Page 4 - Latest Updates on Omicron
Daily vaccination rates in India surge two-fold amid global Covid scare
This despite an infection rate of about 150-200 cases a day; Vaccine makers say there are sufficient stocks to meet rising demand
 "Daily vaccination rates in India surge two-fold amid global Covid scare")
Karnataka makes masks mandatory in public places, increases Covid testing
State govt tells revellers to end New Year celebrations before 1 am; Centre readies for mock drills today
 "Karnataka makes masks mandatory in public places, increases Covid testing")
Statsguru: Covid-19 fears return; vaccination rates still low in India
Around 50 per cent of people over 60 years of age are fully vaccinated. Vaccination is significantly lower for the rest of the country
 "Statsguru: Covid-19 fears return; vaccination rates still low in India")
Travellers in a fix over govt announcement of mandatory RT-PCR testing
The rule applies to passengers arriving from five nations and calls for quarantine of infected/symptomatic flyers; travellers fear list may soon include more countries
 "Travellers in a fix over govt announcement of mandatory RT-PCR testing")
States start mock drills, get the beds and O2 ready to take on Covid
The airport tests are aimed at a 2 per cent sample of all incoming international travellers
 "States start mock drills, get the beds and O2 ready to take on Covid")
Nepal health ministry issues alert on new Covid-19 variant BF.7
It added that fever measurement, antigen testing and genetic testing of suspected travellers coming from international checkpoints and airports are currently being carried out in Nepal
 "Nepal health ministry issues alert on new Covid-19 variant BF.7")
Packed ICUs, crowded crematoriums: Coronavirus roils Chinese towns
Intensive care units are turning away ambulances, relatives of sick people are searching for open beds, and patients are slumped on benches in hospital corridors and lying on floors for a lack of beds
 "Packed ICUs, crowded crematoriums: Coronavirus roils Chinese towns")
Arunachal Pradesh gears up operational readiness as Covid-19 cases rise
Chief Secretary Dharmendra has directed all districts to prioritize detection and containment of outbreaks of new SARs-CoV-2 variant and micro containment measures as and where needed
Restaurants pull out the masks and gloves to keep new Covid wave at bay
Sanitisers find their way back at entry points; Christmas and New Year bookings sold out, no cancellations so far
 "Restaurants pull out the masks and gloves to keep new Covid wave at bay")
'Mask up': PM Modi cautions against complacency at crucial Covid meet
States told to audit Covid-specific facilities, including hospital infrastructure
 "'Mask up': PM Modi cautions against complacency at crucial Covid meet")
Mask up, take the jab, Covid is not over yet, Centre cautions citizens
A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant is behind a widespread surge of Covid infections in China
 "Mask up, take the jab, Covid is not over yet, Centre cautions citizens")
3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected in India, shows report
Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said Wednesday
 "3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected in India, shows report")
Beijing's Covid gloom deepens as China relaxes curbs after protests
Anecdotal evidence suggests that many businesses have been forced to close as infected workers quarantine at home while many other people are deciding not to go out
 "Beijing's Covid gloom deepens as China relaxes curbs after protests")
Best of BS Opinion: Winning ways, the end of Covid Zero, and more
Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today
 "Best of BS Opinion: Winning ways, the end of Covid Zero, and more")
The end of Covid Zero
The world, and India, must prepare for a possible China wave
 "The end of Covid Zero")
Data story: India adds 275 new Covid cases; active tally sees net decline
India has added 2,083 cases in the past 7 days
 "Data story: India adds 275 new Covid cases; active tally sees net decline")
Data story: India records 291 Covid cases in 24 hours; 2 new deaths
India has added 2,155 cases in the past 7 days
 "Data story: India records 291 Covid cases in 24 hours; 2 new deaths")
Data story: India adds 215 new Covid cases, active tally declines to 4,982
India has added 2,353 cases in the past 7 days
 "Data story: India adds 215 new Covid cases, active tally declines to 4,982")
Don't ignore Covid
The vaccination programme needs to be updated and revised
 "Don't ignore Covid")
Data story: India records 291 new Covid cases, death toll reaches 530,614
India has added 2,432 cases in the past 7 days
 "Data story: India records 291 new Covid cases, death toll reaches 530,614")
