Page 90 - Coronavirus

AP health dept asked to send samples testing positive for genome sequencing

With the sudden spurt of COVID-19 cases in several countries, the Arunachal Pradesh government has directed district health authorities to ensure genome sequencing of samples testing positive for the virus, an official said here on Wednesday. We will continue with testing and any sample testing positive for Coronavirus will be sent for genome sequencing as instructed by the Union Health Ministry for timely detection of newer variants, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan in a letter to all the states and Union territories on Tuesday directed for ensuring that as far as possible samples of all positive cases, on a daily basis, are sent to the designated Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) network, Genome Sequencing Laboratories (IGSLs) that are mapped to the states and UTs. Japan, USA, Republic of Korea, Brazil and China have witnessed a sudden spurt in COVID-19 cases. Jampa said that the state now has only one ...

New study shows loss of smell among most prevalent symptoms of long Covid

Smell loss is one of the most prevalent symptoms of long Covid, according to a new study. According to the research, it reveals that almost a third of long Covid patients suffer persistent smell loss, with almost a fifth experiencing loss of taste. The team from the University of East Anglia (UEA), UK, investigated the prevalence of long Covid, and particularly ear, nose and throat related symptoms such as smell loss and parosmia, where people experience strange and often unpleasant smell distortions. The findings have been published in the journal International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology. "Long Covid is a complex condition that develops during or after having covid, and it is classified as such when symptoms continue for more than 12 weeks," said lead researcher Carl Philpott, UEA. "Symptoms include headache, myalgia, fatigue and loss of taste and smell. Parosmia can persist for months after initial infection, alongside brain fog and memory loss. "We wanted to find out more

US reports severe Covid community transmission amid holiday season

US Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths continue to rise, stressing the healthcare system and resulting in staffing shortages

Covid-19 cases in the US surpass 100 million: Johns Hopkins University

The number of Covid-19 cases registered in the US since the start of the pandemic in early 2020 exceeded a staggering 100 million, Johns Hopkins University has said, amid a sharp spike in caseloads globally and the WHO making a strong pitch for vaccination. Japan, the US, the Republic of Korea, Brazil and China have witnessed a sudden spike in coronavirus cases over the last week. US-based Johns Hopkins University in its latest update said that 100,003,837 coronavirus cases were reported in the country so far. The virus has also claimed the lives of 1,088,236 people in the US, it added. Meanwhile, close to 8,000 and 10,000 people die of COVID-19 every week, said Maria Van Kerkhove, an infectious disease epidemiologist who serves as the technical lead for the COVID-19 response team at the World Health Organisation (WHO). She told 'Science in 5' that the WHO target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the population in every country has not been achieved so far. Vaccination against COVID-

No plans for mass Covid testing in state now: Maharashtra Health Secretary

Maharashtra Health Secretary Sanjay Khandare said that there are no plans to conduct mass testing in the state now

CM Kejriwal directs health dept to ramp up genome sequencing: Officials

The 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 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. Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal himself is monitoring the preparedness," a senior Delhi government official said on Wednesday. "The CM has directed health department ..

Mansukh Mandaviya chairs review meeting on India's Covid situation

Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya chaired a meeting with senior officials and experts to review the Covid-19 situation in India

New Omicron subvariants account for nearly 70% of new Covid-19 cases in US

New Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 have accounted for about 70 per cent of new Covid-19 cases in the US as the country's overall caseload has surpassed 100 million

Latest LIVE: Mandaviya holds high-level meeting to review Covid situation

Catch all the live updates from across the globe here

As Covid cases spike in China, experts ask Indians to stay vigilant

Dr Sangita Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, on Tuesday cautioned the government to act swiftly on policy regarding air travel to and from China

Mandaviya asks Rahul to suspend Yatra if Covid protocols not followed

Citing concerns raised by three BJP MPs over spread of coronavirus, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has urged Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to consider suspending the Bharat Jodo Yatra if adherence to Covid protocols cannot be followed. In a letter addressed to Gandhi and Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday, Mandaviya said three MPs from Rajasthan -- P P Chaudhary, Nihal Chand and Devji Patel -- have flagged concerns and requested him that Covid protocols, including use of masks and sanitisers, be strictly followed during the march and only those who are vaccinated be allowed to participate. The yatra has entered Haryana on Wednesday from Rajasthan. The MPs have also requested the Union minister to ensure that participants are isolated before and after taking part in the march. The minister urged Gandhi and Gehlot to take prompt action keeping in view the requests made by the three MPs in Rajasthan. Referring to the letter signed by the three MPs, Mandaviya sai

Mandaviya to review Covid situation amid spurt in cases in US, China

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will review the COVID-19 situation on Wednesday in view of a fresh spurt in cases in some countries such as Japan, South Korea, Brazil, China and the US, official sources said. The minister will review the COVID-19 situation at 11:30 am on Wednesday "considering the international scenario", they said. The secretaries of health and Ayush ministries, Department of Pharmaceuticals and Department of Biotechnology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Rajiv Bahl, Member (Health) of NITI Aayog V K Paul and National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Chairman N L Arora and other senior officials will attend the meeting. Meanwhile, the Union health ministry on Tuesday urged all states and union territories to ramp up the whole genome sequencing of positive samples to keep track of newer variants. In a letter to states and UTs, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said such an exercise will enable timely detection

China's budget deficit hits record $1.1 trillion on Covid zero slump

The lockdowns, testing and quarantine rules that were key to the Covid Zero policy put a strain on consumer and business spending, pushing the economy close to contraction in the second quarter

India reports 131 new Covid-19 infections; active cases decline to 3,408

India's COVID-19 tally climbed to 4,46,76,330 on Wednesday with 131 fresh infections, while the number of active cases came down to 3,408, according to Union health ministry data. The toll due to the viral disease increased to 5,30,680 with three more fatalities, including two deaths reconciled by Kerala and one reported from West Bengal in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry's website. A decrease of 82 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,42,242, while the case fatality rate stood at 1.19 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.01 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the

China was not prepared for Covid surge, 3 waves may hit this winter: Report

Epidemiologists predict at least three waves of the virus to hit the country during winter. It is certain that the Chinese government was "under-prepared" as it decided to end its zero-Covid policy

'Over 60% of China, 10% of world population likely to get Covid-19'

He also raised concern over the 'Zero Covid' policy and protests across China, saying that some restrictions should have been imposed in the light of the latest surge in cases

Big oil stages a grand comeback as Exxon's valuation passes Tesla

For its part, Exxon's equity value has been steadily climbing since hitting a two-decade low in early 2020, when the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic sent crude prices into a tailspin

As China cases surge, India must keep an eye on raw material supplies

Epidemiologist forecasts 10% of world population will be infected in next 90-days

Boost genome sequencing of Covid cases to track variants: Centre to states

After the China has reported surge in the Covid-19 cases, the Centre on Tuesday asked all states to gear up the whole genome sequencing of positive cases to track the new variant

Lok Sabha committee asks govt to increase sports budget, prioritise sector

The Lok Sabha's Committee of Estimates has asked the central government to give more priority to sports and increase the budget for the sector, especially in the post COVID-19 era, in order to help India become a sporting superpower. "The money spent on sports is negligible to what has been spent on other sectors. Given the budgetary allocation, sports sports does not seem to be a priority area in the scheme of things of the government," the committee said in its report. "The Secretary, Department of Sports made a fervent plea for enhancing the Budget for the Department. The point merits strong consideration. The extent of increase, in post Covid 19 scenario, can be decided by the Ministries/Departments concerned. "Hence, the Committee recommend that the Department of Sports pursue the matter with the concerned Department/Ministry for a significant increase in the annual budget allocation for the Scheme." In its reply the Sports Ministry said: "It is a matter of the Government of .