Top 10 Omicron updates: New variant unlikely to dodge vaccine protection, says WHO

The World Health Organization on Tuesday said that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is unlikely to dodge the protection provided by vaccines, AFP reported. WHO Emergencies Director Michael Ryan added that the Omicron variant was not as harmful as the Delta strain.Maharashtra Additional Chief Secretary Pradeep Vyas wrote to the Union Health Ministry pointing out that the rate of RT-PCR tests, fixed at Rs 4,500, at Mumbai airport was too high, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday. Maharashtra has increased Covid-19 testing at airports in the wake of the Omicron variant.Four international travellers on Tuesday were admitted to Delhi’s Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital that has been reserved to isolate and treat those infected with the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus, News18 reported. However, it is yet to be confirmed if they are infected with Omicron. The Uttar Pradesh government on Tuesday imposed a curfew under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code in Lucknow district till January 5 citing concerns about the Omicron variant, Mint reported.Uttar Pradesh has started preparing for 2022 Prayagraj Magha Mela by keeping in view the emergence of the Omicron variant, ANI reported. Prayagraj District Magistrate said that the authorities were aware of the new variant and so they have placed health teams at railway stations and airports to test…

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