COVID-19 News Updates

Ravi Vasanthapuram, the head of the research and development of TATA MD said the test kit is compatible with all standard Real-Time PCR Machines. It kit can detect the Omicron variant as well as other variants of SARS-CoV2 reported so far. 

Of the new Omicron cases, 5 positives have been linked to foreign travel history while 19 others are local contacts.

The trials are being conducted by US-based biotechnology company Gritstone bio in collaboration with the University of Manchester and Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust.

Amidst Omicron Surge, New ‘Highly Contagious’ Covid-19 Variant IHU Emerges

The WHO official told journalists that it was possible to be infected by both influenza and Covid. However, since the two are separate viruses that attack the body in different ways, there is "little risk" of them combining into a new virus.

The BMC stated that no public will be allowed to move into the containment zones and the inhabitants within the zones will not move out.

Meanwhile, WHO on Tuesday also stated that emerging evidence reveals that the Omicron is affecting the upper respiratory tract, causing milder symptoms than previous variants.

According to a source, Bharat Biotech aims to conduct clinical trials on 5,000 healthy subjects: half or 2,500 individuals who have received Covishield and another 2,500 who have been administered Covaxin.

While a Covid-19 patient is allowed home isolation, all other members in the family including other contacts shall follow the home quarantine guideline of the Health Ministry

The top health official urged the people of the State to strictly adhere to the Covid-19 protocols to keep the rate of infection in control

The State saw a double rise in number as on Tuesday the State had logged 680 COVID-19 cases. While on Monday it had registered 424 COVID-19 cases.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.18 per cent, while weekly positivity rate was recorded at 2.60 per cent, according to the health ministry.

The second worst-hit country in terms of cases is India (34,960,261 infections and 482,017 deaths), followed by Brazil (22,328,252 infections and 619,654 deaths).

As per the study, of the 112 subjects, 11 did not develop antibodies even a month after receiving the first jab. On the other hand, the antibody level in 7 persons had considerably reduced after 6 months of receiving the 2nd dose of Covishield vaccine, found the study.

In the backdrop of the recent surge in COVID cases, especially the spike in positives related to Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday directed officials to keep the State's entire health infrastructure battle-ready to face the emerging situation.