 "What is Omicron?")
Omicron
What is Omicron?
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Latest Updates on Omicron
XEC now in Australia. Here's what we know about this hybrid Covid variant
The latest variant to make headlines is called XEC. This omicron subvariant has been reported predominantly in the northern hemisphere, but it has now been detected in Australia too
 "XEC now in Australia. Here's what we know about this hybrid Covid variant")
Covid vaccine makers gear up to launch new-generation jabs in India
India currently does not have any XBB 1.5 variant-based vaccines in the market
 "Covid vaccine makers gear up to launch new-generation jabs in India")
JN.1 becomes dominant strain in most parts of India, shows Insacog data
The prevalence of JN.1 is low in the Eastern region
 "JN.1 becomes dominant strain in most parts of India, shows Insacog data")
Does Covid prefer gut now? Virus detection in wastewater prompts debate
The evidence is extremely limited and theoretical, and there's no data suggesting that more people are experiencing severe digestive illnesses from Covid
 "Does Covid prefer gut now? Virus detection in wastewater prompts debate")
Children infected with Omicron variant remain infectious for 3 days: Study
The study found that the median time of infectivity was three days, with 18.4 per cent and 3.9 per cent of children still infectious on day five and day 10
 "Children infected with Omicron variant remain infectious for 3 days: Study")
'Maharashtra recorded new Omicron sub-variant in May, but nothing to worry'
Babita Kamlapurkar, state's health surveillance officer, said it is necessary to exercise Covid-19 appropriate behaviour as June, July and August months record a spike in cases
 "'Maharashtra recorded new Omicron sub-variant in May, but nothing to worry'")
New Omicron sub-variant spreads in UK; no reported case in India so far
UK health agency says no indication that EG.5.1 is more severe than the others; WHO advises countries to remain cautious
Over 1,300 samples of Omicron sub-variant XBB2.3 found in India: INSACOG
More than 1,300 samples of Omicron sub-variant XBB2.3 have been detected in India, while XBB.1.16 has become the dominant strain in the country, according to INSACOG data
 "Over 1,300 samples of Omicron sub-variant XBB2.3 found in India: INSACOG")
XBB.1.16 Covid variant no cause for concern: Maharashtra heath minister
The present wave will come down to an endemic stage by May 15 and a downward trend will be seen next month, the minister said while urging citizens not to panic
 "XBB.1.16 Covid variant no cause for concern: Maharashtra heath minister")
Haryana reports 1,348 new Covid-19 cases, active tally reaches 5,468
According to the bulletin, Covid positivity rate in the state on Friday was 13.82 per cent
Delhi records six Covid deaths, 1,757 new cases; positivity rate 28.63%
With the new fatalities, the death toll from the pandemic rose to 26,578 in Delhi. Out of 7,967 beds, 377 are occupied
 "Delhi records six Covid deaths, 1,757 new cases; positivity rate 28.63%")
Delhi sees 1,017 Covid cases, four deaths; positivity rate soars to 32.25%
According to the bulletin, the fresh cases emerged out of 3,153 tests conducted the previous day
 "Delhi sees 1,017 Covid cases, four deaths; positivity rate soars to 32.25%")
Haryana records 898 new Covid cases, one death; active tally at 4,339
Half of the fresh active cases were recorded in Gurugram district while the sole fatality was reported from Panchkula
 "Haryana records 898 new Covid cases, one death; active tally at 4,339")
India reports 10,093 Covid-19 cases, 23 deaths; active tally at 57,542
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.61 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.78 per cent
 "India reports 10,093 Covid-19 cases, 23 deaths; active tally at 57,542")
Covid's endemic challenges
Public health policy must respond for the long term
 "Covid's endemic challenges")
No indications variant XBB.1.16 leading to infection among kids: Bhardwaj
"I would advise people with low immunity or those with severe illnesses to avoid crowded places and wear masks. The transmissibility of this variant is high," he said
 "No indications variant XBB.1.16 leading to infection among kids: Bhardwaj")
Hospitals conduct Covid mock drills as positivity rate nears 7%
As of Sunday, Kerala topped the list of Covid cases with the number crossing more than 12,000. Other states with high case counts include Maharashtra and Delhi
 "Hospitals conduct Covid mock drills as positivity rate nears 7%")
Antibody that blocks Omicron, other Covid variants identified by scientists
A group of scientists in the US has identified an antibody that appears to block infection by all dominant variants of the virus that causes Covid-19, including Omicron
New variant of Covid-19's Omicron detected in Nepal: Health Ministry
Nepal on Monday confirmed the detection of a new Omicron variant of Covid identified as XBB1.16 and said that at least 10 out of 24 latest samples of patients across the country have tested positive
40% jump in cases in a day: Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?
India continues to report a spike, but experts are divided on whether the surge is a wave yet or a ripple
 "40% jump in cases in a day: Will a fresh wave of Covid-19 hit India?")
