Page 4 - Coronavirus

Datanomics: Rising Covid cases put spotlight on India's healthcare system

Without urgent boosts in investment, experts warn India will struggle to meet both everyday and emergency health demands

Is your health policy Covid-ready? Key features you must look for

Check if your health insurance covers home care, tele-consultations, PPE kits, room rent waiver and has sufficient sum insured to deal with Covid-related hospitalisation costs

India crosses 1,000 active Covid-19 cases, Kerala tops with 430 infections

The country clocked 752 new Covid-19 infections between May 19 and 26, seven deaths reported during the period

No cause of worry, infection severity mild: ICMR DG amid Covid cases uptick

Amid an uptick in Covid cases in some parts of the country, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Dr Rajiv Behl Monday said the severity of infections as of now is generally mild and there was no cause for worry. Speaking about new Covid variants being traced, he said genome sequencing of samples in the west and south have shown that the new variants are not severe and are Omicron sub-variants. These are LF.7, XFG, JN.1 and NB. 1.8.1. The first three are more prevalent, Dr Bhel said. "Samples from other places are being sequenced and we will know in a day or two if there are more variants." The ICMR DG said there has been an uptick in cases --first from the south, then west and now from northern India. All these cases are being monitored through the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP). Besides that, ICMR's nationwide respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network is keeping a watch on emerging infections and pathogens, he said. "Whenever c

Covid-19 cases cross 1,000 mark: 430 active cases in Kerala, 104 in Delhi

Covid-19 tally rises across India with over 1,000 active cases. Kerala tops list with 430 active cases; Delhi sees 99 new cases in a week, triggering fresh concerns

Union Health Secretary reviews situation of Covid-19 across states

According to the Union Health Ministry, as of May 19, India has 257 active Covid-19 cases, most of which are mild and require no hospitalisation

Govt issues fresh Covid advisory; Delhi hospitals told to test, train staff

With new Covid sub variants detected, Centre asks hospitals to ensure bed, oxygen, and vaccine readiness, conduct genome sequencing, and report ILI/SARI cases on health portals

One Covid-19 death reported from Thane, 8 new cases take total to 18

As many as 10 cases of COVID-19 have been detected in Maharashtra's Thane city over the last three days, with the civic administration urging hospitals to stay vigilant, officials said on Saturday. According to a release issued by the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), the affected patients showed mild symptoms and are undergoing treatment at home. The civic body has urged people not to panic and follow precautionary measures. TMC Commissioner Saurabh Rao has instructed the civic health department and hospitals to remain vigilant and alert for examination and treatment of COVID-19 patients, the release stated. The civic body held a high-level review meeting on Friday to assess the situation and readiness of the health system. During the meeting, chief medical officer Dr Chetna Nitil informed that all patients were stable and recovering at home. "A sufficient stock of medicines has been maintained at all health centres, and COVID-19 testing kits are readily available," the release

Delhi-NCR reports 27 Covid-19 cases as national tally also sees an uptick

Of the total number of positive cases, 23 were reported in Delhi, while 4 were reported from Ghaziabad

FDA may change Covid-19 booster rules from 2025: What it means for you

The US Food and Drug Administration may limit Covid-19 boosters shots to high-risk groups from 2025; Pfizer reviewing proposal as agency seeks new trials, clearer risk labels for younger males

India's Covid-19 response must go beyond vaccines, follow global practices

Several advanced countries are offering annual Covid-19 booster doses, especially to vulnerable groups

From Kerala to Uttar Pradesh, states step up vigil as Covid returns

Masks, tests and advisories return as states like Kerala, UP and Odisha increase vigilance amid rising Covid-19 cases driven by new Omicron sub-variants

Kerala reports 182 Covid cases in May; govt asks people to wear masks

Kerala Health Minister Veena George has advised vulnerable groups and symptomatic individuals to wear masks as Kerala tracks a surge in cases linked to JN.1 and new Omicron sub-variants

New WHO agreement on pandemic response: What's it is and what it will do

With lessons from Covid-19, WHO members back treaty to improve equity, vaccine access, and emergency coordination during future outbreaks

2 Covid deaths in Maharashtra since Jan, 52 cases present: Health dept

Maharashtra has reported two COVID-19-related deaths since January this year, the state health department said on Tuesday. In a release, the department said both fatalities were reported from Mumbai and involved patients with comorbidities (simultaneous presence of two or more medical conditions in a person). One of the deceased had nephrotic syndrome with hypocalcemia seizure, while the other was a cancer patient, it said. The release said a total of 6,066 swab samples have been examined for coronavirus since January, of which 106 tested positive for the infectious disease. Of these, 101 were from Mumbai and the remaining from Pune, Thane, and Kolhapur. Currently, 52 patients are undergoing treatment for mild symptoms, while 16 are being treated at hospitals, said the department. "A spike in COVID-19 cases is not only being seen in Maharashtra, but also in other states and even other countries, the release stated.

WHO members back resolution for global pact to prevent future pandemics

The pandemic agreement and the resolution calling for its adoption will be discussed by the full plenary of the World Health Assembly on May 20

Covid-19 cases cross 250 mark in India: Should you worry about JN.1 variant?

Doctors explain what the Covid JN.1 variant is, its symptoms, vaccine protection, testing options, and what precautions Indians should take amid rising cases in Asia

Govt holds review meetings to monitor Covid-19 situation in India

Govt says Covid-19 situation remains under control despite a minor uptick in cases, amid rising infections in Singapore and Hong Kong attributed to Omicron subvariants

Covid cases rising in Southeast Asia: What Indian travellers need to know

A fresh wave of Covid-19 is sweeping across parts of Southeast Asia, with Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand all reporting a noticeable rise in infections

Best of BS Opinion: How we manage change can turn the future around

Today's columnists assess change, and the various forms it takes - from Trump's flip-flops to changing the ideal of what a company should do, to the Indian cricket team's leadership churn