Omicron

Bengaluru startup develops Covid test that detects Omicron

January 26, 2023 8:42 am

OmiCrisp has been developed in collaboration with an initiative supported by the central Department of Biotechnology.

India records 163 new Covid-19 cases, positivity rate at 0.01%; Here's all you need to know

January 08, 2023 3:31 pm

According to the data updated at 8 am, two deaths were recorded in Kerala, taking the total death toll to 5,39,720. The number of people who recovered from the disease increased to 4,41,46,781, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 percent.

BF.7 and BA.5.2: The Omicron sub-variants driving the China surge

January 07, 2023 1:15 pm

Both variants are present in India as well, but they have not led to any spike in infections, and are unlikely to pose any serious threat. China's problem is not these variants, but the immune-naïveté of the bulk of its population.

Two omicron sub-variants behind fresh Covid surge in China: WHO

January 04, 2023 10:32 pm

Experts have said, although the variants circulating in China are unlikely to lead to largescale increase in hospitalisations and deaths, there is a possibility of newer variants emerging due to the large number of people getting infected in China.

India may see higher infection rate from BF.7 but severity and deaths to remain low: Report

January 04, 2023 8:24 am

The research suggests that the Omicron variant will show low pathogenicity and death rate due to the instability of their key structural proteins and low capacity to produce pro-inflammatory cytokines and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the patients that cause cytokine storms.

Avoid panic on Omicron sub-variant XBB 1.5, focus more on genome sequencing: Top experts

January 04, 2023 6:04 am

'Infection with BA.5 seems to give some protection against infection with XBB. There is not much difference with severe disease, so we can expect a fair number of infections. Severe disease will continue in known risk groups,' says virologist Dr Gagandeep Kang

Virus alert: Govt efforts to battle another Covid wave meaningless in absence of citizens' support

January 02, 2023 7:56 am

The government’s efforts would be rendered meaningless in the absence of support from the citizens. For the next few weeks, let us adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour.

Mandatory Covid testing likely for flyers from China, 3 other nations

December 25, 2022 4:12 pm

The latest plan comes amid China reporting a surge in cases driven by the highly infectious BF.7 variant, which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron BA.5 strain. Hong Kong is among the key boarding points in China on the Government’s radar, the sources said.

China estimates Covid surge infected 37 million people in a day

December 24, 2022 5:00 pm

Beijing’s swift dismantling of Covid Zero restrictions has led to the unfettered spread of the highly contagious omicron variants in a population with low levels of natural immunity.

Centre apprised of Karnataka’s Covid precautionary measures: Health Minister Sudhakar

December 25, 2022 8:00 am

A mock drill for emergency response will be undertaken across all health facilities in the state on December 27, as per a central directive.

Masks make a return in India as Covid cases rise globally again

December 24, 2022 9:42 am

China locks down cities as country battles 'stealth Omicron' wave

March 14, 2022 10:34 pm

The National Health Commission reported 1,337 locally transmitted cases in the latest 24-hour period, including 895 in the industrial province of Jilin. A government notice said that police permission would be required for people to leave the area or travel from one city to another.

As Covid-19 cases surge, teens, frontline workers line up for jabs

January 12, 2022 9:45 pm

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, 2,82,74,847 children have taken the first dose of their Covid vaccine as of January 11 at 7 am.

India starts giving Covid-19 'precautionary doses' to 60+, frontline workers

January 10, 2022 7:21 pm

An estimated 1.05 crore healthcare and 1.9 crore frontline workers, and 2.75 crore comorbid people in the 60 plus age group would be administered the precaution dose according to schedule, Health Ministry sources said.

In pictures: Delhi weekend curfew

January 08, 2022 2:32 pm

Delhi weekend curfew: Delhi entered a weekend curfew on Saturday, the first in several months as Covid-19 cases increased in the city, fuelled largely by the Omicron variant.

How India ushered in 2022 amid Omicron surge

January 01, 2022 9:32 pm

From curfews to restrictions on movements, state governments have become cautious with New Year’s Eve celebrations around the corner.

Long lines, crowded lounges at IGI Airport as new guidelines come into effect

December 02, 2021 2:31 pm

Around five or six passengers showed Covid-like symptoms during the rapid PCR and RT-PCR test and were sent to Lok Nayak hospital.