The Omicron variant has been detected in 38 countries but no deaths have yet been reported, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said yesterday as authorities worldwide rushed to stem the spread of the heavily mutated coronavirus (Covid-19) strain.

Germany has decided to bar the unvaccinated from all but the most essential businesses, and the United States is due to announce further travel curbs as countries around the globe scramble to keep out the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.

Twitter said yesterday that it had shut down nearly 3,500 accounts that were posting pro-government propaganda in six countries, including China and Russia.

Pope Francis has urged unity as Europe faces an influx of refugees and migrants, speaking on the divided Mediterranean island of Cyprus, a major destination for people fleeing war and poverty.

India reported its first two cases of the Omicron coronavirus variant yesterday but the government said it had no immediate plan to authorise booster vaccine shots despite demands from lawmakers.

Air travellers to the United States will face tougher Covid-19 testing rules, as several countries moved to seal-off their borders amid heightened uncertainty around the virulence of the Omicron variant and its ability to dodge existing vaccines.

The EU drug regulator could approve Covid-19 vaccines that have been adapted to target the new variant within three to four months if needed, the agency's chief said on Tuesday as she said existing shots would continue to provide protection.

India's union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said on Tuesday that the Omicron variant does show up on RT-PCR and RAT testing

Australian authorities on Tuesday confirmed a person with Covid-19 had the new Omicron variant after disclosing that the person had been active in the community, but urged calm as they weighed up the severity of the strain.

Philippines leader Rodrigo Duterte's preferred successor, Senator Christopher "Bong" Go, announced on Tuesday he was dropping out of the presidential race, leaving the administration without a candidate in next year's polls.

Hong Kong expanded a ban on entry for non-residents from several countries as global health authorities raced to curb a potential outbreak of the Omicron virus, while Australia's cabinet will review containment steps on Tuesday after five tested positive.

Drugmaker Moderna's CEO set off fresh alarm bells in financial markets on Tuesday after he warned that Covid-19 vaccines were unlikely to be as effective against the Omicron variant as they have been against the Delta version.