Page 63 - Latest Updates on Omicron
India's Omicron tally rises to 5,488 with 620 additions in past 24 hrs
With 620 fresh Omicron infections detected in the last 24 hours, the national tally of this highly transmissible Covid variant has climbed to 5,488
 "India's Omicron tally rises to 5,488 with 620 additions in past 24 hrs")
Yuan off 2-week high on weaker-than-expected fix and economic slowdown
Omicron has brought fresh challenges to China's strategy to quickly extinguish local outbreaks, and there are concerns that tough measures taken could end up hampering the economy
 "Yuan off 2-week high on weaker-than-expected fix and economic slowdown")
Wear two masks to keep Omicron variant at bay, say Hong Kong experts
Wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask can "tighten the gap not covered by the surgical mask, which is often very loose," said David Hui, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong
 "Wear two masks to keep Omicron variant at bay, say Hong Kong experts")
Facing vaccine shortage; no indication of flattening of curve: Maharashtra
Maharashtra is facing a shortage of Covaxin and Covishield, said state health minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday.
 "Facing vaccine shortage; no indication of flattening of curve: Maharashtra")
Data story: India logs 247,417 cases, Maharashtra's caseload tops 7 mn-mark
India has so far administered 1,546,139,465 vaccine doses. That is 4257.23 per cent of its total caseload, and 110.53 per cent of its population
 "Data story: India logs 247,417 cases, Maharashtra's caseload tops 7 mn-mark")
India records 247,417 Covid-19 cases in 24 hrs, highest in 236 days
India logged 247,417 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 236 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 36,317,927, which includes 5,488 cases of the Omicron variant
 "India records 247,417 Covid-19 cases in 24 hrs, highest in 236 days")
Omicron 'dangerous' virus for unvaccinated people, warns WHO chief
The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is a "dangerous virus" particularly for those who are unvaccinated, World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on Wednesday.
 "Omicron 'dangerous' virus for unvaccinated people, warns WHO chief")
Maharashtra logs 46,723 cases, up 27% from a day ago, 32 more deaths
Maharashtra recorded 46,723 fresh coronavirus cases on Wednesday, up more than 27 per cent from a day ago, taking the overall tally above the 70-lakh mark
 "Maharashtra logs 46,723 cases, up 27% from a day ago, 32 more deaths")
Oil struggles to hold gains amid mixed demand view as Omicron cases surge
Oil prices slipped on Thursday, trimming big gains from the previous two sessions, amid uncertainty over near-term demand as cases of Omicron variant surge
 "Oil struggles to hold gains amid mixed demand view as Omicron cases surge")
US airlines feel stress as Omicron drives coronavirus wave: Report
The Omicron coronavirus variant has driven up the latest wave of the health crisis in the US and added stress to the US airlines, some of which otherwise may have upside earnings
 "US airlines feel stress as Omicron drives coronavirus wave: Report")
Top headlines: IT firms fight to keep talent, Tata firms shine under chief
Budget wish list: Citizens seek jobs, support for small biz and lower tax. More in today's top headlines
 "Top headlines: IT firms fight to keep talent, Tata firms shine under chief")
Covid caused by Omicron should not be considered common cold: Dr VK Paul
Niti Aayog member Dr VK Paul said that Covid caused by Omicron should not be considered common cold and added that people should not take it lightly
 "Covid caused by Omicron should not be considered common cold: Dr VK Paul")
Covid positivity up 11% in two weeks; daily cases set to hit 200,000 today
In India, 92% adults have received their first dose, while 68% are fully vaccinated
 "Covid positivity up 11% in two weeks; daily cases set to hit 200,000 today")
Boris Johnson apologises in Parliament for attending lockdown party
Johnson on Wednesday extended a heartfelt apology in the House of Commons in response to growing anger around reports of a bring-your-own-booze party during Covid-19 lockdown in May 2020.
 "Boris Johnson apologises in Parliament for attending lockdown party")
Covid LIVE: Maharashtra sees 46,723 new cases in a day; 27,561 in Delhi
Mumbai's positivity rate rises to 24.38%; Delhi's positivity rate at 26.22%
 "Covid LIVE: Maharashtra sees 46,723 new cases in a day; 27,561 in Delhi")
Novak Djokovic: Not isolating after Covid-19 infection was 'error'
Djokovic knew he'd tested positive for Covid-19 when he attended a newspaper interview and photo shoot last month, saying he made an error of judgment" and should have immediately gone into isolation
 "Novak Djokovic: Not isolating after Covid-19 infection was 'error'")
Sputnik seems to be more effective against Omicron compared to other: Putin
Sputnik demonstrates very high efficacy against Omicron variant and appears to be more effective than other vaccines against the new strain, said Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.
 "Sputnik seems to be more effective against Omicron compared to other: Putin")
Covid-19: Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US
Scientists are seeing signals that Covid-19's alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the US, at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically
 "Covid-19: Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in Britain, US")
Kerala logs 76 new Omicron cases; Cluster detected in pvt nursing college
Kerala on Wednesday reported 76 fresh Omicron cases taking the total number of people infected with the new variant of COVID-19 to 421, state health minister Veena George said here.
 "Kerala logs 76 new Omicron cases; Cluster detected in pvt nursing college")
Amid spike, labs pull out all stops to cope with Omicron rush of tests
Hiring more staff, expanding capacity and opening walk-in centres are some of the steps laboratories are taking to cope with increased tests and timely results as Covid cases spike in the country.
 "Amid spike, labs pull out all stops to cope with Omicron rush of tests")
