Page 96 - Latest Updates on Omicron
South Korea reports 5,318 new Covid-19 cases, logs 54 more deaths
South Korea's new coronavirus cases fell below 6,000 for the first time in six days on Monday due partly to less testing over the weekend, but the number of new critically ill patients neared 1,000.
 "South Korea reports 5,318 new Covid-19 cases, logs 54 more deaths")
Global Covid caseload tops 274.6 mn, deaths surge to more than 5.35 mn
The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 50,846,828 and 806,439, according to the CSSE.
 "Global Covid caseload tops 274.6 mn, deaths surge to more than 5.35 mn")
EU to supply 20 mn additional vaccine doses to fight Omicron variant
EU members will receive an additional 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the first three months of next year
 "EU to supply 20 mn additional vaccine doses to fight Omicron variant")
Oil prices drop 2% as rapid Omicron spread dims fuel demand outlook
Oil prices slumped by about 2% early on Monday as surging cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant in Europe and the United States
 "Oil prices drop 2% as rapid Omicron spread dims fuel demand outlook")
Omicron: Germany tightens travel restrictions on visitors from UK
Germany is tightening travel restrictions for people coming from Britain in response to the rapid spread of the omicron variant there.
 "Omicron: Germany tightens travel restrictions on visitors from UK")
Israeli PM Bennett says kids must be vaccinated as omicron spreads
Israel's prime minister on Sunday called on parents to vaccinate their children against the coronavirus as the new omicron variant showed signs of spreading
 "Israeli PM Bennett says kids must be vaccinated as omicron spreads")
Asia stocks, oil prices suffer as new coronavirus variant Omicron spreads
A seasonal lack of liquidity made for a bumpy start and S&P 500 futures led the way with a 0.7% drop, while Nasdaq futures shed 0.6%.
 "Asia stocks, oil prices suffer as new coronavirus variant Omicron spreads")
Covid-19: UK records biggest daily jump of Omicron variant cases
Another 12,133 Omicron cases have been recorded in the UK, the biggest daily increase since the Covid-19 variant was detected in the country
 "Covid-19: UK records biggest daily jump of Omicron variant cases")
FPI selling continues on valuation, rate-hike unease, Omicron scare
Analysts said FPIs started taking some money off the table ever since indices hit new all-time highs and valuation discomfort emerged
 "FPI selling continues on valuation, rate-hike unease, Omicron scare")
Experts warn of 'viral blizzard' in US as Omicron hits 41 states
Health experts have warned of "viral blizzard" in the US as the new Omicron variant is spreading rapidly nationwide and has already been detected in at least 41 states.
CNN closes offices to nonessential employees as Covid-19 gains strength
CNN is sending all of its nonessential employees to work from home amid a spike in coronavirus cases, network President Jeff Zucker said in a memo.
 "CNN closes offices to nonessential employees as Covid-19 gains strength")
FIIs, global cues, Omicron trends will drive markets this week: Analysts
Domestic equities will be mainly driven by global market trends, foreign institutional investors' movement and developments around new Covid variant Omicron this week, according to analysts.
 "FIIs, global cues, Omicron trends will drive markets this week: Analysts")
Inside South African virology labs: Hunting for the next Covid variant
South African labs have been critical to combating the coronavirus
 "Inside South African virology labs: Hunting for the next Covid variant")
Omicron: Why a potential Covid-19 surge might need hybrid testing
Using a combination of RT-PCR tests with Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) helps detect more cases faster during a surge in cases, in remote areas with little access to RT-PCRs and in Covid-19 hotspots
 "Omicron: Why a potential Covid-19 surge might need hybrid testing")
Europeans reimpose restrictions as Omicron variant sweeps continent
Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant, triggering calls for protests
 "Europeans reimpose restrictions as Omicron variant sweeps continent")
India's Omicron tally rises to 126; Maharashtra reports most cases
The Centre has warned it is likely that the spread of the new variant will outpace the Delta variant where there is community transmission.
London Mayor declares 'major incident' over spread of Omicron variant
London Mayor Sadiq Khan announced on Saturday an emergency over the spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
UK reports 10,000 jump in Omicron cases, deaths rise to 7
Confirmed Omicron-variant Covid-19 cases in UK hit 24,968 as of 1800 GMT on Dec. 17
 "UK reports 10,000 jump in Omicron cases, deaths rise to 7")
Netherlands to go into lockdown due to 'fifth wave with Omicron'
The Dutch government has announced a stricter lockdown out of fear for the rise of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 in the country
Omicron scare: Economy needs continued handholding, says PHDCCI
PHDCCI on Saturday emphasised on the need for the Centre's continuous handholding of the economy to mitigate the uncertainty caused by the looming impact of new Covid variant Omicron.
