Omicron may change pandemic course: WHO

The newly developed Covid-19 variant “Omicron” is spreading more rapidly than previous variants. As per the World Health Organisation, the Omicron variant has now present in 57 countries and it may change the course of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The WHO called on countries to vaccinate as fast as possible and keep measures in place to protect people from disease. The Omicron variant is 4.2 times more transmissible in its early stage than delta, according to a study by a Japanese scientist.

The health organization also said while there’s early evidence that omicron is weaker than the delta strain, it’s too early to be conclusive. Meanwhile, the vaccine developing countries said initial laboratory studies show a third dose may be needed to neutralize the omicron variant.

India has reported 9,419 new Covid-19 cases and 159 deaths in 24 hours. The active caseload has risen to 94,742. The current recovery rate in the country, 98.36%, is the highest since March 2020. The country also recorded 8,251 recoveries in the last 24 hours.