Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO
A sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said Tuesday. The fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide since it was first detected in southern Africa 10 weeks ago.
Pfizer asks FDA to allow Covid-19 vaccine for kids under 5
Pfizer on Wednesday asked the US to authorize extra-low doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March. In an extraordinary move, the Food and Drug Administration had urged Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to apply earlier than the companies had planned.
Anti-vaccine protest in Canada spurs outrage
In a scene at odds with Canadians’ reputation for niceness and rule-following, thousands of protesters railing against vaccine mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions descended on the capital over the weekend, deliberately blocking traffic around Parliament Hill.
The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago _ amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic
Punjab adds 1,649 Covid cases, 37 deaths
Punjab on Tuesday reported 1,649 fresh Covid-19 cases that took its tally to 7,451,29, while 37 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 17,292, according to a medical bulletin. Mohali reported 380 fresh cases, followed by 207 in Ludhiana and 144 in Amritsar, the bulletin said. The latest deaths were reported from Amritsar, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana, among other districts. The number of active Covid-19 cases in Punjab stands at 20,937. A total of 983 patients are on oxygen support, while 92 critical patients are on ventilator support, the bulletin said.
Pfizer submits data seeking US approval of Covid vaccine for young kids
Pfizer Inc on Tuesday began submitting data to federal regulators as part of the process to win US approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for children under age 5, Bloomberg reported. “It’ll be a rolling submission that may ultimately include data to support giving a third dose,” Bloomberg reporter Josh Wingrove tweeted. Pfizer and partner BioNTech’s vaccine is already approved for children in the United States age 5 and older.
In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes Covid cases to soar: WHO
The World Health Organisation chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Goa sees 910 Covid-19 cases, 6 deaths; positivity rate now 19.57 percent
Goa reported 910 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday at a positivity rate of 19.57 per cent, taking the tally to 2,39,816, an official said. Six deaths took the toll to 3,699, while the discharge of 1,794 people increased the recovery count to 2,28,247, leaving the coastal state with an active tally of 7,870, he said. The cases were detected from 4,648 tests, the official said, adding that the total number of samples examined in the state so far was 18,15,380.
Andhra Pradesh extends the night curfew between 11pm to 5am till February 14, in view of the pandemic
India’s daily Covid situation in 5 charts
Marriages and competitive sports including horse-racing are allowed with 25 per cent occupancy of the venue
“Marriages may have guests up to 25 per cent of the capacity of the open ground and banquet halls or 200, whichever is lower,” the guidelines read.
“There shall be no restrictions on movement during night hours of 11.00 pm to 5.00 am,” the guidelines said.
The beaches, gardens and parks would be accessible to people once again during normal hours while the ban on gathering of five or more people in public at night has been removed.
The new guidelines will remain in force till February 28, 2022.
Mumbai civic body on Tuesday allowed all tourist locations, restaurants and theatres to operate or remain open with 50% occupancy.
Mumbai eases restrictions. Night curfew withdrawn. Cinemas to operate with 50% capacity as of now.
Gujarat added 8,338 new Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Kolkata logged 265 more Covid cases on Tuesday, up from 179 yesterday.
West Bengal reported 2,014 new Covid cases and 33 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases drop to 22,142.
Positivity rate at 4.09%
Karnataka reported 14,366 new cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours. Bengaluru logs 6,685 fresh infections and 9 deaths.
14,372 new Covid cases and 94 deaths logged in Maharashtra over the last 24 hours.
Active cases reach 1,91,524.
Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHOA sub-variant of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus strain, which some studies indicate could be even more infectious than the original version, has been detected in 57 countries, the WHO said Tuesday. The fast-spreading and heavily mutated Omicron variant has rapidly become the dominant variant worldwide since it was first detected in southern Africa 10 weeks ago.Pfizer asks FDA to allow Covid-19 vaccine for kids under 5Pfizer on Wednesday asked the US to authorize extra-low doses of its Covid-19 vaccine for children under 5, potentially opening the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots as early as March. In an extraordinary move, the Food and Drug Administration had urged Pfizer and its partner BioNTech to apply earlier than the companies had planned.Anti-vaccine protest in Canada spurs outrageIn a scene at odds with Canadians’ reputation for niceness and rule-following, thousands of protesters railing against vaccine mandates and other Covid-19 restrictions descended on the capital over the weekend, deliberately blocking traffic around Parliament Hill.The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago _ amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemicPunjab adds 1,649 Covid cases, 37 deathsPunjab on Tuesday reported 1,649 fresh Covid-19 cases that took its tally to 7,451,29, while 37 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 17,292, according to a medical bulletin. Mohali reported 380 fresh cases, followed by 207 in Ludhiana and 144 in Amritsar, the bulletin said. The latest deaths were reported from Amritsar, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana, among other districts. The number of active Covid-19 cases in Punjab stands at 20,937. A total of 983 patients are on oxygen support, while 92 critical patients are on ventilator support, the bulletin said.Pfizer submits data seeking US approval of Covid vaccine for young kidsPfizer Inc on Tuesday began submitting data to federal regulators as part of the process to win US approval of its Covid-19 vaccine for children under age 5, Bloomberg reported. “It’ll be a rolling submission that may ultimately include data to support giving a third dose,” Bloomberg reporter Josh Wingrove tweeted. Pfizer and partner BioNTech’s vaccine is already approved for children in the United States age 5 and older.In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes Covid cases to soar: WHOThe World Health Organisation chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.Goa sees 910 Covid-19 cases, 6 deaths; positivity rate now 19.57 percentGoa reported 910 Covid-19 cases on Tuesday at a positivity rate of 19.57 per cent, taking the tally to 2,39,816, an official said. Six deaths took the toll to 3,699, while the discharge of 1,794 people increased the recovery count to 2,28,247, leaving the coastal state with an active tally of 7,870, he said. The cases were detected from 4,648 tests, the official said, adding that the total number of samples examined in the state so far was 18,15,380.Andhra Pradesh extends the night curfew between 11pm to 5am till February 14, in view of the pandemicIndia’s daily Covid situation in 5 chartsMarriages and competitive sports including horse-racing are allowed with 25 per cent occupancy of the venue”Marriages may have guests up to 25 per cent of the capacity of the open ground and banquet halls or 200, whichever is lower,” the guidelines read.”There shall be no restrictions on movement during night hours of 11.00 pm to 5.00 am,” the guidelines said.The beaches, gardens and parks would be accessible to people once again during normal hours while the ban on gathering of five or more people in public at night has been removed.The new guidelines will remain in force till February 28, 2022.Mumbai civic body on Tuesday allowed all tourist locations, restaurants and theatres to operate or remain open with 50% occupancy.Mumbai eases restrictions. Night curfew withdrawn. Cinemas to operate with 50% capacity as of now.Gujarat added 8,338 new Covid-19 cases and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours.Kolkata logged 265 more Covid cases on Tuesday, up from 179 yesterday.West Bengal reported 2,014 new Covid cases and 33 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases drop to 22,142.Positivity rate at 4.09%Karnataka reported 14,366 new cases and 58 deaths in the last 24 hours. Bengaluru logs 6,685 fresh infections and 9 deaths.14,372 new Covid cases and 94 deaths logged in Maharashtra over the last 24 hours.Active cases reach 1,91,524.