Why Is Omicron So Contagious?
The new coronavirus variant may be better than other versions at avoiding human immune defenses—but that ability may change in different countries -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
Current vaccines are enough to fight omicron, but massive wave is coming fast
With just 17% of the US boosted, a massive omicron wave could peak in January. Enlarge / Dr. Anthony Fauci, Chief Medical Advisor to the President, during the daily press briefing at the White House on December 1, 2021, in Washington,.....»»
Omicron is rising rapidly in the US—3% of cases nationally, 13% in NY and NJ
Dr. Tedros: "Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant." Enlarge / Medical workers carry a patient to a hospital in New York, the United States, Dec. 13, 2021. (credit: Getty | Xinhua News Agency ).....»»
Apple reinstates mask mandate at all its US stores over concerns about rising Covid-19 cases
Apple will once again require anyone inside its US retail stores to wear a mask as concerns mount over rising Covid-19 cases and the spread of the Omicron variant......»»
First UK Death Recorded With Omicron Variant
Thelasko shares a report from the BBC: At least one person in the UK has died with the Omicron coronavirus variant, the prime minister has said. Boris Johnson said the new variant was also resulting in hospital admissions, and the "best thing" people.....»»
Vaccines and previous infection could offer some "stronger than basic" protection to Omicron, early study suggests
One of the earliest, peer-reviewed studies looking into the Omicron variant of COVID-19 suggests that people previously infected with COVID, and those vaccinated, will have some, 'stronger than basic' defence against this new strain of concern......»»
FDA authorizes boosters for ages 16 and 17 ahead of holidays, omicron [Updated]
With delta raging, omicron looming, and holidays nearing, officials push for more shots. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Noam Galai) Update 12/9/2021, 2:55 pm ET: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has signed off on the F.....»»
FDA authorizes boosters for ages 16 and 17 ahead of holidays, omicron
With delta raging, omicron looming, and holidays nearing, officials push for more shots. Enlarge (credit: Getty | Noam Galai) The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use.....»»
Labor shortage worsens in China
Taiwan's tech supply chain is feeling the pressure of a labor shortage in China as concerns over the Omicron COVID-19 variant, port congestion, and insufficient component supplies rise......»»
Omicron weakens vaccine protection, but boosters revive defenses, early data finds
Omicron is "a tractable problem with the tools we have." Enlarge / Pedestrians walk in front of a COVID-19 vaccination site in Brooklyn, New York, on Nov. 19, 2021. (credit: Xinhua News Agency) The first batch of preliminary.....»»
Protein region on COVID"s viral spike senses temperature, drives seasonal mutation patterns
Not to pile on, but winter is coming and the COVID-19 pandemic is about to get worse. Not necessarily because of omicron—scientists are still working that one out—but because there's more evidence than ever that COVID-19 is a seasonal disease......»»
Pfizer, BioNTech Say Third Dose Neutralizes Omicron Variant
Pfizer and BioNTech said initial lab studies show a third dose of their Covid-19 vaccine neutralizes the omicron variant, results that will accelerate booster shot drives around the world. From a report: A booster with the current version of the vacc.....»»
Anime convention of 53K is first US case study for omicron spread, CDC says
CDC says over 35,000 anime fans have already been contacted. Enlarge / Costumed attendees take a break during Anime NYC at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City on November 20, 2021. Anime NYC is an annual three-day an.....»»
COVID outbreak on cruise ship in New Orleans may be due to omicron
Some disembarked passengers said they were never told about the outbreak. Enlarge / MARSEILLE, FRANCE - 2020/05/25: The Norwegian Getaway cruise ship arrives in Marseille. (credit: Getty | SOPA images) A Norwegian Cruise Line.....»»
Omicron suspected in cruise-ship outbreak in New Orleans; 17 cases so far
Some disembarked passengers said they were never told about the outbreak. Enlarge / MARSEILLE, FRANCE - 2020/05/25: The Norwegian Getaway cruise ship arrives in Marseille. (credit: Getty | SOPA images) A Norwegian Cruise Line.....»»
In Naming Omicron Variant, Authorities Skipped "Xi" and "Nu"
WHO has been using the Greek alphabet to name coronavirus strains, but avoided two letters that presented problems. From a report: As health authorities around the world grappled with the emergence of a new strain of the coronavirus, virologists were.....»»
Booster Doses are Powerful, May Fight Omicron, Researchers Find
Last week researchers at Northwestern University calculated that one week after a Covid-19 booster shot, median antibody levels were 23 times higher than before the shot. This Thursday the Times of London reported that another study found similar r.....»»
Israel Halts Disputed Omicron Tracing Through Phone Surveillance
An anonymous reader quotes a report from Reuters: Israel said on Thursday it was halting the use of mobile phone tracing to curb the spread of the new coronavirus variant Omicron, a practice that had been challenged by privacy watchdogs. Prime Minist.....»»
COVID vaccinations spike in US as delta rages and omicron looms
Vaccines expected to offer some protection from omicron as speedy spread continues. Enlarge / People line up outside of a free COVID-19 vaccination site that opened today in the Hubbard Place apartment building on December 3, 2021 in W.....»»
How the Omicron Variant Got So Many Scary Mutations So Quickly
The numerous changes in the coronavirus’s spike protein could have arisen in an isolated population or an immunocompromised person, or in animals -- Read more on ScientificAmerican.com.....»»
New York Anime Convention Possibly Infected With Omicron
Long-time Slashdot reader Aighearach shares a report from Reuters: President Joe Biden on Thursday laid out his strategy to fight the coronavirus as the highly contagious Omicron spread across the globe with winter coming and hours after the first kn.....»»