Reason for hope? Analysis of first Omicron patients in Gauteng paints encouraging picture

Fewer people administered specialist care, in-hospital death-rate significantly lower with decline in average length of hospital stay, analysis shows

Deaths, hospitalisation can go up due to Omicron, warns Europe’s health agency

A ‘stealth’ version of Omicron can raise risks of virus spread

Lesotho imposes compulsory vaccination on Basotho migrants returning from South Africa

Those who have been vaccinated while in South Africa will be expected to produce proof upon arrival.   

Omicron in southern Africa: Mozambique is worried for its economy, especially tourism

Mozambique has reported two cases of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 till now

Omicron can partially evade vaccines, booster dose needed : Studies

Vaccinated persons who had contracted COVID-19 in the past have better protection against the disease  

Omicron now in 63 countries; can become dominant in Europe soon: WHO

Overall risk related to Omicron remains very high due to multiple reasons, flags WHO

As told to Parliament (December 10, 2021): 237 Zika virus cases in India so far

All that was discussed in the House through the day

COVID-19: Pfizer, AstraZeneca efficacy significantly reduced against omicron, says UK health agency 

Omicron is displaying growth advantage over delta and is poised to become dominant variant in UK

Omicron may already be in most countries, WHO warns

People dismissing omicron infection as mild may fuel spread, says WHO

WATCH: Should you get a booster dose if you are fully vaccinated?

Why have certain countries administered millions of booster doses while India has not?

COVID-19: Where does India stand on syringe shortage?

55% of global population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine; it is just 6.3% for low-income countries

How effective are vaccines against omicron? An epidemiologist answers 6 questions

Melissa Hawkinsan epidemiologist, explains the way researchers calculate how well a vaccine prevents disease, what influences these numbers and …

Omicron in southern Africa: Zimbabwe tries to pull all stops

The country recorded 4,367 new cases December 14, 2021  

COVID-19 is already endemic, lack of data plagues understanding about vaccine efficacy: Gagandeep Kang

Gagandeep Kang, ex-officio member of a working group on COVID-19 vaccines at the WHO, talks to DTE on vaccines, their effectiveness and urgent …

Omicron update: ‘UK’s current 80,000 tally would have been 1.4 million at India’s population level’

India already has 101 patients infected with the latest Variant of Concern in 11 states

Lateral Thoughts: The uncomfortable science of booster vaccine

The disjoint between research and policy has never been so evident than in the case of vaccine boosters  

Quarter of the world has antibodies against COVID-19, study reveals

The figure dropped slightly to 21% when vaccinated population were excluded

COVID-19: How useful are travel restrictions in curbing spread?

Travel bans make sense only in the beginning of a pandemic, say experts

Making nursery admissions easier to giving gold coins: Indian cities’ push for COVID-19 vaccination

Only 39% of total population has received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine in India 

Genomic sequencing: Here’s how researchers identify omicron and other COVID-19 variants

When an organism replicates, it makes a copy of its entire genome to pass on to its offspring. Sometimes errors in the copying process can lead …

COVID-19: Africa races to build capacity for meeting health security needs

Several African countries have signed deals with global manufacturers, distribution agencies to stregthen health infra internally

Omicron: India will not get African Cheetahs this year

The team of experts delegated to carry out the project was about to leave for Namibia in November, but had to return from the airport …

Protection against COVID-19 infection, severe disease falls quickly after AstraZeneca 2nd dose: Lancet

Begins to wane after 18-19 weeks; study stresses on need for booster dose 

COVID-19: India’s case fatality ratio up marginally in last 5 weeks

India’s CFR has remained steady at 1.34% since July 20, 2021; It increased to 1.38% as of December 

Omicron: What the next few weeks will look like

Social mixing over Christmas is likely to increase infections