New Covid Variant

• Omicron variant prompts emergency G7 health meeting, including Canada

  The developments come as countries debated a new global convention on pandemic preparedness and response at a special meeting of the World Health Assembly on Monday.

  Canada

  Nov 29
• South Africa mulling COVID-19 vaccine mandate for some places, activities

  Scientists have so far only detected the new Omicron variant in relatively small numbers, mainly in South Africa but also in Botswana, Hong Kong and Israel.

  Health

  Nov 28
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• U.K. eyes expanding COVID-19 vaccine boosters as 3rd Omicron case found

  "Our advanced sequencing capabilities enable us to find variants and take rapid action to limit onward spread," Jenny Harries, chief executive of UKHSA, said in a statement.

  Health

  Nov 28
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• Netherlands, Australia confirm cases of Omicron COVID-19 variant

  "It is not unlikely more cases will appear in the Netherlands," Health Minister Hugo de Jonge told a news conference in Rotterdam. "This could possibly be the tip of the iceberg."

  World

  Nov 28
• Here’s why WHO skipped 2 Greek letters to name new variant ‘Omicron’

  The WHO chose on Friday to dub the variant, first reported to the agency by scientists in South Africa, ``omicron'' -- continuing its use of the Greek alphabet.

  World

  Nov 27
• Will COVID-19 booster shots protect against the Omicron variant? Experts undecided

  South African scientists first identified the variant earlier this week after a sudden, exponential rise in cases in the country.

  Canada

  Nov 27
• Omicron variant: AstraZeneca exploring impact on vaccine, antibody cocktail

  AstraZeneca said that it had developed a vaccine platform to respond quickly to new variants with Oxford University, where its vaccine was created.

  World

  Nov 26
• Omicron variant: BioNTech, Moderna expect data on vaccine protection soon

  Pfizer and BioNTech said that if necessary they expect to be able to ship a new vaccine tailored to the emerging variant in approximately 100 days.

  Health

  Nov 26
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• Canada clamps down on Omicron COVID-19 variant. Experts say it’s likely ‘already here’

  Omicron, also known as B.1.1.529 was designated by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern earlier Friday after reports of the virus' spread across South Africa.

  Canada

  Nov 26
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• WHO designates new COVID-19 variant ‘Omicron’ as variant of concern

  The new COVID-19 variant, recently discovered by South Africa, is now officially a variant of concern, the WHO announced Friday.

  Health

  Nov 26