Coronavirus Highlights: Govt lays down guidelines for providing compensation for death due to Covid-19

India reported 9,216 fresh Covid-19 cases and 391 deaths in the last 24 hours as the country grapples with the new Omicron variant, two cases of which have been detected in Karnataka. Meanwhile, a preliminary study by South African scientists published suggests the Omicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains. Stay tuned to DH for latest updates.

Govt lays down guidelines for providing compensation for death due to Covid-19

Death certificates indicating coronavirus deaths either already issued prior to coming into force government guidelines or as ratified by district committees shall be treated as valid document for considering any death as “death due to Covid-19”, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.

Responding to a question on whether the Supreme Court has directed the Centre to pay compensation to deceased Covid-19 victims, - PTI.

Study suggests past Covid infection may not fend off omicron

South African scientists are warning that reinfections among people who've already battled Covid-19 appear to be more likely with the new omicron variant than with earlier coronavirus mutants.

A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa and reported a jump with the arrival of omicron that they hadn't seen when two previous variants, including the extra-contagious delta variant, moved through the country.

The findings, posted online Thursday, are preliminary and haven't yet undergone scientific review. Nor did the researchers say what portion of the reinfections were confirmed as omicron cases — or whether they caused serious illness. - AP.

Madhya Pradesh records 15 Covid-19 cases

The Covid-19 caseload in Madhya Pradesh rose to 7,93,214 with addition of 15 infections on Friday, a health department official said. With no fresh fatality being recorded, the death toll due to the pandemic remained unchanged at 10,528.

The recovery count increased to 7,82,552 after nine patients were discharged from hospitals during the day. The state now has 134 active coronavirus cases. - PTI.

Over 126 crore Covid vaccine doses administered in India so far: Health Ministry

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 126 crore on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said.

More than 66,58,055 doses have been administered till 7 pm.

The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night, the ministry said. - PTI.

At least 17 suspected Omicron cases after Oslo party

At least 17 people who caught Covid-19 after a Christmas party with more than 100 guests in Oslo last week are suspected of having the Omicron variant, officials said Friday.

The number is likely to grow as sequencing is carried out on other positive tests from partygoers.

"So far, 60 people have tested positive (for Covid) with PCR tests, and four with antigen tests," the city of Oslo said in a statement.

"Seventeen are probably Omicron, but that has yet to be confirmed. So far, one case is confirmed to be Omicron after sequencing." - AFP.

US shipping 9 million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Africa, another 2 million worldwide on Friday: White House spokesman - Reuters

102.38 cr Covid vaccine doses administered free of cost at govt centres since May 1: Govt

A total of 102.38 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered free of cost at government vaccination centres, while only 4.08 crore doses were administered at private centres since May 1, the Lok Sabha was told on Friday.

The Centre is supplying Covishield and Covaxin manufactured in India under the Covid-19 vaccination programme and sufficient stock is available with states and Union territories, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said in a written reply.

"From May 1, 2021 till date, 102.38 crore doses (96 per cent of the total doses) of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered free of cost at government CVCs, while only 4.08 crore doses (4 per cent of the total doses) were administered at private CVCs," Pawar said. - PTI.

Jammu and Kashmir reports 81 fresh Covid cases, 2 new deaths

Jammu and Kashmir recorded 181 fresh cases of coronavirus, taking the infection tally to 3,37,444 on Friday while two new deaths due to the virus were reported from the Union Territory in the past 24 hours, officials said.

Out of the fresh cases, 56 were from the Jammu division and 125 from the Kashmir division, they said.

Srinagar district recorded the highest of 56 cases followed by 41 cases in Baramulla district. - PTI.

WHO chief scientist says Omicron 'quite infectious', must not panic

The World Health Organization's chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan told Reuters on Friday that while the new coronavirus variant Omicron appeared to be very transmissible, the right response was to be prepared, cautious and not panic.

"How worried should we be? We need to be prepared and cautious, not panic, because we're in a different situation to a year ago," Swaminathan said during an interview at the Reuters Next conference. - Reuters.

Slovakia in lockdown records new daily record in infections

Coronavirus cases in Slovakia hit a daily record despite the country entering a national lockdown last week, the Health Ministry reported on Friday.

The ministry said Slovakia confirmed 15,278 new cases on Thursday, almost 5,000 more than the previous record set November 23. The government ordered a two-week lockdown that started November 25.

However, the ministry attributed the size of the most recent daily increase to some test results not getting from labs to the information system on Tuesday; those results were added to Thursday's tally, it said. - AP.

12.5 crore beneficiaries due for second dose of Covid-19 vaccine in India: Govt

A total of 12.5 crore people are due for second dose of Covid-19 vaccine after completion of the stipulated dosage interval as on November 30, the Lok Sabha was told on Friday.

Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar was responding to a question on the number of people who have dropped out of taking the second dose of Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

“As on November 30, a total of 12.5 crore people are due for the second dose of Covid vaccine after completion of stipulated dosage interval,” she noted. - PTI.

'No evidence that vaccines don't work against Omicron'

The Union Health Ministry on Friday said while there is no evidence to suggest that existing vaccines do not work on the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, some of the mutations reported may decrease the efficacy of the jabs.

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WHO has no reports yet of Omicron Covid deaths

The World Health Organization said Friday it had not seen any reports of deaths relating to the new Omicron variant of Covid-19.

The WHO said it was collecting evidence about the variant of concern, as countries around the world scramble to stop it spreading.

But despite a growing number of countries reporting infections with the new variant, no deaths have yet been reported to the UN health agency.

"I have not seen reports of Omicron-related deaths yet," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier told reporters in Geneva. - AFP.

Vaccine makers should plan to adjust Covid-19 jabs - WHO

Makers of Covid-19 vaccines should gear up for the "likelihood" of needing to adjust their products to protect against the Omicron variant, the World Health Organization's (WHO) spokesperson said on Friday.

Christian Lindmeier, speaking at a UN briefing in Geneva, said the agency was still studying the transmissibility and severity of the new variant, first reported in Southern Africa.

"It is very recommendable that vaccine manufacturers already start planning ahead and plan for the likelihood for having to adjust the existing vaccine," he said. "That's good not just to wait until the final alarm bell rings." - Reuters.

Likelihood of annual Covid-19 vaccinations is increasing; becomes similar to flu: BioNTech CEO - Reuters

Karnataka government imposes new Covid curbs amid Omicron scare

Amid rising concerns over Omicron cases in Karnataka, the state government banned all events, functions in educational Institutes as more clusters are being identified in these places.

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I think we will need a new vaccine against Covid-19. It's a question of when we will need it, says BioNTech CEO - Reuters

New variant might be able to infect vaccinated people and people with high exposure to Covid-19: BioNTech CEO - Reuters

Citizens are allowed into theatres, multiplexes, shopping malls only if they are vaccinated with 2 doses of vaccine, says Karnataka Revenue minister R Ashoka

No decision on regulating New Year celebrations for now, says Karnataka Revenue Minister R Ashoka

Sri Lanka detects 1st case of Covid-19’s Omicron variant

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. (PTI)

At least 17 suspected Omicron cases after Oslo party

At least 17 people who came down withCovid-19 after a Christmas party gathering over 100 guests in Oslo last week are suspected of having the Omicron variant, city officials said on Friday.

"So far 60 people have tested positive (forCovid) with PCR tests, and four with antigen tests. Seventeen are probably Omicron, but that has yet to be confirmed. So far, one case is confirmed to be Omicron after sequencing," the city of Oslo said in a statement.

Between 100 and 120 people -- all of whom were vaccinated, and one of whom had recently travelled to southern Africa -- had gathered last Friday for a Christmas party organised by their employer. (AFP)

Omicron scare: 10 South African nationals go missing, Karnataka government worried

After detection of the country's first two cases of Omicron infection in Bengaluru, the Karnataka Health Department is now worried over 10 South African nationals, who have gone untraceable in Bengaluru, sources revealed.

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INSACOG to meet today amid Omicron threats

10 suspected Omicron cases admitted to Delhi's LNJP Hospital (IANS)

France's current Covid wave could peak in late January: health minister (Reuters)

Bommai chairs high-level meeting of cabinet colleagues, officials and experts amid Omicron fears

Covid-19 booster shot likely to protect against Omicron, says virologist

With the Health Ministry on Thursday eveningconfirmingtwo cases of Omicron in Karnataka, the curiosity surrounding the new variant of SARS-CoV-2 has now turned quite palpable.

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Bengal to soon conduct trials of Covid-19 booster shots (PTI)

Two international travellers including a child Covid positive

Two international air travellers, including a child, who had arrived in Tamil Nadu from Singapore and the United Kingdom have tested positive for Covid-19 and the government ruled out social media reports claiming they were cases of Omicron but said tests only would conclude if they are infected with the latest variant of the coronavirus.

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Malaysia detects first case of Omicron variant (Reuters)

9 international travellers including one from South Africa have tested positive for Covid-19: BBMP

9 international travellers including one from South Africa who arrived at Mumbai International Airport between 10November and 2December have tested positive for Covid. BBMP said, according to ANI. Their samples have been sent for genome sequencing.

Maharashtra Covid vaccination data

Diverse doubts: How vaccine scepticism takes root

The influence of a loosely-defined activist anti-vaccine movement cannot be discounted but it has to be separated from hesitation.

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India reports 9,216 fresh Covid-19 cases, 391 deaths

India on Friday reported9,216 fresh Covid-19 cases and 391 deaths in the last 24 hours as the country grapples with the new Omicron variant, whose two cases have been detected in Karnataka.

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S.Korea makes vaccine pass mandatory for many more venues as Omicron fears rise

South Korea announced on Friday that people visiting restaurants and cinemas and other public spaces will have to show vaccine passes, amid a surge inCovid-19 infections and five confirmed cases of the Omicron variant.

The government also re-imposed limits on private gatherings, which had been recently relaxed, as the country posted record numbers of new cases this week. (Reuters)

Coronavirus variants will keep coming. We don't need to panic but remain cautious & proactive. We can protect ourselves from any variant if we're fully vaccinated &observe Covid appropriate behaviour:Dr Ashok Seth, Executive Director, Fortis Escorts Heart

INSACOG bats for booster shots for high-risk category of people

Australia records first Omicron community case, authorities hold nerve for now

Australia on Friday reported its first community transmission of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, but authorities held steady on a plan to reopen the economy amid hopes it would prove to be milder than previous strains.

The new case, a school student from Sydney, was the first confirmed Omicron infection of a person who had not travelled overseas, a sign the variant was now in the community, said the authorities of New South Wales state. (Reuters)

Hawaii finds Omicron variant, says it is case of community spread

Hawaii's Department of Health on Thursday confirmed its first case of the Omicron variant, saying it was a case of community spread and the person had no history of travel.

The person, an Oahu resident, had moderate symptoms. The person had previously been infected withCovid-19 but had not been vaccinated, the Department of Health said in a statement.

Hawaii becomes the fifth USstate to detect the variant, bringing the total number of cases in the country to nine. (Reuters)

Most Covid vaccines will work as boosters, study suggests (NYT)

Bommai to hold meeting with health experts at 1 pm

Nepal imposes ban on entry from 9 countries including Hong Kong, in view of emerging Omicron cases (ANI)

5 cases of Omicron variant confirmed in New York

(AFP)

A BBMP marshal asks a woman to wear a face mask, in Bengaluru, Thursday, December2, 2021. The Karnataka government has decided to intensify surveillance and increase the RT-PCR Covid tests at the bus stands and railway stations following reports of new Covid-19 variant Omicron in several countries and new clusters of Covid-19 infections in different districts.

(PTI)

India's first two cases of Omicron found in Karnataka

India on Thursday reported its first two cases of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 from Karnataka including what could well be the first case of local transmission of Omicron in India, officials in the Union Health Ministry and state administration said on Thursday, adding that both were males of age 66 years and 46 years.

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Reinfections 3 times more likely with Omicron: South African research

A preliminary study by South African scientists published Thursday suggests the Omicron variant is three times more likely to cause reinfections compared to the Delta or Beta strains.

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