Scientists have detected cases of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, in a number of countries. Omicron (B.1.1.529) has an unprecedentedly large number of mutations in the part of its genome that encodes a key section of its spike protein, which the virus uses to infect host cells. This suggests that Omicron may be able to evade some of the immune protection afforded by vaccines, many of which are based on the original spike protein, and past infections.
On November 16, 2021, there were 136 daily recorded cases of COVID-19 in South Africa. By November 25, 2021, that number had risen to over 1,200.
More than 80% of these cases were in the densely populated province of Gauteng, which includes Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Researchers estimated that the R-value, which is the average number of new cases caused by each infection, was 1.47 for South Africa as a whole.
If R is more than 1, an outbreak will grow exponentially. In Gauteng province, R was 1.93.
Scientists at the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation (CERI) in Stellenbosch, South Africa, believe that a new variant of the virus known as Omicron (B.1.1.529) is responsible for these worrying figures.
There have been three previous peaks of infection in South Africa during the course of the pandemic, with the third due to the Delta variant. The latest surge coincides with the first detection of Omicron by scientists.
Scientists have sequenced around 100 confirmed cases of Omicron infection in South Africa. Most of the cases have been in Gauteng.
The new variant is also present in Botswana, Hong Kong, Europe, Canada, Israel, Japan, the United States, and elsewhere.

covid-19:-why-the-omicron-variant-has-scientists-worried

COVID-19: Why the Omicron variant has scientists worried

<h3>Meril has got ICMR approval for its self-use rapid antigen test for Covid-19, CoviFind. The test delivers results in 15 minutes, Meril said in a statement.</h3>
Medtech firm Meril has said it has received approval from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for its self-use rapid antigen test kit for Covid-19.
Meril&rsquo;s indigenous home-use rapid antigen test kits &ldquo;CoviFind&rdquo; will expand access to Covid-19 testing, while also helping the nation meet the demand for increased and frequent screening to curb the spread of the pandemic, Meril said in a statement.
The test delivers results swiftly, providing accurate results in 15 minutes, it added.
&ldquo;By making reliable rapid antigen testing available to all through a convenient format, Meril''s CoviFind test will facilitate early detection, isolation, treatment and contact tracing," Meril Senior Vice-President (Corporate Strategy) Sanjeev Bhatt said.
Meril said it has supplied a large number of tests across its Covid-19 diagnostics offerings across India, which include a multiplex RT-PCR test, Kavach antibody tests in partnership with ICMR.
<h3>What will the test include?</h3>
The test kit is equipped with testing materials including a test device, one sterile nasal swab and a pre-filled buffer tube with a cap and is priced at Rs 250 as an affordable single-pack, the company said.

meril-gets-nod-from-icmr-for-its-indigenous-covid-19-self-test-kit

Meril gets nod from ICMR for its indigenous Covid-19 self-test kit

"The news reports suggest that the last order placed with the two vaccine makers (100 million doses with SII and 20 million doses with Bharat Biotech) was in March 2021. These media reports are completely incorrect, and are not based on facts," the ministry said in a statement.
New Delhi: The&nbsp;<a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/union+health+ministry">union health ministry</a>&nbsp;on Monday said that media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for&nbsp;<a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/covid-19+vaccines">COVID-19 vaccines</a>&nbsp;are "incorrect" and are not based on facts. "The news reports suggest that the last order placed with the two vaccine makers (100 million doses with SII and 20 million doses with Bharat Biotech) was in March 2021. These media reports are completely incorrect, and are not based on facts," the ministry said in a statement. The ministry further said that against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3. 
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"It is clarified that 100 per cent advance of Rs 1732.50 crore (after TDS Rs 1699.50 crore) was released to&nbsp;<a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/serum+institute+of+india">Serum Institute of India</a>&nbsp;(SII) on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July, and was received by them on April 28," it said. Additionally, 100 per cent advance of Rs 787.50 crore (after TDS Rs 772.50 crore) was released on April 28 to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) for five crore Covaxin doses during May, June and July, and was received by them on April 28. It further said that as on date against the last order of 2 crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3. "Hence to say that fresh orders have not been placed by the government is not correct." "As of 2nd May 2021,&nbsp;<a href="https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/tag/government+of+india">Government of India</a>&nbsp;has provided more 16.54 crore vaccine doses to States/UTs Free of Cost. More than 78 lakh doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. More than 56 Lakh doses, in addition, will be received by the states and UTs in the next three days," it further said. The ministry said that under the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, the government would continue to procure its share of 50 per cent of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) cleared vaccines and would continue to make them available to the state governments totally free of cost as was being done earlier.

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Media reports alleging Centre hasn't placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines incorrect: Health Ministry

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVQN7Wuljhk

Mask protects against SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes Covid-19. Vaccine protects against severity of Covid-19. And, oxygen gives extra hours and days to patients for medicines to alleviate symptoms. The oxygen that a Covid-19 patient requires is medical oxygen.
Medical oxygen is produced in specialised manufacturing units as industrial oxygen and purified over 93 per cent for the use of patients suffering from oxygen starvation. In the cases of Covid-19, severely ill patients need oxygen support as they fail to utilise environmental oxygen in their respiration.
Oxygen need of Covid-19 patients vary depending on the severity of their illness. On an average, less than 10 per cent Covid-19 patients need oxygen support. Fewer number of Covid-19 patients require usage of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC).
WHY COVID-19 PATIENT NEED OXYGEN SUPPLY?
An average adult person inhales and exhales about seven to eight litres of air while resting in a minute. This is about 11,000 litres of air per day. Inhaled air contains 21 per cent oxygen (environmental composition) and exhaled air contains about 15 per cent oxygen. The difference is absorbed by the lungs. If there is a shortage, it needs to be supplemented.

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COVID-19: Why the Omicron variant has scientists worried

Meril gets nod from ICMR for its indigenous Covid-19 self-test kit

Media reports alleging Centre hasn't placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines incorrect: Health Ministry

How much oxygen a Covid-19 patient needs? Is oxygen concentrator enough?

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COVID-19: Why the Omicron variant has scientists worried

Meril gets nod from ICMR for its indigenous Covid-19 self-test kit

Media reports alleging Centre hasn't placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines incorrect: Health Ministry

How much oxygen a Covid-19 patient needs? Is oxygen concentrator enough?