Scientists warn China can expect repeat Covid infections with new Omicron strains on the way
Beijing: Scientists have warned that China is going to fight against multiple waves of coronavirus infections as the Omicron variant mutates to become better at spreading and evading immunity.
North Korea introduces total ban on visitors from China amid surge in COVID-19 cases
Pyongyang: North Korea has now introduced a total ban on visitors from its close ally and neighbor as China is witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases.
Washington/Beijing: Chinese leader Xi Jinping is unwilling to accept Western vaccines despite the challenges China is facing with Covid-19, a US official said Saturday, according to media reports.
Shanghai residents resort to bartering as lockdown chokes daily need supplies
Shanghai(China): The residents of China's business hub Shanghai are resorting to bartering as a prolonged lockdown has choked their access to daily necessities and essential commodities, media reports said.
New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern calls off her wedding after new Covid rules amid Omicron rise
Wellington/IBNS: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern called off her own wedding on Sunday as she tightened Covid-19 restrictions in the country amid the outbreak of the Omicron variant.
Canada's Ontario announces new public health measures, restrictions amid rise of Omicron variant
Toronto/IBNS: A number of new public health measures were announced on Jan 3 during a news conference by the Ontario Premier Doug Ford joined by his ministers of health and finance, as well as Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario's chief medical officer of health, and Matthew Anderson, CEO of Ontario Health
Pakistan: 18 fresh Omicron cases detected in Islamabad
Islamabad: Pakistan's Islamabad city is witnessing a rise in Omicron cases as 18 new instances were detected in recent times, media reports said on Monday.
Some 3,000 flights canceled, 11,500 delayed worldwide on Tuesday
Washington/UNI/Sputnik: Almost 3,000 flights have been canceled and more than 11,500 flights have been delayed worldwide on Tuesday amid the surge of the coronavirus Omicron variant, according to flight tracking website FlightAware.
Omicron spread: Netherlands initiates tight lockdown measures
Amsterdam: The Netherlands government has started tight lockdown measures during Christmas to combat Omicron spread.
Omicron: School closures must be ‘avoided whenever possible’
New York: COVID-19 cases are spiking all over the world, but the Executive Director of the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) said on Friday that despite the rise of the highly transmissible Omicron variant “nationwide school closures should be avoided whenever possible.”
Pakistan: Karachi reports second Omicron case, patient escapes quarantine centre
Karachi: Pakistan city of Karachi has recorded its second case of an Omicron infected patient, media reports said on Friday.
Joe Biden says Omicron variant spreading in US, 'going to increase'
Washington/UNI/Sputnik: US President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that the coronavirus Omicron variant has begun spreading in the United States.
Another 633 Omicron cases identified in UK in biggest daily jump
London/UNI/Xinhua: Another 633 Omicron cases have been confirmed in Britain, the biggest daily increase since the COVID-19 variant was detected in the country, taking the total cases found in the country to 1,898, British health authorities said Saturday.
Nepal reports two Omicron variant cases
Kathmandu: Nepal has reported two Omicron variant infected cases, media reports said on Monday.
Scientists warn border bans too late to stop Omicron variant spread, hold back studies: Report
London/UNI/Sputnik: Scientists have warned that new travel restrictions are ineffective against the Omicron coronavirus strain and risk slowing down studies of the variant, according to a report by the journal Nature.