RS Sharma, Chief Executive Officer,National Health Authority...
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Symptomatic Covid infection linked with poor mental health: Lancet study
This might reflect that older people are more likely to experience...
Fine particle pollution linked mortality in India may be lower than thought: Study
'Measuring the health effects of air pollution is complicated,'...
Trump unveils three-stage process for states to end coronavirus shutdown
Case numbers across the region, spanning 53 countries, are continuing to climb. In the past ten days, the number of cases reported in Europe has nearly doubled to close to one million, and over 84,000 people have lost their lives to the virus in the region, Kluge announced. Of the total global burden, 50% of cases are in this region.
“We remain in the eye of the storm… Now more than ever I call for solidarity between countries. It is time to step up and display both responsive and responsible leadership to steer us through this storm,” World Health Organization’s Regional Director for Europe, Dr Hans Kluge told a virtual press briefing, adding that the next few weeks will be critical for Europe.
India needs to test coronavirus cases more rigorously: Experts
India is doing lot of tests, but it is not enough compared to what the US and Singapore and other countries are doing, he said, adding, “much more testing needs to be done”.
India permits resumption of some industries in rural areas from April 20
In financial sector, the RBI, banks, ATMs, capital and debt markets as notified by SEBI and insurance companies will also remain functional, to provide liquidity and credit support to the industrial sectors.
Coronavirus Pandemic: China didn’t warn public of likely pandemic for 6 key days, says report
“If they took action six days earlier, there would have been much fewer patients and medical facilities would have been sufficient. We might have avoided the collapse of Wuhan’s medical system,”Zuo-Feng Zhang, an epidemiologist at the University of California, Los Angeles
Bat coronavirus found in two Indian bat species:study
“Bats are considered to be the natural reservoir for many viruses, of which some are potential human pathogens. In India, an association of Pteropus medius bats with the Nipah virus was reported in the past. It is suspected that the recently emerged severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) also has its association with bats,” the objective of the study titled ‘Detection of coronaviruses in Pteropus and Rousettus species of bats from different states of India’ stated.
“In the present scenario of changing demography and ecological manipulations, it is challenging to have checks on the encounters of bats with other animals and humans,” the study stated, highlighting that the need for active and continuous surveillance remains crucial for outbreak alerts for bat-associated viral agents with epidemic potential, which would be helpful in timely interventions.
Trump cuts WHO funding over coronavirus, global toll mounts
Trump, who has reacted angrily to criticism of his administration’s response to the worst epidemic in a century, has become increasingly hostile towards the WHO.
The Geneva-based organisation had promoted China’s “disinformation” about the virus that likely led to a wider outbreak than otherwise would have occurred, Trump said.
The United States is the biggest overall donor to the WHO, contributing more than $400 million in 2019, roughly 15% of its budget.
Indian banks issue gag orders to employees over branch overcrowding – documents, sources
“So far we’re neither getting help to manage the crowds, nor are we being allowed to voice complaints… about the critical lapses and failures of social distancing at banks,” said another bank employee who also requested anonymity.
Bermuda’s “resilient” re/insurance market continues to meet global clients’ needs amid COVID-19
“The re/insurance industry excels in time of disruption and catastrophes—managing risk during natural and man-made disasters is our strength,” said John M. Huff, President & CEO of Association of Bermuda Insurers & Reinsurers (ABIR), noting the Bermuda market is well capitalized and works closely with regulators and policy makers globally on the economic potential of any significant events. “The industry has a proven track record of responding successfully during critical moments in history and we will continue to do so as the world faces and recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Most small UK companies have no pandemic insurance – watchdog
The FCA said most insurance policies for small and medium sized companies (SMEs) only gave basic cover, with no obligation to pay out in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“While this may be disappointing for the policyholder we see no reasonable grounds to intervene in such circumstances,” FCA interim chief executive Christopher Woolard said in a letter to heads of insurers.
“In contrast, there are policies where it is clear that the firm has an obligation to pay out on a policy. For these policies, it is important that claims are assessed and settled quickly.”
US may need to extend social distancing for virus until 2022: Study
“Intermittent distancing may be required into 2022 unless critical care capacity is increased substantially or a treatment or vaccine becomes available”, the Harvard researchers said in findings published Tuesday in the journal Science.