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Pandemic

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Myanmar has the highest coronavirus mortality rate in Southeast Asia

Aug 1, 2021 | , , , , ,

In the last seven days, the death rate per capita in Myanmar has surpassed that in Indonesia and Malaysia and has become the worst in Southeast Asia. The country’s healthcare system was quickly overwhelmed by new COVID-19 patients.

Medical oxygen supplies are dwindling, and the government has restricted its private sales in many places, saying it is trying to prevent backlogs. But this has led to widespread accusations that supplies are being channeled to government supporters and military hospitals.

Negative RT-PCR report must for entering Karnataka from Kerala, Maharashtra

Jul 31, 2021 | , , , , ,

The certificate is mandatory for all passengers coming to Karnataka by flight, bus, train and personal transport, the circular said.

It said the certificate is applicable for all the flights originating from Kerala and Maharashtra. “Airlines shall issue boarding passes only to the passengers carrying RT-PCR negative certificate not older than 72 hours,” it said.

Railway authorities shall be responsible for ensuring that all passengers travelling by trains carry the negative RT-PCR certificates, it said.

Vaccine likely in India by first half of 2021 if ‘good results by year-end’, top scientist says

Sep 22, 2020 | , , , ,

India, which is host to some of the front-runner vaccine clinical trials, currently has no local infrastructure in place to go beyond immunizing babies and pregnant women, said Gagandeep Kang, professor of microbiology at the Vellore-based Christian Medical College and a member of the WHO’s Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety.

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CDC takes down guidance on possible airborne spread of coronavirus

Sep 22, 2020 | , , ,

The health agency had said that Covid-19 could spread through airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air and travel beyond six feet.
The World Health Organization has not changed its policy on aerosol transmission of the coronavirus, it said on Monday.

The agency still believes the disease is primarily spread through droplets, but that in enclosed crowded spaces with inadequate ventilation, aerosol transmission can occur, said Mike Ryan, executive director of the WHO’s emergencies program.

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More than 150 nations join global vaccine plan,U.S.,but China absent

Sep 22, 2020 | , , , , ,

With some wealthier nations reticent over COVAX, the plan has highlighted the challenge of distributing vaccines equitably around a world of haves and have-nots.

The vaccine alliance said it expected another 38 wealthy countries to join the initiative in coming days.

It said it had received commitments for $1.4 billion towards vaccine research and development, but a further $700 million-$800 million was urgently needed.

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India trials for Russia’s ‘Sputnik-V’ vaccine may begin in next few weeks: Dr Reddy’s

Sep 22, 2020 | , , ,

The trials are part of a deal between the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Dr Reddy’s, in which the Indian firm will conduct Phase III studies in India, pursue local regulatory approvals and, subject to approval, distribute the finished vaccine product in India. RDIF will supply 100 million doses to Dr Reddy’s.

The RDIF has also reached agreements with Indian manufacturers to produce 300 million doses of the shot in India. Russia was the first country to grant regulatory approval for a novel coronavirus vaccine.

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U.S. nears grim milestone of 200,000 COVID-19 deaths

Sep 21, 2020 | , , , , ,

The University of Washington’s health institute is forecasting coronavirus fatalities reaching 378,000 by the end of 2020, with the daily death toll skyrocketing to 3,000 per day in December.

Over 70% of those in the United States who have lost their lives to the virus were over the age of 65, according to CDC data.

The southern states of Texas and Florida contributed the most deaths in the United States in the past two weeks and were closely followed by California.

California, Texas and Florida – the three most populous U.S. states – have recorded the most coronavirus infections and have long surpassed the state of New York, which was the epicenter of the outbreak in early 2020. The country as a whole is reporting over 40,000 new infections on average each day and saw cases last week rise on a weekly basis after falling for eight weeks in a row.

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