The World Health Organization (WHO) warned Asia-Pacific countries today to boost healthcare capacity and fully vaccinate their people to prepare for a surge in Covid-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads globally despite travel curbs.

As suspected cases of Covid-19 Omicron variant rise, Indian genome scientists have pitched for a booster dose of the vaccines for those above aged 40 and above with a preference for high-risk populations.

Incoming passengers from South Africa and six other countries have to stay in 14-day mandatory institutional quarantine at their expenses at designated hotels from tomorrow (Saturday), said the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh.

Malaysia has detected the country's first case of the Omicron coronavirus variant, Health Minister Khairy Jamaluddin said today.

Australia on Friday reported its first community transmission of the new Omicron coronavirus variant, but authorities held steady on a plan to reopen the economy amid hopes it would prove to be milder than previous strains.

The United States reported its first known case of community transmission of Omicron on Thursday hours before President Joe Biden was due to lay out his strategy to fight the coronavirus in the winter as the highly contagious variant spread across the globe.

Stern action will be taken against both hotel authorities and the incoming passengers from southern Africa, the epicentre of the Omicron variant of  coronavirus, for breaching quarantine protocols.

The government has suspended its plans to increase the number of in-person classes next year as the world braces for the impact from new Covid-19 variant Omicron.

Bangladesh has suspended on-arrival visas for passengers coming from outside of the country to contain the new Covid-19 variant Omicron.

Amidst the Omicron variant scare, authorities in India have arranged for Covid-19 vaccination for foreigners at the Taj Mahal in Agra -- keeping in mind that the 17th-century monument is a hot favourite with international tourists.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen today said passengers arriving from South Africa must undergo a compulsory quarantine period of 14 days.

Laboratory analysis of the antibody-based COVID-19 therapy GlaxoSmithKline (GSK.L) (GSK) is developing with U.S. partner Vir (VIR.O) has indicated the drug is effective against the new Omicron variant, the British drugmaker said on Thursday.

Health Minister Zahid Maleque today said the number of Covid-19 testing labs will be increased if the number of passengers at Dhaka airport go up.

India today reported its first two cases of Omicron variant of Covid-19 infection in the southern state of Karnataka, the Indian Health Ministry said.

Three persons have died from Covid-19 in 24 hours till 8:00am today, according to a press release issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS).

Greeks who are over age 60 and refuse coronavirus vaccinations will be hit with monthly fines of more than one-quarter of their pensions — a get-tough policy that could prove risky for the country’s politicians.

It could take weeks before we can understand its impact.

South Korea has discovered its first cases of Covid-19’s omicron variant, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency said Wednesday evening.

Moderna Inc could have a COVID-19 booster shot targeting the Omicron variant tested and ready to file for US authorization as soon as March, the company's president said on Wednesday.

A person in California who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain.