Week after week, scientists have been witnessing an onslaught by Covid's Omicron variants in the United States, with BQs — BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 appearing to be edging out all the others to seize a modest lead, as reported by the CNN.&nbsp;The upshot has been a steady increase in cases and hospitalisations that never seemed to reach the zenith&nbsp;of this summer's BA.5 wave and was certainly nothing like the tsunami of sickness brought on by the original Omicron strain a year ago.&nbsp;

On Friday, the COVID-19 mutant dashboard from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a new contender that would soon take the lead: XBB.1.5.

According to the CDC, XBB.1.5 increased from roughly 4% to 41% of new infections during the month of December 2022, more than doubling its portion of the COVID-19 pie each week for the previous four. As per CDC's calculations, XBB.1.5 is responsible for 75% of new infections in the Northeast region of the US.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-union-all-for-coordinated-approach-for-ever-changing-covid-scenario-549304">EU nations agree on pre-departure Covid test for flyers from China, formal decision on Wednesday</a>

“For a few months now, we haven’t seen a variant that’s taken off at that speed,” said Pavitra Roychoudhury, director of Covid-19 sequencing at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s virology lab, who spoke to CNN.&nbsp;

This Omicron sublineage, according to virologists and epidemiologists, possesses characteristics that could lead to a new wave of COVID-19 cases in the US, however, it is yet unknown how massive&nbsp;that wave will be or whether it would put more people at risk for hospitalisation.

Also watch |&nbsp;California: Miracle survival after Tesla car crash, all four passengers rescued successfully

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XBB.1.5 appears to have emerged in the United States, despite recent worries that a new Covid-19 threat could come from China's continuous growth, according to specialists. According to GISAID, a global initiative to catalogue and track coronavirus variations, it was initially discovered in New York and Connecticut in late October.

Apart from being highly immune evasive, XBB.1.5 has an additional feature that seems to be helping to fuel its growth. It has a key mutation at site 486, which allows it to bind more tightly to ACE2, the doors the virus uses to enter our cells.

The majority of scientists agreed that although XBB.1.5 has the potential to spread more diseases, it won't necessarily be very serious. However, Americans have been sluggish to get the booster jabs. Only 15% of Americans who are eligible have received an updated booster, according to CDC data. Only around 1 in 3 seniors, or those 65 and older, have had a booster shot.&nbsp;

Experts point out that other antivirals, like Paxlovid and Remdesivir, should still be useful even though antibody therapies won't be effective against this sublineage.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Week after week, scientists have been witnessing an onslaught by Covid's Omicron variants in the United States, with BQs — BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 appearing to be edging out all the others to seize a modest lead, as reported by the CNN.

Week after week, scientists have been witnessing an onslaught by Covid's Omicron variants in the United States, with BQs — BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 appearing to be edging out all the others to seize a modest lead, as reported by the CNN. The upshot has been a steady increase in cases and hospitalisations that never seemed to reach the zenith of this summer's BA.5 wave and was certainly nothing like the tsunami of sickness brought on by the original Omicron strain a year ago. On Friday, the COVID-19 mutant dashboard from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showed a new contender that would soon take the lead: XBB.1.5. According to the CDC, XBB.1.5 increased from roughly 4% to 41% of new infections during the month of December 2022, more than doubling its portion of the COVID-19 pie each week for the previous four. As per CDC's calculations, XBB.1.5 is responsible for 75% of new infections in the Northeast region of the US. Also read | EU nations agree on pre-departure Covid test for flyers from China, formal decision on Wednesday “For a few months now, we haven’t seen a variant that’s taken off at that speed,” said Pavitra Roychoudhury, director of Covid-19 sequencing at the University of Washington School of Medicine’s virology lab, who spoke to CNN. This Omicron sublineage, according to virologists and epidemiologists, possesses characteristics that could lead to a new wave of COVID-19 cases in the US, however, it is yet unknown how massive that wave will be or whether it would put more people at risk for hospitalisation. Also watch | California: Miracle survival after Tesla car crash, all four passengers rescued successfully XBB.1.5 appears to have emerged in the United States, despite recent worries that a new Covid-19 threat could come from China's continuous growth, according to specialists. According to GISAID, a global initiative to catalogue and track coronavirus variations, it was initially discovered in New York and Connecticut in late October. Apart from being highly immune evasive, XBB.1.5 has an additional feature that seems to be helping to fuel its growth. It has a key mutation at site 486, which allows it to bind more tightly to ACE2, the doors the virus uses to enter our cells. The majority of scientists agreed that although XBB.1.5 has the potential to spread more diseases, it won't necessarily be very serious. However, Americans have been sluggish to get the booster jabs. Only 15% of Americans who are eligible have received an updated booster, according to CDC data. Only around 1 in 3 seniors, or those 65 and older, have had a booster shot. Experts point out that other antivirals, like Paxlovid and Remdesivir, should still be useful even though antibody therapies won't be effective against this sublineage. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Omicron offshoot XBB.1.5 may cause new Covid spike in the US, confirms CDC

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'.&nbsp; 
 
Reports state that Sandhu refused to be treated in a government facility and has now been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Sandhu is a British actress of Indian origin.&nbsp; 
 
According to reports, Sandhu reached the city on December 20 and she travelled in the same flight with the youth who tested positive for the mutant coronavirus strain on his return from the United Kingdom. 
 
She was detected with the COVID-19 on Monday afternoon and steps were initiated to ascertain whether she has been infected with the new strain, an official said. 
 
After Sandhu was taken to the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital where a separate unit has been set up to keep those returned from the UK, the 23-year-old actress refused to come out of the ambulance alleging that the hospital lacked proper infrastructure. 
 
"We had to inform the state secretariat and the health department as she was unwilling to come out of the ambulance and at one point of time, she wanted to leave. 
 
"The British High Commission was informed as we cannot let her go like this which is against the protocol. We had to inform the police also. They (police personnel) came and surrounded the ambulance so that she cannot leave," the official said. 
 
Sandhu was counselled several times by senior doctors of the hospital but their efforts went in vain. 
 
"Eventually, with the permission of the health department, she was admitted to a private hospital," the official said adding that Sandhu has been kept in an isolated cabin there. 
 
Before leaving Beliaghata ID hospital, the actress was made to sign a declaration that she was unwilling to get admitted there as "she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure". 
 
'Kavita &amp; Teresa' by Swiss-Indian filmmaker Kamal Musale is about love and compassion inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, according to the website of the movie.&nbsp;

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'.

British actress Banita Sandhu, who starred in Shoojit Sircar's 'October' 2017 has tested positive for COVID-19. Sandhu is in Kolkata shooting a film called 'Kavita and Teresa'. Reports state that Sandhu refused to be treated in a government facility and has now been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata. Sandhu is a British actress of Indian origin. According to reports, Sandhu reached the city on December 20 and she travelled in the same flight with the youth who tested positive for the mutant coronavirus strain on his return from the United Kingdom. She was detected with the COVID-19 on Monday afternoon and steps were initiated to ascertain whether she has been infected with the new strain, an official said. After Sandhu was taken to the Beliaghata Infectious Diseases Hospital where a separate unit has been set up to keep those returned from the UK, the 23-year-old actress refused to come out of the ambulance alleging that the hospital lacked proper infrastructure. "We had to inform the state secretariat and the health department as she was unwilling to come out of the ambulance and at one point of time, she wanted to leave. "The British High Commission was informed as we cannot let her go like this which is against the protocol. We had to inform the police also. They (police personnel) came and surrounded the ambulance so that she cannot leave," the official said. Sandhu was counselled several times by senior doctors of the hospital but their efforts went in vain. "Eventually, with the permission of the health department, she was admitted to a private hospital," the official said adding that Sandhu has been kept in an isolated cabin there. Before leaving Beliaghata ID hospital, the actress was made to sign a declaration that she was unwilling to get admitted there as "she felt the medical establishment lacked infrastructure". 'Kavita & Teresa' by Swiss-Indian filmmaker Kamal Musale is about love and compassion inspired by the life of Mother Teresa, according to the website of the movie.

British actress Banita Sandhu tests positive for coronavirus in Kolkata, refuses treatment at government hospital 

India has successfully cultured the new coronavirus strain, which originated in the UK, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Saturday.

In a tweet, the ICMR claimed that no country has yet reported successful isolation and culture of the UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Culture is the process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions, generally outside their natural environment.

"UK-variant of the virus, with all signature changes, is now successfully isolated and cultured at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) from the clinical specimens collected from UK-returnees," the ICMR said.

The research body said Vero cell lines were used by the scientists of ICMR-NIV to culture the UK-variant of the virus.

The UK had recently announced that the newly identified strain of the virus found in their population was up to 70 per cent more infectious.

A total of 29 people have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

India has successfully cultured the new coronavirus strain, which originated in the UK, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Saturday. In a tweet, the ICMR claimed that no country has yet reported successful isolation and culture of the UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2.

India has successfully cultured the new coronavirus strain, which originated in the UK, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Saturday. In a tweet, the ICMR claimed that no country has yet reported successful isolation and culture of the UK-variant of SARS-CoV-2. Culture is the process by which cells are grown under controlled conditions, generally outside their natural environment. "UK-variant of the virus, with all signature changes, is now successfully isolated and cultured at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) from the clinical specimens collected from UK-returnees," the ICMR said. The research body said Vero cell lines were used by the scientists of ICMR-NIV to culture the UK-variant of the virus. The UK had recently announced that the newly identified strain of the virus found in their population was up to 70 per cent more infectious. A total of 29 people have tested positive for the new UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 in India so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

In a first, India successfully isolates, cultures UK-variant of Sars-CoV-2: ICMR

A total of 20 people who returned to India from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new coronavirus variant so far.

On December 29, the Centre said that six UK returnees have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome.

The samples of all passengers who tested positive after flying from the UK are being sent to laboratories for genome sequencing. Flights from the UK were banned from December 23 till December 31. 
 
"All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated Health Care facilities by respective State Governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on," the Union Health ministry said in an official statement.

The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the States for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs, said the ministry.

There is no evidence to suggest that current vaccines will fail to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 mutants reported from the UK or South Africa, the government said.

The new SARS-CoV-2 variant could be as much as 70 percent more transmissible, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. However, it is not yet known if the mutation causes a more severe version of the disease.

The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore, so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

A total of 20 people who returned to India from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new coronavirus variant so far. On December 29, the Centre said that six UK returnees have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome.

A total of 20 people who returned to India from the United Kingdom have tested positive for the new coronavirus variant so far. On December 29, the Centre said that six UK returnees have been found to be positive with the new UK variant genome. The samples of all passengers who tested positive after flying from the UK are being sent to laboratories for genome sequencing. Flights from the UK were banned from December 23 till December 31. "All these persons have been kept in single room isolation in designated Health Care facilities by respective State Governments. Their close contacts have also been put under quarantine. Comprehensive contact tracing has been initiated for co-travellers, family contacts and others. Genome sequencing on other specimens is going on," the Union Health ministry said in an official statement. The situation is under careful watch and regular advice is being provided to the States for enhanced surveillance, containment, testing and dispatch of samples to INSACOG labs, said the ministry. There is no evidence to suggest that current vaccines will fail to protect against the SARS-CoV-2 mutants reported from the UK or South Africa, the government said. The new SARS-CoV-2 variant could be as much as 70 percent more transmissible, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. However, it is not yet known if the mutation causes a more severe version of the disease. The presence of the new UK variant has already been reported by Denmark, Netherlands, Australia, Italy, Sweden, France, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Japan, Lebanon and Singapore, so far. (With inputs from agencies)

UK mutant strain in India: Total 20 test positive for new Covid variant

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India.

"You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter.

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&nbsp;

The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.?

The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-extends-suspension-of-flights-with-britain-to-january-7-353317">India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7</a>

Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021

Maharashtra

The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country.

Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night.

"Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines.

The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK.

Coronavirus situation Delhi

Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS.

All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital.

The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS

The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed.

The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities.

The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19.

The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur.

(With agency inputs)

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events.

With new variant of the coronavirus already having made its way to India, the central government on Wednesday asked states to ensure that new year celebrations remain low-key and do not become superspreader events. Union Health Ministry all states to keep strict vigil on New Year celebrations. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan wrote a letter to all states and union territories. In it, he said that although coronavirus cases in the country have been on the decline lately, the rise in cases in Europe and America meant that high level of precaution was necessary in India. "You will appreciate that in the wake of New Year and various celebratory events associated with it as well as ongoing winter season, strict vigil is required to be maintained to curb all potential 'super spreader' events and places where crowds may gather," Bhushan said in the letter. × The Ministry of Home Affairs has mandated that states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation, may impose local restrictions, such as night curfew, with a view to contain the spread of COVID-19.? The Home Ministry has also stipulated that there shall be no restriction on interstate and intra-state movement of persons and goods. Also Read | India extends suspension of flights with Britain to January 7 Drawing attention to this, the Union health secretary has urged the states to "promptly assess the local situation and consider imposition of appropriate restrictions on December 30 and 31, as well as on January 1, 2021 Maharashtra The state has been worst-hit during coronavirus pandemic in India. Maharashtra, notably Mumbai made up for a large chunk of coronavirus cases in the country. Maharashtra government on Wednesday extended the lockdown till January 31, 2021. On New Year's Eve, hotels, restaurants, pubs and bars will remain open only till 11 pm at night. "Hotels, restaurants,pubs and bars will remain open tomorrow (December 31) till 11 pm. There is no restriction on people stepping out to buy medicines and visiting friends and family members (after 11 PM). Gathering of five or more people at public places is prohibited," said Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh. He appealed to people to follow coronavirus guidelines. The state government had clamped a night curfew between 11 PM and 6 AM from December 22 to January 5 after a new strain of the virus was found in the UK. Coronavirus situation Delhi Four Covid positive patients have been found infected with the new variant first detected in the UK, while around 200 people, including returnees from the UK and their contact have been put under institutional quarantine by the Delhi government, officials told IANS. All four patients have been admitted in the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash (LNJP) Hospital. The patients found infected with the new variant have been isolated separately in different rooms of a special ward designated for the patients suspected or found infected with the new variant, the hospital officials told IANS The tally of positive patients suspected of carrying the new strain has reached 35 in the hospital. Of them, 20 have returned from the UK and the remaining are those who came in contact with them, officials confirmed. The AAP government has quarantined around 200 people, who either returned from the UK within a month or are in contact with those travellers found positive, at two facilities. The Delhi government has designated 2,000-bed LNJP as the nodal centre for isolation of persons who are suspected to have the new variant of the Covid-19. The officials informed that more than 80 of them have been quarantined at a hotel in Aerocity while the rest are kept in a banquet hall turned quarantine facility situated near Chattarpur. (With agency inputs)

Mutant coronavirus: Centre asks states to ensure low-key New Year celebrations

Health officials in Ontario said on Saturday that two confirmed cases of the new coronavirus variant first detected in the United Kingdom have appeared in the Canadian province.

Canada's Ontario finds two cases of virus variant first seen in UK

The mutant Wuhan virus is spreading. From the United Kingdom & South Africa to Israel & Australia, mutated virus strains have been discovered in multiple parts of the world. What about India? Palki Sharma Upadhyay has a report.

Gravitas: Tracking Wuhan virus mutations

New mutant Coronavirus continues to spread across the world. Belgium has become the latest country to detect this new variant. Belgium has reported 4 cases of mutant Coronavirus in region bordering Netherlands.

Belgium report 4 cases of mutant Coronavirus in region bordering Netherlands

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