via a Twitter thread on Wednesday. “This shouldn’t be a surprise as vaccines are incredibly effective at reducing severe disease and death, but not infections,” Maria Van Kherkhove wrote. Short — Maria Van Kerkhove March 15, 2022 OMICRON DOMINANT …

As ‘Stealth Omicron’ Advances, Scientists Are Learning More
2 years, 10 months ago

As ‘Stealth Omicron’ Advances, Scientists Are Learning More

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The coronavirus mutant widely known as “stealth omicron” is now causing more than a third of new omicron cases around the world, but scientists still don’t know how it could affect the future of the pandemic. Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron and in rare cases can sicken people even if they’ve already …

As ‘stealth omicron’ advances, scientists are learning more
2 years, 10 months ago

As ‘stealth omicron’ advances, scientists are learning more

Associated Press  

The coronavirus mutant widely known as “stealth omicron” is now causing more than a third of new omicron cases around the world, but scientists still don’t know how it could affect the future of the pandemic. Early research suggests it spreads faster than the original omicron and in rare cases can sicken people even if they’ve already had an omicron …

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID?
2 years, 10 months ago

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID?

Associated Press  

Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? Experts say it’s not likely that the highly transmissible variant — or any other variant — will lead to herd immunity. “ Herd immunity is an elusive concept and doesn’t apply to coronavirus,” says Dr. Don Milton at the University of Maryland School of Public Health. Herd immunity is when …

Covid vaccine efficacy limited against Omicron, says study
2 years, 10 months ago

Covid vaccine efficacy limited against Omicron, says study

India Today  

People who are double-vaccinated and those who have recovered from infection by previous strains of the SARS-CoV-2 virus have virtually no antibody protection against the Omicron variant, according to a study. Read: Very small blood clot risk after first AstraZeneca Covid shot, say UK studies They adapted for Omicron a test developed for the previous variants, which investigates whether the …

COVID-19 deaths fall for first time since January, WHO says
2 years, 10 months ago

COVID-19 deaths fall for first time since January, WHO says

LA Times  

A man gets a throat swab at a residential compound in Wuhan. The number of new coronavirus cases around the world fell 21% in the last week, marking the third consecutive week that cases have dropped, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. In the U.N. health agency’s weekly pandemic report, WHO said there were more than 12 million new coronavirus …

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 …

Op-Ed: The pandemic isn’t over. Omicron won’t be the last coronavirus variant to haunt us
2 years, 10 months ago

Op-Ed: The pandemic isn’t over. Omicron won’t be the last coronavirus variant to haunt us

LA Times  

Think back to late June 2021, when there was containment of the American COVID-19 pandemic with fewer than 12,000 new cases a day and a total of 15,000 patients in the hospital. A major surge ensued, which was followed by yet another one with the Omicron variant, peaking with nearly 160,000 people hospitalized and almost 2,700 deaths per day — …

New Covid variants complicate the question of vaccine mandates
2 years, 10 months ago

New Covid variants complicate the question of vaccine mandates

Hindustan Times  

Post-infection immunity might be a strange topic for political strife, but it touches on Covid vaccine mandates and whether those who’ve had the virus should be exempt. “But I think it’s more nuanced now, and a lot of people think natural immunity gives you a substantial level of protection.” But how much protection, compared to vaccination? “That’s not clear.” Barouch …

Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron: Is that enough?
2 years, 10 months ago

Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron: Is that enough?

Associated Press  

The omicron wave that assaulted the United States this winter also bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less — if any — dramatic disruption to society. The notion of a “herd immunity” that could stop the virus has slipped away under the harsh reality of new variants, waning immunity, and …

73% of Americans are now immune to Omicron by one estimate. But is that enough?
2 years, 10 months ago

73% of Americans are now immune to Omicron by one estimate. But is that enough?

LA Times  

Pedestrians wear masks under their chins as they chat on a street in Boston. The Omicron wave that assaulted the U.S. this winter also bolstered Americans’ defenses, giving rise to enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes may call for less disruption to society, health experts say. The notion of a “herd immunity” that could stop the virus has …

Omicron found in deer: Previous cases of COVID in animals, impact on humans
2 years, 10 months ago

Omicron found in deer: Previous cases of COVID in animals, impact on humans

Firstpost  

In August, the US government said it found the world’s first cases of COVID-19 in wild deer in Ohio, expanding the list of animals known to have tested positive for the disease The discovery of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in a white-tailed deer in New York has left scientists concerned that the deer species could become host of a …

Discovery of Omicron in New York deer raises concern over possible new variants
2 years, 10 months ago

Discovery of Omicron in New York deer raises concern over possible new variants

India Today  

The discovery of the Omicron variant in white-tailed deer in New York has raised concerns that the species, numbering 30 million in the United States, could become hosts of a new coronavirus strain, a lead researcher said on Tuesday. Blood and some nasal swab samples from 131 deer captured on New York's Staten Island revealed that nearly 15% had virus …

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