Covid-19: ASSOCHAM calls for booster dose to mitigate pandemic impact amid spike in Omicron cases

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The Omicron variant has emerged as a ‘variant of concern’ following its detection in southern Africa late last month. (File/Reuters) The Associated Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ASSOCHAM) called for a higher pace of vaccination amid a spurt in Covid-19 cases led by the Omicron variant. ASSOCHAM CSR Council Chairman Anil Rajput also called for … Read more

Covid-19: Union Health Minister reviews testing facility at Delhi airport amid spurt in Omicron cases

Mumbai airport IE

India reported 17 cases of the new Covid-19 variant on Sunday — nine in Jaipur, seven in Pune district, and one in Delhi. (File) Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya reviewed the RT-PCR testing facility at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday as India’s tally of Omicron cases skyrocketed past 21. India reported 17 cases … Read more

Covid-19: Could the Omicron variant cause milder illness?

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There are other theories that the variant evolved from an animal host. (Representative image) The coronavirus’ Omicron variant that has now been detected in over 30 countries has prompted fears it could significantly undermine the effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. Yet, amid a race to understand the consequences of the variant, some scientists are also looking … Read more

Covid-19: Botswana scientist who sequenced Omicron variant worried by pace of mutation

Coronavirus Mutation 1

Looking at the previous lineages — the Alpha, the Beta — the mutations accumulated over time, Moyo said. (Representative image) The pace at which the coronavirus’ Omicron variant accumulated its unusual pattern of mutations is cause for concern, Sikhulile Moyo, the scientist who detected the new strain, said. The speed of the mutations also raises … Read more