Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar held a comprehensive personal meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday and discussed the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and effective global vaccine solutions.

S. Jaishankar discusses 'effective global vaccine solutions' with UN Secretary-General

The overall global COVID-19 caseload has topped 167.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.48 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.&nbsp;

In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 167,628,424 and 3,481,199, respectively.&nbsp;

The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,165,808 and 590,922, respectively, according to the CSSE.&nbsp;

In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 26,948,874 cases.&nbsp;

The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (16,194,209), France (5,670,486), Turkey (5,203,385), Russia (4,960,174), the UK (4,483,177), Italy (4,197,892), Germany (3,662,568), Spain (3,652,879), Argentina (3,586,736) and Colombia (3,270,614), the CSSE figures showed.&nbsp;

In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 452,031 fatalities.&nbsp;

Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (307,231), Mexico (221,963), the UK (128,001), Italy (125,501), Russia (117,197) and France (109,040).&nbsp;

The overall global COVID-19 caseload has topped 167.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.48 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

The overall global COVID-19 caseload has topped 167.6 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 3.48 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Wednesday morning, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 167,628,424 and 3,481,199, respectively. The US continues to be the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 33,165,808 and 590,922, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India follows in the second place with 26,948,874 cases. The other worst countries with over 3 million cases are Brazil (16,194,209), France (5,670,486), Turkey (5,203,385), Russia (4,960,174), the UK (4,483,177), Italy (4,197,892), Germany (3,662,568), Spain (3,652,879), Argentina (3,586,736) and Colombia (3,270,614), the CSSE figures showed. In terms of deaths, Brazil comes second with 452,031 fatalities. Nations with a death toll of over 100,000 are India (307,231), Mexico (221,963), the UK (128,001), Italy (125,501), Russia (117,197) and France (109,040).

Global COVID-19 caseload tops 167.6 mn 

S. Jaishankar meets Antonio Guterres in New York, discusses global vaccine solutions

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC), first identified in India, as part of measures to control the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Local authorities in the affected areas said they were not consulted or informed as the government's coronavirus restrictions website changed its guidance over the last few days for people living in eight areas of Bedford council, Blackburn with Darwen council, Bolton Metropolitan council, Burnley council, Kirklees council, Leicester council, Hounslow council and North Tyneside council.&nbsp;

The guidance also calls upon residents of these regions of England to avoid indoor gatherings, which is now currently permitted in most other parts of the country as part of the lockdown lifting roadmap.&nbsp;

"In the areas listed... Wherever possible, you should try to meet outside rather than inside where possible; keep 2 metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with; avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education," the website notes.&nbsp;

However, a row has broken out after the new guidance appeared to have been issued without a widespread announcement.&nbsp;

"This is a major change to policy that will have a huge impact on people's lives. Simply updating the government website without an official announcement is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty," said Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus.&nbsp;

"It seems crucial lessons have still not been learnt about the importance of clear messaging during a pandemic," she said.&nbsp;

Cabinet minister Therese Coffey told 'Sky News', the government had been "working in close contact" with affected areas and she was "surprised to hear that people think this has come out of the blue, "it hasn't".&nbsp;

"This is just part of a coordinated effort and the guidance is simply a formality recognising people need to be extra careful in those communities in particular where the issue has been spreading," she said, adding that all the guidance does is simply formalise what was already effectively happening in practice in the locality.&nbsp;

A Downing Street source told the BBC that all the areas were informed about the latest advice and pointed out that it was advice rather than law and therefore dismissed allegations of localised lockdown by stealth.&nbsp;

According to the latest Public Health England (PHE) data released last week, B1.617.2 VOC cases had risen by 2,111 over the previous week to hit 3,424 cases across the UK and experts are certain of its higher transmissibility than the dominant local B1.1.7 VOC, first discovered in the England county of Kent. The health officials continue to monitor both mutations to try and keep the UK's planned end to lockdown on track for June 21.&nbsp;

The UK has reported more than 4,480,760 confirmed cases and over 127,986 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.&nbsp;

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.

The UK government on Tuesday faced accusations of 'confusion and uncertainty' after it introduced additional guidance to curtail non-essential travel in and out of so-called hotspots of the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC), first identified in India, as part of measures to control the spread of the virus. Local authorities in the affected areas said they were not consulted or informed as the government's coronavirus restrictions website changed its guidance over the last few days for people living in eight areas of Bedford council, Blackburn with Darwen council, Bolton Metropolitan council, Burnley council, Kirklees council, Leicester council, Hounslow council and North Tyneside council. The guidance also calls upon residents of these regions of England to avoid indoor gatherings, which is now currently permitted in most other parts of the country as part of the lockdown lifting roadmap. "In the areas listed... Wherever possible, you should try to meet outside rather than inside where possible; keep 2 metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with; avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education," the website notes. However, a row has broken out after the new guidance appeared to have been issued without a widespread announcement. "This is a major change to policy that will have a huge impact on people's lives. Simply updating the government website without an official announcement is a recipe for confusion and uncertainty," said Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, the chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Coronavirus. "It seems crucial lessons have still not been learnt about the importance of clear messaging during a pandemic," she said. Cabinet minister Therese Coffey told 'Sky News', the government had been "working in close contact" with affected areas and she was "surprised to hear that people think this has come out of the blue, "it hasn't". "This is just part of a coordinated effort and the guidance is simply a formality recognising people need to be extra careful in those communities in particular where the issue has been spreading," she said, adding that all the guidance does is simply formalise what was already effectively happening in practice in the locality. A Downing Street source told the BBC that all the areas were informed about the latest advice and pointed out that it was advice rather than law and therefore dismissed allegations of localised lockdown by stealth. According to the latest Public Health England (PHE) data released last week, B1.617.2 VOC cases had risen by 2,111 over the previous week to hit 3,424 cases across the UK and experts are certain of its higher transmissibility than the dominant local B1.1.7 VOC, first discovered in the England county of Kent. The health officials continue to monitor both mutations to try and keep the UK's planned end to lockdown on track for June 21. The UK has reported more than 4,480,760 confirmed cases and over 127,986 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University COVID-19 tracker.

COVID-19: UK issues localised directions on travel, gatherings to tackle B1.617.2 variant  

United States top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told lawmakers on Tuesday that the Wuhan Institute of Virology received money from the National Institutes of Health amid rising concerns over coronavirus origins.

According to Fauci, $600,000 were earmarked for the institute in Wuhan over a period of five years to study zoonotic viruses and whether bat coronaviruses could jump onto human beings.

Fauci told a House Appropriations subcommittee that the funds were being sent to the lab in China through the non-profit alliance called EcoHealth.&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-did-dr-fauci-fund-wuhan-virus-research-384629/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The virus expert told lawmakers that it was “a modest collaboration with very respectable Chinese scientists who were world experts on coronavirus”, New York Post reported.

Conspiracy theories claiming that the virus originated in a lab and that the ongoing pandemic is a result of a leak from the Wuhan lab have gained traction online over the last few weeks amid increasing calls to initiate deep probes into virus origins.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/did-covid-19-emerge-naturally-anthony-fauci-not-convinced-says-further-probe-needed-387110" hreflang="en">Did COVID-19 emerge naturally? Anthony Fauci 'not convinced', says further probe needed</a>

Many on the internet believe Americans and Chinese jointly developed the virus, which may have accidentally leaked into Wuhan and then the rest of the world. But Fauci told that the funds were not employed&nbsp;in research focussed on “gain of function”, essentially suggesting that holistic scientific work was facilitated through the money.

He added that the funds were not used to enhance a virus' capability to infect humans. “That categorically was not done,” Fauci said.

Fauci further explained the decision to fund research in China, saying that the SARS scare back in early 2000s compelled researchers to take research of zoonotic viruses more seriously. “It would have been almost a dereliction of our duty if we didn’t study this, and the only way you can study these things is you’ve got to go where the action is”, New York Post cited Fauci as telling lawmakers.

A report by The Wall Street Journal released on Monday alleges that researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were sick with Covid-like symptoms before the outbreak in November 2019, for which they sought medical care. Fauci, too, has urged further probe into the virus' origins.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/fauci-says-pandemic-exposed-undeniable-effects-of-racism-in-us-385518" hreflang="en">Fauci says pandemic exposed 'undeniable effects of racism' in US&nbsp;</a>

United States top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told lawmakers on Tuesday that the Wuhan Institute of Virology received money from the National Institutes of Health amid rising concerns over coronavirus origins.

United States top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci told lawmakers on Tuesday that the Wuhan Institute of Virology received money from the National Institutes of Health amid rising concerns over coronavirus origins. According to Fauci, $600,000 were earmarked for the institute in Wuhan over a period of five years to study zoonotic viruses and whether bat coronaviruses could jump onto human beings. Fauci told a House Appropriations subcommittee that the funds were being sent to the lab in China through the non-profit alliance called EcoHealth. The virus expert told lawmakers that it was “a modest collaboration with very respectable Chinese scientists who were world experts on coronavirus”, New York Post reported. Conspiracy theories claiming that the virus originated in a lab and that the ongoing pandemic is a result of a leak from the Wuhan lab have gained traction online over the last few weeks amid increasing calls to initiate deep probes into virus origins. Also read: Did COVID-19 emerge naturally? Anthony Fauci 'not convinced', says further probe needed Many on the internet believe Americans and Chinese jointly developed the virus, which may have accidentally leaked into Wuhan and then the rest of the world. But Fauci told that the funds were not employed in research focussed on “gain of function”, essentially suggesting that holistic scientific work was facilitated through the money. He added that the funds were not used to enhance a virus' capability to infect humans. “That categorically was not done,” Fauci said. Fauci further explained the decision to fund research in China, saying that the SARS scare back in early 2000s compelled researchers to take research of zoonotic viruses more seriously. “It would have been almost a dereliction of our duty if we didn’t study this, and the only way you can study these things is you’ve got to go where the action is”, New York Post cited Fauci as telling lawmakers. A report by The Wall Street Journal released on Monday alleges that researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology were sick with Covid-like symptoms before the outbreak in November 2019, for which they sought medical care. Fauci, too, has urged further probe into the virus' origins. Also read: Fauci says pandemic exposed 'undeniable effects of racism' in US

Fauci admits Wuhan lab received 'modest' funds from US amid calls for probe into Covid origins

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.&nbsp;

While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson &amp; Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added.&nbsp;

Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement.&nbsp;

Currently, the country is using two 'Made in India' jabs, Covishield and Covaxin, to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered numerous doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January. A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present.&nbsp;

In the high-level meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry were present.&nbsp;

It was discussed that Moderna doesn't have surplus vaccines to share in 2021 and that it plans to launch its single-dose vaccine for the Indian market only in 2022, for which, they are in discussion with Cipla and other Indian companies, a source said.&nbsp;

It is learnt that Cipla has already evinced interest in procuring 50 million doses from Moderna for 2022 and has requested confirmation from the central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime. The Health Ministry has also been asked to take an early decision on Cipla's request regarding support required by them for procurement of Moderna vaccines.&nbsp;

In the case of Pfizer, the US pharma giant has indicated availability of 50 million vaccine doses, 10 million in July, 10 million in August, 20 million in September and 10 million in October, for supply to India in 2021 and that it will deal only with Government of India and payment for vaccines will have to be made by GOI to Pfizer India.&nbsp;

The central government will make its own arrangement for further channelization of procured vaccines in the domestic market.&nbsp;

According to another source, for the supply of vaccines to India, Pfizer has asked for indemnification from the Government of India and a document in this regard has been received from Pfizer Inc.&nbsp;

Further, Pfizer has also sought certain relaxations in the regulatory regime, including relaxation in the requirement of post-approval bridging trials and dispensing the requirement of testing their vaccines in CDL (Central Drugs Laboratory).&nbsp;

Taking into consideration the track record of the company, similar arrangements done with other countries in the world and the current pandemic situation, an overall view may be taken to indemnify the company by the government, officials said but flagged that in case a view is taken to indemnify the company, similar demands may be made by other companies.&nbsp;

As per the information furnished by Pfizer, around 116 countries in the world including the USA have signed the indemnification document.&nbsp;

Further, considering that over 14.7 crore doses of Pfizer had been administered worldwide without any significant reports of adverse effects, a view needs to be taken to indemnify the company in order to supplement the availability of vaccines in India, officials discussed at one recent meeting.&nbsp;

It was suggested that a decision on the issue of Pfizer Inc may be taken at the earliest and that NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19) may hold a meeting immediately on these issues.&nbsp;

At a press conference on Monday, in response to a question on states being unable to procure vaccines directly from Moderna and Pfizer, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said, "Whether it is Pfizer or Moderna, at the Centre-level, we have been coordinating with them."&nbsp;

"Also, the order book of both Pfizer and Moderna is full so it depends on their surplus that how much they can provide in India... They will come back to the Centre and we will help in facilitation to states," he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday.

Moderna is expecting to launch a single-dose COVID-19 vaccine in India next year and is in talks with Cipla among other Indian firms, while another US giant Pfizer is ready to offer 50 million shots in 2021 itself but it wants significant regulatory relaxations including indemnification, sources said on Tuesday. While Moderna has conveyed to Indian authorities that it does not have surplus vaccines to share in 2021, there are limited prospects of Johnson & Johnson exporting its jabs from the US to other countries in the near future, the sources privy to discussions added. Two rounds of high-level meetings chaired by the Cabinet Secretary were held last week on the availability of vaccines in the global as well as domestic markets as it was felt that there is an urgent need to procure the jabs at a time the country is reeling under an unprecedented second wave of COVID-19 and a widening gap between supply and requirement. Currently, the country is using two 'Made in India' jabs, Covishield and Covaxin, to inoculate its billion-plus population and has administered numerous doses since launching the world's largest vaccination drive in mid-January. A third vaccine, Russian-made Sputnik V, has been approved by the government and is being used on a smaller scale at present. In the high-level meeting officials from the Ministry of External Affairs, NITI Aayog, Department of Biotechnology, Law Ministry and Health Ministry were present. It was discussed that Moderna doesn't have surplus vaccines to share in 2021 and that it plans to launch its single-dose vaccine for the Indian market only in 2022, for which, they are in discussion with Cipla and other Indian companies, a source said. It is learnt that Cipla has already evinced interest in procuring 50 million doses from Moderna for 2022 and has requested confirmation from the central government in respect of stability in regulatory requirements/policy regime. The Health Ministry has also been asked to take an early decision on Cipla's request regarding support required by them for procurement of Moderna vaccines. In the case of Pfizer, the US pharma giant has indicated availability of 50 million vaccine doses, 10 million in July, 10 million in August, 20 million in September and 10 million in October, for supply to India in 2021 and that it will deal only with Government of India and payment for vaccines will have to be made by GOI to Pfizer India. The central government will make its own arrangement for further channelization of procured vaccines in the domestic market. According to another source, for the supply of vaccines to India, Pfizer has asked for indemnification from the Government of India and a document in this regard has been received from Pfizer Inc. Further, Pfizer has also sought certain relaxations in the regulatory regime, including relaxation in the requirement of post-approval bridging trials and dispensing the requirement of testing their vaccines in CDL (Central Drugs Laboratory). Taking into consideration the track record of the company, similar arrangements done with other countries in the world and the current pandemic situation, an overall view may be taken to indemnify the company by the government, officials said but flagged that in case a view is taken to indemnify the company, similar demands may be made by other companies. As per the information furnished by Pfizer, around 116 countries in the world including the USA have signed the indemnification document. Further, considering that over 14.7 crore doses of Pfizer had been administered worldwide without any significant reports of adverse effects, a view needs to be taken to indemnify the company in order to supplement the availability of vaccines in India, officials discussed at one recent meeting. It was suggested that a decision on the issue of Pfizer Inc may be taken at the earliest and that NEGVAC (National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19) may hold a meeting immediately on these issues. At a press conference on Monday, in response to a question on states being unable to procure vaccines directly from Moderna and Pfizer, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal had said, "Whether it is Pfizer or Moderna, at the Centre-level, we have been coordinating with them." "Also, the order book of both Pfizer and Moderna is full so it depends on their surplus that how much they can provide in India... They will come back to the Centre and we will help in facilitation to states," he said.

Moderna's single-dose vaccine in India likely next year; Pfizer ready with 50 mn doses for 2021

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said.

ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and is based on multiplex PCR technology. It helps to identify and detect SARS CoV-2 N Gene and ORF Lab Gene with a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 98.8% as compared to a standard ICMR test.

This test is designed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19.

ViraGen used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 is being manufactured by Ubio Biotechnology Systems and marketed and distributed by Cipla through its expansive distribution network across the country. In the current circumstances, COVID-19 RT PCR testing is extensively used throughout the country as governments, communities, and organisations are working tirelessly to track and curb the spread of the virus.&nbsp;

Cipla told news agency PTI, “This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company’s ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space.”

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said.

The Indian multinational pharmaceutical company Cipla’s real-time COVID-19 testing kit, ‘ViraGen’ which was launched last week, will be available in the market from today, the company said. ViraGen is a real-time detection kit approved by the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and is based on multiplex PCR technology. It helps to identify and detect SARS CoV-2 N Gene and ORF Lab Gene with a sensitivity of 98.6% and a specificity of 98.8% as compared to a standard ICMR test. This test is designed for the qualitative detection of nucleic acid from SARS-CoV-2 in the upper and lower respiratory specimens from individuals suspected of COVID-19. ViraGen used for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 is being manufactured by Ubio Biotechnology Systems and marketed and distributed by Cipla through its expansive distribution network across the country. In the current circumstances, COVID-19 RT PCR testing is extensively used throughout the country as governments, communities, and organisations are working tirelessly to track and curb the spread of the virus. Cipla told news agency PTI, “This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company’s ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space.” (With inputs from agencies)

Cipla's real-time COVID-19 testing kit 'ViraGen' to be sold from today

Half of all adults in the United States would be fully vaccinated by the end of Tuesday, the White House said, marking a big milestone in the world’s hardest-hit country’s fight against coronavirus. "Today, the United States will reach 50 percent of American adults fully vaccinated," AFP cited a&nbsp;White House official as saying.

The US has lost the highest number of people to the virus, with over half a million fatalities. Even then, the country has emerged as the global leader in mass inoculations.

Vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have played the most significant role in the country’s vaccination campaign. The US will reach the milestone on Tuesday with 50 per cent of its 332 million population receiving both doses of the vaccine.

But vaccine hesitancy is threatening the country’s successful drive now. President Joe Biden has set a target of vaccinating 70 per cent adults with&nbsp;at least one dose by July 4, US’ Independence Day.

Currently, 62 per cent of the country’s population has received at least the first dose, news agency AFP reported.&nbsp; Moderna on Tuesday announced that its mRNA-based vaccine is highly effective among adolescents aged between 12-17.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/moderna-says-covid-vaccine-highly-effective-among-adolescents-aged-12-and-above-387313" hreflang="en">Moderna says Covid vaccine 'highly effective' among adolescents aged 12 and above</a>

"We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in adolescents," CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We will submit these results to the US FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization."

The Moderna vaccine&nbsp;called mRNA-1273 showed enough tolerance among kids, in sync with what was observed in adults. No significant safety concerns have been revealed so far.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/pregnant-women-can-be-given-pfizer-and-moderna-coronavirus-vaccines-uk-advisory-group-378209" hreflang="en">Pregnant women can be given Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines: UK advisory group</a>

Half of all adults in the United States would be fully vaccinated by the end of Tuesday, the White House said, marking a big milestone in the world’s hardest-hit country’s fight against coronavirus.

Half of all adults in the United States would be fully vaccinated by the end of Tuesday, the White House said, marking a big milestone in the world’s hardest-hit country’s fight against coronavirus. "Today, the United States will reach 50 percent of American adults fully vaccinated," AFP cited a White House official as saying. The US has lost the highest number of people to the virus, with over half a million fatalities. Even then, the country has emerged as the global leader in mass inoculations. Vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have played the most significant role in the country’s vaccination campaign. The US will reach the milestone on Tuesday with 50 per cent of its 332 million population receiving both doses of the vaccine. But vaccine hesitancy is threatening the country’s successful drive now. President Joe Biden has set a target of vaccinating 70 per cent adults with at least one dose by July 4, US’ Independence Day. Currently, 62 per cent of the country’s population has received at least the first dose, news agency AFP reported. Moderna on Tuesday announced that its mRNA-based vaccine is highly effective among adolescents aged between 12-17. Also read: Moderna says Covid vaccine 'highly effective' among adolescents aged 12 and above "We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in adolescents," CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement on Tuesday. "We will submit these results to the US FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization." The Moderna vaccine called mRNA-1273 showed enough tolerance among kids, in sync with what was observed in adults. No significant safety concerns have been revealed so far. Also read: Pregnant women can be given Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines: UK advisory group

Half of adult Americans fully vaccinated against COVID-19, says White House

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday landed in New York, as part of his US visit, to meet with senior United States officials, and discuss Covid-related cooperation between the two countries.&nbsp;

Ambassador of India to the UN TS Tirumurti received EAM Jaishankar on his first visit to New York after India entered the UN Security Council.&nbsp;

"Privilege to receive External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on his first visit to New York after #India entered the UN #SecurityCouncil on 1 January 2021," Ambassador Tirumurti tweeted. &nbsp;

Jaishankar's US visit is slated to last till May 28, the External Affairs Ministry said last week. The Foreign Minister is expected to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and later, he will hold discussions with his counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC, the ministry said. He will also be meeting Cabinet members and Senior Officials of the Administration dealing with the bilateral relationship. &nbsp;

"External Affairs Minister will have two interactions with business forums on economic and Covid-related cooperation between India and the US," said the ministry statement.&nbsp;

India is engaged in talks with various US entities involved in Covid vaccines production and is looking forward to procuring and subsequently producing these vaccines. The issue of vaccine procurement is expected to be a key agenda item during Jaishankar's interaction with US leadership and other stakeholders.&nbsp;

The US has already announced that it is going to distribute 80 million vaccines from its stockpile to countries in need. With India hit badly by the second Covid wave, efforts of New Delhi will focus on getting the maximum and also looking for tie-ups with vaccine developers to produce in India.&nbsp;

US has a stockpile of 60 million Astra Zeneca vaccine doses and also Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID-19 vaccines.&nbsp;

US is playing a lead role in assisting India's fight against the COVID-19 virus. It has already provided large oxygen plants, concentrators, critical medicines like Remdesivir and also raw materials for vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII), which is manufacturing Covishield.&nbsp;

US is also backing India sponsored proposal on TRIPS waiver at the WTO. The TRIPS waiver aims to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and save lives.&nbsp;

In October last year, India and South Africa, along with 57 members of WTO proposed a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for prevention, containment, and treatment of the coronavirus. EAM Jaishankar met his US counterpart Antony Blinken in early May in London during G7 Foreign Minister's meeting. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday landed in New York, as part of his US visit, to meet with senior United States officials, and discuss Covid-related cooperation between the two countries.

External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar on Monday landed in New York, as part of his US visit, to meet with senior United States officials, and discuss Covid-related cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador of India to the UN TS Tirumurti received EAM Jaishankar on his first visit to New York after India entered the UN Security Council. "Privilege to receive External Affairs Minister @DrSJaishankar on his first visit to New York after #India entered the UN #SecurityCouncil on 1 January 2021," Ambassador Tirumurti tweeted. Jaishankar's US visit is slated to last till May 28, the External Affairs Ministry said last week. The Foreign Minister is expected to meet UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York and later, he will hold discussions with his counterpart Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Washington DC, the ministry said. He will also be meeting Cabinet members and Senior Officials of the Administration dealing with the bilateral relationship. "External Affairs Minister will have two interactions with business forums on economic and Covid-related cooperation between India and the US," said the ministry statement. India is engaged in talks with various US entities involved in Covid vaccines production and is looking forward to procuring and subsequently producing these vaccines. The issue of vaccine procurement is expected to be a key agenda item during Jaishankar's interaction with US leadership and other stakeholders. The US has already announced that it is going to distribute 80 million vaccines from its stockpile to countries in need. With India hit badly by the second Covid wave, efforts of New Delhi will focus on getting the maximum and also looking for tie-ups with vaccine developers to produce in India. US has a stockpile of 60 million Astra Zeneca vaccine doses and also Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines. US is playing a lead role in assisting India's fight against the COVID-19 virus. It has already provided large oxygen plants, concentrators, critical medicines like Remdesivir and also raw materials for vaccine manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII), which is manufacturing Covishield. US is also backing India sponsored proposal on TRIPS waiver at the WTO. The TRIPS waiver aims to increase global vaccine production in order to take on the challenge of vaccinating the poorest of the poor and save lives. In October last year, India and South Africa, along with 57 members of WTO proposed a waiver from certain provisions of the TRIPS agreement for prevention, containment, and treatment of the coronavirus. EAM Jaishankar met his US counterpart Antony Blinken in early May in London during G7 Foreign Minister's meeting. (With inputs from agencies)

EAM Jaishankar arrives in New York to discuss Covid-related cooperation with US officials 

A surge in domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan after months of relative safety is intensifying pressure on the government to accept vaccines from China, as the island has vaccinated just 1% of the population with no immediate sign of new shots arriving. 
 
The Chinese-claimed island and Beijing have repeatedly sparred over the pandemic since it began. 
Taipei accuses Beijing of spreading fake news and preventing its full participation at the World Health Organization, while Beijing says Taipei is playing political games with its people`s lives by refusing Chinese vaccines. 
 
Taiwan has only received about 700,000 vaccine doses to date, all from AstraZeneca Plc, which are rapidly running out. It has millions more on order, including from Moderna Inc. 
 
Over the weekend, Hung Hsiu-chu, a former head of Taiwan`s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), said the government should allow in Chinese vaccines as soon as possible, saying that they are internationally accepted and that Taiwan cannot wait. 
 
"At this moment, lives are at stake, and we respectfully tell the Tsai government: the real enemy is the virus, not the mainland," she said, referring to President Tsai Ing-wen. 
 
The KMT, always wary of being painted as pro-China, has not explicitly backed or rejected the idea, but has called on the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) not to tar as Communist Party sympathisers those who are trying to obtain more vaccines. 
 
Pressure is growing from industry too to address the issue, especially after China`s Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd said on Saturday it was willing to provide Taiwan with BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccines. 
 
A source familiar with the situation said major Apple Inc supplier Foxconn was exploring directly approaching Fosun for the shots to vaccinate its employees and their families, though the company had not formally started discussions with the Chinese firm or Taiwan`s Central Epidemic Command Centre. 
 
Fosun has 10 million shots that are expiring in August and is anxious to offload them, the source added. Fosun did not respond to requests for comment. 
 
Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, told Reuters that information on vaccines should come from the command centre. 
 
"If we can do what we can to prevent the epidemic in Taiwan, then our company is willing to assist," it added. 
Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said on Sunday that if companies wanted to buy vaccines they had to talk to his ministry. 
 
Chen has said that China has not provided enough evidence that its vaccines are safe, and that most Taiwanese would not want to take them anyway. Chen has also said the law prohibiting the imports of any Chinese vaccine would need to be revised. 
 
Beijing has called on Taiwan to cast aside political prejudices. 
 
"Most Taiwanese compatriots are eagerly anticipating the use of mainland vaccines," China`s Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement to Reuters, without offering evidence. "The pressing task is to remove artificial political obstacles on the island." 
 
Taiwan`s government has kept vaccine purchase details under close wraps, but has promised more are on the way. 
 
Chen met virtually with his US&nbsp;counterpart, Xavier Becerra, last week and discussed vaccines, but no announcements of any US&nbsp;help have come yet, even after President Joe Biden said the country would release stocks to other parts of the world. However, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the United States was trying to help speed up deliveries of the vaccines Taiwan has already ordered.

A surge in domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan after months of relative safety is intensifying pressure on the government to accept vaccines from China, as the island has vaccinated just 1% of the population with no immediate sign of new shots arriving.

A surge in domestic COVID-19 cases in Taiwan after months of relative safety is intensifying pressure on the government to accept vaccines from China, as the island has vaccinated just 1% of the population with no immediate sign of new shots arriving. The Chinese-claimed island and Beijing have repeatedly sparred over the pandemic since it began. Taipei accuses Beijing of spreading fake news and preventing its full participation at the World Health Organization, while Beijing says Taipei is playing political games with its people`s lives by refusing Chinese vaccines. Taiwan has only received about 700,000 vaccine doses to date, all from AstraZeneca Plc, which are rapidly running out. It has millions more on order, including from Moderna Inc. Over the weekend, Hung Hsiu-chu, a former head of Taiwan`s main opposition party, the Kuomintang (KMT), said the government should allow in Chinese vaccines as soon as possible, saying that they are internationally accepted and that Taiwan cannot wait. "At this moment, lives are at stake, and we respectfully tell the Tsai government: the real enemy is the virus, not the mainland," she said, referring to President Tsai Ing-wen. The KMT, always wary of being painted as pro-China, has not explicitly backed or rejected the idea, but has called on the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) not to tar as Communist Party sympathisers those who are trying to obtain more vaccines. Pressure is growing from industry too to address the issue, especially after China`s Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd said on Saturday it was willing to provide Taiwan with BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccines. A source familiar with the situation said major Apple Inc supplier Foxconn was exploring directly approaching Fosun for the shots to vaccinate its employees and their families, though the company had not formally started discussions with the Chinese firm or Taiwan`s Central Epidemic Command Centre. Fosun has 10 million shots that are expiring in August and is anxious to offload them, the source added. Fosun did not respond to requests for comment. Foxconn, formally called Hon Hai Precision Industry Co, told Reuters that information on vaccines should come from the command centre. "If we can do what we can to prevent the epidemic in Taiwan, then our company is willing to assist," it added. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said on Sunday that if companies wanted to buy vaccines they had to talk to his ministry. Chen has said that China has not provided enough evidence that its vaccines are safe, and that most Taiwanese would not want to take them anyway. Chen has also said the law prohibiting the imports of any Chinese vaccine would need to be revised. Beijing has called on Taiwan to cast aside political prejudices. "Most Taiwanese compatriots are eagerly anticipating the use of mainland vaccines," China`s Taiwan Affairs Office said in a statement to Reuters, without offering evidence. "The pressing task is to remove artificial political obstacles on the island." Taiwan`s government has kept vaccine purchase details under close wraps, but has promised more are on the way. Chen met virtually with his US counterpart, Xavier Becerra, last week and discussed vaccines, but no announcements of any US help have come yet, even after President Joe Biden said the country would release stocks to other parts of the world. However, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the United States was trying to help speed up deliveries of the vaccines Taiwan has already ordered.

Pressure to accept China vaccines intensifies as Taiwan battles Covid surge

Dogs may be humanity’s next weapon to weed out the COVID-19 pandemic. Infections of coronavirus tend to jump tremendously if restrictions are relaxed prematurely.&nbsp; As evident in many countries like India, the human cost of COVID-19 could be beyond devastating and scientists want to employ whatever tools are available at hand.

Now, humans'&nbsp;best friends are set to fulfil the role given to them. A new study claims that dogs can detect coronavirus infections among people in less than a second. This method may in fact be quicker than a PCR test.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/german-sniffer-dogs-detect-covid-19-with-94-accuracy-361277/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the research published in BMJ on Monday, people with COVID-19 tend to give off a particular odour. And that’s a dead giveaway to dogs, who possess a super sense of smell.

The study, which has not been peer-reviewed yet found that dogs were successfully able to detect coronavirus on clothes worn by those infected with 94.3 per cent sensitivity.&nbsp;This is way higher than the sensitivity shown by lateral flow tests at 58-77 per cent. PCR tests are more effective with 97.2 per cent sensitivity to infections.

But as opposed to PCR tests which can take hours to make the diagnosis, dogs were able to sniff out virus in less than a second.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/did-covid-19-emerge-naturally-anthony-fauci-not-convinced-says-further-probe-needed-387110" hreflang="en">Did COVID-19 emerge naturally? Anthony Fauci 'not convinced', says further probe needed</a>

“This includes people who are asymptomatic and also people with a low viral load,” The Guardian quoted Professor James Logan of LSHTM, who co-led the study as saying.

The dogs employed in the daunting task of sniffing out Covid came from a charity called “Medical Detection Dogs” which was formed in 2008. The charity undertakes training of companion dogs that can successfully detect odour changes in people in people that develop diabetes and other ailments.&nbsp;

The dog’s response can help them seek care early which can save many lives. The charity also researches the ability of dogs to sniff out cancers and Parkinson’s, among many diseases. During the onset of the pandemic, the charity had completed a study with the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), showing that malaria can be effectively detected by dogs.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/sniffer-dogs-detect-coronavirus-in-germany-study-claims-efficacy-is-of-94-361229" hreflang="en">Sniffer dogs detect coronavirus in Germany, study claims efficacy is of 94%</a>

Dogs may be humanity’s next weapon to weed out the COVID-19 pandemic. Infections of coronavirus tend to jump tremendously if restrictions are relaxed prematurely.

Dogs may be humanity’s next weapon to weed out the COVID-19 pandemic. Infections of coronavirus tend to jump tremendously if restrictions are relaxed prematurely. As evident in many countries like India, the human cost of COVID-19 could be beyond devastating and scientists want to employ whatever tools are available at hand. Now, humans' best friends are set to fulfil the role given to them. A new study claims that dogs can detect coronavirus infections among people in less than a second. This method may in fact be quicker than a PCR test. According to the research published in BMJ on Monday, people with COVID-19 tend to give off a particular odour. And that’s a dead giveaway to dogs, who possess a super sense of smell. The study, which has not been peer-reviewed yet found that dogs were successfully able to detect coronavirus on clothes worn by those infected with 94.3 per cent sensitivity. This is way higher than the sensitivity shown by lateral flow tests at 58-77 per cent. PCR tests are more effective with 97.2 per cent sensitivity to infections. But as opposed to PCR tests which can take hours to make the diagnosis, dogs were able to sniff out virus in less than a second. Also read: Did COVID-19 emerge naturally? Anthony Fauci 'not convinced', says further probe needed “This includes people who are asymptomatic and also people with a low viral load,” The Guardian quoted Professor James Logan of LSHTM, who co-led the study as saying. The dogs employed in the daunting task of sniffing out Covid came from a charity called “Medical Detection Dogs” which was formed in 2008. The charity undertakes training of companion dogs that can successfully detect odour changes in people in people that develop diabetes and other ailments. The dog’s response can help them seek care early which can save many lives. The charity also researches the ability of dogs to sniff out cancers and Parkinson’s, among many diseases. During the onset of the pandemic, the charity had completed a study with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), showing that malaria can be effectively detected by dogs. Also read: Sniffer dogs detect coronavirus in Germany, study claims efficacy is of 94%

Dogs can detect COVID-19 among humans in less than a second, UK study finds

India's Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in New York on Monday to begin his 5-day United States visit, meeting senior United States officials and discussing COVID-related cooperation between the two countries.

Indian External Affairs Minister on COVID vaccine mission to the United States

S. Jaishankar set to meet US Secy of State and UN Chief during 5-day US visit

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently assessing heart inflammation among some teenagers and young adults after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

CDC has recommended further study of the rare condition. In a statement dated May 17, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said that many adolescents and young adults who were predominantly male develop myocarditis after the vaccine.

Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and the condition generally goes away on its own. The CDC adds that the condition can be caused by multiple viruses. Even though no more than expected instances of such inflammation have been found so far, healthcare providers ought to be made aware of “potential adverse event”, the CDC said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/two-doses-of-covid-vaccines-offer-significant-protection-against-b16172-variant-study-finds-386812" hreflang="en">Two doses of Covid vaccines offer significant protection against B.1.617.2 variant, study finds</a>

It is still unclear how many people have been affected by the condition. Further investigation is currently underway. According to the CDC, most cases occurred four days after receiving the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer).

In April, Israel’s Health Ministry said that it was observing a small number of heart inflammation cases reported among people who received the Pfizer jab.&nbsp; Most cases in Israel were among people aged upto 30.

At the same time, Pfizer said that no higher rate of the condition was observed than what is normal among the general population, and that no causal link has been established.

Earlier in May, American regulators allowed Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine to be used on children aged between 12-15.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently assessing heart inflammation among some teenagers and young adults after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is currently assessing heart inflammation among some teenagers and young adults after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. CDC has recommended further study of the rare condition. In a statement dated May 17, the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices said that many adolescents and young adults who were predominantly male develop myocarditis after the vaccine. Myocarditis is the inflammation of the heart muscle and the condition generally goes away on its own. The CDC adds that the condition can be caused by multiple viruses. Even though no more than expected instances of such inflammation have been found so far, healthcare providers ought to be made aware of “potential adverse event”, the CDC said. Also read: Two doses of Covid vaccines offer significant protection against B.1.617.2 variant, study finds It is still unclear how many people have been affected by the condition. Further investigation is currently underway. According to the CDC, most cases occurred four days after receiving the mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer). In April, Israel’s Health Ministry said that it was observing a small number of heart inflammation cases reported among people who received the Pfizer jab. Most cases in Israel were among people aged upto 30. At the same time, Pfizer said that no higher rate of the condition was observed than what is normal among the general population, and that no causal link has been established. Earlier in May, American regulators allowed Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine to be used on children aged between 12-15.

US studying cases of heart inflammation among youngsters who received Covid jabs

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. 
 
Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry. 
 
India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day, according to a Reuters tally.

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry.

India on Sunday reported 240,842 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours and deaths rose by 3,741. Total infections in the country stood at 26.5 million while the country`s total death toll was at 299,266, according to data from the health ministry. India leads the world in the daily average number of new deaths reported, accounting for one in every three deaths reported worldwide each day, according to a Reuters tally.

India reports 240,842 new cases of COVID-19 in last 24 hours

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines. 
 
Saturday`s agreements with the US&nbsp;drugmakers came a day after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said that he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed on a comprehensive partnership on COVID-19 vaccines and that the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers. 
 
Moon, under pressure over the COVID-19 pandemic, said a vaccine partnership would combine US&nbsp;expertise and Korean production capacity. 
 
Moderna, whose shot was granted approval in South Korea on Friday, said on Saturday its vaccine will be manufactured by Samsung Biologics Co and that it intends to supply these vaccines to markets outside the United States starting in the third quarter. 
 
South Korea has emerged as a global vaccine production base with its fourth COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing deal, Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae told a briefing on Sunday. 
 
"The establishment of the South Korea-U.S. vaccine partnership is to build the basis for mass production of vaccines domestically by combining the advanced technology of the US&nbsp;with production capabilities of South Korea," said Kang. 
 
South Korea has deals to locally produce coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Novavax, and Russia`s Sputnik V. The country has secured access to 40 million doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine, the authorities had said. 
 
"We will continue to explore options for establishing potential local manufacturing opportunities in South Korea," Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in a press release. 
 
Novavax also on Saturday reaffirmed its partnership with South Korean firm SK bioscience Co Ltd to expand its production of vaccines, including the US&nbsp;drug developer`s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. 
 
In February, Novavax had entered into a license agreement with the South Korea manufacturer to produce 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the country. 
 
South Korea, which has vaccinated fewer than 10 per cent of its 52 million people, aims to inoculate at least 70% by September. It has ordered up to 192 million doses of those made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson. 
 
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 585 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total tally to 135,929 infections, with 1,931 deaths.

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines.

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines. Saturday`s agreements with the US drugmakers came a day after US President Joe Biden said that he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed on a comprehensive partnership on COVID-19 vaccines and that the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers. Moon, under pressure over the COVID-19 pandemic, said a vaccine partnership would combine US expertise and Korean production capacity. Moderna, whose shot was granted approval in South Korea on Friday, said on Saturday its vaccine will be manufactured by Samsung Biologics Co and that it intends to supply these vaccines to markets outside the United States starting in the third quarter. South Korea has emerged as a global vaccine production base with its fourth COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing deal, Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae told a briefing on Sunday. "The establishment of the South Korea-U.S. vaccine partnership is to build the basis for mass production of vaccines domestically by combining the advanced technology of the US with production capabilities of South Korea," said Kang. South Korea has deals to locally produce coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Novavax, and Russia`s Sputnik V. The country has secured access to 40 million doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine, the authorities had said. "We will continue to explore options for establishing potential local manufacturing opportunities in South Korea," Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in a press release. Novavax also on Saturday reaffirmed its partnership with South Korean firm SK bioscience Co Ltd to expand its production of vaccines, including the US drug developer`s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. In February, Novavax had entered into a license agreement with the South Korea manufacturer to produce 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the country. South Korea, which has vaccinated fewer than 10 per cent of its 52 million people, aims to inoculate at least 70% by September. It has ordered up to 192 million doses of those made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 585 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total tally to 135,929 infections, with 1,931 deaths.

Moderna, Novavax to produce more COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea

Now the IMF recently proposed a $50BN plan to end the COVID-19 pandemic with the target of vaccinating at least 40% of the world's population by the end of 2021.

COVID-19: IMF pitches $50BN plan to end coronavirus

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Fewer independent candidates than before are standing in the election for the 500-seat National Assembly, which is held every five years and usually after the ruling Communist Party holds its congress to select a new leadership.

Nearly 69.2 million registered voters are expected to select from 866 candidates for the parliament. They will also vote for members of the people's councils at provincial and district levels.

"I hope all voters, knowing their role as the owners of the country, will join the vote to select the most trusted and worthy candidates to represent their voices," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said ahead of the election.

Of the candidates standing for the National Assembly, some 92% are party members and 8% are independents.

The number of independent candidates this year fell to 74 from the 97 in the previous elections in 2016, while local media say the number of assembly deputies who were not party members halved over the last three elections.

Official data show that 99% of Vietnam's 67.5 million registered voters participated in the 2016 elections. The ballot is anonymous, but each voter's name, age, occupation, ethnicity and address are posted outside polling centres.

The election is taking place as the Southeast Asian country is battling a new COVID-19 outbreak that is spreading rapidly, infecting around 2,000 people since it emerged in late April.

State media reports said voters in some remote areas and in a centralised quarantine centre in Bac Ninh province voted early on Saturday. The province is part of the epicentre of the new outbreak.

Organisers wearing hazmat suits were seen spraying disinfectant on a ballot box, which was then brought to each voter in the quarantine centre for the vote, a video clip on VTC News showed.

"This is the first time we have held an election amid the most dangerous coronavirus outbreak that has spread to nearly half of the number of provinces, with many of them under lockdown," Hue said.

Hue said the organisers of the election have taken measures to ensure the election will take place in a safe manner.

Election results are typically announced after about two weeks.

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country.

Tens of millions of mask-wearing Vietnamese were expected to vote on Sunday to select a largely rubber-stamp legislature amid a rapidly spreading COVID-19 outbreak in the country. Fewer independent candidates than before are standing in the election for the 500-seat National Assembly, which is held every five years and usually after the ruling Communist Party holds its congress to select a new leadership. Nearly 69.2 million registered voters are expected to select from 866 candidates for the parliament. They will also vote for members of the people's councils at provincial and district levels. "I hope all voters, knowing their role as the owners of the country, will join the vote to select the most trusted and worthy candidates to represent their voices," National Assembly chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said ahead of the election. Of the candidates standing for the National Assembly, some 92% are party members and 8% are independents. The number of independent candidates this year fell to 74 from the 97 in the previous elections in 2016, while local media say the number of assembly deputies who were not party members halved over the last three elections. Official data show that 99% of Vietnam's 67.5 million registered voters participated in the 2016 elections. The ballot is anonymous, but each voter's name, age, occupation, ethnicity and address are posted outside polling centres. The election is taking place as the Southeast Asian country is battling a new COVID-19 outbreak that is spreading rapidly, infecting around 2,000 people since it emerged in late April. State media reports said voters in some remote areas and in a centralised quarantine centre in Bac Ninh province voted early on Saturday. The province is part of the epicentre of the new outbreak. Organisers wearing hazmat suits were seen spraying disinfectant on a ballot box, which was then brought to each voter in the quarantine centre for the vote, a video clip on VTC News showed. "This is the first time we have held an election amid the most dangerous coronavirus outbreak that has spread to nearly half of the number of provinces, with many of them under lockdown," Hue said. Hue said the organisers of the election have taken measures to ensure the election will take place in a safe manner. Election results are typically announced after about two weeks.

Vietnam holds parliament election amid new COVID-19 outbreak

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am&nbsp;and the suspension of all non-essential activities.

About 11,500 troops were deployed throughout the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area to ensure compliance with the restrictions.

The government announced that, between May 22 and 30, all in-person social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities are suspended, with only essential businesses allowed to remain open.

"We have already been having controls for several weeks. Now they are going to be more intense, 24 hours a day, which requires a greater effort," Security Minister Sabina Frederic told state news agency Telam. Frederic said that residents should stay "with their family group and not break that bubble so as not to amplify the number of contacts, which is what accelerates the number of sick people."

As of Saturday, Argentina had registered 3,514,683 cases and 73,688 deaths from COVID-19, according to the latest report from the health ministry.

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the suspension of all non-essential activities.

Argentina on Saturday entered a phase of strict lockdown which will last until May 30 to slow the spread of COVID-19.The decision was made through a presidential decree published on Saturday in the Official Gazette, and includes the restriction of movement from 6:00 pm to 6:00 am and the suspension of all non-essential activities. About 11,500 troops were deployed throughout the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area to ensure compliance with the restrictions. The government announced that, between May 22 and 30, all in-person social, economic, educational, religious and sports activities are suspended, with only essential businesses allowed to remain open. "We have already been having controls for several weeks. Now they are going to be more intense, 24 hours a day, which requires a greater effort," Security Minister Sabina Frederic told state news agency Telam. Frederic said that residents should stay "with their family group and not break that bubble so as not to amplify the number of contacts, which is what accelerates the number of sick people." As of Saturday, Argentina had registered 3,514,683 cases and 73,688 deaths from COVID-19, according to the latest report from the health ministry.

Argentina begins strict lockdown to slow spread of COVID-19

A Chinese-American civil rights group has reportedly sued former United States President Donald Trump for referring to COVID-19 as the “China virus”. Chinese Americans Civil Rights Coalition (CACRC) filed the complaint in a federal court in New York on Thursday. In the complaint, the group referred to Trump’s usage of the phrase “China virus” as “baseless”.&nbsp;

According to the lawsuit, Trump’s conduct with regards to the virus was “extreme and outrageous”. In addition, the lawsuit claims Trump did not take into account how his conduct would cause “emotional distress” to Chinese Americans.

Over the recent months, attacks on people with Asian origins across the United States have spiked. Many activists believe Trump’s rhetoric in terms of the virus may have sizeably contributed to the attacks.&nbsp;On March 17, one of the worst violent incidents recorded against Asian Americans was witnessed in Atlanta when a gunman shot eight people, including six women of Asian descent.&nbsp;

According to the complaint, Trump continued to “intentionally” use the words in service of his “personal and political interests”. It adds that in the process, communities of Asian Americans were severely injured.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/joe-biden-signs-bill-to-address-hate-crimes-against-asian-americans-386505" hreflang="en">Joe Biden signs bill to address hate crimes against Asian-Americans</a>

Now, the CACRC wants $1 to be paid to each Asian American living in the United States as an apology. In total, this would amount to $22.9 million.

News agency IANS cited the plaintiffs as saying that the money would be used to establish a museum to showcase the history of American communities with Asian origins and their contribution to the US.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/pentagon-celebrates-asians-in-us-defence-with-story-of-indian-american-deepa-hariprasad-386454" hreflang="en">Pentagon celebrates Asians in US defence with story of Indian-American Deepa Hariprasad</a>

Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller told The Hill that “this is an insane and idiotic lawsuit”. Miller also said that the case will most likely be dismissed if it ever reaches a courtroom. "It’s a complete joke, and if I was the lawyer that brought it I’d be worried about getting sanctioned”, Miller added.

A Chinese-American civil rights group has reportedly sued former United States President Donald Trump for referring to COVID-19 as the “China virus”. Chinese Americans Civil Rights Coalition (CACRC) filed the complaint in a federal court in New York on Thursday.

A Chinese-American civil rights group has reportedly sued former United States President Donald Trump for referring to COVID-19 as the “China virus”. Chinese Americans Civil Rights Coalition (CACRC) filed the complaint in a federal court in New York on Thursday. In the complaint, the group referred to Trump’s usage of the phrase “China virus” as “baseless”. According to the lawsuit, Trump’s conduct with regards to the virus was “extreme and outrageous”. In addition, the lawsuit claims Trump did not take into account how his conduct would cause “emotional distress” to Chinese Americans. Over the recent months, attacks on people with Asian origins across the United States have spiked. Many activists believe Trump’s rhetoric in terms of the virus may have sizeably contributed to the attacks. On March 17, one of the worst violent incidents recorded against Asian Americans was witnessed in Atlanta when a gunman shot eight people, including six women of Asian descent. According to the complaint, Trump continued to “intentionally” use the words in service of his “personal and political interests”. It adds that in the process, communities of Asian Americans were severely injured. Also read: Joe Biden signs bill to address hate crimes against Asian-Americans Now, the CACRC wants $1 to be paid to each Asian American living in the United States as an apology. In total, this would amount to $22.9 million. News agency IANS cited the plaintiffs as saying that the money would be used to establish a museum to showcase the history of American communities with Asian origins and their contribution to the US. Also read: Pentagon celebrates Asians in US defence with story of Indian-American Deepa Hariprasad Donald Trump’s senior adviser Jason Miller told The Hill that “this is an insane and idiotic lawsuit”. Miller also said that the case will most likely be dismissed if it ever reaches a courtroom. "It’s a complete joke, and if I was the lawyer that brought it I’d be worried about getting sanctioned”, Miller added.

Former US President Donald Trump sued for referring to COVID-19 as 'China virus'

Is China profiting from India's pandemic crisis? Reports say prices of oxygen concentrators have shot up by "five times". Prices of raw materials needed to make drugs like paracetamol have increased by up to 40%. WION's Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is China profiting from India's pandemic crisis?

The number of COVID Positive patients is increasing across the union territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Indian Army sets up two COVID-19 hospitals in J&K.

India: Indian Army sets up 2 COVID hospitals in Jammu and Kashmir

Black Fungus is a rare but serious fungal infection and it is being detected relatively frequently in COVID-19 patients across India.

Hospitals in India report shortage Of Anti-fungal Drug

In a development that will tremendously boost&nbsp;India's&nbsp;vaccination campaign,&nbsp;Sputnik&nbsp;V's production will start in the country in August, India's envoy to Russia, DB&nbsp;Venkatesh&nbsp;Varma has announced.&nbsp;

Sputnik&nbsp;V, along with Covishield&nbsp;and COVAXIN are the only three&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;vaccines allowed for use in India.&nbsp;Speaking to a group of reporters during his Saint Petersburg&nbsp;visit, Envoy&nbsp;Venkatesh&nbsp;Varma said," production in India is expected to start in August... 850 million doses of the&nbsp;Sputnik&nbsp;V&nbsp;vaccine will be produced in India by about September-October."

India will get&nbsp;Sputnik&nbsp;V&nbsp;vaccines from Russia in three&nbsp;ways:&nbsp;direct exports, fill and finish mode which means the&nbsp;vaccines will be filled in bottles in India, and finally, the Russian side will transfer technology to Indian companies for full production in India.&nbsp;Russian sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has funded the&nbsp;vaccine has signed a pact with five&nbsp;Indian companies for production in India.

"Almost 65 to 70 per cent&nbsp;of&nbsp;Sputnik&nbsp;V&nbsp;vaccine produced anywhere in the world will be from India," Envoy&nbsp;Varma said,&nbsp;explaining, that these " will be finally for India and once Indian demand is met, Russia will also export it to other parts." India has already got 210,000 (150,000 +60,000) doses of&nbsp;Sputnik&nbsp;V&nbsp;vaccine earlier this month and by the end of May, it will get 3 million doses in form of bulk for fill and finish mode. By June, this number will increase to 5 million.&nbsp;

The Russian side has already announced a single-dose vaccine called "Sputnik&nbsp;lite" and while "regulatory approval is still not completed" in India but once it is given, then the Covid&nbsp;vaccine will be "one more area of cooperation between India and Russia", the envoy remarked.

Amid the cCvid pandemic, both India and Russia have cooperated with each other with New Delhi sending hydroxychloroquine to the country last year, while this year Moscow sent two&nbsp;planes full of aid amid the second deadly wave of the Covid pandemic in India.&nbsp;Detailing the situation on account of the Covid pandemic, the envoy said, "situation&nbsp;is coming under control ".

More Russian aid is expected to reach India in the next few days. At the height of the 2nd wave of the covid pandemic in early May, India was reporting more than 400,000 covid cases with hospitals overburdened&nbsp;with cases.&nbsp;

It's imperative to note here that Russia has requested India to give samples of the B.1.617 Covid&nbsp;virus&nbsp;variant first found in the country, with New Delhi working on it.&nbsp;On the black fungus crisis, he said, India is in "touch with the Russian authorities if they can supply some medicines" related to the treatment of the illness.

Asked about the S400 Missile system, the envoy said that it will "be delivered in the last quarter of this year".&nbsp;India had signed the contract for the deal during Russian President&nbsp;Vladimir Putin's&nbsp;visit on October 5, 2018.&nbsp;Currently, Indian military specialists are being trained in Russia to operate the missile defence system.&nbsp;Dismissing delays in contracts in military space, envoy&nbsp;Varma says "what contracts have already been concluded are proceeding according to schedule, there is no delay in any of the contracts"

Ambassador&nbsp;Venkatesh was on a&nbsp;visit to the historic Institute of Oriental Manuscripts in the city that has collections of manuscripts from across Asia, including those related to India and Indo-Tibetology. PM Modi had&nbsp;visited the&nbsp;Institute in 2017 during his&nbsp;visit to&nbsp;Saint Petersburg and the current plan is to increase cooperation with the institute, with&nbsp;manuscripts being digitised. Saint Petersburg has a long tradition of Indology including the study of Sanskrit, Indian languages.&nbsp;

In a development that will tremendously boost India's vaccination campaign, Sputnik V's production will start in the country in August, India's envoy to Russia, DB Venkatesh Varma has announced.

In a development that will tremendously boost India's vaccination campaign, Sputnik V's production will start in the country in August, India's envoy to Russia, DB Venkatesh Varma has announced. Sputnik V, along with Covishield and COVAXIN are the only three Covid vaccines allowed for use in India. Speaking to a group of reporters during his Saint Petersburg visit, Envoy Venkatesh Varma said," production in India is expected to start in August... 850 million doses of the Sputnik V vaccine will be produced in India by about September-October." India will get Sputnik V vaccines from Russia in three ways: direct exports, fill and finish mode which means the vaccines will be filled in bottles in India, and finally, the Russian side will transfer technology to Indian companies for full production in India. Russian sovereign wealth fund Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has funded the vaccine has signed a pact with five Indian companies for production in India. "Almost 65 to 70 per cent of Sputnik V vaccine produced anywhere in the world will be from India," Envoy Varma said, explaining, that these " will be finally for India and once Indian demand is met, Russia will also export it to other parts." India has already got 210,000 (150,000 +60,000) doses of Sputnik V vaccine earlier this month and by the end of May, it will get 3 million doses in form of bulk for fill and finish mode. By June, this number will increase to 5 million. The Russian side has already announced a single-dose vaccine called "Sputnik lite" and while "regulatory approval is still not completed" in India but once it is given, then the Covid vaccine will be "one more area of cooperation between India and Russia", the envoy remarked. Amid the cCvid pandemic, both India and Russia have cooperated with each other with New Delhi sending hydroxychloroquine to the country last year, while this year Moscow sent two planes full of aid amid the second deadly wave of the Covid pandemic in India. Detailing the situation on account of the Covid pandemic, the envoy said, "situation is coming under control ". More Russian aid is expected to reach India in the next few days. At the height of the 2nd wave of the covid pandemic in early May, India was reporting more than 400,000 covid cases with hospitals overburdened with cases. It's imperative to note here that Russia has requested India to give samples of the B.1.617 Covid virus variant first found in the country, with New Delhi working on it. On the black fungus crisis, he said, India is in "touch with the Russian authorities if they can supply some medicines" related to the treatment of the illness. Asked about the S400 Missile system, the envoy said that it will "be delivered in the last quarter of this year". India had signed the contract for the deal during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit on October 5, 2018. Currently, Indian military specialists are being trained in Russia to operate the missile defence system. Dismissing delays in contracts in military space, envoy Varma says "what contracts have already been concluded are proceeding according to schedule, there is no delay in any of the contracts" Ambassador Venkatesh was on a visit to the historic Institute of Oriental Manuscripts in the city that has collections of manuscripts from across Asia, including those related to India and Indo-Tibetology. PM Modi had visited the Institute in 2017 during his visit to Saint Petersburg and the current plan is to increase cooperation with the institute, with manuscripts being digitised. Saint Petersburg has a long tradition of Indology including the study of Sanskrit, Indian languages.

Sputnik V's production in India to begin in August, says envoy Venkatesh Varma

Two doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine may be around 85- 90% effective against the symptomatic disease.

Study: 2 Astrazeneca shots 85-90% effective

The death toll from COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean passed 1 million people on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with the pandemic worsening in the part of the world with the highest per capita death rate. 
 
From the dusty highlands of Bolivia to the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo, the pandemic has swamped underfunded healthcare systems after spreading fast across nations where many people survive hand-to-mouth and have been unable to enter lockdown. 
 
In Peru, among the hardest hit nations in the region, COVID-19 patients have died in crowded hospital corridors of the capital Lima. Deep in the Amazon jungles of Brazil, many residents of the city of Manaus have died at home with no oxygen to fill damaged lungs, after supplies ran out there this year. 
 
With cases falling in Europe, Asia and North America, and flat in Africa, South America is the only region where new infections are rising rapidly on a per capita basis, according to Our World in Data. Although India is currently struggling through one of the world`s worst outbreaks of the pandemic. 
 
On average in May, 31% of the COVID-19 deaths in the world have been in Latin America and the Caribbean - home to just 8.4% of the global population. 
 
Doctors and epidemiologists say the coronavirus pandemic took unprepared governments by surprise last year and its impact has been worsened by leaders who downplayed its gravity and failed to secure timely vaccine supplies. 
 
The top eight countries registering the most COVID-19 deaths per capita over the past week were all in Latin America. 
 
"Instead of preparing for the pandemic, we minimised the disease, saying the tropical heat would deactivate the virus," said Dr. Francisco Moreno Sanchez, head of the COVID-19 program at one of Mexico`s main hospitals and a critic of the government`s vaccination plan. 
 
"Unfortunately, we are among the most-affected regions, where the handling of the pandemic has been the most mistaken, and now we are suffering the consequences," the epidemiologist told Reuters. 
 
BRAZIL HARD HIT 
 
With the death toll steadily mounting, grave diggers in several countries have been forced to expand cemeteries with row after row of new tombs. In a break with the region`s predominantly Catholic traditional culture, dead are often buried with few or no relatives there to say goodbye. 
 
Most of the deaths - more than 446,000 - have occurred in Brazil, which became a coronavirus epicenter this year with the second-deadliest outbreak outside the United States, though it appears likely to be surpassed soon by India. 
 
Brazil recorded 2,215 new deaths from COVID-19 in 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Friday, pushing Latin America`s total to over 1 million COVID-19 fatalities. 
 
The government of far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a vaccine skeptic and opponent of lockdowns, is being investigated by a parliamentary commission for failing to plan a national drive against COVID-19 and not buying vaccines in time. 
 
Brazil remains the third most-affected country in the world in terms of confirmed COVID-19 cases, behind only India and the United States. It has the highest death toll in the region, followed by Mexico and Colombia, which combined represent about 74% of all the deaths Latin America. 
 
The daily death toll in South America had slowed in May to 3,872, from an average of 4,558 people in April, according to a Reuters analysis. But cases are on the rise again and deaths are a lagging indicator, typically rising weeks after a surge in new infections. 
 
Vaccinations in South America lag behind much of the world. In South America, just 15% of people have received at least one dose compared with 28% in Europe and 34% in North America. Only Asia and Africa are lower at 5% and 1%, respectively, according to Our World in Data through May 19. 
 
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has criticised "glaring gaps" in access to COVID-19 vaccines in Latin America, compared to the United States, which has had the lion`s share of the 400 million doses administered so far in the Americas. 
 
"Just three percent of Latin Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We urgently need more vaccines," PAHO director Carissa Etienne told reporters this week. 
 
Vaccine supplies have been slow to arrive in most countries and inoculation programs have been disorganised in some. 
 
"Vaccination has lacked strategic planning," said pediatric surgeon Kurt Paulsen, who runs a vaccination site in Bolivia. "At first they brought lots of different vaccines with no information to show people what they are being injected with."

The death toll from COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean passed 1 million people on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with the pandemic worsening in the part of the world with the highest per capita death rate.

The death toll from COVID-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean passed 1 million people on Friday, according to a Reuters tally, with the pandemic worsening in the part of the world with the highest per capita death rate. From the dusty highlands of Bolivia to the Brazilian metropolis of São Paulo, the pandemic has swamped underfunded healthcare systems after spreading fast across nations where many people survive hand-to-mouth and have been unable to enter lockdown. In Peru, among the hardest hit nations in the region, COVID-19 patients have died in crowded hospital corridors of the capital Lima. Deep in the Amazon jungles of Brazil, many residents of the city of Manaus have died at home with no oxygen to fill damaged lungs, after supplies ran out there this year. With cases falling in Europe, Asia and North America, and flat in Africa, South America is the only region where new infections are rising rapidly on a per capita basis, according to Our World in Data. Although India is currently struggling through one of the world`s worst outbreaks of the pandemic. On average in May, 31% of the COVID-19 deaths in the world have been in Latin America and the Caribbean - home to just 8.4% of the global population. Doctors and epidemiologists say the coronavirus pandemic took unprepared governments by surprise last year and its impact has been worsened by leaders who downplayed its gravity and failed to secure timely vaccine supplies. The top eight countries registering the most COVID-19 deaths per capita over the past week were all in Latin America. "Instead of preparing for the pandemic, we minimised the disease, saying the tropical heat would deactivate the virus," said Dr. Francisco Moreno Sanchez, head of the COVID-19 program at one of Mexico`s main hospitals and a critic of the government`s vaccination plan. "Unfortunately, we are among the most-affected regions, where the handling of the pandemic has been the most mistaken, and now we are suffering the consequences," the epidemiologist told Reuters. BRAZIL HARD HIT With the death toll steadily mounting, grave diggers in several countries have been forced to expand cemeteries with row after row of new tombs. In a break with the region`s predominantly Catholic traditional culture, dead are often buried with few or no relatives there to say goodbye. Most of the deaths - more than 446,000 - have occurred in Brazil, which became a coronavirus epicenter this year with the second-deadliest outbreak outside the United States, though it appears likely to be surpassed soon by India. Brazil recorded 2,215 new deaths from COVID-19 in 24 hours, the Health Ministry said on Friday, pushing Latin America`s total to over 1 million COVID-19 fatalities. The government of far-right Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a vaccine skeptic and opponent of lockdowns, is being investigated by a parliamentary commission for failing to plan a national drive against COVID-19 and not buying vaccines in time. Brazil remains the third most-affected country in the world in terms of confirmed COVID-19 cases, behind only India and the United States. It has the highest death toll in the region, followed by Mexico and Colombia, which combined represent about 74% of all the deaths Latin America. The daily death toll in South America had slowed in May to 3,872, from an average of 4,558 people in April, according to a Reuters analysis. But cases are on the rise again and deaths are a lagging indicator, typically rising weeks after a surge in new infections. Vaccinations in South America lag behind much of the world. In South America, just 15% of people have received at least one dose compared with 28% in Europe and 34% in North America. Only Asia and Africa are lower at 5% and 1%, respectively, according to Our World in Data through May 19. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has criticised "glaring gaps" in access to COVID-19 vaccines in Latin America, compared to the United States, which has had the lion`s share of the 400 million doses administered so far in the Americas. "Just three percent of Latin Americans have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We urgently need more vaccines," PAHO director Carissa Etienne told reporters this week. Vaccine supplies have been slow to arrive in most countries and inoculation programs have been disorganised in some. "Vaccination has lacked strategic planning," said pediatric surgeon Kurt Paulsen, who runs a vaccination site in Bolivia. "At first they brought lots of different vaccines with no information to show people what they are being injected with."

COVID-19 deaths in Latin America surpass 1 million as outbreak worsens

Germany's public health institute on Friday declared Britain and Northern Ireland a virus variant region, requiring anyone entering the country from the United Kingdom to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

Cases of a coronavirus variant of concern first found in India continued to climb in Britain.

"We want to play it safe," a German government source said. "In this important phase of the vaccination campaign, the entry of problematic mutations must be avoided as far as possible."

The classification, which takes effect from midnight on Sunday (2200 GMT Saturday), means the quarantine rules also apply to people with full vaccination protection and those who have recovered from COVID-19.

Health Minister Jens Spahn said earlier this month that a third wave coronavirus infections in&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;"appears to be broken", but government officials are being careful.

"If we want to keep pushing down infection rates, we need to prevent contagious viral variants from jeopardising this positive trend," a spokesman for the Health Ministry said.

"This step is hard for the UK, but it is necessary to prevent the rapid spread of the&nbsp;variant in&nbsp;Germany," he said, adding that only when more people have been vaccinated is&nbsp;Germany&nbsp;armed against such a danger.

Germany's public health institute on Friday declared Britain and Northern Ireland a virus variant region, requiring anyone entering the country from the United Kingdom to quarantine for two weeks on arrival.

Germany's public health institute on Friday declared Britain and Northern Ireland a virus variant region, requiring anyone entering the country from the United Kingdom to quarantine for two weeks on arrival. Cases of a coronavirus variant of concern first found in India continued to climb in Britain. "We want to play it safe," a German government source said. "In this important phase of the vaccination campaign, the entry of problematic mutations must be avoided as far as possible." The classification, which takes effect from midnight on Sunday (2200 GMT Saturday), means the quarantine rules also apply to people with full vaccination protection and those who have recovered from COVID-19. Health Minister Jens Spahn said earlier this month that a third wave coronavirus infections in Germany "appears to be broken", but government officials are being careful. "If we want to keep pushing down infection rates, we need to prevent contagious viral variants from jeopardising this positive trend," a spokesman for the Health Ministry said. "This step is hard for the UK, but it is necessary to prevent the rapid spread of the variant in Germany," he said, adding that only when more people have been vaccinated is Germany armed against such a danger.

Germany declares United Kingdom a virus variant region

Chile registered more than 7,000 new daily cases of Covid-19 for the second day in a row on Friday, after tests detected 7,614 infections in 24 hours, Health Minister Enrique Paris said. 
 
According to the Health Ministry`s daily pandemic report, the new cases brought the country`s confirmed caseload to 1,315,913 since the onset of the outbreak here in March 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
Of the new cases, 1,943 presented no symptoms, said Paris, adding only four regions in the country saw a decline in cases over the last seven days, while nine regions saw a decline over the last 14 days. 
 
Chile also registered 121 more deaths from causes associated with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the pandemic death toll to 28,290. 
 
On Thursday, the ministry announced that lockdown will be lifted in 13 towns starting Monday and officials will continue to gradually ease pandemic restrictions across the country, despite reporting 7,680 new cases of Covid-19, the highest number since April, the same day.

Chile registered more than 7,000 new daily cases of Covid-19 for the second day in a row on Friday, after tests detected 7,614 infections in 24 hours, Health Minister Enrique Paris said.

Chile registered more than 7,000 new daily cases of Covid-19 for the second day in a row on Friday, after tests detected 7,614 infections in 24 hours, Health Minister Enrique Paris said. According to the Health Ministry`s daily pandemic report, the new cases brought the country`s confirmed caseload to 1,315,913 since the onset of the outbreak here in March 2020, Xinhua news agency reported. Of the new cases, 1,943 presented no symptoms, said Paris, adding only four regions in the country saw a decline in cases over the last seven days, while nine regions saw a decline over the last 14 days. Chile also registered 121 more deaths from causes associated with Covid-19 in the past 24 hours, raising the pandemic death toll to 28,290. On Thursday, the ministry announced that lockdown will be lifted in 13 towns starting Monday and officials will continue to gradually ease pandemic restrictions across the country, despite reporting 7,680 new cases of Covid-19, the highest number since April, the same day.

Chile records over 7,000 new Covid cases for second day in a row

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment.

"This submission of respondent 1 (Delhi government) has been noted only to be rejected.... It is a matter of public knowledge that the deadly, highly infectious nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and the unpreparedness of the health infrastructure in the city had compelled many desperate citizens of the NCT of Delhi, like the petitioner's father, to seek admission/medical attention at hospitals in the neighbouring states," Justice Rekha Palli said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-ruffles-diplomatic-feathers-with-a-tweet-on-covid-19-singapore-variant-385961">India: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ruffles diplomatic feathers with a tweet on COVID-19 'Singapore variant'</a>

The observation by the high court came during the hearing of a Delhi citizen's plea seeking Liposomal Amphotericin B Injection /Amphonex-50, used in treatment of black fungus, for his father who is admitted in a hospital in Gurugram. 
The Delhi government, during the hearing, told the court that since the petitioner's father was not being treated in a hospital in the national capital, he should seek the medicine from the authorities concerned in Haryana.

Rejecting the contention of the Delhi government, the court said that in the instant case the petitioner's father was being treated for COVID-19 for over a month and since the medicine he was seeking would determine recovery of the patient, "there is definite urgency in the matter".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-reports-259591-new-covid-19-cases-4209-deaths-386414">India reports 2,59,591 new COVID-19 cases, 4,209 deaths</a>

"I am, therefore, of the view that it would be in the interest of justice to direct the respondent 1 to take a compassionate view towards the petitioner's request and, if at all possible, to provide his father with the necessary medicine for his treatment, at least for the next few days," Justice Palli said.

The court also issued notice to the governments of Delhi and Haryana and the Centre, asking for their stand on the plea by May 25, the next date of hearing.

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment.

The "deadly and highly infectious" nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and "unpreparedness" of the national capital's health infrastructure forced citizens to visit hospitals in neighbouring states, the Delhi High Court said and rejected the Delhi government's argument that such patients should seek medical relief from the state where they are getting treatment. "This submission of respondent 1 (Delhi government) has been noted only to be rejected.... It is a matter of public knowledge that the deadly, highly infectious nature of the second wave of COVID-19 and the unpreparedness of the health infrastructure in the city had compelled many desperate citizens of the NCT of Delhi, like the petitioner's father, to seek admission/medical attention at hospitals in the neighbouring states," Justice Rekha Palli said. Also Read | India: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal ruffles diplomatic feathers with a tweet on COVID-19 'Singapore variant' The observation by the high court came during the hearing of a Delhi citizen's plea seeking Liposomal Amphotericin B Injection /Amphonex-50, used in treatment of black fungus, for his father who is admitted in a hospital in Gurugram. The Delhi government, during the hearing, told the court that since the petitioner's father was not being treated in a hospital in the national capital, he should seek the medicine from the authorities concerned in Haryana. Rejecting the contention of the Delhi government, the court said that in the instant case the petitioner's father was being treated for COVID-19 for over a month and since the medicine he was seeking would determine recovery of the patient, "there is definite urgency in the matter". Also Read | India reports 2,59,591 new COVID-19 cases, 4,209 deaths "I am, therefore, of the view that it would be in the interest of justice to direct the respondent 1 to take a compassionate view towards the petitioner's request and, if at all possible, to provide his father with the necessary medicine for his treatment, at least for the next few days," Justice Palli said. The court also issued notice to the governments of Delhi and Haryana and the Centre, asking for their stand on the plea by May 25, the next date of hearing.

Unprepared health infra in Delhi forced people to visit hospitals in neighbouring states: HC

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a home-based Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) kit for COVID-19, which will be soon available in the market and can be used for detecting positive cases in a home setting.

The kit is developed by Pune-based MyLabs Discovery Solutions and can be used at home and is advisable only to symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases, the ICMR said.

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Only nasal swab will be required for this rapid antigen testing, it said, adding the process should be conducted as per the procedure described by the manufacturer in the user manual.

In an advisory, the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) cautioned people against indiscriminate home testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), saying it should be used only on symptomatic individuals and on the immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases.

All individuals who test positive through the RAT kit may be considered as true positives and no-repeat testing is required, the Indian Council of Medical Research said in the advisory.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-icmr-approves-covid-self-testing-kit-386385">Watch |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-icmr-approves-covid-self-testing-kit-386385/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"Home testing by RAT is advised only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases. Indiscriminate testing is not advised," the county's apex health research body said.

"All symptomatic individuals who test negative by RAT should get themselves immediately tested by RT-PCR. This is especially important as the RATs are likely to miss few positive cases presenting with a low viral load.

"All RAT negative symptomatic individuals may be treated as suspect COVID-19 cases and are advised to follow the ICMR/Ministry of Health home isolation protocol while awaiting the RT-PCR test result," the advisory stated.

The ICMR said the home testing mobile app is available in Google play store and Apple store and must be downloaded by all users.

The mobile app is a comprehensive guide of the testing procedure and will provide a positive or negative test result to the patient.

All users are advised to click a picture of the test strip after completing the test procedure with the same mobile phone which has been used for downloading the mobile app and user registration.

"Data in the app of your mobile phone will be centrally captured in a secure server which is connected with the ICMR COVID-19 testing portal, where all data will be eventually stored. Patient confidentiality will be fully maintained," the advisory underlined.

Presently, CoviSelfTM(PathoCatch) COVID-19 OTC Antigen LF device manufactured by Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd., Pune (Maharashtra), India has been validated and approved, the ICMR said.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a home-based Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) kit for COVID-19, which will be soon available in the market and can be used for detecting positive cases in a home setting.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has approved a home-based Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) kit for COVID-19, which will be soon available in the market and can be used for detecting positive cases in a home setting. The kit is developed by Pune-based MyLabs Discovery Solutions and can be used at home and is advisable only to symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases, the ICMR said. 𝐈𝐂𝐌𝐑 𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐎𝐕𝐈𝐃-𝟏𝟗 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐧 𝐓𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐬 (𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐬). For more details visit https://t.co/dI1pqvXAsZ @PMOIndia #ICMRFIGHTSCOVID19 #IndiaFightsCOVID19 pic.twitter.com/membV3hPbX — ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) May 19, 2021 × Only nasal swab will be required for this rapid antigen testing, it said, adding the process should be conducted as per the procedure described by the manufacturer in the user manual. In an advisory, the ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) cautioned people against indiscriminate home testing using Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs), saying it should be used only on symptomatic individuals and on the immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases. All individuals who test positive through the RAT kit may be considered as true positives and no-repeat testing is required, the Indian Council of Medical Research said in the advisory. Watch | "Home testing by RAT is advised only in symptomatic individuals and immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases. Indiscriminate testing is not advised," the county's apex health research body said. "All symptomatic individuals who test negative by RAT should get themselves immediately tested by RT-PCR. This is especially important as the RATs are likely to miss few positive cases presenting with a low viral load. "All RAT negative symptomatic individuals may be treated as suspect COVID-19 cases and are advised to follow the ICMR/Ministry of Health home isolation protocol while awaiting the RT-PCR test result," the advisory stated. The ICMR said the home testing mobile app is available in Google play store and Apple store and must be downloaded by all users. The mobile app is a comprehensive guide of the testing procedure and will provide a positive or negative test result to the patient. All users are advised to click a picture of the test strip after completing the test procedure with the same mobile phone which has been used for downloading the mobile app and user registration. "Data in the app of your mobile phone will be centrally captured in a secure server which is connected with the ICMR COVID-19 testing portal, where all data will be eventually stored. Patient confidentiality will be fully maintained," the advisory underlined. Presently, CoviSelfTM(PathoCatch) COVID-19 OTC Antigen LF device manufactured by Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd., Pune (Maharashtra), India has been validated and approved, the ICMR said. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, self-test COVID-19 at home in India: ICMR approves home-based Rapid Antigen Tests kit

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