“He travelled from Cape City to Delhi through Dubai. He examined Covid-19 constructive in Delhi however one way or the other was in a position to board the connecting flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, he was discovered to be constructive. He’s asymptomatic and had house quarantined himself. Later, the company quarantined him in an establishment,” mentioned Pratibha Panpatil, Chief Medical Officer of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Company (KDMC).

KDMC well being officers mentioned they’ve alerted the airport authorities and efforts are on to find the person’s co-passengers.

Dr Pradeep Vyas, Further Chief Secretary (Well being) mentioned, “Now we have despatched his samples for genome sequencing to search out out if he’s carrying the Omicron varint.”

In response to the Centre’s November 11 pointers for worldwide passengers, samples for RT-PCR exams are to be submitted on touchdown, after which passengers are allowed to go away the airport. Passengers are to observe house quarantine for seven days, with a compulsory retest on the eight day.

Amid rising worries over the Omicron variant, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) has begun contacting 466 passengers who arrived within the metropolis over the past 15 days from the “international locations of concern”, together with South Africa, and can take swab samples from them for RT-PCR exams. Officers mentioned that 97 of the 466 passengers who arrived in Mumbai are residents of town. The civic physique is individually contacting all passengers for his or her well being updates.

“The passengers who stay in Mumbai don’t have any signs. All are quarantined at house. We’ll run RT-PCR exams on them on Monday,” mentioned BMC Further Commissioner Suresh Kakani.

The Indian Specific has learnt that the state authorities is prone to make seven-day institutional quarantine necessary for passengers flying into town from — or transiting by — international locations of concern. For home passengers, the federal government is prone to convey again the rule on mandatorily carrying a damaging RT-PCR take a look at for coming into the state, sources mentioned.

These measures have been mentioned at a Covid-19 evaluate assembly that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held with Well being Minister Rajesh Tope, senior authorities officers, state Covid process power members, divisional commissioners and district collectors.

“He travelled from Cape City to Delhi by way of Dubai. He examined Covid-19 constructive in Delhi however someway was capable of board the connecting flight to Mumbai. On arrival in Mumbai, he was discovered to be constructive. He’s asymptomatic and had house quarantined himself. Later, the company quarantined him in an establishment,” stated Pratibha Panpatil, Chief Medical Officer of the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Company (KDMC).

KDMC well being officers stated they’ve alerted the airport authorities and efforts are on to find the person’s co-passengers.

Dr Pradeep Vyas, Further Chief Secretary (Well being) stated, “We have now despatched his samples for genome sequencing to search out out if he’s carrying the Omicron varint.”

In response to the Centre’s November 11 tips for worldwide passengers, samples for RT-PCR checks are to be submitted on touchdown, after which passengers are allowed to go away the airport. Passengers are to observe house quarantine for seven days, with a compulsory retest on the eight day.

Amid rising worries over the Omicron variant, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Company (BMC) has begun contacting 466 passengers who arrived within the metropolis during the last 15 days from the “nations of concern”, together with South Africa, and can take swab samples from them for RT-PCR checks. Officers stated that 97 of the 466 passengers who arrived in Mumbai are residents of the town. The civic physique is individually contacting all passengers for his or her well being updates.

“The passengers who stay in Mumbai don’t have any signs. All are quarantined at house. We’ll run RT-PCR checks on them on Monday,” stated BMC Further Commissioner Suresh Kakani.

The Indian Categorical has learnt that the state authorities is more likely to make seven-day institutional quarantine obligatory for passengers flying into the town from — or transiting by means of — nations of concern. For home passengers, the federal government is more likely to deliver again the rule on mandatorily carrying a adverse RT-PCR take a look at for getting into the state, sources stated.

These measures had been mentioned at a Covid-19 overview assembly that Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray held with Well being Minister Rajesh Tope, senior authorities officers, state Covid activity power members, divisional commissioners and district collectors.

By Related Press

RABAT:  Morocco is suspending all incoming air journey from around the globe beginning Monday for 2 weeks due to the fast unfold of the brand new omicron variant, the International Ministry introduced Sunday.

The ministry tweeted that the choice was taken to “protect the achievements realized by Morocco within the combat towards the pandemic, and to guard the well being of residents.” It famous the unfold of omicron in Africa and Europe.

Morocco saved its borders closed for months in 2020 due to the pandemic, fearing that its well being system would not be capable to handle the surges of sufferers seen in close by Europe.

The dominion in North Africa has had amongst Africa’s highest charges of confirmed infections but additionally is on the forefront of the continent’s vaccination effort, with 66% of its inhabitants having acquired no less than one dose.

The flight suspension was among the many most dramatic of many restrictions being imposed by nations around the globe as they scramble to sluggish the omicron variant’s unfold. A lot stays to be realized concerning the new variant, however researchers are involved that it might be extra immune to the safety supplied by vaccines.

By PTI

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s prime well being federation on Sunday slammed the 18 nations which have imposed journey bans on the nation on fears of the brand new probably highly-transmissible variant of COVID-19, Omicron, saying the world should keep away from such “knee-jerk response” if it desires “transparency” within the sharing of vital medical knowledge.

The brand new COVID-19 variant B.1.1.529, first detected in South Africa, was on Friday designated as a “Variant of Concern” by the World Well being Organisation (WHO), which named it “Omicron”.

The choice by 18 nations to ban flights to and from South Africa was untimely, as there’s nonetheless not sufficient info on how harmful the variant is likely to be, Angelique Coetzee, Chairman of South African Medical Affiliation (SAMA) stated.

Coetzee additionally defended the choice to announce the findings, mentioning that South Africa ought to be lauded and never vilified for this.

“My suspicion is that as a result of our scientists are very alert and doing a whole lot of sequencing within the background, possibly these European nations missed it due to the signs,” Coetzee instructed the TV information channel Newzroom Afrika.

The UK introduced on Thursday that each one flights to and from South Africa and 5 neighbouring nations could be banned from Friday following an announcement that the brand new Omicron variant of COVID-19 had been detected in South Africa.

Many different European nations adopted go well with, most of them indicating that solely their very own residents could be allowed again, topic to a quarantine interval.

Many different nations have now began to severely regulate or ban flights utterly from the African nation.

Coetzee stated, “The signs are usually not the identical because the Delta (variant).

It is extremely much like the Beta (variant) and you may simply miss the signs.

I believe what occurred with us in South Africa as clinicians is the truth that we’ve merely seen nearly possibly one or two sufferers per week up to now eight to 10 weeks on COVID-related signs.

“After we rapidly noticed younger individuals, particularly males, coming in complaining of maximum fatigue, physique aches and pains, complications and a little bit of a scratchy throat, we then began to check once more and we discovered them optimistic.”

Coetzee stated they determined to alert the Advisory Council on COVID-19 that there have been new signs that weren’t matching with the indicators of the Delta variant.

“We had been fortunate that we had a break in between and noticed the brand new signs. However now we’re being (seen as) the villains. It is not proper. It ought to by no means occur like this. If the world desires transparency, they would wish to deal a lot better with such a knowledge that has been made out there,” Coetzee stated.

The Omicron variant has additionally been detected in Israel, Hong Kong, Belgium Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic and Australia.

Coetzee stated, “All people is occurring in regards to the science behind the variants, however little or no is ever communicated across the signs. So, in the event you as a rustic wish to shield your personal individuals, take a look at what is occurring.”Alert your individuals. Say that there is likely to be chance of this going ahead. However there isn’t any know method you may simply have this type of knee-jerk response and say now you might be protected.”

Citing the excessive variety of infections within the UK and the Netherlands, Coetzee stated the brand new variant was already possible there with out authorities being conscious of it.

The brand new variant is taken into account probably extra harmful as a result of it has round twice as many mutations as Delta, however consultants say how a lot of a priority remains to be beneath investigation.

Coetzee’s feedback come as South Africans had been eagerly ready for what President Cyril Ramaphosa is anticipated to announce in a while Sunday after a gathering with the Corona Command Council.

Whereas scientists are calling for tightening the present Stage Considered one of a five-level lockdown technique, the enterprise neighborhood has warned towards it.

In the meantime, the South African nationwide provider’s plans to dispatch a big plane to take passengers again to Mauritius and return others to South Africa had been scuppered by an announcement from the Mauritian authorities banning incoming passengers.

“It’s with nice unhappiness that we’ve simply acquired notification from the Mauritian authorities imposing additional restrictions prohibiting all incoming travellers arriving from South Africa to the island,” South African Airways (SAA) CEO Thomas Kgokolo stated in a web-based video message to prospects on Sunday morning.

“Because of this, SAA has now cancelled flight SA190 from Johannesburg to Mauritius on Sunday (afternoon). This battle will now function to Mauritius as a ferry to choose up prospects out of Mauritius,” he stated.

Kgokolo assured passengers stranded throughout the globe that SAA remained dedicated to aiding them.

“We now have made versatile modifications to accommodate all our prospects who’ve been affected by all these unexpected journey restrictions,” Kgokolo stated.

“Outbound passengers who are actually unable to journey could be allowed one change to their future journey plans”.

Together with South Africa, its neighbouring states — Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, Zambia and Angola — have additionally been slapped with journey bans, crippling their economies that are largely reliant on tourism.

The event, nonetheless, prompted Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai to name a high-level assembly on Saturday. Bommai mentioned authorities would intensify screening of worldwide passengers on the airports and make the RT-PCR check report obligatory for these arriving from Kerala and Maharashtra.

Ok Srinivas, the Deputy Commissioner of Bengaluru Rural district below which Kempegowda Worldwide Airport falls, instructed The Indian Categorical: “Two South African nationals who arrived to Bengaluru on 11 and 20 November respectively had been examined optimistic for Covid-19 and had been traced residing in Bengaluru. They’ve been remoted and are below remedy. We’ve discovered them to have the delta variant.”

A complete of 584 folks arrived on the Bengaluru airport in November from 10 high-risk nations and 94 of them have returned from South Africa.

Three groups deputed around the clock at KIA are monitoring travellers earlier than they arrive out of the airport. All worldwide vacationers are being examined, mentioned Srinivas.

The worldwide arrivals from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong must bear a compulsory RT-PCR check. The worldwide vacationers who’ve arrived in Bengaluru between 12-27 November can be tracked and examined by means of RT-PCR. These testing optimistic can be positioned below institutional isolation in hospital for 10 days. Genome sequencing can be fast-tracked, officers mentioned.

The federal government issued a round stating that the every day Covid19 testing targets could be elevated from 60,000 to 80,000 per day. Together with influenza-like sickness (ILI) and extreme acute respiratory infections (SARI), the groups have been requested to conduct checks on chosen teams of scholars, lecturers, employees of lodges, store keepers of malls and markets, catering employees, manufacturing unit personnel, workplace goers, employees in pubs and bars. The checks in Bengaluru metropolis have been elevated by 5,000.

In Saturday’s assembly, it was determined to impose a brief ban on cultural programmes in faculties and schools, make second doses of vaccination obligatory for these working in authorities workplaces, malls, lodges, cinema halls, zoos, swimming swimming pools and libraries, Income minister R Ashok mentioned.

The state authorities has additionally determined to make an RT-PCR report obligatory for these coming into the state from Kerala and Maharashtra. College students from Kerala who arrived within the final 16 days must do a obligatory RT-PCR check for a second time. College students in hostels who have gotten a unfavorable RT-PCR report must get the check carried out once more on the seventh day after the primary report, he added.

Ashok mentioned those that check optimistic can be instantly taken to a hospital for remedy.

As a part of combating a possible third wave, the Karnataka authorities has urged the Union authorities to manage booster doses. Ashok mentioned:  “We’ve urged the union authorities to permit the state to manage the booster dose, particularly for the entrance line staff. We might get the go forward from the centre in every week.”

The vaccination marketing campaign has coated a big section of the inhabitants. Nevertheless the necessity for the booster dose is being felt, particularly for the entrance line staff who obtained vaccinated on the very starting of the vaccination marketing campaign.

Centre has been requested to allow the state to manage the Booster dose for entrance line staff. The Centre is prone to reply positively to the state’s request, Ashok mentioned.

By PTI

WASHINGTON: America’s high infectious illness skilled Dr Anthony Fauci has mentioned that the brand new COVID-19 Omicron variant is in “fluid movement” in South Africa and the US scientists are in “very lively” communication with their colleagues in that nation to check the pressure, get details and discover out whether or not or not it evades the antibodies.

The brand new probably extra contagious B.1.1.529 variant was first reported to the World Well being Organisation (WHO) from South Africa on November 24, and has additionally been recognized in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.

It was on Friday designated as a “Variant of Concern” by the WHO, which named it “Omicron”.

A “variant of concern” is the WHO’s high class of worrying COVID-19 variants.

Speaking to CNN, Fauci, the director of the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Ailments, mentioned that there’s actually a brand new variant in South Africa “that has some mutations which might be elevating some considerations significantly with regard to probably transmissibility, enhance and probably evasion of immune response.”

Fauci, additionally the Chief Medical Advisor to US President Joe Biden, mentioned that the brand new variant appears to be spreading at a fairly fast fee in South Africa.

“So it’s in a fluid movement. We’re discovering extra about it and actually one thing in actual time. We’re studying an increasing number of about it,” he mentioned.

Fauci mentioned that there isn’t any indication that the brand new variant is current within the US however something is feasible as there’s a variety of journey concerned.

“We’re getting collectively to search out the exact molecular make-up of it so you could possibly really take a look at for it. That may take a bit to place the suitable materials collectively however we’re in very lively communication with our South African colleagues and scientists,” he mentioned.

On whether or not the brand new variant evades antibodies, Fauci defined, “whenever you take a look at a mutation it will provide you with a touch or indication that it’d evade the immune response.

You’ll want to get that exact sequence of the virus, put it in a kind within the lab the place you may really take a look at the completely different antibodies so you may have a prediction that it’d evade or you may show it.

“We’re getting the fabric along with South African colleagues to get a state of affairs the place you may really straight take a look at it. We do not know. As soon as we take a look at, you may inform for positive whether or not it does or doesn’t evade the antibodies that we make for instance towards the virus by way of a vaccine,” he mentioned.

Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown College’s Faculty of Public Well being, informed CNN the variant was “performing in a different way,” nevertheless, and it “appears prefer it’s rather more contagious than even the Delta variant.”

Lawrence Younger, a virologist and a professor of molecular oncology at Warwick Medical Faculty in the UK, mentioned the Omicron variant was “very worrying.”

“It’s the most closely mutated model of the virus now we have seen to this point. This variant carries some adjustments we have seen beforehand in different variants however by no means all collectively in a single virus. It additionally has novel mutations,” Younger mentioned in a press release.

The variant has a excessive variety of mutations, about 50 general.

Crucially, South African genomic scientists mentioned Thursday greater than 30 of the mutations had been discovered within the spike protein — the construction the virus makes use of to get into the cells they assault.

Neil Ferguson, the director of the MRC Centre for International Infectious Illness Evaluation at Imperial Faculty London, mentioned in a press release the variety of mutations on the spike protein was “unprecedented.”

“The spike protein gene [is] the protein which is the goal of most vaccines. There’s subsequently a priority that this variant could have a larger potential to flee prior immunity than earlier variants,” Ferguson mentioned.

The US has from Monday restricted journey from South Africa and 7 different nations within the southern Africa area.

International locations all over the world are at the moment racing to introduce journey bans and restrictions on southern African nations in an effort to include Omicron’s unfold.

European nations together with the UK have banned journey to and from South Africa and neighbouring nations of Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana, in addition to Lesotho and Eswatini (previously Swaziland), each of that are landlocked inside South Africa.

Different nations embody Mauritius, Israel, Sri Lanka and the Netherlands.

Many different nations adopted go well with, most of them indicating that solely their very own residents can be allowed again, topic to a quarantine interval.

In New Delhi, the Indian authorities requested all states and union territories to conduct rigorous screening and testing of all worldwide travellers coming from or transiting by way of South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana, the place a brand new variant has been detected.

By AFP

LONDON: The British scientist who led the analysis underpinning AstraZeneca’s coronavirus jab mentioned Saturday a brand new vaccine may very well be developed towards the rising Omicron variant “very quickly” if wanted.

Professor Andrew Pollard, the director of the Oxford Vaccine Group, additionally mentioned current vaccines ought to work towards the brand new pressure, however that will solely develop into obvious after extra analysis within the coming weeks.

“It is extraordinarily unlikely {that a} reboot of a pandemic in a vaccinated inhabitants like we noticed final 12 months (with the Delta variant) goes to occur,” he advised BBC radio. 

But when required, “The processes of how one goes about growing a brand new vaccine are more and more well-oiled, so if it is wanted that’s one thing that may very well be moved very quickly.”

No instances of the Omicron variant have been detected to this point in Britain, however the authorities late Thursday introduced new journey restrictions affecting inbound passengers from six African international locations together with South Africa.

The USA and European international locations have adopted swimsuit on the restrictions, and the variant has been confirmed in Belgium.

Dutch well being authorities mentioned that 61 passengers aboard two KLM flights from South Africa had examined optimistic for Covid-19, and the outcomes had been being examined for Omicron.

In an announcement, AstraZeneca mentioned it had “developed, in shut collaboration with Oxford College, a vaccine platform that allows us to reply rapidly to new variants which will emerge”.

The UK-based medicine firm mentioned it was “already conducting analysis in places the place the variant has been recognized”.

Vaccine makers Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna and Novavax have additionally mentioned they’re assured of having the ability to fight the Omicron pressure.

By AFP

THE HAGUE: Dutch well being authorities mentioned Saturday that 61 passengers from two flights from South Africa examined constructive for Covid-19 and the outcomes had been being examined for the brand new Omicron variant.

The individuals who examined constructive had been now being quarantined in a resort close to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, the place the 600 folks on board the 2 planes from Johannesburg spent hours ready on Friday.

“We now know that 61 of the outcomes had been constructive and 531 destructive,” the Dutch Well being Authority (GGD) mentioned in an announcement. 

“The constructive check outcomes can be examined as quickly as attainable to find out whether or not this considerations the brand new worrisome variant, which has since been given the title Omicron variant.”

ALSO READ | Sri Lanka imposes journey ban from six southern African international locations over ‘Omicron’ Covid variant

EU well being authorities have mentioned the brand new pressure poses a “excessive to very excessive threat” to the continent.

All passengers who examined constructive should keep in quarantine on the resort for seven days in the event that they present signs and for 5 days if they don’t, the GGD mentioned.

Passengers who examined destructive, however who’re remaining within the Netherlands, are anticipated to isolate at residence. 

“We perceive that persons are annoyed by this,” the assertion added, “folks have simply made a protracted journey with the concept they may shortly be residence,” it mentioned.

“As an alternative simply after touchdown, they’re confronted with a scenario we’ve got by no means earlier than skilled within the Netherlands, particularly that individuals should be examined at Schiphol and are compelled to attend till they get a end result.”

Those that don’t reside within the Netherlands can “proceed their journey”, it mentioned.

Former South Africa batting all-rounder Farhan Behardien is hoping that the brand new COVID-19 variant, which is inflicting alarm right here, is not going to jeopardise India’s tour of the nation subsequent month as younger cricketers of his nation want the collection “greater than ever”.

The Indian group, in the course of the practically seven-week task beginning December 17, is scheduled to play three Exams, three ODIs and 4 T20 Internationals throughout 4 venues — Johannesburg, Centurion, Paarl, and Cape City.

However the brand new COVID variant has put the tour in limbo with the BCCI insisting that any choice on the destiny of the collection will likely be taken based mostly on the federal government’s recommendation.

“I hope the most important cricket nation on the planet excursions our nation subsequent month!! The long run era of South African gamers want it greater than ever!!” Behardien tweeted.

As of now, India’s tour is on however it’s understood that the BCCI, within the subsequent few days, will likely be speaking to Cricket South Africa on the detection of the brand new variant — B.1.1.529 –, which has induced appreciable panic throughout the globe.

The World Well being Organisation named it Omicron on Friday. Instances are on the rise within the northern a part of the nation and not less than two venues for the Check collection — Johannesburg and Pretoria (close to Centurion) — may develop into weak to the unfold of the Omicron variant.

Scientists imagine that the excessive variety of spike mutations may make the brand new variant extra immune to vaccines, make it extra transmissible and trigger a rise within the severity of COVID-19 signs. The 36-year-old Behardien, who’s a former T20 captain of the Proteas, additionally objected to the variant being recognized as South African.

“Its not the ‘South African’ variant, it was detected right here amongst different locations on the planet. Within the well-known phrases of Martin Van Jaarsveld, the good Titans participant, WAKE UP!!! #OmicronVariant,” he tweeted.

The brand new variant has already taken its toll on sports activities right here with reviews rising on Friday that the Netherlands have withdrawn from their ongoing ODI collection in Centurion. Cricket South Africa stated a choice could be made solely within the subsequent two days as flight choices for the vacationers have been affected by the journey bans which have come into the impact as a result of new variant.

In addition to, the upcoming FIH Junior Girls’s Hockey World Cup in South Africa was additionally placed on maintain on Friday as a result of worldwide fears concerning the new variant.

The celebrated event was to be held within the Rainbow Nation from December 5 to 16.

The upcoming FIH Junior Girls’s Hockey World Cup in South Africa was on Friday placed on maintain as a brand new variant of COVID-19 within the nation stoked worldwide fears.

The distinguished event was to be held within the Rainbow Nation from December 5 to 16.

Nevertheless, following the outbreak of a brand new coronavirus variant in South Africa, the Worldwide Hockey Federation (FIH), the South African Hockey Affiliation and the North-West College of Potchefstroom have collectively determined that the event “won’t occur below these circumstances”.

“The protection of everybody concerned within the FIH occasions is an absolute precedence. Moreover, many nations, together with from a number of the taking part groups, have now strongly elevated their journey restrictions with South Africa, together with halting flights.

“Subsequently, it merely isn’t potential to take care of this occasion as deliberate,” FIH CEO Thierry Weil mentioned in a press release. That is vastly disappointing. An FIH Junior World Cup is so vital for the event of younger gamers.

“Additionally, it was the primary time that an FIH World Cup was on account of happen on African soil. On behalf of FIH, I’d wish to thank all groups for his or her understanding in addition to the native organisers for his or her nice work and collaboration.”

The FIH mentioned it is going to “hold monitoring the state of affairs” and take a choice in regards to the potential staging of the event as quickly as will probably be potential to take action.

Following the outbreak of a brand new coronavirus variant in South Africa, the FIH, @SA_Hockey and the North-West College of Potchefstroom have collectively determined that the FIH Hockey Girls’s Junior World Cup 2021, initially deliberate in Potchefstroom from 5 to 16 Dec has been placed on maintain

— Worldwide Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) November 26, 2021

Ahead Lalremsiami, who was part of the Indian senior ladies’s hockey crew which completed fourth on the Tokyo Olympics, was to steer the nation’s 18-member junior squad on the event in South Africa.

The occasion was to see 16 prime groups from throughout the globe battle for the title which was beforehand gained by Argentina in 2016.

Earlier within the day, the U.Okay. introduced it was suspending flights from South Africa and 5 different southern African nations and making travellers from these nations self-isolate for 10 days efficient from 1200 GMT Friday.

From Sunday morning, travellers must go into lodge quarantine.