Singapore seeing new Covid-19 wave, minister advises wearing of masks
Singapore: Singapore is seeing a new Covid-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 even as Health Minister Ong Ye Kung on Saturday advised the wearing of masks again. “We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising,” said Ong. “So, I would […] Key Points
ThePrintTips to protect yourself from cold, flu and Covid-19 this winter season
As winter arrives, respiratory viruses, including a dominant Covid-19 variant, pose health concerns. Discover essential tips for staying healthy this season. | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesCovid vaccines saved at least 1.4 million lives in Europe, WHO says
The WHO European region -- which covers 53 countries including those of Central Asia -- has registered more than 277.7 million cases of Covid-19. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesBiological E's Covid-19 vaccine CORBEVAX gets WHO emergency use listing
India Business News: Biological E's Covid-19 vaccine CORBEVAX has received emergency use listing from the World Health Organisation (WHO). The vaccine was approved in India for restricted use in emergency for adults, adolescents, and young children, as well as a heterologous booster dose for those aged 18 years and above. The Hyderabad-based vaccine maker has already supplied 100 million doses of CORBEVAX to the Indian government. The WHO EUL will help the company continue developing Covid-19 vaccines. Key Points
Times Of IndiaAmid Covid surge, Leh makes masks compulsory in public places
The Leh district administration has ordered mandatory mask-wearing in public places due to rising Covid-19 cases. The District Disaster Management Authority CEO, Santosh Sukhadeve, urged people to maintain social distancing and avoid unnecessary gatherings. Heads of departments and sub-divisional magistrates will ensure compliance. Key Points
Economic Times
JN.1 cases in several states: What are the preventive measures?
Delhi reported its first case of JN.1 strain. Experts maintain that there's no need to panic. However, precautions should be taken. Key Points
India TodayAllMS Delhi issues guidelines for Covid-19 suspected and positive patients as city registers first JN.1 va
The director of AIIMS Delhi convened a meeting with all department heads on Wednesday to discuss contingency measures for COVID-19. During the meeting, topics such as the policy on Covid-19 testing, the allocation of specific areas for positive patients, and protocols for their hospitalization were thoroughly addressed. Key Points
Economic TimesIndia vigilant as JN.1 Covid-19 subvariant emerges with 22 confirmed cases
In anticipation of potential challenges posed by the JN.1 subvariant, individual surveillance protocols have been implemented across various states, emphasising preparedness and cautionary measures. Key Points
Business TodayCovid-19 rates are rising again — What you need to know
People are getting infected with COVID subvariant JN.1, but you can protect yourself and others over the holiday season. | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesJN.1 variant: No Covid-19 case reported in Odisha last week, claim officials
Up to 21 cases of the Covid-19 sub-variant JN.1 have been found nationwide thus far, according to Dr. V K Paul, an NITI Aayog member (Health) Key Points
Firstpost
ICMR attempting genome sequencing of new JN.1 Covid variant, say officials
The ministry had stated on Monday that the current Covid-19 treatment line is anticipated to be effective against JN.1 infection and that the upgraded Covid-19 vaccines are anticipated to boost protection against JN.1 as they do for other variations Key Points
FirstpostCovid-19 Update: India records 260 new cases, total active at 1,828
India's total Covid-19 cases count stands at 4.50 crore, and recoveries have increased to 4.44 crore Key Points
mintCOVID subvariant JN.1 in Kerala raises concerns; check details
First detected in the United States in September 2023, the JN.1 variant is a descendant of BA.2.86. Key Points
Business TodayIndia records 166 fresh cases of COVID-19, active cases tally now at 895
The country's Covid-19 case tally stands at 4,50,03,055 (4.50 crore) and the death toll at 5,33,306 (5.33 lakh), the data updated at 8 am showed. Key Points
ThePrintAbout 250,000 courses of COVID pill Paxlovid being administered per week - Pfizer CEO
Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N) chief executive said on Tuesday that almost 250,000 courses of the drugmaker's oral antiviral Covid-19 treatment Paxlovid were being administered per week as cases surged in the United States. Key Points
Reuters/cloudfront-us-east-2.images.arcpublishing.com/reuters/G45V5XDC7ZL6LPFYPPXB6XZLSM.jpg)
EU in talks with Moderna over new deal for COVID vaccines - FT
The European Union is in talks with Moderna (MRNA.O) over a new supply deal for the company's Covid-19 vaccines amid concerns over a rise in infections in the region, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. Key Points
ReutersIndia removes random Covid testing for international arrivals
The Union Health Ministry has relaxed Covid-19 guidelines for international travellers, removing the previous requirement for RT-PCR testing of a random 2% of visitors to India. However, precautionary measures, such as in-flight announcements and isolation of symptomatic passengers as per protocol, shall still be followed. All travellers are advised to preferentially receive full vaccination as per their country's primary schedule and self-monitor their health post-arrival. Key Points
Economic TimesRFK Jr. sparks outrage with Covid-19 'ethnically targeted' to spare Jews claim
Democratic presidential candidate, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., faced backlash after suggesting Covid-19 could be an "ethnically targeted" bioweapon to spare Jews. | World News Key Points
Hindustan TimesNo evidence Covid-19 created in Chinese lab: U.S. intelligence
The head of U.S. intelligence said on Friday that there was no evidence that the Covid-19 virus was created in the Chinese government’s Wuhan research lab. Key Points
The HinduCovid-19 curve flattening, Maharashtra may stop ex gratia payment
Data available with The Indian Express showed that of the 2,64,622 lakh applications received for ex gratia claims, the state has approved 2,08,585 applications. A total of Rs1,043 crore has been disbursed so far in Maharashtra against the initial estimation of Rs 700 crore. Key Points
The Indian Express
Covid claims life of 4-month-old boy
A four-month-old boy died due to Covid-19 in Mumbai, as per the BMC report. The city recorded 16 new cases, with 14 patients having mild symptoms and 142 active cases. The WHO declared Covid-19 no longer a global emergency. The BMC advised citizens to follow Covid appropriate behaviour. | Mumbai news Key Points
Hindustan TimesCOVID-19: India reports 1,272 new cases, three deaths
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,80,674). The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent Key Points
FirstpostCOVID-19: India logs 1,331 new cases, 11 deaths
At 22,742, the active cases comprise 0.06 per cent of the total infections. The national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.76 per cent Key Points
FirstpostCOVID-19: India logs 1,839 new cases, 11 deaths
At 25,178, the active cases comprise 0.06 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.76 per cent Key Points
FirstpostCOVID-19: India logs 2,380 new cases, 15 deaths
At 27,212, the active cases comprise 0.06 per cent of the total infections. The national Covid-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.75 per cent Key Points
Firstpost
Covid deaths down 95 percent this year: WHO
The World Health Organization said Covid-19 was here to stay and countries would have to learn how to manage its ongoing non-emergency effects, including post-Covid-19 condition, or Long Covid. We're very encouraged by the sustained decline in reported deaths from Covid-19, which have dropped 95 percent since the beginning of this year, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference. Key Points
Economic TimesPatients with TB, HIV, diabetes, and asthma watch out! Experts warn against dropping guard on COVID-19
COVID-19 in India: Arcturus, the new Covid strain is fueling the current surge in Covid-19 cases in India. Some of the worst-hit states have already brought back mandatory face masks to control its rapid spread across the region. Key Points
FinancialexpressUS CDC signs off on second Omicron-updated COVID booster for older adults
Older people and those with weakened immune systems may get a second dose of Omicron-targeting Covid-19 vaccines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Wednesday. Key Points
ReutersCovid cases rising in India: 5 health gadgets to keep handy at home
In the past 24 hours, Delhi has reported 1,634 new Covid-19 cases and 3 deaths, with one death primarily attributed to the virus. The positivity rate currently stands at 29.68 per cent. Key Points
India TodaySpike in U.P. Covid cases: 758 new cases, 200 in Lucknow
One death among Covid-19-positive patients was reported from Farrukhabad. In the state, 67 districts have active Covid-19 cases numbering 2,579. Key Points
Hindustan Times
Covid-19 | Decision on mask mandate at public places will be taken depending on case numbers: T.N. Health Minister
A decision on whether the wearing of masks should be made mandatory at public places will be taken depending on the Covid-19 case trend in Tamil Nadu, Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said on Monday. Key Points
The HinduInfected by Covid, 70-year-old Bihar woman dies of heart attack
A 70-year-old woman from Bihar died of a heart attack on Friday, becoming the first reported Covid-19 related death in the state in three months. The patient had tested positive for Covid-19 via a confirmatory RT-PCR test and was referred to a Covid ward, where she died. Bihar currently has 76 active cases of Covid-19. Key Points
Hindustan TimesSatire G. Sampath Allegedly Some (COVID-19) XBB.1.16 positive news, at last
For the first time ever, more than three years after the WHO called it a ‘public health emergency of international concern’, I have tested positive for COVID-19. I’ve taken the RT-PCR at least a dozen times over the past three years but the results were always negative. I was so used to negative results that the ‘positive’ test came as a shock. Bizarrely enough, instead of getting worried, I felt high. Maybe because I never got Covid-19 all through the pandemic, I felt vaguely flattered by this sudden show of attention from an exotic sub-variant, XBB.1.16, that sounded like a limited edition variant of Bugatti Chiron. But i soon realised that Covid-19 wasn’t Covid-19 anymore, not like in the good old days when the entire family spent time together at home because one person got infected. Obviously, I’m glad we’ve tamed it. But I do resent the banalisation of it all. Key Points
The Hindu8 chronic diseases becoming common in post Covid world
World Health Day 2023: Chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer are on rise post pandemic. Here are 8 such illnesses you need to know about. | Health Key Points
Hindustan TimesCOVID-19: India logs 4,435 new cases, highest single-day rise in 163 days
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.38 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 2.79 per cent. As many as 220.66 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive Key Points
Firstpost
The long shadow of Covid-19 myths
Like in many countries, misinformation about Covid-19 has circulated widely in Morocco during the pandemic. Much of it came from the US and Europe. Key Points
BBCCurrent COVID-testing levels insufficient as compared to WHO standards in some states: Health Ministry
Amid rising cases of Covid-19 and seasonal influenza, the government is planning a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to take stock of hospital preparedness. According to a joint advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on March 25, both public and private health facilities in all the districts are expected to participate in the exercise aimed at taking stock of availability of medicines, hospital beds, medical equipment and medical oxygen. Key Points
The HinduActive Covid-19 cases in country climb to 7,026
The active cases now comprise 0.02% of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79% Key Points
The HinduCovid-19: Revised Covid guidelines advise against antibiotic use ‘unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection’
As per the revised Covid-19 guidelines, "Antibiotics should not be used unless there is a clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of Covid-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease." Key Points
The Indian ExpressIndia records 918 new Covid-19 cases, 4 deaths
According to the data updated at 8 am, the daily positivity was recorded at 2.08% while the weekly positivity was pegged at 0.86% Key Points
The Hindu