SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant
Type of the virus first detected in November 2021
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Omicron (B.1.1.529) is a variant of SARS-CoV-2 first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) by the Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa on 24 November 2021. It was first detected in Botswana and has spread to become the predominant variant in circulation around the world. Following the original B.1.1.529 variant, several subvariants of Omicron have emerged including: BA.1, BA.2, BA.3, BA.4, and BA.5. Since October 2022, two subvariants of BA.5 called BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 have emerged.
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Covid-19 news: Cases of XBB.1.5 variant driving US surge rise to 26 in India, says INSACOGCovid: The cases of XBB.1.5 variant have been found across 11 states and Union territories till now.DNA - Published | |
All Omicron variants in air, but no rise in mortality: Govt surveyA community-based surveillance conducted by the government has found that all Omicron variants - from BA.2 and XBB to BQ.1 and their respective sub-lineages â are circulating in the country. However,..IndiaTimes - Published | |
âIndia detected 300 Omicron sub-lineages, none settledâBetween December 24 and January 3, the health ministry sources said, 124 people arriving to India from abroad were found positive for Covid-19. The sources said 11 variants of SARS-CoV-2 were..IndiaTimes - Published | |
11 Omicron sub-variants traced to international flyers in 11 days: GovtIndia started random screening of 2% of international passengers arriving in the country from December 24 onwards. in view of a surge in Covid-19 cases in several countries, especially China, Japan and..IndiaTimes - Published | |
WHO 'really concerned' about COVID picture with 'intense transmission in several parts of the world'![]() Sky News - Published | |
WHO 'really concerned' about COVID situationThe World Health Organisation says it is concerned about "risk to life" in China amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, while in Europe and the US the Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is spreading rapidly.Sky News - Published | |
Omicron's XBB most prevalent sub-lineage circulating all over India: INSACOG bulletinCovid-19 variant Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the dominant variant in India with 'XBB' being the most prevalent sub-lineage circulating all over the country, the INSACOG said in its..IndiaTimes - Published | |
India's 1st case of Omicron's XBB.1.5 variant in Gujarat: InsacogIndiaTimes - Published | |
Amid China Covid spike, BF.7 variant may not have drastic impact on India: Expert reveals whyChina's explosive Covid wave is being led by the BF.7 strain of Omicron, while the strain might not have similar impacts on the residents of India.DNA - Published | |
Amid China Covid surge, is BF.7 variant of Omicron a threat to India? Experts say 'no need to panic'The explosive Covid surge in China has triggered a wave of panic amid the spread of the deadly BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant.DNA - Published | |
Covid 4th wave to arrive in India like China? Is Omicron sub-variant BF7 dangerous? What we know so farThe BF.7 sub-variant is more transmissible than the Delta variant of the virus that wreaked havoc in India in mid-2021.DNA - Published | |
Fact check: Viral WhatsApp message claims Covid XBB variant is deadlier than Delta, here's the truthThe message claims newly discovered XBB subvariant of Omicron is five times more virulent and has a higher mortality rate than the Delta variant.DNA - Published | |
Omicronâs XBB strains not causing severe illness, says INSACOGIndiaTimes - Published | Karnataka issues advisory after detection of newer Covid sub-variants in MaharashtraThe warning is being released to the general public in light of more recent sub-variants of Omicron that have been detected in Maharashtra.DNA - Published |
âXBB cases double in 1 week, set to be dominant Covid strainCovid infections caused by Omicronâs newly identified XBB strain have nearly doubled in the past week in India, experts said on SundayIndiaTimes - Published | New Omicron subvariant may lead to another Covid wave: WHO chief scientistThe threat of Covid pandemic may be waning every day but the WHO on Thursday said that another wave may be on the horizon.Dr Soumya Swaminathan, chief scientist at the World Health Organization (WHO),..IndiaTimes - Published |
COVID-19: WHO chief, ex-AIIMS director warn older people of "high" Omicron riskAccording to the health expert, elderly people should practice caution owing to the possibility of the infection spreading.DNA - Published | Lung infection back among Covid positive elderlyA cursory analysis of nearly 200 Covid-19 patients hospitalised across the state's medical colleges underlines this observation among physicians. Doctors have primarily seen Omicron cause upper..IndiaTimes - Published |
COVID jab targeting both original strain and Omicron to be rolled out from 5 September![]() Sky News - Published | Vaccine for Omicron likely in 6 months: SIIâs PoonawalaThe vaccine will be specific to the BA5 sub-variant of the Omicron strain, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla told a TV channel, adding that he thought âthis vaccine is important as a boosterâ.IndiaTimes - Published |
Serum Institute working on Omicron-specific vaccine, can be expected in next six months: Adar PoonawallaMHRA authorised the vaccine in the UK for adult booster doses "after it met safety, quality, and efficacy requirements," the agency stated.DNA - Published | Centaurus: Omicron's BA.2.75 subvariant detected in Delhi, know how dangerous it is from the previous variantsAs cases saw a sharp rise, the Delhi government on Thursday enforced a face mask mandate again.DNA - Published |
After 6 months, city Covid cases cross 2k mark; 5 die in a dayThe number of new Covid-19 cases in the city crossed the 2,000-mark on Wednesday, with five patients succumbing to the deadly virus. The last time the city recorded over 2,000 cases was on February 4..IndiaTimes - Published | COVID-19: New wave of Omicron mutations spreading across Europe![]() Sky News - Published |
Omicron's BA.2.75 sub-variant has limited circulation in IndiaBA.2.75 has so far not been recorded to have enhanced severity or the spread of COVID-19.DNA - Published | Covid-19: Samples collected from central, south, southeast Delhi show presence of BA.5 sub-variant of OmicronIndiaTimes - Published |
Covid-19 update: 23 new cases of Omicron sub-variants BA.4, BA.5 in Maharashtra, total at 49Among the 49 samples, 28 are located in Mumbai, 15 in Pune, 4 in Nagpur, and two in Thane.DNA - Published | Risk of long COVID lower from Omicron compared to Delta variant, study suggests![]() Sky News - Published |
Covaxin booster beats back Delta, Omicron variants: NIVThe researchers compared the efficacy of Covaxin after the second and third doses against the Delta variant, and also studied its efficacy against the Omicron variants in a Syrian hamster model.IndiaTimes - Published | Covaxin booster dose enhances vaccine effectiveness against Delta, Omicron variants, says ICMR studyThe protective efficacy of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin following two and three-dose immuniszations against the Delta variant and the efficacy of the Covaxin against Omicron variants were studied in a..IndiaTimes - Published |
Catching Omicron 'does little to protect against reinfection from variant'![]() Sky News - Published | Parts of Beijing in lockdown as city struggles to contain Omicron outbreak![]() Sky News - Published |
Covid: Mumbai detects three cases of BA.4 and 1 of BA.5 Omicron sub-variantsBA.4 and BA.5 are sub-variants of the highly transmissible Omicron strain of the coronavirus which had triggered the 3rd wave of Covid in India.DNA - Published | New variants of Omicron seen in 7 Maharashtra patientsAmidst rising Covid-19 cases in the state, health officials on Saturday said seven patients were found infected with newer Omicron sublineages of BA.4 (four patients) and BA.5 (three patients). These..IndiaTimes - Published |
Maharashtra reports first cases of BA.4 and BA.5 subvariants of OmicronMaharashtra reported four patients of B.A. 4 variant and three cases of B.A. 5 variant of Omicron in Pune.DNA - Published | Centre confirms BA.4 & BA.5 subvariants of Omicron in IndiaIndiaTimes - Published |
Two rare Omicron types reclassified as COVID variants of concern in UKTwo rare types of Omicron have been reclassified as COVID variants of concern in the UK.Sky News - Published | Double-jabbed less likely to get long COVID from Omicron than Delta, data suggests![]() Sky News - Published |
Two Omicron sub-variants can trigger fresh Covid wave, says study; ICMR clears doubt on 4th coronavirus waveFourth wave: In a study, the scientists from several institutions found those vaccinated with Pfizer's shot were found to be better protected.DNA - Published | Covid 4th wave: Genome sequencing confirms first case of new variant BA12 in Bihar13 samples went for genome sequencing of which Omicron sub-variant BA 2 was found in 12 samples, while BA 12 has been confirmed in one sample report.DNA - Published |
Covid 4th wave in Delhi: High time to be on your guardThe genome sequencing laboratory in Delhi-based Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences has detected Omicron's sub variant in some samples.DNA - Published | Breakthrough Delta infection, reinfection with Omicron in person vaccinated with CovishieldThe patient received the first dose of Covishield vaccine on January 31, 2021, and the second dose on March 3, 2021.DNA - Published |
Covid 4th wave: New Omicron sub-variant may be behind Delhi's case surgeAccording to a source from INSACOG, Omicron sub-lineage BA.2.12 was detected in several samples sequenced from the national capital.DNA - Published | Omicron's BA.2.12.1 mutant found in a Delhi patient, all you need to know about the sub-variantScientists associated with INSACOG said that this new sub-variant appears to be more infectious than BA.2 which was very active in India in January.DNA - Published |
India's âwarm' vaccine candidate effective against Delta, Omicron variants in mice: StudyIndiaTimes - Published | Voluntary use of masks must be promoted in view of new XE variant: ExpertsVoluntary use of masks must be promoted in the country in view of Covid-19's new XE variant, healthcare experts said, calling it the single-most effective intervention against all variants of the..IndiaTimes - Published |
Omicron COVID symptoms less severe than Delta variant, study concludes![]() Sky News - Published | XE a slightly tuned-up version of Omicron, says Covid task force co-chiefJayadevan said the XE variant is the combination of BA.1 and BA.2 where X stands for Recombinant Type and E is the sequence of its discovery.DNA - Published |
High immune response to Covid variants in breakthrough cases after 2 Covaxin jabs: ICMR studyIn a recent ICMR study, breakthrough cases after full vaccination with Covaxin have shown a significant increase in the immune response against coronavirus' variants of concern -- Beta, Delta and..IndiaTimes - Published | Covid: India's first case of Omicron's new variant 'XE' detected in MumbaiA 50-year-old South African costume designer, who arrived in Mumbai, in February has become the first known case of the Omicron-XE variant of Covid-19 in the country. The XE variant has raised concerns..IndiaTimes - Published |