US scientists detect Omicron variant for first time in deer

The yet-to-be peer-reviewed study also found neutralising antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 in one of the Omicron-infected deer

Study finds limited efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines against Omicron

The research found that only individuals vaccinated with a third or booster dose form antibodies that can partially block Omicron

UN health agency said little was known yet about the differences between the sub-variants, and called for studies into its characteristics

COVID-19 vaccine-makers have been updating their shots to better match omicron in case global health authorities decide the change is needed

The WHO regional office for Africa also said last week that cases of Covid had plummeted in that region and deaths were declining

New Zealanders are set to face new COVID-19 restrictions after nine cases of the omicron variant were detected in a single family

China has repeatedly emphasized the danger of infection from packaging, despite only trace amounts of the virus being found on such items

Maharashtra at top with 876 Omicron variant cases, followed by Delhi at 513, Karnataka 333, Rajasthan 291, Kerala 284 and Gujarat 204

Infections dropped by almost 30% last week compared to the preceding seven days while hospital admissions also declined in eight provinces

Buffer stocks of medicines and oxygen had been prepared and 48,000 ventilators had been distributed to the states, the minister said