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Coronavirus live updates: West Bengal govt orders 7-day isolation, RT-PCR must for domestic flyers
The first cases of Omicron variant in India have been confirmed in two individuals in Karnataka. One of them was a South African national, and has already left the country. India reported 9,216 new daily Covid-19 cases and 391 deaths in the last 24 hours. Stay with TOI for all updates:Read Less
Key Events
Missouri has detected its first case of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus in a resident of St. Louis who had recently traveled domestically, according to the state health department.
Russia's state statistics agency says that 74,893 people with Covid-19 died in October — the highest monthly tally in the pandemic that comes as the country grappling with a major surge of coronavirus infections and deaths.
One of the biggest questions is whether or not omicron will overtake the delta variant to become the dominant form of Covid-19
Dr Fauci, White House chief medical advisor
The stigma of having his home sealed was more painful than the disease itself, says the 46-year-old doctor, one of the two patients in India infected with Omicron. He dispelled fears on the new coronavirus variant, saying the first thing he told himself once the symptoms manifested was to stay calm, get tested immediately, self-isolate and seek treatment. His wife and children too quarantined themselves at home.
Israel's health ministry said Friday it has confirmed seven cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, stoking fears of a pending surge in infections. Four of the confirmed cases are unvaccinated individuals who had recently returned from South Africa.
October deadliest month of pandemic in Russia with nearly 75,000 deaths, reports AFP quoting stats agency
The Omicron variant has been detected in 38 countries but no deaths have yet been reported, the WHO said on Friday, as authorities worldwide rushed to stem the spread of the heavily mutated Covid-19 strain.
Direction was also given to keep strict vigil on flyers from neighbouring Bangladesh and Singapore, the official said after a meeting held by chief secretary H K Dwivedi and Airport Authorities officers during the day.
West Bengal govt orders 7-day isolation, RT-PCR to continue
West Bengal government on Friday directed that travellers from countries affected by Omicron to the state will be required to stay in isolation for seven days, a senior official said. Travellers flying in from other parts of the country will have to furnish their reports of RT-PCR tests as the threat of Omicron looms across the world, he said. (PTI)
Talking to reporters after the high-level meeting chaired by chief minister Basavaraj Bommai, the Karnataka minister said: "They will be tracked and tested. The authorities have been given directions in this regard." he underlined.
With the Karnataka capital on alert after accounting for the first two cases of the Omicron variant of coronavirus in the country, state revenue minister R Ashok said that the the missing 10 South African nationals from Bengaluru will be tracked by Friday midnight.
More travel restrictions are currently not needed: Biden
US President Joe Biden said on Friday he will continue to rely on scientists to assess whether a change in travel restrictions is necessary, adding that right now no change is recommended. His remarks come amid heightened fears about the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus. (Reuters)
The Omicron case in Mexico developed mild symptoms. (Reuters)
First case of Omicron variant confirmed in Mexico: Health ministry official. (Reuters)
Canada has reported a total of 11 cases of the Omicron variant: health official
Canada has discovered a total of 11 cases of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19, all of them among travelers who arrived from abroad, chief public health officer Theresa Tam told reporters on Friday. "The need for heightened vigilance remains, regardless of which variant is circulating," she said. (Reuters)
While the emergence of the new variant was unwelcome, WHO's chief scientist said, the world was much better prepared given the development of vaccines since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.
How worried should we be? We need to be prepared and cautious, not panic, because we're in a different situation to a year ago.
Soumya Swaminathan, WHO chief scientist
