New Omicron cases in UK nearly double in a day
An additional 249 people have tested positive for the Omicron Covid-19 variant in the UK, which increased the total number of cases with this strain to 817, health authorities confirmed.
Thursday's figure is nearly double of what was reported a day ago (131 cases), reports Xinhua news agency.
(With agency inputs)
Global Covid caseload tops 268.4 mn
The global coronavirus caseload has topped 268.4 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.28 million and vaccinations to over 8.32 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.
In its latest update on Friday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and the death toll stood at 268,484,455 and 5,286,786, respectively, while the total number of vaccine doses administered has increased to 8,324,131,954.
COVID-19: India reports 8,503 new cases, 7,678 recoveries in last 24 hours
India reported 8,503 new COVID-19 cases and 7,678 recoveries in last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health informed on Friday.
The third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine can reduce mortality due to the Delta variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus by 90 per cent, according to a study conducted in Israel.
The research, published in The New England Journal of Medicine on Thursday, included data from participants 50 years of age or older who had received two doses of Pfizer vaccine at least five months earlier.
The mortality due to COVID-19 among participants who received the booster during the study period (booster group) was compared with that among participants who did not receive the booster (non-booster group).
Booster shot of Pfizer Covid vaccine can cut mortality from Delta variant by 90%: Study
About a week after the Omicron variant of the novel coronavirus was detected in an NRI visiting Gujarat’s Jamnagar, the mutant variant has now been confirmed in his wife and brother-in-law, but both have not yet displayed any symptom of Covid-19, officials of the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation (JMC) said Friday.
A total of 108 countries recognise the Indian Covid-19 vaccination certificate for travel purpose, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed Lok Sabha on Friday, sharing data available as on December 6.
Overall 25 Omicron cases in the country so far. All detected cases have mild symptoms. Less than 0.04% of total variants detected: Lav Agarwal, Joint Secy, Union Health Ministry
COVID-19: UK returnee tests positive in Kolkata, genome sequencing underway for omicron variant
Kolkata: A woman, who returned from the UK, tested positive for COVID-19 here on Friday, a senior official of the West Bengal Health Department said on Friday.
The required specimens were collected and sent for genome sequencing to ascertain whether she had contracted the new omicron variant, which has been classified as a highly transmissible virus of concern, he said.
'Operating at risky and unacceptable level': Centre warns as Omicron variant cases jump to 26; watch video
Japan confirms 8 more cases of new coronavirus variant
Health officials in Japan have confirmed eight more cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, bringing the country's total to 12, the government said Friday.
The eight tested positive for the virus when they arrived at Japanese airports from late November to earlier this month, the health ministry said in a statement.
Karnataka issues discharge guidelines for Omicron recovered persons
Karnataka's Commissionerate for Health and Family Welfare has issued a discharge policy for Omicron variant recovered persons from hospitals and warned that any deviations from the discharge protocol would be viewed seriously, sources said on Friday.
Separate guidelines are specified for mild, moderate, and severe cases.
