Coronavirus live updates: Karnataka says sample of SA returnee 'different from Delta'

UN chief concerned about southern Africa isolation over Omicron. (Reuters)

n a meeting, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Monday directed the officials to expedite the vaccination process & complete it by fixing targets. He directed them to inspect quarantine centers, COVID care centers & covid call centers once again: CMO

President Biden says not to expect restrictions and lockdowns as part of his new plan that he’ll release this week to fight Covid and this new variant.

The best way to protect yourself from the Omicron variant is to get vaccinated and get the booster shot... Do not wait: US President Joe Biden

Spain detects first Omicron case of Covid-19

Spain has detected its first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a 51-year-old man who arrived from South Africa on Sunday after a layover in Amsterdam, Madrid's regional health authorities said on Monday.

All adults in Britain will now be able to get a third Covid jab, a government scientific advisory body said on Monday, extending the booster shots to adults aged 18-39 as concern mounts about the spread of the new Omicron variant.

In Maharashtra's Thane, a 32-year-old Merchant Navy engineer who tested positive for coronavirus after returning from South Africa has been kept in isolation and his sample has been sent for genome sequencing.

The result will be known after seven days, Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation's (KDMC) epidemic control officer Dr Pratibha Panpatil said.

India offers support to Africa for fight against Omicron variant

We express our solidarity with the countries, particularly in Africa, who have so far been affected by the Omicron variant, India said on Monday. "India stands ready to support Africa by supplying Made-in-India vaccines. India has cleared all orders placed so far by COVAX for supplies of Covishield vaccines to African countries. Any new requirements projected either bilaterally or through COVAX will be considered expeditiously. India also stands ready to supply essential life-saving drugs, test kits, gloves, PPE kits and medical equipment such as ventilators, as may be required," read a statement.

The Karnataka health minister on Monday said the sample of one of the two recent South Africa returnees appears "different from the Delta variant", even as experts stressed vaccines remain a critical tool.

Senior government scientist Anthony Fauci said Monday the United States was on "high alert" for the new Covid-19 variant and urged people to get vaccinated after Canada confirmed cases of the new strain.

Delta infections, by comparison, caused elevated pulse rates, resulted in low oxygen levels and a loss of smell and taste, she said.

Patients who contracted omicron variant complain of fatigue, head and body aches and occasional sore throats and coughs, said Angelique Coetzee, who is also the chairwoman of the South African Medical Association.

People infected by Omicron in South Africa are showing very different symptoms to those suffering from the delta strain, said the doctor who alerted government scientists to the possibility of a new variant.

Kerala reports 3,382 new cases and 59 deaths in the last 24 hours. (ANI)

Rwanda bans flights with southern Africa over Covid fears