Page 112 - Coronavirus

Scientists identify ultra-potent antibody that can offset Omicron variants

Named 'S2X324', its neutralising potency was largely unaffected by any of the Omicron variants tested, said the study published in the journal Science.

China's economy weakens, signs point to more strain ahead amid Covid curbs

Both the official manufacturing purchasing managers index and the non-manufacturing gauge, which measures construction and services activity, fell in the month to 49.2 and 48.7, respectively

India records 1,326 new Covid-19 cases, active tally declines to 17,912

With 1,326 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,46,53,592, while the active cases declined to 17,912, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll climbed to 5,29,024 with eight fatalities which includes five deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.78 per cent, the ministry said. A decrease of 405 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 1.59 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 1.08 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,06,656, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry, 219.63 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administer

Oil slips as China's Covid-19 curbs outweigh concerns over US output

Wider Covid-19 curbs in China invariably raise concerns over demand from the world's top crude importer, Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management said

Sans Covid curbs, thousands throng ghats in Delhi for Chhath Puja

After two years of restrictions owing to Covid, thousands of devotees thronged ghats and makeshift ponds across the capital on Sunday to worship the Sun God as part of Chhath Puja celebrations. Devotees, especially women keeping the arduous 36-hour-long fast 'Nirjala Vrat', sang devotional and folk songs and offered 'arghya' to the Sun God while standing in knee deep water at ghats or makeshift ponds. Chhath puja is celebrated on the sixth day after Diwali and is also known as Surya Sashthi as it is dedicated to the Sun God. It is one of the most popular festivals in eastern Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. After two years of Covid-induced restrictions, Chhath Puja is being celebrated this year at public places on a large scale in Delhi. Sushma Singh, a devotee and resident of Indraprastha Colony here, said inflation has impacted people a lot but this is a sacred festival. "I have been doing Chhath for the last 20 years. Day by day, its popularity is increasing and more people are celebra

Data story: India adds 1,604 new Covid cases; active tally at 18,317

India has added 9,524 cases in the past 7 days

Despite Covid waves, India one of fastest-growing economies: Rijiju

Union Law and Justice Minister Kiren Rijiju on Saturday said despite the three waves of the Covid-19 pandemic, India is currently one of the fastest-growing economies in the world

Mumbai records 132 new Covid-19 infections, 0 death in last 24 hours

Mumbai on Saturday recorded 132 new cases of coronavirus which raised the tally of infections in the metropolis to 11,53,860, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. The death toll remained unchanged at 19,738 with no new deaths being reported. The count of recoveries reached 11,33,561. For the first time after October 22, the daily new cases in the city surged over the 100-mark. During Diwali, daily cases had dropped to as low as 32. Mumbai currently has 561 active cases. As many as 146 patients recovered from the infection since previous evening. As many as 4,994 swab samples were tested during the same period. The recovery rate stands at 98.2 per cent, while the caseload doubling rate or period is 9,803 days.

36 cases of XBB found in Maharashtra; experts worry about long Covid

The number of cases of XBB subvariant of Omicron in Maharashtra has reached 36, the health department said on Saturday, adding that in most of these cases patients recovered in home isolation. The experts on the state government's COVID-19 Task Force, however, expressed concern about rising cases of 'long COVID' at a recent meeting, it said. Pune district has reported 21 XBB cases to date, followed by 10 in Thane, two in Nagpur and one each in Akola, Amravati and Raigad. Two of the XBB patients were in the 11-20 age group, 13 in the 21-40 segment, 14 in the 41-60 category and seven were over 60. The patients comprised 22 males and 14 females. "Nine of the 36 patients had some symptoms, while others displayed mild symptoms or were asymptomatic. A total of 32 patients recovered in home isolation and the rest four had to be hospitalised as a precautionary measure or due to lack of necessary conditions for home isolation," the release said. No "atypical" symptoms were found in any of

Maharashtra records 319 new Covid-19 cases, 2 deaths in a single day

Maharashtra on Saturday reported 319 new COVID-19 cases and two pandemic-related deaths, the state health department said. It took the tally of cases in the state to 81,31,458 and death toll to 1,48,385. On Friday, the state had reported 273 new cases and a single fatality. Among new cases, the highest 216 were reported from Mumbai circle, followed by Pune (62 cases), Nagpur (10), Akola(9), Nashik (8), Kolhapur (7), Latur (4) and Aurangabad (3). Both the fatalities were reported from the Mumbai circle. One took place in Thane city while another in Vasai-Virar area. The number of COVID-19 patients who have recovered in the state so far rose to 79,81,541 with 406 patients recovering since previous evening. Maharashtra has now 1,532 active COVID-19 cases including the highest 561 in Mumbai, followed by 307 and 294 active cases in Pune and Thane districts, respectively. Recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent and case fatality rate is 1.82 per cent. With 14,162 new coronavirus

Scientists identify in humans neutralising antibody to Omicron variants

Researchers have identified in humans a pan-variant neutralising antibody, named S2X324, whose neutralizing potency was largely unaffected by any of the Omicron strains of the coronavirus, according to a study. The scientists show that this monoclonal antibody prevents binding to the receptor on host cells that the pandemic coronavirus usually commandeers. They also suggested that combining this antibody with others in a cocktail might reduce the chances of the virus becoming antibody treatment resistant. The international team from University of Washington and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Humabs BioMed SA of Vir Biotechnology in Switzerland looked at several aspects of the effects of exposure to earlier forms of the SARS-CoV-2 spike antigen or immune-provoking protein -- on the immune system's reaction to the Omicron variants. Their findings have been published in the journal Science. Omicron variants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appeared at the end of 2021 and have marked ..

Data story: India logs 1,574 new Covid cases; death toll at 529,008

India has added 9,914 cases in the past 7 days

Health ministers of G20 countries launch call to action on tuberculosis

Health Ministers of the G20 members launched a "Call to Action on Financing for Tuberculosis Response" to tackle the second leading cause of death from infectious diseases after Covid-19

LIVE updates: India logs 1,5674 new Covid cases, toll climbs to 529,008

From national and international political developments to rising air pollution and farm fires, catch all the latest news from across the globe here

Oil futures ease about 1% as top crude importer China widens COVID curbs

Oil prices eased about 1% on Friday after top crude importer China widened its COVID-19 curbs, though the crude benchmarks were poised for a weekly gain on supply concerns

Foxconn's China iPhone factory in disarray due to Covid outbreak: Report

Foxconn's factory in Zhengzhou in central China is the world's largest assembly plant for Apple's iPhones

LIVE: Pact to set up Tata-Airbus proj in Guj inked under MVA rule, says min

From national and international political developments to rising air pollution and farm fires, catch all the latest news from across the globe here

Racial, ethnic disparities persist in US outpatient Covid-19 treatment: CDC

Racial and ethnic disparities persisted in outpatient Covid-19 treatment in the US, according to a new study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

China's economic growth now seen below 5% through 2024 on Covid zero risk

Growth is now expected to be below 5% for each year through 2024, the latest Bloomberg survey of economists shows

Data story: India logs 2,208 new Covid cases; death toll at 528,999

India has added 10,452 cases in the past 7 days