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Can Omicron’s ‘immunity’ end Covid-19 pandemic? Experts hint at ‘silver lining’

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3 years ago

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Can Omicron’s ‘immunity’ end Covid-19 pandemic? Experts hint at ‘silver lining’

A series of new studies confirmed the silver lining of omicron variants: Even though the number of cases soared to record levels, the number of severe cases and hospitalizations did not. Some scientists say these data mark a new, less worrying chapter in the pandemic.

“We are at a completely different stage now,” said Monica Gan, an immunologist at the University of California, San Francisco. “The virus will always be with us, but I hope this variant can produce such a large immunity, so that the pandemic can be calmed.”

A variant of omicron was discovered in South Africa more than a month ago, and experts warned that this situation still has enough time to change. But data from the past week showed that the combination of extensive immunity and numerous mutations resulted in a virus that caused a much more serious disease than the previous iteration. A South African study found that compared with patients admitted to the hospital during the third wave of omicron and delta-dominated, the fourth wave of virus infection has a 73% lower probability of serious illness. “Wendy Burgers, an immunologist at the University of Cape Town, said: “Due to the decoupling of hospitalizations and cases, the data is now very reliable.”

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In the early days, most of the warnings about omicron were due to the large number of mutations in this variant, many of which occurred in the spike protein, which is the part of the virus that helps it invade the host cell. Early data shows that these mutations allow the virus not only to easily infect unvaccinated people, but also to escape the antibody response of previous infections and vaccines. But the question remains, once omicron crosses the first line of defense, how will it develop. Compared with the previous wave of Covid-19, several factors appear to reduce the toxicity or severity of omicron variants. One factor is the ability of the virus to infect the lungs. Covid infection usually starts in the nose and then spreads to the throat. A mild infection will not go further than the upper respiratory tract, but if the virus reaches the lungs, more severe symptoms will usually appear.

But five independent studies in the past week showed that this variant is not as susceptible to lung infections as previous variants. In a study published in the form of an online preprint by a large consortium of Japanese and American scientists, hamsters and mice infected with omicron suffered much less lung damage and were more likely to die than those infected with previous mutations. People are much smaller. Another study in Belgium found similar results in Syrian hamsters. It is well known that these hamsters suffer from particularly serious diseases due to previous iterations of the virus.

In Hong Kong, scientists studied a small number of patient lung tissue samples collected during surgery and found that omicron grew slower in these samples than other variants.

Bergs said that this change in virulence may be related to changes in the anatomical structure of the virus.

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US vice president JD Vance, wife Usha and kids visit Jaipur’s iconic Amber Fort | Pics

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2 weeks ago

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April 24, 2025

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US vice president JD Vance, wife Usha and kids visit Jaipur’s iconic Amber Fort | Pics

US Vice President JD Vance, his wife Usha Vance, and their children visited the historical Amer Fort in Jaipur on April 22, 2025. The Vance family received a warm welcome at the Fort, where they were greeted with a traditional Rajasthani dance performance and elegantly decorated elephants. Second Lady Usha Vance, the wife of US vice president JD Vance, carries her daughter Mirabel as they watch a cultural performance at the Amber Fort in Jaipur.

Rajasthan CM Bhajanlal Sharma welcomed the Vance family as they visited the historic Amer Fort in Jaipur. The Vance family will depart for the US early Thursday morning. In related news, JD Vance and wife Usha attended Good Friday service at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. Vance also visited the Taj Mahal in Agra on April 23, 2025. Vance said that “good progress.

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In other news, Pope Francis’ funeral is set to start on Wednesday, and the J&K tourist hub has been completely shut today. On 4/20, celebrations across the US highlight cannabis culture and calls for legalization had been made towards a trade deal with India after meeting with “tough negotiator” Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The Vance family visited.

On April 22, 2025, US Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by his wife Usha Vance, and their three children, visited Jaipur’s historic Amber Fort. The family received a warm welcome, highlighted by traditional Rajasthani folk performances and a red carpet reception. As they entered the fort’s main courtyard, Jaleb Chowk, they were greeted by two elegantly decorated elephants named Chanda and Mala, raising their trunks in greeting. ​

During their visit, the Vances were joined by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, who guided them through the fort’s rich history and architectural marvels. The family also enjoyed cultural performances featuring traditional dances such as Kacchi Ghodi, Ghoomar, and Kalbeliya, offering a glimpse into the vibrant.

Usha Vance, dressed in a chic white shirt and patterned skirt, explored the fort alongside her family and dignitaries, embracing the cultural experience culture of Rajasthan This visit was part of Vice President Vance’s four-day official trip to India, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between the United States and India. The Vance family departed for Washington.

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Bhajanlal Sharma welcomed the Vance family as they visited the historic Amer from Jaipur on April 24, concluding their cultural tour of India Upon their arrival at Amber Fort, the Vance family was greeted with traditional Rajasthani hospitality. Two elegantly decorated elephants, Chanda and Pushpa, adorned with silver ornaments, were stationed at the entrance welcome.

The family was also treated to a cultural performance featuring folk artists dressed in traditional Rajputi and Kalbelia attire, accompanied by musicians playing regional instruments. The vibrant rangolis and the overall festive atmosphere highlighted the rich cultural tapestry of Rajasthan The fort’s impressive courtyards and majestic structures.

Exploring the Fort’s Historical Significance

During their tour of Amber Fort, the Vance family explored various architectural marvels, including the Sheesh Mahal (Mirror Palace), known for its intricate mirror work and stunning design. They were accompanied by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma and Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, who provided insights into the fort’s history and significance.​

Engaging with Local Culture

Throughout their visit, Vice President Vance demonstrated a keen interest in engaging with The Vance family’s visit to Amber Fort was part local culture. He interacted with the folk artists and expressed appreciation for the traditional performances, reflecting a genuine curiosity and respect for India’s diverse cultural heritage.​

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