Omicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thought
3 years, 1 month ago

Omicron was in Netherlands days earlier than first thought

The Hindu  

The omicron variant was already in the Netherlands when South Africa alerted the World Health Organization about it last week, Dutch health authorities said Tuesday, adding to fear and confusion over the new version of the coronavirus in a weary world hoping it had left the worst of the pandemic behind. The WHO said South Africa first reported the the variant to the UN healthy agency on November 24. Previously, the Dutch had said they found the variant among passengers who came from South Africa on Friday — but these new cases predate that. Patrick Mavingui, a microbiologist at the island's research clinic for infectious diseases, said the person who has tested positive for the new variant is a 53-year-old man who had traveled to Mozambique and stopped in South Africa before returning to Reunion.

Reunion Africa Netherlands South Africa Man South Variant Omicron Dutch Health  netherlands  earlier  evidence  africa  days  variant  confirmed  cases  omicron  man  thought  south  dutch  health

History of this topic

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 …

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 …

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 …

89.1% of samples sequenced in last 30 days were related to Omicron: WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

89.1% of samples sequenced in last 30 days were related to Omicron: WHO

India Today  

Omicron cases accounted for 89.1 per cent of cases globally after samples were collected and sequenced in the last 30 days, the World Health Organisation said in its weekly epidemiological coronavirus update. Omicron accounted for 89.1 per cent and Delta- 10.7 per cent," the WHO said. RISK DUE TO OMICRON CONTINUES TO REMAIN HIGH As a record 21 million cases …

More than 400 cases of new Omicron sub-variant found in England
2 years, 11 months ago

More than 400 cases of new Omicron sub-variant found in England

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. The UK Health Security Agency has described Omicron BA.2 as a “variant under investigation” …

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 …

India’s Omicron wave may intensify in coming weeks: Experts
2 years, 11 months ago

India’s Omicron wave may intensify in coming weeks: Experts

Al Jazeera  

Top experts say variant already in community transmission as hospitals see more patients despite a decline in cases in major cities. India’s COVID-19 infections led by the Omicron variant may see a sharp rise in the coming weeks, some top experts say, noting that the variant is already in community transmission and hospitals are seeing more patients despite a decline …

Omicron variant Updates: Delhi logs 13,785 fresh cases, 35 deaths, positivity rate at 23.8%
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron variant Updates: Delhi logs 13,785 fresh cases, 35 deaths, positivity rate at 23.8%

India TV News  

Omicron Variant LIVE Updates: Indian Council of Medical Research's Head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases Dr Samiran Panda on Tuesday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is gradually replacing the Delta variant in many states across the country. Speaking with news agency ANI, Dr Panda said, "We are seeing a change in India that Omicron is gradually replacing Delta …

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 …

Omicron slamming S. American hospitals as workers fall ill
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron slamming S. American hospitals as workers fall ill

Associated Press  

BRASILIA, Brazil — The coronavirus’ omicron variant starting to barrel across South America is pressuring hospitals whose employees are taking sick leave, leaving facilities understaffed to cope with COVID-19′s third wave. The third wave “is affecting the health team a lot, from the cleaning staff to the technicians, with a high percentage of sick people, despite having a complete vaccination …

South American health networks struggling as Omicron cases rise
2 years, 11 months ago

South American health networks struggling as Omicron cases rise

Al Jazeera  

Omicron coronavirus variant is fuelling rising numbers of infections across the region, including among health workers. “While symptoms are mostly mild to moderate, that group needs to be isolated.” About two-thirds of South America’s roughly 435 million residents are fully immunised, the highest percentage for any global region, according to Our World in Data, and health workers in Brazil, Bolivia …

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 …

Omicron to become dominant strain: CCMB scientists
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron to become dominant strain: CCMB scientists

The Hindu  

Omicron is sure to become the predominant COVID strain across the country soon as it has been spreading rapidly and although it is causing “mild” symptoms in infected individuals, it is capable of circumventing the protection offered by vaccines, said scientists of Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology on Wednesday. The latest strain, first noticed in Africa, has been behaving …

Omicron is not common cold, warns Centre
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron is not common cold, warns Centre

The Hindu  

Omicron infection is not common cold, the Union Health Ministry warned on Wednesday, adding that fully vaccinated people were 78% less likely to develop COVID-19 infection than unvaccinated people. Quoting a study by the New York State Health Department, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said the report, based on analysis since May 2021, also showed that fully vaccinated people …

As Third Covid Wave Hits India, a Seven-point Guide by Two Doctors to Tide over Omicron Crisis
3 years ago

As Third Covid Wave Hits India, a Seven-point Guide by Two Doctors to Tide over Omicron Crisis

News 18  

India is now in the middle of a third wave of COVID-19 infection. The current wave of COVID infection is riding on the back of a new variant named Omicron, which was first discovered in South Africa a few months ago. While Omicron is known to escape immunity provided by vaccination, there is compelling evidence that double doses with a …

India's first Omicron death reported in Rajasthan: Union Health Ministry confirms
3 years ago

India's first Omicron death reported in Rajasthan: Union Health Ministry confirms

India TV News  

Highlights India reports first Omicron death in Rajasthan's Udaipur Death reported from Udaipur was "technically" related to Omicron, Health Ministry said Man was found Covid positive on December 15 and had symptoms like fever, cough and rhinitis India on Wednesday confirmed its first death linked to the Omicron variant of the coronavirus after the samples of a man in Rajasthan's …

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

Soaring Omicron could lead to more dangerous variants, WHO warns

Deccan Chronicle  

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. Smallwood also noted that while "on an individual level there's probably a decreased risk of hospitalisation" with the Omicron variant compared to Delta, overall, Omicron could pose a greater threat because of the …

The more Omicron spreads, the more likely it is to give rise to new variant: WHO
3 years ago

The more Omicron spreads, the more likely it is to give rise to new variant: WHO

Hindustan Times  

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. Europe has registered more than 100 million Covid cases since the start of the pandemic, and more than five million new cases in the last week of 2021, WHO said. Europe has registered more …

Omicron infections likely to rise sharply, may peak by January end
3 years ago

Omicron infections likely to rise sharply, may peak by January end

India Today  

Amid the global tsunami of Covid cases caused by the Omicron variant, India may report an average of 20 lakh cases every day by the end of this month, with infections in Mumbai peaking by the third week of January, says Dr S Swaminathan, Director, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Gleneagles Global Hospitals. It is important to remember that while …

India May Be in 3rd Wave Due to Omicron, But What Will Happen Next? South Africa May Have Answers
3 years ago

India May Be in 3rd Wave Due to Omicron, But What Will Happen Next? South Africa May Have Answers

News 18  

In the major Indian cities, the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is accounting for more than 50 per cent of the fresh cases of the infection and the massive surge in the number of cases over the last one week is indicative of a third wave of the pandemic, as is being witnessed in several countries, Dr N K Arora, …

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 …

Prepare for the worst: The Hindu Editorial on Omicron response
3 years ago

Prepare for the worst: The Hindu Editorial on Omicron response

The Hindu  

The Omicron variant is galloping across the U.S. and many countries in Europe at a pace never seen since the pandemic began. The sharp increase in daily cases is not surprising given the highly infectious nature of the Omicron variant. The Omicron variant has a superior ability to cause breakthrough infections in fully vaccinated people and also cause reinfections in …

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 …

Omicron has spread in the community: Jain
3 years ago

Omicron has spread in the community: Jain

Hindustan Times  

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has spread in the community, state health minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday, adding that most patients have had only minor symptoms, while none have so far needed oxygen support. Satyendar Jain Addressing a press briefing, Jain said more than half the positive samples analysed are of the Omicron variant, according to the latest …

Omicron cases rise to 16 in Andhra Pradesh, health officials caution people
3 years ago

Omicron cases rise to 16 in Andhra Pradesh, health officials caution people

Deccan Chronicle  

Vijayawada: The tally of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in Andhra Pradesh went up to 16 with a single day jump of 10 cases on Wednesday, mainly among arrivals in the state from abroad. A female aged 41, hailing from West Godavari arrived from Kuwait on December 21 and tested Covid-19 positive. Another male aged 50 hailing from East Godavari …

Omicron antibodies that can block variant identified
3 years ago

Omicron antibodies that can block variant identified

India TV News  

Highlights Antibodies that can block Omicron variant have been identified Omicron cases tally in India is increasing day-by-day Omicron variant was first discovered in South Africa Scientists have identified antibodies that neutralise Omicron and other variants of coronavirus by targeting areas that remain essentially unchanged as the virus mutates. The Omicron variant has an unusually high number of 37 mutations …

Omicron update: Global cases top 1 million, as WHO urges caution
3 years ago

Omicron update: Global cases top 1 million, as WHO urges caution

Live Mint  

Just as the World Health Organization warned that Omicron still poses “very high” risk and could overwhelm healthcare systems across the world, the highly transmissible omicron variant has taken worldwide Covid-19 cases above 1 million for a second straight day This comes two years after reports of a mysterious pneumonia first emerged in Wuhan, the pandemic shows no signs of …

Omicron risk remains 'very high', says WHO; rapid increase in cases seen across countries
3 years ago

Omicron risk remains 'very high', says WHO; rapid increase in cases seen across countries

India TV News  

As the world continues to witness the surge in global COVID-19 cases, the World Health Organization on Wednesday said the overall risk related to the new variant of concern Omicron remains "very high". "Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron has a growth advantage over the Delta with a doubling time of 2-3 days and rapid increases in the incidence of …

Omicron Risk Remains 'Very High', Says WHO After Covid Cases Surge by 11% Globally
3 years ago

Omicron Risk Remains 'Very High', Says WHO After Covid Cases Surge by 11% Globally

News 18  

The risk posed by the Omicron variant is still “very high”, the World Health Organization said Wednesday, after Covid-19 case numbers shot up by 11 percent globally last week. “Consistent evidence shows that the Omicron variant has a growth advantage over the Delta variant with a doubling time of two to three days and rapid increases in the incidence of …

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 …

Delhi: Genome sequencing reveals Omicron variant in 38% samples from city
3 years ago

Delhi: Genome sequencing reveals Omicron variant in 38% samples from city

India Today  

About 38 per cent of the total samples analysed at various genome sequencing laboratories in Delhi in the past one week have been detected with Omicron variant of Covid, according to officials documents, as the cases of the new variant saw a record spike in this period in the national capital. The cases of Omicron have reported a significant jump …

Omicron fear grips world as Europe, UK see record Covid cases, US confused over new isolation rules
3 years ago

Omicron fear grips world as Europe, UK see record Covid cases, US confused over new isolation rules

India Today  

Omicron continues to rage across the world even as governments impose fresh curbs and measures to curtail the spread of the virus. RECORD CASES IN EUROPE With 1,79,807 cases reported in a single day, France reported Europe's highest Covid cases even as the continent struggled to contain the spread of the newly detected and more contagious Omicron variant. UK'S DAILY …

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 …

Simple ways to better counts of Omicron in India
3 years ago

Simple ways to better counts of Omicron in India

The Hindu  

In the last three weeks it has been impossible to miss the slow building of tension over the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. If the sample of the virus genomes to be sequenced was drawn randomly from the newly infected, then one would be forced to conclude that there are about 20,000 Omicron positive cases in India. Just based …

Omicron spreading faster but Delta is still the dominant variant
3 years ago

Omicron spreading faster but Delta is still the dominant variant

India Today  

Record spikes in Europe, the US and elsewhere have coincided with the advent of the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus. For example, the UK reported its highest single-day Covid-19 caseload this week but the segregation of Delta and Omicron cases is not clearly known. "The recent declines in the proportion of Delta variant reported by some countries may reflect …

UK rules out new restrictions before Christmas amid Omicron surge
3 years ago

UK rules out new restrictions before Christmas amid Omicron surge

India TV News  

Highlights British govt said it won't introduce any new coronavirus restrictions until after Christmas Confirmed coronavirus cases in UK, where omicron is now dominant, surged by almost 60% in a week Govt has offered grants, loans to support restaurants, bars, theaters, others as business is hit The British government said Thursday it won't introduce any new coronavirus restrictions until after …

UK says Omicron cases at much lower risk of hospital admission
3 years ago

UK says Omicron cases at much lower risk of hospital admission

Al Jazeera  

Findings by UK Health Security Agency add to emerging evidence that Omicron produces milder illness than other COVID variants. Preliminary data suggest that people with Omicron variant of coronavirus are between 50 percent and 70 percent less likely to need hospitalisation than those with the Delta strain, The United Kingdom’s public health agency has said. The UK Health Security Agency’s …

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 …

India's Omicron tally crosses 230; new states join list: Details here
3 years ago

India's Omicron tally crosses 230; new states join list: Details here

Hindustan Times  

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus disease continued to spread its tentacles in India with at least six states reporting fresh cases on Wednesday. Here’s a detailed tally: Kerala Nine more Omicron cases were confirmed in Kerala, taking the state's overall tally to 24. States that reported first Omicron cases Haryana The northern state on Wednesday reported its first two …

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. …

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 …

UK medics warn of looming breaking point as omicron spreads
3 years ago

UK medics warn of looming breaking point as omicron spreads

India TV News  

Highlights Surging coronavirus cases among medical staff are pushing them to breaking point Boris Johnson faces an agonizing choice: wreck holiday plans or face tidal wave of cases Omicron could still overwhelm health systems because of the sheer number of infections Britain’s main nurses’ union warned Monday that exhaustion and surging coronavirus cases among medical staff are pushing them to …

Report on vaccine effectiveness against Omicron in a week: Union Health Minister
3 years ago

Report on vaccine effectiveness against Omicron in a week: Union Health Minister

The Hindu  

A report on the effectiveness of the available vaccines in the country against the Omicron variant of COVID-19 would be available in a week, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. He made the observation while replying to a “short duration discussion on the situation arising out of Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in the …

Omicron is more transmissible, but is it really milder?
3 years ago

Omicron is more transmissible, but is it really milder?

Al Jazeera  

As cases surge, it would be safer to impose tough restrictions until we better understand the behaviour of the new variant. Just as many countries were beginning to enjoy easing of restrictions and many families were planning for Christmas, the new variant arrived, forcing governments to scramble over measures to help curb its spread. But Dr Mike Ryan, executive director …

India's tally of Omicron cases now 161, most cases mild
3 years ago

India's tally of Omicron cases now 161, most cases mild

India Today  

India now has 161 confirmed cases of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told the Rajya Sabha on Monday. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also said, "Under PM Modi's leadership, with the efforts of our healthcare workers, 88 per cent of first doses of the Covid vaccine have been administered, 58 per cent of second doses …

Omicron in 89 countries, cases doubling in 1.5 to 3 days: WHO
3 years ago

Omicron in 89 countries, cases doubling in 1.5 to 3 days: WHO

The Hindu  

The Omicron variant of coronavirus has been reported in 89 countries and the number of cases is doubling in 1.5 to 3 days in areas with community transmission, the World Health Organization said on Saturday. ‘More data needed’ “There are still limited data on the clinical severity of Omicron,” the WHO said. “More data are needed to understand the severity …

Omicron ‘spreading at lightning speed’ in Europe amid global concerns over ‘tidal wave’ of infections
3 years ago

Omicron ‘spreading at lightning speed’ in Europe amid global concerns over ‘tidal wave’ of infections

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 US health officials have …

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