2022 too short, too far: How the pandemic progressed

Down To Earth recaps the primary environment, health and developmental news from 2022

COVID-19: Infections to rise in India in winter; more hospital resources needed

In the past 24 hours, India reported 1,946 new cases

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.   

COVID: What we know about new omicron variant BF.7

BF.7 may well cause more serious illness in people with weaker immune systems.  

COVID-19 in South Africa: what to expect in the short and long term

Fallout from pandemic put significant obstacles in the way of managing patients with chronic illnesses

Omicron in southern Africa: How the region reacted after the variant emerged

South Africa ends contact-tracing, CDC reduces isolation period — how the world's approach to tackle COVID-19 has evolved

Mask mandates also vary within countries; the type of mask is also a concern

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

COVID-19: Did IMA meet lead to hundreds of doctors in Bihar testing positive

Out Patient Department and other healthcare services affected in Bihar due to sheer number of infections among doctors, say reports

COVID-19: Calcutta HC to decide on Ganga Sagar Mela, Bengal municipal polls

Doctors, activists have urged judiciary, state government to defer ‘super spreader’ events such as Ganga Sagar Mela, municipal polls …

COVID-19: India now has 21 cases of Omicron

Nineteen persons tested positive for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 December 4 and 5

COVID-19: Is Omicron travelling faster than Delta? An analysis

Omicron was detected in 16 countries across 4 continents in 5 days  

COVID-19: Time to watch out for BF.7

For almost a year now, omicron and its lineages and sub-lineages have dominated the global COVID-19 variant map

COVID-19: New data on South Africa hospitalisations reveals how omicron dodges vaccines 

Some 22.6% of those hospitalised currently in South Africa are fully vaccinated against COVID-19

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 …

Will Omicron be more contagious than delta?

The conditions that led to the emergence of the variant are not yet clear, but what is clear is that the sheer number and configuration of …

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

China shifts focus to variant-specific vaccines as it faces an imminent Omicron wave

XBB subvariant has potential to wreak more havoc in China as large number of people immunologically susceptible 

Simply Put: En route to Ganga Sagar Mela

Clever coronavirus: Spike mutations help Omicron dodge antibodies

Research findings can help developers of vaccines, treatments understand what part of novel coronavirus to target    

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 threat: How fast is India vaccinating against COVID-19

Rate too slow to meet target of vaccinating every eligible by end of year. The question is: Can Omicron further derail India’s fight …

Omicron: Senior Nigerian scientist considers fallout, and why travel bans are a waste of time

‘The announcement by South Africa was that of detection and not in any way proof of origin. There’s still a great deal that’s …

COVID-19 spreading out from Kolkata to the rest of Bengal: Centre

Five Bengal districts within top ten in India with maximum COVID-19 positivity rate

DTE Exclusive: 70% COVID-19 cases in Kolkata now due to Omicron

Ganga Sagar Mela given go-ahead by Calcutta High Court with conditions