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Covid-19 Pandemic risks worsening on Africa variants, scientists say

A study of genomes from 33 African nations and two “overseas territories,” published in the journal Science on Thursday, tracks the evolution of the pandemic across the continent and the emergence of a number of so-called Variants of Concern and Variants of Interest. One of those, beta, spread around the globe earlier this year and rendered some vaccines partially ineffective.

The “slow rollout of vaccines in most African countries creates an environment in which the virus can replicate and evolve,” the organizations said. “This will almost certainly produce additional VOCs, any of which could derail the global fight against Covid-19.”

CoWIN launches new API: KYC-VS — Know Your Customer’s/Client’s Vaccination Status

To provide proof of vaccination for each of these individuals, Co-WIN is already issuing a digitally verifiable certificate. This certificate can be saved on a digital device (smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc), or stored in Digi Locker from where it can be digitally shared as and when required as proof of vaccination, the ministry said in a statement.

Similarly, at entry points where such certificate is required (e.g., in malls, office complexes, public events, etc), it may be shown in both digital and physical forms.

Why 7,000 steps a day is the new 10,000 steps a day

The good news for everyone is that the evidence is building to suggest that doing less than 10,000 steps is still good for your health. The most recent large study, led by the University of Massachusetts, followed over 2,000 middle-aged adults from different ethnic backgrounds over a period of 11 years. The researchers found that those taking at least 7,000 steps a day had a 50 to 70% lower risk of dying during the study period compared with those taking fewer than 7,000 steps a day.

Strengthening health emergency security systems top priority: WHO

“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges. No country globally was prepared enough to deal with an emergency of this scale. It is critical that lessons from the ongoing pandemic are used to inform our efforts to strengthen health security systems,” said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia, at the Seventy-Fourth Regional Committee meeting.

Stalin’s new healthcare scheme to be implemented throughout Tamil Nadu

The Chief Minister had said that the scheme was part of the 7 point programme of the DMK government that envisioned “an enhanced quality of life for all”. The Healthcare professionals, including doctors and nurses would screen people for diabetes and hypertension that are generally not properly noticed in the villages of the state. It also involves screening of kidney ailments and other congenital diseases in children and will be followed up through routine hospital treatment.

At 24% deficiency, rainfall recorded in August lowest in 19 years: IMD

The country received 24 percent less than normal rainfall in August. Of the four meteorological divisions of the IMD, the central India division received 39 percent less. The division consists of a large swathe of area from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

The deficiency in the northwest India division, which comprises northern Indian states, was 30 percent.

Rise in anxiety, depression cases during 2nd wave of COVID: Experts

“During the COVID-19-induced lockdown, we received distress calls from patients and their families about issues of anxiety, depression, and self-harm. Even among youngsters, we are seeing a lack of sense of purpose and a rise in self-harming tendencies,”Dr Sameer Malhotra, Director and Head, Department of Mental Health and Behavioural Sciences, Max Hospital

Four factors that increase the risk of vaccinated people getting COVID

Immune fitness typically reduces with age. Long-term medical conditions may also impair our response to vaccination. Older people or people with compromised immune systems may therefore have lower levels of vaccine-induced protection against COVID-19, or may see their protection wane more quickly. It’s also worth remembering that the most clinically vulnerable received their vaccines first, possibly over eight months ago, which may heighten their risk of experiencing a breakthrough infection due to protection waning.

UAE lifts entry ban for vaccinated residents of India, some other countries

Dubai, one of the UAE’s seven emirates, is due to open the Expo 2020 world fair on Oct. 1 after a year-long delay due to the pandemic. The regional business and tourism hub is relying on the fair to give its economy a boost.

Organisers had previously said they expect remaining UAE flight restrictions imposed to curb coronavirus infections to be lifted in time for Expo 2020.

Ida likely to become one of the costliest U.S. hurricanes: Aon

Steve Bowen, managing director and head of Catastrophe Insight on the Impact Forecasting team at Aon, said: “As larger-scale disasters occur with more intensity and subsequently result in greater impacts, this has put a spotlight on areas where gaps lie in humanitarian and insurance protection. This is true regardless of whether a country is identified as developed or emerging. Hurricane Ida’s catastrophic impacts in the United States highlighted how much work is yet to be done to better insure around inland and coastal flooding. An even greater gap is found in Haiti following the major earthquake that once again has the country facing a challenging recovery. How governmental bodies work with private sector groups to improve hazard protection and aim to better and more smartly rebuild will be key to lowering future natural peril risk.”

Australia to contribute 10 million dollars to India’s initiative towards disaster-resilient infrastructure

“Australia will contribute 10 million dollars to India’s initiative towards disaster-resilient infrastructure. We’re exploring further collaboration with India, including on low emission technologies, ensuring economic growth as we transition to a clean energy future,” she said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a global Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) at the UN Climate Action Summit held in New York in September 2019.

After 9/11, one student’s mission became healthcare for all disaster victims

Years later, she understood the full health impact of 9/11 as some fellow students got cancer and her own asthma worsened, she said. Many first responders and those in the area who survived the initial destruction of the World Trade Center later developed diseases that have been linked to the toxic dust that was stirred up. In 2006, Nordstrom started StuyHealth, an advocacy focused on helping young adults get access to the same healthcare that first responders received.

Pandemic increasing risk factors for suicide, UN health agency warns

Globally, one in 100 deaths is by suicide, making it among the leading causes of death worldwide and the fourth leading cause of death among 15- to 29-year-olds, after road traffic accidents, tuberculosis and interpersonal violence. 
“Suicide is an urgent public health problem and its prevention must be a national priority,” said Renato Oliveira e Souza, head of the Mental Health Unit at the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).  

Cleanliness survey for villages across India launched

Minister of State in the Jal Shakti Ministry Prahlad Singh Patel, who presided over the e-launch of Swachh Survekshan Grameen, 2021 under phase two of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), said India achieved the massive challenge of declaring all villages open-defecation free in a mission mode in five years. Phase two of Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) aims at achieving the goal of comprehensive cleanliness by addressing open-defecation free sustainability and solid and liquid waste management issues, he said.