Plea in SC seeks Covid vaccination for 18 yrs and above
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court seeking direction to provide Covid-19 vaccine to people in the age group of 18 and above, citing exponential rise in Covid cases in the country. The petition, filed by advocate Rashmi Singh through advocate M.R. Shamshad, said if a larger number […]
Read MoreMumbai ‘dons’ 55-ft-long face-mask on Charlie Chaplin’s 132nd birth anniv
Mumbai, April 16 (IANS) In an unique gesture to mark the 132nd birth anniversary of the legendary comedian, Sir Charles Chaplin, a Mumbai philanthropist unveiled a 55-feet long Covid-19 face-mask, here on Friday. An initiative of Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka, of the NGO Ample Mission, the face mask is billed as the world’s largest and […]
Read MoreCovid 2.0 may claim 2,320 lives per day in India by June: Report
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) The lethal second wave of Coronavirus will likely claim nearly 1,750-2,320 lives per day in India by the first week of June 2021, if proper steps are not immediately taken to curb its spread, warned a report by the Lancet Covid-19 Commission. Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, […]
Read MoreCovid turns deadly for Indians in 30-45 age group
By Rachel V ThomasNew Delhi, April 16 (IANS) For Vijay, a 32-year-old healthy working professional in the national capital, testing positive for Covid-19 was bad news. Within no time, the symptoms became severe with respiratory complications, and his family rushed from one hospital to another earlier this week to find a ventilator bed but to […]
Read MoreFrom India to US, world urges Biden not to hoard Coronavirus vaccine
New Delhi/Washington (IANS) From the owner of the biggest producer of one of the Coronavirus vaccines in India to several senators in the US, a wide range of people have appealed to US President Joe Biden to temporarily suspend the intellectual property rules for the vaccine production. As the second wave of the Coronavirus pandemic […]
Read MoreTamil actor Vivek suffers cardiac arrest, rushed to hospital
Chennai, April 16 (IANS) Popular Tamil comedian Vivek has been admitted to the SIMS hospital here after suffering a major heart attack on Friday. Doctors treating the actor said that his condition is critical as his vital organs are not responding. Vivek was the brand ambassador to create awareness for propagating Covid vaccination among the […]
Read MoreHealth ministry tells PSUs, ministries to dedicate hospital beds for Covid care
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Amid a surge in the Covid cases, the Union health and family welfare ministry has advised the Central ministries and the Public Sector Units (PSUs) to dedicate the hospitals under their control for Covid care. The Union Health ministry has suggested to all the ministries to issue instructions to the […]
Read MoreYoung Covid survivors not safe from reinfection: Lancet
New York, April 16 (IANS) If you are planning to avoid vaccination just because you are a Covid survivor, think twice. According to a new study, despite a prior Covid-19 infection young people can likely catch the virus again and may still transmit it to others. Even after a previous infection and the presence of […]
Read MoreDelhi CM calls emergency meeting, Sisodia to head Covid management
New Delhi, April 16 (IANS) Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday called for an emergency meeting in the wake of the rising number of Covid-19 cases in the national capital. The government also decided to make Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia as the nodal officer for Covid-19 management. The meeting at 4 p.m. will be […]
Read MoreUS CDC reports 5,800 Covid infections in fully vaccinated people
Washington, April 16 (IANS) About 5,800 people who have been administered Covid-19 vaccines in America have been infected by the virus, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. So far, about 5,800 “breakthrough” cases have been reported to the CDC, Xinhua news agency quoted the agency as saying on Thursday. Vaccine breakthrough […]
Read MoreTrust in J&J vax dips after pause over blood clot
Washington, April 16 (IANS) Trust in the safety of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine has plunged 15 percentage points among Americans after federal health agencies recommended a “pause” in its use following blood clot cases, according to a new poll. Adults who said they believed the single-dose shot was safe dropped from 52 per cent […]
Read More3rd vax dose likely needed within 12 months: Pfizer CEO
Washington, April 16 (IANS) Pfizer Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said people will likely need a third dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine within 12 months of getting fully inoculated. Bourla told CNBC News on Thursday that it is possible people will need to get vaccinated against the coronavirus annually, reports Xinhua news agency. “We […]
Read MoreRemedesvir hoarders won’t be spared, says K’taka Home Minister
Humnabad (Karnataka), April 16 (IANS) Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday warned that stern action will be initiated against those found hoarding and black-marketing Covid drug remedesvir. Bommai, who was campaigning for the party for the April 17 bypoll to the Basavakalyana Assembly seat in Bidar, told reporters that he had contacted Health Minister […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 138.8mn
Washington, April 16 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 138.8 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.98 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreDaily Covid infections in Germany near record high
Berlin, April 16 (IANS) Daily Covid-19 infections in Germany are nearing the previous record of almost 34,000 cases, as 29,426 new cases were registered within one day, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) announced on Thursday. The seven-day incidence of reported Covid-19 cases per 100,000 citizens increased to 160.1 from around 153 the previous day, according […]
Read MoreUK records another 2,672 coronavirus cases
London, April 16 (IANS) Another 2,672 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,380,976, according to official figures released on Thursday. The country also reported another 30 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,191. These figures […]
Read MoreFrance’s Covid death toll surpasses 100,000
Paris, April 16 (IANS) France’s Covid-19 death toll passed the 100,000 mark on Thursday, and a further jump in intensive care (ICU) admissions was also reported in the past 24 hours, suggesting that the coronavirus continues to spread unabated. Government figures showed 296 new deaths in one day, bringing the total number of fatalities to […]
Read MoreAfrica’s confirmed Covid cases pass 4.38 mn
Addis Ababa, April 16 (IANS) The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,383,168 as of Thursday, the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), said the death toll from the pandemic stood at 116,727 while 3,933,939 patients […]
Read MoreAlka Lamba slams Kejriwal for ‘mishandling’ Covid situation in Delhi
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Former MLA and Delhi Congress leader Alka Lamba on Thursday slammed the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in the national capital, saying that Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal should shoulder the blame for the rapid spread of Covid cases in the fourth wave of the pandemic in the city. Addressing a […]
Read MoreWe doubt the government figures on Covid, says Gujarat HC
Gandhinagar April 15 (IANS) The Gujarat High Court on Thursday pulled up the state government on various figures provided by it on the Covid situation, particularly in the second wave, which prompted the court to file a fresh suo moto PIL over the matter. The division bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Bhargav […]
Read MoreDoctors move SC to postpone NEET-PG exam amid Covid crisis
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court by nine doctors seeking a direction to postpone the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) for post graduate candidates, scheduled for April 18, against the backdrop of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. The petitioners contended that holding the exam amid the pandemic […]
Read MoreIndia records 2L fresh Covid cases, days after breaching 1L-mark (Ld)
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) India has emerged as the worst hit nation by the latest wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, recording more than two-fold rise in fresh cases with 2,00,739 new infections getting reported on Thursday, as compared to the country’s highest previous peak of 97,894 cases recorded on September 17 last year. Covid-19 […]
Read More‘Very difficult times’: SC judge as tech staff tests Covid positive
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Supreme Court judge Justice M.R. Shah on Thursday said all his staff members involved in arranging virtual hearings have tested positive for Covid-19. Justice Shah was sitting on a bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud as it took up a case through video-conferencing. In the pre-lunch hearing, he broke the […]
Read MoreHimachal CM announces Rs 1.5K ex gratia for Covid warriors
Mandi (Himachal Pradesh), April 15 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday announced Rs 1,500 ex gratia for all Class III and Class IV employees, comprising staff nurses, ward boys and Asha workers, who have been involved directly in treating Covid-19 patients. The Chief Minister also announced financial incentives for the tourism, […]
Read MoreDelhi to be under weekend curfew till April 30
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) In order to break the chain of Covid-19 infections, the Delhi government on Thursday ordered imposition of weekend curfew in the city till April 30, except for essential activities or services. The curfew will be implemented from 10 p.m. on Friday to 5 a.m. on Monday from April 16. All […]
Read MoreDelhi may face vaccine shortage, stocks available only for 6-7 days
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) With over 50,000 vaccinations being administered across Delhi on a regular basis for a few days, the national capital may face a vaccine shortage next week as it has stocks only for six-seven days. The matter was discussed at a review meeting chaired by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal earlier […]
Read MoreCovid 2.0 hits Indian kids with severe symptoms: Doctors
By Rachel V ThomasNew Delhi, April 15 (IANS) In what should worry Indian parents the most, an increasing number of children are now being infected with Covid-19 along with serious symptoms in the ongoing lethal second wave. The city-based doctors on Thursday urged parents not to take their kids out and expose them to the […]
Read MoreDelhi govt announces weekend curfew, allows passes for essential services
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a weekend curfew in the national capital to break the chain of Covid-19 pandemic, which has shown an uptrend for the past few days. Considering exponential surge in Covid cases, Kejriwal, in a virtual video conference, announced weekend curfew in the city […]
Read MoreItaly halts J&J Covid vax roll-out plans
Rome, April 15 (IANS) Italy has halted its rollout plans for the US-made Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine just before it was set to begin distribution of the one-dose jab, a government official said. The news on Wednesday comes after the US suspended the use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine while investigating into speculations […]
Read MoreEU in talks with Pfizer/BioNTech for 1.8bn doses
Brussels, April 15 (IANS) European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said that talks were under way with Pfizer/BioNTech for a new contract for 1.8 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccines to be delivered in 2022 and 2023. She said in a statement on Wednesday that the new contract was sought after the European Union (EU) […]
Read MoreGovt begins mapping of states with greater need of oxygen
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Amid reports of shortage of medical oxygen from various parts of the country, the Centre has clarified that the present availability of “oxygen is sufficient”, however, it has started mapping of states with greater need of oxygen. Of the states with greater needs of oxygen are Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, […]
Read MoreAbout half of UK adults estimated to have antibodies
London, April 15 (IANS) About half of the UK’s adult population were estimated to have tested positive for coronavirus antibodies by the end of March, the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed. An estimated 54.9 per cent of people in private households in England had Covid-19 antibodies in the week to […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid cases spike for 7th consecutive week: WHO
Geneva, April 15 (IANS) Global Covid-19 cases have continued to increase for a seventh consecutive week, with over 4.5 million new infections reported last week, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported. As of Thursday morning, the current global caseload and death toll stood at 138,021,474 and 2,971,130, respectively, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In […]
Read MoreDaily exercise in youth can give you a robust life after 40
New York, April 15 (IANS) Maintaining a daily exercise routine in youth may help reduce risk of high blood pressure or hypertension and dementia in later life, according to a study. People with moderate exercise for at least five hours a week during early adulthood had 18 per cent lower risk of developing hypertension than […]
Read MoreCovid: Air pollution can worsen outcomes in asthma patients
New York, April 15 (IANS) Exposure to higher levels of air pollution is likely to increase the severity of Covid-19 among people suffering from respiratory conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), warns a study. Researchers from the University of Cincinnati in the US found that a one-unit increase in particulate matter […]
Read MoreDenmark stops AstraZeneca vax rollout
Copenhagen, April 15 (IANS) Denmark has decided to entirely cease administering the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the country’s health authority confirmed. “Based on the scientific findings, our overall assessment is there is a real risk of severe side effects associated with using the Covid-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca. We have, therefore, decided to remove the vaccine from […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 138mn
Washington, April 15 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 138 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.97 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreAs Covid spread gets worse, leading doctors say go for a quick restrictive lockdown
New Delhi, April 15 (IANS) Spreading at a very high speed, the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has overwhelmed healthcare infrastructure in several states, urgently requires an extraordinary response to contain the virus, feel the leading doctors, dealing with the health crisis in the country. “One robust way to respond to this new […]
Read MorePoland extends national Covid lockdown
Warsaw, April 15 (IANS) The Polish government on Wednesday extended the nationwide lockdown by a week, saying the recent “zenith of the epidemic’s third wave” is starting to affect health care facilities. It is the second extension of the lockdown since it was put in place on March 27. The current lockdown would have expired […]
Read MoreGermany reports higher Covid cases, ICU occupancy
Berlin, April 15 (IANS) German coronavirus infections appear to be on the rise once more, but a possible lack of testing over the Easter holiday week means the exact situation is unclear. On Wednesday, the number of new infections per 100,000 people over seven days rose to 153.2, similar to levels in January during the […]
Read More500 hospitalised in east Delhi after eating adulterated ‘atta’
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Around 500 people in east Delhi were admitted to a hospital with complaints of stomach ache, diarrhoea and vomiting after reportedly consuming adulterated ‘kuttu ka atta’ (buckwheat), eaten during the Navratras, police said. The incident was reported late Tuesday night. Those who have been admitted to the Lal Bahadur Shastri […]
Read MoreDelhi sees 17,282 new Covid cases, CM seeks meeting with LG
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Delhi on Wednesday recorded a new high daily Covid tally of 17,282, as well as 104 deaths, while the number of active cases crossed the 50,000-mark to reach 50,736, according to the government’s health bulletin. The national capital had recorded 13,468 cases and 81 deaths on Tuesday. Daily positivity rate […]
Read MoreAstraZeneca’s drug Tagrisso approved in China in early lung cancer
London, April 14 (IANS) British drugmaker AstraZeneca on Wednesday said its drug Tagrisso has been approved in China for treatment of some patients with early stage lung cancer. China’s National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) approved the drug as an adjuvant therapy for early-stage lung cancer patients with a mutation of the EGFR gene, AstraZeneca said. […]
Read MoreMachine Learning can help slow down future pandemics: Study
London, April 14 (IANS) Machine Learning (ML) can be used to find effective testing methods during epidemic outbreaks, thereby helping to better control the outbreaks, a new study said. ML is a type of Artificial Intelligence and can be described as a mathematical model where computers are trained to learn to see connections and solve […]
Read MoreIndia crosses 11 crore vaccination on Wednesday
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) India’s vaccination coverage on Wednesday exceeded 11 crores, on the 4th day of Tika Utsav with over 26 lakh doses given in the last 24 hours. The total number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 11 crore on the fourth day of the Tika Utsav. Cumulatively, […]
Read MoreMumbai corporation approves Remdesivir at double the rate agreed by Maha undertaking
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Two tenders for Remdesivir injections in Maharashtra approved by government departments have gone at completely divergent prices, raising questions on how the procurements are being done. One tender has been passed at double the rate approved in another tender by two separate government undertakings/departments under the Maharashtra government. Haffkine Bio […]
Read MoreModerna Covid jab efficacy marginally drops to 90% in US trial
New York, April 14 (IANS) Updated results from an ongoing Phase 3 clinical trial in the US have shown Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine to be 90 per cent effective against all cases of the disease, and greater than 95 per cent against severe cases. While the updated cases show continued strong efficacy of the vaccine, the […]
Read MorePeople who exercise regularly have best chance to beat Covid
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Regular exercise or a 30-minute brisk walk in the neighbourhood park or in your society five days a week while following the social distancing norms can improve your chances of beating Covid-19, reveals a significant study that analysed 48,440 adults who were Covid positive. On the other hand, patients who […]
Read More’15-day’ lockdown must to break deadly chain of transmission
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) As India witnesses an unprecedented surge in Covid caseloads, voices for a short-duration national lockdown or in severely-hit states/UTs grew louder on Wednesday and experts urged the Centre to immediately plan and execute a 15-day lockdown to break the chain of infection and manage the second wave of the pandemic. […]
Read MoreWhy are some Covid-19 survivors at risk of blood clot?
Singapore, April 14 (IANS) People who have recovered from Covid-19, especially those with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions, may be at risk of developing blood clots due to a lingering and overactive immune response, according to a study. The study, led by researchers from the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, found that recovered Covid-19 patients had twice […]
Read MoreCWC to meet on Covid situation
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) To keep the pressure on the Centre, the Congress has called a meeting of its working committee, CWC, on Saturday to discuss the issue of Covid resurgence. This comes a week after the ministers and chief ministers of the Congress-ruled states met to discuss the Covid-19 crisis. The Congress interim […]
Read MoreThailand logs highest single-day spike of 1,335 Covid cases
Bangkok, April 14 (IANS) Thailand on Wednesday recorded the highest single-day spike of 1,335 Covid cases, pushing the tally to 35,910,according to the Center for the COVID-19 Situation Administration (CCSA). A total of 1,326 of the new infections were domestic transmissions, with 789 being confirmed via tests at medical facilities and 537 via proactive tests, […]
Read MoreJ&J delays Covid vaccine roll out in Europe
New York, April 14 (IANS) Johnson and Johnson (J&J) has decided to delay the roll out of its Covid-19 vaccine in Europe after federal health agencies in the US recommended a pause in the use of the jab in the country. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centres for Disease Control and […]
Read MoreMasks, social distancing by 60% people may curb Covid spread
New York, April 14 (IANS) Coronavirus’ viral outbreaks can be prevented if at least 60 per cent of people start wearing masks, and maintain social distancing, according to a study.A “Neither social distancing nor mask wearing alone are likely sufficient to halt the spread of Covid-19, unless almost the entire population adheres to the single […]
Read MoreDelhi Minister tests Covid positive
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) Delhi Transport Minister Kailash Gahlot has tested positive for Covid-19. Gahlot shared the information on Wednesday on his official twitter handle. “I have tested positive for Covid-19 today. I have home isolated myself. All those who came in contact with me recently please take necessary precautions.” The national capital continued […]
Read MoreIndia reports 1.84 lakh new Covid cases, 1,027 deaths
New Delhi, April 14 (IANS) India reported 1,84,372 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, setting another grim one-day record, taking the overall tally to 13,87,825 on Wednesday, according to the data issued by the Union Health Ministry. In the same period, 1,027 more people succumbed to the disease, which increased the death toll […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid caseload tops 137.2mn
Washington, April 14 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 137.2 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.95 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreFresh Covid cases back over 700 in S.Korea
Seoul, April 14 (IANS) South Korea’s daily new Covid-19 cases rebounded to over 700 on Wednesday, the most in over three months, as health authorities are looking at the option of raising social distancing rules to contain the virus resurgence. The country reported 731 more Covid-19 cases, including 714 local infections, raising the total caseload […]
Read MoreAllahabad HC suggests complete lockdown in UP
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), April 14 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court has directed the Uttar Pradesh government to look into the viability of complete lockdown in districts where the Covid spread has increased alarmingly. The court further directed that all public gatherings must be restricted to 50 persons immediately. “We understand that complete lockdown for weeks […]
Read MoreOver 7.4mn in Chile vaccinated against Covid
Santiago, April 14 (IANS) More than 7.4 million people in Chile have been vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease, the Ministry of Health has said. The government’s goal is to vaccinate 15 million people, or 80 per cent of the population, in the first half of 2021 in a bid to achieve herd immunity. Amid […]
Read MoreCanada’s daily Covid cases surpass 8,000
Ottawa, April 14 (IANS) Over the past week, there has been an increase of 33 per cent in daily case counts with an average of almost 8,100 new cases reported per day, according to the Public Health Agency of Canada on Tuesday. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to create stress and anxiety for many Canadians, said […]
Read More‘Lockdown, not vaccination, behind decline in UK’s Covid cases’
London, April 14 (IANS) British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Tuesday that lockdown, not the country’s vaccine rollout, is the main reason for the decline of Covid-19 infections in Britain. “The numbers are down — of infections and hospitalizations and deaths. But it is very, very important for everybody to understand that the reduction […]
Read MoreUK records another 2,472 Covid cases, 23 deaths
London, April 14 (IANS) Another 2,472 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,375,814, according to official figures released on Tuesday. The country also reported another 23 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,123. These figures […]
Read MoreDelhi sees new Covid high of 13,468 cases, 81 deaths
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) The national capital on Tuesday recorded 13,468 fresh Covid-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the pandemic began early last year, as well as 81 deaths, according to the Delhi health bulletin. The daily positivity rate in the city was reported at 13.14 per cent. The latest deaths took the […]
Read MoreCovaxin production to ramped up to 12 mn using B’luru plant
Bengaluru/Hyderabad, April 13 (IANS) Karnataka Health Minister K. Sudhakar on Tuesday welcomed Bharat Biotech’s move to start manufacturing Covaxin coronavirus vaccine at its Bengaluru plant, amid reports it plans to double production to 12 mn by July. In a tweet, the minister said that Bharat Biotech’s decision to augment Covaxin production “will surely help India’s […]
Read MoreAll you need to know about the Sputnik V Covid jab
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) As Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical major Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL) announces it has received permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to import Sputnik V vaccine in India for restricted use in emergencies, here are a few things that you need to know about the Covid-19 jab. After Covishield and […]
Read MoreRDIF sets target of 50m doses a month for Sputnik in India
New Delhi/Moscow, April 13 (IANS) More than 50 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine will be produced in India in a month over the summer in partnership with five Indian companies, Kirill Dmitriev, the CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), said on Tuesday. Over 850 million doses of Sputnik V are going to be […]
Read MoreUS calls for pause on Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine
New York, April 13 (IANS) Federal health agencies in the US on Tuesday recommended a pause in the use of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid vaccine in the country “out of an abundance of caution” after six recipients developed a rare and severe type of blood clot. All six cases occurred among women between the age […]
Read MoreIndia plans to allow select foreign produced Covid vaccines
New Delhi, April 13 (IANS) Amid the exponential surge in Covid-19 cases, India is mulling to allow vaccines manufactured in countries like the US, the UK, Japan or which are listed in the WHO’s emergency use listing. The aim is to augment the basket of vaccines available for fighting Covid-19 pandemic as well as to […]
Read MoreB117 variant doesn’t lead to severe illness, death: The Lancet
London, April 13 (IANS) People infected with the B117 variant of the coronavirus did not experience more severe illness and were not more likely to die, according to a new study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases. However, the strain, popularly called as the UK variant, remains more contagious than original strains of the virus, […]
Read MoreHow Covid gave rise to depression, aggression within families
New York, April 13 (IANS) The onslaught of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, which resulted in the sudden isolation of families together at home, gave rise to depression and anxiety at levels high enough that professional help is needed now, a new study has warned. In the initial months of the pandemic, parents reported that […]
Read MoreCovid pandemic linked to 6 unhealthy eating behaviours
New York, April 13 (IANS) A new research into the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has revealed correlations to six unhealthy eating behaviours. The study found six key themes of eating behaviour changes — mindless eating and snacking; increased food consumption; generalized decrease in appetite or dietary intake; eating to cope; pandemic-related reductions in […]
Read MoreSoon, a probiotic yogurt-based drug to combat Covid
London, April 13 (IANS) A team of Israeli researchers has identified new drug candidates from probiotic Kefir yogurt that may combat pathogenic bacteria and treat various inflammatory conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease and Covid-19 infections. The study, led by researchers from the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) in Israel, highlighted the mechanism by which […]
Read MoreNegative Covid report holder to be allowed to go home in Chhattisgarh
New Delhi/Raipur, April 13 (IANS) The Chhattisgarh government on Tuesday issued new guidelines regarding the Covid test for passengers coming to Chhattisgarh by rail or air. According to the new guidelines, only those passengers will be allowed to go home who have negative RT-PCR reports. The guidelines issued by the state’s General Administration Department said, […]
Read MoreBooked summer travel may pose major risk to massive Covid surge
By Sanjeev SharmaNew Delhi, April 13 (IANS) In a major red flag, 25 per cent citizens with booked summer travel may pose major risk to India’s already massive second Covid surge. As per a survey by Local Circles, though some have put their travel plans on hold, those who have booked may likely travel unless […]
Read MoreFacebook connects people with state Covid vaccine info in US
San Francisco, April 13 (IANS) Facebook has announced to connect people in the US with state-specific information from local health departments about vaccines and how people can get their jabs. To do this, Facebook is replicating its state-by-state strategies it used during the US 2020 presidential election, since both voting and the vaccine rollout are […]
Read MoreBP pills may cause skin cancers in elderly
Toronto, April 13 (IANS) Common medications used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) may adversely raise the risk of skin cancers in people aged 66 and above, claims a new study. Long-term intake of antihypertensive medications called thiazide diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide, are linked with higher rates of non-melanoma and melanoma — the two major types […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 136.4mn
Washington, April 13 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 136.4 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.94 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Tuesday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreOntario schools suspend in-person learning as Covid-19 cases soar
Ottawa, April 13 (IANS) Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, announced that all schools will stay closed indefinitely to in-person learning as Covid-19 cases continue to surge in the province. Ontario, with a population of 14 million, is currently operating under a provincewide stay-at-home order to stem the spread of Covid-19 and its variants, Xinhua news […]
Read MoreOxygen failure in Romania’s mobile ICU kills 3 Covid-19 patients
Bucharest, April 13 (IANS) Three Covid-19 patients died in a mobile intensive care unit (ICU) in Bucharest due to a malfunction in the oxygen installation, announced the Ministry of Health in a statement. Eight patients were in the mobile facility in the Victor Babes Hospital, one of the largest designated Covid-19 hospitals in the country, […]
Read MoreJohnson & Johnson vaccine sites shut in US after adverse reactions reported
Washington, April 13 (IANS) Several states in the United States have temporarily shut down some vaccine sites after people suffered adverse reactions to the shot. A total of 18 people in North Carolina reported side effects, while 11 people in Colorado reacted to the shot with symptoms ranging from dizziness, nausea and fainting, according to […]
Read MoreUN chief calls for 6 measures to finance recovery from Covid-19
United Nations, April 13 (IANS) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for six measures to help countries recover from Covid-19 and keep them on track toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Financing for development in the context of Covid-19 means an unprecedented effort to mobilize resources and political will. Yet since the pandemic began one year […]
Read MoreDespite short supply, COVAX distributed nearly 40 mn vaccine doses: WHO
Geneva, April 13 (IANS) Close to 40 million Covid-19 vaccine doses have already been distributed through the COVAX Facility, half of them in Africa, but vaccine supplies are still stalled due to “tremendous demand” especially in India, the World Health Organization (WHO) said. COVAX, a WHO-led program to secure equitable access to vaccines for low […]
Read MoreAfrica’s Covid-19 cases pass 4.35 mn: Africa CDC
Addis Ababa, April 13 (IANS) The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,350,512, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), said on Monday that the death toll from the pandemic stood at 115,765 while 3,906,408 patients […]
Read MorePhilippines receives more Sinovac vaccines
Manila, April 13 (IANS) The Philippines received the second batch of Sinovac Biotech’s CoronaVac vaccines purchased from China. The Philippine Airlines, which flew the vaccines to Manila, handed over the shipment to Carlito Galvez, the official in charge of the Philippines’ vaccine procurement efforts, Xinhua news agency reported on Monday. The Philippines is ramping up […]
Read MoreCameroon launches Covid-19 vaccination campaign
Yaounde, April 13 (IANS) Cameroon launched the vaccination campaign against Covid-19, a day after receiving its first batch of vaccines donated by China. The campaign started at the Specialized Covid-19 Care Centre in the capital Yaounde on Monday, with the country’s Minister of Public Health Malachie Manaouda being the first to take the vaccine, Xinhua […]
Read MoreNumerous problems in RT-PCR reports in Delhi causing turmoil: Nurses’ body
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) RT-PCR reports taking 72 hours, patients having to go to the centre many times to collect the reports and numerous delays due to non-receipt of reports are among the issues that have been flagged by the All India Government Nurses Federation (AIGNF) to Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. AIGNF Secretary […]
Read MoreDelhi’s daily Covid tally crosses 11K, 72 new deaths
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The national capital continued to witness a massive surge of Covid-19 cases with a tally of 11,491 reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi health bulletin on Monday. This is the highest single-day spike since the pandemic broke out early last year. The daily positivity rate was […]
Read MoreWB, other poll-bound states see Covid cases zoom amid electioneering
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) West Bengal, which is midway through its poll process, as well as Tamil Nadu, Assam, and the Union Territory of Puducherry, where voting has concluded, witnessed a massive surge in Covid cases since the Assembly elections were announced by the Election Commission on February 26. Kerala, however, saw a small […]
Read MoreDelhi gets more than 11k beds in private hospitals for 2021 Covid wave
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The Delhi government has notified 19 private hospitals where 80 per cent of ICU beds are to be reserved for Covid patients, 82 private hospitals with 60 per cent reservation and 101 private hospitals where 60 per cent ward beds are to be reserved for Covid treatment. The 101 hospitals […]
Read More14 private hospitals in Delhi declared ‘fully Covid’: Delhi Government
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) In view of exponential surge of Covid-19 cases in the national capital, the health department of the Delhi Government has declared as many as 14 big private hospitals as fully Covid-care centres on Monday. The decision came hours after the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal chaired an emergency meeting in […]
Read MoreTraffic congestion in Mumbai, Bengaluru nosedives in 2nd Covid wave (Lead)
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The traffic congestion index for major cities in some of the hardest-hit states – Mumbai (Maharashtra), Bengaluru (Karnataka), and Ahmedabad (Gujarat) – has nosedived in the past few weeks, and is winding back towards levels seen during the nationwide lockdown last April. As per a Crisil report, all-India level retail […]
Read MoreCovid in SC: 44 staffers positive, judges hear matters virtually from home
New Delhi, April 12 (IANS) The surge in cases amid the second wave of Covid-19 has hit the Supreme Court with several of its staff testing positive for the viral infection. According to sources familiar with the development, 44 people have tested positive for Covid-19 so far in last one week. A top court official, […]
Read MoreNew soft, flexible nasal swabs to aid in better Covid testing
New York, April 12 (IANS) A Q-tip cotton swab inserted into your nose to gauge the presence of Covid-19 infections is a pain and not a pleasant experience. Now, that can soon become history with a new swab made of thin, hairlike structures may be easy not only on the nose but also for faster […]
Read MoreNo link between Covid-19 vaccinations and deaths: S Korea
Seoul, April 12 (IANS) South Korea’s health authorities on Monday said there is no causal relation between Covid-19 vaccines and 11 reported deaths after vaccinations, assuring the public of the safety of the vaccines. An investigation was concluded on 11 out of 47 people who died within days of receiving Covid-19 vaccines by AstraZeneca and […]
Read MoreAntipsychotics can lower Covid infection, severity risk: Study
London, April 12 (IANS) Patients treated with antipsychotic drugs have a lower risk of becoming infected or suffer a milder form of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus causing Covid-19 — if they get infected, according to a study. People with severe mental disorders have been identified as a high-risk group for a worse outcome in Covid-19 […]
Read MoreJapan launches Covid-19 vaccination for elderly
Tokyo, April 12 (IANS) Japan on Monday started to vaccinate its elderly population against Covid-19 amid growing concerns about another wave of new infections. The country will inoculate about 36 million people aged 65 or older, which account for 29 per cent of its population, reports dpa news agency. Since its launch in mid-February, the […]
Read MoreCalifornia Covid cases top 3.6mn
San Francisco, April 12 (IANS) The total number of Covid-19 cases in California, the most populous state in the US, has surpassed the 3.6 million mark, according to health authorities. The California Department of Public Health reported 4,954 new cases and 105 related deaths in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall infection tally to […]
Read MoreDelhi touches new Covid high, at over 10K cases
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The national capital on Sunday registered 10,732 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the single-day highest spike since the pandemic broke out early last year, while there were 48 more deaths, as per the Delhi health bulletin. The previous highest single-day spike, 8,593 cases, was reported on November […]
Read MoreNew vaccines to be launched soon to protect pigs, sheep
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) A vaccine has been prepared to protect pigs from classical swine fever for which rabbits would no longer be slaughtered because a vaccine developed by indigenous technology is going to hit the market very soon. Developed by cell culture method, this vaccine would also be much cheaper. An Ahmedabad-based company […]
Read MoreCovid spike: India prohibits exports of remdesivir
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) In wake of the recent surge in Covid-19 cases, India on Sunday prohibited the exports of remdesivir injections and active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) till the situation improves. The decision was taken considering a sudden spike in demand for remdesivir, which is used in treatment of Covid-19 patients, a Health and […]
Read MoreS. Korea resumes AstraZeneca shots, those under 30 excluded
Seoul, April 11 (IANS) South Korea on Sunday decided to resume administering AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccines to eligible recipients after temporarily putting the programme on hold amid growing concerns over its safety. The use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine will resume on Monday, except for those aged 30 and below, according to the Korea Disease Control and Prevention […]
Read More65% Covid patients less than 45 yrs, not 35, Kejriwal clarifies (2nd Lead)
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Hours after stating that around 65 per cent of new Covid-19 cases in Delhi are among people aged below 35 years, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday clarified that it should be 45 years and he had mistakenly said 35. “Imp correction – By mistake, I said in my PC […]
Read MoreAt current pace, all eligible Indians to get jabs in over 3 yrs
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) With India taking 85 days to administer 10 crore (100 mn) Covid vaccine doses, a rough calculation shows that all eligible Indians can expect to be fully inoculated in over three years as per the current pace. Cumulatively, 10,15,95,147 vaccine doses have been administered through 15,17,963 sessions, as per the […]
Read MoreAt 105, she becomes flag bearer for vaccination in Punjab
Moga (Punjab), April 11 (IANS) Kartar Kaur, a 105-year-old woman from this Punjab town, received her first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine on Sunday, along with her 80-year-old son and family members. Seeking to dispel fears, she advised all eligible to get the jab and follow the health protocols to contain the virus. Though Kartar […]
Read MoreBecome part of largest vaccine drive, say top Indian athletes
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Top Indian athletes, including the likes of rifle shooter Sanjeev Rajput and badminton ace B.Sai Praneeth, have requested the citizens of the country to become a part of the “largest vaccine drive” initiated by the Indian government from April 11 to 14, so that the country could fight Covid-19 on […]
Read MoreDaily cases cross 10K in Delhi, Kejriwal pushes for mass vax drive
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) The Delhi government is relentlessly working on three main steps to combat against Covid-19 infections in the capital — to break the cycle of Covid infection, health management and vaccination, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind kejriwal said on Sunday. The Chief Minister said that from the last 15 days Delhi has […]
Read MoreTelangana’s daily Covid tally crosses 3,000-mark
Hyderabad, April 11 (IANS) With the continuing surge in Covid-19 cases in Telangana, the state’s daily count of infections crossed 3,000. The state reported as many as 3,187 new cases, the highest since August last year when the pandemic during its first wave was at its peak. The new infections pushed the state’s cumulative tally […]
Read MoreUp to 65% new Covid infections in Delhi below 35 yrs: Kejriwal (Ld)
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Sunday that the national capital is facing an alarming situation as around 65 per cent new Covid-19 cases in Delhi are below 35 years of age. “Fourth wave of Covid-19 in Delhi has made the situation worse than what it was during the […]
Read MoreChina approves new Covid vaccine for clinical trials
Beijing, April 11 (IANS) A new Covid-19 vaccine developed by China’s Sinopharm has recently been approved for clinical trials. The new recombinant Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the National Vaccine & Serum Institute, a R&D centre of Sinopharm’s bioscience subsidiary the China National Biotec Group (CNBG), got approval from the National Medical Products Administration on Friday, […]
Read MoreIf the health system collapses, Delhi may face another lockdown: Kejriwal
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday said the state government was not in favour of imposing lockdown in the national capital, but ‘if the health system collapsed then lockdown would be the only option’. “I will request all citizens of Delhi to follow Covid-19 protection measures. I will also […]
Read MoreIndia reports 1.52L new Covid cases, biggest-ever 1 day spike
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) India reported 1,52,879 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, setting another grim one-day record as the overall tally reached 1,33,58,805, according to data released by the Union Health Ministry on Sunday. As many as 839 deaths were reported taking the total Covid related deaths so far in the […]
Read MoreCovid surge: UP allows only 5 persons at a time in religious places
Lucknow, April 11 (IANS) The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh has decided to prohibit the entry of more than five persons at a time in all religious places. Lucknow reported a staggering 4,059 fresh Covid-19 cases on Saturday, taking its tally of active cases to 16,690. Following a late-night review meeting on Saturday, the […]
Read MoreBHU makes arrangements for Covid positive students
Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh), April 11 (IANS) Keeping in mind the rapid spread of Covid cases, the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) administration has taken specific safety measures with immediate effect for the management of Covid-19 positives cases in the hostels. According to the BHU spokesperson, a notification in this regard has been issued under which each […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 135 million
Washington, April 11 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 135 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.92 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Sunday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreCovid-19 variants spread leads to surge of new cases in Canada
Ottawa, April 11 (IANS) The rapid spread of more contagious Covid-19 variants is believed to have driven a devastating third wave in Canada. As of Saturday afternoon, a total of 30,108 variant of concern cases have been reported across Canada, including 28,624 B.1.1.7 variants, 1,133 P.1 variants and 351 B.1.351 variants, according to CTV. As […]
Read MoreChilean govt calls for national unity after reporting 9,171 Covid-19 cases
Santiago, April 11 (IANS) Chilean Health Minister Enrique Paris called for national unity after 9,171 new Covid-19 cases were registered in the last 24 hours, a record number and the first time the country exceeded 9,000 daily cases. “We are living through a critical moment of the pandemic. The key word is prevention; I call […]
Read More‘New lockdowns aim to keep guard up against Covid-19’
Buenos Aires, April 11 (IANS) New lockdown measures took effect in Argentina to ensure the public continues to keep its guard up against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Argentine President Alberto Fernandez said. However, “all measures will be insufficient if people do not become aware of the size of the problem,” Fernandez told local radio […]
Read MoreDelhi govt issues fresh Covid curbs amid surge in cases
New Delhi, April 11 (IANS) After Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal indicated that the national capital may witness some more restrictions due to the surge in the number of Covid-19 cases in the city, the Delhi government late on Saturday night issued fresh guidelines, prohibiting all social, political, sports, entertainment, cultural and religious gatherings till […]
Read MoreDCGI alerted about black marketing of Remdesivir
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The government has been alerted about the massive black marketing of Covid drug Remdesivir, which according to some evidence is selling for as high as Rs 50,000, over 10 times of its MRP. In a letter to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), LocalCircles has pointed out that over […]
Read MoreDelhi reports 7,897 new Covid infections, daily positivity rate rises to 10.21 %
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) The national capital reported 7,897 new Covid infections in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi government’s health bulletin released on Saturday. The number of cases is less in comparison to Friday’s 8521 new cases. However, the number of samples tested was also less. As many as 77,374 samples […]
Read MoreAmid surge in cases, hospitals face shortage of Covid vaccines
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Amid exponential increase in coronavirus cases in Delhi and adjoining cities like Noida and Ghaziabad for the last few weeks, several healthcare centres, especially private hospitals, have complained about a shortage of vaccines. For instance, the Max Super Specialty Hospital in Vaishali, Ghaziabad, has been facing a shortage of vaccine […]
Read MoreStress linked to coronary heart disease in women
New York, April 10 (IANS) Psychosocial stress — typically resulting from difficulty coping with challenging environments — may work synergistically to put women at higher risk of developing coronary heart disease, a new study suggests. The findings indicate that the effects of job strain and social strain — the negative aspect of social relationships — […]
Read More87% new Covid deaths from 10 states, Maha has most casualties
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Amid a rersurgence of the Covid-19 pandemic, ten states in the country account for 86.78 per cent of the new deaths with Maharashtra recording maximum 301 casualties followed by 91 daily deaths in Chhattisgarh. The information came when daily deaths continue to show an upward trend with 794 fatalities due […]
Read MoreChildren less infectious with SARS-CoV-2: Study
Toronto, April 10 (IANS) A team of researchers has found that children may not be as infectious in spreading SARS-CoV-2, the virus which causes Covid-19, to other people as previously thought. According to the researchers, including Jared Bullard from the University of Manitoba in Canada, the findings have important public health and clinical implications. “If […]
Read MorePfizer asks US to clear its Covid vaccine for use in kids
New York, April 10 (IANS) Pharmaceutical companies Pfizer and BioNTech have asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to expand the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for its Covid-19 vaccine to include children ages 12 to 15. The request to expand emergency use comes just days after Pfizer released data demonstrating its vaccine was 100 […]
Read MoreNo lockdown but new restrictions to be imposed after Covid spike in Delhi: Kejriwal
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said that the state government is not planning a lockdown in the national capital. However, he indicated that the government is likely to put some more restrictions in the coming days. “Lockdown is not an option. However, we will be putting some restrictions […]
Read MoreAlarm sounded over 3rd Covid wave in Germany
Berlin, April 10 (IANS) Germany’s largest university hospital, Berlin’s Charite, has sounded the alarm over the country’s worsening third wave of coronavirus infections. “If the numbers of seriously ill Covid-19 patients exceed those experienced during the second wave, we will be in a critical situation,” said Martin Kreis, a board member at Charite, DPA news […]
Read MoreWHO chief criticises ‘shocking’ global Covid vax divide
Geneva, April 10 (IANS) The World Health Organization (WHO) has criticised what it describes as a “shocking imbalance” in the distribution of coronavirus vaccines between rich and poor countries. “There remains a shocking imbalance in the global distribution of vaccines,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a news conference on Friday, the BBC reported. […]
Read MoreTreating sleep apnea may reduce dementia risk in olders
New York, April 10 (IANS) Older adults who received positive airway pressure therapy prescribed for obstructive sleep apnea may be less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease and other kinds of dementia, new research suggests. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a condition in which the upper airway collapses repeatedly throughout the night, preventing normal breathing during […]
Read MoreIndia reports 1,45,384 new Covid cases; 794 deaths
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) India has reported 1,45,384 new Covid-19 cases and 794 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Saturday. India is now the fourth-worst Covid-hit country worldwide after the number of active cases rose to 10,46,631. The death toll stood at 1,68,436 the Health Ministry said. A total […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 134.5mn
Washington, April 10 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 134.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.91 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreJanssen’s Covid-19 vaccine under EU review over blood clots
Brussels, April 10 (IANS) Europe’s medicines watchdog said it was reviewing reports of rare blood clots in four people who received the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Janssen, the pharmaceutical arm of Johnson & Johnson. In a statement, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said its safety committee had started a review to assess reports of thromboembolic […]
Read MoreUK reports another 3,150 coronavirus cases, 60 deaths
London, April 10 (IANS) Another 3,150 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,365,461, according to official figures. The country also reported another 60 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,040. These figures only include the […]
Read MoreEurope stumbles through Covid-19 with 1 mn deaths
Brussels, April 10 (IANS) For Danica Angela Marcos, the weirdest yet saddest scenario was to watch her grandfather’s funeral live on Zoom, seeing her cousins crying on the screen but not able to give them a hug because of the lockdown. “It’s not like we can do (it) all over again when the pandemic is […]
Read MoreAfrica administers less than 2% of global Covid-19 vaccines: WHO
Nairobi, April 10 (IANS) Africa accounts for less than two per cent of the 690 million Covid-19 vaccines administered globally so far. “Although progress is being made, many African countries have barely moved beyond the starting line,” Matshidiso Moeti, WHO regional director for Africa said in a statement issued in Nairobi. Matshidiso Moeti said limited […]
Read MoreAfrican countries receive over 33.8 mn Covid-19 vaccine doses
Addis Ababa, April 10 (IANS) African countries have received over 33.8 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from the COVAX facility and through bilateral agreements outside COVAX, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), said, approximately 12.9 million doses have been administered, […]
Read MoreBotswana prioritises the elderly above 75 for vaccination
Gaborone, April 10 (IANS) Botswana has adjusted its Covid-19 vaccination rollout by giving priority to the elderly above the age of 75, a health official said. Due to the limited available doses and the need to actively protect the most vulnerable, the government has taken a decision to give priority to the elderly above the […]
Read MoreRSS chief tests Covid positive, admitted to hospital
New Delhi, April 10 (IANS) Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat tested positive for coronavirus on Friday and was admitted to a hospital in Nagpur. Sources said that his condition is stable. According to an RSS statement, Bhagwat was admitted to Kingsway hospital. He has mild symptoms, it said.
Read MoreDelhi reports 8,521 new Covid cases, 39 deaths
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) The national capital reported 8,521 new Covid infections — the second highest daily-spike since the onset of the pandemic — and 39 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the Delhi government’s health bulletin on Friday. The city had witnessed highest single-day spike of 8,593 on November 11 last […]
Read More20 doctors test Covid positive at AIIMS
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) At least 20 doctors and six MBBS students on Friday tested positive for coronavirus at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) here, sources told IANS. “Of the total 26 healthcare staff, 20 are doctors and six MBBS students of AIIMS, who were found to be Covid-19 positive in […]
Read MoreChildhood diet, exercise linked to less anxiety in adulthood
New York, April 9 (IANS) Exercise and a healthy diet in childhood leads to adults with bigger brains and lower levels of anxiety, a new study suggests. The mouse-model study determined that early-life exercise generally reduced anxious behaviors in adults. It also led to an increase in adult muscle and brain mass. “During the Covid-19 […]
Read More26 health care staff at AIIMS, Delhi test positive for Covid
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) As many as 26 health care staff, including doctors, have tested Covid-19 positive at the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), sources told IANS here on Friday. “Of these, 20 are doctors and 6 MBBS students of AIIMS who have been found Covid-19 positive over the last 10 days,” […]
Read MoreNepal, India to cooperate in fight against Covid, vaccine supplies
Kathmandu, April 9 (IANS) Nepal and India have agreed to continue the cooperation to fight the Covid-19 pandemic during a telephonic conversation between the foreign ministers of both the countries. The foreign ministers of Nepal and India held a telephonic conversation on Friday afternoon to discuss cooperation in the fight against the pandemic, including supply […]
Read MoreDelhi Govt orders closure of all schools due to spike in Covid-19 cases
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Amid the continued surge in Covid-19 cases in the national capital, the Delhi government has ordered the closure of all government and private schools in the city. The announcement in this regard was made by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday. “Due to increasing cases of Covid, all schools […]
Read MoreCovid causes ‘unexpected’ cellular response in lungs: Study
New York, April 9 (IANS) Researchers have discovered a surprising response in lung cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which might explain why the disease is so difficult to treat. The study, published in the journal Science Immunology, found that a biochemical pathway, known as the immune complement system, is triggered in lung cells by […]
Read More2nd Covid wave: Scientists report more infections in kids
Berlin, April 9 (IANS) Preschool and school children in Germany have been infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, three to four times more than reported via PCR testing during the second wave, a study has revealed. Preschool children showed an antibody frequency of 5.6 per cent from October 2020 to February 2021. Among […]
Read More3 UP women given anti-rabies vax instead of Covid jab
Shamli (Uttar Pradesh), April 9 (IANS) A probe has been ordered in the shocking incident in which three women were allegedly administered anti-rabies injections instead of the Covid vaccine at a government hospital in Shamli district. Three women — Saroj, 70, Anarkali, 72 and Satyavati, 60, — had gone to the government community health centre […]
Read More‘Jumping’ genes can prevent blood cancers: Study
New York, April 9 (IANS) US scientists have found that transposons, also known as jumping genes, can protect against certain blood cancers and help develop new therapeutic targets. Transposons are DNA sequences that can move, or jump, from one location in the genome to another when activated. These “jumping” genes are a source of genetic […]
Read MoreIndia reports 1,31,968 new Covid cases, 780 deaths
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) India has reported 1,31,968 new Covid-19 cases and 780 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Friday. India is now the fourth-worst Covid-hit country worldwide after the number of active cases rose to 9,79,608. The death toll stood at 1,67,642, the Health Ministry said. A total […]
Read MoreScientists predict 2nd Covid wave to peak between April 15-20
Kanpur (Uttar Pradesh), April 9 (IANS) Scientists are now working on a mathematical model to examine the Covid-19 spread and have predicted that the current second wave will peak somewhere between April 15-20 and then see a decline. The number of ‘active’ symptomatic cases during this period would hit a high, roughly a week later, […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 133.7mn
Washington, April 9 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 133.7 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.90 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Friday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreGermany accelerates Covid-19 vaccinations
Berlin, April 9 (IANS) Germany’s health care personnel administered over 650,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses on Wednesday, almost 300,000 more than a day earlier, the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) said. The country continues to accelerate its vaccination campaign. Since Tuesday, general practitioners (GPs) have also been administering coronavirus vaccines. Previously, jabs were offered only at the […]
Read MoreMorocco’s confirmed Covid-19 cases exceed 500,000
Rabat, April 9 (IANS) A total of 635 people tested positive for Covid-19 in Morocco, taking the national tally of infections to 500,323, the Moroccan Ministry of Health said. Six more people died from the disease, taking the death toll in the North African country to 8,873, while 434 people were in intensive care units, […]
Read MoreUS reports over 20,000 coronavirus variants infections
Washington, April 9 (IANS) The United States has recorded more than 20,000 infection cases of coronavirus variants, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The majority of those variants cases, 19,554 cases were caused by the variant known as B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in Britain, Xinhua news agency reported on […]
Read MoreTurkey hits new daily record with 55,941 Covid-19 cases
Ankara, April 9 (IANS) Turkey reported 55,941 new Covid-19 cases, the highest daily count in the country since the start of the outbreak. Among the new cases were 2,316 symptomatic patients, as the total caseload in the country reached 3,689,866, according to the Turkish Health Ministry, Xinhua news agency reported on Thursday. The death toll […]
Read MoreIraq’s total Covid-19 cases surpass 900,000
Baghdad, April 9 (IANS) The total number of Covid-19 cases in Iraq has surpassed 900,000 as the daily infections reached the highest level of 8,000 in recent days, threatening to run out of control. A statement by the Iraqi Ministry of Health on Thursday reported 7,817 new Covid-19 cases during the past 24 hours, raising […]
Read More‘More than enough vaccines for adults under-30s in UK’
London, April 9 (IANS) Britain has more than enough supply of alternative vaccines to vaccinate all adults under 30, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said. His remarks came after the British government’s vaccination advisory body said Wednesday that Britons aged 18-29 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns over its possible […]
Read MoreUK reports another 3,030 coronavirus cases, 53 deaths
London, April 9 (IANS) Another 3,030 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,370,321, according to official figures. The country also reported another 53 coronavirus-related deaths. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 126,980. These figures released on Thursday […]
Read MoreAfrica’s Covid-19 cases pass 4.3 mn
Addis Ababa, April 9 (IANS) The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,301,375, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union (AU), on Thursday said the death toll from the pandemic stood at 114,598 while 3,868,129 patients across […]
Read MoreNight curfew hampering weddings, business in capital
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) The night curfew imposed in the national capital amid resurgence of Covid-19 is not only hampering the shops, restaurants and others rather it is adding on to the woes of the banquet hall operators as people have started postponing the weddings and cancelling the bookings. A lot of people are […]
Read MoreItaly recommends AstraZeneca only for over-60s after EMA review
Rome, April 9 (IANS) Italy recommends the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine only for people aged over 60 from now on, an ordinance by the Health Ministry showed. The decision came after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) on Wednesday stated possible links between this vaccine and rare cases of blood clots, following a safety review on Thursday, […]
Read MoreKenya sets up Covid-19 vaccine safety monitoring board
Nairobi, April 9 (IANS) Kenya announced the formation of an independent Covid-19 vaccine safety monitoring board amid surging public acceptance for inoculation against the virus. Willis Akhwale, chairman of the national taskforce on vaccination, said on Wednesday that the board will respond to potential side effects of the jab on groups targeted for the initial […]
Read MorePM stresses on ‘test, track & treat’ to check Covid spread
New Delhi, April 9 (IANS) Amid the spike in the number of Covid-19 cases across the country, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday emphasised on the ‘test track & treat’ mantra, besides stressing on following Covid appropriate behaviour and effective Covid management measures to check the spread of the virus. The Prime Minister held a […]
Read More37 doctors at Ganga Ram Hospital test Covid positive
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) As many as 37 vaccinated doctors at the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital have tested Covid positive, hospital sources said on Thursday. Majority of these doctors have mild symptoms while a few have been hospitalised as they complained of uneasiness. Of the 37 doctors, 32 are in home isolation and five […]
Read MoreDelhi hospital treats woman with 37.4 cm spinal tumour
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Doctors at the Fortis Hospital in Shalimar Bagh here have successfully removed a 37.4 centimetre spinal tumour, the world’s largest such tumour, from a 22-year-old woman. The largest spinal ependymoma tumour recorded, till date, was measured at 28 cm. The patient approached the Fortis doctors after unsuccessful treatment with medicines […]
Read MoreCovid surge: Tech firms bet on hybrid work, vaccination
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) With India witnessing a rapid surge in Covid-19 cases, technology companies operating in India are betting big on the hybrid work model, while encouraging eligible employees to get vaccinated to fight the pandemic. While Accenture said it is continuing to monitor and consider the guidance of external experts and groups, […]
Read MoreIndia largest Covid vaccine buyer but where are the jabs?
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) Amid the tussle between the state governments and the Centre over the supply and shortage of Covid vaccines, the truth is that India has been the largest buyer of Covid jabs in the world with pre-booking of 1.6 billion doses. According to a recent analysis by US-based Duke University’s Global […]
Read MoreNew oral drug can stop tumours from growing
New York, April 8 (IANS) US researchers have found that an oral drug can be effective in stopping tumours from growing. The team from the University of Colorado Cancer Center found that slowing down NLRP3 can reduce inflammation and curb tumour growth and progression. “NLRP3 is a member of a larger family that is involved […]
Read MorePhilippines suspends AstraZeneca jab for people under 60
Manila, April 8 (IANS) The Philippines on Thursday temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine against Covid-19 for those younger than 60 years of age following reports of rare blood clots in some recipients. The country’s Food and Drug Administration (FDA) called the suspension “a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of every Filipino”, […]
Read MoreNZ bans arrivals from India from April 11
Wellington, April 8 (IANS) New Zealand on Thursday announced a temporary ban on arrivals from India, which has witnessed a massive surge in new Covid-19 cases, in order to curb the spread of the virus in managed quarantine facilities. From April 11 to 28, flights from India to New Zealand will be suspended in order […]
Read MoreModerna vax has more side effects than Pfizer/BioNTech: Study
Washington, April 8 (IANS) In a first, a new study has pointed out that those taking the Moderna vaccine have reported more side effects than people who get the Pfizer/BioNTech jabs. The study, published in the journal JAMA, analysed reports collected via a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) programme called v-safe that tracks […]
Read MoreMathura court closed after staff tests Covid positive
Mathura (Uttar Pradesh), April 8 (IANS) The Mathura district court has been closed till Monday after some judges and staff tested positive for the coronavirus infection. District and Sessions judge, Mathura, Yashwant Kumar Mishra issued orders for the closure of the court. The entire court premises will be sanitized before work resumes next week. However, […]
Read MoreGlobal Covid-19 caseload tops 132.9mn
Washington, April 8 (IANS) The overall global Covid-19 caseload has topped 132.9 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 2.88 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Thursday morning, the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood […]
Read MoreMore restrictions in Canada as Covid-19 continues rampaging
Ottawa, April 8 (IANS) As Covid-19 cases rise due to more transmissible variants spreading across Canada, populous provinces in the country are reinstating public health restrictions to stem the pandemic. Canada on Wednesday afternoon reported 4,800 new cases of Covid-19, bringing the cumulative total to 1,025,693, including 23,170 deaths, according to CTV. Ontario province declared […]
Read MoreAstraZeneca, blood clots link ‘plausible but not confirmed’: WHO
Geneva, April 8 (IANS) A causal link between the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine and the rare occurrence of blood clots with low platelets is “considered plausible but not confirmed,” the World Health Organization (WHO) said. Earlier on the day, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirmed that the cases of blood clots with low blood platelets were […]
Read MoreDelhi night curfew: Shops being closed at 8 p.m., employees fear job loss
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) With the first night curfew of the year being imposed in the national capital, the shops at various places here are being closed at 8 p.m. while the workers are fearing job loss. Amid the Covid resurgence across the country, night curfew has been imposed in Delhi from Tuesday till […]
Read MoreCurrent Covid wave affecting people aged 20-45 yrs: Delhi Minister
New Delhi, April 8 (IANS) With the exponential surge in Covid-19 cases over the last few weeks in the national capital already a cause of concern, the current wave of coronavirus spreading among people aged between 20 to 45 years shows the need to vaccinate all age groups, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on […]
Read MoreUnder-30s in Britain to be offered alternative to AstraZeneca
London, April 8 (IANS) Britons aged 18-29 will be offered an alternative to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine amid concerns over its possible link with reported rare cases of blood clots, the British government’s vaccination advisory body said. The announcement by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on Wednesday follows a review of the Oxford […]
Read MoreAfrica’s confirmed Covid-19 cases surpass 4.29 mn
Addis Ababa, April 8 (IANS) The number of confirmed Covid-19 cases in Africa has reached 4,291,017, the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) said. The Africa CDC, the specialized healthcare agency of the African Union, said on Wednesday that the death toll from the pandemic stood at 114,344, while 3,858,461 patients across […]
Read MoreTanzania to create special team to review Covid-19 pandemic
Dar Es Salaam, April 8 (IANS) Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan said she intended to form a special team of experts to evaluate the Covid-19 pandemic. She said the team will advise and enable the government to take its position. “Tanzania cannot isolate itself as an island when it comes to addressing the pandemic,” Hassan […]
Read MoreCentre allows Covid vaccination at workplaces from April 11
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Centre has allowed Covid vaccination at workplaces in all the states starting April 11. A letter to this effect was sent to all the states by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on April 6. In the letter, Bhushan said, “In order to increase the access to Covid vaccine, vaccination […]
Read MoreDelhi sees 5,506 new Covid cases, positivity rate crosses 6%
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The national capital recorded 5,506 new Covid-19 cases — the second consecutive day of over 5,000 cases — and 20 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to Delhi government’s health bulletin on Wednesday. The daily positivity rate rose to 6.10 per cent. With 20 more deaths, the city’s Covid […]
Read MoreSleaze CD case: Jarkiholi discharged from hospital, advised home isolation
Belagavi (Karnataka), April 7 (IANS) Former Karnataka Minister and ‘Sleaze CD’ case accused Ramesh Jarkiholi was on Wednesday discharged from the Gokak taluk government hospital, where he had been admitted for treatment of Covid-19. Jarkiholi declined to speak to reporters waiting outside the hospital as he was suffering from Covid. The doctors said that he […]
Read MoreMaha govt to blame for current Covid outbreak across the country: Harsh Vardhan
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday held the Maharashtra government responsible for the current outbreak of Coronavirus across the country. He said the state government’s lax attitude led to escalation of cases at a massive rate. In a statement, the minister said, “Throughout the last year, as the […]
Read MoreSena MP demands vaccine for above 18 in Maharashtra
New Delhi/Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) As Maharashtra’s Covid-19 cases rose again to about 50,000 a day for the second time in three days, with the total tally crossing 31 lakh, Shiv Sena MP Priyanka Chaturvedi has demanded vaccination for those above 18 years of age. She has written a letter to Union Health Minister Harsh […]
Read MoreIndia becomes fastest Covid vaccinating country, surpasses US
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) India has become the fastest Covid-19 vaccinating country in the world with a daily average of 30,93,861 vaccine doses, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. With this, India has surpassed the US which is vaccinating 30.93 lakh people per day on an average. According to the ministry, the cumulative […]
Read MoreAir pollution linked with worse outcomes in Covid-19
New York, April 7 (IANS) Increased level of air pollution can have detrimental effects on people suffering from SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, revealed a review of multiple studies. Exposure to each small (1 gram per cubic metre) increase in long-term fine inhalable particle (PM2.5) was associated with an 8 per cent increase in […]
Read MoreBetter masks, adequate ventilation must to curb Covid indoors
Bhubaneswar, April 7 (IANS) A commercial five-layered mask coupled with social distancing and good ventilation may be key to curtail the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, in enclosed spaces like offices, prisons and hospitals, say researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The findings, published in the journal AIP Advances, […]
Read More2-dose vaccination no guarantee that you won’t get Covid
New Delhi/Lucknow, April 7 (IANS) A successful doctor couple in their 60s, who live in the posh Gomti Nagar locality in Lucknow, received both doses of Covid vaccine last month. Re-energised, they resumed private practice at their clinic. But to their horror, both of them have now been found Covid positive. A family member told […]
Read MoreNepal starts administering Chinese vax
Kathmandu, April 7 (IANS) Nepal on Wednesday started administering Chinese Covid-19 vaccines amid a resurgence of new cases int he Himalayan nation. A batch of the vaccines developed by Sinopharm was delivered to Nepal late last month, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the Ministry of Health and Population, the Chinese vaccines are being administered […]
Read More‘All US adults will be eligible for vax by April 19’ (Ld)
Washington, April 7 (IANS) US President Joe Biden announced that all American adults will be eligible for a Covid-19 vaccine by April 19. On Tuesday,Biden announced the new timetable after his visit to a vaccination site in Alexandria, Virginia, moving up his original deadline of May 1 by nearly two weeks, reports Xinhua news agency. […]
Read MoreHuge Covid surge in T’gana, highest in 7 months
Hyderabad, April 7 (IANS) Telangana witnessed massive surge in Covid-19 cases as the daily count crossed 1,900, the highest in seven months. The state on Wednesday reported 1,914 new cases during the last 24 hours, a jump of more than 400 cases over the previous day. The state capital and almost all regions of the […]
Read MoreSonu Sood gets vaccinated for Covid prevention
Mumbai, April 7 (IANS) Actor Sonu Sood on Wednesday took the vaccine for Covid-19 prevention at a hospital in Amritsar, Punjab. The actor also launched “Sanjeevani: A Shot of Life”, an initiative to encourage people to get vaccinated and raise awareness. Speaking about the same, Sonu Sood said: “I wanted to start this drive because […]
Read MoreWearing face mask compulsory in vehicles: Delhi HC
New Delhi, April 7 (IANS) The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said that wearing of a mask in a vehicle is compulsory during the Covid-19 pandemic, even if the vehicle is occupied only by its driver. A single judge bench of Justice Pratibha M. Singh observed that if vehicles pass through public places, there is […]
Read More50 dead in suspected cholera outbreak in Nigeria
Abuja, April 7 (IANS) At least 50 people have been killed in a suspected cholera outbreak this year in Nigeria, local health authorities confirmed. Some eight states across the country had reported the suspected cholera outbreak, Xinhua news agency quotedthe Nigeria Center for Disease Control (NCDC), which is currently monitoring the situation and coordinating the […]
Read MoreAllahabad HC asks Yogi to consider night curfew in UP
Prayagraj (Uttar Pradesh), April 7 (IANS) The Allahabad High Court has asked the Uttar Pradesh government to consider a night curfew situation as the state witnesses a surge in the number of coronavirus cases. The court also asked the government to consider vaccination for all. The court directed the state government to ensure Covid protocols […]
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