Page 157 - Coronavirus Tests

Top headlines: World seeing 4th Covid surge, says govt; Harbhajan retires

Business Standard brings you the top headlines on Friday

Omicron is latest blow to pandemic-weary front-line workers

In New York, about 2,700 police officers were absent earlier this week twice the number who are ill on an average day

Tokyo reports first community transmission of Omicron variant

Kyoto, a western prefecture of Japan, also confirmed three infections of the variant through unknown routes on Friday

Coronavirus curbs dampen Christmas joy in biblical Bethlehem

A ban on nearly all incoming air traffic by Israel -- the main entry point for foreign visitors heading to the occupied West Bank -- kept international tourists away for a second consecutive year

AstraZeneca says its antibody drug Evusheld can fight Omicron variant

Evusheld is one of only two antibody therapies authorised for use that showed neutralising activity against Omicron and against all other variants of concern in these two studies.

Multi-vitamins, paracetamol only treatment given to 40 Omicron patients

This was the only treatment provided to Omicron patients at Delhi's Lok Nayak hospital so far

Andhra Pradesh reports two more Omicron cases, tally reaches four

The variant was detected in two international travellers who arrived last week

DATA STORY: India logs 6,650 new cases; Delhi adds 698 cases in 7 days

India has so far administered 1,403,163,063 vaccine doses. That is 4035.25 per cent of its total caseload, and 100.3 per cent of its population

Third Covid-19 wave in India to peak in February: IIT-K researchers

The research report used the data of the first and second waves in India, and the current rise in cases triggered by Omicron in various countries, to predict a possible third wave in the country

US sets shorter coronavirus isolation rules for health workers

Federal officials on Thursday loosened rules that call on health care workers to stay out of work for 10 days if they test positive

Best of BS Opinion: Speculations about 2022, spirit of disinvestment & more

Here are the best of BS Opinion pieces of the day

Covishield third jab works against Omicron variant, says Oxford

If the vaccine is recommended for use as a booster against Omicron, it may significantly boost the demand for Covishield in India

Covid-19 pandemic: Maharashtra reports 1,179 cases, 17 deaths

The state's Covid-19 caseload increased to 6,653,345

Omicron: Home isolation system being strengthened, says Delhi govt

A helpline is operational 24x7 manned by 25 executives in three shifts, handling 600-700 calls per day

Covid-19: Omicron less severe than Delta variant, UK studies find

But worldwide researchers have stressed the severity of the variant could be different for other populations

DCGI seeks more data from SII over emergency authorisation for Covovax

'The apex drug regulator has also asked the SII to provide details on Matrix component used in the vaccine,' an official source said

Be alert & safe: PM Narendra Modi to states on Omicron variant threat

The Centre would also send teams to states with low vaccination, rising cases, insufficient health infrastructure to assist them.

South Africa Omicron data should not be extrapolated to all countries

Data from South Africa suggests that Omicron may be 70-80 per cent less severe than Delta

Covid-19 pandemic: FDA authorises Merck pill; France snips order

France cancelled an order for Merck's drug on disappointing test results and is now counting on a treatment from Pfizer

Omicron variant may double risk of getting infected on planes, says IATA

The new strain is highly transmissible and has become dominant in a matter of weeks, accounting for more than 70% of all new cases in the U.S. alone.