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One in every two families paid over Rs 750 for COVID antibody test in India: Survey

According to the survey, 29 per cent of the respondents said they paid Rs 1,000 or more during their COVID antibody test. Further, 21 per cent said they paid between Rs 750-1000 and 14 per cent said they paid between Rs 500-750.

While, 24 per cent said they paid Rs 250-500 and 7 per cent said they paid less than Rs 250. 5 per cent respondents did not say anything. “On an aggregate basis, 50 per cent of citizens who got a COVID antibody test done paid over Rs 750 for it,” said LocalCircles release.

Covid-19 jabs effective at reducing severe illness, hospitalisation: Lancet

They found that of more than 1.2 million adults who received at least one dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca, or Moderna vaccine, fewer than 0.5 per cent reported a breakthrough infection over 14 days after their first dose.
People most vulnerable to a breakthrough infection after their first vaccine dose included frail older adults, 60 years and older, and those living with underlying conditions such as obesity, heart disease, kidney disease, and lung disease, they said.

Covid wiped out 81 mn jobs in Asia-Pacific; women, youngsters affected: ILO

Employment in Asia-Pacific showed a 4.2% decline compared with the pre-crisis trend, with the gap at 4.6% for women and 4% for men, the ILO said in a report. Young people have been especially affected by working-hour and job losses, the ILO said, with the youth share of employment losses three to 18 times higher than their share of total employment.

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Insolvencies, Cyber Threats and ESG scrutiny drive 2021 risks for Directors and Officers: Allianz

“Many insurers are still digesting the effect of previous pricing inadequacy and exposure and loss trend increases from prior-year policies,” says Shanil Williams, Global Head of Financial Lines at AGCS.
“This is also at a time of great uncertainty around forward-looking exposure assessments, in particular the impact of Covid-19 on the economy in general and on specific industries. Combined with many ‘known unknowns’ like climate change, cyber risks or environmental, social or governance (ESG) factors, this has created a lot of nervousness in this sector. As a global D&O insurer, AGCS remains committed to working in partnership with our customers to ensure we have sustainable solutions for all parties involved,” said Williams.

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Govt making all efforts for COVID-19 vaccine; cold chain logistics needs to be strengthened

There are six vaccine candidates in various stages of clinical trials, out of which four are developed indigenously, Department of Biotechnology Scientist and Adviser Asha Sharma said.
In order to strengthen the ecosystem, 11 good clinical practices compliant clinical trial sights have also been established across the country, Sharma said. The government is making purposeful and integrated efforts to support and promote vaccine development for COVID-19, she added.

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COVID has exposed inequalities in short time; human should work with not against nature: UNDP report

”Nothing short of a great transformation – in how we live, work and cooperate – is needed to change the path we are on.” Citing events such as climate crisis, biodiversity collapse, ocean acidification, the UNDP said the list is long and growing longer. ”So much so that many scientists believe that for the first time, instead of the planet shaping humans, humans are knowingly shaping the planet. This is the Anthropocene – the Age of Humans – a new geologic epoch.

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Companies may face 2% fine for breaching EU cybersecurity rules

Concerns about the cybersecurity of key assets have mounted in recent months, especially over cyber attacks by state actors and other malicious players. U.S. federal agencies and thousands of companies are now investigating a sweeping hacking campaign that officials suspect was directed by the Russian government. The European Medical Agency was also targeted earlier this month.

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Vaccinating the world means solving patent impasse; India has suggestion

The International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations argues that suspending patents is fraught with danger. If you waive patents this time round, you risk harming the whole medical infrastructure that allowed Covid vaccines to be developed in record time, said Director General Thomas Cueni.

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Auto sector suffered Rs 2,300-cr loss a day in lockdowns, says par panel

“The committee was informed by the auto industry associations that all the major original equipment manufacturers (OEM) have cut down their production by 18-20 per cent due to low demand and decline in sales of vehicles. As a result, the employment scenario in the automobile sector has been affected and an estimated job loss in the auto sector at 3.45 lakh,” the panel said in its report.

Hiring of manpower has been stopped in the auto industry sector. Besides that, 286 auto dealers have been closed. Further, production cuts in the automobile sector have a percolating negative impact on the component industry adversely affecting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) engaged in the automobile spare parts manufacturing, the report states.

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