Whatever happened to the Botswana scientist who identified omicron — then caught it?
2 years, 4 months ago

Whatever happened to the Botswana scientist who identified omicron — then caught it?

NPR  

Whatever happened to the Botswana scientist who identified omicron — then caught it? Enlarge this image toggle caption Leabaneng Natasha Moyo Leabaneng Natasha Moyo Sikhulile Moyo led the team of scientists that first identified the omicron variant of COVID-19 in November 2021. What is unique about southern Africa, especially Botswana and South Africa, is the ability to detect these variants in near real-time because of the pathogen genomic sequencing that has been established. With funding — from PEPFAR and from other international agencies, U.S. institutes, some donors — southern Africa began to implement pathogen genomics focusing on HIV.

Africa Covid Southern Need Think Sponsor Message Variant Southern Africa Botswana Omicron Moyo Pathogen  caught  happened  botswana  think  pathogen  identified  moyo  africa  sequencing  need  variant  southern  covid  scientist  omicron

History of this topic

‘Just like Omicron…’: Why are scientists paying more attention to new Covid variant?
1 year, 4 months ago

‘Just like Omicron…’: Why are scientists paying more attention to new Covid variant?

Hindustan Times  

Is the highly-mutated new variant of coronavirus, BA.2.86, a matter of global concern? NEXU Science Communication/File Photo Much like Omicron, BA.2.86, which is causing spike in Covid cases in the US, UK and other countries, carries numerous changes in its spike protein. According to Nature, several scientists believe that the emergence of this new variant won't create a wave like …

BA.2.86: WHO tracking new Covid variant, highly-muted and detected in 4 countries
1 year, 4 months ago

BA.2.86: WHO tracking new Covid variant, highly-muted and detected in 4 countries

India TV News  

After EG.5 raised concerns about a new Covid outbreak, the World Health Organization has now flagged another sub-variant of Omicron BA.2.86, dubbed BA.X. “WHO has designated Covid-19 variant BA.2.86 as a ‘variant under monitoring’ today due to the large number of mutations it carries,” the global health body wrote in a post on X,” adding that “the number of mutations …

Omicron variants BA.5.2, BF.7 behind China Covid surge but numbers unreliable, says WHO | 5 points
2 years ago

Omicron variants BA.5.2, BF.7 behind China Covid surge but numbers unreliable, says WHO | 5 points

India Today  

Omicron subvariants of the Corona virus - BA.5.2 and BF.7 - are responsible for driving up Covid numbers in China, said the World Health Organisation on Wednesday. It added that the data shows no new variants were found in China but the country is "under-representing" the Covid deaths since cases started surging last month. The WHO's emergencies director, Mike Ryan, …

Understanding Omicron BF.7, The New Covid-19 Variant From China, And How India Should Prepare
2 years ago

Understanding Omicron BF.7, The New Covid-19 Variant From China, And How India Should Prepare

ABP News  

The Covid-19 pandemic is dragging on too long, and there is still no respite in sight. Coronaviruses And Variants The original virus that first emerged from Wuhan in China is termed SARS CoV-2 and is a strain of the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. The original virus and viral mutations and variants are routinely monitored through sequence-based surveillance, laboratory studies, and …

Covid-19 Omicron sub-variant BF.7 won't lead to severe disease, expert's report
2 years ago

Covid-19 Omicron sub-variant BF.7 won't lead to severe disease, expert's report

India TV News  

The current Covid surge in many countries including China is believed to be driven by Omicron sub-variant BF.7. The BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5, which, Dr Rajeev Jayadevan, Co-chairman, the National IMA Covid taskforce, calls 'great-grandson of Omicron'. Giving credit to high vaccination coverage and naturally acquired immunity among those who survived past Covid-19 infection, Dr …

COVID-19 | Omicron subvariant BF.7, linked to China spike, first found in India in July
2 years ago

COVID-19 | Omicron subvariant BF.7, linked to China spike, first found in India in July

The Hindu  

The BF.7 variant of COVID-19, believed to be driving the recent surge of cases in China, was first identified in India as far back as July. “A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant has been found to be behind a wider surge of covid infections in China,” it added. The assessment of government officials involved in …

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. …

New Covid Omicron sub-variant found in India? Here's what WHO says
2 years, 6 months ago

New Covid Omicron sub-variant found in India? Here's what WHO says

India TV News  

Highlights WHO confirmed a new sub-variant of the existing Omicron variant in India. Covid 19 India Omicron sub-variant: The World Health Organization on Wednesday confirmed that a new sub-variant of the existing Omicron variant of Covid-19 has entered India, called BA.2.75. Four out of six of the WHO sub-regions saw cases increase in the last week," Ghebreyesus said during a …

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 …

Omicron BA.4 is here: What is the sub-variant and can it cause another COVID-19 wave?
2 years, 7 months ago

Omicron BA.4 is here: What is the sub-variant and can it cause another COVID-19 wave?

Firstpost  

India has reported the first case of Omicron BA.4 sub-variant in Hyderabad. While Indian experts believe COVID-19 cases may rise, it is unlikely hospitalisations will The first case of the Omicron BA.4 variant in India has been reported from Hyderabad through India’s COVID-19 genomic surveillance programme on Thursday. According to scientists associated with the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics said …

South Africa in new surge of COVID from versions of omicron
2 years, 7 months ago

South Africa in new surge of COVID from versions of omicron

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa is experiencing a surge of new COVID-19 cases driven by two omicron sub-variants, according to health experts. “We are seeing a slight, a small increase in hospitalizations and really very few deaths.” South Africa’s new cases have gone from an average of 300 per day in early April to about 8,000 per day this week. South …

Data | Global COVID deaths at a low as new threats loom
2 years, 8 months ago

Data | Global COVID deaths at a low as new threats loom

The Hindu  

Last week, the WHO informed that they are monitoring two new sublineages of the Omicron variant — BA.4 and BA.5. There is also a drop in the number of tests conducted across the globe Two new sub-lineages BA.4 and BA.5 are two new sublineages of the Omicron variant that the WHO is actively tracking. Worldover, deaths are at its lowest …

Continuing to monitor 'several descendent lineages' of Omicron COVID-19 variant, says WHO
2 years, 8 months ago

Continuing to monitor 'several descendent lineages' of Omicron COVID-19 variant, says WHO

Firstpost  

The COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, released by WHO on Tuesday, said that the Omicron variant remains the dominant variant circulating globally. United Nations: The World Health Organisation has said that it is continuing to monitor several descendent lineages of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, including two new sublineages that have additional mutations associated with potential “immune escape characteristics. WHO …

New Omicron subtype detected: How it’s different from XE, other COVID variants?
2 years, 9 months ago

New Omicron subtype detected: How it’s different from XE, other COVID variants?

Live Mint  

A new Omicron subtype has been detected in China and the preliminary report suggests that this subtype does not match the previous coronavirus that caused COVID nor the ones submitted to GISAID. Reports suggested that the new subtype has been detected in east China's Suzhou, which borders Shanghai. The new subtype found in China is not related to the new …

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 …

Explained | The sub-lineages of the Omicron variant
2 years, 11 months ago

Explained | The sub-lineages of the Omicron variant

The Hindu  

The story so far: In late November 2021, the World Health Organization designated the lineage B.1.1.529 of SARS-CoV-2 as a Variant of Concern and assigned it the Greek alphabet Omicron. While there are many mutations that BA.1 and BA.2 have in common, lineage BA.2 has 28 unique mutations as compared to BA.1 which makes it indicatively different from its sister …

Fast-spreading, heavily mutated Omicron variant detected in 57 countries, says WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

Fast-spreading, heavily mutated Omicron variant detected in 57 countries, says WHO

Firstpost  

The BA.2 sub-variant is believed to be more infectious than the original Omicron Geneva: A sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said Tuesday. The fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide …

How did Omicron evolve? Scientists explore theories relating to origins of COVID variant
2 years, 11 months ago

How did Omicron evolve? Scientists explore theories relating to origins of COVID variant

India TV News  

The highly transmissible Omicron variant, which emerged with a host of unusual mutations in late November last year, has been detected in more than 120 countries. Understanding the origins of Omicron might help scientists to understand the risk of new variants emerging, and suggest steps to minimize it, said Angela Rasmussen, a virologist at the University of Saskatchewan Vaccine and …

Is Omicron endgame of Covid? WHO chief warns of future variants
2 years, 11 months ago

Is Omicron endgame of Covid? WHO chief warns of future variants

Live Mint  

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Monday said that it would be dangerous to assume that the highly transmissable Omicron was the last variant to emerge and that the world was in the 'end game' of the pandemic. By the end of 2021, a doctor in South Africa confirmed the detection of the highly transmissible Omicron variant that …

Omicron ’sub-variant’ BA.2 found in India: What we know so far
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron ’sub-variant’ BA.2 found in India: What we know so far

Live Mint  

BA.2 lineage, an infectious sub-variant of Omicron, has been found in a substantial fraction in India as the Covid-19 peak is likely to come in the next fortnight. BA.2 lineage is in a substantial fraction in India and S gene dropout based screening is thus likely to give high false negatives," the INSACOG said. It also said that Omicron is …

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 …

Omicron in South Africa Proved Less Fatal, Strict Vigilance Can Stop Community Spread of Future Variants
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron in South Africa Proved Less Fatal, Strict Vigilance Can Stop Community Spread of Future Variants

News 18  

Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be a forgotten history and a foregone conclusion. South Africa was the first to discover the Omicron variant detected by the South Africa Network for Genomic Surveillance. Although the Omicron variant is not deadly as compared to Delta, it accounts for 90% of COVID-19 cases in South Africa and is a growing problem in Europe …

After six-week surge, Africa's Omicron-driven fourth pandemic wave flattens: WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

After six-week surge, Africa's Omicron-driven fourth pandemic wave flattens: WHO

India Today  

Africa's fourth pandemic wave, driven primarily by the Omicron variant, is flattening after a six-week surge, the WHO has said even as it stressed that the shortest-lived surge to date in the continent was "steep and brief but no less destabilising." In a statement issued on Thursday, the WHO said, "After a six-week surge, Africa's fourth pandemic wave-driven primarily by …

New Covid variant IHU: What WHO said on this
3 years ago

New Covid variant IHU: What WHO said on this

Hindustan Times  

Amid a fresh wave of the pandemic led by the highly transmissible Omicron variant, first discovered in South Africa in November 2021, a new variant, IHU, found in France has triggered fresh apprehension. WHO said the variant IHU has not become a threat as of now. Explained: When was IHU variant first discovered and its spread WHO monitors multiple variants …

New Covid-19 variant ‘IHU’ discovered in France, has more mutations than Omicron
3 years ago

New Covid-19 variant ‘IHU’ discovered in France, has more mutations than Omicron

Hindustan Times  

Scientists in France have identified a new strain of coronavirus with more mutations than the Omicron variant. The emergence of the new variant, which probably originated in Cameroon, as per the study, harbours both substitutions N501Y and E484K in the spike protein. "The mutation set and phylogenetic position of the genomes obtained here indicate based on our previous definition a …

New Covid-19 variant ‘IHU’ discovered in France, has more mutations than Omicron
3 years ago

New Covid-19 variant ‘IHU’ discovered in France, has more mutations than Omicron

Hindustan Times  

Scientists in France have identified a new strain of coronavirus with more mutations than the Omicron variant. The emergence of the new variant, which probably originated in Cameroon, as per the study, harbours both substitutions N501Y and E484K in the spike protein. "The mutation set and phylogenetic position of the genomes obtained here indicate based on our previous definition a …

South Africa lifts curfew as Omicron wave subsides
3 years ago

South Africa lifts curfew as Omicron wave subsides

Deccan Chronicle  

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa, where the Omicron variant was detected in November, said Thursday that the country's latest coronavirus wave had likely passed its peak without a significant increase in deaths and that restrictions would be eased. "All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave," the South African presidency said in a statement that announced …

As omicron heats up in the U.S., South Africa says its wave is on the way out
3 years ago

As omicron heats up in the U.S., South Africa says its wave is on the way out

NPR  

As omicron heats up in the U.S., South Africa says its wave is on the way out Coronavirus restrictions have been loosened in South Africa as case numbers wane in the country, though the government says that there is still reason for caution. South Africa was the first country to detect the omicron variant in November, and the subsequent wave …

The AP Interview: CDC chief says omicron mostly mild so far
3 years ago

The AP Interview: CDC chief says omicron mostly mild so far

Associated Press  

ATLANTA — More than 40 people in the U.S. have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far, and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated, the chief of the CDC said Wednesday. In an interview with The Associated Press, Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the data is …

Omicron outbreak: When will Covid cases surge in India? Here’s what doctors say
3 years ago

Omicron outbreak: When will Covid cases surge in India? Here’s what doctors say

Live Mint  

With the gradual rise in cases of Omicron variant in the country, the Centre and state governments have started to keep their guard up to mitigate the transmission of the virus. According to Dr Sambit, Director of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Hyderabad, India can see a surge in Covid-19 cases by the end of January 2022. The doctor said …

’India to see covid surge but…’, what doctor who first identified Omicron says
3 years ago

’India to see covid surge but…’, what doctor who first identified Omicron says

Live Mint  

India will see a surge in Omicron-driven Covid cases and a high positivity rate but the infection will hopefully be mild in most people as is being seen in South Africa, says Dr Angelique Coetzee who first identified the variant. The chairperson of the South African Medical Association also said existing vaccines will definitely control the contagion but those unvaccinated …

US to lift omicron-linked travel ban on southern Africa
3 years ago

US to lift omicron-linked travel ban on southern Africa

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The U.S. will lift travel restrictions on eight southern African countries that it imposed to try to blunt the spread of the COVID omicron variant, the White House announced Friday. Munoz said the temporary travel bans bought scientists necessary time to study the new virus variant and conclude that the current vaccinations are effective in blunting its impact. …

Where in the US is the Omicron variant and how quickly is it spreading?
3 years ago

Where in the US is the Omicron variant and how quickly is it spreading?

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “It is clear that the Omicron variant is …

Case drop may show South Africa’s omicron peak has passed
3 years ago

Case drop may show South Africa’s omicron peak has passed

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — South Africa’s noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the country’s dramatic omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say. In South Africa, experts worried that the sheer volume of new infections would overwhelm the country’s hospitals, even though omicron appears to cause milder disease, with significantly less hospitalizations, patients needing oxygen …

South Africa's Case Drop May Show Omicron Peak Has Passed
3 years ago

South Africa's Case Drop May Show Omicron Peak Has Passed

News 18  

South Africa’s noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the country’s dramatic omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say. In South Africa, experts worried that the sheer volume of new infections would overwhelm the country’s hospitals, even though omicron appears to cause milder disease, with significantly less hospitalizations, patients needing oxygen and deaths. …

Why experts suggest an Omicron wave in India and how govt plans to deal with it
3 years ago

Why experts suggest an Omicron wave in India and how govt plans to deal with it

India Today  

India is anticipating an Omicron wave. In their concern, prediction and preparation appeared to give out a sense of surprise as to why India has not already shown an Omicron wave recorded in South Africa, the UK and the US, besides some other European countries. OMICRON OVERWHELMS UK, US In the US, Omicron is said to be contributing to 73 …

COVID: South African study suggests Omicron milder than Delta
3 years ago

COVID: South African study suggests Omicron milder than Delta

Al Jazeera  

Study finds people diagnosed with Omicron in South Africa 80 percent less likely to be admitted to hospital. A South African study has suggested there are reduced risks of hospitalisation and severe disease in people infected with the Omicron coronavirus variant versus the Delta one, though the authors say some of that is likely due to high population immunity. “Compellingly, …

Drop in South Africa coronavirus cases may mean that Omicron peak there is over
3 years ago

Drop in South Africa coronavirus cases may mean that Omicron peak there is over

LA Times  

Sandile Cele, a researcher at the Africa Health Research Institute in Durban, South Africa, works on the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. South Africa’s noticeable drop in new coronavirus cases in recent days may signal that the country’s dramatic surge driven by the Omicron variant has passed its peak, medical experts say. “The drop in new cases nationally, combined with …

Omicron variant 'raging' around the world, we know virus is very unpredictable: Dr Anthony Fauci
3 years ago

Omicron variant 'raging' around the world, we know virus is very unpredictable: Dr Anthony Fauci

India Today  

The Covid-19 omicron variant is “just raging around the world,” the White House's top medical adviser said on Sunday, and President Joe Biden is planning to give “a stark warning of what the winter will look” for unvaccinated Americans. Dr Anthony Fauci, the county's leading infectious disease expert, told NBC's “Meet the Press” that “the real problem” for the US …

COVID-19 vaccine inequity allowed variants like Omicron to emerge
3 years ago

COVID-19 vaccine inequity allowed variants like Omicron to emerge

Firstpost  

Wherever COVID-19 has the chance to linger, variants develop and travel. The resulting lack of broad global vaccine coverage made the rise of another variant like Omicron inevitable. Variants like Delta and Omicron will arise when the burden of infection is high and vaccination rates are low, as is the case with many countries in the Global South. Despite having …

As Omicron cases rise, here's what experts from UK, South Africa have to say
3 years ago

As Omicron cases rise, here's what experts from UK, South Africa have to say

India Today  

At Doctors’ Roundtable, India Today TV Consulting Editor Rajdeep Sardesai spoke to top health experts, including those from the UK and South Africa, to have all your Omicron FAQs answered. SHANKARA CHETTY, South Africa: Omicron is far more contagious than other variants. Data from countries like South Africa shows double vaccination can’t prevent Omicron infections. READ: Covid-19: Fresh Omicron cases …

Could humanity catch a break with Omicron?
3 years ago

Could humanity catch a break with Omicron?

LA Times  

An Orange Farm, South Africa, resident receives a dose of COVID-19 vaccine. According to a raft of lab tests and population studies in South Africa, where Omicron is surging, the variant has cut deeply into the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine’s ability to prevent new infections. All of that suggests that in a world dominated by Omicron, the proportion of infected people who …

What can the world learn from countries where Omicron is surging?
3 years ago

What can the world learn from countries where Omicron is surging?

CNN  

London CNN — South Africa, the United Kingdom and Denmark are three of the countries where the Omicron variant is now surging, less than a month after it was first detected. UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said Tuesday that Omicron cases were doubling around every two days in the country, adding that “the growth in Omicron cases here in the …

We asked scientists what the omicron variant is going to do to the United States
3 years ago

We asked scientists what the omicron variant is going to do to the United States

Salon  

If you want to get a good sense of how the omicron variant of COVID-19 is going to spread in the United States, just look across the ocean. When it comes to stopping a pandemic, there are few things that epidemiologists d Indeed Dr. Russell Medford, chairman of the Center for Global Health Innovation and Global Health Crisis Coordination Center, …

Omicron may be less severe in South Africa. That may not be the case for the U.S.
3 years ago

Omicron may be less severe in South Africa. That may not be the case for the U.S.

NPR  

Omicron may be less severe in South Africa. The omicron variant may end up acting differently in the U.S. Omicron brings less severe disease in South Africa First, let's look more closely at all that good news from South Africa. "Thus, omicron enters a South African population with considerably more immunity than any prior SARS-CoV-2 variant," concluded Dr. Roby Bhattacharyya, …

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge
3 years ago

South Africa sees fewer hospitalisations as Omicron cases surge

Al Jazeera  

Health officials say fewer coronavirus patients require hospitalisation despite a rise in the number of COVID-19 infections. COVID-19 infection rates are soaring across South Africa as a result of the highly mutated Omicron variant of the coronavirus, but fewer people have died or required hospital treatment compared with previous waves of the disease, according to health officials. The discovery of …

Omicron in US: Covid positivity doubles in three days in NYC as variant detected in 38 states
3 years ago

Omicron in US: Covid positivity doubles in three days in NYC as variant detected in 38 states

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Covid-19 positivity rate …

The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction
3 years ago

The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction

NPR  

The scientist in Botswana who identified omicron was saddened by the world's reaction Enlarge this image toggle caption Leabaneng Natasha Moyo Leabaneng Natasha Moyo When the Botswanan scientists saw the sequences, they were stunned. Moyo is quick to give credit to his entire team and to scientists working simultaneously on similarly alarming sequences in South Africa, for the discovery of …

Omicron will become dominant strain of Covid in EU by mid-Jan: Bloc president
3 years ago

Omicron will become dominant strain of Covid in EU by mid-Jan: Bloc president

Hindustan Times  

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said the Coronavirus's Omicron variant, first detected in South Africa, will become the dominant strain in the 27-nation bloc by mid-January. The commission chief further said the EU is facing a "double challenge" of increasing cases in recent weeks due to the Delta variant and rising threat from Omicron. Given the …

Discover Related