Kerala halts free treatment for Covid vaccine-hesitant people
The Kerala government has decided not to provide free medical treatment to those hesitating to take Covid vaccination and getting infected.
The decision was taken as it was found that a large section, including around 5,000 school teachers, were showing hesitancy towards Covid vaccine. Some were even citing religious reasons. - DHNS.
Most of the current Covid-19 vaccines are disease-modifying in nature: Minister
Available scientific literature shows most of the current Covid-19 vaccines are disease-modifying in nature wherein mortality and hospitalisations are significantly reduced in the vaccinated but a proportion of such people may still have mild or asymptomatic infections, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said on Tuesday.
Therefore, it is important to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour at all times including strict use of masks, maintaining social distancing and hand-washing, the minister said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha. - PTI.
Delhi prepares 30,000 oxygen beds over Omicron threat
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said his government is gearing up to fight a possible threat of the Omicron variant of coronavirus and has prepared 30,000 oxygen beds and also ramped up oxygen supply and storage facilities.
Bharat Biotech studying if Covaxin will work on Omicron
India's Bharat Biotech said on Tuesday it was studying if its Covaxin shot would work against variants of coronavirus such as Omicron, after the CEO of drugmaker Moderna warned that existing vaccines would be less effective.
Regeneron says Covid-19 drug could be less effective against Omicron variant
Greece to make Covid jabs compulsory for over 60s: PM
Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis Tuesday said coronavirus vaccines would be compulsory for over 60s, as he faces mounting calls for more restrictions to stem the spread of Covid-19.
"Greeks over the age of 60... must book their appointment for a first jab by January 16," the premier said in a statement to the cabinet. "Their vaccination is henceforth compulsory," he added. - AFP
EU says 42 Omicron cases confirmed in 10 countries in the bloc
The head of the European Union's public health agency said on Tuesday that 42 cases of infection with the Covid-19 Omicron variant have been confirmed in ten EU countries.
Andrea Ammon, who chairs the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC), told an online conference that authorities in the EU were analysing another six "probable" cases, noting that confirmed cases were mild or without symptoms. - Reuters.
UK mandates mask use in public over Omicron fear
The UK has made face coverings mandatory in shops and public transport from Tuesday as part of “targeted measures" to slow the spread of the Omicron variant, 14 cases of which have been detected in the UK, after Scotland reported three new infections.
Three new Omicron cases identified in Scotland
Three new Omicron cases have been identified inScotland, Sky News reported on Tuesday, taking the total number of cases in Britain to 14.
Omicron and the vaccine inequity
As the fear of a new coronavirus variant, Omicron, grips us and the countries begin to close their borders, it's time to evaluate the globally unequal distribution of available vaccines.
First Omicron case detected in Japan
Japan on Tuesday confirmed its first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, a day after authorities announced new Covid border restrictions.
The announcement came a day after Japan tightened its border rules again, barring all new foreign arrivals just weeks after relaxing tough regulations to allow some students and business travellers entry.
Why top virologist Shahid Jameel is not sounding the alarm on Omicron yet
A “very large” number of Indians are likely to remain protected from Omicron or any other variant of Covid-19 and there is no need to panic, eminent virologist Dr Shahid Jameel has said.
Mumbai schools for classes 1-7 to reopen on Dec 15 in view on Omicron variant
Omicron scare: 1,000 travellers from African nations landed in Mumbai in last 15 days; 100 tested, says BMC
At least 1,000 travellers landed in Mumbai in the last fortnight from African countries where the potentially more transmissible 'Omicron' variant of coronavirus has been detected, a senior official of the city civic body said.
Covid-19: 125 passengers from Omicron-affected countries traced for re-testing
The BBMP has begun tracing 125 people who arrived from three Omicron-affected countries between November 1 and 27 to conduct a re-test for the Covid variant.
All international passengers will be tested at the airport on arrival: Karnataka CM
We are keeping a strict check at the airport on international passengers arriving from countries where the new Covid variant has been detected. All international passengers will be tested at the airport on arrival: Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai
No cases of new Covid variant in India so far: Health minister in RS
No case of Covid-19 variant Omicronreported in India so far: Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya said in Rajya Sabha during Question Hour
Centre to hold review meet on Omicron with states today
As the new Covid-19 variant - Omicron - has emerged as a new threat globally, WHO's Chief Scientist opined that the new variant can act as a "wake-up call" for Indians to follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.
Read more
7 people came from South Africa to Thane in last fortnight; 4 negative, results of 3 awaited: official
Seven people arrived from South Africa in Maharashtra's Thane city adjoining Mumbai since November 14 and all of them were tested in the wake of concerns over the new potentially more transmissible 'Omicron' variant of the coronavirus, civic officials said on Tuesday.
India offers to help African nations deal with Omicron
India has offered to expeditiously send Covid-19 vaccines to the countries in Africa to help contain the new Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Australia halts plans for border reopening
Australia on Monday abruptly halted plans to reopen its international borders to skilled workers and students. Australia has reported 5 cases of the omicron variant so far.
Xi pledges supply of 1 billion doses of vaccines to African countries
Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged to supply another 1 billion doses of vaccines to African countries, as the world’s poorest continent grapples with the emergence of a new and potentially more transmissible Covid-19 variant.
Biden says Omicron 'not a cause for panic' as G7 urges action (AFP)
Pfizer, BioNTech to seek FDA approval for booster shots for 16 and 17-year olds (Washington Post)
Chandigarh man who returned from South Africa tests Covid positive
A 39-year-old Chandigarh resident who had returned from South Africa a few days ago tested positive for Covid-19 on Monday and his sample will now be sent to Delhi for whole genome sequencing.