Page 89 - Coronavirus

Top Headlines: Reliance to acquire METRO AG's India biz, Covid-19 alert

Business Standard brings you the top headlines at this hour

Odisha govt issues Covid advisory after new Omicron BF.7 strain detected

The letter further said Covid-19-appropriate behaviour needs to be ensured along with testing, tracking, treating, contact tracing and vaccination

Mamata asks health officials to form panel, keep tab on Covid situation

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed concern over the surge in COVID-19 cases in China and advised health officials to form a committee of experts to keep an eye on the emerging situation. Banerjee, during a meeting at the state secretariat, enquired why one of the reporters was wearing masks, which has become a rarity in Bengal, and cabinet minister Arup Biswas subsequently informed her that cases were on the rise in China. "Is there a new variant of coronavirus in China? But they (Chinese) have not imposed anything (restriction). I will ask the health department to keep a tab on the situation," the CM said. Turning to Chief Secretary HK Dwivedi, she said, "Set up a team of experts to monitor the situation. The health secretary will be leading the team. Genome sequencing should continue." Earlier in the day, state health officials said that Bengal is ready to tackle fresh spurt in COVID-19 infections. Sample examination is being done regularly in the

Best of BS Opinion: Covid's China syndrome, hedging risks, and more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Zero Covid-19 deaths, says China, but panic spreads across globe

Dozens of hearses queue outside Beijing crematoria; firms suffer supply snags, demand falls as cases spread

Mask up, take the jab, Covid is not over yet, Centre cautions citizens

A new and highly transmissible BF.7 strain of the Omicron variant is behind a widespread surge of Covid infections in China

WHO "very concerned" about reports of severe COVID in China

The head of the World Health Organisation said the agency is very concerned about rising reports of severe coronavirus disease across China after the country largely abandoned its zero COVID policy, warning that its lagging vaccination rate could result in large numbers of vulnerable people getting infected. At a press briefing on Wednesday, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the UN agency needs more information on COVID-19 severity in China, particularly regarding hospital and intensive care unit admissions, in order to make a comprehensive risk assessment of the situation on the ground. WHO is very concerned over the evolving situation in China with increasing reports of severe disease, Tedros said. He added that while COVID deaths have dropped more than 90% since their global peak, there were still too many uncertainties about the virus to conclude that the pandemic is over. Some scientists have warned that the unchecked spread of COVID-19 in China could spur th

Genome sequencing of all positive samples in Maha, don't panic: official

Maharashtra's state surveillance officer on Wednesday said all swab samples testing positive for COVID-19 will be sent for genome sequencing to track any new variant and maintained there was no need to panic in view of the current surge in cases in China, said to be driven by a new strain of Omicron. State surveillance officer Dr Pradip Awate's statement came a day after the Centre asked states to step up genome sequencing of positive swab samples amid a spurt in coronavirus cases in the US, China and some other countries. Awate said they are already conducting genome sequencing of samples, but since the number of positive cases has come down in the last few months, the sequencing process, too, has slowed down. Genome sequencing is a laboratory test that can map out the whole genetic makeup of a virus from a patient's swab sample. "Earlier, we used to pick up samples of serious patients, admitted patients, patients who had re-infection after vaccination, and patients from ...

Delhi CM calls emergency meeting to review preparations agnst Covid spread

Reports have said Covid cases are rising in some countries, including China

Rising Covid cases in China a concern but India need not panic: SII CEO

Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday expressed concern over reports of a rising COVID-19 graph in China but said there is no need to panic as the vaccination coverage in India is excellent. Poonawalla's tweet came a day after the Union Health Ministry urged all states and UTs to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of newer variants, if any, amid a spurt in cases in the US and China. "The news of rising COVID cases coming out of China is concerning, we need not panic given our excellent vaccination coverage and track record. We must continue to trust and follow the guidelines set by the Government of India and @MoHFW_INDIA," Poonawalla tweeted. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pune-based SII had collaborated with Oxford University and pharmaceutical company Astra Zeneca for making the Covishield vaccine. In October, Pooanwalla said the SII stopped producing the vaccine in December 2021. Of the total stock available at that

Covid's China syndrome

Another booster and some basic precautions needed

Omicron BF.7 case detected in Sep in Odisha, person now in US: Officials

The infected woman had came out asymptomatic at the time of test

Wave of Covid-19 infections in China triggers widespread drugs shortage

An unprecedented Covid infections in China has triggered widespread drug shortage, as people scramble to buy fever medicines and painkillers to alleviate flu-like symptoms, according to media report

Delhi CM Kejriwal directs health dept to ramp up genome sequencing

Delhi government is keeping a watch on the COVID-19 situation and Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has directed the health department to ensure genome sequencing of samples and take other steps needed to meet any eventuality, officials said on Wednesday. Amid a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, the central government had on Tuesday urged all states and Union territories to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of emerging variants. In a letter to the states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said such an exercise will enable timely detection of newer variants, if any, circulating in the country and will facilitate undertaking of requisite public health measures. "The Delhi government is keeping a watch on the Covid situation. CM Arvind Kejriwal himself is monitoring the preparedness," a senior Delhi government official said on Wednesday. "The CM has directed health department officials to .

New Covid-19 outbreak in China: India Inc says no need to panic yet

With the global economy -- already struggling with the war in Ukraine and stagflation risks -- worried about the impact of another Covid-19 outbreak in China, India Inc is cautiously optimistic that the resilience of the Indian economy will help avoid any large-scale disruptions. Subhrakant Panda, the newly-appointed president of the industry association FICCI, said there is no need for panic yet but alertness is certainly called for, and that the Indian economy and corporates have the depth and resilience to withstand any "short and sharp" disruption to the global supply chain. "I believe the government is on top of things," he said recounting how the government handled the unseen pandemic - first imposing lockdown when little was known to keep it under control, to a graded reopening of the economy, and finally to carrying out world's largest vaccination drive once the vaccines were available. The Union Health Secretary has reportedly written to the states to keep an eye on genome

Markets wilt for second day as fresh Covid worries spook investors

The Sensex slumped 635 points while the Nifty finished below the 18,200-mark on Wednesday as surging COVID cases in China and concerns over renewed outbreaks in other countries sapped risk appetite. Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said. Different sets of data modelling indicate that China could be facing a massive death toll after it lifted its stringent zero-COVID policy. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the country and directed officials to be alert and strengthen surveillance. Declining for the second straight day, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex tumbled 635.05 points or 1.03 per cent to settle at 61,067.24. The broader NSE Nifty declined 186.20 points or 1.01 per cent to end at 18,199.10. IndusInd Bank was the biggest laggard in the Sensex pack, shedding 2.28 per cent, followed by Maruti Suzuki,

Govt reviews Covid situation; advises people to mask up, get vaccinated

In view of a sudden spurt in COVID cases in China and some other countries, the Union health minister on Wednesday reviewed the situation in the country and asked people to follow COVID-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks in crowded places, and get vaccinated. "COVID is not over yet. I have directed all concerned to be alert and strengthen surveillance. We are prepared to manage any situation," Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said. During the meeting, attended by experts and senior officials, the minister was briefed on the global COVID-19 situation and the domestic scenario, including the preparedness of all stakeholders. Noting that only 27-28 per cent of India's eligible population have taken the precaution dose of COVID-19, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr V K Paul, after the meeting, said people should take the jab and also wear masks in crowded places. Paul urged people not to panic and said that there was no change in the guidelines for international air tra

Why just Bharat Jodo Yatra: Cong after Mandaviya's letter on Covid concerns

Accusing the government of selectively picking on the Bharat Jodo Yatra because of its success, the Congress on Wednesday said the BJP was taking out yatras in Karnataka and Rajasthan and asked if Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya had sent letters to their organisers too. The poser from Congress leader Pawan Khera came after the minister on Tuesday wrote to former party president Rahul Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot to consider suspending the Bharat Jodo Yatra if Covid protocols could not be followed. Echoing his colleague, All India Congress Committee general secretary (communication) Jairam Ramesh asked the BJP not to play politics on the matter. I can understand that the BJP is afraid and is in trouble after seeing the success of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, Ramesh told reporters. Khera, who pointed to the lack of restrictions in public transport, also asked the government to announce Covid protocols and said the party would follow them. "We are wondering why a simi

Karnataka to start screening international passengers at airport: Minister

The Karnataka government will start screening international passengers at Bengaluru airport in view of a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday He, however, did not specify from which date the screening process will begin at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) here. We will have to take certain precautionary measures in the wake of global situation. KIA has a high inflow of international passengers. We will start screening passengers there, Sudhakar said. The Minister emphasised the need for people to take precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine amid a surge in COVID-19 cases in some parts of the world, especially in China. He said new COVID-19 guidelines would be issued. The state government has taken measures to send positive samples for genome sequencing to keep track of emerging variants, as per Union Health Ministry's guidelines. Some countries including China and Japan are witnessing a sudden spurt in cases

3 cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7 detected in India, shows report

Three cases of Omicron subvariant BF.7, apparently the strain driving China's current surge of Covid cases, have been detected in India so far, official sources said Wednesday. The first case of BF.7 in India was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. So far, two cases have been reported from Gujarat while one case has been reported from Odisha, they said. In the Covid review meeting chaired by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya Wednesday, experts said although there is no overall increase in Covid caseload as of now, there is a need for continued surveillance to keep a track of existing and emerging variants. According to official sources here, Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of Covid infections in that country. "The BF.7's high transmissibility in China might be attributed to a low level of immunity in the Chinese