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Saturday, September 6, 2025
TopicOmicron

Topic: Omicron

World Economic Forum defers Davos meeting over Omicron fears

This is for a second time in a row that pandemic has defeated the WEF’s ability to host the gathering of executives, bankers, academics & policy makers it has convened for 5 decades.

India’s Omicron tally crosses 150, most infections detected in Maharashtra, Delhi

The first Omicron case in India was reported on 2 December. Currently, Maharashtra has 54 Omicron patients and Delhi has 22. Six other states have cases in double digits.

Why Modi govt shouldn’t believe jugaad or Band-Aid solutions can sustain economic revival

Will the new Omicron variant set the clock back and dampen the spirits? Modi govt would be naïve to believe RBI and not plan for recovery of the Indian economy.

49% parents want children’s schools shut only if mutiple Omicron cases in district, survey finds

LocalCircles survey drew response from 9,694 parents in 332 districts. 21% said they want no physical classes even if 1 case in their area, 18% want in-person school to close already.

Pfizer shots, prior infection could protect better against Omicron, South African scientists say

Scientists, in a preprint, estimated 73% protection against symptomatic disease from Omicron and 95% against severe infections for those who had been vaccinated & previously infected.

West Bengal registers first Omicron case, 7-year old boy tests positive

The boy flew with his parents from Abu Dhabi to Hyderabad, where he tested positive for Omicron. He didn't enter Hyderabad and directly flew to Kolkata on 11 December.

China’s Sinovac doesn’t provide enough antibodies to neutralise Omicron, Hong Kong study finds

The initial lab findings may have sweeping consequences for the millions of people relying on the Chinese shot to protect them against Covid.

Two-dose vaccines induce lower antibodies against Omicron, Oxford study finds

The results indicate that the Omicron variant has the potential to drive a further wave of infections, including among those already vaccinated, the researchers said.

A fourth shot against Omicron, sooner rather than later? Don’t rule it out yet

If nations continue to target infections as the metric for managing the pandemic, there may be a need for regular boosters even if virus doesn't throw a curveball with a new variant.

If antibodies fail, T cells in Covid-recovered people could shield from Omicron, says US study

Yet to be peer-reviewed, the study has been conducted by US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Johns Hopkins University. It had a sample size of 30.

On Camera

Kolkata’s silencing of Javed Akhtar exposes India’s secular vacuum

Even those parties that wear the label of secular and progressive often bow to the pressures of fundamentalist groups within the Muslim community.

GST 2.0: India streamlines indirect tax regime amid Trump tariffs & what it means for consumers

Goods and Services Tax Council paves way for a broad two-slab structure of 5% and 18% with a demerit rate of 40% for super luxury and 'sin' goods.

Nuclear-propulsion systems to next-gen tanks, India draws up its 15-year defence wishlist

New Delhi: India is looking to induct hypersonic missiles, nuclear propulsion for aircraft carriers and warships, next-gen tanks, a variety of unmanned systems and...

Punjab is fast becoming the new Northeast. And there’s a message in it for Modi

In its toughest time in decades because of floods, Punjab would’ve expected PM Modi to visit. If he has the time for a Bihar tour, why not a short visit to next-door Punjab?