Page 24 - Latest Updates on Omicron
India reports decline in Covid cases with 2,568 new infections, 20 deaths
The active caseload declined to 19,137 cases, accounting for 0.04 per cent of the country's total positive cases
 "India reports decline in Covid cases with 2,568 new infections, 20 deaths")
Malaysia reports 1,352 new Covid-19 cases, 5 deaths bringing toll to 35,555
There are four new imported cases, with 1,348 being local transmissions, data released on the ministry's website showed
 "Malaysia reports 1,352 new Covid-19 cases, 5 deaths bringing toll to 35,555")
Bill Gates warns of more fatal Covid variant, calls for global surveillance
Stressing on the need for increasing global surveillance, the Microsoft founder and philanthropist warned of the likelihood of an even more fatal and transmissive variant of Covid
 "Bill Gates warns of more fatal Covid variant, calls for global surveillance")
Sweden likely to impose fresh measures to fight possible new Covid-19 wave
By the end of April, an average of 25 people were being hospitalised with Covid-19 in Sweden every day. This figure is likely to double by mid-May, Xinhua news agency reported said
 "Sweden likely to impose fresh measures to fight possible new Covid-19 wave")
Covid-19 pandemic: Mumbai sees 56 cases, no death; active tally now 562
Only 19 of the 26,039 hospital beds earmarked for COVID-19 treatment are currently occupied
 "Covid-19 pandemic: Mumbai sees 56 cases, no death; active tally now 562")
Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1 proves virus not declining: Report
Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1, responsible for about one-fourth of Covid-19 cases in the US, shows that the virus is not showing any signs of decline even over two years
 "Omicron's latest subvariant BA.2.12.1 proves virus not declining: Report")
Covid-19 cases in Africa surpass 11.44 million, death toll nears 253,000
South Africa has recorded the highest Covid-19 cases in Africa with 3,791,925 cases, followed by Morocco with 1,164,953 cases as of Sunday evening
 "Covid-19 cases in Africa surpass 11.44 million, death toll nears 253,000")
Madhya Pradesh reports 31 fresh Covid cases, no fatalities in last 24 hours
The death toll remained unchanged at 10,735, a health official said, adding that the state's positivity rate stood at 0.3 per cent
 "Madhya Pradesh reports 31 fresh Covid cases, no fatalities in last 24 hours")
Omicron BA.4, BA.5 can dodge immunity from infection, Covid vax: Study
Omicron sub variants BA.4 and BA.5 have the ability to avoid immunity induced by both previous Covid infection and vaccination, according to a new study not yet peer-reviewed.
 "Omicron BA.4, BA.5 can dodge immunity from infection, Covid vax: Study")
Current spike in Covid cases only local, can't be termed as 4th wave: ICMR
The current spike in the number of daily Covid-19 cases in India cannot be termed as the fourth wave of the pandemic, ICMR Additional Director General Samiran Panda said
 "Current spike in Covid cases only local, can't be termed as 4th wave: ICMR")
Apple faces up to $8 billion revenue hit due to Covid-19 lockdowns in China
As Shanghai entered the second month of lockdown and more cities in China face pandemic restrictions, demand for Apple products in the country might slow further, reports Nikkei Asia
 "Apple faces up to $8 billion revenue hit due to Covid-19 lockdowns in China")
Thousands of elderly people in Shanghai hit hard by Covid lockdown
Images shared on social media have showed unsanitary conditions, with clogged up toilets and overflowing rubbish bins, the BBC reported
 "Thousands of elderly people in Shanghai hit hard by Covid lockdown")
Live news: Ukraine says Russia pounding Donbas, failing to take targets
Live news updates: Russian Foreign Minister says lifting Western sanctions on Russia was part of peace talks.
 "Live news: Ukraine says Russia pounding Donbas, failing to take targets")
India's Covid surge early hints of 4th wave; will not impact growth: Nomura
Rising cases are "early hints" of a fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic but do not pose any near-term risk to India's economic growth, a Japanese brokerage said
 "India's Covid surge early hints of 4th wave; will not impact growth: Nomura")
South Korea to relax outdoor mask mandate as Covid-19 cases decline
Starting Monday, people will only be required to wear a mask outdoors when participating in gatherings of more than 50 people or attending sports and cultural events with potentially large crowds
 "South Korea to relax outdoor mask mandate as Covid-19 cases decline")
Global Covid caseload tops 512.2 million, death toll crosses 6.23 million
The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 81,249,259 and 993,156, respectively, according to the CSSE
 "Global Covid caseload tops 512.2 million, death toll crosses 6.23 million")
Covid-19: Tamil Nadu opts for door-to-door campaign to beat vax reluctance
Tamil Nadu state government is of the view that instead of forcing people to get vaccinated or giving anyone sops, it will now focus on creating awareness.
 "Covid-19: Tamil Nadu opts for door-to-door campaign to beat vax reluctance")
South Africa's latest surge in Covid cases blamed on omicron mutant
So far, there has been only a slight rise in hospitalisations and no increase in deaths, said Abdool Karim, who is a public health expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
 "South Africa's latest surge in Covid cases blamed on omicron mutant")
US economy shrinks by 1.4% in Q1 amid Omicron variant surge
The latest data marks the economy's first contraction since the Covid-19 pandemic impacted the country in early 2020, Xinhua news agency reported
 "US economy shrinks by 1.4% in Q1 amid Omicron variant surge")
New CDC study finds 75% of US children infected with Covid by February end
The researchers found that signs of past infection rose dramatically between December 2021 and February 2022, when the highly contagious Omicron variant surged across the country
 "New CDC study finds 75% of US children infected with Covid by February end")
