The hunt for coronavirus variants: how the new one was found and what we know so far

Ultimately, everything known about B.1.1.529 so far highlights that universal vaccination is still our best bet against severe COVID-19

Vietnam has discovered a new coronavirus variant

The variant is a hybrid of the strains first found in India (B.1.6172) and the United Kingdom (B.1.17)

Delta Plus a variant of concern: Centre disses own version

Delta Plus variant more transmissible, may cause potential reduction in monoclonal antibody therapy    

Omicron: What we know so far

The recent variant of concern threatens to derail the process of normalisation across the world. Here’s a quick primer

When Big Pharma has all the answers

IFPMA, the biopharma trade body, has made its claim clear: COVID-19 vaccine management should be left to these handful of companies; and all …

South African health experts have identified a new lineage of SARS-CoV-2: what’s known so far

The new lineage might be able to partially evade the immune response. However, vaccines will still offer high levels of protection against …

Omicron: 5 steps to avoid, 10 to take immediately

The virus will disseminate irrespective of travel bans, as has been the case in the past

COVID-19: It’s time to look at the finer details of South Africa’s pandemic picture

The current resurgence driven by the Delta variant finally appears to be subsiding in all nine provinces

Global COVID-19 death toll crosses 4 million

The total COVID-19 death toll is equivalent to number of people killed in all of world’s wars since 1982

Omicron reinfection: How likely is it? Experts weigh in

The sensitivity of RT-PCR tests may play a role in this phenomenon, Indian researchers think

Australia to extend lockdown amidst Delta variant outbreak in Sydney

Sydney has marked the fifth consecutive day of record case numbers amid its third week of lockdown

COVID-19 vaccines: Did a delayed second dose give the delta variant an evolutionary helping hand?

Those with a single dose of the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccine less-protected than those with 2 doses: Public Health England

COVID-19 update: Why are we at a ‘tip of iceberg’ again

The head of Israel’s COVID-19 response has however said there was no cause to worry as of now

How virulent is omicron? Study from Gauteng looks at clinical severity of 4th wave

Hospitalisations triggered by omicron infections fewer than those triggered by beta and delta variants; average time spent in hospital also less

COVID-19 update: Deltacron & omicron subvariant — 2 looming threats?

COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the United States, countries in Europe and Southeast Asia

COVID-19 resurgence: Cases rise in China, Europe and New Zealand

Hong Kong and New Zealand facing huge waves; situation in Hong Kong similar to India delta wave

New novel coronavirus variant reported in 12 cases from southern France has 46 mutations

At least 12 people test positive for the virus with this new variant, called IHU; too early to comment on its virological, epidemiological or …

Omicron, Delta driving 3rd COVID-19 wave in Kolkata and Bengal: Experts

Delta constitutes a large number of the current infections but Omicron will soon take over as the dominant COVID-19 variant in Kolkata and West …

The Kerala paradox of COVID-19 second wave

Why a state with the best health & education parameters consistently reports a high number of cases when others don’t 

COVID-19: Kerala needs to revisit approach

As area-specific control measures are failing on the ground, the state needs to explore alternative strategies

Offer $100 to every American getting vaccinated against COVID-19: Joe Biden tells states

He also announced a slew of other measures to encourage people to get the jab amid rise in severe cases, deaths  

COVID-19: 2 years into pandemic, original virus nowhere as variants take over

Data from GISAID has revealed the current dominance of the GK clade, to which the Delta variant belongs, in nearly every continent

As told to Parliament (August 6, 2021): 65 Zika virus cases reported in Kerala

All that was discussed in the Houses through the day  

COVID-19: How 2021 has become the ‘year of the variant’ as predicted

More dangerous variants are likely to emerge and spread across the world, according to the WHO

COVID-19: How worried should we be about the new AY.4.2 lineage of the coronavirus?

There are now 75 AY lineages identified, each with different additional defining mutations in their genome. AY.4 has accounted for 63% of …