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Eco/Invest/Demography

Oxford scientists develop five-minute COVID-19 antigen test

“Our method quickly detects intact virus particles,” said Professor Achilles Kapanidis, at Oxford’s Department of Physics, adding that this meant the test would be “simple, extremely rapid, and cost-effective”.

Rapid antigen tests are seen as key in rolling out mass-testing and re-opening economies while the coronavirus is still circulating, and those that are already in use are faster and cheaper but less accurate than existing molecular PCR tests.

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Risk Management: COVID-19 spurs collaboration and innovation

Risk management and transfer has always been about collaboration between client, broker and insurance carrier to find the most suitable solutions for risk problems. Without a doubt, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us all to find different ways to do that – with the opportunity for face-to-face brainstorming put on hold, we need to find other ways to continue to innovate.

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WHO study says remdesivir did not cut hospital stay or mortality in COVID-19 patients

“The emerging (WHO) data appears inconsistent, with more robust evidence from multiple randomized, controlled studies published in peer-reviewed journals validating the clinical benefit of remdesivir,” Gilead told Reuters.

“We are concerned the data from this open-label global trial has not undergone the rigorous review required to allow for constructive scientific discussion, particularly given the limitations of the trial design.”

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India to fall below Bangladesh in terms of per capita GDP in 2020

Going by the latest IMF estimate, India would be the third poorest nation in South Asia, with only Pakistan and Nepal reporting lower per capita GDP, whereas Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, and Sri Lanka would outpace India.
However, India, Asia’s third-largest economy, is likely to bounce back with an impressive 8.8 per cent growth rate in 2021, thus regaining the position of the fastest growing emerging economy, surpassing China’s projected growth rate of 8.2 per cent, the IMF said.

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Eli Lilly pauses trial of antibody drug Trump touted as COVID-19 ‘cure’ over safety concern

“Out of an abundance of caution, the ACTIV-3 independent data safety monitoring board (DSMB) has recommended a pause in enrollment.Lilly is supportive of the decision by the independent DSMB to cautiously ensure the safety of the patients participating in this study,”,” Lilly spokeswoman Molly McCully said in an emailed statement. “

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