Omicron live updates: Pfizer pill becomes 1st US-authorised home Covid treatment

Eleven more cases of Omicron were confirmed in Maharashtra on Tuesday, taking total count of the highly mutated variant in the state to 65. The affected include an 11-month-old girl and a six-year-old boy from Mumbai, both asymptomatic, officials said. State officials said barring the children, all adults are fully vaccinated and have mild to no symptoms.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that he will not introduce any further Covid restrictions in the UK before Christmas, but warned that the situation remains "finely balanced" ahead of the new year. In a video posted on social media by Downing Street, the Prime Minister said: "People can go ahead with their Christmas plans". However, he urged caution and suggested people should take a test before meeting elderly relatives. (IANS)

Israeli health officials are reporting what is believed to be the country's first death from the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Soroka Hospital, located in the southern city of Beersheba, said a man in his 60s died Monday, two weeks after he was hospitalised. It said the man had suffered from pre-existing health issues but gave no further details.Israel has greatly restricted air traffic in and out of the country and is considering a series of restrictions on the public to prevent the spread of the highly contagious variant.