Category:

Health

Novavax aims for 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses with expanded India deal

Novavax’s vaccine is currently in mid-stage trials after an early-stage study showed it produced high levels of antibodies against the novel coronavirus. The company plans to begin late-stage trials in the third quarter.Last month, Novavax said it will supply 60 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine candidate to the UK beginning as early as the first quarter of 2021.

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COVID-19 tally in India breaches 48-lakh mark; death toll climbs 79,722

The COVID-19 case fatality rate due to the coronavirus infection has further dropped to 1.64 per cent.

There are 9,86,598 active cases of COVID-19 in the country, while 37,80,107 people have recovered, the data stated.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and it went past 40 lakh on September 5.

According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 5,72,39,428 samples have been tested up to September 13 with 9,78,500 samples being tested on Sunday.

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WHO head urges rich nations to join vaccine scheme by Friday deadline

So far, 92 lower-income nations are seeking assistance via the COVAX facility, part of the WHO’s ACT Accelerator to boost development of vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to combat the pandemic. Some 80 higher-income nations have expressed interest, but many must still confirm their intention to join by the end of this week.

“If people in low- and middle-income countries miss out on vaccines, the virus will continue to kill and the economic recovery globally will be delayed,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a WHO regional event for Europe that was broadcast virtually.

“Financial and political investments in preparedness have been insufficient, and we are all paying the price,” said the report by The Global Preparedness Monitoring Board (GPMB).

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Yoga, AYUSH herbs, nutritious diet: Health Ministry issues new protocol for recovered patients

The ministry acknowledged it has been observed that after acute COVID-19 illness, recovered patients may continue to report wide variety of signs and symptoms, including fatigue, body ache, cough, sore throat and difficulty in breathing, saying the recovery period is likely to be longer for patients who suffered from more severe form of the disease and those with pre-existing illness.

A holistic approach is required for follow-up care, says the protocol which is not to be used as a preventive or curative therapy.

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“Reimagine insurance:Five keys to innovation”:McKinsey

Insurers around the world have scrambled to weather the sudden disruption brought on by COVID-19. Many were able to quickly adapt to their new reality, from transitioning to remote-working arrangements to embracing digital technologies for customer engagement. Such sweeping change—for example, several years of digital acceleration accomplished in a matter of months—has the benefit of freeing organizations to embrace new ways of working. Leaders should not miss their chance to push even further for innovation and pursue bold strategies.

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