Senior Indian TV journalist Rohit Sardana passed away on Friday, days after testing positive for COVID-19. 
 
On April 24, Sardana had tweeted that he had contracted the coronavirus. 
 
Reports said that he passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack. 
 
<img alt="Rohit Sardana " data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2b4dfec0-1bc3-410f-bb80-22e9629a7185" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/rohittweet.JPG" /> 
 
Sardana, who had a long and very successful association with the Zee Media, has left the media world in a state of utter shock.&nbsp;&nbsp;

He had hosted 'Taal Thok Ke', a popular debate programme&nbsp;that discusses contemporary issues in India on Zee News.&nbsp;

Sardana left Zee News to join Aaj Tak in 2017 and, since then, he was hosting the debate show 'Dangal.'

(With inputs from agencies)

Senior Indian TV journalist Rohit Sardana passed away on Friday, days after testing positive for COVID-19. On April 24, Sardana had tweeted that he had contracted the coronavirus.

Senior Indian TV journalist Rohit Sardana passed away on Friday, days after testing positive for COVID-19. On April 24, Sardana had tweeted that he had contracted the coronavirus. Reports said that he passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack. Sardana, who had a long and very successful association with the Zee Media, has left the media world in a state of utter shock. He had hosted 'Taal Thok Ke', a popular debate programme that discusses contemporary issues in India on Zee News. Sardana left Zee News to join Aaj Tak in 2017 and, since then, he was hosting the debate show 'Dangal.' (With inputs from agencies)

Indian TV journalist Rohit Sardana dies days after testing positive for COVID-19

Former Attorney General for India and veteran jurist Soli Sorabjee passed away on Friday morning, aged 91.

He had served as the Attorney General for India from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004.

He was admitted to a private hospital in South Delhi after getting infected with COVID-19.

Union defence minister Rajnath Singh has expressed his deep condolence at the demise of Sorabjee.

“Deeply pained by the demise of India’s former Attorney General and veteran jurist, Shri Soli Sorabjee. He was an exceptional legal mind and a great scholar of our constitution. His services to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” Rajnath Singh tweeted.

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Deeply pained by the demise of India’s former Attorney General and veteran jurist, Shri Soli Sorabjee. He was an exceptional legal mind and a great scholar of our constitution. His services to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/rajnathsingh/status/1387984268714860547?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"The gentle giant Soli Sorabjee passed away this morning. Always ready to lend a helping hand Soli Sir leaves behind countless admirers &amp; many memories. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief" tweeted Union Minister Smriti Irani while condoling Sorabjee`s demise.

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The gentle giant Soli Sorabjee passed away this morning. Always ready to lend a helping hand Soli Sir leaves behind countless admirers &amp; many memories. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief.
— Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) <a href="https://twitter.com/smritiirani/status/1387978441538998274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 30, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Sorabjee, born in 1930, enrolled at the bar in 1953. In 1971, Bombay High Court designated him as a senior advocate.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Former Attorney General for India and veteran jurist Soli Sorabjee passed away on Friday morning, aged 91. He had served as the Attorney General for India from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004.

Former Attorney General for India and veteran jurist Soli Sorabjee passed away on Friday morning, aged 91. He had served as the Attorney General for India from 1989-90 and then from 1998-2004. He was admitted to a private hospital in South Delhi after getting infected with COVID-19. Union defence minister Rajnath Singh has expressed his deep condolence at the demise of Sorabjee. “Deeply pained by the demise of India’s former Attorney General and veteran jurist, Shri Soli Sorabjee. He was an exceptional legal mind and a great scholar of our constitution. His services to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” Rajnath Singh tweeted. Deeply pained by the demise of India’s former Attorney General and veteran jurist, Shri Soli Sorabjee. He was an exceptional legal mind and a great scholar of our constitution. His services to the nation will always be remembered. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 30, 2021 × "The gentle giant Soli Sorabjee passed away this morning. Always ready to lend a helping hand Soli Sir leaves behind countless admirers & many memories. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief" tweeted Union Minister Smriti Irani while condoling Sorabjee`s demise. The gentle giant Soli Sorabjee passed away this morning. Always ready to lend a helping hand Soli Sir leaves behind countless admirers & many memories. My condolences to the family in this hour of grief. — Smriti Z Irani (@smritiirani) April 30, 2021 × Sorabjee, born in 1930, enrolled at the bar in 1953. In 1971, Bombay High Court designated him as a senior advocate. (With inputs from agencies)

Former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee dies due to COVID-19

Coronavirus crisis in India calls for introspection. There have been lapses And failures. Though it's true that nobody could have predicted such a big surge, India could have been better prepared.

It's also true that mass religious and political events could have been called off. A blame game in the middle of a crisis may not help. But that doesn't mean we don't hold governments to account.

Indian courts have now stepped in. They're making sure that those leading us do not become complacent. At least 11 high courts have pulled up various state governments and the Centre.

The Supreme Court of India has made it absolutely clear that the judiciary won't be a silent spectator in the current crisis.

Indian courts are making sure that the political class is held to account.

The high courts in Delhi, Allahabad, Patna, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai are hearing petitions about the covid-19 situation in the respective states.

Their interventions and criticism of the govts responsible is both sharp and reassuring.

On April 27th, the Delhi High Court pulled up the Aam Aadmi Party government. saying its confidence was shaken over the handling of the crisis in the national capital.

"Set your house in order. Enough is enough. If you cannot manage it, tell us, then we will ask the central government to send their officers in and do it. We will ask them to take over. We cannot let people die like this,' said the court.

The high court has directed the Delhi government to address the alleged mismanagement in the distribution of medical Oxygen and ensure oxygen supply 'by all means necessary'

On April 19, The Allahabad High Court pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for its approach in dealing with the rising cases.

"Those in power must shun the attitude of my way or no way. They should welcome suggestions from all quarters. We would be laughed at that we have enough money to spend on elections and very little to spend on public health,' the court said.

The court also ordered a lockdown in five major cities in the state but the order was stayed by a Supreme Court directive after the UP govt protested.

In West Bengal, which held a month-long election in the middle of the second wave, and will count votes on may 2nd, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court has pulled up the Election Commission.

"The ECI is empowered to act, but what is it doing? Just passing circulars and leaving it to the people? Issuance of circulars and holding of meetings by themselves do not discharge the onerous responsibility of the ECI," said the court.

On April 16, the Gujarat High Court also took the state government for downplaying the severity of the crisis.

"Hiding the real picture, suppressing accurate data would generate more serious problems including fear, loss of trust and panic among the public,' said the court.

The court has directed the state govt to ensure its affidavits reflect the ground realities.

In Maharashtra, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has pulled up both the state and the centre for failing to comply with its order to supply 10,000 units of Remdesivir in the Vidarbha region.

"If you don't feel ashamed of yourself, we are feeling ashamed of being part of such a nasty society. You are neglecting and ignoring patients. We give you a solution, you do not follow it. You do not give us a solution. What absolute nonsense is going on here,' the court said.

'Absolute nonsense', were the exact words of Justices SB Shukre and SM Modak.

High courts in other states have also been unsparing in their remarks. High courts in Patna, Karnataka, Telangana and Chennai have all pulled up respective governments for their handling of the current crisis.

As for the Supreme Court of India, it first directed the Centre to submit a national Covid plan. Now it has pulled up the govt over disparity in vaccine prices, demanding that the rationale behind different prices for Centre &amp; states be explained. The apex court has also said it won't stop high courts from hearing petitions in their respective states adding that the judiciary wants to play a complementary role. And it can't be a silent spectator to what it called a 'national calamity'.

Coronavirus crisis in India calls for introspection. There have been lapses And failures. Though it's true that nobody could have predicted such a big surge, India could have been better prepared.

Coronavirus crisis in India calls for introspection. There have been lapses And failures. Though it's true that nobody could have predicted such a big surge, India could have been better prepared. It's also true that mass religious and political events could have been called off. A blame game in the middle of a crisis may not help. But that doesn't mean we don't hold governments to account. Indian courts have now stepped in. They're making sure that those leading us do not become complacent. At least 11 high courts have pulled up various state governments and the Centre. The Supreme Court of India has made it absolutely clear that the judiciary won't be a silent spectator in the current crisis. Indian courts are making sure that the political class is held to account. The high courts in Delhi, Allahabad, Patna, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Nagpur, Aurangabad, Mumbai, Bangalore and Chennai are hearing petitions about the covid-19 situation in the respective states. Their interventions and criticism of the govts responsible is both sharp and reassuring. On April 27th, the Delhi High Court pulled up the Aam Aadmi Party government. saying its confidence was shaken over the handling of the crisis in the national capital. "Set your house in order. Enough is enough. If you cannot manage it, tell us, then we will ask the central government to send their officers in and do it. We will ask them to take over. We cannot let people die like this,' said the court. The high court has directed the Delhi government to address the alleged mismanagement in the distribution of medical Oxygen and ensure oxygen supply 'by all means necessary' On April 19, The Allahabad High Court pulled up the Uttar Pradesh government for its approach in dealing with the rising cases. "Those in power must shun the attitude of my way or no way. They should welcome suggestions from all quarters. We would be laughed at that we have enough money to spend on elections and very little to spend on public health,' the court said. The court also ordered a lockdown in five major cities in the state but the order was stayed by a Supreme Court directive after the UP govt protested. In West Bengal, which held a month-long election in the middle of the second wave, and will count votes on may 2nd, the Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court has pulled up the Election Commission. "The ECI is empowered to act, but what is it doing? Just passing circulars and leaving it to the people? Issuance of circulars and holding of meetings by themselves do not discharge the onerous responsibility of the ECI," said the court. On April 16, the Gujarat High Court also took the state government for downplaying the severity of the crisis. "Hiding the real picture, suppressing accurate data would generate more serious problems including fear, loss of trust and panic among the public,' said the court. The court has directed the state govt to ensure its affidavits reflect the ground realities. In Maharashtra, the Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court has pulled up both the state and the centre for failing to comply with its order to supply 10,000 units of Remdesivir in the Vidarbha region. "If you don't feel ashamed of yourself, we are feeling ashamed of being part of such a nasty society. You are neglecting and ignoring patients. We give you a solution, you do not follow it. You do not give us a solution. What absolute nonsense is going on here,' the court said. 'Absolute nonsense', were the exact words of Justices SB Shukre and SM Modak. High courts in other states have also been unsparing in their remarks. High courts in Patna, Karnataka, Telangana and Chennai have all pulled up respective governments for their handling of the current crisis. As for the Supreme Court of India, it first directed the Centre to submit a national Covid plan. Now it has pulled up the govt over disparity in vaccine prices, demanding that the rationale behind different prices for Centre & states be explained. The apex court has also said it won't stop high courts from hearing petitions in their respective states adding that the judiciary wants to play a complementary role. And it can't be a silent spectator to what it called a 'national calamity'.

Indian courts pull up governments over Covid crisis

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

The new study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showed that the risk of hospitalisation dropped significantly two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vaccinated-americans-can-exercise-ditch-the-mask-outdoors-cdc-380846">Also read | Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC</a> 
 
“These findings are encouraging and welcome news for the two-thirds of people aged 65 and up who are already fully vaccinated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement.&nbsp;

“COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and these real-world findings confirm the benefits seen in clinical trials, preventing hospitalisations among those most vulnerable.”

To conduct its assessment, the CDC said that it collected hospitalisation data from two surveillance networks originally established to monitor serious influenza disease.

This study differentiates itself from recent studies out of Israel which yielded similar results, but only looked at the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; this study represented both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna equally.

Even the partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19.

Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated.

As India cautions people to wear masks even at home behind closed doors, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released new guidelines on April 27, saying people who have been fully vaccinated in the country can stop wearing masks during many outdoor and indoor activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC).

Fully vaccinated adults 65 years and older were 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19 than people of the same age who were not vaccinated, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC). The new study, published in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), showed that the risk of hospitalisation dropped significantly two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccines. Also read | Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC “These findings are encouraging and welcome news for the two-thirds of people aged 65 and up who are already fully vaccinated,” CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD, said in a statement. “COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective and these real-world findings confirm the benefits seen in clinical trials, preventing hospitalisations among those most vulnerable.” To conduct its assessment, the CDC said that it collected hospitalisation data from two surveillance networks originally established to monitor serious influenza disease. This study differentiates itself from recent studies out of Israel which yielded similar results, but only looked at the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine; this study represented both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna equally. Even the partially vaccinated were 64% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19. Nearly 40 per cent of adults in the United States are now fully vaccinated. As India cautions people to wear masks even at home behind closed doors, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had released new guidelines on April 27, saying people who have been fully vaccinated in the country can stop wearing masks during many outdoor and indoor activities. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccinated adults 65 and older 94% less likely to be hospitalised with COVID-19, says US CDC

A 15-day prohibitory border was enforced in the national capital Kathmandu and other districts in Nepal on Thursday, as the country grapples to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Besides Kathmandu, the prohibitory order has been put in place in Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts from 6 am on Thursday till the midnight of May 12, according to a press release issued here.

The order has been issued by the the three chief district officers following a joint meeting in Kathmandu. 
Only essential services will operate and most of the services will remain closed until the prohibitory order is lifted, it said.

Movement of vehicles is banned in the valley during the prohibitory period. Markets supplying essential products, including food items, are open till 10 am in the morning and from 5 pm to 7 pm in the evening to ensure smooth supply of goods, the release said.

Nepal on Wednesday reported 4,774 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total tally of infections to 312,699. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country stands at 3,211.

A 15-day prohibitory border was enforced in the national capital Kathmandu and other districts in Nepal on Thursday, as the country grapples to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A 15-day prohibitory border was enforced in the national capital Kathmandu and other districts in Nepal on Thursday, as the country grapples to contain the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides Kathmandu, the prohibitory order has been put in place in Bhaktapur and Lalitpur districts from 6 am on Thursday till the midnight of May 12, according to a press release issued here. The order has been issued by the the three chief district officers following a joint meeting in Kathmandu. Only essential services will operate and most of the services will remain closed until the prohibitory order is lifted, it said. Movement of vehicles is banned in the valley during the prohibitory period. Markets supplying essential products, including food items, are open till 10 am in the morning and from 5 pm to 7 pm in the evening to ensure smooth supply of goods, the release said. Nepal on Wednesday reported 4,774 new cases of coronavirus, taking the total tally of infections to 312,699. The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in the country stands at 3,211.

Nepal: Kathmandu, other cities under 15-day prohibitory order to contain COVID-19

The White House is reportedly considering a waiver of intellectual property rights on the production of COVID-19 vaccines.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday said that the US wants to maximise the global production of COVID-19 vaccines at the lowest cost, even though no decision has been made on the waiver yet.

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"There are a lot of different ways to do that. Right now, that's one of the ways, but we have to assess what makes the most sense," Reuters cited Psaki as saying.

Psaki added that the US is considering improving manufacturing within the country to make the process more effective. According to her, US President Joe Biden is yet to make a decision on the matter, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai hasn’t made a recommendation yet.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/will-rich-countries-share-vaccines-or-patents-380945" hreflang="en">Will rich countries share vaccines or patents?&nbsp;</a>

Currently, the United States is facing pressure from across the globe to support the temporary patent waiver which would essentially help many countries that are currently struggling with surge in cases.

India and South Africa are leading the proposal to waive the IP rights of pharmaceutical companies, which would allow developing countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/astrazeneca-says-eu-legal-action-over-vaccines-is-without-merit-380566" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca says EU legal action over vaccines is 'without merit'</a>

So far, the US and other countries have blocked such negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Earlier, Tai had said that the divide in terms of access to vaccines between developing and developed countries was “completely unacceptable”, while adding that the industry needs to make sacrifices during crises.

(With inputs from agencies)

The White House is reportedly considering a waiver of intellectual property rights on the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday said that the US wants to maximise the global production of COVID-19 vaccines at the lowest cost, even though no decision has been made on the waiver yet.

The White House is reportedly considering a waiver of intellectual property rights on the production of COVID-19 vaccines. Press Secretary Jen Psaki on Tuesday said that the US wants to maximise the global production of COVID-19 vaccines at the lowest cost, even though no decision has been made on the waiver yet. "There are a lot of different ways to do that. Right now, that's one of the ways, but we have to assess what makes the most sense," Reuters cited Psaki as saying. Psaki added that the US is considering improving manufacturing within the country to make the process more effective. According to her, US President Joe Biden is yet to make a decision on the matter, and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai hasn’t made a recommendation yet. Also read: Will rich countries share vaccines or patents? Currently, the United States is facing pressure from across the globe to support the temporary patent waiver which would essentially help many countries that are currently struggling with surge in cases. India and South Africa are leading the proposal to waive the IP rights of pharmaceutical companies, which would allow developing countries to produce COVID-19 vaccines. Also read: AstraZeneca says EU legal action over vaccines is 'without merit' So far, the US and other countries have blocked such negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO). Earlier, Tai had said that the divide in terms of access to vaccines between developing and developed countries was “completely unacceptable”, while adding that the industry needs to make sacrifices during crises. (With inputs from agencies)

US reportedly considering intellectual property waiver for coronavirus vaccines

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country.

The development comes a&nbsp;day after the United States announced it will make&nbsp;60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two&nbsp;months.&nbsp;Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod.

Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said,&nbsp;"I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery."&nbsp;

On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do".

The&nbsp;United States has approved&nbsp;three&nbsp;vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios.&nbsp;

Biden said,&nbsp;"I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations."

In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including&nbsp;providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment.

The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months. Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod. Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said, "I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery." On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do". The United States has approved three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios. Biden said, "I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations." In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment. The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

Intend to send COVID-19 vaccines to India, says US President Joe Biden

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year.&nbsp;

Britain has now ordered a total of 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, one of three COVID-19 shots being rolled out in the country.&nbsp;

Hancock said the shots had been secured to support a COVID-19 booster vaccination programme starting in the autumn, adding that the biggest risk to Britain's rollout so far was a new variant of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

"We`re working on our plans for booster shots," Hancock said.&nbsp;

"These further 60 million doses will be used, alongside others, as part of our booster programme from later this year, so we can protect the progress that we've all made."&nbsp;

Earlier on Wednesday, Public Health England said the details of any booster programme were still being worked out, and it would be designed primarily with new variants in mind.&nbsp;

Britain's health ministry said data from trials using different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines would help determine the design of the programme.&nbsp;

England's Deputy Chief Medic Jonathan Van-Tam said that by mid to late-summer, millions of people would have had two shots of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, and the question then would be whether to give a different vaccine as a booster.&nbsp;

A study starting in June should provide answers, he said.&nbsp;

"We'll get an idea then of which gives you the highest boost, which perhaps gives you the broadest boost against a range of coronavirus variants, and indeed what the timings look like," he told a press conference.&nbsp;

"That is another reason why the vaccines taskforce has invested in contracts with not just one or two manufacturers, but six or seven so that we have that optionality." &nbsp;

Britain has administered 47.5 million vaccine doses so far, nearly 34 million of which are first shots. &nbsp;

While the country is second only to Israel in terms of the proportion of the population who have received a first dose, which stands at around 50%, it has suffered 127,000 deaths from COVID-19, the fifth-highest total globally.&nbsp;

Britain, which has a population of 67 million, has deals for 517 million doses of eight different COVID-19 vaccines, some of which remain under development. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year.

Britain will buy 60 million more doses of Pfizer/BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said, in a deal that more than doubles the country's supply of the shot ahead of a booster programme later this year. Britain has now ordered a total of 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, one of three COVID-19 shots being rolled out in the country. Hancock said the shots had been secured to support a COVID-19 booster vaccination programme starting in the autumn, adding that the biggest risk to Britain's rollout so far was a new variant of the coronavirus. "We`re working on our plans for booster shots," Hancock said. "These further 60 million doses will be used, alongside others, as part of our booster programme from later this year, so we can protect the progress that we've all made." Earlier on Wednesday, Public Health England said the details of any booster programme were still being worked out, and it would be designed primarily with new variants in mind. Britain's health ministry said data from trials using different combinations of COVID-19 vaccines would help determine the design of the programme. England's Deputy Chief Medic Jonathan Van-Tam said that by mid to late-summer, millions of people would have had two shots of either the AstraZeneca or Pfizer vaccines, and the question then would be whether to give a different vaccine as a booster. A study starting in June should provide answers, he said. "We'll get an idea then of which gives you the highest boost, which perhaps gives you the broadest boost against a range of coronavirus variants, and indeed what the timings look like," he told a press conference. "That is another reason why the vaccines taskforce has invested in contracts with not just one or two manufacturers, but six or seven so that we have that optionality." Britain has administered 47.5 million vaccine doses so far, nearly 34 million of which are first shots. While the country is second only to Israel in terms of the proportion of the population who have received a first dose, which stands at around 50%, it has suffered 127,000 deaths from COVID-19, the fifth-highest total globally. Britain, which has a population of 67 million, has deals for 517 million doses of eight different COVID-19 vaccines, some of which remain under development. (With inputs from agencies)

Britain orders 60,000,000 Pfizer COVID-19 shots for booster programme 

Several&nbsp;European Union (EU)&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators. The&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;are sending supplies to India under the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Commission, tweeted: "The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Civil Protection Mechanism."

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The EU stands with India. 
 
A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. 
 
I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. <a href="https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz">https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz</a>
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1387013704202457089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Indian envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in a&nbsp;tweet thanked&nbsp;EU&nbsp;leadership and&nbsp;member&nbsp;states&nbsp;for the assistance, saying, "Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU&nbsp;Strategic Partnership."

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Thank you <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@vonderleyen</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JanezLenarcic?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JanezLenarcic</a> for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. <a href="https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC">https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC</a>
— Santosh Jha (@santjha) <a href="https://twitter.com/santjha/status/1387048010832498694?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators. In addition,&nbsp;Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines remdesivir, and Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders. Also,&nbsp;Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden is expected to send 120 ventilators.

Commissioner for the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our&nbsp;Member&nbsp;States&nbsp;that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need".

EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the&nbsp;European Commission which is basically providing logistical arrangements.&nbsp;

Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in two phases.&nbsp;Phase 1, beginning this week, will have eight&nbsp;large oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen, respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week ,will have five liquid oxygen containers.&nbsp;

In a Facebook post in Hindi, President&nbsp;Emmanuel Macron shared a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together."

Germany will send a mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for three months, along with 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals.

Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.

Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators.

Several European Union (EU) member states have teamed up to assist India as it deals with the Covid crisis by sending oxygen concentrators, oxygen generators, remdesivir, and ventilators. The member states are sending supplies to India under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism that was activated to send the assistance. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the EU Commission, tweeted: "The EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism." The EU stands with India. A first shipment of urgently needed oxygen, medicine and equipment will be delivered over the coming days under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. I want to thank 🇮🇪🇧🇪 🇷🇴 🇱🇺 🇵🇹 🇸🇪 for their solidarity. 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 expected soon. https://t.co/CN0niOY5Lz — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) April 27, 2021 × Indian envoy to Brussels Santosh Jha in a tweet thanked EU leadership and member states for the assistance, saying, "Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership." Thank you @vonderleyen @JanezLenarcic for the assistance. We deeply appreciate this gesture. We also thank the EU member states for their support. Cooperation and solidarity has always been the hallmark of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. https://t.co/ONs1hcRXTC — Santosh Jha (@santjha) April 27, 2021 × Under the mechanism, Ireland will send 700 oxygen concentrators, 1 oxygen generator, 365 ventilators. In addition, Belgium will send 9,000 doses of antiviral medicines remdesivir, and Romania will send 80 oxygen concentrators and 75 oxygen cylinders. Also, Luxembourg will send 58 ventilators, Portugal will send 5,503 vials of remdesivir and 20,000 litres of oxygen per week and Sweden is expected to send 120 ventilators. Commissioner for the EU Crisis Management Janez Lenarčič said, "the EU stands in full solidarity with the Indian people and is ready to do our utmost to support them at this critical time. I would like to thank our Member States that came in numerously with generous offers of help, showing that the EU is a trusted partner and a friend at times of need". EU's entire-assistance is being coordinated by the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) of the European Commission which is basically providing logistical arrangements. Earlier on Monday, France announced assistance in two phases. Phase 1, beginning this week, will have eight large oxygen generating plants, liquid oxygen, respiratory material - 28 respirators and their consumables, and 200 electric syringe pushers. Phase 2, starting next week ,will have five liquid oxygen containers. In a Facebook post in Hindi, President Emmanuel Macron shared a message on France's "solidarity mission" for India saying, "Solidarity is at the heart of the friendship between France and India. We will win this fight together." Germany will send a mobile oxygen production plant that will be made available for three months, along with 120 ventilators, more than 80 million KN95 masks. A webinar on testing, RNA sequencing of coronavirus is also being planned. Already, the AFMS (Armed Forces Medical Services) is importing 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany for deployment in hospitals. Meanwhile, as the international community pitches in to support India, a high-level Inter-Ministerial group has established procedure for "immediate clearance" of the material support. Support would be then be dispatched to recipient institutions across the country.

COVID-19 crisis: EU member states team up to support India

India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus.

India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response.

In the past 24 hours, 360,960 new cases were recorded, the largest single-day total in the world, taking&nbsp;India's total to nearly 18 million. A further 3,293 deaths, the deadliest day so far, took the death toll to 201,187.

In the capital, New Delhi, ambulances lined up for hours to take COVID-19 victims to makeshift crematorium facilities in parks and parking lots, where bodies burned on rows of funeral pyres.

Police said a fire early on Wednesday at a hospital on the outskirts of Mumbai killed four people and injured several more.

Accidents at hospitals have been of grave concern for the country which is running short of beds and oxygen supplies. Last week a fire broke out at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and a leaking oxygen tank at another hospital led to the deaths of 22 people.

Supplies of life-saving oxygen and equipment have begun arriving in New Delhi, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators from Britain, with more dispatched from Ireland, Germany and Australia.

Several countries have suspended flights from&nbsp;India, taking steps to keep out more virulent variants of the virus.

US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said he had spoken at length with&nbsp;Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including as to when the United States would be able to ship vaccines to the country, and said it was his clear intention to do so.

"I think we'll be in a position to be able to share, share vaccines as well as know-how with other countries who are in real need. That's the hope and expectation," he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.

The US&nbsp;State Department's coordinator for global COVID-19 response, Gayle Smith, warned&nbsp;India's challenge will require a sustained effort: "We all need to understand that we are still at the front end of this. This hasn't peaked yet."

India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus.

India's COVID-19 death toll surged past 200,000 on Wednesday as shortages of oxygen, medical supplies and hospital staff compounded a record number of new cases of the virus. India's second wave of COVID-19 infections has seen at least 300,000 people a day test positive for the past week, overwhelming healthcare facilities and crematoriums and driving an increasingly urgent international response. In the past 24 hours, 360,960 new cases were recorded, the largest single-day total in the world, taking India's total to nearly 18 million. A further 3,293 deaths, the deadliest day so far, took the death toll to 201,187. In the capital, New Delhi, ambulances lined up for hours to take COVID-19 victims to makeshift crematorium facilities in parks and parking lots, where bodies burned on rows of funeral pyres. Police said a fire early on Wednesday at a hospital on the outskirts of Mumbai killed four people and injured several more. Accidents at hospitals have been of grave concern for the country which is running short of beds and oxygen supplies. Last week a fire broke out at a hospital treating COVID-19 patients and a leaking oxygen tank at another hospital led to the deaths of 22 people. Supplies of life-saving oxygen and equipment have begun arriving in New Delhi, including ventilators and oxygen concentrators from Britain, with more dispatched from Ireland, Germany and Australia. Several countries have suspended flights from India, taking steps to keep out more virulent variants of the virus. US President Joe Biden said he had spoken at length with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, including as to when the United States would be able to ship vaccines to the country, and said it was his clear intention to do so. "I think we'll be in a position to be able to share, share vaccines as well as know-how with other countries who are in real need. That's the hope and expectation," he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday. The US State Department's coordinator for global COVID-19 response, Gayle Smith, warned India's challenge will require a sustained effort: "We all need to understand that we are still at the front end of this. This hasn't peaked yet."

India's total deaths from COVID-19 cross 200,000 mark with new record surge in cases

The Bangladeshi government has approved the import and use of Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19. 
 
Major General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the country`s Drug Administration, made the announcement on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported. 
 
The decision came days after Dhaka suspended the first dosing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on a supply crunch. 
 
"We`ve given permission for the emergency use of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine," Rahman told journalists. 
 
Amid uncertainty over timely arrival of the next Covid-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government halted administering first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country from Monday. 
 
Nearly 6 million people have so far received the first dose of the vaccine in Bangladesh. 
 
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 28 virtually inaugurated the country`s Covid-19 vaccination drive. 
 
The Bangladeshi government on Monday announced that it decided to extend the ongoing lockdown which began on April 14 for another week. 
 
Bangladesh recorded 112 deaths from Covid-19 on April 19, its highest daily toll from the pandemic, the government said. 
 
On Tuesday, the country`s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 3,031 new cases of Covid-19 and 78 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 751,659 and the total death toll to 11,228.

The Bangladeshi government has approved the import and use of Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19. Major General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the country`s Drug Administration, made the announcement on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The Bangladeshi government has approved the import and use of Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19. Major General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the country`s Drug Administration, made the announcement on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported. The decision came days after Dhaka suspended the first dosing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on a supply crunch. "We`ve given permission for the emergency use of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine," Rahman told journalists. Amid uncertainty over timely arrival of the next Covid-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government halted administering first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country from Monday. Nearly 6 million people have so far received the first dose of the vaccine in Bangladesh. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 28 virtually inaugurated the country`s Covid-19 vaccination drive. The Bangladeshi government on Monday announced that it decided to extend the ongoing lockdown which began on April 14 for another week. Bangladesh recorded 112 deaths from Covid-19 on April 19, its highest daily toll from the pandemic, the government said. On Tuesday, the country`s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 3,031 new cases of Covid-19 and 78 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 751,659 and the total death toll to 11,228.

Bangladesh approves Russian vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use

Credit rating agency S&amp;P Global said on Wednesday the second wave of COVID-19 infections in India could impede the country`s economic recovery and expose other nations to further waves of outbreaks. 
 
"In addition to the substantial loss of life and significant humanitarian concerns, S&amp;P Global Ratings believes the outbreak poses downside risks to GDP and heightens the possibility of business disruptions," the rating agency said in a note. 
 
India`s healthcare system has been overwhelmed, with the world`s second most populous country reporting more than 300,000 new COVID-19 cases daily over the past six days and the death toll set to cross 200,000. 
 
S&amp;P, which has a long-term credit rating of `BBB-` on India, just one notch above junk, said it may have to revise its base-case assumption of 11% growth over fiscal 2021/2022, especially if wider containment measures are re-imposed. 
 
S&amp;P expects the consumer retail and airport sectors to have a dragged out recovery with localized lockdowns and curfews in several parts of the country, and said the Indian banking sector continued to face a "high level of systemic risk". 
 
The rating agency noted that the pace and scale of recovery from the second wave of COVID-19 infections will have implications for India`s sovereign credit rating. 
 
The Asia-Pacific region is susceptible to contagion from the highly infectious COVID-19 variants present in India, given the low ratios of vaccination in the region, S&amp;P said.

Credit rating agency S&P Global said on Wednesday the second wave of COVID-19 infections in India could impede the country`s economic recovery and expose other nations to further waves of outbreaks.

Credit rating agency S&P Global said on Wednesday the second wave of COVID-19 infections in India could impede the country`s economic recovery and expose other nations to further waves of outbreaks. "In addition to the substantial loss of life and significant humanitarian concerns, S&P Global Ratings believes the outbreak poses downside risks to GDP and heightens the possibility of business disruptions," the rating agency said in a note. India`s healthcare system has been overwhelmed, with the world`s second most populous country reporting more than 300,000 new COVID-19 cases daily over the past six days and the death toll set to cross 200,000. S&P, which has a long-term credit rating of `BBB-` on India, just one notch above junk, said it may have to revise its base-case assumption of 11% growth over fiscal 2021/2022, especially if wider containment measures are re-imposed. S&P expects the consumer retail and airport sectors to have a dragged out recovery with localized lockdowns and curfews in several parts of the country, and said the Indian banking sector continued to face a "high level of systemic risk". The rating agency noted that the pace and scale of recovery from the second wave of COVID-19 infections will have implications for India`s sovereign credit rating. The Asia-Pacific region is susceptible to contagion from the highly infectious COVID-19 variants present in India, given the low ratios of vaccination in the region, S&P said.

India's second COVID-19 wave may impede economic recovery, says S&P

Even though scientists have understood the basic tenets of COVID-19 by now, a lot still remains to be learned about the virus. With variants sprouting up across the world, the fight against containing the transmission has picked up. But many who recover from the virus continue to feel sick for a period longer than normal.

Scientists have called this “long-COVID” which is basically persistence of coronavirus symptoms among recovered people for long periods. Most of them report nausea, shortness of breath and body ache along with a feeling of fatigue.

A new study sheds light on how coronavirus affects kids. Turns out, they’re at high risk of developing long-COVID including persistent fatigue. As part of this study, scientists interviewed parents of over 500 children who were admitted into a hospital in Moscow due to COVID-19 between April and August in 2020.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/british-study-finds-almost-one-in-seven-suffer-long-covid-symptoms-374862" hreflang="en">British study finds almost one in seven suffer long Covid symptoms</a>

Upon further study, it was found that at least a quarter of them had reported symptoms of coronavirus five months after recovering from the virus. Most commonly reported issues include fatigue, sleep disruption, and sensory concerns.&nbsp;

A global team of scientists including British researchers from the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (Isaric) conducted the study.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-urges-actions-for-long-covid-sufferers-366223" hreflang="en">WHO urges actions for 'long COVID' sufferers</a>

They found that out of 518 children part of the suited, 24 per cent reported continuous symptoms for 7-9 months after falling sick. Fatigue was reported among 10 per cent kids, followed by sleep disturbances (7 per cent) and sensory issues (6 per cent).

It was also found that kids with allergies remained at higher risk of persistent symptoms.

Even though scientists have understood the basic tenets of COVID-19 by now, a lot still remains to be learned about the virus. With variants sprouting up across the world, the fight against containing the transmission has picked up.

Even though scientists have understood the basic tenets of COVID-19 by now, a lot still remains to be learned about the virus. With variants sprouting up across the world, the fight against containing the transmission has picked up. But many who recover from the virus continue to feel sick for a period longer than normal. Scientists have called this “long-COVID” which is basically persistence of coronavirus symptoms among recovered people for long periods. Most of them report nausea, shortness of breath and body ache along with a feeling of fatigue. A new study sheds light on how coronavirus affects kids. Turns out, they’re at high risk of developing long-COVID including persistent fatigue. As part of this study, scientists interviewed parents of over 500 children who were admitted into a hospital in Moscow due to COVID-19 between April and August in 2020. Also read: British study finds almost one in seven suffer long Covid symptoms Upon further study, it was found that at least a quarter of them had reported symptoms of coronavirus five months after recovering from the virus. Most commonly reported issues include fatigue, sleep disruption, and sensory concerns. A global team of scientists including British researchers from the International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (Isaric) conducted the study. Also read: WHO urges actions for 'long COVID' sufferers They found that out of 518 children part of the suited, 24 per cent reported continuous symptoms for 7-9 months after falling sick. Fatigue was reported among 10 per cent kids, followed by sleep disturbances (7 per cent) and sensory issues (6 per cent). It was also found that kids with allergies remained at higher risk of persistent symptoms.

Children at risk of long-Covid symptoms, new study finds

Days ahead of May 1&nbsp;when vaccination against COVID-19 is meant to be open for all adults aged between 18 and 44 in India, the Tamil Nadu Government said it has issued orders to procure 15 million (1.5 crore) vaccinations via the Tamil Nadu medical Services Corporation. So&nbsp;far, about 5.551&nbsp;million (55.51 lakh) persons in the above-45 age group have taken the jabs, the government stated.&nbsp;

Via a statement, the State Government assured the people regarding free vaccines being made available to those in the eligible age group, as was promised by Chief Minister K Palaniswami late last year.&nbsp;

Regarding the rising demand for drug remdesivir, Dr. TS&nbsp;Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that there was an unnecessary panic and artificial demand for the drug. “Remdesivir is not a life-saving drug. Not recommended as mandatory drug for COVID-19 treatment by WHO. Not all patients who are sick need remdesivir, it is not going to prevent mortality, at the most it will only prevent the duration of your stay” he said.&nbsp;

He also added that the state government had procured enough drugs via the TNMSC and that those who needed the drugs must provide their personal, medical details, test positivity and clinical details at the TNMSC counter.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, amid rising cases in Chennai city, the Chennai Corporation Commissioner has sanctioned permissions for hotels and private hospitals to start private Covid Care centres, by just intimating the civic body.&nbsp; As on Tuesday, there are 0.108&nbsp;million (1.08 lakh) active cases in Tamil Nadu, of which 35,000 are in Chennai.&nbsp;

Days ahead of May 1 when vaccination against COVID-19 is meant to be open for all adults aged between 18 and 44 in India, the Tamil Nadu Government said it has issued orders to procure 15 million (1.

Days ahead of May 1 when vaccination against COVID-19 is meant to be open for all adults aged between 18 and 44 in India, the Tamil Nadu Government said it has issued orders to procure 15 million (1.5 crore) vaccinations via the Tamil Nadu medical Services Corporation. So far, about 5.551 million (55.51 lakh) persons in the above-45 age group have taken the jabs, the government stated. Via a statement, the State Government assured the people regarding free vaccines being made available to those in the eligible age group, as was promised by Chief Minister K Palaniswami late last year. Regarding the rising demand for drug remdesivir, Dr. TS Selvavinayagam, Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine said that there was an unnecessary panic and artificial demand for the drug. “Remdesivir is not a life-saving drug. Not recommended as mandatory drug for COVID-19 treatment by WHO. Not all patients who are sick need remdesivir, it is not going to prevent mortality, at the most it will only prevent the duration of your stay” he said. He also added that the state government had procured enough drugs via the TNMSC and that those who needed the drugs must provide their personal, medical details, test positivity and clinical details at the TNMSC counter. Meanwhile, amid rising cases in Chennai city, the Chennai Corporation Commissioner has sanctioned permissions for hotels and private hospitals to start private Covid Care centres, by just intimating the civic body. As on Tuesday, there are 0.108 million (1.08 lakh) active cases in Tamil Nadu, of which 35,000 are in Chennai.

COVID-19: Over 5 million people vaccinated in Tamil Nadu so far, says govt

Covaxin, India's home-grown COVID-19 vaccine, has been found to neutralise the 617 variant of the deadly virus, White House chief medical adviser and America's top pandemic expert Dr Anthony Fauci said here. 
Fauci was speaking to reporters during a conference call on Tuesday. 
 
"This is something where we're still gaining data on a daily basis. But the most recent data, was looking at convalescent Sera of COVID-19 cases and people who received the vaccine used in India, the Covaxin. It was found to neutralise the 617 variant," he said. 
 
"So, despite the real difficulty that we're seeing in India, vaccination could be a very, very important antidote against this," Fauci added. 
 
The New York Times on Tuesday said Covaxin works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The antibodies attach to viral proteins, such as the so-called spike proteins that stud its surface. 
 
Developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, Covaxin was approved for emergency use on January 3. Trial results later showed the vaccine has an efficacy of 78 per cent. 
 
Responding to a question, Dr Andy Slavitt, White House COVID-19 Response Senior Advisor, said that a strike team from the Centers&nbsp;for Disease Control and Prevention is headed over to India to help coordinate this response. 
 
"We are making sure that we are locating some of the raw materials necessary to create more vaccines in India, which I think is going to be an important help there," he said. 
 
"We stand with the country of India during this very trying and tragic surge. We are working to deploy resources and supplies, including therapeutics, rapid testing kits, ventilators, PPE, and raw materials, that are needed to manufacture vaccines in India, and the CDC, which has a long history of working with and in India on public health measures, will be deploying a strike team to the country to support the public health efforts there," Slavitt said. 
 
Given the strong portfolio of approved, highly effective and safe vaccines here in the United States, the administration is looking at options to share AstraZeneca vaccines with other countries as they become available. 
 
This should amount to around 60 million doses or so over the next two months, he added. "The AstraZeneca vaccine is highly safe and effective, and approved in many parts of the world, and since it is not approved for use in the US, we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next few months," Slavitt said. 
 
"We have sufficient supply of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson to accommodate our needs in the US," he added.

Covaxin, India's home-grown COVID-19 vaccine, has been found to neutralise the 617 variant of the deadly virus, White House chief medical adviser and America's top pandemic expert Dr Anthony Fauci said here.

Covaxin, India's home-grown COVID-19 vaccine, has been found to neutralise the 617 variant of the deadly virus, White House chief medical adviser and America's top pandemic expert Dr Anthony Fauci said here. Fauci was speaking to reporters during a conference call on Tuesday. "This is something where we're still gaining data on a daily basis. But the most recent data, was looking at convalescent Sera of COVID-19 cases and people who received the vaccine used in India, the Covaxin. It was found to neutralise the 617 variant," he said. "So, despite the real difficulty that we're seeing in India, vaccination could be a very, very important antidote against this," Fauci added. The New York Times on Tuesday said Covaxin works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The antibodies attach to viral proteins, such as the so-called spike proteins that stud its surface. Developed by Bharat Biotech in partnership with National Institute of Virology and the Indian Council of Medical Research, Covaxin was approved for emergency use on January 3. Trial results later showed the vaccine has an efficacy of 78 per cent. Responding to a question, Dr Andy Slavitt, White House COVID-19 Response Senior Advisor, said that a strike team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is headed over to India to help coordinate this response. "We are making sure that we are locating some of the raw materials necessary to create more vaccines in India, which I think is going to be an important help there," he said. "We stand with the country of India during this very trying and tragic surge. We are working to deploy resources and supplies, including therapeutics, rapid testing kits, ventilators, PPE, and raw materials, that are needed to manufacture vaccines in India, and the CDC, which has a long history of working with and in India on public health measures, will be deploying a strike team to the country to support the public health efforts there," Slavitt said. Given the strong portfolio of approved, highly effective and safe vaccines here in the United States, the administration is looking at options to share AstraZeneca vaccines with other countries as they become available. This should amount to around 60 million doses or so over the next two months, he added. "The AstraZeneca vaccine is highly safe and effective, and approved in many parts of the world, and since it is not approved for use in the US, we do not need to use the AstraZeneca vaccine here during the next few months," Slavitt said. "We have sufficient supply of vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson to accommodate our needs in the US," he added.

Covaxin found to neutralise the 617 variant of COVID-19: Dr Fauci

The rate of new Covid cases is declining in the United States, with the most recent seven-day averages dipping below the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a month as experts hailed the impact of vaccines.

Data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of April 24, the rolling average was 57,123 cases, and a month-long mini bump was now over.

It comes as the number of people vaccinated continued to rise, though the rate is beginning to taper off as domestic demand slows.

Almost 140 million people have now received one dose, or 42 percent of the whole population.&nbsp;

Writing on Twitter, Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University School of Public Health, said he believed this time the decline would be permanent, "Because in mid-March, when last mini-surge began, 21% of the population had been vaccinated. Today, we're twice that."

He said that 42 percent with one shot wasn't "enough," but added: "42% close to number at which we should see steady declines in infections. In Israel, once 45% of population was fully vaccinated, case numbers started to plummet."

Experts are however worried by the vaccination rate, which peaked earlier this month at an average of more than 3 million doses per day and is now down to 2.6 million per day. 
 
Many people who wished to get vaccinated have received jabs, though some access issues persist, particularly among communities of colour. 
 
On the other hand, vaccine skepticism remains high among some demographics, including political conservatives. 
 
A government survey last month found the 10 states with the largest share of people who said they definitely or probably won't get vaccinated are all conservative-leaning.

The rate of new Covid cases is declining in the United States, with the most recent seven-day averages dipping below the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a month as experts hailed the impact of vaccines.

The rate of new Covid cases is declining in the United States, with the most recent seven-day averages dipping below the 60,000 mark for the first time in over a month as experts hailed the impact of vaccines. Data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention showed that as of April 24, the rolling average was 57,123 cases, and a month-long mini bump was now over. It comes as the number of people vaccinated continued to rise, though the rate is beginning to taper off as domestic demand slows. Almost 140 million people have now received one dose, or 42 percent of the whole population. Writing on Twitter, Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University School of Public Health, said he believed this time the decline would be permanent, "Because in mid-March, when last mini-surge began, 21% of the population had been vaccinated. Today, we're twice that." He said that 42 percent with one shot wasn't "enough," but added: "42% close to number at which we should see steady declines in infections. In Israel, once 45% of population was fully vaccinated, case numbers started to plummet." Experts are however worried by the vaccination rate, which peaked earlier this month at an average of more than 3 million doses per day and is now down to 2.6 million per day. Many people who wished to get vaccinated have received jabs, though some access issues persist, particularly among communities of colour. On the other hand, vaccine skepticism remains high among some demographics, including political conservatives. A government survey last month found the 10 states with the largest share of people who said they definitely or probably won't get vaccinated are all conservative-leaning.

US is witnessing a decline in daily COVID-19 cases

Australia on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on direct passenger flights from India, as the South Asian nation grapples with a massive surge in coronavirus infections.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to "clearly present" risks of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians -- including high-profile cricketers -- stranded.

It follows similar moves by countries including Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Britain to halt or restrict flights in response to the spiralling Covid crisis.

Morrison also said Australia would send medical aid, including oxygen tanks, ventilators and personal protective equipment, to India as its health system strains under the growing caseload.

The nation of 1.3 billion people recorded 352,991 new infections and 2,812 deaths on Monday -- its highest levels since the pandemic began.

Morrison said India was enduring a "terrible humanitarian crisis" that was also hitting Australian families with ties to the country.

"The scenes that we're seeing from India are truly heartbreaking," he said.

The flight ban comes a day after authorities lifted stay-at-home orders for two million people in Perth, in Australia's west, where a snap lockdown was imposed after a man who returned from his wedding in India&nbsp;infected others in quarantine.

The virus then spread to others in the community, prompting&nbsp;calls from some state leaders for Canberra to toughen its approach to travel from the subcontinent.

Morrison stressed that the suspension was not a permanent measure, saying repatriation flights would resume with the "most vulnerable" given priority.

"We don't think the answer is to forsake those Australians in India and just shut them off, as some seem to suggest," he said, adding there would be no special treatment for cricketers currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). 
 
Australia had already limited the number of flights from India in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus, which has largely been contained Down Under. 
 
Earlier this month, neighbouring New Zealand imposed a temporary block on all travellers from India, shutting out returning Kiwis for the first time since the pandemic emerged. 
 
Australia closed its international borders to most non-citizens in March 2020 and those allowed to travel must spend 14 days in quarantine hotels on their return. 
 
The country of 25 million has recorded fewer than 30,000 cases since the pandemic began and 910 deaths, with no major outbreaks since last year and most parts of the country enjoying few restrictions.

Australia on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on direct passenger flights from India, as the South Asian nation grapples with a massive surge in coronavirus infections.

Australia on Tuesday announced a temporary ban on direct passenger flights from India, as the South Asian nation grapples with a massive surge in coronavirus infections. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least May 15 due to "clearly present" risks of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians -- including high-profile cricketers -- stranded. It follows similar moves by countries including Canada, the United Arab Emirates and Britain to halt or restrict flights in response to the spiralling Covid crisis. Morrison also said Australia would send medical aid, including oxygen tanks, ventilators and personal protective equipment, to India as its health system strains under the growing caseload. The nation of 1.3 billion people recorded 352,991 new infections and 2,812 deaths on Monday -- its highest levels since the pandemic began. Morrison said India was enduring a "terrible humanitarian crisis" that was also hitting Australian families with ties to the country. "The scenes that we're seeing from India are truly heartbreaking," he said. The flight ban comes a day after authorities lifted stay-at-home orders for two million people in Perth, in Australia's west, where a snap lockdown was imposed after a man who returned from his wedding in India infected others in quarantine. The virus then spread to others in the community, prompting calls from some state leaders for Canberra to toughen its approach to travel from the subcontinent. Morrison stressed that the suspension was not a permanent measure, saying repatriation flights would resume with the "most vulnerable" given priority. "We don't think the answer is to forsake those Australians in India and just shut them off, as some seem to suggest," he said, adding there would be no special treatment for cricketers currently playing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Australia had already limited the number of flights from India in an effort to control the spread of coronavirus, which has largely been contained Down Under. Earlier this month, neighbouring New Zealand imposed a temporary block on all travellers from India, shutting out returning Kiwis for the first time since the pandemic emerged. Australia closed its international borders to most non-citizens in March 2020 and those allowed to travel must spend 14 days in quarantine hotels on their return. The country of 25 million has recorded fewer than 30,000 cases since the pandemic began and 910 deaths, with no major outbreaks since last year and most parts of the country enjoying few restrictions.

Australia suspends direct passenger flights from India amid COVID-19 outbreak

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines&nbsp;detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask.

The CDC is still calling for caution, however, because it’s not clear whether a vaccinated person can transmit the virus. 
 
Studies show the vaccine is extraordinarily effective in preventing a person from getting seriously ill after becoming infected. But less is known about whether they could still carry the virus and infect others who aren’t vaccinated. 
 
Vaccinated Americans can exercise outside without a face covering, the CDC said. 
 
US President Biden also reacted to the new guidelines and Tweeted," Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask."

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Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask.
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1387104758335479813?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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According to new guidance released by CDC, “In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,”.&nbsp;“Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required.”

“CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so It is important to consider your situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added.

Masks are still considered necessary for vaccinated people if they are at concerts, parades or large sporting events, even when outdoors, the CDC said.

Previously the CDC had been advising that people should wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated guidelines detailing activities that vaccinated people can safely resume, including attending small outdoor gatherings without the need to wear a mask. The CDC is still calling for caution, however, because it’s not clear whether a vaccinated person can transmit the virus. Studies show the vaccine is extraordinarily effective in preventing a person from getting seriously ill after becoming infected. But less is known about whether they could still carry the virus and infect others who aren’t vaccinated. Vaccinated Americans can exercise outside without a face covering, the CDC said. US President Biden also reacted to the new guidelines and Tweeted," Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask." Because of the extraordinary progress we’ve made in the fight against COVID-19, the CDC made a big announcement today: If you are fully vaccinated — and if you are outdoors and not in a large crowd — you no longer need to wear a mask. — President Biden (@POTUS) April 27, 2021 × According to new guidance released by CDC, “In public spaces, the vaccination status of other people or whether they are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 is likely unknown,”. “Therefore, fully vaccinated people should continue to follow guidance to protect themselves and others, including wearing a well-fitted mask, when indoors or in an outdoor setting or venue where masks are required.” “CDC cannot provide the specific risk level for every activity in every community, so It is important to consider your situation and the risk to you, your family, and your community before venturing out without a mask,” the agency added. Masks are still considered necessary for vaccinated people if they are at concerts, parades or large sporting events, even when outdoors, the CDC said. Previously the CDC had been advising that people should wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other. (With inputs from agencies)

Vaccinated Americans can exercise, ditch the mask outdoors: CDC

India has registered 352,000&nbsp;new coronavirus cases and more than 2,800 deaths in 24 hours. There is a critical shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. There is a long waiting list for last rites. And never-ending SOS calls. The crisis has overwhelmed India's health infrastructure. The centre and&nbsp;states are struggling.

Over 17 million cases. 195,000 deaths and counting. The COVID-19 situation in India remains grim. It's a devastating reminder of what the virus can do if left unchecked.

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"We are deeply concerned about the increasing number of cases and deaths in india right now. We know that the situation is complex and requires different responses in different parts of the country," World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said.

On Monday, India reported 352,000 new cases. This is the highest single-day spike for the fifth consecutive day.

The tally of total active cases has now reached 2.8 million. 2,812 deaths have also been registered in the last 24 hours.

Till date, over 14 million people have recovered from the virus. 141 million doses of vaccine have been administered. but there's still work to do.

"Coronavirus is testing our patience. It is testing the limits of all of us at enduring misery. Many of our near and dear ones have left us untimely," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly address Mann Ki Baat.

The crisis has overwhelmed the health infrastructure. The situation is particularly alarming in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Kerala.

These six regions contributed to 64 per cent of the new cases in April.

In New Delhi, there's a desperate rush for oxygen as supplies run out. Families are ferrying their kin from hospital to hospital in search of a treatment.

"I don't know what the government is doing. If we can do it, why are the government not doing it?" said Gurpreet Singh, from&nbsp; a Sikh temple in East Delhi.

The story is same in Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat. Hospitals are running out of beds, patients are lining up outside hospitals. They are waiting to be admitted, carrying their own limited supply of oxygen.

"We brought the oxygen on our own. The treatment has started but we don't know what time our number will come to get inside the hospital. There is a huge line of patients waiting," said a person who was accompanying a friend to hospital.

In Mumbai, the financial capital of India, oxygen refilling plants are running dry due to short supply. those in need are returning disappointed and&nbsp;empty-handed. India is gasping for Oxygen. The toll is rising.

In New Delhi, makeshift crematoriums are being set up. They're still not enough to cope with the influx of victims. There's now a waiting list for last rites. It extends from several hours to two days.

The Indian Railways has become the nation's lifeline. 'Oxygen express trains' are running across the country.

In some places, train coaches have been turned into isolation wards. The centre and&nbsp;states are struggling. But in the near-absence of repositories for available supplies,&nbsp;social media platforms have become virtual command centres, ground zero for distress calls.

On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, ordinary Indians are going out of their way to help each other. Influencers are amplifying SOS calls.

"Twitter, specifically, if you pick any, if you pick 100 posts from my feed, at least 95 of them will be about people looking for resources or people sharing resources. And these resources include icu beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, contacts of people that could provide them and things like that," said Umang Galaiya, a 25-year-old employee in a start-up firm.

Their solidarity and promptness is moving. It is also a proof of a monumental failure. The failure of a system to provide basic healthcare facilities when pandemic strikes.

India has registered 352,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 2,800 deaths in 24 hours. There is a critical shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. There is a long waiting list for last rites.

India has registered 352,000 new coronavirus cases and more than 2,800 deaths in 24 hours. There is a critical shortage of oxygen and hospital beds. There is a long waiting list for last rites. And never-ending SOS calls. The crisis has overwhelmed India's health infrastructure. The centre and states are struggling. Over 17 million cases. 195,000 deaths and counting. The COVID-19 situation in India remains grim. It's a devastating reminder of what the virus can do if left unchecked. "We are deeply concerned about the increasing number of cases and deaths in india right now. We know that the situation is complex and requires different responses in different parts of the country," World Health Organization Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said. On Monday, India reported 352,000 new cases. This is the highest single-day spike for the fifth consecutive day. The tally of total active cases has now reached 2.8 million. 2,812 deaths have also been registered in the last 24 hours. Till date, over 14 million people have recovered from the virus. 141 million doses of vaccine have been administered. but there's still work to do. "Coronavirus is testing our patience. It is testing the limits of all of us at enduring misery. Many of our near and dear ones have left us untimely," said Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his monthly address Mann Ki Baat. The crisis has overwhelmed the health infrastructure. The situation is particularly alarming in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, New Delhi, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh and Kerala. These six regions contributed to 64 per cent of the new cases in April. In New Delhi, there's a desperate rush for oxygen as supplies run out. Families are ferrying their kin from hospital to hospital in search of a treatment. "I don't know what the government is doing. If we can do it, why are the government not doing it?" said Gurpreet Singh, from a Sikh temple in East Delhi. The story is same in Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat. Hospitals are running out of beds, patients are lining up outside hospitals. They are waiting to be admitted, carrying their own limited supply of oxygen. "We brought the oxygen on our own. The treatment has started but we don't know what time our number will come to get inside the hospital. There is a huge line of patients waiting," said a person who was accompanying a friend to hospital. In Mumbai, the financial capital of India, oxygen refilling plants are running dry due to short supply. those in need are returning disappointed and empty-handed. India is gasping for Oxygen. The toll is rising. In New Delhi, makeshift crematoriums are being set up. They're still not enough to cope with the influx of victims. There's now a waiting list for last rites. It extends from several hours to two days. The Indian Railways has become the nation's lifeline. 'Oxygen express trains' are running across the country. In some places, train coaches have been turned into isolation wards. The centre and states are struggling. But in the near-absence of repositories for available supplies, social media platforms have become virtual command centres, ground zero for distress calls. On Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp, ordinary Indians are going out of their way to help each other. Influencers are amplifying SOS calls. "Twitter, specifically, if you pick any, if you pick 100 posts from my feed, at least 95 of them will be about people looking for resources or people sharing resources. And these resources include icu beds, ventilators, oxygen cylinders, contacts of people that could provide them and things like that," said Umang Galaiya, a 25-year-old employee in a start-up firm. Their solidarity and promptness is moving. It is also a proof of a monumental failure. The failure of a system to provide basic healthcare facilities when pandemic strikes.

Covid pandemic tests India's health infrastructure

With 3,23,144 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day India's&nbsp;total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307, while the national recovery rate has further dropped to 82.54 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

The death toll increased to 1,97,894 with 2,771 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 28,82,204 comprising 16.34 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 82.54 per cent.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,45,56,209 while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.12 per cent, the data stated.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28,&nbsp;70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on&nbsp;November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

India crossed the grim milestone of 1.50 crore on April 19. According to the ICMR, 28,09,79,877 samples have been tested up to April 26 with 16,58,700 samples being tested on Monday.

With 3,23,144 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307, while the national recovery rate has further dropped to 82.

With 3,23,144 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day India's total tally of COVID-19 cases has climbed to 1,76,36,307, while the national recovery rate has further dropped to 82.54 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll increased to 1,97,894 with 2,771 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 28,82,204 comprising 16.34 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 82.54 per cent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,45,56,209 while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.12 per cent, the data stated. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of 1.50 crore on April 19. According to the ICMR, 28,09,79,877 samples have been tested up to April 26 with 16,58,700 samples being tested on Monday.

India reports 323,144 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours

President Joe Biden spoke to India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, pledging US assistance after growing pressure on Washington to help. Post the high-level call between the two leaders a senior administration official told reporters that the US is ready with a range of support and is prepared to immediately start deploying it.

The US will dispatch a "Strike Team" comprising of public health experts to India, the official added. "US CDC is working with USAID that will urgently deploy a strike team to India which will improve public health experts to work in close collaboration with our embassy with India`s health ministries and experts and with India`s Epidemic Intelligence Service staff," the official added.

The Strike Team will work hand in hand with Indian experts in areas including laboratory services, surveillance and epidemiology and bioinformatics for sequencing and modelling of the disease, infection prevention and control the rollout and risk communications. The Strike Team will also include CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officers and laboratory leads, leadership and service officers who will work directly with US officials.

As requested by the government of India, United States will provide raw materials for the production of AstraZeneca`s Covishield vaccine at the Serum Institute of India."What we are doing is that we are diverting our own order of our own supplies to the Serum Institute for their manufacturing, because of the scope of the current situation in India. This was the most effective and rapid step we could take at this stage to provide support at scale," the official affirmed.

Another set of resources that India has specifically requested to the United States listing as a priority is Oxygen. The Department of Defense and the US Agency for International Development are pursuing options to provide oxygen generation systems and working on the oxygen supply chain.

"We do have the Department of State working to finalise options for contracting oxygen including cylinder. We also have the Department of Defense working on oxygen generation systems including larger scale as well as smaller-scale units," informed the official.

"We also are exploring options to provide oxygen concentrations and ventilators and we`re in technical discussions with India to ensure that the equipment we supply will connect the devices in India, and we`re also going to be providing training associated with all of these requests as needed," the official briefed reporters.Another category of assistance that the US will provide to India are therapeutics, personal protective equipment and tests.

"The United States is identified US commercial suppliers of Remdesivir that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India, and we`ve identified rapid diagnostic testing supplies as well as personal protective equipment that will be available to be transferred to India immediately," the official added.

As announced by the White House earlier today, the US will begin sharing up to 60 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world after the federal safety review. Doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be sent to countries "as they become available" and "in stages," according to another US official.

President Joe Biden spoke to India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, pledging US assistance after growing pressure on Washington to help. Post the high-level call between the two leaders a senior administration official told reporters that the US is ready with a range of support and is prepared to immediately start deploying it.

President Joe Biden spoke to India`s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, pledging US assistance after growing pressure on Washington to help. Post the high-level call between the two leaders a senior administration official told reporters that the US is ready with a range of support and is prepared to immediately start deploying it. The US will dispatch a "Strike Team" comprising of public health experts to India, the official added. "US CDC is working with USAID that will urgently deploy a strike team to India which will improve public health experts to work in close collaboration with our embassy with India`s health ministries and experts and with India`s Epidemic Intelligence Service staff," the official added. The Strike Team will work hand in hand with Indian experts in areas including laboratory services, surveillance and epidemiology and bioinformatics for sequencing and modelling of the disease, infection prevention and control the rollout and risk communications. The Strike Team will also include CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officers and laboratory leads, leadership and service officers who will work directly with US officials. As requested by the government of India, United States will provide raw materials for the production of AstraZeneca`s Covishield vaccine at the Serum Institute of India."What we are doing is that we are diverting our own order of our own supplies to the Serum Institute for their manufacturing, because of the scope of the current situation in India. This was the most effective and rapid step we could take at this stage to provide support at scale," the official affirmed. Another set of resources that India has specifically requested to the United States listing as a priority is Oxygen. The Department of Defense and the US Agency for International Development are pursuing options to provide oxygen generation systems and working on the oxygen supply chain. "We do have the Department of State working to finalise options for contracting oxygen including cylinder. We also have the Department of Defense working on oxygen generation systems including larger scale as well as smaller-scale units," informed the official. "We also are exploring options to provide oxygen concentrations and ventilators and we`re in technical discussions with India to ensure that the equipment we supply will connect the devices in India, and we`re also going to be providing training associated with all of these requests as needed," the official briefed reporters.Another category of assistance that the US will provide to India are therapeutics, personal protective equipment and tests. "The United States is identified US commercial suppliers of Remdesivir that are immediately available to help relieve the suffering of COVID-19 patients in India, and we`ve identified rapid diagnostic testing supplies as well as personal protective equipment that will be available to be transferred to India immediately," the official added. As announced by the White House earlier today, the US will begin sharing up to 60 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses with the world after the federal safety review. Doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine will be sent to countries "as they become available" and "in stages," according to another US official.

Washington to send 'Strike Team', Covid vaccine raw material and oxygen to India: US officials

Danish Oscar-winning comedy-drama "Another Round" has found a global audience because it celebrates life at a time when the pandemic has threatened our existence, according to director Thomas Vinterberg. 
 
The film, starring Mads Mikkelsen, portrays high school teachers in various stages of midlife crisis who test alcohol`s ability to improve their lives. It won the Oscar for best international feature film on Sunday. 
 
"I find that alcohol in the movie is a symbol for something larger than just drinking," Vinterberg, 51, told Reuters in an interview. 
 
"Our existence has been threatened by the pandemic, but there`s an element of rejoicing in this movie, with people sharing bottles, hugging and celebrating life. I think there`s been an enormous desire towards the uncontrollable," he said. 
 
"I guess it`s about putting yourself at risk ... getting out of your safety zone a little bit," Vinterberg added. 
 
Mikkelsen, whose character finds a brief boost and enlightenment from drinking, performs an extended drunken dance at the end of the film and is frozen in time in the final scene as he throws himself off a wharf in Copenhagen. 
 
"Some people think he`s flying in the end scene, and others perceive that he`s falling," Vinterberg said. 
 
"To me, the ending carries an element of ecstasy, the element of weightlessness, but it also carries the grief of the character having lost his best friend." 
 
In his acceptance speech on Sunday, Vinterberg dedicated the Academy Award to his late daughter Ida, 19, who was to have had a role in the film but was killed in an automobile accident. 
 
"When my daughter died four days into shooting this film, a free fall began towards insanity," he said in the interview. 
 
"Continuing with this movie was filled with a little bit of purpose, if we made the movie for her, a purpose of honouring her memory," he said. 
 
"What happened yesterday (on Sunday) was the ultimate way of raising a monument for my daughter. It was filled with a lot of emotion because I miss her, but it was also filled with satisfaction." 
 
 
&nbsp;

Danish Oscar-winning comedy-drama "Another Round" has found a global audience because it celebrates life at a time when the pandemic has threatened our existence, according to director Thomas Vinterberg.

Danish Oscar-winning comedy-drama "Another Round" has found a global audience because it celebrates life at a time when the pandemic has threatened our existence, according to director Thomas Vinterberg. The film, starring Mads Mikkelsen, portrays high school teachers in various stages of midlife crisis who test alcohol`s ability to improve their lives. It won the Oscar for best international feature film on Sunday. "I find that alcohol in the movie is a symbol for something larger than just drinking," Vinterberg, 51, told Reuters in an interview. "Our existence has been threatened by the pandemic, but there`s an element of rejoicing in this movie, with people sharing bottles, hugging and celebrating life. I think there`s been an enormous desire towards the uncontrollable," he said. "I guess it`s about putting yourself at risk ... getting out of your safety zone a little bit," Vinterberg added. Mikkelsen, whose character finds a brief boost and enlightenment from drinking, performs an extended drunken dance at the end of the film and is frozen in time in the final scene as he throws himself off a wharf in Copenhagen. "Some people think he`s flying in the end scene, and others perceive that he`s falling," Vinterberg said. "To me, the ending carries an element of ecstasy, the element of weightlessness, but it also carries the grief of the character having lost his best friend." In his acceptance speech on Sunday, Vinterberg dedicated the Academy Award to his late daughter Ida, 19, who was to have had a role in the film but was killed in an automobile accident. "When my daughter died four days into shooting this film, a free fall began towards insanity," he said in the interview. "Continuing with this movie was filled with a little bit of purpose, if we made the movie for her, a purpose of honouring her memory," he said. "What happened yesterday (on Sunday) was the ultimate way of raising a monument for my daughter. It was filled with a lot of emotion because I miss her, but it was also filled with satisfaction."

Global pandemic makes Oscar-winner 'Another Round' more relevant, director says

Thailand`s government slapped restrictions on travel from India on Monday over concerns of imported coronavirus cases and closed more venues in Bangkok, even as it came under fire for not doing enough to contain a spike in infections. 
 
The government has ordered parks, gyms, cinemas and day-care centres in its capital, the epicentre of the latest wave of infections, to shut from April 26 until May 9. 
 
It has also introduced a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($635) for not wearing masks in public, with even the prime minister falling foul of mask-wearing rules. 
 
But unlike last year, malls and restaurants have been allowed to operate with earlier closing times, fuelling concerns this could quickly lead to more infection clusters and prompting calls for the resignation of the country`s health minister. 
 
Comparing the government`s COVID-19 response to playing a game of Whac-A-Mole, Thira Woratanarat, a professor at Chulalongkorn University`s Preventive and Social Medicine, warned "shutting places and activities one at a time would not be enough". 
 
People should prepare for more clusters especially in work places, food courts and public transportation, he cautioned in a post on Facebook. 
 
Thailand has managed to keep its caseload lower than many countries, but the latest outbreak has resulted in 57,508 infections and 148 deaths in just under 30 days. It reported 2,048 new cases on Monday, of which 901 were in Bangkok. 
 
"They shouldn`t wait until there is a new outbreak to come up with regulations," said Ungkana Kesornphud, who owns a massage shop in Bangkok. 
 
The president of Thailand`s Thoracic Society, Nithiphat Chiarakun, also urged the government to take "decisive measures to stop the movement of people as quickly as possible". 
 
An online petition on Change.org calling for the resignation of health minister Anutin Charnvirankul had garnered over 160,000 signatures in two days. 
 
Anutin has said he will not resign. 
 
The city of Bangkok fined Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha 6,000 baht ($190) after he posted a photo of him not wearing a mask during a meeting. 
 
The photo was later removed. 
 
Thailand plans to procure more vaccines from several producers with a vaccination goal of 300,000 doses per day to inoculate at least 50 million people by end-2021, the prime minister posted. 
 
Thailand has a population of about 66.1 million. 
 
INDIA TRAVEL CURBS 
 
Thailand will consider additional restrictions later this week, Apisamai Srirangsan, a spokeswoman for its coronavirus taskforce said at a briefing, after the country announced curbs on travel from India where infections have set a global record for a fifth straight day. 
 
The Thai embassy in New Delhi said in a statement that certificates of entry for non-Thai nationals travelling from India will be suspended until further notice. 
 
The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) denied reports that private jets carrying wealthy people from India were flying into Thailand. 
 
"We confirm that no chartered flights from Indian millionaires have sought permission from the CAAT to come to Thailand," it said in a statement over the weekend.

Thailand`s government slapped restrictions on travel from India on Monday over concerns of imported coronavirus cases and closed more venues in Bangkok, even as it came under fire for not doing enough to contain a spike in infections.

Thailand`s government slapped restrictions on travel from India on Monday over concerns of imported coronavirus cases and closed more venues in Bangkok, even as it came under fire for not doing enough to contain a spike in infections. The government has ordered parks, gyms, cinemas and day-care centres in its capital, the epicentre of the latest wave of infections, to shut from April 26 until May 9. It has also introduced a fine of up to 20,000 baht ($635) for not wearing masks in public, with even the prime minister falling foul of mask-wearing rules. But unlike last year, malls and restaurants have been allowed to operate with earlier closing times, fuelling concerns this could quickly lead to more infection clusters and prompting calls for the resignation of the country`s health minister. Comparing the government`s COVID-19 response to playing a game of Whac-A-Mole, Thira Woratanarat, a professor at Chulalongkorn University`s Preventive and Social Medicine, warned "shutting places and activities one at a time would not be enough". People should prepare for more clusters especially in work places, food courts and public transportation, he cautioned in a post on Facebook. Thailand has managed to keep its caseload lower than many countries, but the latest outbreak has resulted in 57,508 infections and 148 deaths in just under 30 days. It reported 2,048 new cases on Monday, of which 901 were in Bangkok. "They shouldn`t wait until there is a new outbreak to come up with regulations," said Ungkana Kesornphud, who owns a massage shop in Bangkok. The president of Thailand`s Thoracic Society, Nithiphat Chiarakun, also urged the government to take "decisive measures to stop the movement of people as quickly as possible". An online petition on Change.org calling for the resignation of health minister Anutin Charnvirankul had garnered over 160,000 signatures in two days. Anutin has said he will not resign. The city of Bangkok fined Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha 6,000 baht ($190) after he posted a photo of him not wearing a mask during a meeting. The photo was later removed. Thailand plans to procure more vaccines from several producers with a vaccination goal of 300,000 doses per day to inoculate at least 50 million people by end-2021, the prime minister posted. Thailand has a population of about 66.1 million. INDIA TRAVEL CURBS Thailand will consider additional restrictions later this week, Apisamai Srirangsan, a spokeswoman for its coronavirus taskforce said at a briefing, after the country announced curbs on travel from India where infections have set a global record for a fifth straight day. The Thai embassy in New Delhi said in a statement that certificates of entry for non-Thai nationals travelling from India will be suspended until further notice. The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) denied reports that private jets carrying wealthy people from India were flying into Thailand. "We confirm that no chartered flights from Indian millionaires have sought permission from the CAAT to come to Thailand," it said in a statement over the weekend.

Thailand starts stricter COVID-19 shutdown, but experts say not enough

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against jumping to conclusions about a new coronavirus variant discovered in India, saying it had not yet classified it as worrying. 
 
A WHO spokeswoman said that it was not clear at this point to what extent the variant was responsible for the rapid increase in cases in India in recent months, DPA news agency reported. 
 
There are many factors that could have contributed to this, she said. For example, festivals and other events with many participants may have accelerated infections. 
 
The British coronavirus variant may also be affecting India`s epidemiological situation. 
 
In India, more than 350,000 infections were reported within 24 hours on Monday, more than any country has reported in that timespan. With its 1.3 billion inhabitants, India has recorded a total of more than 17 million infections. 
 
The British, South African and Brazilian variants of Covid-19 have all been classified by the WHO as "variants of concern." 
 
The newest variant was first detected in India on December 1, 2020. 
 
According to the WHO, a variant is considered worrying if it spreads more easily, causes more serious cases of the disease, bypasses the immune system or reduces the effectiveness of known treatments. 
 
Overall, the number of reported infections per week has been increasing for nine weeks, while the number of reported deaths has been increasing for six weeks, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday. 
 
"There were almost as many cases last week as in the first five months of the pandemic combined," said Tedros. In India in particular, the situation is "more than heartbreaking." 
 
The WHO did not have the latest number of infections reported within a week on its website as of Tuesday. On April 19, it reported almost 5.7 million cases worldwide within a week, some 400,000 more than the week before. 
 
On the Gisaid platform, which contains genetic sequences of influenza and the coronavirus, more than 850 sequences of Covid-19 from more than 18 countries had been uploaded by April 23. Most came from India, Britain, the US and Singapore. 
 
However, this does not give an accurate picture of the distribution, as many countries sequence significantly less, others not at all due to a lack of capacity.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against jumping to conclusions about a new coronavirus variant discovered in India, saying it had not yet classified it as worrying.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against jumping to conclusions about a new coronavirus variant discovered in India, saying it had not yet classified it as worrying. A WHO spokeswoman said that it was not clear at this point to what extent the variant was responsible for the rapid increase in cases in India in recent months, DPA news agency reported. There are many factors that could have contributed to this, she said. For example, festivals and other events with many participants may have accelerated infections. The British coronavirus variant may also be affecting India`s epidemiological situation. In India, more than 350,000 infections were reported within 24 hours on Monday, more than any country has reported in that timespan. With its 1.3 billion inhabitants, India has recorded a total of more than 17 million infections. The British, South African and Brazilian variants of Covid-19 have all been classified by the WHO as "variants of concern." The newest variant was first detected in India on December 1, 2020. According to the WHO, a variant is considered worrying if it spreads more easily, causes more serious cases of the disease, bypasses the immune system or reduces the effectiveness of known treatments. Overall, the number of reported infections per week has been increasing for nine weeks, while the number of reported deaths has been increasing for six weeks, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in Geneva on Monday. "There were almost as many cases last week as in the first five months of the pandemic combined," said Tedros. In India in particular, the situation is "more than heartbreaking." The WHO did not have the latest number of infections reported within a week on its website as of Tuesday. On April 19, it reported almost 5.7 million cases worldwide within a week, some 400,000 more than the week before. On the Gisaid platform, which contains genetic sequences of influenza and the coronavirus, more than 850 sequences of Covid-19 from more than 18 countries had been uploaded by April 23. Most came from India, Britain, the US and Singapore. However, this does not give an accurate picture of the distribution, as many countries sequence significantly less, others not at all due to a lack of capacity.

WHO reserves judgement on Indian coronavirus variant

Karuna Shukla, a Congress leader and the niece of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died of Covid-19 in the Ramakrishna Care hospital in Raipur. After testing positive for the virus, she was undergoing treatment at the hospital here. 
 
Shukla breathed her last late on Monday evening. 
 
Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "My Karuna `Chachi` (referring to Karuna Shukla) is no more. Covid-19 took her life as well. I had a very close family relationship with her outside of politics and I continued to receive her blessings. God give her space in his abode and provide us with the courage to bear this irreparable loss." 
 
Karuna Shukla, who was currently the Chairman of the Social Welfare Board in Chhattisgarh, was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a long time. Karuna Shukla, who was with the BJP from 1982 to 2013, was upset with the party and had joined the Congress. In the 2018 state Assembly elections, she had contested Rajnandgaon constituency against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh but lost to him.

Karuna Shukla, a Congress leader and the niece of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died of Covid-19 in the Ramakrishna Care hospital in Raipur. After testing positive for the virus, she was undergoing treatment at the hospital here.

Karuna Shukla, a Congress leader and the niece of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, died of Covid-19 in the Ramakrishna Care hospital in Raipur. After testing positive for the virus, she was undergoing treatment at the hospital here. Shukla breathed her last late on Monday evening. Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted, "My Karuna `Chachi` (referring to Karuna Shukla) is no more. Covid-19 took her life as well. I had a very close family relationship with her outside of politics and I continued to receive her blessings. God give her space in his abode and provide us with the courage to bear this irreparable loss." Karuna Shukla, who was currently the Chairman of the Social Welfare Board in Chhattisgarh, was associated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for a long time. Karuna Shukla, who was with the BJP from 1982 to 2013, was upset with the party and had joined the Congress. In the 2018 state Assembly elections, she had contested Rajnandgaon constituency against former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh but lost to him.

Ex-PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee's niece Karuna Shukla dies of Covid-19

In the backdrop of Washington announcing assistance to India amid the Covid crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden spoke to each other on Monday. India has been reporting over 300,000 daily Covid cases in the last few days. Countries all over the world are rushing to help India.

After his conversation with President Joe Biden, PM Narendra Modi tweeted saying that the interaction was "fruitful".

"Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving COVID situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India," read the tweet.

"My discussion with @POTUS @JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19," added PM Modi.

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My discussion with <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@POTUS</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeBiden?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoeBiden</a> also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1386723540678807552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The US on Sunday agreed to provide the specific raw material for Indian Covishield vaccine manufacturers to increase its production as Covid crisis wreaked havoc across the world and India.

US President Biden, after the development had tweeted, "Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need."

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Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need. <a href="https://t.co/SzWRj0eP3y">https://t.co/SzWRj0eP3y</a>
— President Biden (@POTUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/POTUS/status/1386401947729633280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 25, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The breakthrough on raw material for Covid vaccines manufacture in India came after India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to each other. Other than that, US will be supplying therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, PPE kits and Oxygen generators. It will also deploy an expert team of health advisors from Center for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID to help India.

A US readout of Doval-Sullivan talks said,"Building on the seven-decade health partnership between the United States and India—including battles against Smallpox, Polio, and HIV — they resolved that India and the United States will continue to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic together."

Top officials from the US tweeted in a massive show of support for India as it battled the Covid pandemic. Vice President Kamala Harris, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, US envoy to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, were some of those who tweeted.

In the backdrop of Washington announcing assistance to India amid the Covid crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden spoke to each other on Monday.

In the backdrop of Washington announcing assistance to India amid the Covid crisis, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Joe Biden spoke to each other on Monday. India has been reporting over 300,000 daily Covid cases in the last few days. Countries all over the world are rushing to help India. After his conversation with President Joe Biden, PM Narendra Modi tweeted saying that the interaction was "fruitful". "Had a fruitful conversation with @POTUS @JoeBiden today. We discussed the evolving COVID situation in both countries in detail. I thanked President Biden for the support being provided by the United States to India," read the tweet. "My discussion with @POTUS @JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19," added PM Modi. My discussion with @POTUS @JoeBiden also underscored the importance of smooth and efficient supply chains of vaccine raw materials and medicines. India-US healthcare partnership can address the global challenge of COVID-19. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 26, 2021 × The US on Sunday agreed to provide the specific raw material for Indian Covishield vaccine manufacturers to increase its production as Covid crisis wreaked havoc across the world and India. US President Biden, after the development had tweeted, "Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need." Just as India sent assistance to the United States as our hospitals were strained early in the pandemic, we are determined to help India in its time of need. https://t.co/SzWRj0eP3y — President Biden (@POTUS) April 25, 2021 × The breakthrough on raw material for Covid vaccines manufacture in India came after India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and American National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to each other. Other than that, US will be supplying therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, PPE kits and Oxygen generators. It will also deploy an expert team of health advisors from Center for Disease Control and Prevention and USAID to help India. A US readout of Doval-Sullivan talks said,"Building on the seven-decade health partnership between the United States and India—including battles against Smallpox, Polio, and HIV — they resolved that India and the United States will continue to fight the global COVID-19 pandemic together." Top officials from the US tweeted in a massive show of support for India as it battled the Covid pandemic. Vice President Kamala Harris, Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin, Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, US envoy to UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield, were some of those who tweeted.

Joe Biden, Narendra Modi discuss Covid situation in India

To fight the ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections, Canada will send its armed forces and the Red Cross to Ontario. The province is facing a surge in the number of cases and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, Canada’s public safety minister said on Monday.

Toronto has emerged as the epicentre of Ontario’s third COVID-19 wave, and the federal government recently approved a request to airlift medical personnel from the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, a spokesperson for Public Safety Canada said in a statement.

The country’s Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair on Twitter said that the government has given its nod to providing support.

On Monday alone, Ontario reported 877 cases that required intensive care. Scientific modelling suggests that the virus could put 1,500 people in the ICU by the beginning of May.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/canada-says-astrazeneca-covid-19-vaccines-from-suspended-us-plant-are-safe-380467" hreflang="en">Canada says AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from suspended US plant are safe</a>

Alberta currently has highest rate of COVID-19 cases in the country, and on Tuesday said that it would offer vaccination to over 15,000 workers at meat-packing plants across the province where the highest number of cases were recorder during the first wave.

Canada’s Ontario recently announced sweeping police powers in a bid to enforce stay-at-home orders.&nbsp;Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and has witnessed a record number of coronavirus cases, with health experts worried about the effects of healthcare system being overwhelmed.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/canada-to-suspend-passenger-flights-from-india-pakistan-over-covid-19-fears-379365" hreflang="en">Canada to suspend passenger flights from India, Pakistan over COVID-19 fears</a>

“We’re losing the battle between the variants and vaccines… We’re on our heels. If we dig in, remain steadfast, we can turn this around,’’ Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier announced on April 16.

A new model predicts Ontario will have 15,000 new cases everyday by June if the current trajectory of daily cases continues. This model has taken into account vaccinations. In addition, the province could see 30,000 cases a day.

(With inputs from agencies)

To fight the ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections, Canada will send its armed forces and the Red Cross to Ontario. The province is facing a surge in the number of cases and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, Canada’s public safety minister said on Monday.

To fight the ongoing wave of COVID-19 infections, Canada will send its armed forces and the Red Cross to Ontario. The province is facing a surge in the number of cases and hospitalisations due to COVID-19, Canada’s public safety minister said on Monday. Toronto has emerged as the epicentre of Ontario’s third COVID-19 wave, and the federal government recently approved a request to airlift medical personnel from the provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, a spokesperson for Public Safety Canada said in a statement. The country’s Minister of Public Safety, Bill Blair on Twitter said that the government has given its nod to providing support. On Monday alone, Ontario reported 877 cases that required intensive care. Scientific modelling suggests that the virus could put 1,500 people in the ICU by the beginning of May. Also read: Canada says AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from suspended US plant are safe Alberta currently has highest rate of COVID-19 cases in the country, and on Tuesday said that it would offer vaccination to over 15,000 workers at meat-packing plants across the province where the highest number of cases were recorder during the first wave. Canada’s Ontario recently announced sweeping police powers in a bid to enforce stay-at-home orders. Ontario is Canada’s most populous province and has witnessed a record number of coronavirus cases, with health experts worried about the effects of healthcare system being overwhelmed. Also read: Canada to suspend passenger flights from India, Pakistan over COVID-19 fears “We’re losing the battle between the variants and vaccines… We’re on our heels. If we dig in, remain steadfast, we can turn this around,’’ Doug Ford, Ontario’s premier announced on April 16. A new model predicts Ontario will have 15,000 new cases everyday by June if the current trajectory of daily cases continues. This model has taken into account vaccinations. In addition, the province could see 30,000 cases a day. (With inputs from agencies)

Canada to send army to Ontario as cases continue to rise

As the COVID crisis creates havoc in India, Bhutan will be supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India. The oxygen will be exported using cryogenic tankers and will come from a new plant from Motanga Industrial Estate in Eastern Bhutan's Samdrup Jongkhar district.&nbsp;

A release from the Indian mission in Bhutan said, "The provision of oxygen by Bhutan will augment India’s efforts to win the fight against COVID-19 and save precious lives" and "this is a practical manifestation of the uniquely close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan."

The plant has been set up by a Bhutanese company SD&nbsp;Cryogenics Gases Pvt Ltd and&nbsp;has a domestic investment of 51 per cent&nbsp;by Bhutan's Cryogenics&nbsp;Gases&nbsp;and FDI component of 49 per cent&nbsp;by&nbsp;Assam-based Indian company&nbsp;Meghalaya Oxygen Pvt Ltd.

Meanwhile, a strong show of support has been seen by the people of Bhutan for India amid the Covid crisis. Many Bhutanese took to Twitter showing solidarity with India.&nbsp;Dechen Namgyal, a Bhutanese medical student tweeted, "This is what Bhutan can do as a friend", Bhutan sending Oxygen to India.

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This is what Bhutan can do as a friend.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a> <a href="https://t.co/O86fuB5MvS">https://t.co/O86fuB5MvS</a>
— Dechen Namgyal (@DechenNamgyal6) <a href="https://twitter.com/DechenNamgyal6/status/1386928320021897224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Namgay, a multimedia journalist in Bhutan tweeted, "My thoughts &amp; prayers are with India, every day".

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Reading several Indian articles that <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Assam?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Assam</a> will be importing oxygen from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Bhutan?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Bhutan</a> - trying to verify it on our side. It'd make many Bhutanese happy to know we can reciprocate <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/India?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#India</a>'s goodwill towards us in some way, if true. 
 
My thoughts &amp; prayers are with India, everyday. 🙏🏻
— namgay (@namgayzam) <a href="https://twitter.com/namgayzam/status/1386529111665831937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Tenzing Lamsang, Editor of The Bhutanese Newspaper recalling his student days in Delhi tweeted said,"I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest &amp; most generous people on earth."

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My entire education has been in India including 3 yrs of college in DU &amp; 2 years of work as a journalist in Delhi. 
 
I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest &amp; most generous people on earth. They don’t deserve this. 
 
My prayers that you all come through this.
— Tenzing Lamsang (@TenzingLamsang) <a href="https://twitter.com/TenzingLamsang/status/1386728466561654787?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 26, 2021</a></blockquote>
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A board at a coffee shop in Bhutan had written, "can we just take a moment today and pray for India"

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🙏🙏🙏 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/india?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#india</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ct98siJXak">pic.twitter.com/Ct98siJXak</a>
— CoffeeCat (@_CoffeeCat__) <a href="https://twitter.com/_CoffeeCat__/status/1386905986036736003?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 27, 2021</a></blockquote>
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India has reported over 300,000&nbsp;Covid cases daily for the last few days. New Delhi, via its mission, has been trying to get oxygen&nbsp;and has got the first consignment from Saudi Arabia. The country so far has also been able to bring oxygen containers from Singapore, UAE, and Thailand.&nbsp;

As the COVID crisis creates havoc in India, Bhutan will be supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India. The oxygen will be exported using cryogenic tankers and will come from a new plant from Motanga Industrial Estate in Eastern Bhutan's Samdrup Jongkhar district.

As the COVID crisis creates havoc in India, Bhutan will be supplying 40 metric tonnes of liquid oxygen to India. The oxygen will be exported using cryogenic tankers and will come from a new plant from Motanga Industrial Estate in Eastern Bhutan's Samdrup Jongkhar district. A release from the Indian mission in Bhutan said, "The provision of oxygen by Bhutan will augment India’s efforts to win the fight against COVID-19 and save precious lives" and "this is a practical manifestation of the uniquely close and friendly ties between India and Bhutan." The plant has been set up by a Bhutanese company SD Cryogenics Gases Pvt Ltd and has a domestic investment of 51 per cent by Bhutan's Cryogenics Gases and FDI component of 49 per cent by Assam-based Indian company Meghalaya Oxygen Pvt Ltd. Meanwhile, a strong show of support has been seen by the people of Bhutan for India amid the Covid crisis. Many Bhutanese took to Twitter showing solidarity with India. Dechen Namgyal, a Bhutanese medical student tweeted, "This is what Bhutan can do as a friend", Bhutan sending Oxygen to India. This is what Bhutan can do as a friend.#India https://t.co/O86fuB5MvS — Dechen Namgyal (@DechenNamgyal6) April 27, 2021 × Namgay, a multimedia journalist in Bhutan tweeted, "My thoughts & prayers are with India, every day". Reading several Indian articles that #Assam will be importing oxygen from #Bhutan - trying to verify it on our side. It'd make many Bhutanese happy to know we can reciprocate #India's goodwill towards us in some way, if true. My thoughts & prayers are with India, everyday. 🙏🏻 — namgay (@namgayzam) April 26, 2021 × Tenzing Lamsang, Editor of The Bhutanese Newspaper recalling his student days in Delhi tweeted said,"I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest & most generous people on earth." My entire education has been in India including 3 yrs of college in DU & 2 years of work as a journalist in Delhi. I am so so sorry for what is happening to some of the warmest & most generous people on earth. They don’t deserve this. My prayers that you all come through this. — Tenzing Lamsang (@TenzingLamsang) April 26, 2021 × A board at a coffee shop in Bhutan had written, "can we just take a moment today and pray for India" 🙏🙏🙏 #india pic.twitter.com/Ct98siJXak — CoffeeCat (@_CoffeeCat__) April 27, 2021 × India has reported over 300,000 Covid cases daily for the last few days. New Delhi, via its mission, has been trying to get oxygen and has got the first consignment from Saudi Arabia. The country so far has also been able to bring oxygen containers from Singapore, UAE, and Thailand.

India's Covid crisis: Bhutanese express solidarity, country to supply oxygen

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now officially recommended that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;

Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a White House press briefing that "CDC recommends that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine."

She said that vaccination surveillance systems showed "no safety concerns" for more than 35,000 women in their third trimester or their babies.

After an analysis of data on more than 35,000 women who have been vaccinated with either Pfizer's or Moderna's shots, the health body decided to issue the statement.&nbsp;

It found no increase in risks of complications, premature delivery, miscarriage or other issues among women who got the shots.&nbsp;

"Pregnant people experienced the same side effects as others following vaccination. We were also able to follow in detail more than 3,900 pregnant women. And over 800 of whom have completed their pregnancies. Importantly, no safety concerns were observed for people vaccinated in the third trimester or safety concerns for their babies," she said.

"We know that this is a deeply personal decision," she added, "and I encourage people to talk to their doctors and their primary care providers to determine what is best for them and their baby."

She further explained that because the initial vaccine trials did not include pregnant women, there had been limited data on possible problems. As a result, different health authorities and professional medical groups had offered cautious, or even conflicting, guidance.

In total, The United States had administered 228,661,408 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Sunday morning and distributed 290,692,005 doses.

(With inputs from agencies)

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now officially recommended that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a White House press briefing that "CDC recommends that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has now officially recommended that pregnant women get the COVID-19 vaccine. Director Dr Rochelle Walensky said in a White House press briefing that "CDC recommends that pregnant people receive the COVID-19 vaccine." She said that vaccination surveillance systems showed "no safety concerns" for more than 35,000 women in their third trimester or their babies. After an analysis of data on more than 35,000 women who have been vaccinated with either Pfizer's or Moderna's shots, the health body decided to issue the statement. It found no increase in risks of complications, premature delivery, miscarriage or other issues among women who got the shots. "Pregnant people experienced the same side effects as others following vaccination. We were also able to follow in detail more than 3,900 pregnant women. And over 800 of whom have completed their pregnancies. Importantly, no safety concerns were observed for people vaccinated in the third trimester or safety concerns for their babies," she said. "We know that this is a deeply personal decision," she added, "and I encourage people to talk to their doctors and their primary care providers to determine what is best for them and their baby." She further explained that because the initial vaccine trials did not include pregnant women, there had been limited data on possible problems. As a result, different health authorities and professional medical groups had offered cautious, or even conflicting, guidance. In total, The United States had administered 228,661,408 doses of COVID-19 vaccines as of Sunday morning and distributed 290,692,005 doses. (With inputs from agencies)

US CDC officially recommends Covid vaccines for pregnant women

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections.

The UK also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,428.&nbsp;

These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, reports said on Sunday.

The data were revealed after almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened in England. The figures released on the weekends are usually lower due to the delay in a report in some regions. 
Vaccination drive

Meanwhile, more than 33.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.

However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres can all open.

On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.

The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of the pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections.

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections. The UK also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,428. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, reports said on Sunday. The data were revealed after almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened in England. The figures released on the weekends are usually lower due to the delay in a report in some regions. Vaccination drive Meanwhile, more than 33.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus. However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown. In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services. Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres can all open. On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted. The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June. Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of the pandemic on the European continent. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

UK finally reports the lowest daily Covid-19 cases since September; 33.6 million vaccinated so far

The health authorities say a new COVID-19 variant is spreading in the island nation, which is infecting younger patients.

COVID-19: New more lethal variant in Sri Lanka

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