Kumaraguru Action for Relief and Empowerment (KARE), was founded in Nov, 2015 during the Chennai floods. KARE supports the victims of natural disasters such as floods, cyclone and other calamities and has supported during Kerala floods & Gaja Cyclone. This is a volunteer movement of Kumaraguru Institutions where many join hands when the need arises.

KARE COVID 19 Response Bulletin is an effort by a group of Kumaraguru alumni, students & informed citizens alike to clear the clutter around COVID 19 by providing informative, insightful news, articles & data around the world under various tags such as Research, Technology, Education, Economy & Insights with a short summary for each.

COVID19 Basic Info & Previous Bulletin Link: tinyurl.com/blog-KARE

STATISTICS

COVID-19Active Cases Recovered Casualties  
India472,16934,412,740483,463
World40,421,978258,567,3315,500,198

What we know about the Omicron variant

The Omicron variant, first identified in Botswana and South Africa in November, has turned out to be highly transmissible and less susceptible to vaccines. Preliminary data suggest that South Africans with Omicron developed a scratchy or sore throat along with nasal congestion, dry cough and muscle pain, especially low back pain. Several studies indicate that full vaccination plus a booster dose provides strong protection against the variant. The risk of being admitted to hospital for Omicron cases was 65 percent lower for those who had received two doses of vaccines. Even if Omicron is milder than other variants, it could still push hospitals to their limits because of its transmissibility. |New York Times

Omicron symptoms on skin, lips, and nails could mean you need immediate medical care 

Experts have said that symptoms of the Omicron variant are quite different from the classic signs of COVID-19. The American Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that people infected with Omicron report a wide range of symptoms. One such symptom of the virus occurs on the skin, lips, and nails. The CDC warned people to watch out for pale, grey, or blue-colored skin, lips, or nail beds, depending on their skin tone, as this can indicate low levels of oxygen in the blood. The health body described these signs as “emergency warning signs.” |LiveMint

Omicron is not common cold, should not be taken lightly: WHO

The four most common symptoms of the Omicron variant are cough, fatigue, congestion and runny nose. Amid reports that Omicron has symptoms akin to a common cold, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that it is not a common cold and should not be taken lightly. The global health body warned that soaring infections due to Omicron across the world could lead to the emergence of new variants. It is important to have systems to test, advise and monitor large numbers of patients as the surge can be sudden and huge. |Times of India

Omicron behind the exponential rise in cases

At least 28 districts in India are reporting more than 10 per cent weekly positivity rate and 43 districts are reporting a weekly positivity rate between 5 per cent to 10 per cent. According to government data, the COVID-19 case positivity rate has increased from 0.79 per cent to 5.03 per cent. At least 4,70,462 Omicron cases have been recorded across 139 countries. As far as the treatment for patients with mild/asymptomatic disease is concerned, they should follow symptomatic management for fever, running nose and cough. Do not rush for self-medication, blood investigation, or radiological imaging. |Business Today

Omicron fuels India’s third wave as Mumbai prepares for ‘tsunami’ of COVID cases

“India is clearly in the third wave of COVID-19, and the whole thing seems to be driven by Omicron,” said Dr N K Arora, chairman of the COVID-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation. The highest concentration of Omicron cases are in Delhi and Mumbai. The central government has advised all states to reactivate their COVID war rooms and strengthen health infrastructure, particularly around oxygen supply and hospital bed capacity. Looking at the behaviour of the COVID infection in the last seven to 10 days in India, we may be in for a third wave peak very soon. |The Guardian

It takes only 20 minutes to get COVID if you are wearing a cloth mask: Study

According to scientists, cloth masks may not provide enough protection against the virus. While many people choose cloth masks over N95 for comfort, experts recommend pairing cloth masks with surgical masks. Data shows if two people are not wearing masks and one of them is infected, then the infection will spread in 15 minutes. If one of them wears a cloth mask then the virus will take 20 minutes. If both are wearing cloth masks, then the infection will spread in 27 minutes. For highly transmissible variants like the Omicron, the first line of defence needs to be activated with covid-appropriate behavior starting with masking. |Hindustan Times

Omicron surge cripples several businesses, to hit economic recovery 

Numerous businesses spanning across multiple sectors have been impacted in light of the fresh restrictions imposed by states. Restaurants, physical consumer retail, recreation, travel and entertainment-related businesses are already facing losses due to fresh curbs. Experts expect the COVID-19 surge in India due to the Omicron variant to disrupt economic growth for a short period before recovering again. Considering all the factors, economists are still not completely sure as to how the fresh wave will hurt the Indian and global economy. |India Today

Schools and colleges closed; Omicron pauses hope of normalcy in education sector

Rise in cases of “Omicron,”  the new variant of COVID-19 has led to the closure of schools and colleges. Several states including Punjab, Delhi, Maharashtra, Telangana, West Bengal, Odisha, and Goa have announced shutdown of educational institutions. Certain educational sectors suggest allowing staggered functioning of schools and colleges, but the increase in Omicron cases concern parents. The prolonged closure of schools last year has caused a massive learning loss, and it was emphasized by the World bank that this condition will influence the future earnings, poverty alleviation, and reducing inequality. |Money Control

Omicron infections milder than other variants, leads to lower rate of hospitalisations

A pre-print study published in the Journal Lancet states that in comparison with the former waves (beta and delta), the Omicron infected COVID-19 patients have fewer hospitalisations, lower requirement of supplemental oxygen. They experience less severe symptoms but pose a higher risk of reinfection and transmission. Hospitalisation rates have declined mainly in patients aged more than 20 where a large vaccination rate is observed. In examining the study in regard to the severity of disease, the percent of cases admitted in the fourth wave of Omicron specific is not as much as in the third wave of Delta specific. |The Print

Despite huge Omicron surge, Data signals end of Pandemic

Even as case numbers soar to records, scientists say that the data signals a less worrying chapter of the pandemic. Earlier, the Omicron variant was quite alarming because of the variant’s large number of mutations that allowed the virus to easily infect not only unvaccinated people, but also to evade antibody response from previous infections and vaccines. The virus’ inability to infect the lungs is one factor that makes the Omicron variant less severe. Scientists suggest that Omicron’s combination of high transmissibility and mild infection might signal the beginning of the end. |NDTV

Where can we get authentic information about Coronavirus?

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Bulletin 57 Team

  1. Architha R
  2. Hind Chetwani Z
  3. Nakshatra Lakshmi M S
  4. Shabnam S
  5. Shivani S

KARE COVID-19 Response So Far

43038 Cooked meals
2279 Volunteering hours clocked.
10 Tons of Vegetables transacted so far.
28+ Number of Farmers impacted so far.
640 Helpline Calls.
500 Grocery Kits & 500 kg Rice
50+ hours of student mentoring & 8 Gadgets
1400 Liquid sanitizer packs
5500 Masks
₹ 4,95,141 Funds Raised.
₹ 6,50,000 Funds Spent.
63000+ Lives Impacted

Impact areas: 

Chinnavedampatti, Saravanampatty, Vellaikinar, Sathyamangalam, Sulthanpet, Paapampatti, Sulur, Thondamuthur, Narasipuram, Kangayam, Coimbatore & Pollachi.

TO MAKE A DONATION
KARE Bank Account Details

Account name: KCT KARE
Account number: 1245155000078376
Bank: Karur Vysya Bank
Branch: KCT Extension Counter
IFSC: KVBL0001245
Bank address: Kumaraguru College of Technology, Chinnavedampatti, Coimbatore – 641036

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