Page 43 - Latest Updates on Omicron
Omicron sibling BA.2 remains variant of concern: World Health Organisation
The Omicron variant of concern is currently the dominant variant circulating globally, accounting for nearly all sequences reported to GISAID (an open access database), said the WHO in a statement
 "Omicron sibling BA.2 remains variant of concern: World Health Organisation")
Reinfection with different subtypes of Omicron is possible: Study
While the chances are rare, reinfection with BA.2 can occur shortly after initial BA.1 infection, according to a study by Danish researchers.
 "Reinfection with different subtypes of Omicron is possible: Study")
Are variants leading us closer to herd immunity against Covid-19?
Herd immunity is when enough of a population is immune to a virus that it's hard for the germ to spread to those who aren't protected by vaccination or a prior infection
 "Are variants leading us closer to herd immunity against Covid-19?")
Bill Gates praises Indian vax makers for supplying affordable vaccines
Gates has praised India for its vaccine-manufacturing prowess and applauded the efforts of the country's manufacturers for supplying affordable vaccines across the world.
 "Bill Gates praises Indian vax makers for supplying affordable vaccines")
Thai economic recovery to continue but still fragile: Central bank minutes
Thailand's economy would continue to recover in 2022, but a rebound would remain fragile, as an Omicron outbreak puts less pressure on activity than earlier Covid waves, read Central Bank minutes.
 "Thai economic recovery to continue but still fragile: Central bank minutes")
Data story: India logs 15,102 new cases; death toll rises to 512,622
India has so far administered 1,761,939,020 vaccine doses. That is 4110.24 per cent of its total caseload, and 125.75 per cent of its population
 "Data story: India logs 15,102 new cases; death toll rises to 512,622")
Hong Kong offers tax breaks, handouts for Covid relief in 2022-23 budget
Hong Kong will offer tax breaks, handouts and subsidies to small businesses and residents, to mitigate the impact of a new wave of social restrictions to curb Covid infections, said Finance Secretary.
 "Hong Kong offers tax breaks, handouts for Covid relief in 2022-23 budget")
More contagious version of Omicron spreads in US, says report
Infectious disease experts are keeping a close eye on an even more contagious version of the Omicron variant spreading in the US.
 "More contagious version of Omicron spreads in US, says report")
Beijing finds most daily local Covid cases in nearly a month
Beijing on Wednesday reported the highest number of daily local Covid cases since late January, less than two weeks before the opening of China's annual parliamentary meeting in capital on March 5.
 "Beijing finds most daily local Covid cases in nearly a month")
New Zealand central bank makes third straight hike, plans bond sales
New Zealand's central bank raised interest rates by 25 bps, a third consecutive hike that brings borrowing costs to pre-Covid levels, saying it would sell bonds as it looks to counter rising inflation
 "New Zealand central bank makes third straight hike, plans bond sales")
Over 12.5 million children in the US found infected with coronavirus
More than 12.5 mn children in US have tested positive for Covid-19 since the onset of pandemic, according to a report published by American Academy of Pediatrics and Children's Hospital Association.
Covid vaccine shots unlikely to prompt rare inflammation in kids
COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to trigger a rare inflammatory condition linked to coronavirus infection in children, according to an analysis of US government data published Tuesday.
 "Covid vaccine shots unlikely to prompt rare inflammation in kids")
Goa logs 55 fresh coronavirus cases and 3 deaths; active tally at 533
A health department bulletin said three deaths linked to the infection in the last 24 hours pushed the toll to 3,795
 "Goa logs 55 fresh coronavirus cases and 3 deaths; active tally at 533")
Covid-19 pandemic: West Bengal logs 236 new cases and nine deaths
The state had registered 200 new cases and 11 fresh fatalities on Monday
 "Covid-19 pandemic: West Bengal logs 236 new cases and nine deaths")
Coronavirus pandemic: Assam logs 36 fresh cases and two deaths
The number of Covid-19 deaths remained at two for the third consecutive day
 "Coronavirus pandemic: Assam logs 36 fresh cases and two deaths")
Madhya Pradesh logs 521 new Covid cases, two deaths; active tally now 6,172
Launching his social reforms campaign after a gap of over a month, the chief minister said people must come forward to ameliorate the wrong practice
Chhattisgarh reports 205 fresh Covid-19 cases, no death; 496 recover
The state's positivity rate, or cases detected per 100 tests, was 0.71 per cent, an official added
Covid-19 pandemic: Eight more deaths, 271 new cases in Himachal Pradesh
Besides, 365 more patients recovered from the viral disease, taking the overall recoveries to 2,76,904, the official said
Maharashtra reports big jump in Covid-19 deaths at 47; 1,080 test positive
With these additions, the state's Covid-19 tally reached 78,60,317, while the death toll increased to 1,43,633, the department said in a bulletin
Covid-19 pandemic: Karnataka reports 767 fresh cases and 29 deaths
There were 1,692 discharges, pushing the total number of recoveries to 38,87,744, a Health bulletin said
