The AP Interview: Scientist says omicron was a group find
3 years, 1 month ago

The AP Interview: Scientist says omicron was a group find

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The Botswana scientist who may well have discovered the omicron variant of the coronavirus says he has been on a “rollercoaster of emotions,” with the pride of accomplishment followed by dismay over the travel bans immediately slapped on southern African countries. “We should not do geopolitics about the virus.. We should be collaborating and understanding.” Moyo was doing genomic sequencing of COVID-19 samples at his lab in Botswana two weeks ago and noticed three cases that seemed dramatically different, with an unusual pattern showing multiple mutations. “It is a big jump in the evolution of the virus and has many more mutations that we expected,” said Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Center for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa, who taught Moyo when he was earning his Ph.D. in virology from South Africa’s Stellenbosch University. “We should try to encourage as many people to get vaccinated as possible.” Moyo warned that the world “must go to a mirror and look at themselves” and make sure Africa’s 1.3 billion people are not left behind in the vaccination drive. “What gives me hope is that the world is now speaking the same language,” said Moyo, explaining that the pandemic has seen a new global commitment to scientific research and surveillance.

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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 …

New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond
2 years, 5 months ago

New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond

Associated Press  

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, Minnesota. Still, the …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 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 just a 'deviant', two pandemics might be going on side by side: Top virologist
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron just a 'deviant', two pandemics might be going on side by side: Top virologist

India TV News  

Highlights Omicron is a "deviant" from COVID pandemic progression script, said virologist Dr. T Jacob John. Omicron is a "deviant" from the COVID-19 pandemic progression script and so it must be postulated that two pandemics are going on side by side, one by the Delta and close relatives and the other by the latest variant of concern said noted virologist …

India confirms first Omicron death as cases soar across country
3 years ago

India confirms first Omicron death as cases soar across country

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy India on Wednesday confirmed its …

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 patients with no travel history means variant spreading in community: Delhi govt
3 years ago

Omicron patients with no travel history means variant spreading in community: Delhi govt

India Today  

Delhi Minister Satyendar Jain said people with no travel history have been found infected with the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus -- "meaning it is gradually spreading in the community". It means it's gradually spreading in the community," Satyendar Jain was quoted by news agency PTI as saying during a press conference on Thursday. Satyendar Jain also mentioned that …

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 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 …

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 …

Two new British studies bolster idea that Omicron is milder than Delta
3 years ago

Two new British studies bolster idea that Omicron is milder than Delta

LA Times  

Two new British studies provide some early hints that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder in its effects than the Delta version. Still, the new studies released Wednesday seem to bolster earlier research that suggests Omicron may not be as harmful as the Delta variant, said Manuel Ascano Jr., a Vanderbilt University biochemist who studies viruses. Matthew …

What we don’t know about the Omicron variant
3 years ago

What we don’t know about the Omicron variant

LA Times  

There’s a lot that we don’t know yet about Omicron, the coronavirus variant that’s powering the latest surge in infections. Reported to the World Health Organization less than a month ago, Omicron was responsible for almost three-fourths of U.S. coronavirus infections by Dec. 20. It’ll take weeks, maybe months, to collect all the data for scientists to feel confident giving …

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. …

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 …

India's Omicron Latest Tally: Count Surges Past 150, Maharashtra & Gujarat Detect New Cases Of Covid Variant
3 years ago

India's Omicron Latest Tally: Count Surges Past 150, Maharashtra & Gujarat Detect New Cases Of Covid Variant

ABP News  

New Delhi: India's daily spike in Omicron cases has raised an alarm across the nation. The cases of Omicron variant in India rose to 153 on Sunday after Maharashtra reported six and Gujarat logged four more cases of the new variant of coronavirus, respectively. According to the press release issued by the state health department, the non-resident Indian tested positive …

What you need to know about Omicron today
3 years ago

What you need to know about Omicron today

India Today  

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Monday urged the Centre to allow for booster dosage for people in Delhi who have taken both shots of Covid-19 vaccines. Raising alarms over the Omicron variant, the chief minister said that 99 per cent of people in Delhi have been inoculated with at least a single dose of the vaccine as the national …

WHO sounds alarm over rapid spread of Omicron
3 years ago

WHO sounds alarm over rapid spread of Omicron

Al Jazeera  

Chief scientist says it would be ‘unwise’ to conclude from early evidence that Omicron is a milder coronavirus variant. WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said on Monday it would be “unwise” to conclude from early evidence that Omicron is a milder variant than previous ones. WHO expert Abdi Mahamud added: “Although we are seeing a reduction in the neutralisation antibodies, …

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 cases doubling at least every 3 days, WHO says
3 years ago

Omicron cases doubling at least every 3 days, WHO says

Al Jazeera  

Global health agency says there are ‘still limited data’ on the clinical severity of new variant, which has so far been reported in 89 countries. “More data are needed to understand the severity profile and how severity is impacted by vaccination and pre-existing immunity.” It added, “There are still limited available data, and no peer-reviewed evidence, on vaccine efficacy or …

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 …

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 …

Omicron: Records fall and borders close as world races to get control of coronavirus variant
3 years ago

Omicron: Records fall and borders close as world races to get control of coronavirus variant

CNN  

London CNN — The rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant has broken pandemic records and shuttered borders in several parts of the world, as governments and scientists scramble to understand the implications of the strain before it supersedes Delta and becomes dominant worldwide. Dr. Anthony Fauci said the United States was “looking over shoulder” at the encroaching variant while …

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 …

Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines
3 years ago

Data indicate omicron is milder, better at evading vaccines

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — The omicron variant is offering more hints about what it may have in store as it spreads around the globe: A highly transmissible virus that may cause less severe disease, and one that can be slowed — but not stopped — by today’s vaccines. An analysis Tuesday of data from South Africa, where the new variant is driving …

Omicron spreading at rate we have not seen with any previous variant: WHO Chief
3 years ago

Omicron spreading at rate we have not seen with any previous variant: WHO Chief

India TV News  

Highlights WHO on Tuesday said that Omicron has spread in more than 70 countries. As concerns regarding the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 is on the rise, the World Health Organization Chief Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus on Tuesday said that the new variant has been detected in over 70 countries and it was likely already present in most countries in the …

COVID: Omicron variant spreading at unprecedented rate, says WHO
3 years ago

COVID: Omicron variant spreading at unprecedented rate, says WHO

Al Jazeera  

WHO chief says the new strain was detected in at least 77 nations and was likely already in most countries. The World Health Organization has warned that the coronavirus variant Omicron was spreading at a rate not seen with previous strains and was likely present in most countries. “Seventy-seven countries have now reported cases of Omicron, and the reality is …

Inside the Botswana lab that discovered Omicron
3 years ago

Inside the Botswana lab that discovered Omicron

Al Jazeera  

The day that Dr Sikhulile Moyo ruefully calls “Omicron Day” started like any normal day, or as normal as one can be for a medical virologist in the middle of a global coronavirus pandemic. “We don’t think that the countries – ourselves, South Africa and others – should be punished for sharing our data transparently with the world,” says Dr …

Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, not seen with any previous variant: WHO
3 years ago

Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, not seen with any previous variant: WHO

India Today  

The World Health Organization on Tuesday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is spreading at a rate not seen with any previous variant. In a media briefing, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director general of WHO, said, "77 countries have now reported cases of Omicron, and the reality is that Omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn’t been …

DR. ANGELIQUE COETZEE: I alerted the wider world to Omicron - and I believe Britain is overreacting
3 years ago

DR. ANGELIQUE COETZEE: I alerted the wider world to Omicron - and I believe Britain is overreacting

Daily Mail  

The UK Government's handling of what Boris Johnson warned will be a 'tidal wave' of Omicron infections verges on hysteria. Yet you only have to look at the picture in South Africa, where the world's first known cases of Omicron were spotted, to realise this reaction is out of all proportion to the risks posed by this variant. The Prime …

Two weeks into Omicron outbreak: What do we know so far
3 years ago

Two weeks into Omicron outbreak: What do we know so far

Hindustan Times  

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found in 63 countries so far and will surpass Delta in spreading speed, the World Health Organization has said. The United Nations health agency said, based on preliminary data, the Omicron variant might reduce the efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines but added that this strain is less dangerous than Delta. “It is spreading …

Panic grips Andhra Pradesh as first Omicron case reported
3 years ago

Panic grips Andhra Pradesh as first Omicron case reported

Deccan Chronicle  

Vishakhapatanam: The first case of Omicron, the latest variant of the novel Coronavirus, has been confirmed in Andhra Pradesh by the state health officials. However, he is stable now, without any symptom and his RT-PCR test on December 11 was also negative,” medical and health officer S.V. AP’s public health director Dr Hymavathi said this was the first case of …

Premature to Assume Omicron a ‘Mild’ Virus, Booster Dose 'Imminent': Karnataka Surveillance Panel Member
3 years ago

Premature to Assume Omicron a ‘Mild’ Virus, Booster Dose 'Imminent': Karnataka Surveillance Panel Member

News 18  

Amidst concerns over the new Omicron variant that has so far infected nearly 33 people in the country, the member of Karnataka’s genomic surveillance committee, Dr Vishal Rao, said it will be “incorrect and premature” to take the heavily mutated variant lightly, assuming that it’s just a mild virus. “As the numbers increase, the virus may exhibit more virulence,” Rao …

Omicron variant causing milder Covid-19 than delta: South African doctors
3 years ago

Omicron variant causing milder Covid-19 than delta: South African doctors

Hindustan Times  

As the Omicron variant sweeps through South Africa, Dr Unben Pillay is seeing dozens of sick patients a day. Omicron variant causing milder Covid-19 than delta: South African doctors That’s one of the reasons why he, along with other doctors and medical experts, suspect that the Omicron version really is causing milder Covid-19 than delta, even if it seems to …

COVID researchers are working around the clock to understand Omicron. A complex picture is starting to emerge
3 years ago

COVID researchers are working around the clock to understand Omicron. A complex picture is starting to emerge

ABC  

In the Kirby Institute's lab in Sydney's eastern suburbs, there's a freezer full of variants. The first stage of Turville and his team's investigations involved pitting the variant against 14 donor samples which had received two doses of either Pfizer or AstraZeneca and a product called hyperimmune globulin, made up of thousands of blood donors, which is used as an …

South African doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta
3 years ago

South African doctors see signs omicron is milder than delta

Associated Press  

JOHANNESBURG — As the omicron variant sweeps through South Africa, Dr. Unben Pillay is seeing dozens of sick patients a day. According to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases: — Only about 30% of those hospitalized with COVID-19 in recent weeks have been seriously ill, less than half the rate as during the first weeks of previous pandemic waves. …

Delhi reports 2nd Omicron case, traveller from Zimbabwe tests positive
3 years ago

Delhi reports 2nd Omicron case, traveller from Zimbabwe tests positive

India TV News  

Highlights A man, with travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa, has tested positive for Omicron This is Delhi's second Omicron case He is admitted at the LNJP Hospital and only has weakness, officials said A 35-year-old man, with travel history to Zimbabwe and South Africa, has tested positive for Omicron, becoming the second patient in Delhi of the new …

What omicron's fast spread could mean for the U.S. — and the world
3 years, 1 month ago

What omicron's fast spread could mean for the U.S. — and the world

NPR  

What omicron's fast spread could mean for the U.S. — and the world The first country to really get hit by omicron is South Africa. In some countries, omicron could have more trouble competing because of higher immunity levels and the increasing push to get booster shots – which early data show may help stop omicron infections, says Wafaa El-Sadr, …

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