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Omicron cases doubling in 1.5-3 days in areas with local spread: WHO
The WHO warned that with cases rising so rapidly, hospitals could...
WHO lists 9th COVID-19 vaccine Covovax for emergency use
The vaccine, Covovax, is produced by the Serum Institute of India,...
Everything falls on my shoulders but can’t do it alone: Adar Poonawalla on vaccine pressure in India
On the charge of profiteering as the cost of Covishield was recently hiked, he termed it as “totally incorrect” and added that Covishield will still be “the most affordable vaccine on the planet” even at a higher price.
“We have done the best we can without cutting corners or doing anything wrong or profiteering. I’ll wait for history to judge,” he said.
“I’ve always had this sense of responsibility to India and the world because of the vaccines we were making, but never have we made a vaccine so needed in terms of saving lives,” he added.
ICMR advises against NSAIDs, says some painkillers found to worsen Covid-19
On whether patients with heart disease, diabetes or hypertension are at an increased risk to get the infection, the apex health research body said, “No, people with hypertension, diabetes or heart diseases are at no greater risk of getting the infection than anyone else.”
Some people with diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases, including heart failure (weak heart), may develop more severe symptoms and complications, it said, adding that extra care is advised for these patients.
India records highest single-day spike with over 4 lakh new COVID cases
With 3,523 people succumbing to the infection in the last 24 hours, the death toll has mounted to 2,11,853.
Indian states run out of COVID-19 vaccines, nationwide inoculation delayed
Prominent U.S. disease modeler Chris Murray, from the University of Washington, said the sheer magnitude of infections in India in a short period of time suggests an “escape variant” may be overpowering any prior immunity from natural infections in those populations. “That makes it most likely that it’s B.1.617,” he said. But Murray cautioned that gene sequencing data on the coronavirus in India is sparse and that many cases are also being driven by the UK and South African variants.
No restriction of Covid-19 info,Pvt vaccine manufacturers can’t decide on vaccine allocation to states, says SC
“What happens to the marginalised and SC/ST population? Should they be left to the mercy of private hospitals, it asked.
The court also said the government must consider National Immunisation Programme for various vaccines and must think of providing free of cost vaccination to all citizens.
Take steps to reduce cost of COVID-19 treatment: Kerala HC to govt
Expressing concern over exorbitant amounts charged by the private hospitals, the court directed the government to discuss the matter with the managements of the hospitals and inform its decision to the court by next Tuesday.
Counsel for the government informed the court that it would consider further reducing the rates.
World of work needs resilient occupational safety and health systems: ILO
“There could be no clearer demonstration of the importance of a strong, resilient, occupational safety and health environment. Recovery and prevention will require better national policies, institutional and regulatory frameworks, properly integrated into crisis response frameworks,” said ILO Director-General, Guy Ryder.
Biden restricts travel to US from India
A variant strain of the virus, known as B.1.617, is also circulating in India, along with other variant strains, including B.1.1.7, first detected in the United Kingdom, and B.1.351, first detected in the Republic of South Africa.
“The CDC advises, based on work by public health and scientific experts, that these variants have characteristics of concern, which may make them more easily transmitted and have the potential for reduced protection afforded by some vaccines,” said the proclamation.
Bombay HC refuses to hear PIL seeking uniform rate of COVID-19 vaccines
The HC, however, said the petition should have been filed before the Supreme Court which, while taking up suo motu (on its own) cognisance of matters pertaining to COVID-19, had said it would hear all pan-India issues.
”The Supreme Court has said issues that have pan-India effect will be dealt with by them and pricing is a phenomenon applicable all over India. We are not entertaining it (PIL) as the apex court has fairly covered it,” the court said.
India’s COVID-19 emergency is wake-up call to Africa -AU health chief
African nations generally do not have sufficient numbers of health care workers, hospital beds, oxygen supplies, and the continent of 1.3 billion would be even more overwhelmed than India if cases surged in a similar way, said John Nkengasong, head of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
“We are watching with total disbelief…What is happening in India cannot be ignored by our continent,” he told reporters.