News for 'Variants of Concern'

We've time to decide, SA tour on schedule: Ganguly

We've time to decide, SA tour on schedule: Ganguly

Rediff.com1 Dec 2021

The former India captain also backed out-of-favour all-rounder Hardik Pandya to regain his place in the side after returning to full fitness.

Delhi records 331 Covid cases, highest daily count since June 9

Delhi records 331 Covid cases, highest daily count since June 9

Rediff.com27 Dec 2021

Amid a scare about the spread of the Omicron variant, Delhi recorded 331 fresh coronavirus cases on Monday, the highest single-day rise since June 9, and one death in the past 24 hours, while the positivity rate mounted to 0.68 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department.

First cases of B.A. sub-lineage of Omicron found in Maharashtra

First cases of B.A. sub-lineage of Omicron found in Maharashtra

Rediff.com28 May 2022

For the first time in Maharashtra, four patients of B.A.4 sub-lineage and three cases of B.A.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of coronavirus have been found, the state health department said on Saturday.

Govt released Covid as it couldn't stop Rahul's yatra legally: Shiv Sena

Govt released Covid as it couldn't stop Rahul's yatra legally: Shiv Sena

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

On Tuesday, Mandaviya had written to Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot asking them to strictly follow the COVID-19 guidelines during the party's Bharat Jodo Yatra.

Why India's oil import bill is likely to go up

Why India's oil import bill is likely to go up

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

India must be prepared for a big, fat fuel import bill in FY23 - barring any further avatars of the Covid virus - as refiners crank up runs, or crude processing rates, to meet the growing demand for fuels, and crude prices soar. Capacity additions by an Indian state-run refiner will reinforce the need for foreign crude. Demand for all fuels is expected to increase by 3-8 per cent next fiscal from 2021-22, reaching pre-pandemic levels, according to analysts and industry experts.

No need to panic: Experts as Covid cases rise among kids

No need to panic: Experts as Covid cases rise among kids

Rediff.com16 Apr 2022

Kids mostly have mild illnesses and recover with just symptomatic treatment.

Breakthrough Covid infections in India within expected numbers: INSACOG

Breakthrough Covid infections in India within expected numbers: INSACOG

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

When a person gets an infection even after being vaccinated against it, it is called a breakthrough case.

4 more flyers from 'at-risk' countries test positive at IGIA

4 more flyers from 'at-risk' countries test positive at IGIA

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Their samples have been sent to the National Centre for Disease Control for genome sequencing to ascertain if they have the new variant, Omicron, which has been classified as 'variant of concern' by the WHO.

Where To Invest? Single Or Multi-Factor Funds?

Where To Invest? Single Or Multi-Factor Funds?

Rediff.com22 May 2023

'Investing in a factor-based fund can be beneficial provided you have chosen the right factor.'

Xi Jinping warns of 'tough challenges' in China's 'new phase' of Covid

Xi Jinping warns of 'tough challenges' in China's 'new phase' of Covid

Rediff.com31 Dec 2022

Xi said that China's extraordinary efforts have helped it prevail over unprecedented difficulties.

Omicron spreading in community: Delhi health minister

Omicron spreading in community: Delhi health minister

Rediff.com30 Dec 2021

He said stringent curbs have been put in place as part of the Graded Response Action Plan for COVID-19 to check the spread of the infection and the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will decide on implementing more restrictions.

Govt issues new Covid guidelines for children

Govt issues new Covid guidelines for children

Rediff.com20 Jan 2022

In the 'Revised Comprehensive Guidelines for Management of COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents (below 18 years)', the health ministry also said that masks are not recommended for children aged five years and below.

Level 3 curbs in Maha to contain Delta plus spread

Level 3 curbs in Maha to contain Delta plus spread

Rediff.com25 Jun 2021

In view of cases of the Delta plus variant of COVID-19 emerging in Maharashtra, the state government on Friday announced 'state-level trigger' for imposing restrictions in administrative units irrespective of weekly positivity rate and oxygen bed occupancy percentage.

Omicron scare: Botswana woman traced to Army-run college in MP's Jabalpur

Omicron scare: Botswana woman traced to Army-run college in MP's Jabalpur

Rediff.com29 Nov 2021

Madhya Pradesh health authorities on Monday managed to trace a 34-year-old woman from Botswana, a country in southern Africa where Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected, in Jabalpur, a day after a search was launched for her as per the health surveillance guidelines to check the spread of COVID-19.

6 flyers from 'at-risk' countries admitted to Delhi's LNJP Hospital

6 flyers from 'at-risk' countries admitted to Delhi's LNJP Hospital

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Six Covid-19 cases were reported on Wednesday after screening 3,476 passengers of 11 flights that arrived in India from "at-risk" countries and the samples have been sent for genomic sequencing, the Health Ministry said amid concerns over the 'Omicron' variant of coronavirus.

Night curfew in Maharashtra; new rules for Europe arrivals

Night curfew in Maharashtra; new rules for Europe arrivals

Rediff.com21 Dec 2020

"It will be in effect till January 5," Thackeray said, according to the statement.

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Suspension of international flights extended till 'further notice'

Rediff.com28 Feb 2022

The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended "till further orders", aviation regulator DGCA said on Monday.

Is A Vaccine Booster Needed?

Is A Vaccine Booster Needed?

Rediff.com20 Dec 2021

'There is no emergency of a third wave that we are rushing for booster doses.'

Omicron surge: South Africa approves Pfizer's booster shot

Omicron surge: South Africa approves Pfizer's booster shot

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) on Wednesday approved the use of Pfizer's Comirnaty COVID-19 vaccine after BioNTech and Pfizer announced that two doses of their vaccine may not be enough to protect against the Omicron variant.

Bengaluru doctor, SA national are India's first Omicron cases

Bengaluru doctor, SA national are India's first Omicron cases

Rediff.com2 Dec 2021

Out of two cases of the new Omicron variant of coronavirus that have been detected in Bengaluru, one is a South African national who has left the country after testing negative, while the other is a local with no travel history, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike said on Thursday.

BJP member calls protesting Oppn 'Omicron', refers to 'Modi vaccine'

BJP member calls protesting Oppn 'Omicron', refers to 'Modi vaccine'

Rediff.com15 Dec 2021

A Bharatiya Janata Party MP on Wednesday dubbed the opposition members protesting in Rajya Sabha as 'Omicrons,' alleging they were a threat to democracy, and asked them to get the 'Modi vaccine' for protection against the new coronavirus variant.

Omicron cases a wake-up call for India: Expert

Omicron cases a wake-up call for India: Expert

Rediff.com5 Dec 2021

Dr Mishra further explained the effect of hybrid immunity on the vaccinated population and said that it is likely to give protection to people along with the Indian vaccines administered.

Jaipur: 9 of family of S Africa returnees test Covid positive

Jaipur: 9 of family of S Africa returnees test Covid positive

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

Nine members of a family here tested positive for COVID-19, days after four of them returned from South Africa, putting the Health Department on alert amid concerns over the 'Omicron' variant of the infection.

Amid Covid spurt, China to reopen for foreign travellers from Jan 8

Amid Covid spurt, China to reopen for foreign travellers from Jan 8

Rediff.com28 Dec 2022

Days after it faced nationwide anti-government protests against its stringent zero-Covid policy, China in a major shift of its coronavirus response policies has announced that it will scrap quarantine for international travellers from January 8 as it reopens its borders and comes out of international isolation after nearly three years.

Kejriwal doesn't represent India: Centre tells Singapore over his tweet

Kejriwal doesn't represent India: Centre tells Singapore over his tweet

Rediff.com19 May 2021

The Singapore government on Wednesday conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner its strong objection to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's comments about a 'Singapore variant' of COVID-19, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

COVID-19: A year on, India's situation has become grimmer

COVID-19: A year on, India's situation has become grimmer

Rediff.com10 Apr 2021

On April 10 last year, the number of confirmed infections stood at 6,761, while the death toll was 206.

Omicron: Airports ready to implement new health norms

Omicron: Airports ready to implement new health norms

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

Under the new norms, passengers coming from 12 'at risk' countries/regions undergo an RT-PCR test and wait for result at the airport before leaving or taking a connecting flight

New Covid lineage identified, 2nd in India after 'double mutant' virus

New Covid lineage identified, 2nd in India after 'double mutant' virus

Rediff.com22 Apr 2021

The new lineage called B.1.618 is distinct from the B.1.617, also known as the 'double mutant' virus that contains two mutations, E484Q and L245R, and is believed to be behind the powerful second COVID-19 wave sweeping through India.

RBI may hike reverse repo rate by 0.25%

RBI may hike reverse repo rate by 0.25%

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) may go for a hike of up to 0.25 per cent in the reverse repo rate at which the RBI absorbs excess liquidity and leave the repo rate at which it lends, to narrow the policy rate corridor, a British brokerage said on Thursday. "Growth concerns amid spread of the Omicron variant and relatively benign inflation out-turns provide the RBI with enough room to maintain its growth-supportive monetary policies," analysts at Barclays said, ahead of the resolution announcement next week. The RBI will hike the reverse repo rate by 0.20-0.25 per cent, given its liquidity management actions, it said.

Covid ban on international passenger flights extended till Feb 28

Covid ban on international passenger flights extended till Feb 28

Rediff.com19 Jan 2022

The suspension of scheduled international passenger flights in the country has been extended till February 28, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.

Plateau reported in Covid cases but needs to be watched, says govt

Plateau reported in Covid cases but needs to be watched, says govt

Rediff.com27 Jan 2022

Early indications of Covid infections plateauing have been reported in some places but the trend needs to be observed, the Union government said on Thursday whilst noting that 400 districts have logged weekly Covid positivity of over 10 per cent.

Omicron in community transmission stage in India: INSACOG

Omicron in community transmission stage in India: INSACOG

Rediff.com23 Jan 2022

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 is in the community transmission stage in India and it has also become dominant in multiple metros, where new cases have been rising exponentially, said Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium.

International flights suspended till Jan 31, 2022: DGCA

International flights suspended till Jan 31, 2022: DGCA

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

India will keep its scheduled international passenger flights suspended till January 31 next year, aviation regulator DGCA said on Thursday.

Govt takes 'expert advice' on booster dose, jabs for children

Govt takes 'expert advice' on booster dose, jabs for children

Rediff.com3 Dec 2021

A decision on booster dose and Covid jabs for children will be taken on the basis of scientific guidance from experts, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Friday even as India stepped up surveillance for Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

South Africa promises 'secure bio-bubble' for Team India

South Africa promises 'secure bio-bubble' for Team India

Rediff.com30 Nov 2021

South Africa's foreign ministry has said that a 'full bio-secure environment' will be created for the Indian cricket team when it lands in Johannesburg for a highly-anticipated series next month

Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in select vehicles

Minimum 6 airbags to be made mandatory in select vehicles

Rediff.com14 Jan 2022

The Centre will make it mandatory for carmakers to provide a minimum of six airbags in motor vehicles that can carry up to 8 passengers for enhanced safety of occupants, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Friday. In a series of tweets, the Road Transport and Highways Minister said his ministry had already mandated the implementation of fitment of the driver airbag with effect from July 1, 2019 and front co-passenger airbag with effect from January 1, 2022. "In order to enhance the safety of the occupants in motor vehicles carrying upto 8 passengers, I have now approved a Draft GSR Notification to make a minimum of 6 Airbags compulsory," Gadkari said.

NTAGI mulls 'additional' Covid jab for immunocompromised

NTAGI mulls 'additional' Covid jab for immunocompromised

Rediff.com5 Dec 2021

According to officials, an additional dose of vaccine is different from a booster dose.

17 more Omicron cases detected in India, tally reaches 21

17 more Omicron cases detected in India, tally reaches 21

Rediff.com5 Dec 2021

Most of those who tested positive either recently arrived from African countries or were in contact with such people.

Beijing begins 3-time Covid testing of 3.5 mm people as 51 die in Shanghai

Beijing begins 3-time Covid testing of 3.5 mm people as 51 die in Shanghai

Rediff.com25 Apr 2022

Beijing's health officials on Monday announced 29 fresh cases taking the total cases to 70 in the city.

14-day quarantine, RT-PCR tests: SOPs for passengers from UK

14-day quarantine, RT-PCR tests: SOPs for passengers from UK

Rediff.com2 Jan 2021

Only 30 flights per week will operate between India and the UK when services resume from January 8 and this arrangement will continue till January 23, Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said on Friday.