![Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-11/41667703463_vial.jpg)
Factbox - What are the new BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 coronavirus variants, and why it matters
BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are among the more than 300 sublineages of the Omicron variant circulating globally.
Sun Nov 06 2022
![Explainer - What is the BA.5 variant and why does it seem to be reinfecting so many people with COVID-19? Explainer - What is the BA.5 variant and why does it seem to be reinfecting so many people with COVID-19?](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-07/41657780829_OMICRON.jpg)
Explainer - What is the BA.5 variant and why does it seem to be reinfecting so many people with COVID-19?
BA.5, part of the Omicron family, is the latest coronavirus variant to cause widespread waves of infection globally.
Thu Jul 14 2022
![Beijing Games had 72 COVID cases, none athletes, among early arrivals Beijing Games had 72 COVID cases, none athletes, among early arrivals](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/81642987452_BEIJING.jpg)
Beijing Games had 72 COVID cases, none athletes, among early arrivals
Final preparations are taking place for the Winter Games amid a global surge in cases of the highly infectious Omicron coronavirus variant.
Mon Jan 24 2022
![COVID-19 pandemic 'nowhere near over': WHO chief COVID-19 pandemic 'nowhere near over': WHO chief](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/81642546447_COVID.jpg)
COVID-19 pandemic 'nowhere near over': WHO chief
Tedros warned against dismissing as mild the coronavirus variant Omicron, which has spread like wildfire around the globe.
Wed Jan 19 2022
![Omicron dampens worldwide New Year celebrations, but London throws party on TV Omicron dampens worldwide New Year celebrations, but London throws party on TV](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2022-01/81641010777_newyear.jpg)
Omicron dampens worldwide New Year celebrations, but London throws party on TV
The Omicron coronavirus variant dampened New Year festivities around much of the world.
Sat Jan 01 2022
![France says Omicron to be dominant variant soon, resists new restrictions France says Omicron to be dominant variant soon, resists new restrictions](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/61640166349_Paris.jpg)
France says Omicron to be dominant variant soon, resists new restrictions
France could soon see 100,000 new COVID-19 cases a day due to the rapid spread of the Omicron coronavirus variant.
Wed Dec 22 2021
![Britain reports first death with Omicron coronavirus variant Britain reports first death with Omicron coronavirus variant](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/51639455304_StThomasHospital.jpg)
Britain reports first death with Omicron coronavirus variant
It was not clear if the patient had been vaccinated or had underlying health issues.
Tue Dec 14 2021
![South Korea reports three more Omicron cases South Korea reports three more Omicron cases](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/81638692227_Seoul.jpg)
South Korea reports three more Omicron cases
South Korea on Sunday reported three more Omicron coronavirus variant cases, bringing its total confirmed so far to 12.
Sun Dec 05 2021
!['What will be, will be': New York City tourists unfazed by Omicron 'What will be, will be': New York City tourists unfazed by Omicron](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-12/71638407477_JFK.jpg)
'What will be, will be': New York City tourists unfazed by Omicron
The emergence of the heavily mutated Omicron coronavirus variant threatens to throw a wrench into the tourism industry's recovery.
Thu Dec 02 2021
![Travellers jump hoops to leave S.Africa as COVID variant hits Travellers jump hoops to leave S.Africa as COVID variant hits](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-11/61638077914_JOHANNESBURG.jpg)
Travellers jump hoops to leave S.Africa as COVID variant hits
Travellers were left stranded after a slew of countries banned flights from South Africa amid concerns about a new coronavirus variant.
Sun Nov 28 2021
![Explainer - Beyond Delta, scientists are watching new coronavirus variants Explainer - Beyond Delta, scientists are watching new coronavirus variants](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-09/61631155575_COVID.jpg)
Explainer - Beyond Delta, scientists are watching new coronavirus variants
Scientists remain focused on Delta but are tracking others to see what may one day take its place.
Thu Sep 09 2021
![COVID-19 infections in England have quadrupled since June COVID-19 infections in England have quadrupled since June](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2020-12/61608713339_covidLondon.jpg)
COVID-19 infections in England have quadrupled since June
Research showed cases were estimated to be doubling every six days as a new wave fuelled by the Delta coronavirus variant picks up pace.
Thu Jul 08 2021
![India says new COVID variant is a concern India says new COVID variant is a concern](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-06/81624410903_INDIA.jpg)
India says new COVID variant is a concern
India declared a new coronavirus variant "Delta plus" which showed increased transmissibility and advised states to increase testing.
Wed Jun 23 2021
![Vietnam detects hybrid of Indian and UK COVID-19 variants Vietnam detects hybrid of Indian and UK COVID-19 variants](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-05/61622326794_Medicalworkers.jpg)
Vietnam detects hybrid of Indian and UK COVID-19 variants
Authorities in Vietnam have detected a new coronavirus variant that is a combination of the Indian and UK COVID-19 variants.
Sat May 29 2021
![British scientists warn over Indian coronavirus variant British scientists warn over Indian coronavirus variant](https://resizer-awani.eco.astro.com.my/tr:w-177,h-100,q-100,f-auto/https://img.astroawani.com/2021-01/71610669400_Officevacancy.jpg)
British scientists warn over Indian coronavirus variant
British scientists flagged evidence that it spreads more quickly than the original version of the virus.
Fri May 07 2021