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Coronavirus

Five years of Covid: Struggles, adaptations and hope for small businesses

From closures to online pivots, how small enterprises weathered the pandemic storm

Five years of Covid: Struggles, adaptations and hope for small businesses
Updated On : 31 Jan 2025 | 6:06 PM IST

Covid's quiet fade: Nearly 3 deaths per month still being reported

The latest numbers show that there have been 41 cases of Covid in the most recent four-week period ending mid-January, with three deaths

Covid's quiet fade: Nearly 3 deaths per month still being reported
Updated On : 30 Jan 2025 | 12:27 AM IST

CIA suspects Covid originated from a lab but lacks confidence in finding

The CIA now believes the virus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic likely originated from a laboratory, according to an assessment released Saturday that points the finger at China even while acknowledging that the spy agency has low confidence in its own conclusion. The finding is not the result of any new intelligence, and the report was completed at the behest of the Biden administration and former CIA Director William Burns. It was declassified and released Saturday on the orders of President Donald Trump's pick to lead the agency, John Ratcliffe, who was sworn in Thursday as director. The nuanced finding suggests the agency believes the totality of evidence makes a lab origin more likely than a natural origin. But the agency's assessment assigns a low degree of confidence to this conclusion, suggesting the evidence is deficient, inconclusive or contradictory. Earlier reports on the origins of COVID-19 have split over whether the coronavirus emerged from a Chinese lab, ...

CIA suspects Covid originated from a lab but lacks confidence in finding
Updated On : 26 Jan 2025 | 10:35 PM IST

Trump admin considers order to pause virus research linked to Covid-19

The Trump administration is drafting an executive order to temporarily halt federal funding for certain 'gain-of-function' virus research, although some pathogens, like H5N1, may be exempt from this

Trump admin considers order to pause virus research linked to Covid-19
Updated On : 23 Jan 2025 | 12:30 PM IST

Additional expense of Rs 10.2 cr by Kerala to buy PPE kit during Covid: CAG

Despite having prescribed unit rates for PPE kits at Rs 545 to control prices, the government procured kits at much higher rates, up to 300 per cent above the unit rate, in March and April 2020

Additional expense of Rs 10.2 cr by Kerala to buy PPE kit during Covid: CAG
Updated On : 22 Jan 2025 | 10:15 AM IST

'Ambulance Man' Shunty promises to introduce 'pink ambulances' for women

AAP candidate Jitender Singh Shunty says he wants to make Shahdara constituency a better place for women residents as he outlines his plans for introducing 'pink ambulances', hostels for working women and creches for their children if elected from the seat in the Delhi assembly polls. A formal Quick Response Team (QRT) for women's safety and the establishment of a disaster management team to address emergencies in the narrow lanes of the locality are among his other key proposals. Known for his work during the COVID-19 pandemic, which earned him the title of "Ambulance Man," Shunty told PTI that his priorities include serving the people of Shahdara and addressing the needs of women. "If elected, I will honour my commitment to social welfare," Shunty said, adding his initiatives would focus on supporting working women, single mothers, and female professionals who have come from outside to work in Delhi. "There are many female residents in this area who need safe and affordable ...

'Ambulance Man' Shunty promises to introduce 'pink ambulances' for women
Updated On : 19 Jan 2025 | 2:25 PM IST

Saved millions from losing jobs: US Treasury defends Biden's Covid spending

While the US economy had done "remarkably well" in the aftermath of the pandemic, it outperformed other advanced economies and did better than in past recessions, Yellen said

Saved millions from losing jobs: US Treasury defends Biden's Covid spending
Updated On : 15 Jan 2025 | 4:15 PM IST

'We Tried to Tell Y'All': Meredith D Clark chronicles rise of Black Twitter

Black Twitter's most lasting legacy, according to Clark, is pulling off a "full-scale revolution" in how American news media reported on Black people

'We Tried to Tell Y'All': Meredith D Clark chronicles rise of Black Twitter
Updated On : 12 Jan 2025 | 11:18 PM IST

Explained: How to protect yourself from norovirus, Covid-19, flu, and RSV

In the winter months, it seems few are safe from some kind of illness flu, COVID-19, norovirus, colds. While many of the germs that cause this misery can circulate throughout the year, scientists think that the winter surge of flu and cold activity may be because we spend more time indoors and the cold, dry air may weaken our defences. But knowing what these bugs are and how they spread can help. While it may be difficult to make it through the season totally unscathed, there are some things you can do to protect yourself from these respiratory and stomach viruses. How do I know whether I have the cold, the flu, COVID-19 or something else? Some symptoms are hard to distinguish among illnesses, especially with respiratory viruses. Others are unmistakable. Norovirus is a foodborne illness that can spread through water and contaminated surfaces and can cause vomiting, diarrhea, nausea and stomach pain for about one to three days. The common cold can be caused by several different t

Explained: How to protect yourself from norovirus, Covid-19, flu, and RSV
Updated On : 12 Jan 2025 | 9:33 PM IST

Amid concerns, WHO official says HMPV virus 'expected during winter'

WHO official said that the pathogens are known ones and can be tackled, including the pathogens of Covid-19

Amid concerns, WHO official says HMPV virus 'expected during winter'
Updated On : 09 Jan 2025 | 7:18 AM IST

India's 2024 power output growth slowest since Covid-19, shows data

Power output rose 5.8 per cent annually to 1,824.13 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), an analysis of daily load despatch data from federal grid regulator Grid-India showed

India's 2024 power output growth slowest since Covid-19, shows data
Updated On : 08 Jan 2025 | 11:29 AM IST

What is HMPV? Everything you need to know about the respiratory virus

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is a globally recognised respiratory virus that recently gained attention after its outbreak was reported in China. Two cases of HMPV were recently reported in Karnataka as part of routine surveillance by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Here is an explainer on the HMPV: What is HMPV? HMPV is a viral pathogen that causes respiratory infections in people of all age groups. First discovered in 2001, it belongs to the Paramyxoviridae family and is closely related to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). HMPV spreads through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing, as well as by touching contaminated surfaces or coming into direct contact with infected individuals. This virus is known to cause illnesses ranging from mild respiratory discomfort to severe complications, especially in vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults and individuals with weakened immune systems. It is prevalent globally and tends to peak during late winte

What is HMPV? Everything you need to know about the respiratory virus
Updated On : 06 Jan 2025 | 3:57 PM IST

Kejriwal seeks immediate action from Centre amid HMPV virus concerns

ICMR emphasised that despite the detection of these two cases, there has been no significant increase in Influenza-Like Illness (ILI) or Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases in the country

Kejriwal seeks immediate action from Centre amid HMPV virus concerns
Updated On : 06 Jan 2025 | 2:10 PM IST

HMPV alert: States intensify surveillance as 1st case surfaces in Bengaluru

Several states, including Delhi, Maharashtra, and Telangana, have issued health advisories to enhance preparedness for potential outbreaks of HMPV and other respiratory viruses

HMPV alert: States intensify surveillance as 1st case surfaces in Bengaluru
Updated On : 06 Jan 2025 | 12:54 PM IST

Covid's lessons ignored: The world risks repeating past mistakes

The vaccines allowed Covid to be treated as an aberration, but we must not forget what it really was: A preview of the kind of planetary challenges that await us

Covid's lessons ignored: The world risks repeating past mistakes
Updated On : 03 Jan 2025 | 10:41 PM IST

China downplays reports of new virus HPMV outbreak, says safe to travel

China on Friday played down reports of a massive outbreak of flu in the country overwhelming hospitals, saying that cases of the respiratory diseases which occur during the winter were less severe this year compared to last year. The Foreign Ministry here said it is safe for foreigners to travel to China. Respiratory infections tend to peak during the winter season in the northern hemisphere," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told the media here in response to a question on the spread of influenza A and other respiratory diseases in China. Videos circulating on social media show overcrowded hospitals. "The diseases appear to be less severe and spread with a smaller scale compared to the previous year," she said. I can assure you the Chinese government cares about the health of Chinese citizens and foreigners in China. It is safe to travel in China," she said. She also referred to guidelines issued by the National Disease Control and Prevention Administration of Chin

China downplays reports of new virus HPMV outbreak, says safe to travel
Updated On : 03 Jan 2025 | 8:08 PM IST

Is HMPV another Covid-19-like scare in China? What we know so far

China is witnessing a surge in respiratory illnesses, including HMPV, influenza, and Covid-19, predominantly affecting children and the elderly, as healthcare systems face mounting pressure

Is HMPV another Covid-19-like scare in China? What we know so far
Updated On : 03 Jan 2025 | 5:23 PM IST

China defends Covid-19 data-sharing as WHO seeks more information access

China is also the only country that organised experts to share traceability progress with the WHO on many occasions, Mao Ning, spokesperson at the foreign ministry said

China defends Covid-19 data-sharing as WHO seeks more information access
Updated On : 31 Dec 2024 | 2:22 PM IST

Once called a 'failure', MGNREGS became lifeline during Covid lockdown

Once called a "monument of failure" of the UPA government by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) was one of the flagship schemes launched during the Manmohan Singh government's first tenure, and it proved to be a lifeline for rural workers during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020. Launched in 2005, the MGNREGS was one of the first major schemes brought by the Manmohan Singh government, which at that time had Left parties supporting it. The UPA government had then described it as a "landmark in our history in removing poverty from the face of the nation". The National Advisory Council (NAC) chaired by Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, which had several social activists and experts in an advisory role to the prime minister, also played a key role in shaping the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) based on the "Right to Work". The MGNREGA aims at enhancing the livelihood security of rural households

Once called a 'failure', MGNREGS became lifeline during Covid lockdown
Updated On : 27 Dec 2024 | 8:28 PM IST

Consumer court orders Rs 500K compensation for unnecessary Covid treatment

The Malappuram District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has ordered a private hospital and a doctor in Kochi to pay Rs 5 lakh as compensation for providing unnecessary Covid-19 treatment to a patient who had tested negative. The ruling came in a complaint filed by Soji Reni, a resident of Kakkadampoyil, in Malappuram. According to the complaint, Soji Reni and her husband sought treatment at the hospital on 26 May 2021 for certain health issues. However, the hospital allegedly concealed the fact that she had tested negative for Covid-19 and proceeded with Covid related treatment, causing undue physical and mental distress. According to the complaint, an antigen test was conducted, but the result was indeterminate and later an RT-PCR test was performed to confirm the diagnosis. Despite the test showing negative, the hospital failed to inform the patient and instead proceeded with Covid-19 related treatment, it added. Soji Reni, admitted to the intensive care unit, was unable

Consumer court orders Rs 500K compensation for unnecessary Covid treatment
Updated On : 26 Dec 2024 | 10:35 PM IST