Omicron Updates: Ensure adequate stock of drugs used for clinical treatment of Covid, Centre tells states

The Mumbai civic body on Thursday said the genome sequencing of 211 COVID-19 samples showed that two of them had the newer Omicron variant, while some 89 per cent had the Delta derivative and 11 per cent the Delta variant. This was the fifth batch of samples sent for genome sequencing, and none of the patients from whom the samples were collected was deceased, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation release said.

The overall results of the test make it clear the COVID-19 outbreak in Mumbai is completely under control as a result of vaccination, but, in the light of warnings by experts on the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, people must ensure they adhere to pandemic protocols like wearing masks, following hand hygiene and maintaining social distancing, the release said.

China's drug authority has granted emergency approval for the country's first specialised treatment against Covid-19, found in clinical trials to significantly reduce hospitalisations and deaths among high-risk patients. 

The move comes as regulators around the world give the green light to treatments -- particularly for high-risk groups -- amid worries over the new Omicron variant.

Moscow has been recognized as the first European city in the ranking of innovations that are used for the formation of resilience to the coronavirus. It is ahead of London and Barcelona.

A prominent hospital in the US state of Texas has confirmed that they have identified eight cases of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Medical Director of Diagnostic Microbiology at the Houston Methodist Hospital, Scott Wesley Long, tweeted to say that the samples detected on Wednesday were collected earlier this month. “We remain in hyper-vigilant mode,” he said. “Our outstanding team is sequencing samples as rapidly as possible to uncover additional Omicron cases.”

According to a Houston Methodist press release, the COVID-19 genome sequencing surveillance project used by the hospital to track the virus showed the Delta variant to be the dominant mutation in Houston at 100 percent until Wednesday’s announcement. "We’re in a race against the variants," said Long. 

"To stop the COVID-19 virus dead in its tracks, we can’t stress enough how critically important it is for everyone in the community to get completely vaccinated as soon as possible. Remember, this includes boosters or a third shot if you are eligible. Continue to take extra precautions in the meantime, such as wearing masks, socially distancing, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and if you feel sick, self-isolating until you can be tested for COVID-19."

A combination of vaccination and naturally acquired infection appears to provide maximum protection against the variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study. The findings, published in the journal mBio, raise the possibility that vaccine boosters may be equally effective in improving antibodies' ability to target multiple variants of the virus.

Pakistan has reported its first suspected case of the new COVID-19 variant Omicron in a woman in Karachi, Sindh province Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho said on Thursday. She said that a genomic study was being carried out for confirmation. 

"Although the genomic study of the coronavirus patient's sample has not been completed but the way the virus is behaving, it seems like it is Omicron,” she told the media. She said the patient was 57 years old but local news channels have reported that the woman who had gone to a private hospital for treatment was around 65 with no history of travelling. According to health officials, the patient is not showing any symptoms of the virus and has been sent home to be isolated.

Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not be protective enough to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster increased by 25-fold people's levels of virus-fighting antibodies against the omicron variant.

In an administrative reshuffle, 25 Rajasthan Administrative Service (RAS) officers have been transferred. The department of personnel issued the transfer order late Wednesday night.

Five officers –Laxmikant Balot, Mahendra Kumar Sharma, Ashok Kumar, Sanjay Sharma and Rakesh Kumar---have been given a new posting as special assistant to ministers while Matadeen Sharma was made the new excise officer in Jaipur. 

 Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said people do not need to panic about Omicron as the severity of the coronavirus variant is low.

"There is a total of 10 Omicron cases in Maharashtra till today. About 65 swabs have been sent for genome sequencing, their reports are awaited. Screenings are being conducted at International airports. The Omicron variant is spread over 54 countries so far. Transmissibility is higher. But, the severity or virulence is low. So we do not need to panic.," Tope said.

In view of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, Andhra Pradesh government hospitals are preparing to combat this new variant as per the instructions of the district collector and government, said Dr Y Kiran Kumar, Superintendent at Government General Hospital, Vijayawada.

Speaking to ANI, Kumar said, "As of now, there is no case of Omicron variant in Andhra Pradesh. But still, the state is preparing to combat the new variant as per the instructions of the district collector and government."

"As a precautionary measure, we have reserved 300 beds to handle COVID cases. I appeal to all to follow the COVID appropriate behaviour," Kumar added.

Maharashtra's first patient of the Omicron variant of coronavirus, who resides in Thane district, was on Wednesday discharged from a hospital after testing negative for the infection, a civic official said.

The patient, a 33-year-old marine engineer from Kalyan Dombivli municipal area, had arrived at the Delhi airport from South Africa via Dubai in the last week of November.

With the emergence of the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, all the precautionary measures are being taken by the Punjab government in the state, said Punjab Health Minister Om Prakash Soni.

"There is no case of Omicron variant in the state. As per guidelines, testing is done at airports. All precautions are being taken by the state government," Om Prakash Soni said.

The minister further informed that the health officials are doing door to door COVID vaccination in the less vaccinated areas.