Page 54 - Coronavirus

Delhi logs 139 fresh coronavirus cases, positivity rate drops to 4.98%

Delhi reported 152 coronavirus cases with a positivity rate of 6.66% on Friday

Covid: Mock drill at Delhi govt hospitals on Sunday to check preparedness

Delhi government-run hospitals will conduct a mock drill on Sunday to assess their preparedness to deal with any eventuality in view of rising COVID-19 and seasonal influenza cases. A senior official said an order to this effect was issued to medical superintendents, medical directors and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) by the Delhi health department on Friday. "All the MS/MDs and CDMOs of all the hospitals of Delhi government are hereby requested to hold a mock drill on 26.03.2023 (Sunday) to check the preparedness of health, infrastructure, and logistics including availability of oxygen, so as to prepare for any eventuality, especially in view of increasing COVID-19 and influenza type cases," according to the order. The mock drill must be conducted by all the hospitals of the Delhi government and a report be submitted by March 26 evening or March 27 morning, furnishing details on a list of parameters mentioned in an earlier order dated March 23, it says. Sources said the

Keep close watch on evolving etiologies: Centre issues advisory on Covid

The advisory has also flagged low level of testing by states and UTs and has said that testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO i.e 140 tests per million

Nothing to panic about, take precaution: Doctors on rise in Covid cases

Amid a gradual increase in Covid-19 cases in Delhi in recent days, some medical experts say the new XBB.1.16 variant could be driving the rise in cases but add there's no need to panic and people should follow Covid-appropriate behaviour and get booster shots if they have not already. They also say this rise could be a result of more people getting themselves tested for Covid as a precaution when they actually get infected with the influenza virus and develop fever and related ailments. Over the past week, Delhi has seen a rise in daily Covid cases amid a sharp increase in H3N2 influenza cases in parts of the country, including the national capital. On Friday, Delhi recorded over 150 fresh Covid cases with a positivity rate of 6.66 per cent. A day before that, it logged 117 cases with a positivity rate of 4.95 per cent. The number of daily Covid cases has nearly doubled since Tuesday when 83 fresh Covid cases were reported with a positivity rate of 5.83 per cent and one fatality. T

India reports new 1,590 Covid cases, 6 deaths; active tally rises to 8,601

The recovery of 910 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,41,62,832. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.79 per cent

Ajay Banga tests Covid positive; meetings with PM Modi, others cancelled

US nominee for World Bank president Ajay Banga has tested COVID-19 following which the meetings scheduled during his two-day visit to India have been cancelled. According to a Finance Ministry statement, Banga's meeting with Nirmala Sitharaman would not happen as he is in quarantine. "During routine testing, Ajay Banga tested positive for COVID-19 but remains asymptomatic. In adherence with local guidelines, he is quarantining in isolation," the statement said. Besides meeting with the Union finance minister, Banga was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar and top officials during his two-day visit from March 23 to 24. Banga's New Delhi visit is the final stop on his three-week global tour that began in Africa before progressing to Europe, Latin America, and Asia to drum up support for his candidature for the World Bank's top position. In a statement on Wednesday, the US Treasury Department had said, "While in India, Banga will m

SC directs all convicts released during pandemic to surrender in 15 days

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the COVID-19 pandemic in a move to decongest jails, to surrender within 15 days. A bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar said undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender. "All the convicts who were released during COVID-19 pandemic after their surrender can move competent courts for suspension of their sentence", the bench said. Several convicts and undertrial prisoners, mostly those who were booked for non-heinous offences, were released during the pandemic in various states on the recommendations of high-powered committee set up in pursuant to directions of the apex court.

Covid infected people may experience genome structure changes: Study

In addition, the study published in the journal Nature Microbiology found that chemical modifications on chromatin were also altered by SARS-CoV-2

Being vaccinated halves risk of developing long Covid, shows study

Being vaccinated against Covid halves people's risk of developing long Covid, according to new research conducted on more than 860,000 patients

India records 1,249 new Covid-19 infections, active cases rise to 7,927

India logged 1,249 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases have increased to 7,927, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll has increased to 5,30,818 with one death each reported by Karnataka and Gujarat, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily positivity was recorded at 1.19 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.14 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.47 crore (4,47,00,667). The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said. As many as 92.07 crore tests for detection of Covid have been conducted so far with 1,05,316 tests being conducted in the last 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,61,922, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administere

Ajay Banga tests positive for Covid-19 during routine testing in Delhi

World Bank presidential nominee Ajay Banga has tested positive for COVID-19 during routine testing in New Delhi where he was travelling on the last leg of his world tour, and is currently quarantining in isolation, the Department of Treasury said Thursday. India is witnessing a spike in influenza and coronavirus cases in the past two weeks. The country has recorded 1,134 new coronavirus cases, while the active cases increased to 7,026, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. Banga's New Delhi visit (March 23 and March 24) is the final stop on his three-week global tour that began in Africa before progressing to Europe, Latin America and Asia. During routine testing, Ajay Banga tested positive for COVID-19 but remains asymptomatic. In adherence with local guidelines, he is quarantining in isolation, the Department of Treasury said Thursday afternoon. While in India, 63-year-old Banga was scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi as well as the Minister of

Amid Covid-19 rise, 349 samples of new XBB1.16 variant found in India

A total of 349 samples of COVID-19's XBB.1.16 variant, which might have been behind the recent rise of coronavirus cases in the country, have been detected, according to INSACOG data. These 349 samples of the variant have been found in nine states and Union Territories. The highest number of cases due to this variant has been found in Maharashtra at 105, followed by Telangana 93, Karnataka 61 and Gujarat 54, according to INSACOG data accessed by PTI. XBB 1.16 was first found in January when two samples tested positive for the variant. In February, 140 samples of the XBB 1.16 variant were found. In March, 207 XBB 1.16 variant samples have been found till now, according to INSACOG data. India has been witnessing an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country recently. On Thursday, India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605. The death toll has increased to 5,30,816 with three deaths. One death each has been reported b

3 years later: How Covid pandemic and the lockdown remain fresh in memory

Three years after the Covid-19 lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Business Standard reporters went around the capital city

Covid restrictions took longer to ease in India than several of its peers

Value of stringency index remained higher than several large economies between 2020 and 2023

No increase in rate of hospitalisation, death due to Covid: Health Ministry

Amid a gradual rise in daily Covid-19 cases, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday that the XBB.1.16 subvariant of Omicron might be the dominant virus strain in the country but there has been no reported increase in the rate of hospitalisation or death so far. Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said 344 samples have tested positive in the last three months January, February and March for XBB.1.16 after whole genome sequencing. The subvariant has been found in states such as Maharashtra (105), Telangana (93), Karnataka (57), Gujarat (54) and Delhi (19). "Omicron and its sub-lineages continue to be the predominant variant. No evidence of an increase in hospitalisation and/or mortality has been reported," Bhushan said. He said XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 are variants of interest and under intense scientific scrutiny but they are not a "cause of immediate concern". India has reported an uptick in daily coronavirus cases over the past week. Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala and Karnataka are am

UK ex-PM Boris Johnson once again apologises over Partygate scandal

Boris Johnson has once again apologised over the Partygate scandal, this time for inadvertently misleading the British Parliament over the COVID law-breaking parties at Downing Street during his time as prime minister. Johnson was grilled for hours on Wednesday by the House of Commons Privileges Committee, which is investigating whether he knowingly misled the Parliament over the Partygate scandal of gathering that breached the lockdown rules. I apologise for inadvertently misleading this House, but to say that I did it recklessly or deliberately is completely untrue, as the evidence shows, he told the committee. During a heated session, the 58-year-old senior Conservative Party MP insisted the events that came under the purview of the scandal were essential during the lockdown period as Downing Street doubles up as a workplace and residence. "I believe it was absolutely essential for work purposes," he said when questioned about a particular event in November 2020. Johnson said t

India reports 1,300 new Covid cases in a day, active tally jumps to 7,605

India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll has increased to 5,30,816 with three deaths. One death each has been reported by Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, the data updated at 8 am stated. The daily positivity was recorded at 1.46 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.08 per cent. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,99, 418). The active cases now comprises 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said. A total 92.06 crore tests for detection of Covid has been conducted so far with 89,078 tests being conducted in the last 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,60,997, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's websit

Covid-19 cases in India at four-month high: Everything you need to know

Covid-19 review meet: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday highlighted that Covid in India is 'far from over' and there is a need to monitor the status of cases across the country regularly

No rerating yet for diagnostic players despite price hikes as margins fall

While discounts have come down, pricing gap still large between incumbents and new players

MNS President Raj Thackeray blames Uddhav for leaders quitting Shiv Sena

Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) president Raj Thackeray on Wednesday squarely blamed his estranged cousin and former CM Uddhav Thackeray for many Shiv Sena leaders quitting the party and said as chief minister he was not ready to meet anyone during the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a rally of his party at the Shivaji Park in central Mumbai, the MNS leader blamed Uddhav Thackeray for many Shiv Sena leaders parting ways with him in the past, including Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and 39 MLAs supporting him, who raised a banner of revolt in June last year. The rally was organised on the occasion of Gudi Padwa, a festival which marks the start of the Marathi New Year. Raj Thackeray said he will renew his campaign to pull down loudspeakers from mosques if the states government does not take any action in the matter. The MNS chief demanded withdrawal of nearly 17,000 cases slapped on his party workers last year when they launched protests seeking removal of loudspeakers from mosques.