What’s next in store for the world? 

According to the report, Bharat Biotech is seeking approval from the DCGI for a phase 3 research of an intra-nasal vaccination as a booster dosage.

Bharat Biotech has applied to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for permission to undertake a phase 3 research using its intra-nasal Covid-19 vaccine as a booster dose on those who have already received Covishield or Covaxin, according to government sources quoted by PTI on Monday. “Bharat Biotech has filed an application to undertake a Phase 3 study to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of BBV154 and BBV152 as a third dose (booster) to individuals previously immunized with SARS-CoV-2 vaccines,” an official said.

India has yet to approve the use of the Hyderabad-based company’s intranasal vaccination BBV154. 

According to news agency ANI, Kerala (4) and Delhi (6) each reported new Omicron cases on Monday, bringing their totals to 15 and 28, respectively. According to the Delhi Health Department, 12 of these cases have already been discharged from the city. Karnataka has confirmed five more instances of the new type earlier in the day. According to Karnataka Health Minister Dr. Sudhakar, the five patients are from Dharwad, Bhadravathi, Udupi (2), and Mangaluru. 

India now has at least 171 Omicron cases. Omicron cases have been found in Maharashtra (54), Delhi (28), Rajasthan (17), and Karnataka (19), Telangana (20), Gujarat (11), Kerala (15), Andhra Pradesh (1), Chandigarh (1), Tamil Nadu (1), and West Bengal (1), according to central and state officials (4).

With the number of Covid-19 cases in Delhi reaching a six-month high, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Monday that all positive case samples will be sent for genome sequencing to detect the presence of Omicron. Previously, the new variety was only examined on samples from the airport. He also asked the Centre to allow people who have been fully vaccinated to receive booster doses in order to prevent the virus from spreading.

In the meantime, India reported 6,563 new Covid-19 cases and 132 deaths in the previous 24 hours. According to the Health Ministry’s report, the active cases in the country were 82,267, with 8,077 recoveries.