Month: November 2021

Israel is banning the entry of foreigners for two weeks to prevent the spread of the new Omicron coronavirus strain, local media reports said on Sunday.

Israel has decided to bar tourists, reinstate quarantine rules to contain the Omicron, The Times of Israel reported. The decision to close the borders for 14 days was made at a corona cabinet meeting on Saturday night.
“We are now in a space of uncertainty. It’s not an easy space to be in, but we are all determined to maintain our tremendous achievement from the Delta – an open Israel with a functioning economy and an open education system, that is the top priority. To do this, we will need very close supervision of the state’s borders and proceed with caution and with a minimum of risks,” Prime Minister Naftali Bennett tweeted.

The latest COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa has been given the Greek name ‘Omicron’, and labeled as a variant of concern by UN health agency experts due to its large number of mutations and possible faster rate of infection.

Preliminary evidence also suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant of concern, as compared to other strains, such as Delta, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

Currently, the number of cases appears to be increasing in almost all provinces in South Africa. WHO explains that the variant has been detected at faster rates than in previous surges in infection, suggesting it “may have a growth advantage”.

On Wednesday, WHO’s COVID-19 technical lead, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, said the information about the now ‘Omicron’ variant is still limited.

“There are fewer than 100 whole genome sequences that are available, we don’t know very much about this yet. What we do know is that this variant has a large number of mutations, and the concern is that when you have so many mutations it can have an impact on how the virus behaves”, she said during a Q&A on Twitter.

Dr. Van Kerkhove explained that researchers are currently trying to determine where the mutations are and what they potentially mean for diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines.

Following the outbreak of the new variant, several countries around the world have restricted travel from several African countries. (ANI)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lauded the armed forces noting that the 50th-anniversary celebrations of India’s victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war will take place next month.

Addressing the 83rd episode of his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio programme, PM Modi said, “The country celebrates Navy Day and Armed Forces Flag Day in December. We all know that on December 16, the country is celebrating the golden jubilee year of the 1971 war.”
“On this occasion, I want to remember our armed forces, our soldiers. Especially, the brave mothers who gave birth to these heroes,” he added.

He also highlighted the significance of places like Jhansi and Bundelkhand in India’s freedom struggle.

“Heroes like Rani Laxmibai and Jhalkari Bai belongs from here. These regions have also gifted us Khel Ratna like Major Dhyan Chand,” PM Modi added.

“Mann ki Baat” is the Prime Minister’s monthly radio address, which is broadcast on the last Sunday of every month. (ANI)

The overall Air Quality Index (AQI) in the national capital on Sunday morning stood at 372 in the ‘very poor’ category, according to the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR).

The PM 2.5 was recorded at 372 in the ‘very poor’ category at 6:20 am.
Gurugram and Noida recorded AQI of 349 and 497 in the ‘very poor’ and ‘severe’ categories respectively.

SAFAR advised that everyone should reduce heavy exertion. “People with heart or lung disease, older adults and children should avoid longer or heavy exertion,” it said.

As per SAFAR, the air quality is likely to slightly improve to AQI 355 and will remain in the “very poor” category tomorrow.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 ‘moderate’, 201 and 300 ‘poor’, 301 and 400 ‘very poor’, and 401 and 500 ‘severe’.

Meanwhile, Delhi Government has reimposed ban on construction and demolition activities following Supreme Court’s directions. In view of an improvement in the air quality, the ban on construction and demolition activities was lifted on November 22. The ban on the entry of trucks, barring those engaged in essential services, has been extended till November 30.

However, all schools in the national capital will reopen from November 29 for all classes. (ANI)

As many as 8,774 new COVID-19 cases and 621 deaths were recorded across India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Sunday.

The active caseload in the country has now reached 1,05,69, which is the lowest in the last 543 days.
According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), the active cases in the country account for less than 1 per cent of total cases, currently at 0.31 per cent which is the lowest since March last year.

With 621 new deaths, the death toll has climbed to 4,68,554.

While 9,481 people have recovered from the COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the recovery rate in India stands at 98.34 per cent, the highest since March last year. The cumulative recovery has mounted to 3,39,98,27.

The daily positivity rate (0.80 per cent) is less than 2 per cent for the last 55 days while the weekly positivity rate (0.85 per cent) is less than 1 per cent for the last 14 days.

Meanwhile, 121.94 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered across the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. (ANI)

The Philippines’ Department of Health (DOH) reported 838 new COVID-19 infections on Sunday, pushing the number of confirmed cases in the Southeast Asian country to 2,831,807.

Less than 1,000 daily cases have been reported for five straight days. The DOH also reported that 156 more people died from COVID-19 complications, bringing the death toll to 48,361.
The Philippines is bracing for the emergence of a potentially more contagious new coronavirus Omicron variant that was first identified in South Africa.

In a statement, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said the government is working to ensure the timely adoption of preemptive measures to tackle new coronavirus variants.

The Philippines suspended flights from South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique on Friday from till Dec. 15.

Carlito Galvez, the chief implementer of the government’s measures to combat COVID-19, said the emergence of the Omicron variant will pose a significant challenge to the country’s ongoing fight against COVID-19.

In a virtual press conference, he hinted at the possibility of retaining the coronavirus alert level and postponing plans to further ease the measures during the holiday season.

The Philippines has battled three virus waves since the outbreak in January last year.

The Delta-driven third wave of infections peaked in September when it reported its highest daily tally.

The Philippines, which has around 110 million population, has tested more than 22.5 million people since the pandemic. (ANI/Xinhua)

Pakistan on Saturday restricted travel from six southern African nations and Hong Kong amid rising concerns over the newly detected variant of COVID-19.

Taking to Twitter, Pakistan Federal Planning and Development Minister Asad Umar on Saturday said , “the emergence of new variant makes it even more urgent to vaccinate all eligible citizens 12 years and older”, Dawn reported.
“Based on the emergence of the new covid variant, notification has been issued to restrict travel from 6 south African countries and Hong Kong. The emergence of new variant makes it even more urgent to vaccinate all eligible citizens 12 years and older,” Umar tweeted.

The new Omicron variant, which has been detected first in South Africa, has escalated tensions across the world as it is considered more dangerous than the delta variant.It has been declared as a ‘variant of concern’ by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday.

WHO identified the new South African strain as one of concern, as it is reported to carry a high number of mutations — 32 — which possibly makes it more transmissible and dangerous.

he WHO has dubbed it Omicron, the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

Following the reports about the new variant, the United States, the European Union, Canada, Israel, Australia and other countries have restricted travel from several southern African nations over the health concerns. (ANI)

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) treasurer Arun Dhumal on Saturday said that the board is in regular touch with Cricket South Africa (CSA) regarding the upcoming bilateral series and how player safety needs to be ensured looking at the new COVID-19 variant which has emerged in South Africa.

The World Health Organisation on Friday sounded an alarm among countries after a new variant of COVID-19 was classified in South Africa, the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) said in a statement.
“There is nothing to say as of now. Both boards are regularly in touch. Player safety and their health is paramount for both boards. We are monitoring the situation closely, as soon as both teams feel there is anything that needs to be done, they will take a call,” Dhumal told ANI.

“See, keeping in mind the health and safety of the players, whatever needs to be done will be done. Whether crowds are allowed or not, that is secondary. First priority is for the games to happen,” he added.

India is slated to tour South Africa next month for three Tests, three ODIs and four T20Is. The tour is slated to begin on December 17.

Earlier, Anurag Thakur, the Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports said that BCCI should consult the government before sending the cricket team to South Africa where a new COVID-19 variant has emerged.

“Not only BCCI, but every board should also consult the Indian government before sending the team to a country where a new COVID-19 variant has emerged. It is not right to send the team to a country where there is a threat, if BCCI consults us we will deliberate on that,” Thakur had told ANI here in Baghpat.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Saturday named the new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, which has been detected in South Africa, as ‘Omicron’.

This came after the WHO held a meeting to discuss the newly-identified COVID-19 variant. “The recently discovered variant of coronavirus B.1.1.529 is of concern. It has more mutations than science knows about other alarming variants. The WHO has assessed this new variant as worrisome,” the statement said.

This variant has been labelled as B.1.1.529 by scientists. WHO spokesperson Christian Lindmeier said after the meeting that early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. (ANI)

Highlighting the need for monitoring all international arrivals in the view of the new Covid variant Omicron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked officials to review plans for easing international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence.

PM Modi was briefed about the Covid-19 situation across the world, including the new Variant of Concern ‘Omicron’ along with its characteristics and the impact seen in various countries.
According to a release by the Prime Minister’s Office, the Prime Minister highlighted the need for monitoring all international arrivals, their testing as per guidelines, with a specific focus on countries identified ‘at risk’. He also asked officials to review plans for easing of international travel restrictions in light of the emerging new evidence.

The Prime Minister also directed officials to work closely with state governments to ensure that there is proper awareness at the state and district level. He directed that intensive containment and active surveillance should continue in clusters reporting higher cases and required technical support be provided to states which are reporting higher cases presently.

PM Modi was given an overview of the sequencing efforts in the country and the variants circulating in the country. He directed that genome sequencing samples be collected from international travellers and community as per norms, tested through the network of labs already established under INSACOG and early warning signal identified for Covid-19 management. He also spoke about the need to increase the sequencing efforts and make it more broad-based.

Amid rising concern about a new COVID-19 variant ‘Omicron’ first detected in South Africa, India also added several countries to the list from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing for infection.

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare adds Hong Kong and Israel to the list of countries from where travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India, including post-arrival testing considering the detection of new COVID variant ‘Omicron’ in South Africa.

Countries from where the travellers would need to follow additional measures on arrival in India are South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Israel, Hong Kong, countries in Europe including the UK.

This variant is reported to have a significantly high number of mutations, and thus, has serious public health implications for the country, in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening up of international travel. (ANI)