Coronavirus updates | December 25, 2021
The HinduPrime Minister Narendra Modi, in an address to the nation, has announced COVID-19 vaccination for the 15-18 age group from January 3. - PTI KERALA 8 new Omicron cases in Kerala, State's first patient infected by new variant recovers Eight more cases of Omicron variant of coronavirus were detected in Kerala on Friday, taking the total number of infected people to 37, Health Minister Veena George said. - AP UK UK records 122,186 COVID cases amid ‘glimmer of Christmas hope’ The UK on Friday recorded another daily COVID-19 infection high at 122,186, up from 119,789 cases the previous day, as experts pointed to a “glimmer of Christmas hope” after studies showed that the Omicron variant is much less severe than the previously dominant Delta variant. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Delhi Transport Corporation board chaired by Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot.- PTI WEST BENGAL Man found omicron-positive after returning to Kolkata from Ireland A 24-year-old man who returned from Ireland to Kolkata was on Friday found to be infected with the Omicron variant of coronavirus, health officials said.At present, West Bengal has three omicron patients who are undergoing treatment, they said. - PTI USA US to lift travel ban on 8 southern African countries The US will lift travel restrictions to eight southern African countries on New Year's Eve, the White House announced Friday.The restrictions, imposed last month, were meant to blunt the spread of the COVID-19 omicron variant.The November 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.