South Africa’s government, buoyed by encouraging data showing that infections from the Omicron variant aren’t as severe, has dropped quarantine restrictions for all but symptomatic people. That includes allowing people who have tested positive but show no symptoms to gather with others, so long as they wear a mask andContinue Reading
President Biden will remove the ban on travel between the United States and countries in southern Africa at midnight on Dec. 31, a senior administration official said on Friday, reversing restrictions imposed last month to combat the spread of the Omicron variant. The region’s leaders had denounced the ban asContinue Reading
The risks here for older people are frightening: A rate of 0.45 percent, for instance, translates into roughly a 1 in 220 chance of death for a vaccinated 75-year-old woman who contracts Covid. If the risks remain near these levels with Omicron, they could lead to tens of thousands ofContinue Reading
As people in wealthy nations snap up booster shots amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, the World Health Organization’s leader warned that universal access to extra doses in highly inoculated countries could worsen global vaccine inequality and prolong the pandemic. That imbalance, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the W.H.O.’s director-general,Continue Reading
Three separate teams of scientists on two continents have found that Omicron infections more often result in mild illness than earlier variants of the coronavirus, offering hope that the current surge may not be quite as catastrophic as feared despite skyrocketing caseloads. The researchers examined Omicron’s course through populations inContinue Reading
Three separate teams of scientists on two continents have found that Omicron infections more often result in mild illness than earlier variants of the coronavirus, offering hope that the current surge may not be quite as catastrophic as feared despite skyrocketing caseloads. The researchers examined Omicron’s course through populations inContinue Reading
Mayor-elect Eric Adams will keep New York City’s health commissioner in his position for several months to provide continuity to the city’s pandemic response, Mr. Adams said on Wednesday. The current commissioner, Dr. Dave A. Chokshi, will continue to run the health department after Mr. Adams takes office on Jan.Continue Reading
JERUSALEM — Israel, which late last year was an early trailblazer in its efforts to administer a first coronavirus vaccine dose to its citizens, now plans to offer fourth doses in a bid to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, officials said on Tuesday. It is believed toContinue Reading
JERUSALEM — Israeli officials said Tuesday that the country will administer a fourth dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, in a bid to curb the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Israel is believed to be the first country to offer a fourth round of doses. Naftali Bennett, the Israeli primeContinue Reading
Today, we’re announcing three new measures to help people and businesses. Firstly, we’re announcing a billion pounds in financial grant support, which means eligible hospitality companies will be able to claim a cash grant worth up to 6,000 pounds. Secondly, we’re providing 30 million pounds to top up our successfulContinue Reading