Omicron is reduced for two reasons. First, antibodies generated by vaccination gradually wane over time. There are now many countries that are more than a year into their COVID vaccine rollout, so many people have received their second COVID jab over six months ago.

Without boosting, their antibody levels will have dropped significantly. Australia was a little slower off the mark – but now finds itself in a similar situation.

The second reason is Omicron can escape vaccine-induced immunity because of its constellation of mutations. Its spike protein (the bit that helps the virus access our cells) is significantly different to Delta’s, and to the original virus from which our vaccines are based.

The critical part of the spike protein is the “receptor binding domain". It latches onto a protein on our cells called ACE-2 so the virus can gain entry.

Read more on livemint.com

All news from livemint.com

The website covid-19.rehab is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Elon Musk tweets meme comparing Trudeau to Hitler amid convoy protests

Elon Musk compared Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau with Adolf Hitler in a tweet that appeared to support truckers protesting vaccine mandates – and which immediately triggered a storm on Twitter.Musk, the chief executive of Tesla Inc TSLA.O, in late January tweeted support for the Canadian truckers, who have shut down roads and bridges, drawing international attention to their opposition to health policies pushed by Trudeau’s government.Canadian truckers rule— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 27, 2022Responding to a tweet describing how Trudeau’s government had ordered banks to help cut funding to the protesters, Musk posted a meme of a photo of Hitler, with “Stop comparing me to Justin Trudeau” written above his head and “I had a budget” below it.Tesla did not respond to an email requesting further comment.The tweet came as Musk and Tesla on Thursday accused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission of an “endless” investigation to punish Musk for criticism of the U.S.

Justin Trudeau Adolf Hitler Usa vaccine Twitter Health

Covid-19 update: India logs 25,920 fresh cases, 492 fatalities in last 24 hours

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

India covid-19 information

Multiple restrictions over B.C. event gatherings have finally been lifted Thursday

It’s a day many industries in the province have been waiting about two years for. Event organizers are now allowed to welcome vaccinated people inside venues. Emad Agahi has more some of the stress that’s finally being lifted.

gatherings vaccine

New research gives a glimmer of hope in the fight against COVID-19

With most Americans immune to the omicron COVID-19 variant combined with the number of people vaccinated, many are hopeful things are getting better with COVID-19. PHILADELPHIA - A new study shows that more than half of Americans are protected against the latest COVID-19 variant, bringing much-needed hope to many. The CDC is now facing increased pressure to revise its own mask guidelines. RELATED: Philadelphia mandates: What you need to know about COVID-19 response levels, metricsThe agency has signaled that it could happen soon, but it said it would take community transmission and hospitalization rates into account before making any changes.Dr. Mike Cirgliano is finally feeling optimistic about where we stand in this pandemic. "I think we are in a very very good place," he said. Research shows that 73% of Americans are immune to the omicron variant because so many people contracted it.

Usa covid-19 vaccine Immunic

Oscars 2022: New Policies Announced for COVID-19 Vaccinations, Select People Won't Need Them

There has been a change in plans for the COVID-19 vaccination policies for the upcoming 2022 Oscars ceremony, which will take place in Hollywood on March 27.

New York city Hollywood county Los Angeles covid-19 vaccine reports

Goa schools to reopen for physical classes from February 21, as Covid cases dip. See details

pic.twitter.com/iWGJPJKd9G

India death testing reports

Kate Garraway says Covid 'terribly affected husband Derek's brain' ahead of new film

Kate Garraway has revealed that her husband Derek Draper's brain has been "terribly affected" by Covid. The Good Morning Britain presenter has filmed a second documentary called Caring for Derek, as she continues to open up about his recovery from coronavirus.

Kate Garraway Hilary Jones Derek Draper Williams Britain hospital 2020 Coronavirus

Which states have lifted mask mandates

Gavin Newsom Joe Biden Doug Ducey Asa Hutchinson state California state Arkansas city Anchorage, state Alaska state Alaska county Los Angeles state Alabama covid-19 mask Health

Dunedin eye surgeon fined for breaching public health order

The Ministry of Health has issued an infringement notice to a Dunedin eye surgeon for seeing patients while unvaccinated.

New Zealand covid-19 patient Health

Bomb threat made against Windsor mayor’s home over COVID measures, police allege

Windsor, Ont., is calling for residents to treat one another as human beings after police charged a woman for allegedly threatening to bomb his home over COVID-19 mandates.Windsor police said they arrested the 31-year-old woman Thursday for a social media post on a thread about COVID-19 and pandemic mandates. They allege she made the comments Monday, a day after a protest was cleared at the Ambassador Bridge.“Regardless of your opinion on vaccinations or Justin Trudeau or myself or Doug Ford, we all just have to step back and take a breath and realize that we’re dealing with human beings and that we all have more in common than differences,” Mayor Drew Dilkens said in a phone interview.

Doug Ford Justin Trudeau Drew Dilkens Canada city Ottawa city Detroit covid-19 pandemic Citi

COVID-19: SHA leader, ER doctor leaving Saskatchewan

COVID-19, worked seemingly nonstop for two years to help plan and implement the province’s response to the pandemic in rural areas, and seen his efforts and those of his colleagues attacked by people who no longer trust science or the intentions of those who tirelessly strive to help others.And he’s had enough. He’s leaving Saskatchewan.Wasko is an emergency room doctor and family physician in Swift Current.

Saskatchewan Health hospital Government Health

Number of Alberta hospital patients with COVID-19 drops slightly as province reports 18 more deaths

COVID-19 declined slightly on Thursday, along with the number of people with the disease in intensive care units.On its website, Alberta Health reported Thursday afternoon that there were 1,491 people in hospital that have COVID-19, down from 1,500 a day earlier.The total number of patients with COVID-19 in ICUs was at 116 on Thursday, down from 121 on Wednesday.Alberta Health also reported Thursday that the total number of COVID-19 deaths in Alberta has now reached 3,822 — 18 more than the total being reported a day earlier.The province reported 813 more COVID-19 cases had been identified via PCR tests over the past 24 hours.Despite the new cases, Alberta’s total number of active COVID-19 cases continued to decline Thursday, down to 16,551 cases from 17,674 on Wednesday.Public health officials have noted that because of limitations on eligibility for PCR testing in Alberta, the true number of both new and active cases is likely far higher than what is being reported.According to the provincial government’s website, the province’s positivity rate is 23.39 per cent.

Alberta Health covid-19 Health reports

Large study reveals clearer links between COVID-19, mental health risks

In a large US study that tracked people for as long as a year, COVID-19 patients had a 60% higher risk of mental disorders such as anxiety, depression, or substance abuse compared with those who weren't sickened by the virus.

Ziyad Al-Aly Usa Washington city Washington county St. Louis covid-19 patient Health

Quebec gym owner plans to keep vaccine passport program in place past end date

COVID-19 vaccine passport, it will still be needed at some businesses and places in the health-care network past March 14.Some tell Global News that march deadline is too soon and plan to continue to require clients and visitors to show proof of vaccination.“I’m still going to ask for it,” said Athletica Lac Brome owner Alan Gauthier. “COVID just doesn’t go away March 14.”Gauthier says he’s making the decision to protect his clientele since some are immunocompromised.

Health Centre covid-19 vaccine patient

Mask requirements continue to fall as Omicron surge recedes

The University of Wisconsin-Madison announced yesterday that students will no longer be required to wear masks on campus beginning Mar 12, when the university begins spring break.

Usa state Texas state Indiana state Wisconsin Madison covid-19 vaccine mask

COVID-19: Ontario booster eligibility expanded to youth aged 12-17

Ontario’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Kieran Moore announced Thursday that as the province will begin loosening public health restrictions, vaccination boosters will be expanded to people aged 12 to 17.

Kieran Moore covid-19 vaccine Health

Vaccine policies ‘no longer necessary,’ Ontario top doc wants to remove them March 1

Ontario’s top doctor wants to end workplace COVID-19 vaccination policies by early next month.Dr. Kieran Moore says he’s reviewing letters of instruction sent last year to various sectors including hospitals and post-secondary institutions, which required that they develop immunization policies.Most sectors were instructed to require people get regularly tested for the virus if they are not vaccinated, but many took their policies further and required all workers get the shots.

Kieran Moore covid-19 vaccine doctor

COVID-19: Guelph facilities moving to next phase of reopening

Here are Ontario’s loosened restrictions, capacity limits as of Feb. 17 The city also plans to end proof of vaccination requirements at its facilities on March 1, but third-party groups using the spaces for their own events can still require the vaccine passports at their discretion.Masks must still be worn and physical distancing is still encouraged, the city said.“With the acceleration of the province’s reopening plans, we’re beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie.“However, we aren’t completely out of the woods yet.

Cam Guthrie covid-19 vaccine Citi

COVID vaccines offer lasting protection against reinfection, studies find

A pair of studies yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) suggest good, durable protection of COVID-19 vaccines against recurrent infection.

Israel city Tel Aviv, Israel covid-19 vaccine infection

COVID-19 Scan for Feb 17, 2022

A new review of 15 studies analyzed by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) shows COVID-19 vaccination is protective against developing symptoms of long COVID, or symptoms lasting longer than 4 weeks after the initial infection.The UKHSA said approximately 2% of people in the United Kingdom w

Mary Ramsay Britain covid-19 symptoms patient

COVID-19: N.S. reports 2 deaths, another outbreak at Cape Breton hospital

COVID-19 on Thursday and an outbreak at another ward at Cape Breton Regional Hospital.In a release, the province said a man in his 50s and a man in his 70s, both in the Eastern Zone, have died.“This is an extremely sad time for their families and friends. I want to extend my deepest condolences to all those who are grieving the loss of their loved one,” said Premier Tim Houston in the release.The province noted that data on deaths come from Panorama, public health’s disease information system, and are only entered into the system after the death is identified to be COVID-related, “which can take days or weeks to investigate and report.” COVID-19: Nova Scotia reporting 3 more deaths “Data on deaths is reflective of virus activity in the past, at the point of infection, and not the situation today, at the point of reporting,” the release said.The province also reported 10 people who have been admitted to hospital since the last update and five discharges.

Nova Scotia Tim Houston Houston hospital covid-19 reports

Adele Roberts tests positive for Covid as she celebrates girlfriend Kate's birthday

Adele Roberts has revealed that she has tested positive for Covid-19.The I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here star, who "almost lost the use of her bottom' due to "tricky" tumour position, revealed her health news as she celebrated her girlfriend Kate Holderness's birthday.Taking to Instagram on Thursday, the 42 year old wrote: "Today is my favourite day. It's the day my love was born.

Kate Garraway Adele Roberts Britain Turkey county Morrison county Roberts Good Morning Britain

Manitoba COVID-19 hospitalization numbers continue to fall

Manitoba COVID-19 hospital numbers hold steady, but six new deaths reported The latest numbers from the province show there are currently 607 Manitobans in hospital with COVID-19, while intensive care cases remain steady at 38 for the third day in a row.On the vaccine front, the latest data shows that just over 86 per cent of the eligible Manitoban population has had at least one dose while 43 per cent have had three.

hospital covid-19 death

13 patients in Guelph hospital with COVID-19, 1 active outbreak in the city

Guelph General Hospital is reporting Thursday that it is treating 13 patients who have tested positive for COVID-19, while 22 staff members are off work due to the virus.The number of patients has decreased by three from what was reported the previous day, while the number of staff off work fell by two. Here are Ontario’s loosened restrictions, capacity limits as of Feb.

city Wellington hospital vaccine patient

COVID-19: MLHU reports no deaths for 2nd day in a row, LHSC has 63 COVID inpatients

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported no new deaths on Thursday. The health unit reported 91 lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases, though that figure is an underestimate due to widespread transmission and restrictions on testing. London Health Sciences Centre, meanwhile, is caring for 63 inpatients with COVID-19, 12 of whom are in adult critical care, continuing a downward trend in hospitalizations.

county Canadian covid-19 vaccine reports

Covid-19 death reports begin to drop as Omicron surge rapidly fades

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

India covid-19 death reports

Novavax COVID-19 vaccine approved for use in Canadian adults

Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine has been approved for use in adults 18 years of age and older in Canada.Health Canada updated the list of approved COVID-19 vaccines on Thursday with Novavax’s product. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson are the other vaccine makers that have COVID-19 jabs approved for use in Canada.Novavax’s two-shot Nuvaxovid vaccine was not approved for use in people under 18 as its safety and effectiveness in younger people have not yet been established.

Justin Trudeau Health Canada Britain Canada Eu New Zealand county Canadian covid-19 vaccine novavax

COVID-19: Quebec reports 22 more deaths as hospitalizations continue to drop

COVID-19 patients.Health officials say there are currently 1,902 people in hospital with COVID-19 after 120 patients were admitted in the past 24 hours and 213 were discharged.(2/2)86 105 tests rapides autodéclarés jusqu’à maintenant, dont 66 913 positifs : 584 déclarés pour la journée d’hier, dont 441 positifs. pic.twitter.com/2egwWW0qvS— Santé Québec (@sante_qc) February 17, 2022The province says 124 people are in intensive care, a decline of five from the day before.The health department is reporting 2,055 new COVID-19 infections that were identified using PCR testing, which is limited to high-risk groups, and says 9.8 per cent of tests analyzed Wednesday were positive.

city Santé covid-19 testing reports

COVID-19: MLHU hosts Q and A, adds more school-based vaccine clinics to bolster youth rates

Middlesex-London Health Unit say they are rolling out several additional child- and youth-focused COVID-19 vaccination clinics in the lead-up to the Family Day holiday in a bid to get more doses of the vaccine into the arms of local children.In addition, the region’s acting medical officer of health, Dr. Alex Summers, is co-hosting a live, one-hour Q&A for parents through the health unit’s Instagram account, set to run from noon to 1 p.m.

Alex Summers London Health Unit county Day covid-19 vaccine Health

Mark Wahlberg Jokes Daughter's Boyfriend Took His Place on Family's Vacation After His COVID Diagnosis

Mark Wahlberg's family got a little savage when it came to their holiday vacation. The 50-year-old actor opens up on Thursday's episode of about contracting COVID-19 over the holidays, and how his wife, Rhea Durham, and four kids reacted. «We always go on holiday at Christmas, and I'm down in the basement a couple days before Christmas. I don't get to open gifts with anybody or anything,» he shares.

Mark Wahlberg city Durham, county Rhea county Rhea Coronavirus Man

Anti-vax ‘Yellowstone’ star Forrie J. Smith won’t attend SAG Awards due to COVID rules

show proof of vaccination plus booster shot (if eligible) and proof of a negative COVID-19 test.“I want to apologize to y’all for not being at the Screen Actors Guild Awards,” Smith explained in a now-deleted video on his Instagram account. “I mean no offense to anyone. I’m not vaccinated, and it’s a requirement to be vaccinated.”The “Hell or High Water” actor then opened up further about his anti-vax beliefs.

Lloyd Pierce Kevin Costner Covid Vaccine state California city Santa Monica, state California county Taylor county Cole city Birmingham county Harrison county Jefferson Coronavirus

Waterloo Region’s largest COVID-19 vaccination clinic to begin winding down operations

COVID-19 vaccination clinic will be closing its doors in the coming months.The region announced on Thursday that stewardship of the Cambridge Pinebush vaccination clinic will be passed from Kitchener’s Grand River Hospitals to Waterloo Public Health on April 1. 2 more COVID-19 deaths reported in Waterloo Region, death roll reaches 387 It says that as demand for COVID-19 vaccinations from area residents continues to dissipate, the clinic will wind down operations over the next six weeks.“The staff and volunteers at the Cambridge Pinebush vaccination clinic have shown incredible dedication and commitment to the health and safety of our community,” Regional Chair Karen Redman stated.“With the support of staff from St.

city Waterloo parish St. Mary state Redman hospital covid-19 vaccine

Family Day 2022: What’s open and closed in London, Ont.

February long weekend is on the horizon and, as a result, it won’t be business as usual at every establishment on Monday, though some restrictions have loosened ahead of the holiday.The easing of some of the province’s COVID-19-related public health measures initially scheduled for Feb. 21 was moved up to Feb.

London Health Unit city London county Centre covid-19 vaccine Health

Maharashtra: Slight increase in new COVID-19 cases, 40 deaths. Full details here

Marginal rise in new Covid cases in Mumbai:

India city Mumbai city Pune death infection reports

‘Hope you change your mind’: Adar Poonawalla on Djokovic's Covid vaccine stance

Novak Djokovic stated he would skip the French Open and Wimbledon rather than get vaccinated against Covid-19, Serum Institute of India (SII) chief Adar Poonawalla took to Twitter to say that he hopes the tennis star changes his mind.

Roland Garros Adar Poonawalla India France information vaccine Government

Illusionist Derren Brown says he got blamed for creating Covid

Derren Brown had people blaming him for Covid. The mastermind illusionist has been keeping our mouths agape for more than two decades in TV shows like Apocalypse, The Heist, Pushed to the Edge and Russian Roulette.

Russia pandemic Man Citi

Long COVID risks can be reduced; WHO on post-COVID complications after Omicron

#COVID19 variants of concern with @DrMikeRyan and Dr @mvankerkhove. #AskWHO https://t.co/fwQZYZkgGA

Mary Ramsay India Britain county Long vaccine symptoms Health

Covid infection puts you at higher risk of anxiety and depression, according to study

Suffering from Covid may make you more likely to experience depression and anxiety, according to a study.

Usa covid-19 infection Health

Terminal V festival organisers set for biggest weekend yet after multiple Covid-19 postponements

Terminal V Festival is all set to welcome techno fans back through its gates after an extremely difficult and trying two years through the coronavirus pandemic.

Nina Kraviz covid-19 pandemic Extreme

Ontario COVID numbers: 1,342 people in hospital, 356 in intensive care

Here are Ontario’s loosened restrictions, capacity limits as of Feb. 17 Meanwhile, Ontario also reported 2,327 new lab-confirmed COVID-19 cases on Thursday, though that is an underestimate of the true widespread transmission of the virus due to recent testing restrictions.

hospital death testing

How Covid will end? Scientist look for clues in Russian Flu

The mystery illness ‘Russian flu’

New York India Eu Russia state Virginia Belgium virus pandemic infection

Delhi clocks 739 new Covid cases, 5 deaths; positivity rate at 1.48%

Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

India city Delhi death information

G20: Sitharaman presses for fair and expeditious distribution of Covid-19 vaccines

Addressing the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors’ meeting being held virtually, Sitharaman urged for a need to evolve methodologies to plug funding gaps between multilateral institutions as low and middle income countries did not have enough resources to face these challenges on their own. Sitharaman emphasized on addressing structural bottlenecks to reduce the pandemic’s scarring effects and building resilience.She suggested that the economic recovery measures be built around a long term vision. Sitharaman pressed for a need for a pool creation so a future pandemic wouldn't make it worse for middle or low income countries.Emphasizing multilateral support, Sitharaman said that the World Health Organisation (WHO) needed to augment its capacity and mobilise global resources, especially as low and middle income countries had limited fiscal space to fund health and climate issue related matters.The Finance Minister said that it was crucial to address the gaps in global pandemic preparedness and said that the work of the G20 Joint Finance and Health Task Force should progress in that direction.However, Sitharaman pointed out that India prioritized spend and allocated $29 billion towards health infrastructure mission, where health insurance was assured for the poor and for the low income groups.

India pandemic Health Gap

Omicron: 75,000 COVID deaths reported last week, WHO top official

#COVID19 were reported to WHO. Dr @mvankerkhove elaborates on Omicron and its sub-lineages transmission and severity ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/w53Z25npx2

Mike Ryan India Russia covid-19 death reports

Ontario hospitals to keep mandatory COVID vaccination for staff, some for visitors

Ontario to end COVID proof of vaccination March 1, mask mandate to remain in place Ontario’s vaccine certificate system is ending March 1, when proof of vaccination will no longer be required in public settings, though businesses may choose to keep it in place on their own. But those are very different places than institutions caring for vulnerable patients, Gaskin said.“It’s also a choice,” he said.

Anthony Dale hospital vaccine Health

Scottish Government announces 22 deaths and 7,144 covid cases in last 24 hours

The Scottish Government have confirmed 22 people have died from coronavirus in the last 24 hours.

Scotland death vaccine Government

Mumbai: Marginal rise in new Covid cases; active tally at 1,945. Details here

Mumbai today reported 259 fresh infections, though no deaths were reported in the megacity. With this, the active case tally in the state stands at 1,945. Today's Covid cases are slightly more than yesterday when Mumbai recorded 255 Covid infections.

Pti Inputsnever India city Mumbai death infection reports

Mark Wahlberg’s Family Left Him And Went On Vacation Over The Holidays When He Got COVID

Just because Mark Wahlberg got COVID, his family wasn’t about to give up their vacation.

Mark Wahlberg Rob Reiner testing stars Coronavirus

United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

Omicron: How effective are two doses of Covid vaccine compared to three

Related News