COVID-19 Highlights: The number of Omicron patients in India ticked up to 38 (File)
The Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible than the Delta strain and reduces vaccine efficacy but causes less severe symptoms according to early data, the World Health Organization said Sunday.
The Delta variant, first identified in India earlier this year, is responsible for most of the world's coronavirus infections.
But South Africa's discovery of Omicron -- which has a large number of mutations -- last month prompted countries around the world to impose travel bans on southern African countries and reintroduce domestic restrictions to slow its spread.
The WHO said Omicron had spread to 63 countries as of December 9. Faster transmission was noted in South Africa, where Delta is less prevalent, and in Britain, where Delta is the dominant strain. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson reported the UK's first death from Omicron on Monday.
The number of Omicron patients in India ticked up to 38 as five fresh cases surfaced -- one each in Chandigarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala. For Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh, these were the first cases.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus cases in India:
Norway Announces New Covid Curbs Amid Omicron SpreadNorway on Monday announced new Covid curbs less than a week after tightening restrictions amid the spread of the Omicron variant and soaring case numbers and hospital admissions.
The move came after Norway's health authority warned the country could record between 90,000 and 300,000 daily coronavirus cases and up to 200 hospital admissions per day in three weeks without more measures.
Norway has registered record numbers of cases and hospital admissions in recent days, detecting 958 Omicron infections on Monday, of which 472 were in the capital Oslo.
Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store warned of a "serious" situation in which the Delta variant and the new, highly transmissible Omicron strain would create "a total saturation of the health system".
Omicron Cases In Maharashtra: State Reports 2 New Cases Of Omicron. Total Cases Go Up To 20Maharashtra reported two more patients infected with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV2 - both having a travel history to Dubai - taking the overall tally of those affected with the new strain in the state to 20, the health department said on Monday.
The first case of Omicron, classified as a variant of concern by the WHO, was reported in Maharashtra earlier this month. So far, such cases have been reported from Mumbai, Pune district, Nagpur and Thane district.
China Reports First Omicron Covid Case In Lead Up To Bejing Winter OlympicsChina has reported its first case of the fast-spreading Omicron coronavirus variant, state media said Monday.
Authorities in the northern city of Tianjin confirmed the case in an individual who entered the country from an undisclosed overseas location, according to the Tianjin Daily newspaper.
The asymptomatic patient tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday before further tests "confirmed the detection of the... Omicron variant", the report said, adding that the person was being treated in isolation at hospital.
UK Reports First Omicron DeathUK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday said at least one person infected with Omicron had died, as the country began an ambitious booster programme against the variant.
"Sadly, at least one patient has been confirmed to have died with Omicron," Johnson, who on Sunday warned of a "tidal wave" of infection from the mutation, told reporters.
Actors Kareena Kapoor, Amrita Arora Positive For COVID-19: ReportActors Kareena Kapoor Khan and Amrita Arora have tested positive for Covid, news agency ANI reported on Monday. Mumbai's civic body Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has ordered RT-PCR tests for all those who came in contact with them.
The actors, who are close friends, were recently seen on Instagram attending several parties. Last week, they were clicked attending a party hosted by Anil Kapoor's daughter Rhea Kapoor in Mumbai.
Covid News Updates: UK Airlines Accuse Government Of "Disproportionate" Omicron Travel CurbsA group of airlines accused the UK government on Monday of a "haphazard and disproportionate approach" to travel restrictions in the wake of the Omicron variant and demanded further state help to prevent a "permanent scarring" of the industry.
"Whilst we fully recognise the need to take steps to contain the initial impact of the Omicron variant, travel has been singled out with the introduction of disproportionate restrictions," Airlines UK -- which includes British Airways and Virgin Atlantic, as well as Irish carrier Ryanair -- said in a joint letter.
For Boosters, UK Uses Military Teams, Covid Vaccine Centres Open 7 Days A WeekUK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said there's no certainty the government will be able to keep schools in England open, as the government battles to contain the spread of the omicron Covid-19 variant.
"When it comes to our fight against the pandemic there are no guarantees," Javid told LBC radio on Monday, as he detailed plans to offer all adults in England a booster vaccination by the end of December.
The UK is deploying military planning teams to help with the rollout, with new sites opening and vaccine centers open seven days a week. The government will "throw everything" at the program, Javid said.
The move comes after Boris Johnson's government ramped up some restrictions in recent days, including mandatory face coverings in indoor public spaces and bringing back guidance for people to work from home.
Two-Dose Vaccines Induce Lower Antibodies Vs Omicron: Oxford StudyTwo-dose COVID-19 vaccine regimens do not induce enough neutralising antibodies against the Omicron coronavirus variant, British scientists found, indicating that increased infections in those previously infected or vaccinated may be likely.
The Oxford study said that there was no evidence yet that the lower level of infection-fighting antibodies against Omicron could lead to higher risk of severe disease, hospitalisation or death in those who have got two doses of approved vaccines.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Arunachal Pradesh Reports Single COVID-19 Case
Arunachal Pradesh on Monday registered a single fresh case of COVID-19, raising the tally to 55,306. The death count remained at 280 as no fresh fatality was reported in the past 24 hours.
The northeastern state now has 29 active cases, while 54,997 people have recovered from the disease so far.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Puducherry Logs 7 New Covid Cases, Zero Fatalities
The union territory of Puducherry witnessed a steep fall in number of fresh coronavirus cases with only seven being reported in the last 24 hours. The number of active cases stood at 183 which included 45 patients undergoing treatment in hospitals and remaining 138 in home isolation. As many as 32 patients recovered and were discharged during the last 24 hours pushing the overall recoveries to 1,27,164.
"Tidal Wave" Of Omicron Is Coming, Warns UK PM, Sets Booster TargetUK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Sunday warned of a looming "tidal wave" of Omicron, and brought forward a target to give over-18s a booster jab by one month to the end of December.
"No-one should be in any doubt: there is a tidal wave of Omicron coming," he said in a televised address, after the country's medical advisers raised the Covid Alert Level due to a "rapid increase" in infection from the variant.
Johnson, under pressure because of claims he and staff flouted Covid restrictions last Christmas, called the spread of the mutation "an emergency", as Omicron was doubling every two to three days.
Covid Update Today
India's Active caseload currently stands at 91,456; lowest in 561 days
Active cases account for less than 1% of total cases, currently at 0.26%; Lowest since March 2020
Recovery Rate currently at 98.37%; Highest since March 2020
7,973 recoveries in the last 24 hours increases Total Recoveries to 3,41,30,768
7,350 new cases in the last 24 hours
Daily positivity rate (0.86%) less than 2% for last 70 days
Weekly Positivity Rate (0.69%) less than 1% for last 29 days
Omicron Cases in India: Update
The number of Omicron patients in India ticked up to 38 as five fresh cases surfaced -- one each in Chandigarh, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Kerala. For Andhra Pradesh and Chandigarh, these were the first cases.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Tests Positive For COVID-19South African President Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for Covid-19 on Sunday and is receiving treatment for mild symptoms, the presidency said in a statement.
Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, began feeling unwell after leaving a state memorial service for former deputy president F W de Klerk in Cape Town earlier in the day but was in good spirits and being monitored by doctors, it said.