Reports say at least 61 people have been detected with the virus onboard two KLM flights from South Africa.

The authorities are conducting tests to find out if the passengers have been affected by the new Omicron variant.&nbsp;&nbsp;The passengers had arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on two flights on Friday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-what-does-variant-of-concern-mean-432361">Also Read:&nbsp;Omicron: What does variant of concern mean?</a>

The Dutch health authorities confirmed 61 positive and 531 negative results on Saturday. Those who returned a negative test were asked by authorities to isolate at home. The virus-hit passengers have been isolated at a hotel near the airport.&nbsp;

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If you were on KLM flights from Jo'burg or Cape Town and got held as I did at Schipol - will you DM me? I can't get a copy of my alleged negative test (and thus can't leave) and am wondering if any one else has this problem. If you got your test result - pls DM and tell me how <a href="https://t.co/356pkUs7uX">https://t.co/356pkUs7uX</a>
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The World Health Organisation had designated the Omicron variant as a "variant of concern" after it was&nbsp;reported by South African authorities.&nbsp;

Watch: Thailand allows vaccinated travellers from over 60 countries

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European countries moved to ban flights to South Africa and other African countries as panic spread about the new virus variant.

US and Canada have also restricted travel from southern Africa. Reports said people flocked to the airport in Johannesburg as countries around the world began to bar travellers from entering their country.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/neither-nu-nor-xi-who-skips-two-greek-letters-for-naming-new-covid-variant-omicron-432328">Also Read | Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron</a>

However, South African authorities described the ban as &nbsp;"draconian" and "unscientific". &nbsp;South African health minister Joe Phaahla had declared the reaction to the new variant was "unjustified".&nbsp;

UK banned flights from South African and other southern African countries as other European nations including Austria, France, Italy and Germany followed.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports say at least 61 people have been detected with the virus onboard two KLM flights from South Africa. The authorities are conducting tests to find out if the passengers have been affected by the new Omicron variant.

Reports say at least 61 people have been detected with the virus onboard two KLM flights from South Africa. The authorities are conducting tests to find out if the passengers have been affected by the new Omicron variant. The passengers had arrived at Amsterdam's Schiphol airport on two flights on Friday. Also Read: Omicron: What does variant of concern mean? The Dutch health authorities confirmed 61 positive and 531 negative results on Saturday. Those who returned a negative test were asked by authorities to isolate at home. The virus-hit passengers have been isolated at a hotel near the airport. × If you were on KLM flights from Jo'burg or Cape Town and got held as I did at Schipol - will you DM me? I can't get a copy of my alleged negative test (and thus can't leave) and am wondering if any one else has this problem. If you got your test result - pls DM and tell me how https://t.co/356pkUs7uX — Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 27, 2021 × The World Health Organisation had designated the Omicron variant as a "variant of concern" after it was reported by South African authorities. Watch: Thailand allows vaccinated travellers from over 60 countries European countries moved to ban flights to South Africa and other African countries as panic spread about the new virus variant. US and Canada have also restricted travel from southern Africa. Reports said people flocked to the airport in Johannesburg as countries around the world began to bar travellers from entering their country. Also Read | Neither Nu nor Xi: WHO skips two Greek letters for naming new Covid variant Omicron However, South African authorities described the ban as "draconian" and "unscientific". South African health minister Joe Phaahla had declared the reaction to the new variant was "unjustified". UK banned flights from South African and other southern African countries as other European nations including Austria, France, Italy and Germany followed. (With inputs from Agencies)

Passengers arriving from South Africa at Amsterdam airport test positive for COVID-19

Hours after South African authorities announced they had detected a new variant of COVID-19 with a “very unusual constellation” of mutations, the Union Health Ministry of India directed states to rigorously screen and test travellers coming from or transiting through three countries in which the variant had been confirmed — South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong.

Indian Health Ministry to screen, test travellers from South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong

Union Health Ministry of India to screen, test travellers after detection of new COVID variant

Researchers at the University of British Columbia(UBC) in Canada have published the first molecular images of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation which was first discovered in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-of-doctors-planning-to-leave-uks-national-health-service-after-covid-pandemic-survey-reveals-382610">UK</a> in December last year.

Watch:

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The study looked at "UK variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 thought to be more infectious than previously circulating strains as a result of several changes, including the N501Y mutation. It concluded that "N501Y mutant are consistent with the expectation that the rapid spread of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 is likely due to the virus being more infectious."

The study cautioned that "with the continued spread of SARS-CoV-2, it appears likely that further mutations that enhance viral fitness will emerge." The findings were published in PLOS Biology, a &nbsp;peer-reviewed scientific journal.

Professor at UBC's medicine department of biochemistry and molecular biology, Dr Sriram Subramaniam asserted that existing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/faucis-advice-to-india-clamp-nationwide-lockdown-start-massive-vaccination-382645">vaccines</a> are likely to remain effective in preventing mild and severe cases caused by B.1.1.7.

The University said the variant can still be neutralised by the antibodies that stop the entry of the unmutated version of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells. The researchers are also studying the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-to-see-over-1-million-deaths-by-the-start-of-august-us-study-projects-382715">B.1.617 (Indian) variant</a>, including P.1 (Brazilian), &nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-authorise-pfizer-vaccine-for-age-12-and-up-report-382690">B.1.427/B.1.429 (Californian)</a> and B.1.351 (South African).

The strain which first appeared in England is called 501Y.V1 or VOC202012 / 01 and belongs to the line B.1.1.7. The English, South African and Brazilian variants all share a particular mutation called N501Y which is believed to be increase infectious. According to British researchers, the strain that emerged in England was up to 70 per cent more deadly.

Thailand on Monday reported the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant which has accounted for over half of total cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic. According to Indonesia's health ministry, it detected two cases of COVID-19 variant first identified in India. Indonesia has halted issuing visas for foreigners who have been in India in the previous 14 days.

In <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysia-makes-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccine-optional-amid-safety-fears-382705">Malaysia</a>, the first case of the coronavirus variant identified in India was recorded including in Algeria which recorded Six cases of the variant in the coastal province of Tipaza.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia(UBC) in Canada have published the first molecular images of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation which was first discovered in the UK in December last year.

Researchers at the University of British Columbia(UBC) in Canada have published the first molecular images of the B.1.1.7 COVID-19 mutation which was first discovered in the UK in December last year. Watch: The study looked at "UK variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 thought to be more infectious than previously circulating strains as a result of several changes, including the N501Y mutation. It concluded that "N501Y mutant are consistent with the expectation that the rapid spread of the UK variant of SARS-CoV-2 is likely due to the virus being more infectious." The study cautioned that "with the continued spread of SARS-CoV-2, it appears likely that further mutations that enhance viral fitness will emerge." The findings were published in PLOS Biology, a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Professor at UBC's medicine department of biochemistry and molecular biology, Dr Sriram Subramaniam asserted that existing vaccines are likely to remain effective in preventing mild and severe cases caused by B.1.1.7. The University said the variant can still be neutralised by the antibodies that stop the entry of the unmutated version of SARS-CoV-2 into human cells. The researchers are also studying the B.1.617 (Indian) variant, including P.1 (Brazilian), B.1.427/B.1.429 (Californian) and B.1.351 (South African). The strain which first appeared in England is called 501Y.V1 or VOC202012 / 01 and belongs to the line B.1.1.7. The English, South African and Brazilian variants all share a particular mutation called N501Y which is believed to be increase infectious. According to British researchers, the strain that emerged in England was up to 70 per cent more deadly. Thailand on Monday reported the highly transmissible B.1.1.7 variant which has accounted for over half of total cases and deaths since the start of the pandemic. According to Indonesia's health ministry, it detected two cases of COVID-19 variant first identified in India. Indonesia has halted issuing visas for foreigners who have been in India in the previous 14 days. In Malaysia, the first case of the coronavirus variant identified in India was recorded including in Algeria which recorded Six cases of the variant in the coastal province of Tipaza.

UK variant: First images of B.1.1.7 coronavirus mutation

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,439,823 as of Tuesday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. 
 
The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said the death toll from the pandemic stands at 118,194, while 3,980,551 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease. 
 
South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Egypt are the countries with the most cases in the continent, according to the Africa CDC. South Africa has recorded 1,567,513 COVID-19 cases, the highest among African countries, followed by Morocco with 505,949 and Tunisia with 287,061 cases, it said. 
 
African countries have so far received over 33.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from different sources, mainly from the COVAX facility and through bilateral agreements outside COVAX, according to the Africa CDC.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,439,823 as of Tuesday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said.

The number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,439,823 as of Tuesday evening, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the 55-member African Union, said the death toll from the pandemic stands at 118,194, while 3,980,551 patients across the continent have recovered from the disease. South Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Ethiopia and Egypt are the countries with the most cases in the continent, according to the Africa CDC. South Africa has recorded 1,567,513 COVID-19 cases, the highest among African countries, followed by Morocco with 505,949 and Tunisia with 287,061 cases, it said. African countries have so far received over 33.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses from different sources, mainly from the COVAX facility and through bilateral agreements outside COVAX, according to the Africa CDC.

Africa's COVID-19 cases surpass 4.43 million: Africa CDC

A modified version of&nbsp;AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine tailored to combat the South African coronavirus variant&nbsp;could be ready by the end of 2021, an&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;official in Austria said in an interview published on Sunday.

Sarah Walters,&nbsp;AstraZeneca's Austria country manager, told the Kurier newspaper that studies, so far, indicating the existing&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;vaccine was less effective against the more infectious variant first documented in South Africa were "too small to draw final conclusions".

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"In the meantime,&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;and Oxford University have started on modifications to the vaccine for the South African variant and we expect it will be ready by the end of the year, should it be needed," Walters told the Kurier.

Walters blamed challenges,&nbsp;including delivery delays for the&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;shot in the European Union,&nbsp;on the "complex process" of producing a vaccine, coupled with the extremely high demand arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

"We had to work without keeping a supply in reserve. As a result, we couldn't make up for unexpected events," she said. "We are confident that we will fulfill our commitment to deliver 300 million doses to the European Union this year."

The Kurier interview did not directly address ongoing investigations into health concerns over the&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;shot. The EU has put a warning label on the vaccine over its possible linkage to extremely rare blood clots, Denmark has completely halted use of the vaccine and Britain has advised people under 30 to get another brand of vaccine.

Asked about "thousands" of people in Austria who are cancelling their appointments for&nbsp;AstraZeneca&nbsp;shots, Walters said the company's plan was "to continue to transparently provide information about efficacy and safety to doctors, so that they can adequately inform people" of benefits and risks.

British and European Union medicine regulators have said that the overall benefits of using the vaccine outweigh any risks of rare clotting.

(With input from agencies)

A modified version of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine tailored to combat the South African coronavirus variant could be ready by the end of 2021, an AstraZeneca official in Austria said in an interview published on Sunday.

A modified version of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine tailored to combat the South African coronavirus variant could be ready by the end of 2021, an AstraZeneca official in Austria said in an interview published on Sunday. Sarah Walters, AstraZeneca's Austria country manager, told the Kurier newspaper that studies, so far, indicating the existing AstraZeneca vaccine was less effective against the more infectious variant first documented in South Africa were "too small to draw final conclusions". "In the meantime, AstraZeneca and Oxford University have started on modifications to the vaccine for the South African variant and we expect it will be ready by the end of the year, should it be needed," Walters told the Kurier. Walters blamed challenges, including delivery delays for the AstraZeneca shot in the European Union, on the "complex process" of producing a vaccine, coupled with the extremely high demand arising from the coronavirus pandemic. "We had to work without keeping a supply in reserve. As a result, we couldn't make up for unexpected events," she said. "We are confident that we will fulfill our commitment to deliver 300 million doses to the European Union this year." The Kurier interview did not directly address ongoing investigations into health concerns over the AstraZeneca shot. The EU has put a warning label on the vaccine over its possible linkage to extremely rare blood clots, Denmark has completely halted use of the vaccine and Britain has advised people under 30 to get another brand of vaccine. Asked about "thousands" of people in Austria who are cancelling their appointments for AstraZeneca shots, Walters said the company's plan was "to continue to transparently provide information about efficacy and safety to doctors, so that they can adequately inform people" of benefits and risks. British and European Union medicine regulators have said that the overall benefits of using the vaccine outweigh any risks of rare clotting. (With input from agencies)

AstraZeneca vaccine against South African COVID variant likely to be ready by end-2021

From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world. Separately, the Capitol hill rioter who threatened Nany Pelosi has been sentenced seven years in jail.&nbsp;

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Click on the headlines to read more&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-ayman-al-zawahiri-the-al-qaeda-chief-killed-by-us-strike-502755">Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief killed by U.S. strike?</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/02/283797-zaweri.png" />In the biggest blow to Al-Qaeda since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, the United States killed the group's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden revealed on Monday. Zawahiri helped execute the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. that killed nearly 3,000 people.

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<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/developing-countries-facing-major-food-inflation-due-to-ukraine-crisis-says-world-bank-502744">Developing countries facing major food inflation due to Ukraine crisis, says World Bank</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/22/281050-russias-attack-on-ukraine.png" />The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has been devastating for the global economy with severe impacts on food security as well as the supply chain. With Ukraine amounting for a huge amount of food grain exports in the world, the crisis has resulted in a temporary stoppage of supply, and this has resulted in major food shortages.

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<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-hill-rioter-who-threatened-nancy-pelosi-gets-more-than-7-years-in-prison-502761">Capitol Hill rioter who threatened Nancy Pelosi gets more than 7 years in prison</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/30/283075-untitled-design-8.png" />A number of Chinese warplanes were spotted flying dangerously close to the median line which divides the Taiwan Strait just ahead of United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on Tuesday. Along with the warplanes, China has also positioned a number of warships near the region, according to Reuters.

China exempts Afghanistan from taxes, new move to exploit Afghan resources?

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<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">US airstrike kills Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Taliban condemns attack</div>

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From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world.

From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world. Separately, the Capitol hill rioter who threatened Nany Pelosi has been sentenced seven years in jail. Click on the headlines to read more Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief killed by U.S. strike? In the biggest blow to Al-Qaeda since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, the United States killed the group's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden revealed on Monday. Zawahiri helped execute the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. that killed nearly 3,000 people. Developing countries facing major food inflation due to Ukraine crisis, says World Bank The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has been devastating for the global economy with severe impacts on food security as well as the supply chain. With Ukraine amounting for a huge amount of food grain exports in the world, the crisis has resulted in a temporary stoppage of supply, and this has resulted in major food shortages. Capitol Hill rioter who threatened Nancy Pelosi gets more than 7 years in prison A number of Chinese warplanes were spotted flying dangerously close to the median line which divides the Taiwan Strait just ahead of United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on Tuesday. Along with the warplanes, China has also positioned a number of warships near the region, according to Reuters. China exempts Afghanistan from taxes, new move to exploit Afghan resources? US airstrike kills Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Taliban condemns attack

Pfizer vaccine not very effective against South African variant: Israeli study

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/relatives-of-wuhan-virus-victims-demand-meeting-with-who-officials-359751">World Health Organization</a>(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten&nbsp;more than a week ago.

The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and&nbsp;is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-denied-who-officials-initial-coronavirus-data-last-year-359746">WHO's</a> revelation comes as the coronavirus cases worldwide crossed 100 million cases. The United States which is the worst-hit country due to the virus had passed 25 million confirmed cases last weekend with the death toll crossing 425, 400 deaths.

Britain which is the worst-hit country due to the virus recorded over 100,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday as the &nbsp;British government moved to quarantine travellers in hotels near airports for ten days after returning from 30 high-risk countries.

Amid a surge in cases in Germany, the government said it is considering almost completely stopping flights into the country.

With the death toll touching 2.1 million most nations in Europe are eager to boost their vaccination drive which has been hit by logistical problems.

The World Health Organization(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten more than a week ago. The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries.

The World Health Organization(WHO) said today that new UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries which is ten more than a week ago. The UN health body said the new virus variant first found in South Africa had spread to eight more countries in the past week and is now present in 31 nations while another variant discovered in Brazil had spread to eight countries. The WHO's revelation comes as the coronavirus cases worldwide crossed 100 million cases. The United States which is the worst-hit country due to the virus had passed 25 million confirmed cases last weekend with the death toll crossing 425, 400 deaths. Britain which is the worst-hit country due to the virus recorded over 100,000 coronavirus deaths on Tuesday as the British government moved to quarantine travellers in hotels near airports for ten days after returning from 30 high-risk countries. Amid a surge in cases in Germany, the government said it is considering almost completely stopping flights into the country. With the death toll touching 2.1 million most nations in Europe are eager to boost their vaccination drive which has been hit by logistical problems.

UK coronavirus variant has spread to 70 countries: WHO