Page 27 - Coronavirus

A Covid uptick

No reason for panic, but caution required

India records 66 new Covid cases, active cases have declined to 491

India has logged 66 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have declined to 491, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll was recorded at 5,32,024, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country's Covid case tally is 4.49 crore (4,49,97,466). The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,64,951 and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website. The case fatality rate stands at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

Returning to office is $1.3 trillion problem that only few have figured out

Asian nations did a better job keeping Covid-19 under wraps in the pandemic's first year, so people there didn't get as accustomed to working from home

Jill Biden tests positive for Covid, but Prez Biden's results negative

First lady Jill Biden tested positive for COVID-19 Monday but is experiencing only mild symptoms, her spokeswoman said. President Joe Biden was tested for the virus following his wife's positive test, but his results were negative. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the president would continue testing regularly and would be monitored for symptoms. Jill Biden will remain at the couple's home in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, for the time being, communications director Elizabeth Alexander said. The first lady had planned to start the new school year Tuesday at Northern Virginia Community College, where she teaches English and writing. Due to her condition, she was working with school officials to arrange substitute teachers for her classes, Alexander said. The first lady had travelled with her husband to Florida on Saturday to inspect the damage from Hurricane Idalia. President Biden then spent part of the Labor Day weekend at the Delaware beach house before traveling ..

India's Covid vax rate falls 75% since Apr as US, UK ready for another shot

In recent weeks, over 70 per cent of India's current vaccinations have been adminis­tered to people in the age group of 45-60 years

Our culture of service helping India gain prominence in post-Covid era: Min

India's culture of service is helping it gain prominence in the new world order created in the post-COVID era, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday, citing the supply of medicines and vaccines by the Centre during the pandemic. When international airlines were shut (during COVID outbreak), six to seven planes landed in India daily only to procure medicines. We did not just provide medicines but also made the whole world aware of our culture, Mandaviya said after inaugurating the Amrita Patel Centre of Public Health at Bhaikaka University at Karamsad in Anand district. Had India desired, the minister said, it could have then sold medicines to other countries at a much higher price. But India continued to supply medicines at pre-pandemic price levels, he said. When the world was stockpiling vaccines three to four times their requirement, India made vaccines to meet the domestic need and also supply to more than 100 countries at a lower rate under the Vaccine Maitri

Kashmir's post-pandemic popularity as travel destination on surge: HAI

Unveiling a "Vision 2047" document, the Hotel Association of India (HAI) presented a 25-year roadmap of the future of the hospitality and tourism industry in Kashmir and said its post-pandemic popularity as a travel destination has increased. "The report highlights the rising appeal of Kashmir as a travel destination, especially for adventure tourism, in the aftermath of the pandemic," HAI said in a statement here. This recognition of Kashmir's allure coincides with an increase in tourist numbers, which is bolstered by an increased support from the Centre and the Jammu and Kashmir administration, it said. Last year, approximately 18 million tourists visited J&K and G20 related events and this year's Miss World programme have positioned the UT as a prominent contender in event tourism, it said. "The recent G20 meeting hosted in the Union territory not only gave a boost to regional tourism but also showcased the area's potential as a destination for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, ...

New Covid-19 variants causing global surges, but severity of infection down

In Southeast Asia, Thailand recorded highest number of fresh infections, followed by India where cases increased 2%

50 new Covid cases in a day, active cases reach 1,520: Health Ministry

India logged 50 new coronavirus infections in a day while active cases were recorded at 1,520, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll was recorded at 5,31,930, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country's Covid case tally is 4.49 crore. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,63,717, and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website. The case fatality rate is at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

India records 61 fresh Covid cases, total cases at 1,522: Health Ministry

India saw a single-day rise of 61 new coronavirus infections while the active cases were recorded at 1,522, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll was recorded at 5,31,929, the data updated at 8 am showed. The country's Covid case tally is 4.49 crore (4,49,97,117). The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,44,63,666, and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website. The case fatality rate stands at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far.

Delhi Metro records highest-ever daily passenger journeys on Aug 28: DMRC

Delhi Metro on August 28 recorded the highest-ever count of daily passenger journeys -- 68.16 lakh -- for the period spanning before and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the DMRC said on Tuesday. The previous highest recorded passenger journey count stood at 66,18,717 on February 10, 2020, just before the pandemic disrupted travel patterns and routines, officials said. The record figures have been registered days ahead of the Raksha Bandhan festival, and officials said ridership jumps on this occasion, but this time it happened a few days earlier. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has achieved a "historic milestone" by registering an "unprecedented 68.16 lakh passenger journeys on Monday, "marking the highest-ever" daily passenger journeys recorded before or after the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, the corporation said in a statement. "This remarkable milestone, achieved yesterday, comes after a period of challenges and reflects the resilience and trust of the Delhi-NCR citiz

At least 6.5% Covid-19 patients died post discharge, shows ICMR data

Published in the latest issue of the Indian Journal of Medical Research (IJMR), the investigation aimed to understand the factors contributing to post-discharge mortality among Covid-19 patients

China won't require Covid-19 tests for incoming travellers as it reopens

China will no longer require a negative COVID-19 test result for incoming travellers starting Wednesday, a milestone in its reopening to the rest of the world after a three-year isolation that began with the country's borders closing in March 2020. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announced the change at a briefing in Beijing on Monday. China in January ended quarantine requirements for its own citizens traveling from abroad, and over the past few months has gradually expanded the list of countries that Chinese people can travel to and increased the number of international flights. Beijing ended its tough domestic zero COVID policy only in December, after years of draconian curbs that at times included full-city lockdowns and lengthy quarantines for people who were infected. The restrictions slowed the world's second-largest economy, leading to rising unemployment and occasional instances of unrest. As part of those measures, incoming travelers were required to isolate fo

TN's growth pattern balanced, achieved 8% growth post-Covid: Minister

Tamil Nadu clocked an economic growth rate of 8 percent post-Covid and the growth pattern is balanced, state Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu asserted on Monday and attributed the positive growth to Chief Minister M K Stalin's proactive measures. The state's inflation index value steadily declined to 5.91 percent in 2022-23 from 7.92 percent in 2021-22 as against the national values of 8.82 percent and 9.31 percent during the corresponding period, he said. "We registered a positive economic growth of 8 percent while there was a negative growth across India. Tamil Nadu's economic growth rate is continuously increasing because of the measures initiated by the Chief Minister and his administrative capabilities," Thennarasu told reporters at the Secretariat. The state's planning commission's measures and the sustained efforts of the government to improve the growth ensured a turnaround, he claimed. "The steps taken to obtain investment ensured balanced growth based on the Dravidian .

Tourist inflow push occupancy, room rates back to pre-Covid levels: HAI

With high demand coming from the G20 summit in India and tourists coming to metros to witness happenings related to the event, hotel occupancy and room rates are back to pre-pandemic times, according to Hotel Association of India Secretary General MP Bezbaruah. Due to the existing demand-supply situation, room rates have been sometimes a little higher than the pre-pandemic, he told PTI in an interview. "I understand there is very big demand at this time from not only G20 but also from tourists and people who are coming to the metropolitan cities to see all this happening in the cities and for that demand is quite high," Bezbaruah said. Apparently, the prices also have gone up because it is primarily a demand and supply situation in the market, he added. He was responding to a query on what feedback Hotel Association of India (HAI) was getting from its members in terms of room rate tariffs and occupancy with regard to demand from the G20 Summit. On the impact of the high demand on

North Korea to allow citizens abroad to return home as Covid curbs ease

North Korea said Sunday it will allow its citizens staying abroad to return home in line with easing pandemic situations worldwide, as the country slowly eases its draconian coronavirus restrictions. In a brief statement carried by state media, the State Emergency Epidemic Prevention Headquarters said those returning to North Korea will be put in quarantine for a week for proper medical observation. The statement didn't elaborate. But analysts predicted the announcement would lead to the return of North Korean students, workers and others who have had to stay abroad, mostly in China and Russia, because of the pandemic. The workers are a key source of foreign income for the country. North Korea banned tourists, jetted out diplomats and severely curtailed border traffic and trade after the pandemic began. The lockdown has further worsened the North's chronic economic difficulties and food insecurity. Earlier this month, South Korea's spy agency said North Korea was preparing to furth

Karnataka govt sets panel to probe Covid irregularities during BJP rule

The Karnataka government has set up an inquiry commission headed by a retired High Court judge to probe into the procurement of medicines, equipment and the alleged irregularities in oxygen supply during the COVID-19 pandemic when the BJP was in power. Issuing an order to this effect on Friday, the government said it expected the commission led by Justice John Michael D'Cunha to submit the report in three months. The government order said it has taken a serious note of serious charges made by the Public Accounts Committee in its report in July-August regarding the procurement of medicines, equipment and oxygen mismanagement that led the deaths of people. The order further said the departments concerned will have to provide the documents required for the investigation and all necessary facilities including staff, space, stationery, vehicle and equipment needed to operate an office. The ruling Congress has been alleging large scale irregularities in the COVID management during the ..

India registers 60 new Covid-19 infections, active cases at 1,503

India saw a single day rise of 60 new coronavirus infections while the active cases stood at 1,503, according to Union health ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll was recorded at 5,31,928, the data updated at 8 am stated. The country's Covid case tally is 4.49 crore. The number of people who have recuperated from the infection has increased to 4.45 crore, and the national recovery rate stands at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry's website. The case fatality rate stands at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.67 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far.

Joe Biden says he will request more funding for a new coronavirus vaccine

President Joe Biden said Friday that he is planning to request more money from Congress to develop another new coronavirus vaccine, as scientists track new waves and hospitalizations rise, though not like before. Officials are already expecting updated COVID-19 vaccines that contain one version of the omicron strain, called XBB.1.5. It's an important change from today's combination shots, which mix the original coronavirus strain with last year's most common omicron variants. But there will always be a need for updated vaccines as the virus continues to mutate. It's not clear exactly when people can start rolling up their sleeves for what officials hope is an annual fall COVID-19 shot. Pfizer, Moderna and smaller manufacturer Novavax all are brewing doses of the XBB update but the Food and Drug Administration will have to sign off on each, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must then issue recommendations for their use. I signed off this morning on a proposal we

Brics should prepare for any future pandemics: S African Health Minister

The BRICS nations should cooperate to prepare for any future pandemics, South African Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla has said, emphasising that the period of COVID-19 has highlighted weaknesses in health systems. Addressing a seminar titled "Pandemic Preparedness Prevention and Response for Health Security: Closing the Gap in Preparation for Future Pandemics" that was organised by the BRICS Business Council SA Chapter on the sidelines of the 15th Brics Summit hosted this week, Phaahla said that the Covid-19 outbreak has caught the world off-guard in terms of preparedness. The BRICS Business Council SA Chapter and other stakeholders involved have created this platform to discuss pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response for health security. This is borne out of the devastating experience the world went through with the outbreak of COVID-19, said Phaahla during the seminar that was attended by his counterparts from the BRICS partners, representatives of the World Health ...