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

THE TIMES OF INDIA | Nov 30, 2021, 02:51:12 IST

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

Several European nations announced their first cases of a highly infectious new coronavirus strain, as governments worldwide began pulling down the shutters to contain the new Omicron variant. Stay with TOI for all updates on Coronavirus from India and around the world--

17:44 (IST) Nov 29

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray expresses concern over tracking of international passengers who do not land directly in Mumbai by air but then travel in the state using other means, says it will be easier to stop spread of infection if information of such travellers is shared. (ANI)

17:20 (IST) Nov 29

Japan, Israel bar foreigners as WHO flags global risk from Omicron

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17:15 (IST) Nov 29

Omicron variant was first reported to WHO on Nov. 24 from South Africa, where infections have risen steeply. It has since spread to at least 13 countries.

Australia, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, South Africa, Switzerland (probable case), and the UK have all reported cases even as countries have imposed travel restrictions to try to seal themselves off.

17:05 (IST) Nov 29

Omicron variant: 'Concerning, but not alarming', says top official

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research chief Dr Shekhar C Mande said India is observing the Omicron situation in other countries. "Surveillance is on, if the virus reaches India we will come to know. It is concerning as it has accumulated over 30 mutations, 26 of which are unique."

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16:09 (IST) Nov 29

Delhi logs 34 new cases of Covid-19 and one more death over 24 hours. Positivity rate stands at 0.08 percent: Health bulletin

15:55 (IST) Nov 29

Russia to announce new restrictions soon due to Omicron variant.

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15:44 (IST) Nov 29

Portugal finds 13 cases of Omicron variant at Lisbon soccer club.

All infections involved players and staff members of Lisbon soccer club Belenenses, after one player recently returned from South Africa, health authorities said.

15:17 (IST) Nov 29

There are considerable uncertainties in the magnitude of immune escape potential of Omicron. Infections are expected in vaccinated persons, albeit in a small and predictable proportion

World Health Organisation

15:07 (IST) Nov 29

Increasing cases, regardless of a change in severity, may pose overwhelming demands on health care systems and may lead to increased morbidity and mortality. The impact on vulnerable populations would be substantial, particularly in countries with low vaccination coverage

World Health Organisation

14:48 (IST) Nov 29

Omicron has an unprecedented number of spike mutations, some of which are concerning for their potential impact on the trajectory of the pandemic. The overall global risk related to the new variant is assessed as very high

World Health Organisation

14:47 (IST) Nov 29

The UN agency urged its 194 member states to accelerate vaccination of high-priority groups.

In anticipation of increased case numbers, the WHO also asked nations to "ensure mitigation plans are in place" to maintain essential health services.

14:46 (IST) Nov 29

The Omicron variant is likely to spread internationally, posing "very high" global risk of infection surges that could have "severe consequences" in some areas, the World Health Organisation said on Monday.

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14:38 (IST) Nov 29

Bharat Biotech says it will commence exports of Covaxin to additional countries from December.

14:00 (IST) Nov 29

Read - Prime Minister urges people to stay alert in view of Omicron variant: Key points

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13:50 (IST) Nov 29

Despite travel curbs, Omicron has reached at least 13 countries

The omicron variant, first sequenced in South Africa, has been identified in at least 12 other countries. Most have so far reported imported cases spotted in travelers from the African nation and other places. Still, the spread shows the difficulties of curtailing new strains of Covid-19. As of now, apart from South Africa, Omicron cases have been identified in: Botswana, Hong Kong, UK, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium, Israel, Czech Republic, Australia, Portugal and Canada.

13:45 (IST) Nov 29

Six cases of Omicron variant identified in Scotland: Reuters

Six cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant of concern have been identified in Scotland, the Scottish government said on Monday, adding that public health officials were working to establish the circumstances of the cases.

13:37 (IST) Nov 29

States have also been advised for rigorous surveillance of international passengers, enhanced testing, monitoring the hotspots of Covid -19, ensuring augmentation of health infrastructure, including undertaking samples for whole genome sequencing.

13:15 (IST) Nov 29

Samples of all individuals testing positive for Covid-19, either at airports under home isolation or during random sampling, will also be sent for Whole Genomic Sequencing at identified INSACOG network laboratories to determine the presence of SARS-CoV-2 variants (including Omicron).

12:52 (IST) Nov 29

"The likelihood of potential further spread of omicron at the global level is high" - WHO says.

12:51 (IST) Nov 29

Overall global risk related to Omicron is assessed as "very high", says WHO

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