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

During President Xi Jinping&rsquo;s trip to Europe this week, he must have discovered some parts of Europe have become an entirely different place since his visit five years ago.&nbsp;
Gone are the heydays of economic globalization, when China was viewed as an indispensable investment destination. Instead, the mood among European leaders is to &lsquo;de-risk&rsquo; &ndash; moving investments and supply chains away from the world&rsquo;s second largest economy.
Judging from his statements in Paris, Beijing&rsquo;s assessment of Europe has also shifted. This is certainly a renewed charm offensive, hoping to tempt Europeans to continue to invest in China.&nbsp;
But equally Xi gave the EU tough warnings on Europe&rsquo;s trade protectionism and its current diplomatic stance. In his own words, he expects &lsquo;<a class="external-link" title="Opens in new window" href="https://www.mfa.gov.cn/zyxw/202405/t20240506_11293511.shtml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">EU institutions to have a correct view on&nbsp;China</a>&rsquo; which is an unprecedented line for China to take on the EU.
Despite a sense of bonhomie from all three countries he is visiting, it will be far from straightforward to effect a reconciliation on either the economic or diplomatic fronts. This is largely due to the development of China and Europe&rsquo;s domestic politics and economies &ndash; and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The main purpose for Xi&rsquo;s European tour is therefore damage limitation, preventing ties with Europe worsening even more, as they have with Washington. He is also seeking to exploit divisions within Europe on Ukraine and US relations, working towards China&rsquo;s vision of a more multipolar world.
<h2>Economics</h2>
On economic matters, China has decisively pursued industrial policies that will enable Beijing to move up the export value chain and establish itself as a high-end manufacturing powerhouse: instead of producing cheap toys, Beijing wants to lead exports of electric vehicles, lithium batteries and solar panels.&nbsp;
This is also the moment where the Chinese economy is at a painful, if necessary, transition, changing its growth model from an over-reliance on the property sector into counting on high value-added manufacturing exports. Europe will be a critical market for those goods.&nbsp;
But Chinese companies are also in brutal competition with European peers, both in Europe and developing countries, partly boosted by state subsidies.&nbsp;

During his trip to Europe Xi could find it hard to address the damage wrought by COVID-19 and Beijing’s stance on Ukraine. But he may exploit existing tensions with Washington

Xi Jinping hopes to improve EU–China relations – and drive a wedge between Europe and the US

<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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COVID-19: Why the Omicron variant has scientists worried

Xi Jinping hopes to improve EU–China relations – and drive a wedge between Europe and the US

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

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Home

COVID-19: Why the Omicron variant has scientists worried

Xi Jinping hopes to improve EU–China relations – and drive a wedge between Europe and the US

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