Health Ministry – Among the Fray

Australia delays border reopening as Omicron cases rise

Australia said on Monday it would delay the reopening of its international border by two weeks after reporting its first cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant. Prime Minister Scott Morrison convened a meeting of his national security committee and said it received advice from Australia’s chief health officer to delay the reopening after the firstContinue reading “Australia delays border reopening as Omicron cases rise”

Two cases of Omicron Covid variant detected in Britain, says health secretary – The Guardian

The first cases of the new B.1.1.529 Covid variant have been identified in the UK. Two people found to be infected with the Omicron variant are self-isolating, according to the health secretary, Sajid Javid. Two cases of Omicron Covid variant identified in UK.

Many Indians unlikely to be fully vaccinated by year-end despite ample COVID shots

Tens of millions of Indian adults are unlikely to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by the end of 2021, despite ample supplies, due to an unusually large gap between the doses of the most widely-used vaccine and growing complacency as cases fall. The locally-produced AstraZeneca (AZN.L) vaccine which is known as Covishield has a 12 to 16Continue reading “Many Indians unlikely to be fully vaccinated by year-end despite ample COVID shots”

New “Delta Plus” OffShoot Called AY.4.2 May Be Most Infectious Covid Variant Yet; It’s On The Rise In The UK

A new report on Friday from the UK Health Ministry indicated the rising prevalence of a new offshoot of the Delta variant of Covid-19. The offshoot is so new that it does not have an official Pango lineage designation — such as B.1.167.2 for the original Delta variant — which is the nomenclature used by most scientists. TheContinue reading “New “Delta Plus” OffShoot Called AY.4.2 May Be Most Infectious Covid Variant Yet; It’s On The Rise In The UK”

Belarus suspends routine medical care to focus on COVID-19

Belarus on Monday ordered a halt to routine medical care at state clinics in order to devote more resources to coronavirus patients. The Health Ministry said the suspended services include medical examinations and screenings, physiotherapy and dentistry. Belarus has been hit by a rising wave of coronavirus infections, with around 2,000 new cases reported dailyContinue reading “Belarus suspends routine medical care to focus on COVID-19”

Brazil’s health minister tests positive for COVID-19 in NYC

Brazil’s Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga tested positive for COVID-19 hours after accompanying President Jair Bolsonaro to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Tuesday, the government said. Queiroga will remain in New York in quarantine, the government’s communications office said. “The minister is doing well,” the statement said. It added that the restContinue reading “Brazil’s health minister tests positive for COVID-19 in NYC”

Japan confirms first case of new type of delta variant

The first case in Japan involving a new mutation of the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus — of which only eight cases have been reported so far worldwide — has been confirmed, according to researchers. A research team from the Tokyo Medical and Dental University, headed by associate professor Hiroaki Takeuchi, announced Monday in a statement thatContinue reading “Japan confirms first case of new type of delta variant”