Latest news with #Omicron
United News of India
3 hours ago
- Health
- United News of India
India's Covid active cases dip to 5,608; four deaths in past 24 hours
New Delhi, June 20 (UNI) According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has witnessed a decline in active Covid-19 cases, with a reduction of 368 cases, bringing the total active cases to 5,608 on Friday. In the past 24 hours, the country reported four new fatalities — one each from Delhi, Punjab, Kerala and Maharashtra — raising the total Covid-19 related deaths this year to 120. As in previous cases, the majority of the deceased who died in the past 24 hours had underlying health conditions, with Covid-19 infection limiting their survival. Several states continue to see a decrease in daily infections. Kerala reported decline by 125 cases but continue to have the highest load at 1,184, followed by Gujarat with 912(down by 134 cases), Delhi with 630(2), Karnataka with 398 (68), and Maharashtra with 389(dip by 54 cases). Conversely, there has been a slight uptick in cases from Manipur (16), Rajasthan (26), Uttarakhand (5), and Punjab (7). In the last 24 hours, 1,092 individuals recovered from Covid-19, bringing the total recoveries this year to 18,256. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages — NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — as the causes of the current surge. Both are mutations of the JN.1 variant. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified that these new strains are not associated with increased disease severity compared to previous Omicron waves. Genome sequencing data indicates that earlier cases were predominantly due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, while recent cases are largely attributed to recombinant variants such as LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. Experts continue to urge the public to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviors, including avoiding crowded places and maintaining health precautions, particularly for individuals above 60 or those feeling unwell.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
New COVID variant ‘Nimbus' spreading in California, causes ‘razor blade throat'
COVID-19 rages on as a new threat to the state of California. According to recent reports, a deadly subvariant, NB1.8.1 or 'Nimbus,' is on the rise and carries symptoms of razor blade throats, which implies that those affected experience throat pain equivalent to having shards of glass stuck. The spread of this subvariant in other countries as well has raised concerns among the medical community and the general public. ALSO READ| What we know about Covid variant 'Nimbus' known for 'razor blade throat' amid surge in cases According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this new subvariant is a part of the Omicron family and is now almost parallel in effect to that of the last most dominant subvariant: the LP 8.1. The nimbus is now responsible for 37% of all coronavirus samples detected. California has been under threat by this subvariant ever since May and now comprises 55% of cases detected in the state as per the state Department of Public Health. 'Before Omicron, I think most people presented with the usual loss of taste and smell as the predominant symptom and shortness of breath,' said Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a UC San Francisco infectious-disease expert to the LA Times. But due to the 'razor blade throat' effect of the Nimbus subvariant, attention has now been diverted to 'other aspects of these symptoms'. Elevated levels of coronavirus have been detected in the state's wastewater as per noted professionals and may be contributing to the spike in cases. Dr. Elizabeth Hudson, regional chief of infectious diseases for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, wrote in an email to The Times, 'Wastewater surveillance across Southern California shows variability: Santa Barbara watersheds are reporting moderate-to-high levels, Ventura and Los Angeles counties are seeing low-to-moderate levels, Riverside is reporting low levels, while San Bernardino is experiencing high activity.' The state Department of Public Health says that viral levels in wastewater have risen by 13% for the ten-day period concluded on May 30 which proves why more positive cases of the virus have started to appear in the city. As per its official website, coronavirus levels across California continue to remain at a 'medium' scale. Coronavirus levels in Santa Clara County have started to rise over the summer while the levels in the sewershed of San José are considered to be high. Palo Alto records 'medium' levels and Sunnyvale reports 'low'. San Francisco, on the other hand, still has a relatively lower number of cases being reported. ALSO READ| What is razor blade throat? New Covid variant 'Nimbus' causing very painful symptom, know about prevention This uptick in cases is happening at a time when the US Department of Health and Human Services, led by vaccine critic Robert F Kennedy Jr, is making the intake of COVID-19 vaccines substantially difficult. An open letter by 30 notable medical organizations has tried to criticize this call of the government and urges people to rely on scientific facts and get themselves vaccinated during a time of dire need.
Mint
7 hours ago
- Health
- Mint
India's Covid-19 cases decline even as new Omicron sub-variants emerge
New Delhi: India's active Covid-19 caseload fell to 5,976 on Friday, down from 6,483 cases a day earlier, even as new Omicron sub-variants continue to drive infections. The country reported three deaths in the past 24 hours—two from Delhi and one from Kerala—taking the total fatalities this year to 116, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. Health authorities have identified two new Omicron sub-lineages, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7—both mutations of the JN.1 variant—as the cause of the current surge. However, scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have indicated that these new strains are not causing increased disease severity compared to earlier Omicron waves. Several states are witnessing a decline in daily infections. Kerala reported 1,309 active cases, followed by Gujarat (1,046), West Bengal (747), Delhi (632), Karnataka (466), and Maharashtra (443). According to ICMR, genome sequencing data shows that while the earlier spike was largely due to the JN.1.16 sub-variant, most recent cases are being attributed to recombinant variants like LF.7 and LP.8.1.2. The Union Health Ministry has urged the public to continue observing Covid-appropriate behaviour, avoid crowded places, and take necessary health precautions, especially when unwell. The ministry emphasized that while Covid-19 has transitioned into an endemic stage, all circulating variants over the past three years have remained within the Omicron lineage. To ensure preparedness, the government has directed states and union territories to review medical readiness across healthcare facilities, including the availability of oxygen supplies, isolation beds, ventilators, and critical medicines. A nationwide mock drill was conducted to assess oxygen supply infrastructure in hospitals. Surveillance units at the state and district level are closely monitoring Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases. All SARI admissions and 5% of ILI cases continue to be tested for Covid-19, with positive SARI samples sent for whole genome sequencing to track emerging variants. Meanwhile, 1,219 people recovered from Covid-19 in the last 24 hours, bringing the total number of recoveries this year to 17,164, ministry data showed.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
What we know about Covid variant ‘Nimbus' known for ‘razor blade throat' amid surge in cases
A new Covid variant is on the rise. According to reports, the most recent variant of the coronavirus has been identified as the "Nimbus" variant, known for causing a 'razor blade throat'. The new variant 'Nimbus', officially known as the NB.1.8.1, as per an Associated Press report, has been detected in several US states such as Washington, New York, California and Virginia. Furthermore, the variant has also been detected in Australia and the UK. As per the World Health Organisation, Nimbus is a subvariant of the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, which causes Covid-19. Under the WHO list of Covid variants to watch for, Nimbus has been classified as a 'variant under monitoring'. 'The WHO assesses the additional risk to the global public as currently low, and existing Covid-19 vaccines are considered effective in preventing severe disease,' Dr Naveed Asif, a general practitioner at The London General Practice, told The Independent. Also Read: India's active Covid cases near 6,500; 'newly emerging XFG variant' found, says INSACOG | What is it? As per the data from the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the new Omicron variant is currently responsible for one-third of coronavirus cases in the United States (37 per cent). Furthermore, according to the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data, the new variant has been detected in at least 13 US states. The variant was also detected in the UK. As per the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA, Britain saw a 10 percent jump in hospitalisation with around 947 patients admitted in the week ending May 31. of this, at least 13 cases have been attributed to Nimbus. The Nimbus variant also carries symptoms similar to the Omicron variant, such as congestion, fatigue, mild cough, fever, loss of taste and smell, runny nose, loss of appetite and muscle aches. However, the variant has garnered global attention due to an unusually painful symptom called "razor blade throat." As the phrase says, patients have likened this symptom to having a razor blade stuck down your throat. Despite this symptom, WHO has stated that the Nimbus variant does not appear to cause more severe illness than previous strains and is still at the low risk category.
Daily Mail
20 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Report: Nimbus Covid variant doubles in a month
Published: Updated: Nimbus, known scientifically as N.B.1.8.1, is thought to be the most contagious variant of the virus yet with experts warning it could drive a wave of new cases this summer. Other data collected by the agency shows the total number of tests coming back positive for any type of Covid has increased to 6.8 per cent as of June 15, the latest available data. This is up from 5.6 per cent last month and represents the highest figure recorded so far this year. They warned that many people's immunity to the virus, built up from previous infections and older jabs, has likely faded meaning they could be at higher risk of falling ill. Lab studies suggest Nimbus can infect human cells more efficiently than previous strains, and that it may have increased ability to dodge the immune system, making it more likely to infect people. However, there is currently no evidence that the strain, a descendant of the already super virulent Omicron , is any more likely to cause severe illness or death in those it infects, compared to previous strains. But any Covid infection with the virus can still be deadly, especially for more vulnerable groups like the elderly or those with compromised immune systems. Medics have warned that anyone with a 'razor blade' throat could have Nimbus. Dr Michael Gregory, regional medical Director for NHS England in the North West recently said: 'The variant looks to be spreading rapidly within communities, with top symptoms being a "razor blade" sore throat and swollen neck glands.' Broad Nimbus symptoms are not thought to differ from other Covid variants and include fatigue, fever, muscle ache and a sore throat. Experts have also said that current Covid vaccines, which have been reformulated to combat Omicron descendants, are expected to remain effective against Nimbus. While data suggests Nimbus is on the rise in the UK it currently still accounts for a minority of total Covid cases. Instead, strains LP.8.1.1 and XFG—which, like Nimbus, are descended Omicron—were the most common Covid variants accounting for a fifth and a quarter of all tests analysed, respectively. Earlier this month the World Health Organisation said Nimbus now accounts for 10.7 per cent of Covid infections worldwide, compared to just 2.5 per cent in May. Other UKHSA data, shows that only 59 per cent of Britons in England aged over 75 had taken up the offer of a Covid vaccine. Uptake fell to just one in four among under 75s with compromised immune systems, who are also eligible for the jab on the NHS. NHS England's spring Covid vaccine drive is drawing to a close with the system closing for bookings earlier this week. Vaccine companies are reported to be in the midst of updating their shots to fit the 'Nimbus' strain.
