The minister noted that the government has taken a number of measures to enhance the cyber security posture and prevent cyber attacks, including CERT-In issuing alerts and advisories regarding latest cyber threats/ vulnerabilities and counter-measures to protect computers, networks and data on regular basis.
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Pfizer raises 2021 COVID-19 vaccine sales forecast to $33.5 billion
The company also said on Wednesday it could apply for an emergency use authorization for a potential booster dose as early as August, reiterating that a booster shot will likely be needed in the future. The raised sales forecast of the vaccine is based on signed deals for 2.1 billion doses, and the company could increase it if it signs additional contracts.
India contests Cambodia’s claim of buffalo meat infected with COVID-19
“We export buffalo meat to more than 60 countries by strictly following quality parameters. We haven’t received any complaint from any country so far,” Fauzan Alavi, vice president the All India Meat & Livestock Exporters Association, told Reuters. “We are very sure about the quality of the product.”
S&P expects India’s economy to contract 9% in fiscal 2021
“While India eased lockdowns in June, we believe the pandemic will continue to restrain economic activity … As long as the virus spread remains uncontained, consumers will be cautious in going out and spending and firms will be under strain,” S&P said in a note.
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.
“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.
‘Developing Asia’ to shrink for first time in nearly six decades: ADB
“Most economies in the Asia and Pacific region can expect difficult growth path for the rest of 2020,” ADB Chief Economist Yasuyuki Sawada said in a statement.
“The economic threat posed by the COVID-19 pandemic remains potent, as extended first waves or recurring outbreaks could prompt further containment measures,” Sawada said.
COVID-19 has set global health progress back decades – Gates Foundation
“After 20 consecutive years of declines in extreme poverty, we’ve now seen a reversal,” said Mark Suzman, chief executive of the Gates Foundation, in an interview with Reuters. “We’ve had nearly 40 million people thrown back into extreme poverty. That’s well over a million a week since the virus hit.”
The report cited International Monetary Fund projections that, despite the $18 trillion dollars already spent on trying to stimulate economies around the world, the global economy will lose $12 trillion or more by the end of 2021 – the biggest global GDP loss since the end of World War Two.
China coronavirus vaccine may be ready for public in November: official
A unit of state pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm) and U.S.-listed Sinovac Biotech SVA.O are developing the three vaccines under the state’s emergency use programme. A fourth COVID-19 vaccine being developed by CanSino Biologics 6185.HK was approved for use by the Chinese military in June.
India’s tally of coronavirus infections nears 5 million
The death toll crossed 80,000 on Tuesday, swelled by 1, 054 in the last 24 hours, the ministry added.
There are 9,90,061 active cases of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), comprising 20.08 per cent of the total 49,30,236 cases, it said.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 5.83 crore tests have been conducted so far and 10.73 lakh samples were tested on Monday.
India considers emergency authorisation of vaccine as COVID-19 cases surge
“India is considering emergency authorisation of a COVID-19 vaccination,” said Health Minister Harsh Vardhan. “If there is a consensus we may go ahead with it, especially in the case of senior citizens and people working in high-risk settings.”
COVID-19: 58% of recovered cases coming from five states
India’s COVID-19 tally of cases mounted to 47,54,356 with 94,372 new infections being reported in a day, while the death toll climbed to 78,586 with 1,114 people succumbing to the infection in a span of 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am showed.
1,114 COVID-19 fatalities have been registered in a span of 24 hours. Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of 391 deaths followed by Karnataka with 94 deaths, whereas Tamil Nadu has reported 76 deaths.
Covid treatment accounted for only 11% of health insurance claims in Apr-Aug: Study
The COVID-19 scare, it said, “has triggered everyone to prioritise health insurance like never before not only for protection against a pandemic but also against any bigger events or illnesses like lifestyle disease which will stay here forever.”
As regards the cost of treatment, the insurance aggregator said COVID-19 treatment may cost more than ₹10 lakh in case of prolonged hospitalisation.
A comprehensive health insurance policy with ₹10 lakh sum insured for a 32-year-old individual costs anywhere between ₹7,000–9,000 annually, it said.