Page 4 - Coronavirus

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

Policy lessons from data gaps in Covid death toll and Maha Kumbh mumbers

Newly released data implies that the health care system coped very badly. The likely under-allocation of resources due to undercounting suggests it may also cope poorly in the next major health crisis

Covid-19 wave returns in Asia, cases increase in Hong Kong, Singapore

Covid-19 cases are rising sharply across Asia, with Hong Kong, Singapore, China, and Thailand reporting spikes. However, despite rising cases elsewhere in Asia, India has not reported any increase

Covid-19 cases spike in Hong Kong, S'pore as new wave spreads across Asia

Covid's comeback just as much of the northern hemisphere enters into summer shows the virus can still sicken a large swath of the population even when the weather is hot

Operation Sindoor: How a Covid-era change to spending rules came in handy

During Covid, the government increased the Contingency Fund limit from ₹500 cr to ₹30,000 cr, a measure that made it easier for the expenditure dept to disburse funds without Parliamentary approval

India's life expectancy falls for 1st time in 50 yrs; blame it on Covid-19

Even in 2020, the first pandemic year, deaths had already risen by over six per cent compared to 2019

Covid-19 plot twist: China claims virus may have emerged from the US

The US not only botched its own response to Covid-19; it also obstructed and sabotaged international cooperation in various ways, allege a white paper released by China

India still carrying 'poor country' tag? SC questions Prashant Bhushan

Responding to the SC bench, Bhushan noted that the claim made is not just his, but a similar concern has been flagged by former chief economists, who believe that India's poverty is on the rise