Page 180 - Coronavirus Tests

INSACOG calls for Covid booster shot for those at risk, above 40 years

The recommendation came amid demands for a booster dose of covid vaccines by lawmakers during a discussion in the Lok Sabha on the pandemic situation in the country

WHO rushes expert team to South Africa to help combat variant Omicron

Omicron, which was first identified in South Africa exactly a week ago, now has been detected in at least 24 countries around the world, including India

Sri Lanka detects first case of new coronavirus variant Omicron

Sri Lanka on Friday detected its first case of COVID-19's new variant Omicron, Deputy Director General of Health Services Hemantha Herath said. Today, we have found one Omicron infected person from our labs, he announced. The person, who arrived from an African nation, was currently in quarantine along with his family members, the official said. The Sri Lankan government on November 28 had announced that arrivals from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho and Eswatini are required to undergo mandatory quarantine. Herath said that the detection was made possible by the continued surveillance carried out by the health authorities having warned the public on the new variant weeks ago. As of Thursday, the total number of COVID-19 infections since March 2020 stood at 5,65,471 with 14,399 deaths. Sri Lanka ended its lockdown on October 1, which lasted since mid-August. The deadly third wave of the coronavirus struck in mid-April. The new potentially more contagious B.1.1.

'Will there be a third Covid wave?': Govt issues FAQs on Omicron variant

Given the fast pace of vaccination in India and high exposure to the delta variant, the severity of the disease is anticipated to be low, says Union Health Ministry

Sample from Omicron suspect in Gujarat's Jamnagar sent for testing

The Gujarat health department on Friday informed that the samples obtained from the Zimbabwe resident's arrival in Jamnagar have been sent for laboratory testing to identify if it's Omicron or not.

Omicron may throw wrench in companies' plans to return to office

With Omicron so new, companies are struggling to understand how the variant might affect their operations and profits

Omicron Covid variant increases reinfection risk by three-fold: Study

The new super mutant Omicron variant of Covid-19 can increase risk of reinfection by three times as compared to other variants of concern such as Beta and Delta.

Active Covid-19 cases in country increase to 99,976, toll climbs to 470,115

With 9,216 coronavirus infections being reported in a day, the country's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 34,615,757, while the active cases increased to 99,976.

UK study finds mRNA Covid-19 vaccines provide biggest booster impact

Pfizer and Moderna shots give large antibody boosts regardless of whether a person initially received those vaccines.

Vaccination picks up pace as Omicron variant puts nation on alert

Of the 36 states and Union Territories for which vaccination data is available, 20 states recorded a rise in vaccination growth during the last week.

India's first two Omicron cases in Karnataka, govt says no need to panic

Around 120 million beneficiaries are still due for their second dose, according to the health ministry data

India hasn't imposed travel curbs like some other countries: MEA on Omicron

Bagchi said the list existed prior to Omicron so it cannot be called "an Omicron list" at all

Omicron impact may lead to return of extensive travel curbs: IATA

Air passenger volume is measured in revenue passenger kilometres or RPKs

Covid-19 pandemic: Chhattisgarh reports 37 new infections, zero death

The number of recoveries in the state rose to 9,92,949

As omicron variant looms, United States is still battling the delta wave

The fear is that omicron will foist even more patients, and perhaps sicker ones, onto hospitals

Angela Merkel announces new curbs for unvaccinated, backs mandatory shots

Both Angela Merkel and Olaf Scholz, said vaccination was "the way out" of the pandemic as virus cases continued to surge nationwide

US set to push through tougher measures against coronavirus

International travellers coming to the US will have to test within a day of departure

Coronavirus pandemic: Gujarat sees 50 new infections, one more death

With the death of one patient during the day, the fatality count reached 10,094

Negative Covid test report mandatory at guest houses, ashrams in Vrindavan

The Health Department has asked all guest houses and ashrams to keep complete details of all the guests and ensure that they have a negative COVID-19 test report.

WHO deploys team in South Africa to tackle Omicron Covid variant

Omicron, which was first identified in South Africa exactly a week ago, now has been detected in at least 24 countries around the world, according to the WHO