South Korea's daily virus jump exceeds 5,000 for first time
South Korea's daily jump in coronavirus infections exceeded 5,000 for the first time since the start of the pandemic, as a delta-driven surge also pushed hospitalisations and deaths to record highs. With the spread threatening to overwhelm hospital capacities, health experts have called for officials to reimpose stricter social distancing rules that were eased last month to soften the pandemic's impact on the economy.
Srinagar: COVID test made compulsory for all international passengers, followed by 7-day home quarantine
Amid concerns over the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, RT PCR test of all international passengers arriving at Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar Airport would be conducted, followed by a seven-day home quarantine for those who test negative.
Canada bans travel from Egypt, Nigeria, Malawi amid spread of Omicron strain
Amid the growing concerns over the Omicron variant of COVID-19, Canada has added Egypt, Malawi, and Nigeria to the 'travel ban' list. "We are adding three countries to the list of these countries that we talked about last Friday, these are Malawi, Egypt and Nigeria," Canadian Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos was quoted as saying by Sputnik news agency.
Brazil confirms Latin America's first two Omicron variant cases
Health officials in Brazil have reported the country's first confirmed cases of the omicron variant in two travellers returning from South Africa, the first such cases in Latin America. The Sao Paulo state health secretariat said a 41-year-old man and a 37-year-old woman are in isolation.
COVID-19: Canadian province of Alberta reports first case of Omicron variant
The Canadian province of Alberta has reported the first case of a coronavirus Omicron variant infection of a returning traveller who visited Nigeria and the Netherlands, Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health Deena Hinshaw said.
UP prepares action plan to deal with Omicron variant
The Uttar Pradesh government has prepared an action plan to effectively check the spread of the Omicron variant.
As per the directives issued by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, a special team of doctors and health experts formed during the second wave of Covid-19 has prepared an action plan to avoid the spread of the Omicron variant.
India reports 8,954 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours
India added 8,954 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,45,96,776, while the active cases were recorded at less than a lakh after 547 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday.
The death toll climbed to 4,69,247 with 267 fresh fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
Global COVID-19 cases cross 262.73 million mark
The global coronavirus caseload has topped 262.73 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 5.21 million and vaccination to over 7.99 billion, according to Johns Hopkins University.
Omicron variant: UP's Meerut starts monitoring of people arriving from foreign countries Meerut
In the wake of new COVID-19 variant Omicron, the Meerut Health Department has started monitoring the people coming from foreign countries, an official said.
Akhilesh Mohan, Chief Medical Officer, Meerut said that a total of 209 people have come from abroad in the last 12 days. (ANI)
Uttarakhand |Only fully vaccinated tourists will be allowed to enter Rajaji Tiger Reserve.
All tourists are required to follow COVID guidelines of wearing masks etc. Steps being taken to protect the officers, employees & tourists from COVID19 infection says Director DK Singh (ANI)
Around 8.3 lakh COVID-19 cases were treated under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY says Govt
Around 8.3 lakh COVID-19 cases were treated under Ayushman Bharat-PMJAY in the last 2 yrs, Rajya Sabha was informed on Tuesday by Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar in a written reply to a question in the House (ANI)
Australia creates its first mRNA Covid vaccine candidate
Research institutes and pharmaceutical company in Australia's state of Victoria have created a new mRNA Covid vaccine candidate, with clinical trials to begin early next year.
The vaccine candidate, developed by Monash University researchers, pharmaceutical manufacturer IDT Australia and the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, is expected to provide protection against future Covid variants. (IANS)
Covid infection linked with increased complications in pregnancy, birth: Study London
Pregnant women with COVID-19 are more likely to have complications with pregnancy and birth compared to those without the ínfection, according to a study.
The research, publishing on Tuesday in the journal PLOS Medicine, looked at hospitalisation for births in France during the first six months of the pandemic. (PTI)
Japan begins administering COVID-19 booster shots amid Omicron concerns
Japan began on Wednesday to administer COVID-19 booster injections to people who finished the full two shots at least eight months ago amid increasing concerns over the new Omicron variant of the COVID-19, the government said. (ANI)
4 passengers from UK, Netherlands test positive for Covid, samples sent for genome sequencing
Delhi: Four people who flew into Delhi from the Netherlands and the UK in the early hours of Wednesday have tested positive for COVID-19 and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have the new variant, Omicron. (PTI)
West Bengal govt extends Covid restrictions
As Bangladesh declared by the Centre as - one of the 12 countries 'at risk', owing to the outbreak of Covid variant Omicron, the West Bengal government has extended the Covid-related restrictions for the next 15 days.
Ahmedabad civic body offers Rs 60,000 smartphone to lure people for COVID-19 vaccination
In a bid to encourage citizens to get fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Ahmedabad civic body has come up with a lucky draw scheme, announcing that its winner, who has taken the second dose of vaccine, will get a smartphone worth Rs 60,000. (PTI)
Hyderabad's Sunday-Funday event called off in view of Omicron concerns
Authorities have cancelled Sunday-Funday event at Hyderabad's Tank Bund as a precautionary measure in view of Omicron, the new variant of Covid-19 reported in few countries.
UK to offer booster vaccines to all adults by end of January
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that everyone above 18 years of age will be offered a booster vaccine by the end of January and another lockdown is "extremely unlikely".
Zimbabwean Prez announces fresh measures to curb new Covid-19 variant
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa has announced a raft of new and enhanced measures to stem the spread of the Covid-19, following the discovery of a new variant in neighbouring South Africa. (IANS)
Pakistan approves COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for health care workers,immunocompromised and aged over 50
Pakistan on Wednesday approved a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines for healthcare workers, immunocompromised people and those aged over 50 years.
The National Command and Operation Centre (NCOC), in a statement, said that the vaccines shots would be free and administered six months after the last vaccine dose. However, it did not say which COVID-19 vaccine would be administered, Dawn reported. (ANI)
International Commercial Flights to be resumed from December 15, likely to postpone
The resumption of commercial international flights earlier scheduled for December 15 is likely to be postponed, with the authorities hitting brakes in view of the emergence of the new Covid variant Omicron reports NTDV
80 pc international travellers opt for Rapid PCR test at Delhi's IGI Airport today
On the first day of implementation of the new COVID-19 guidelines for international travellers, around 80 per cent of passengers opted for Rapid PCR test while others go with regular RT-PCR test. (ANI)
Karnataka makes RT-PCR test mandatory for foreigners arriving in state from today
Karnataka Minister of Health and Medical Education K. Sudhakar on Wednesday said that mandatory RT-PCR examinations have been started at the airports from Wednesday for all passengers coming to the state from foreign nations. (IANS)
Centre opposes Maharashtra's mandatory RT-PCR test for international passengers
The Centre on Wednesday opposed the Maharashtra government's order of mandatory RT-PCR testing of all international travellers at the Mumbai airport irrespective of the country of origin.
In a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary of Maharashtra government, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said: "This is in divergence with the SoPs and the guidelines issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of lndia". (IANS)
Japan cancels new reservations on all incoming flights
Japan has asked international airlines to stop taking new reservations for all flights arriving in Japan until the end of December as the country further tightens its border controls against a new coronavirus variant, the transportation ministry said Wednesday.
After 6 infectees, Mumbai airport 'segregates' passengers from 'high-risk' countries
In view of the threat from Covid-19 variant Omicron, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday started segregating passengers arriving here from the 'high-risk' countries, after six were found infected in the past few days, an official said.
The new exercise was implemented after six international passengers have tested positive for Covid-19, including two from South Africa and the rest from other high-risk countries in the past few days.
Japan urges airlines to halt bookings over Omicron fears
Japan's transportation ministry on Wednesday requested airlines to stop bookings for incoming flights to Japan for one month as fears are growing among people over the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
However, people with existing bookings will still be able to fly into Japan.
The decision came after a second case of the Omicron variant was reported in the country. The strain was detected in a man in his 20s who arrived from Peru at Narita Airport near Tokyo on Saturday.
Omicron unravels travel industry's plans for a comeback
Tourism businesses that were just finding their footing after nearly two years of devastation wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic are being rattled again as countries throw up new barriers to travel in an effort to contain the omicron variant.
From shopping districts in Japan and tour guides in the Holy Land to ski resorts in the Alps and airlines the world over, a familiar dread is rising about the renewed restrictions.
South Korea confirms first five cases of omicron variant4 passengers from UK, Netherlands test Covid positive, samples sent for genome sequencing
South Korea on Wednesday confirmed its first five cases of the new omicron coronavirus variant in people linked to arrivals from Nigeria, prompting the government to tighten the country's borders.
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday the cases include a couple who arrived from Nigeria on Nov 24 and a friend who drove them home from the airport. The two other cases were women who also travelled to Nigeria and returned to South Korea on Nov 23.
4 passengers from UK, Netherlands test Covid positive, samples sent for genome sequencing
Four people who flew into Delhi from the Netherlands and the UK in the early hours of Wednesday have tested positive for COVID-19 and their samples have been sent for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have the new variant, Omicron, sources said.
All four have been admitted to the LNJP Hospital, where a dedicated ward has been set up for isolating and treating such patients, they added.
