News
Omicron sub-variant, BA.2 sees surge of cases in Europe
The highly-contagious Omicron sub-variant, BA.2 is helping to drive another surge of coronavirus cases in Europe and has become the dominant version of Omicron around the world, reports indicated.
Globally, BA.2 made up about 86% of cases reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) between February 16 and March 17. The previously dominant sub-variants, BA.1 and BA.1.1, together represented about 13% of the cases.
BA.2 is already dominant in the ‘Americas health region’, while steadily pushing up cases in parts of Africa, Asia, Europe and West Asia since the end of 2021.
A look around some countries:
Maldives – The state of public health emergency declared nationwide in March 2020 due to the pandemic was lifted on March 13, this year. Even though face-mask wearing is not mandatory, everyone including staff, patients and visitors is required to continue the use of face masks where healthcare services are being provided and where the COVID-19 positivity rate is higher than 20%. This decision had been taken after considering the low positive numbers and death rate.
Singapore – Singapore is to shed its outdoor mask mandate and remove travel curbs, while its COVID-19 numbers on Friday were 7,584 new cases of which 208 were imported. There had also been 13 deaths. In a major achievement, the country has also covered 95% of its eligible population with the first two doses of the vaccine, while 71% have received the booster.
Malaysia – Like Singapore, Malaysia too has decided to reopen its international borders on April 1. Of its eligible population, 84.1% have been administered at least one dose with 79% taking two doses and 47.8% been given the booster. The country has reported 21,552 local cases and 287 imported cases with 52 deaths on Friday with the numbers reportedly showing a dip.
Thailand – There has been no reported huge upsurge of COVID-19 cases as seen in some other countries. Concerns, however, are being raised whether the situation is being monitored accurately as there is a policy of not confirming positivity by RT-PCR testing for all probable cases, as well as the widespread use of Rapid Antigen Tests (including those available ‘over the counter’ that may not be reported).
Hong Kong – One of the deadliest outbreaks of the pandemic is now taking place in Hong Kong. It started earlier this year, when the Omicron variant broke through China’s strict inbound travel quarantine regime. This month, Hong Kong saw its COVID-19 death rate become the highest in the world, topping 37 deaths per million people. Reports attribute the cause of deaths to low vaccination rates, especially among those older than 80 years.
China – In mainland China, thousands of cases are now being reported each day due to Omicron and millions of people in the north-eastern province of Jilin have been placed under lockdown. This is the first time China has restricted an entire province since the early days of the pandemic in Wuhan.
Japan – The country is making ready to administer a 4th shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, with the government stating that it would procure additional doses from two American pharmaceutical companies. This is while Japan’s Health Ministry panel this week approved the administration of a 3rd Pfizer booster shot for children between 12 and 17 years of age.
Australia – Queensland is dealing with a second Omicron wave of COVID-19 that is expected to peak in April, its health officials say. Despite the rising case numbers, no changes are to be made to COVID-19 restrictions or mandates, nor the length of quarantine for people who are deemed close contacts or who test positive.
United Kingdom – All age groups in the UK are affected by Omicron’s BA.2 variant including those who are 75 years or older. A booster jab to top up protection is due to be administered. Despite the rise in cases, as of March 18, the UK lifted all international travel restrictions, regardless of an individual’s departure country.
Deltacron in India
‘Deltacron’, the Omicron+Delta recombinant virus has been detected in seven states in neighbour India.
The South Indian state of Karnataka remains the hotspot with 221 cases, followed by 90 in Tamilnadu, 66 in Maharashtra, 33 in Gujarat, 32 in West Bengal and 20 in New Delhi.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!