Tag: Omicron

Omicron lasts three days less than Delta for boosted: study

  PARIS, France (AFP) — People who are vaccinated and have had a booster shot against Covid-19 recover from symptoms from the Omicron variant more than three days earlier than those with the Delta variant, a study said Friday. The study also found that people with Omicron are significantly less likely to lose their sense of smell, and confirmed previous research that it is less severe. To find out the differences in how Omicron and […]

DOH urges public to get booster shots as protection against new Covid-19 variant, Omicron XE

Over 12.2 million Filipinos have received booster shots as of April 5   (Eagle News) – The Department of Health (DOH) urged the public to get booster shots against Covid-19 amid the threat of another Covid-19 variant, Omicron XE, that has been detected in Thailand. Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire said that getting boosted against Covid would greatly help prevent from contracting the disease, even the new variant Omicrom XE. “Bagama’t naririnig po natin ang […]

China records nearly 3,400 daily virus cases, highest in two years

China reported 3,393 new Covid-19 cases Sunday, the National Health Commission said, more than double the previous day, as the country faces its gravest virus outbreak in two years. A nationwide surge in cases has seen authorities close schools in Shanghai and lock down several northeastern cities, as almost 19 provinces battle local outbreaks of the Omicron and Delta variants. The city of Jilin has been partially locked down, with hundreds of neighbourhoods sealed up, […]

‘Stealth Omicron,’ BA.2, can cause severe Covid in vulnerable groups, says PH health expert citing studies

  (Eagle News) – The highly infectious Covid-19 variant Omicron could also cause severe infection for vulnerable groups, including the elderly and those with comorbidities, according to an infectious disease expert. Vaccine expert panel member Dr. Rontgene Solante said they they are studying data from other countries, including the United States, showing an increase in Covid-19 cases, or what appeared to be another wave of cases due to the so-called “stealth Omicron” or the subvariant […]

Hong Kong to launch vaccine pass as Omicron outbreak rages

  HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong will launch a vaccine pass scheme this week, officials said Monday, as hospitals struggle under an Omicron-fuelled outbreak and the finance hub sees record-high departures. The densely populated metropolis is currently in the throes of its worst-ever coronavirus outbreak, registering thousands of confirmed cases every day as hospitals and isolation units run out of space. Starting Thursday, all residents aged 12 and above entering restaurants and clubhouses […]

Hong Kong foreign domestic workers ‘abandoned’ in virus crisis

  by Jerome TAYLOR Agence France Presse HONG KONG, China (AFP) — Hong Kong’s foreign domestic workers are being “abandoned” in the current coronavirus wave sweeping the city, with some forced to sleep rough or being denied treatment after testing positive, charities said Friday. The warning came as Hong Kong’s leader Carrie Lam told residents to encourage helpers to stay indoors and said police would step up social distancing fines. The Chinese financial hub is […]

Norway lifts final Covid curbs on social distancing

  OSLO, Norway (AFP) — Norway on Saturday lifted its final Covid restrictions, scrapping social distancing and masks in crowded spaces despite a surge in Omicron infections. “The metre is disappearing. We are taking away the recommendation on social distancing,” Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store told reporters at a press conference. “Now we can now socialise like we did before, in nightlife, at cultural events and other social occasions. And on the way to and […]

Tonga virus cases surge in wake of eruption

NUKU’ALOFA, Tonga (AFP) – The Omicron variant coronavirus entered Tonga for the first time in the wake of last month’s volcanic eruption, officials confirmed Thursday, as the number of Covid-19 cases in the kingdom almost doubled to 64. Health Minister Saia Piukala said 31 new cases had been detected in the previous 24 hours, a record for the island nation which was virus-free until last month’s blast. Piukala said samples sent to Australia confirmed the […]

WHO urges rich countries to pay up for Covid plan

  by Robin MILLARD Agence France Presse GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The WHO Wednesday urged rich countries to pay their fair share of the money needed for its plan to conquer Covid-19 by contributing $16 billion as a matter of urgency. The World Health Organization said the rapid cash injection into its Access to Covid Tools Accelerator could finish off Covid as a global health emergency this year. The WHO-led ACT-A is aimed at developing, […]

WHO laments ‘tragic’ 500,000 Covid death toll since Omicron

  GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — The World Health Organization lamented Tuesday that half a million Covid-19 deaths had been recorded since the Omicron variant was discovered, calling the toll “beyond tragic”. The WHO’s incident manager Abdi Mahamud said that 130 million cases and 500,000 deaths had been recorded globally since Omicron was declared a variant of concern in late November. It has since rapidly overtaken Delta as the world’s dominant Covid variant because it is […]

Omicron sub-variant found in 57 countries: WHO

GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — 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. In its weekly epidemiological update, the World Health Organization said that the variant, which […]

Denmark unmasks to ‘live normally’ again with Omicron

Anyone with symptoms only advised to stay home by Camille BAS-WOHLERT Agence France Presse COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — Denmark waved goodbye to facemasks and health passes Tuesday as it became the first European Union country to lift all of its domestic Covid curbs despite record numbers of cases of the milder Omicron variant. Only a few restrictions remain in place at the country’s borders, for unvaccinated travellers arriving from non-Schengen countries. After a first attempt […]