scorecardresearch
Saturday, May 18, 2024
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

Mamata’s ‘outside support’ push has many meanings. Does she want INDIA to pick TMC over Left?

TMC should worry about minority voters and how they view her ‘outside support’. Minorities are with the TMC but they have also watched Rahul Gandhi march across the country.

India’s GDP to grow at 6.9% in 2024 — UN agency revises its January projection of 6.2%

Latest report by UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs says global growth to be faster than estimated earlier & India’s 'robust performance' to boost South Asia’s growth.

Spain denies port call to vessel carrying shipment of ‘arms to Israel from India’

The Spanish foreign minister says 'the Middle East does not need more weapons, it needs more peace'. Spain has been very critical of Israel’s offensive in Gaza.

What’s common between Netflix Chamkila and Trudeau’s trouble-infested Canada? They don’t get Punjab

Even in the weeks leading up to Chamkila’s assassination there were massacres every other day. To airbrush all of this is sheer intellectual cowardice if not a crime.