The US technology company Google is postponing its plan to let its employees return to their jobs worldwide from January 10th indefinitely. As the company reports, the reasons are growing concerns about the Omikron variant and resistance to the vaccinations prescribed by Google. The company has been one of the first since the pandemic began to ask its employees to switch to the home office. (03.12.2021)
Study: Biontech and Moderna are best suited as boosters
According to the UK study “COV-Boost”, the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer / Biontech and Moderna are best suited for a third booster dose. The study found that a full or half dose of Pfizer / Biontech, or a full dose of Moderna, was very effective in increasing both antibody and T cell levels. When Astra Zeneca, Novavax, Johnson & Johnson, and Curevac were given as booster vaccines, they also increased antibody levels for both primary vaccines, albeit to a lesser extent. (03.12.2021)
Despite isolation, Australia also reports its first Omikron case
Despite the restrictions on international visitors, Australia is reporting an initial transmission of the Omicron virus. “I suspect that Omikron will be the new virus in the world in the next few months,” Paul Kelly, the Australian government’s chief medical adviser, told reporters. At this point in time, there is no evidence that the variant is more dangerous than Delta, Kelly said. A total of nine confirmed infections with the Omikron variant have already been reported in Australia. In addition to Australia, Malaysia has now also reported its first case of the new coronavirus variant. (03.12.2021)
USA tighten entry regulations
In view of the new Omikron variant and the upcoming winter, the US government is tightening the rules for corona tests for entry into the USA. From the White House it was said that a negative test should have been carried out from the beginning of next week at most 24 hours before leaving for the United States. The new regulation affects all international travelers regardless of nationality and vaccination status. So far, a period of three days applies. In addition, foreigners usually have to prove a full Covid-19 vaccination before they can travel by plane to the USA.
The tightening is part of new measures in the fight against Corona, which US President Joe Biden presented on Thursday. This includes, for example, that the mask requirement in planes, trains and other public transport as well as in airports and train stations is extended to at least March. Biden warned that experts expected the number of infections to rise in winter. Regarding the Omicron variant, he said, “We will fight this variant with science and speed, not with chaos and confusion.”
A US government official said both antigen and PCR tests would continue to be accepted upon entry into the United States. The effectiveness of the tests, for example against the Omikron variant, is constantly checked. Compulsory tests or a period of self-isolation after entering the United States are currently not planned. (03.12.2021)
Omicron variant discovered in at least 23 countries
The coronavirus variant Omikron, classified as worrying, was discovered in at least 23 countries by Wednesday. This emerges from the population register of the World Health Organization (WHO), as WHO Director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported in Geneva. The number will certainly increase.
How well the available vaccines protect against a severe course of infection with the Omikron variant is not yet clear, emphasized Covid 19 expert Maria van Kerkhove. The studies took time. In South Africa, the number of hospital admissions has increased, but this could be due to the fact that more people become infected, not that the Omicron variant causes a worse course than other variants.
Van Kerkhove emphasized that it should not be forgotten that the infection rate worldwide is currently being driven by the delta variant. The existing vaccines provided very effective protection against this. She called on all countries to force vaccinations. She appealed to rich countries to make more vaccine doses available to poorer countries as soon as possible.
“Of course we are dealing with a crisis. And this crisis is in Europe, and it is being driven by the Delta variant,” said WHO emergency aid coordinator Mike Ryan. The WHO emphasizes that a lot can be done to avoid infections, keep your distance, wear masks and good ventilation. Ryan called on governments not to delegate responsibility to individual citizens, but to impose clear measures. (01.12.2021)
First Omicron cases in Nigeria in October
In Nigeria, the first Omicron cases appeared in October. However, the new variant of the coronavirus has only now been detected in a subsequent sequencing, the health authority NCDC announced. They were travelers to Nigeria who had tested positive for corona and whose samples were collected in October. No further details were given. In addition, two current suspected cases were confirmed. Two people who came from South Africa last week tested positive for the Omikron variant. (01.12.2021)
Two Omicron cases discovered in Brazil for the first time
The first two cases with the new Omikron coronavirus variant were found in Brazil on Tuesday. It could also be the first ever case in Latin America. Samples from two Brazilians who tested positive for the Omikron variant by the renowned Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein would be sent in for a confirmatory laboratory analysis, according to a statement from the Brazilian health surveillance authority Anvisa on Tuesday. According to the news portal G1 they are Brazilian missionaries living in South Africa.
In the metropolis of São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, the country’s first coronavirus case was registered in February 2020. According to official information, a total of more than 22 million people have become infected in Brazil. Almost 614,000 patients have died in connection with Covid-19 – only the USA has more deaths. Brazil has around 210 million inhabitants. Most recently, São Paulo declared itself the “vaccination capital of the world”. According to official information, the city has fully vaccinated all adult residents against the corona virus. (01.12.2021)