The presence of a large number of mutations, and more than 30 on its spike protein makes antibodies ineffective against the Omicron variant of Covid-19, shows a study.
Omicron survived 21.1 hours on skin model from cadavers, followed by the Wuhan virus (8.6 hours), the Gamma (11 hours) and Delta (16.8 hours) variant. The survival of Alpha (19.6 hours) and Beta (19.1 hours) was found to be similar.
The total active cases of COVID in India have rose to 22,23,018 the health ministry data showed today.
This version of coronavirus, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect.
Omicron is more likely than previous variants to cause infection even in people who’ve been vaccinated, but it’s not yet clear that a change to the vaccine recipe will be ordered.
A new study has shown that Omicron variant viruses are particularly sensitive to inhibition by the so-called interferon response, an unspecific immune response that is present in all body cells.
Delhi on Monday continued to report a decline in daily COVID-19 infections with 5,760 new cases and a daily positivity rate of 11.79 per cent.
A vaccine targeting Omicron will increase immunity to the variant on both an individual and population level. However, variant-specific vaccines are ultimately a reactive measure that could always leave us behind the eight ball. By the time we roll out any variant-specific vaccine, a wave of infections driven by that variant may already have peaked, and a new variant will likely be on the way.
A total of 4,90,462 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,42,151 from Maharashtra, 51,987 from Kerala,38,614 from Karnataka, 37,264 from Tamil Nadu, 25,650 from Delhi, 23,073 from Uttar Pradesh and 20,375 from West Bengal.
Apart from the 89% Omicron cases detected, 8% were of Delta derivatives, 3% with Delta variants and other subtypes.
From the early pandemic days, sudden loss of smell, or an impaired or distorted perception of odours, emerged as an unusual symptom of COVID-19 infection. While some people recovered, for some the sense of smell never quite returned to normal.
On Sunday, WHO had said that Omicron is soon set to replace Delta globally as a result of its immunity evading potential.
The subvariant BA.2, dubbed with the moniker "Stealth Omicron," appears to be gaining ground in certain parts of the world, including Denmark and the UK, Euronews reported.
Unlike Delta wave, we are not expecting the fourth stage of pandemic for Omicron in view of affecting upper respiratory tract only. "Prevention with vaccination and maintaining hand and respiratory hygiene will be our best stand to fight Covid," says an expert.
The AIIMS senior epidemiologist also remarked that those who recovered from the COVID are the best-protected people as of now based on the scientific evidence followed by vaccinated persons.
Despite a lower risk of severe disease and death following infection than previous SARS-CoV-2 variants, the very high levels of transmission have also resulted in significant increases in hospitalization.
Red wine helps avoid Covid 19 due to the polyphenol content, which can inhibit the effect of viruses such as flu and respiratory tract-related infections.
It also said BA.2 lineage, an infectious sub-variant of Omicron, has been found in a substantial fraction in the country.
Earlier, there were reports claiming that paracetamol 500 mg tablets were being given to children along with Covaxin -- the only approved Covid vaccine for teenagers in India. Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech clarified that Paracetamol or painkillers are not recommended for teenagers after being vaccinated with Covaxin.
When asked how she felt about her decision to cancel the wedding that was due to be held this summer, Ardern replied, "Such is life."Last month, New Zealand said it was pushing back its phased border reopening until the end of February over concerns about the Omicron variant, according to CNN.
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