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Covid Third Wave: India's R-value sees dip, Omicron vaccine trials begin

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Ishita Srivastava
Ishita SrivastavaJan 27, 2022 | 13:12

Covid Third Wave: India's R-value sees dip, Omicron vaccine trials begin

For the third consecutive day, India has reported less than 3 lakh cases in the last 24 hours; 2,86,384 to be exact, on January 27. About 573 deaths were also reported in the country and the rate of daily Covid cases saw a marginal increase of 0.1 per cent.

Here are 5 latest updates on Covid-19 in India and other parts of the world:

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1. INDIA SEES DROP IN R-VALUE BEFORE REPUBLIC DAY 

On January 24, India saw a major decrease in its R-rate. The nation recorded a R-value of 1.75 on January 7, whereas, exactly 17 days later, India recorded an R-value of 1.1. R-value essentially denotes the number of people that one infected person can pass the virus on to. The R-value is denoted on an average. The lowest R-value was 0.79, last recorded on December 1, 2021.

Photo: India Today
Infographic: India Today

2. DDMA TO HOLD MEETING TO REVIEW DELHI'S COVID SITUATION 

The Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will be holding a meeting on January 27 to review the Covid-19 situation in the national capital. The meeting will be chaired by Lt Governor Anil Baijal, and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is expected to also attend. 

Authorities at the meeting are expected to discuss weekend curfew relaxations and the opening of schools, in view of improvement in the Covid-19 situation in the city.

3. OMICRON STAYS ON SKIN FOR MORE THAN 21 HOURS, SAYS STUDY 

A study has shown that the Omicron variant of Covid-19 stays alive on the skin for over 21 hours, and more than 8 days on plastic surfaces. This study was done by researchers at the Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan, and is yet to be peer-reviewed. 

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Explaining the rapid spread of Omicron, the authors of the study said, "This study showed that Omicron has the highest environmental stability among VOCs, which might be one of the factors that have allowed the variant to replace the Delta variant and spread rapidly." 

Photo for representation: Unspalsh
Photo for representation: Unsplash

VACCINE UPDATES FROM AROUND THE WORLD 

4. PFIZER-BIONTECH BEGIN OMICRON VACCINE TRIALS 

Pfizer and BioNTech have now begun enrollment for a clinical trial to test the immune response and safety of their Omicron-focused Covid-19 vaccine in adults up to the age of 55. The trial is expected to involve 1,420 people between the ages of 18 and 55. 

The trial is currently taking place in the United States and South Africa. The first participant has been dosed in North Carolina. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla has previously said that the company could be ready to file for regulatory approval of the Omicron-specific vaccine shot by March 2022. 

5. MODERNA BEGINS TRIALS FOR BOOSTER DOSES AGAINST OMICRON

US pharmaceutical company Moderna has announced that they have begun clinical trials of for a booster dose that is designed specifically to combat the Omicron variant. The booster dose will be evaluated as both a third and a fourth dose of vaccine.

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The trial will involve a total of 600 adults, out of which half have been vaccinated with 2 doses of Moderna's vaccine and the other half have received 2 doses plus the previously authorised booster dose (total 3 doses).

Last updated: January 27, 2022 | 13:12
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