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Amid growing concerns over the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, a parliamentary committee has recommended that the efficacy of Covid vaccines must be evaluated and the government conduct more research to examine the need for booster doses to contain the new strain The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health, which presented its report on Friday, also said that concerns with regard to the new strain developing immunoescape mechanism should be critically addressed In view of loss of life during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, the committee noted that the measures…

The “ultra-risk” nations are South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Lasotho, Zimbabwe and Eswatini. Passengers from three “ultra-risk” nations will undergo mandatory institutional quarantine under the revised airport rules in Maharashtra in view of Covid’s Omicron variant. Passengers from “at risk” nations have to follow central rules. Here are the Top 10 points in this big story: The “ultra-risk” nations are South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. Passengers from these nations “shall be deboarded on priority…. (and) sent to mandatory 7 days’ institutional quarantine,” the new rules say.. The rule will also apply…

The patients have been isolated and their samples have been sent for genome testing, Karnataka said amid concern over the highly infectious Omicron strain that has set off global alarm. Five contacts of an Omicron patient – a doctor from Bengaluru — have turned out to be Covid positive, Karnataka announced today, shortly after the Union health ministry said the first patients of the new Covid variant have been found in the state. The patients have been isolated and their samples have been sent for genome testing, Karnataka said amid…

Researchers are still checking if the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is more lethal than others, including the Delta, and if current vaccines protect against the strain. Two COVID-19 cases of the Omicron variant have been detected in Karnataka – in men aged 46 and 66 – the Health Ministry said Thursday, calling for calm amid growing concern over a strain that has triggered global alarm. Here are the top 10 points in this big story: The 66-year-old man, who has received both vaccine doses, travelled from South Africa on…

Omicron Strain: Passengers from risk countries also have to take Covid RT-PCR tests on the second, fourth and seventh day of arrival. Those flying to Mumbai must have a negative RT-PCR test taken within 72 hours of the flight, say new rules spurred by the Omicron variant. Maharashtra’s 7-day institutional quarantine for fliers from at-risk countries has been deferred by two days Here are the top five updates on this big story: The Mumbai airport has been asked to tell all domestic airlines not to board passengers for Mumbai without…

The BJP is in touch with many Jat Sikh leaders like Manjinder Sirsa in Punjab, according to its leaders. The BJP made a key acquisition today ahead of the Punjab election, but at a cost to its former ally Akali Dal. Manjinder Sirsa, an Akali Dal leader close to the Badals, joined the ruling party. The BJP is in touch with many Jat Sikh leaders like Manjinder Sirsa in Punjab, according to its leaders. The party’s strategy for the approaching Punjab polls is to tap disgruntled leaders from the Congress…

Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya tweeted, “A grand temple in Ayodhya and Kashi is under construction; preparations are on for Mathura”.Days before the anniversary of the Bari Masjid demolition on Monday and with crucial state elections starting in just over two months, Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya has tweeted what appears to be a call for a temple in Mathura, the western UP town believed to be the birthplace of Lord Krishna and where a prominent mosque – the Shahi Idgah – is located…

UP Assembly Election: Akhilesh Yadav accused the Uttar Pradesh government of lying even in advertisements and said the BJP must be thrown out in the upcoming state polls. In a sharp attack on Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav today asked a cheering crowd at an election rally if they wanted a “Yogi Sarkar or Yogya Sarkar (able government)”. The former Chief Minister’s jibe came as he launched the fifth part of the Samajwadi Vijay Yatra today ahead of the politically prized 2022 Uttar Pradesh elections where he appears…