Omicron may do good by replacing Delta from world: Experts

by Argus News

New Delhi, Dec 28: The highly transmissible Omicron variant of Covid, which has so far been detected in more than 100 countries so far, may help the world get rid of the Delta strain that claimed so many lives across the globe, said health experts on Tuesday.

Omicron, first detected from southern Africa in late November, has become dominant in several countries including the US and the UK, outpacing the previously dominant Delta variant, which was considered to be the dominant strain in many countries until recently.

While Omicron is known to cause only mild disease, Delta has been more lethal leading to increased hospitalisation with drop in oxygen levels, pneumonia, and death.

"Omicron is a milder wave and will replace Delta, and may be good for the world," Dr. Vasant Nagvekar, Covid task force member of Maharashtra government, told IANS.

"Omicron is more transmissible, and it could also be immune-evasive (cause breakthrough infections in previously infected or vaccinated). But so far, there is no proof that it produces more severe infections," added Nagvekar, who is also Consultant, Infectious Diseases at Global Hospital, Mumbai.

The early data from South Africa has shown that most patients are younger and the variant produces milder infections.

"For now the variant also appears to be stable, with high transmissibility but low virulence, which perhaps explains the lack of surge in hospitalisations and deaths where it was earlier reported," Nagvekar said.

Meanwhile, what we need is vigilance, improving border surveillance, genomic sequencing, as well as vaccination cover, he noted.

"The best option for getting out of this phase of the pandemic is to ensure that people everywhere are fully vaccinated. As the virus continues to spread, there remain opportunities for new variants to emerge," Brian Wahl, Assistant Scientist, Department of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, US, told IANS.

"This is why it is so important to increase coverage of both doses in India and in countries where vaccine coverage is currently low, like in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa," he added.

Meanwhile, with more than 30 mutations on its spike protein, Omicron has the potential of evading vaccines as well as previous Covid infection induced immunity. Several studies have shown that two doses of existing Covid vaccines may not be effective against Omicron, while booster doses have shown promise.

India has also announced the roll out of booster doses, starting with healthcare workers from January next year.

"The protection provided by many vaccines can be reduced over time. Booster doses can help bring protection back up. However, the frequency with which boosters might be required is not known," Wahl said.

However, Nagvekar stated that "a booster dose, even if it works, is just a temporary fix. "We can't keep on taking boosters every six months and for every variant of concern that emerges. Equitable vaccine distribution, especially a vaccine that covers the most recent variant of concern is a possible and practical solution in the long term."

India will also start vaccinating children aged 15-18 from January.

While Covid as a whole has been mild for children, Omicron has raised concern with many kids being affected and hospitalised in the US, South Africa and the UK.

"Vaccine for kids is necessary. If Omicron cases rise, it's going to be challenging due to its faster spread," Nagvekar said.

Besides vaccines and booster doses, monoclonal antibodies and anti-Covid pills have been a great aid in the fight against Covid. While India had already approved monoclonal antibodies therapy for treating severe Covid, the country on Tuesday also granted emergency approval for US-based pharma company Merck's Covid pill molunapiravir. The pill has shown efficacy in curbing hospitalisation and death by 30 per cent.

The antiviral drug will be manufactured in India by 13 companies for restricted use under emergency situations for treatment of adult patients with Covid-19 and who have a high risk of progression of the disease.

(IANS)

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President Murmu, Others Hail Successful Tunnel Rescue Mission

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Nov 28: President Droupadi Murmu, Home Minister Amit Shah and other leaders hailed the rescue of 41 trapped workers from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel and also congratulated the multiple teams engaged in the mega operation.

The President in a post on X said, "I feel relieved and happy to learn that all the workers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarakhand have been rescued."

She said, "Their travails over 17 days, as the rescue effort met with obstacles, have been a testament of human endurance. The nation salutes their resilience and remains grateful to them for building critical infrastructure, even at great personal risk, far away from their homes.

“I congratulate the teams and all experts who have acted with incredible grit and determination to perform one of the most difficult rescue missions in history.”

Shah in a post on X, said, "It is great news for the nation that all our 41 Shramik brothers trapped in a tunnel in Uttarkashi have been rescued safe and sound. Nation salutes their grit in facing such a challenging situation in the tunnel for so long."

"My heartfelt gratitude to all the people and the agencies that have made tireless efforts to save the lives of our fellow citizens," Shah added.

am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse have been successfully rescued.

Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari also took X and said: "I am completely relieved and happy as 41 trapped laborers in the Silkyara Tunnel Collapse have been successfully rescued."

He also prayed for their speedy recovery congratulated their families.

The remarks came after all the 41 trapped workers at the Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakashi area were pulled out safely on Tuesday evening after 17 days of mega multiple agency operation.

Relief and rescue work which entered the 16th day on Tuesday, was being carried out by scientists, international experts, NDRF, SDRF, BRO on a war footing.

On November 12, an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi leaving 41 workers trapped. (IANS)

‘Your Courage An Inspiration To Others,’ Says PM Modi After Successful Tunnel Rescue Mission

by Hemanta Pande

New Delhi, Nov 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the success of rescue operation to bring out 41 trapped workers from Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel is making everyone emotional and hailed the courage of the workers as an inspiration to others.

The Prime Minister also congratulated the multiple people engaged in rescue operation for their bravery and determination to bring out all trapped workers safely.

"The success of the rescue operation of our labor brothers in Uttarkashi is making everyone emotional. I want to say to the friends who were trapped in the tunnel that your courage and patience is inspiring everyone. I wish you all well and good health," Modi wrote on X.

उत्तरकाशी में हमारे श्रमिक भाइयों के रेस्क्यू ऑपरेशन की सफलता हर किसी को भावुक कर देने वाली है।

टनल में जो साथी फंसे हुए थे, उनसे मैं कहना चाहता हूं कि आपका साहस और धैर्य हर किसी को प्रेरित कर रहा है। मैं आप सभी की कुशलता और उत्तम स्वास्थ्य की कामना करता हूं।

यह अत्यंत… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 28, 2023

He said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that after a long wait these friends of ours will now meet their loved ones.

He said that the patience and courage that all these families have shown in this challenging time cannot be appreciated enough.

"I also salute the spirit of all the people associated with this rescue operation. The bravery and determination have given new life to our labor brothers. Everyone involved in this mission has set an amazing example of humanity and teamwork," Modi said.

The remarks from the Prime Minister came after all the 41 trapped workers at the Uttarakhand's Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakashi area were pulled out safely on Tuesday evening after 17 days of mega multiple agency operation.

The Prime Minister has been taking regular updates from Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on the rescue operation.

Also Read: Uttarakhand: All 41 Trapped Workers Rescued From Silkyara Tunnel

Relief and rescue work which entered the 16th day on Tuesday, was being carried out by scientists, international experts, NDRF, SDRF, BRO on a war footing.

On November 12, an under-construction tunnel collapsed in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi leaving 41 workers trapped. (IANS)

Ruturaj Gaikwad Slams Unbeaten Ton, Propels India To 222/3 Against Australia In 3rd T20I

by Hemanta Pande

Guwahati, Nov 28: Ruturaj Gaikwad's fireworks in the death overs helped India set Australia a daunting target of 222/3 in the third T20I at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Assam on Tuesday.

Gaikwat went unbeaten, showcasing why he is touted as the next big thing in Indian cricket. After operating at a strike rate below 100 initially, the right-hander opened out in the latter half of the Indian innings, going at a strike rate of over 215.

Australian left-arm seamer Jason Behrendorff bowled a mean spell at the start of the Indian innings, sending back opener Yashasvi Jaiswal, who slammed a quickfire fifty in the previous match, for six.

Behrendorff produced an exceptional opening burst, picking up one wicket at the expense of just five runs.

Right-arm pacer Kane Richardson, too, stifled the Indian run charge and picked up Ishan Kishan for a five-ball duck.

However, Ruturaj and skipper Suryakumar Yadav then came together to stabilise the innings, with the latter going after Nathan Ellis, Tanveer Sangha and Aaron Hardie.

The T20 batting ace brought his 360-degree skills to the fore, accumulating 32 runs in four overs, in the company of Ruturaj.
Ruturaj, who was going at a strike rate below 100 at the time, launched an assault on the Aussie attack, slamming Sangha to the fence.

The skipper, who was going great guns at 39, was sent back by Hardie halfway through the Indian innings.
After the fall of Surya's wicket, Ruturaj put his foot on the pedal and scored at a strike rate of over 185, racing to the nineties in no time.

Tilak Varma, at the other end, gave Ruturaj good company, rotating the strike and also finding the fence at will.

India reached the 150-run mark in the 17th over, with the visitors still in with a chance to keep the hosts to under 200.
However, Hardie's inexperience proved his undoing, as Ruturaj tore into him in the 18th over, smacking him for 25 runs with three sixes and a boundary.

Skipper Matthew Wade's gamble to give Glenn Maxwell the final over didn't pay off either, as Ruturaj completed his ton with a maximum of the first ball of the 20th over.

The opener's fireworks continued thereafter as he stepped out of his crease to send another over to the stands and picked up a third straight six, pulling Maxwell over the square boundary as he dropped short.