World Health Organization (W.H.O) will dispatch about 2 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses to poor countries. Watch this video to know more.

W.H.O creates COVAX program for all poor countries

Officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said an international team led by the UN agency will visit China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, said international experts would go to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were detected last December.

"We still don't have a take-off date because we are working on the logistics around visas and flights. We do expect the team to be going there in the first week of January. There will be quarantine arrangements," Ryan told a news conference.

"The team will visit Wuhan, that's the purpose of the mission. The point of the mission is to go to the original point at which human cases were detected. They'll fully expect to do that," he added.

Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, said the agency was in touch with South African researchers who identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

Since the virus first emerged a year ago, the overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 75.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.67 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University.

In its latest update on Saturday, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 75,588,781 and 1,672,826, respectively.

The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 17,442,180 and 313,246, respectively, according to the CSSE.

In terms of infections, India ranks second with 10,004,599 cases, followed by Brazil with 7,162,978.

Brazil currently accounts for the second highest death toll with 185,650 fatalities, while India is in the third place with 145,136 deaths.

Officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said an international team led by the UN agency will visit China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Officials from the World Health Organisation (WHO) have said an international team led by the UN agency will visit China in the first week of January to investigate the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, said international experts would go to the central Chinese city of Wuhan, where the first cases of COVID-19 were detected last December. "We still don't have a take-off date because we are working on the logistics around visas and flights. We do expect the team to be going there in the first week of January. There will be quarantine arrangements," Ryan told a news conference. "The team will visit Wuhan, that's the purpose of the mission. The point of the mission is to go to the original point at which human cases were detected. They'll fully expect to do that," he added. Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19, said the agency was in touch with South African researchers who identified a new variant of the SARS-CoV2 virus. Since the virus first emerged a year ago, the overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 75.5 million, while the deaths have surged to more than 1.67 million, according to the Johns Hopkins University. In its latest update on Saturday, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed that the current global caseload and death toll stood at 75,588,781 and 1,672,826, respectively. The US is the worst-hit country with the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 17,442,180 and 313,246, respectively, according to the CSSE. In terms of infections, India ranks second with 10,004,599 cases, followed by Brazil with 7,162,978. Brazil currently accounts for the second highest death toll with 185,650 fatalities, while India is in the third place with 145,136 deaths.

WHO investigators to head to China in early Jan to probe coronavirus outbreak

The US&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration is investigating around five allergic reactions that happened after people were administered Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE`s COVID-19 vaccine in the United States this week, a top FDA official said late on Friday. 
 
Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA`s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said at a press conference that the allergic reactions had been reported in more than one state, including in Alaska.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-authorises-moderna-as-second-covid-19-vaccine-350878" hreflang="en">US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine</a> 
 
Marks also said that a chemical called polyethylene glycol (PEG) that is an ingredient in the Pfizer vaccine - as well as the Moderna Inc vaccine authorized on Friday - "could be the culprit" causing the reactions. 
 
Marks said that allergic reactions to PEG could be somewhat more common than previously understood. 
 
The cases in Alaska were similar to two cases reported last week in Britain. 
 
Britain`s medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to a medicine or food, should not be given the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that most Americans with allergies should be safe to receive the vaccine. It said only people who have previously had severe allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients in this particular vaccine should avoid getting the shot.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/emmanuel-macron-claims-he-is-doing-well-from-covid-19-and-concentrating-on-brexit-350846" hreflang="en">Emmanuel Macron claims he is 'doing well' from COVID-19 and concentrating on Brexit</a> 
 
On Friday, the FDA said the Moderna vaccine should not be given to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reactions to any components of the shot. 
 
The regulator is also requiring that appropriate medical treatments for immediate allergic reactions must be available when the shot is administered in case of an anaphylactic reaction. 
 
Pfizer could not be immediately reached for comment.

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating around five allergic reactions that happened after people were administered Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE`s COVID-19 vaccine in the United States this week, a top FDA official said late on Friday.

The US Food and Drug Administration is investigating around five allergic reactions that happened after people were administered Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE`s COVID-19 vaccine in the United States this week, a top FDA official said late on Friday. Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA`s Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said at a press conference that the allergic reactions had been reported in more than one state, including in Alaska. Also read: US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine Marks also said that a chemical called polyethylene glycol (PEG) that is an ingredient in the Pfizer vaccine - as well as the Moderna Inc vaccine authorized on Friday - "could be the culprit" causing the reactions. Marks said that allergic reactions to PEG could be somewhat more common than previously understood. The cases in Alaska were similar to two cases reported last week in Britain. Britain`s medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to a medicine or food, should not be given the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that most Americans with allergies should be safe to receive the vaccine. It said only people who have previously had severe allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients in this particular vaccine should avoid getting the shot. Also read: Emmanuel Macron claims he is 'doing well' from COVID-19 and concentrating on Brexit On Friday, the FDA said the Moderna vaccine should not be given to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reactions to any components of the shot. The regulator is also requiring that appropriate medical treatments for immediate allergic reactions must be available when the shot is administered in case of an anaphylactic reaction. Pfizer could not be immediately reached for comment.

US FDA investigating 5 allergic reactions after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in country

Belgium’s budget state secretary, Eva De Bleeker, took a bold step by revealing the prices of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a> that the European Union (EU) has agreed to pay.

Bleeker took to Twitter to share the price list. "The Facts: 33.5 million vaccines will be purchased this year at 279 million € from the 2020 corona provision. 500 million is also available for the 2021 corona provision o. a. vaccines," she tweeted.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-covid-vaccine-gets-go-ahead-in-switzerland-350989">Pfizer COVID vaccine gets go-ahead in Switzerland</a>

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
De feiten: 33,5 miljoen vaccins worden dit jaar aangekocht aan 279 miljoen € uit de coronaprovisie 2020. Ook in de coronaprovisie 2021 is nog 500 miljoen beschikbaar voor o.a. vaccins.
— Eva De Bleeker (@EvaDeBleeker) <a href="https://twitter.com/EvaDeBleeker/status/1339606486905999361?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2020</a></blockquote>
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However, her earlier tweet which had a table of the price list was quickly deleted. But many were successful in taking screenshots of her tweet.

<img alt="COVID-19 vaccine price list" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e3038a54-eecb-4ed3-bcb0-62a7c5d3e616" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/COVID-19%20vaccine%20price%20list.jpg" />

The list showed prices of different COVID-19 vaccines which Belgium has bought to fight the coronavirus pandemic. When Bleeker made this information public, the&nbsp;pharmaceutical companies voiced their concerns against such a step as they claim this information falls under confidential information which is not supposed to be made public, as per the laws.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-authorises-moderna-as-second-covid-19-vaccine-350878">US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine</a>

"These prices are covered by a confidentiality clause in the contract with the European commission," said&nbsp;Elisabeth Schraepen, the US drugmaker’s spokeswoman for the Benelux region.

As per the list uploaded, Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is the cheapest and Moderna has been shown to be the most expensive. While this information is not new, the step taken by Bleeker puts the companies in a tough spot as this can now give various countries an upper hand in negotiating the prices.

Meanwhile, the EU has denied passing a comment in this controversy. "We can’t say anything about this case, everything about vaccines and prices are covered by confidentiality clauses, in the interests of society and also in the interests of negotiations ongoing,"&nbsp;said a spokesman for the European Commission.

Belgium’s budget state secretary, Eva De Bleeker, took a bold step by revealing the prices of the coronavirus vaccines that the European Union (EU) has agreed to pay.

Belgium’s budget state secretary, Eva De Bleeker, took a bold step by revealing the prices of the coronavirus vaccines that the European Union (EU) has agreed to pay. Bleeker took to Twitter to share the price list. "The Facts: 33.5 million vaccines will be purchased this year at 279 million € from the 2020 corona provision. 500 million is also available for the 2021 corona provision o. a. vaccines," she tweeted. Also read| Pfizer COVID vaccine gets go-ahead in Switzerland De feiten: 33,5 miljoen vaccins worden dit jaar aangekocht aan 279 miljoen € uit de coronaprovisie 2020. Ook in de coronaprovisie 2021 is nog 500 miljoen beschikbaar voor o.a. vaccins. — Eva De Bleeker (@EvaDeBleeker) December 17, 2020 × However, her earlier tweet which had a table of the price list was quickly deleted. But many were successful in taking screenshots of her tweet. The list showed prices of different COVID-19 vaccines which Belgium has bought to fight the coronavirus pandemic. When Bleeker made this information public, the pharmaceutical companies voiced their concerns against such a step as they claim this information falls under confidential information which is not supposed to be made public, as per the laws. Also read | US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine "These prices are covered by a confidentiality clause in the contract with the European commission," said Elisabeth Schraepen, the US drugmaker’s spokeswoman for the Benelux region. As per the list uploaded, Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is the cheapest and Moderna has been shown to be the most expensive. While this information is not new, the step taken by Bleeker puts the companies in a tough spot as this can now give various countries an upper hand in negotiating the prices. Meanwhile, the EU has denied passing a comment in this controversy. "We can’t say anything about this case, everything about vaccines and prices are covered by confidentiality clauses, in the interests of society and also in the interests of negotiations ongoing," said a spokesman for the European Commission.

Belgian minister 'accidentally' reveals COVID-19 vaccine price list on Twitter

Large areas of England will be added to the 'very high alert' COVID-19 category this weekend, placing residents under the most stringent set of restrictions to tackle a rising number of infections.

Two-thirds of England to be under toughest COVID-19 measures

All five babies born to women with COVID-19 infection during a study in Singapore have had antibodies against the virus, although the researchers said it is not yet clear what level of protection this may offer.

The findings from a study of 16 women released on Friday also found that most were mildy infected, while more severe reactions occurred in older women with a high body mass index - a trend that is mirrored in the general population.

Of the five who had delivered their babies by the time the study was published, all had antibodies, according to the Singapore Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Network.

The number of antibodies in the babies varied, and was higher among those whose mothers’ had been infected nearer to the time of delivery, the researchers said. Further monitoring is required to see whether the antibodies will decline as the babies get older, they added.

All five babies born to women with COVID-19 infection during a study in Singapore have had antibodies against the virus, although the researchers said it is not yet clear what level of protection this may offer.

All five babies born to women with COVID-19 infection during a study in Singapore have had antibodies against the virus, although the researchers said it is not yet clear what level of protection this may offer. The findings from a study of 16 women released on Friday also found that most were mildy infected, while more severe reactions occurred in older women with a high body mass index - a trend that is mirrored in the general population. Of the five who had delivered their babies by the time the study was published, all had antibodies, according to the Singapore Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research Network. The number of antibodies in the babies varied, and was higher among those whose mothers’ had been infected nearer to the time of delivery, the researchers said. Further monitoring is required to see whether the antibodies will decline as the babies get older, they added.

Babies born to COVID-19 mothers have antibodies, Singapore study finds

The U.S. Food and Drug administration on Tuesday authorized emergency use of the first over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test, which can be used at home.

The test by Ellume offers a nasal swab analyzer that connects to a software application on users` smartphone, and gives results in 20 minutes.

Anyone above two years of age, including those not showing symptoms, can take the test, the agency said.

The news follows authorization of the first prescription COVID-19 test for home use last month, and of a non-prescription test system allowing a lab to process nasal samples collected at home, last week.

The regulatory nods will help expand Americans` access to testing, reduce the burden on laboratories and test supplies, and give more testing options, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement.

The agency, however, cautioned that like other antigen tests, a small percentage of results from the test may be false. 
Ellume said it will be shipping over 100,000 tests per day from next month, and plans to manufacture as well as deliver 20 million COVID-19 tests to the United States within the first half of 2021.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration on Tuesday authorized emergency use of the first over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test, which can be used at home. The test by Ellume offers a nasal swab analyzer that connects to a software application on users` smartphone, and gives results in 20 minutes.

The U.S. Food and Drug administration on Tuesday authorized emergency use of the first over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test, which can be used at home. The test by Ellume offers a nasal swab analyzer that connects to a software application on users` smartphone, and gives results in 20 minutes. Anyone above two years of age, including those not showing symptoms, can take the test, the agency said. The news follows authorization of the first prescription COVID-19 test for home use last month, and of a non-prescription test system allowing a lab to process nasal samples collected at home, last week. The regulatory nods will help expand Americans` access to testing, reduce the burden on laboratories and test supplies, and give more testing options, FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said in a statement. The agency, however, cautioned that like other antigen tests, a small percentage of results from the test may be false. Ellume said it will be shipping over 100,000 tests per day from next month, and plans to manufacture as well as deliver 20 million COVID-19 tests to the United States within the first half of 2021.

US FDA authorises first over-the-counter COVID-19 antigen test

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to exempt religious schools in Kentucky from an order from Gov. Andy Beshear that temporarily shut down all elementary, middle and high schools, whether public or private, in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The court’s brief, unsigned ruling stressed that the order from Beshear, a Democrat, would not be in place much longer. “The governor’s school-closing order effectively expires this week or shortly thereafter, and there is no indication that it will be renewed,” the court’s opinion said.

It added that the challengers had not squarely confronted an important distinction. “The order applies equally to secular schools and religious schools, but the applicants argue that the order treats schools (including religious schools) worse than restaurants, bars and gyms, for example, which remain open,” the opinion said.

“Under all of the circumstances, especially the timing and the impending expiration of the order,” the opinion said, “we deny the application without prejudice to the applicants or other parties seeking a new preliminary injunction if the governor issues a school-closing order that applies in the new year.”

Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch each filed a dissent that was joined by the other. Alito said the Supreme Court should have acted sooner to address the challengers’ application and said the courts could still address it.

“As things now stand,” Alito wrote, “this action remains on the docket of the district court. If the governor does not allow classes to begin after the turn of the year, the applicants can file a new request for a preliminary injunction, and if the lower courts do not provide relief, the applicants may of course return to this court.”

Gorsuch said the majority had invited political gamesmanship. The governor, he wrote, should not “be able to evade judicial review by issuing short-term edicts and then urging us to overlook their problems only because one edict is about to expire while the next has yet to arrive.”

The preferable approach, he said, would have been to require the appeals court to resolve the case now under the correct legal standards. That, he wrote, would “be better for everyone — from the parents who might have to miss work and stay home should decrees like these be upheld, to the state public health officials who might have to plan for school if they are not.”

The decision in the Kentucky case followed a series of rulings from the Supreme Court on state restrictions on religious services at churches and synagogues. The court had sustained such limits while Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was alive but changed course after she was succeeded by Justice Amy Coney Barrett.

The Kentucky case presented a related but distinct issue. In ordering the temporary closure of all K-12 schools, Beshear did not single out religious ones.

In a lawsuit challenging the order, Danville Christian Academy and Daniel Cameron, the state’s attorney general, a Republican, said that it did not matter that all schools were treated the same, as religious education was still subject to stricter restrictions than comparable secular activities. That violated constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion, they said.

Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove of the U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Kentucky, agreed. “In an effort to do the right thing to fight the virus,” Van Tatenhove wrote, “the governor cannot do the wrong thing by infringing protected values.”

“This court wonders why, under this executive order, one would be free to attend a lecture, go to work or attend a concert, but not attend socially distanced chapel in school or pray together in a classroom that is following strict safety procedures and social distancing,” the judge wrote. He issued an injunction overriding Beshear’s order and opening religious schools.

A unanimous three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati stayed Van Tatenhove’s ruling, lifting his injunction while an appeal moved forward. In an unsigned opinion, the panel said that a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down limits on attendance at religious services in New York “does not compel a contrary result.”

“The contours of the order at issue here,” the panel wrote, “in no way correlate to religion, and cannot be plausibly read to contain even a hint of hostility toward religion.”

In asking the Supreme Court to intervene, the challengers urged the justices to take account of how secular activities in the state have been treated.

“In Kentucky,” the brief said, “one can catch a matinee at the movie theater, tour a distillery, work out at the gym, bet at a gambling parlor, shop, go to work, cheer on the Wildcats or the Cardinals and attend a wedding. A parent can send his or her child to day care or preschool. And college students can attend classes. But all of Kentucky’s religious schools are shuttered.”

Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and 37 other senators filed a brief supporting the challengers. “COVID-19 is undoubtedly a serious health threat, but the Constitution applies even in difficult times,” the brief said. “This court should again remind governors across the country that shutdown orders cannot trample constitutional rights.

Lawyers for Beshear responded that in-person K-12 education “presents a perfect storm of factors that combine to generate a singular public health risk.”

Students spend long days indoors, the brief said; school-age children struggle to keep their masks on and must remove them to eat; and teachers, administrators, janitorial workers, cafeteria staff and parents are often present.

Kentucky has an unusually high percentage of children cared for by their grandparents and other older people, the brief said, and the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays are an especially dangerous time, particularly as a significant percentage of pediatric COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic.

Day care and preschool do not give rise to “anything approaching the high-volume mixing that unavoidably results from in-person K-12 schooling,” the brief said. And colleges and universities in the state, the brief said, will overwhelmingly be closed in the coming weeks and had mostly moved to remote learning in any event.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to exempt religious schools in Kentucky from an order from Gov. Andy Beshear that temporarily shut down all elementary, middle and high schools, whether public or private, in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to exempt religious schools in Kentucky from an order from Gov. Andy Beshear that temporarily shut down all elementary, middle and high schools, whether public or private, in an effort to combat the coronavirus pandemic. The court’s brief, unsigned ruling stressed that the order from Beshear, a Democrat, would not be in place much longer. “The governor’s school-closing order effectively expires this week or shortly thereafter, and there is no indication that it will be renewed,” the court’s opinion said. It added that the challengers had not squarely confronted an important distinction. “The order applies equally to secular schools and religious schools, but the applicants argue that the order treats schools (including religious schools) worse than restaurants, bars and gyms, for example, which remain open,” the opinion said. “Under all of the circumstances, especially the timing and the impending expiration of the order,” the opinion said, “we deny the application without prejudice to the applicants or other parties seeking a new preliminary injunction if the governor issues a school-closing order that applies in the new year.” Justices Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch each filed a dissent that was joined by the other. Alito said the Supreme Court should have acted sooner to address the challengers’ application and said the courts could still address it. “As things now stand,” Alito wrote, “this action remains on the docket of the district court. If the governor does not allow classes to begin after the turn of the year, the applicants can file a new request for a preliminary injunction, and if the lower courts do not provide relief, the applicants may of course return to this court.” Gorsuch said the majority had invited political gamesmanship. The governor, he wrote, should not “be able to evade judicial review by issuing short-term edicts and then urging us to overlook their problems only because one edict is about to expire while the next has yet to arrive.” The preferable approach, he said, would have been to require the appeals court to resolve the case now under the correct legal standards. That, he wrote, would “be better for everyone — from the parents who might have to miss work and stay home should decrees like these be upheld, to the state public health officials who might have to plan for school if they are not.” The decision in the Kentucky case followed a series of rulings from the Supreme Court on state restrictions on religious services at churches and synagogues. The court had sustained such limits while Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was alive but changed course after she was succeeded by Justice Amy Coney Barrett. The Kentucky case presented a related but distinct issue. In ordering the temporary closure of all K-12 schools, Beshear did not single out religious ones. In a lawsuit challenging the order, Danville Christian Academy and Daniel Cameron, the state’s attorney general, a Republican, said that it did not matter that all schools were treated the same, as religious education was still subject to stricter restrictions than comparable secular activities. That violated constitutional protections for the free exercise of religion, they said. Judge Gregory Van Tatenhove of the U.S. District Court in Frankfort, Kentucky, agreed. “In an effort to do the right thing to fight the virus,” Van Tatenhove wrote, “the governor cannot do the wrong thing by infringing protected values.” “This court wonders why, under this executive order, one would be free to attend a lecture, go to work or attend a concert, but not attend socially distanced chapel in school or pray together in a classroom that is following strict safety procedures and social distancing,” the judge wrote. He issued an injunction overriding Beshear’s order and opening religious schools. A unanimous three-judge panel of the 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Cincinnati stayed Van Tatenhove’s ruling, lifting his injunction while an appeal moved forward. In an unsigned opinion, the panel said that a recent Supreme Court ruling striking down limits on attendance at religious services in New York “does not compel a contrary result.” “The contours of the order at issue here,” the panel wrote, “in no way correlate to religion, and cannot be plausibly read to contain even a hint of hostility toward religion.” In asking the Supreme Court to intervene, the challengers urged the justices to take account of how secular activities in the state have been treated. “In Kentucky,” the brief said, “one can catch a matinee at the movie theater, tour a distillery, work out at the gym, bet at a gambling parlor, shop, go to work, cheer on the Wildcats or the Cardinals and attend a wedding. A parent can send his or her child to day care or preschool. And college students can attend classes. But all of Kentucky’s religious schools are shuttered.” Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and 37 other senators filed a brief supporting the challengers. “COVID-19 is undoubtedly a serious health threat, but the Constitution applies even in difficult times,” the brief said. “This court should again remind governors across the country that shutdown orders cannot trample constitutional rights. Lawyers for Beshear responded that in-person K-12 education “presents a perfect storm of factors that combine to generate a singular public health risk.” Students spend long days indoors, the brief said; school-age children struggle to keep their masks on and must remove them to eat; and teachers, administrators, janitorial workers, cafeteria staff and parents are often present. Kentucky has an unusually high percentage of children cared for by their grandparents and other older people, the brief said, and the Thanksgiving and year-end holidays are an especially dangerous time, particularly as a significant percentage of pediatric COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic. Day care and preschool do not give rise to “anything approaching the high-volume mixing that unavoidably results from in-person K-12 schooling,” the brief said. And colleges and universities in the state, the brief said, will overwhelmingly be closed in the coming weeks and had mostly moved to remote learning in any event.

US Supreme Court rejects religious school’s challenge to Kentucky virus order

Malaysia's government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to stop by-elections in two constituencies scheduled for next month, as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few months.

Malaysia invokes emergency to stop by-elections as COVID-19 cases rise

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US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-vice-president-mike-pence-to-get-covid-vaccine-friday-350304">READ MORE</a>

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The United States and Europe should agree to cooperate in opposing any future "hurtful" subsidies used by China to build up its commercial aircraft industry, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Reuters in an interview | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-eu-deal-on-aircraft-subsidies-should-include-china-clause-ustr-says-350336">READ MORE</a>

Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine jab: UK study Despite being at much greater risk of the disease people from minority ethnic backgrounds or with lower incomes are significantly less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine, research suggests | READ MORE Closer to Brexit trade deal but success unclear, says EU chief in European Parliament European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said that Britain and Eurpean Union were closer to sealing Brexit trade deal but she added that it was still unclear whether talks would succeed | READ MORE Iran nuclear deal: World powers try to diffuse tension World powers party to Iran nuclear deal struck by Brack Obama administration on Wednesday went into a huddle to diffuse tension and to decide plan of action under mounting pressure from Iranian breaches and US sanctions | READ MORE Chinese spacecraft returns to Earth with rocks from Moon An unmanned Chinese spacecraft carrying rocks and soil from the Moon returned safely to Earth early Thursday, completing the first mission in four decades to collect lunar samples | READ MORE Germany aims to begin coronavirus vaccinations on December 27: Minister Germany will begin coronavirus vaccinations on December 27 with elderly care home residents, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced Wednesday, with the European Union aiming for all 27 member states to begin on the same day | READ MORE US sets a grim record with over 3,700 Covid deaths; vaccine campaign grows The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours | READ MORE US Vice-President Mike Pence to get Covid vaccine Friday US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence | READ MORE US, EU deal on aircraft subsidies should include China clause, USTR says The United States and Europe should agree to cooperate in opposing any future "hurtful" subsidies used by China to build up its commercial aircraft industry, U.

Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine jab: UK study Despite being at much greater risk of the disease people from minority ethnic backgrounds or with lower incomes are significantly less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine, research suggests | READ MORE Closer to Brexit trade deal but success unclear, says EU chief in European Parliament European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday said that Britain and Eurpean Union were closer to sealing Brexit trade deal but she added that it was still unclear whether talks would succeed | READ MORE Iran nuclear deal: World powers try to diffuse tension World powers party to Iran nuclear deal struck by Brack Obama administration on Wednesday went into a huddle to diffuse tension and to decide plan of action under mounting pressure from Iranian breaches and US sanctions | READ MORE Chinese spacecraft returns to Earth with rocks from Moon An unmanned Chinese spacecraft carrying rocks and soil from the Moon returned safely to Earth early Thursday, completing the first mission in four decades to collect lunar samples | READ MORE Germany aims to begin coronavirus vaccinations on December 27: Minister Germany will begin coronavirus vaccinations on December 27 with elderly care home residents, Health Minister Jens Spahn announced Wednesday, with the European Union aiming for all 27 member states to begin on the same day | READ MORE US sets a grim record with over 3,700 Covid deaths; vaccine campaign grows The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours | READ MORE US Vice-President Mike Pence to get Covid vaccine Friday US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence | READ MORE US, EU deal on aircraft subsidies should include China clause, USTR says The United States and Europe should agree to cooperate in opposing any future "hurtful" subsidies used by China to build up its commercial aircraft industry, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told Reuters in an interview | READ MORE

Morning news brief: Covid vaccinations all over the world, and more

The Russian President also called for all the citizens to get vaccinated against coronavirus. He also added that Russia needed time to increase capacity for vaccine production.

'Will get COVID vaccine when possible for my age group': Vladimir Putin

People in France could start receiving the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer/BioNTech in the last week of December if European Union authorities approve it next week, French Prime Minister Jean Castex said on Wednesday.

Coronavirus Pandemic: Europe pushes for COVID-19 vaccine rollout

The largest burden of Covid-19 has undoubtedly fallen on people older than 65, accounting for around 80 percent of deaths in the United States. But if we momentarily eclipse that from our mind’s eye, something else becomes visible: The corona of this virus.

Young adults are dying at historic rates. In research published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, we found that among U.S. adults ages 25 to 44, from March through the end of July, there were almost 12,000 more deaths than were expected based on historical norms.

In fact, July appears to have been the deadliest month among this age group in modern American history. Over the past 20 years, an average of 11,000 young American adults died each July. This year that number swelled to over 16,000.

The trends continued this fall. Based on prior trends, around 154,000 in this demographic had been projected to die in 2020. We surpassed that total in mid-November. Even if death rates suddenly return to normal in December — and we know they have not — we would anticipate well over 170,000 deaths among U.S. adults in this demographic by the end of 2020.

While detailed data are not yet available for all areas, we know Covid-19 is the driving force behind these excess deaths. Consider New York State. In April and May, Covid-19 killed 1,081 adults ages 20 to 49, according to statistics we gathered from the New York State Health Department. Remarkably, this figure towers over the state’s usual leading cause of death in that age group — unintentional accidents including drug overdoses and road accidents — which combined to cause 495 deaths in this demographic during April and May of 2018, the most recent year for which data are available to the public.

After the Northeast’s horrific first surge this spring subsided, similar trends began to become apparent in other regions over the summer. As caseloads among the younger population rose nationwide, Covid-19 became a leading cause of death among younger adults in other regions. While deaths from the virus temporarily exceeded opioid deaths among young adults in some areas this year, we are also concerned that unintentional overdose deaths have increased during the pandemic as well.

Nor is it an illusion that people of color constitute a disproportionate fraction of the dead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among adults 25 to 44, Black and Hispanic people make up not just a disproportionate number but a majority of Covid-19 deaths through Sept. 30.

Stay-at-home policies have saved lives, but their benefits have not been equally distributed. Among essential workers, many of whom are people of color, sheltering-in-place was never a real option.

Take a step back and compare what we are experiencing to the H.I.V./AIDS epidemic. Before effective treatments became available, we watched in horror as a contagious but preventable disease ravaged young adults in the prime of their lives. It claimed the lives of thousands of working-age adults every month. While too many still become infected, and too many die, public health messaging helped ease the epidemic.

Now we must deal with Covid-19. For too long, the message has been repeated — by us and our colleagues, by government officials and the public — that Covid-19 is dangerous for the old and that younger people do well. It’s true that deaths among adults ages 25 to 44 account for fewer than 3 percent of Covid-19 deaths in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.

But what we believed before about the relative harmlessness of Covid-19 among younger adults has simply not been borne out by emerging data. In the past, it took us too long to respond to the epidemics of opioids and H.I.V./AIDS when the young started dying in large numbers. Now that we have similar information about Covid-19, we must immediately address it.

We need to amend our messaging and our policies now. Outreach in the coming weeks and months is imperative. We know it can help. The use of lifesaving medications like methadone and buprenorphine increased after awareness of the devastation of the opioid epidemic became commonly understood, saving many lives. We need to tell young people that they are at risk and that they need to wear masks and make safer choices about social distancing.

This is even more important now that safe and effective vaccines are a reality. Young, healthy people are low on the priority list for the vaccine rollout. That means that modifying behavior now can save thousands of young lives next year.

And that is the crux of it. Our messaging is no longer about merely flattening the curve to prevent hospitals from overflowing. Now with vaccines, our policies and our individual choices can together save a far larger number of lives.

That challenge is ours to confront. The sooner that reality sets in, the better.

(Jeremy Samuel Faust is an attending physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine in Boston and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Harlan M. Krumholz is a professor of medicine at Yale University. Rochelle P. Walensky, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School, has been nominated by President-elect Biden to be the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

The largest burden of Covid-19 has undoubtedly fallen on people older than 65, accounting for around 80 percent of deaths in the United States. But if we momentarily eclipse that from our mind’s eye, something else becomes visible: The corona of this virus.

The largest burden of Covid-19 has undoubtedly fallen on people older than 65, accounting for around 80 percent of deaths in the United States. But if we momentarily eclipse that from our mind’s eye, something else becomes visible: The corona of this virus. Young adults are dying at historic rates. In research published on Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association, we found that among U.S. adults ages 25 to 44, from March through the end of July, there were almost 12,000 more deaths than were expected based on historical norms. In fact, July appears to have been the deadliest month among this age group in modern American history. Over the past 20 years, an average of 11,000 young American adults died each July. This year that number swelled to over 16,000. The trends continued this fall. Based on prior trends, around 154,000 in this demographic had been projected to die in 2020. We surpassed that total in mid-November. Even if death rates suddenly return to normal in December — and we know they have not — we would anticipate well over 170,000 deaths among U.S. adults in this demographic by the end of 2020. While detailed data are not yet available for all areas, we know Covid-19 is the driving force behind these excess deaths. Consider New York State. In April and May, Covid-19 killed 1,081 adults ages 20 to 49, according to statistics we gathered from the New York State Health Department. Remarkably, this figure towers over the state’s usual leading cause of death in that age group — unintentional accidents including drug overdoses and road accidents — which combined to cause 495 deaths in this demographic during April and May of 2018, the most recent year for which data are available to the public. After the Northeast’s horrific first surge this spring subsided, similar trends began to become apparent in other regions over the summer. As caseloads among the younger population rose nationwide, Covid-19 became a leading cause of death among younger adults in other regions. While deaths from the virus temporarily exceeded opioid deaths among young adults in some areas this year, we are also concerned that unintentional overdose deaths have increased during the pandemic as well. Nor is it an illusion that people of color constitute a disproportionate fraction of the dead. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, among adults 25 to 44, Black and Hispanic people make up not just a disproportionate number but a majority of Covid-19 deaths through Sept. 30. Stay-at-home policies have saved lives, but their benefits have not been equally distributed. Among essential workers, many of whom are people of color, sheltering-in-place was never a real option. Take a step back and compare what we are experiencing to the H.I.V./AIDS epidemic. Before effective treatments became available, we watched in horror as a contagious but preventable disease ravaged young adults in the prime of their lives. It claimed the lives of thousands of working-age adults every month. While too many still become infected, and too many die, public health messaging helped ease the epidemic. Now we must deal with Covid-19. For too long, the message has been repeated — by us and our colleagues, by government officials and the public — that Covid-19 is dangerous for the old and that younger people do well. It’s true that deaths among adults ages 25 to 44 account for fewer than 3 percent of Covid-19 deaths in the United States, according to the National Center for Health Statistics. But what we believed before about the relative harmlessness of Covid-19 among younger adults has simply not been borne out by emerging data. In the past, it took us too long to respond to the epidemics of opioids and H.I.V./AIDS when the young started dying in large numbers. Now that we have similar information about Covid-19, we must immediately address it. We need to amend our messaging and our policies now. Outreach in the coming weeks and months is imperative. We know it can help. The use of lifesaving medications like methadone and buprenorphine increased after awareness of the devastation of the opioid epidemic became commonly understood, saving many lives. We need to tell young people that they are at risk and that they need to wear masks and make safer choices about social distancing. This is even more important now that safe and effective vaccines are a reality. Young, healthy people are low on the priority list for the vaccine rollout. That means that modifying behavior now can save thousands of young lives next year. And that is the crux of it. Our messaging is no longer about merely flattening the curve to prevent hospitals from overflowing. Now with vaccines, our policies and our individual choices can together save a far larger number of lives. That challenge is ours to confront. The sooner that reality sets in, the better. (Jeremy Samuel Faust is an attending physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital Department of Emergency Medicine in Boston and an instructor at Harvard Medical School. Harlan M. Krumholz is a professor of medicine at Yale University. Rochelle P. Walensky, chief of the division of infectious diseases at Massachusetts General Hospital and a professor at Harvard Medical School, has been nominated by President-elect Biden to be the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.)

People thought COVID-19 was relatively harmless for younger adults. They were wrong

A new study shows that one in 10 Spaniards have had COVID-19, based on antibody samples from the country.

Since the last wave, the share of Spanish population to have contracted COVID-19 has doubled to 10 per cent or 4.7 million people, according to data from a nationwide antibody study.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/spanish-104-year-old-woman-returns-home-after-beating-coronavirus-349941/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In the second half of November, more than 51,400 were tested in the country. The study ascertained that way more people in the country have had COVID-19 than previously thought. The study exceeds the number of confirmed cases which stand at 1.75 million.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/face-shields-and-visors-can-spread-coronavirus-study-349974" hreflang="en">Face shields and visors can spread coronavirus: Study</a>

"One in 10 people living in Spain would have been infected ..., half during the first wave and the other half during this second epidemic wave," Raquel Yotti, director of Spain's Carlos III Health Institute, which co-led the study, said.

Out of all the Spanish regions, the prevalence of COVID-19 remained the highest in Madrid, with 18.6 per cent of its population testing positive for coronavirus antibodies.

Results from a similar study that were published in July after testing 70,000 people in April-June showed a prevalence rate of over 5 per cent.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/scientists-develop-coronavirus-risk-calculator-to-determine-who-should-get-vaccine-first-349954" hreflang="en">Scientists develop coronavirus risk calculator to determine who should get vaccine first</a>

Spain continues to remain one of Europe’s hardest-hit countries by the pandemic. This is true for not only the virus, but also its economic impact.

The pandemic has killed 48,401 people in the country. Over the last 24 hours, 388 new deaths have been recorded in the country.

On Tuesday, 10,328 new cases were reported. The total in the country since the contagion began stands at 1,762,212.

A new study shows that one in 10 Spaniards have had COVID-19, based on antibody samples from the country. Since the last wave, the share of Spanish population to have contracted COVID-19 has doubled to 10 per cent or 4.

A new study shows that one in 10 Spaniards have had COVID-19, based on antibody samples from the country. Since the last wave, the share of Spanish population to have contracted COVID-19 has doubled to 10 per cent or 4.7 million people, according to data from a nationwide antibody study. In the second half of November, more than 51,400 were tested in the country. The study ascertained that way more people in the country have had COVID-19 than previously thought. The study exceeds the number of confirmed cases which stand at 1.75 million. Also read: Face shields and visors can spread coronavirus: Study "One in 10 people living in Spain would have been infected ..., half during the first wave and the other half during this second epidemic wave," Raquel Yotti, director of Spain's Carlos III Health Institute, which co-led the study, said. Out of all the Spanish regions, the prevalence of COVID-19 remained the highest in Madrid, with 18.6 per cent of its population testing positive for coronavirus antibodies. Results from a similar study that were published in July after testing 70,000 people in April-June showed a prevalence rate of over 5 per cent. Also read: Scientists develop coronavirus risk calculator to determine who should get vaccine first Spain continues to remain one of Europe’s hardest-hit countries by the pandemic. This is true for not only the virus, but also its economic impact. The pandemic has killed 48,401 people in the country. Over the last 24 hours, 388 new deaths have been recorded in the country. On Tuesday, 10,328 new cases were reported. The total in the country since the contagion began stands at 1,762,212.

One in 10 Spaniards have had COVID-19, nationwide antibody study shows

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses.

With hopes that vaccines can bring an end to a pandemic that has killed some 1.6 million people, countries including the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates have already begun rolling out immunisation programmes.

Eager to increase their chances of having access to at least one of the dozens of vaccines in development, many nations have snapped up allocations of several different drugs.

Wealthy nations -- accounting for just 14 percent of the global population -- have pre-ordered just over half of the vaccine doses expected to be produced by the 13 leading developers next year, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found.

There are fears that poorer nations will be left behind.

Even if the drug makers all produce effective, safe vaccines and meet their maximum global manufacturing targets, the study said "at least a fifth of the world's population would not have access to vaccines until 2022".

The research, published in the BMJ medical journal, looked at publicly available data and found that as of mid-November, reservations totalled 7.48 billion doses -- equivalent to 3.76 billion immunisation courses, because most vaccines require two jabs.

That is out of a total maximum projected manufacturing capacity of 5.96 billion courses by the end of 2021.

- Pooled purchasing scheme -

The study estimated that up to 40 percent of the vaccine courses from the leading manufacturers might be available for low- and middle-income countries, but said this would depend on how rich countries share what they have bought.

The authors, who cautioned that public information was incomplete, called for "greater transparency and accountability" over support for equitable global access.

They suggested the implications could go well beyond health.

"To varying degrees, trade with and travel to countries might face continued disruption until access to effective preventive or treatment measures, such as Covid-19 vaccines, becomes more widely available," the report said.

Many countries have joined a pooled purchasing mechanism COVAX -- coordinated by the World Health Organisation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and vaccines alliance Gavi -- aiming to ensure that people across the world have access to a Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of wealth.

The initiative is hoping to have two billion doses available by the end of 2021.

But neither the United States nor Russia have so far joined the programme.

- 'Devastating crisis' -

Jason Schwartz, at the Yale School of Public Health, said US participation in coordination efforts would be "invaluable" in helping ensure people across the world have access to vaccines "that will ultimately help bring an end to this devastating global health crisis".

In a BMJ editorial, Schwartz said the requirement for two doses and the very low temperatures needed to store some of the vaccines added to the challenges for many countries.

"The operational challenges of the global Covid-19 vaccination programme will be at least as difficult as the scientific challenges associated with rapidly developing safe and effective vaccines," he said.

The Johns Hopkins authors said prices for immunisations ranged from $6 per course to as high as $74.

They found that if all the vaccines work as hoped, many richer nations would have already reserved at least one immunisation per person.

Researchers said that Canada had ordered the equivalent of four doses per person, the United States has reserved just enough for one vaccine course per person, while countries like Indonesia have reserved less than one vaccine course for every two people.

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses.

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses. With hopes that vaccines can bring an end to a pandemic that has killed some 1.6 million people, countries including the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates have already begun rolling out immunisation programmes. Eager to increase their chances of having access to at least one of the dozens of vaccines in development, many nations have snapped up allocations of several different drugs. Wealthy nations -- accounting for just 14 percent of the global population -- have pre-ordered just over half of the vaccine doses expected to be produced by the 13 leading developers next year, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found. There are fears that poorer nations will be left behind. Even if the drug makers all produce effective, safe vaccines and meet their maximum global manufacturing targets, the study said "at least a fifth of the world's population would not have access to vaccines until 2022". The research, published in the BMJ medical journal, looked at publicly available data and found that as of mid-November, reservations totalled 7.48 billion doses -- equivalent to 3.76 billion immunisation courses, because most vaccines require two jabs. That is out of a total maximum projected manufacturing capacity of 5.96 billion courses by the end of 2021. - Pooled purchasing scheme - The study estimated that up to 40 percent of the vaccine courses from the leading manufacturers might be available for low- and middle-income countries, but said this would depend on how rich countries share what they have bought. The authors, who cautioned that public information was incomplete, called for "greater transparency and accountability" over support for equitable global access. They suggested the implications could go well beyond health. "To varying degrees, trade with and travel to countries might face continued disruption until access to effective preventive or treatment measures, such as Covid-19 vaccines, becomes more widely available," the report said. Many countries have joined a pooled purchasing mechanism COVAX -- coordinated by the World Health Organisation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and vaccines alliance Gavi -- aiming to ensure that people across the world have access to a Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of wealth. The initiative is hoping to have two billion doses available by the end of 2021. But neither the United States nor Russia have so far joined the programme. - 'Devastating crisis' - Jason Schwartz, at the Yale School of Public Health, said US participation in coordination efforts would be "invaluable" in helping ensure people across the world have access to vaccines "that will ultimately help bring an end to this devastating global health crisis". In a BMJ editorial, Schwartz said the requirement for two doses and the very low temperatures needed to store some of the vaccines added to the challenges for many countries. "The operational challenges of the global Covid-19 vaccination programme will be at least as difficult as the scientific challenges associated with rapidly developing safe and effective vaccines," he said. The Johns Hopkins authors said prices for immunisations ranged from $6 per course to as high as $74. They found that if all the vaccines work as hoped, many richer nations would have already reserved at least one immunisation per person. Researchers said that Canada had ordered the equivalent of four doses per person, the United States has reserved just enough for one vaccine course per person, while countries like Indonesia have reserved less than one vaccine course for every two people.

Nearly a fifth of the world's population may not get vaccine until 2022, study says

Malaysia`s government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to stop by-elections in two constituencies scheduled for next month, as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few months.

The Southeast Asian nation has seen a sharp jump in cases since September, with the total number of infections climbing above 86,000 and with 422 deaths as of Tuesday.

Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement the king had assented to the request to impose an emergency in the Bugaya constituency in Sabah on Borneo, the state that health authorities believe was the epicentre of the country`s third wave of infections, and the Gerik constituency in Perak state.

The government had declared a state of emergency in another constituency in Sabah last month, also to stop a scheduled by-election.

In October, King Al-Sultan Abdullah rejected an attempt by Muhyiddin to impose a nationwide state of emergency in response to rising coronavirus cases, with critics accusing the premier of attempting to block a potential showdown in parliament ahead of a crucial budget vote.

Muhyiddin on Tuesday succeeded in passing his 2021 budget with a two-vote majority in parliament.

Malaysia`s government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to stop by-elections in two constituencies scheduled for next month, as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few months.

Malaysia`s government on Wednesday declared a state of emergency to stop by-elections in two constituencies scheduled for next month, as the country grapples with a spike in coronavirus cases over the past few months. The Southeast Asian nation has seen a sharp jump in cases since September, with the total number of infections climbing above 86,000 and with 422 deaths as of Tuesday. Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said in a statement the king had assented to the request to impose an emergency in the Bugaya constituency in Sabah on Borneo, the state that health authorities believe was the epicentre of the country`s third wave of infections, and the Gerik constituency in Perak state. The government had declared a state of emergency in another constituency in Sabah last month, also to stop a scheduled by-election. In October, King Al-Sultan Abdullah rejected an attempt by Muhyiddin to impose a nationwide state of emergency in response to rising coronavirus cases, with critics accusing the premier of attempting to block a potential showdown in parliament ahead of a crucial budget vote. Muhyiddin on Tuesday succeeded in passing his 2021 budget with a two-vote majority in parliament.

The United States Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has approved the country's first at home COVID -19 testing kit. This is the first over the counter covid testing kit to be approved by the drug regulator.

United States FDA approves country's first at home COVID-19 testing kit

While the governments are turning towards various pharmaceutical companies for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a>, some people have decided to rely on the infamous dark web for their shot to protection against the novel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>.

A recent report by&nbsp;Checkpoint Research has shown there has been an alarming increase in the amount of fake COVID-19 vaccines available on the dark web. Anybody, who is able to solve the mystery of the dark web, can order and purchase these fake vaccines...but by paying in bitcoins.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-variant-of-coronavirus-identified-in-uk-london-in-tier-3-lockdown-349785" hreflang="en">New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in Tier 3 lockdown</a>

The concept of paying through bitcoins, and not traditional money has made tracking these transactions harder for the experts.

Checkpoint Research has also revealed that the advice being provided on the required dosage of the vaccine is also contradictory to the announcement made by the health experts around the globe. "When researchers communicated with one vendor, they offered to sell an unspecified Covid-19 vaccine for 0.01 BTC (around US$300), and claimed that 14 doses were required. This advice contradicts official announcements, which state that some coronavirus vaccines require two shots per person, each administered three weeks apart," the company said in a statement.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-administers-first-coronavirus-vaccine-donald-trump-congratulates-americans-349779">US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans</a>

These fake vaccines are being sold in the name of&nbsp;leading pharmaceuticals and are being priced for nearly&nbsp;$250 and above. "The range of medicines advertised by these vendors is extensive, from ‘available coronavirus vaccine $250’ to ‘Say bye bye to COVID19=CHLOROQUINE PHOSPHATE’ to ‘Buy fast.CORONA-VIRUS VACCINE IS OUT NOW’, and we have no way of knowing whether these are genuine," the post reads.

As per the data observed by the company, nearly&nbsp;1,062 new domains had cropped up since November out of which 400 domains had mentioned 'covid' and 'corona', and the researchers had downsized to six of them being highly suspicious.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapore-approves-pfizer-biontech-virus-vaccine-349764" hreflang="en">Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech virus vaccine</a>

The experts claim they had expected such activities to increase once the vaccines were announced and approved by leading governments. However, they are also urging masses not to get trapped in this dark side of the vaccine and not trust any kind of misinformation being spread around by a few.

While the governments are turning towards various pharmaceutical companies for coronavirus vaccines, some people have decided to rely on the infamous dark web for their shot to protection against the novel coronavirus.

While the governments are turning towards various pharmaceutical companies for coronavirus vaccines, some people have decided to rely on the infamous dark web for their shot to protection against the novel coronavirus. A recent report by Checkpoint Research has shown there has been an alarming increase in the amount of fake COVID-19 vaccines available on the dark web. Anybody, who is able to solve the mystery of the dark web, can order and purchase these fake vaccines...but by paying in bitcoins. Also read| New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in Tier 3 lockdown The concept of paying through bitcoins, and not traditional money has made tracking these transactions harder for the experts. Checkpoint Research has also revealed that the advice being provided on the required dosage of the vaccine is also contradictory to the announcement made by the health experts around the globe. "When researchers communicated with one vendor, they offered to sell an unspecified Covid-19 vaccine for 0.01 BTC (around US$300), and claimed that 14 doses were required. This advice contradicts official announcements, which state that some coronavirus vaccines require two shots per person, each administered three weeks apart," the company said in a statement. Also read| US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans These fake vaccines are being sold in the name of leading pharmaceuticals and are being priced for nearly $250 and above. "The range of medicines advertised by these vendors is extensive, from ‘available coronavirus vaccine $250’ to ‘Say bye bye to COVID19=CHLOROQUINE PHOSPHATE’ to ‘Buy fast.CORONA-VIRUS VACCINE IS OUT NOW’, and we have no way of knowing whether these are genuine," the post reads. As per the data observed by the company, nearly 1,062 new domains had cropped up since November out of which 400 domains had mentioned 'covid' and 'corona', and the researchers had downsized to six of them being highly suspicious. Also read| Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech virus vaccine The experts claim they had expected such activities to increase once the vaccines were announced and approved by leading governments. However, they are also urging masses not to get trapped in this dark side of the vaccine and not trust any kind of misinformation being spread around by a few.

Fake COVID-19 vaccines surge on dark web: Research

At a time when the world thought that the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't get any worse, doctors in New Delhi and Ahmedabad have reported about a rare and serious fungal infection that is preying on COVID-19 patients and also on those who had recently recovered.

'Mucormycosis' is a deadly fungal infection "triggered by COVID-19", due to which nearly half of the recovering Covid patients have lost their eyesight.

In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons at New Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) have seen 13 cases of "COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis".

In Ahmedabad, two patients have already died while two surviving patients have lost their eyesight.&nbsp;

Four male patients were aged between 34 and 47 years. The fifth patient was a 67-year-old man who has rushed to an Ahmedabad hospital on late Friday night. He was in critical condition. All patients had enlarged eyeballs which were bulging out of the eye sockets.&nbsp;&nbsp;

This alarming affliction, although rare, is not new. What is new is COVID-19 triggering mucormycosis, they said.

Black Fungus or mucormycosis has been a cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, and ICU and immunodeficient individuals since long. However, it is the rapid increase in the numbers seen in unsuspected recovering COVID-19 patients that is causing the grave concern, the SGRH said in a statement.

"In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons have seen 13 cases of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis in over 50 per cent patients, with loss of eyesight, and removal of nose and jaw bone needed," it said.

Mortality is currently being seen in the range of 50 per cent (five patients), with certain deaths when there is involvement of brain, the hospital authorities said.

Doctors had to do these resections in about 10 patients over the last fortnight, with "about 50 per cent losing their eyesight permanently". Five of these patients required critical care support due to associated complications. There also have been five mortalities so far in this subgroup, the statement said.

According to Manish Munjal, senior ENT surgeon, at the hospital, "The frequency with which we are witnessing the occurrence of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis with high morbidity and mortality has never been seen before and is shocking and alarming."

Varun Rai, consultant ENT surgeon at SGRH said, "Early clinical suspicion on symptoms such as nose obstruction, swelling in the eye or cheeks, and black dry crusts in the nose should immediately prompt the conduct of a biopsy in the OPD and start of the antifungal therapy as early as possible".

Delhi recorded 1,376 fresh COVID-19 cases on Monday, the lowest in over three-and-a-half months, even as the death count mounted to 10,074 with 60 new fatalities.

The positivity rate dropped to 2.15 per cent from 2.74 per cent on Sunday, authorities said.

The Monday bulletin said 5,83,509 patients have recovered, been discharged or migrated so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

At a time when the world thought that the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't get any worse, doctors in New Delhi and Ahmedabad have reported about a rare and serious fungal infection that is preying on COVID-19 patients and also on those who had recently recovered.

At a time when the world thought that the COVID-19 pandemic couldn't get any worse, doctors in New Delhi and Ahmedabad have reported about a rare and serious fungal infection that is preying on COVID-19 patients and also on those who had recently recovered. 'Mucormycosis' is a deadly fungal infection "triggered by COVID-19", due to which nearly half of the recovering Covid patients have lost their eyesight. In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons at New Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital (SGRH) have seen 13 cases of "COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis". In Ahmedabad, two patients have already died while two surviving patients have lost their eyesight. Four male patients were aged between 34 and 47 years. The fifth patient was a 67-year-old man who has rushed to an Ahmedabad hospital on late Friday night. He was in critical condition. All patients had enlarged eyeballs which were bulging out of the eye sockets. This alarming affliction, although rare, is not new. What is new is COVID-19 triggering mucormycosis, they said. Black Fungus or mucormycosis has been a cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, and ICU and immunodeficient individuals since long. However, it is the rapid increase in the numbers seen in unsuspected recovering COVID-19 patients that is causing the grave concern, the SGRH said in a statement. "In the last 15 days, ENT surgeons have seen 13 cases of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis in over 50 per cent patients, with loss of eyesight, and removal of nose and jaw bone needed," it said. Mortality is currently being seen in the range of 50 per cent (five patients), with certain deaths when there is involvement of brain, the hospital authorities said. Doctors had to do these resections in about 10 patients over the last fortnight, with "about 50 per cent losing their eyesight permanently". Five of these patients required critical care support due to associated complications. There also have been five mortalities so far in this subgroup, the statement said. According to Manish Munjal, senior ENT surgeon, at the hospital, "The frequency with which we are witnessing the occurrence of COVID-19-triggered mucormycosis with high morbidity and mortality has never been seen before and is shocking and alarming." Varun Rai, consultant ENT surgeon at SGRH said, "Early clinical suspicion on symptoms such as nose obstruction, swelling in the eye or cheeks, and black dry crusts in the nose should immediately prompt the conduct of a biopsy in the OPD and start of the antifungal therapy as early as possible". Delhi recorded 1,376 fresh COVID-19 cases on Monday, the lowest in over three-and-a-half months, even as the death count mounted to 10,074 with 60 new fatalities. The positivity rate dropped to 2.15 per cent from 2.74 per cent on Sunday, authorities said. The Monday bulletin said 5,83,509 patients have recovered, been discharged or migrated so far. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid-19 triggering rare, deadly fungal infection, claim Indian hospitals

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. 
 
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England. 
 
Although there was currently nothing to suggest the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine, Hancock said that it could be contributing to higher infection rates. 
 
"Over the last week, we`ve seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," Hancock told the House of Commons in a statement, referring to counties near London. 
 
"We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action," he said, announcing that the entire capital and some neighbouring areas would go into "High Alert" level. 
 
Earlier this month, the government implemented a three-tiered system of restrictions in England to try to keep a second wave of the virus under control after a month-long national lockdown. More than 40% of citizens were placed in the highest risk category. 
 
However London, whose 9 million people and world-leading financial centre make it the engine of the British economy, was initially left in the middle tier of restrictions. 
 
TUSSLE OVER SCHOOLS 
 
The main difference between the top alert levels is that bars and restaurants, which can stay open under certain conditions in Tier 2, must close their doors in Tier 3 and can only operate takeaway services. 
 
There are also additional curbs on socialising in Tier 3, but workplaces and schools are told to remain open. 
 
Three local councils in the capital - Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest - unilaterally instructed schools in their boroughs to close, but were overruled by the national government which ordered that schools should remain open. 
 
The tussle between local and central authorities reflected the tensions and complexities involved in attempting to bring the virus under control whilst protecting certain aspects of life deemed vitally important, such as children`s education. 
 
Schools were closed to most pupils for several months during the first wave of the pandemic, when there was a strict national lockdown. Since they reopened in September, the government has emphasised it wanted children in school as much as possible. 
 
For other parts of London`s social fabric, especially pubs, restaurants and cafes that have been hard-hit since the start of the pandemic, the move into Tier 3 was expected to cause further hardship. 
 
"Moving into Tier 3 before Christmas will be deeply disappointing for Londoners, and a terrible blow to the capital`s hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors," said John Dickie, director of Strategy and Policy at business campaign group London First. 
 
MUTATIONS 
 
The Tier 3 restrictions will come into force in the capital from 0001 GMT on Wednesday. 
 
England`s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the detection of the new variant was not the reason for the decision to put London in Tier 3 - the reason was the sharp rise in infections. 
 
He said there was no evidence that the clinical outcome was different for the new variant. 
 
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; "There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that`s the reason why we`ve taken it particularly seriously," Whitty said during a news conference with Hancock. 
 
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Britain had reported the variant, but added that mutations were not uncommon, a view echoed by several other experts. 
 
Martin Hibberd, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene &amp; Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said the reports were "not surprising and it was too early to say how important it is yet," adding it was believed that one previous mutation had let the virus to spread more easily.

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus.

London will move into England`s highest tier of COVID-19 restrictions, the government said on Monday, citing increased infection rates that may be partly linked to a new variant of the coronavirus. Health Secretary Matt Hancock said more than 1,000 cases of the new variant had been identified, mainly in southeastern England. Although there was currently nothing to suggest the new strain was likely to cause more serious disease or that it would not respond to a vaccine, Hancock said that it could be contributing to higher infection rates. "Over the last week, we`ve seen very sharp, exponential rises in the virus across London, Kent, parts of Essex and Hertfordshire," Hancock told the House of Commons in a statement, referring to counties near London. "We do not know the extent to which this is because of the new variant, but no matter its cause, we have to take swift and decisive action," he said, announcing that the entire capital and some neighbouring areas would go into "High Alert" level. Earlier this month, the government implemented a three-tiered system of restrictions in England to try to keep a second wave of the virus under control after a month-long national lockdown. More than 40% of citizens were placed in the highest risk category. However London, whose 9 million people and world-leading financial centre make it the engine of the British economy, was initially left in the middle tier of restrictions. TUSSLE OVER SCHOOLS The main difference between the top alert levels is that bars and restaurants, which can stay open under certain conditions in Tier 2, must close their doors in Tier 3 and can only operate takeaway services. There are also additional curbs on socialising in Tier 3, but workplaces and schools are told to remain open. Three local councils in the capital - Greenwich, Islington and Waltham Forest - unilaterally instructed schools in their boroughs to close, but were overruled by the national government which ordered that schools should remain open. The tussle between local and central authorities reflected the tensions and complexities involved in attempting to bring the virus under control whilst protecting certain aspects of life deemed vitally important, such as children`s education. Schools were closed to most pupils for several months during the first wave of the pandemic, when there was a strict national lockdown. Since they reopened in September, the government has emphasised it wanted children in school as much as possible. For other parts of London`s social fabric, especially pubs, restaurants and cafes that have been hard-hit since the start of the pandemic, the move into Tier 3 was expected to cause further hardship. "Moving into Tier 3 before Christmas will be deeply disappointing for Londoners, and a terrible blow to the capital`s hospitality, leisure and cultural sectors," said John Dickie, director of Strategy and Policy at business campaign group London First. MUTATIONS The Tier 3 restrictions will come into force in the capital from 0001 GMT on Wednesday. England`s Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty said the detection of the new variant was not the reason for the decision to put London in Tier 3 - the reason was the sharp rise in infections. He said there was no evidence that the clinical outcome was different for the new variant. "There are many variants. It just happens that this one has quite a few more mutations than some of the other variants, so that`s the reason why we`ve taken it particularly seriously," Whitty said during a news conference with Hancock. The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Britain had reported the variant, but added that mutations were not uncommon, a view echoed by several other experts. Martin Hibberd, professor of Emerging Infectious Diseases at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM), said the reports were "not surprising and it was too early to say how important it is yet," adding it was believed that one previous mutation had let the virus to spread more easily.

Tighter COVID-19 restrictions imposed in London as infections surge

Ahmedabad Police has collected ₹18.41 crores as fine from people who were fined for not wearing face masks in public places amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Over 3.13 lakh people paid ₹18.41 crores in fine for not wearing face masks in public places in Ahmedabad, Gujarat since the outbreak of COVID-19, Harshad Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic control), Ahmedabad said.

Patel also informed that over 1,400 police personnel detected positive for COVID-19 and 13 of them have succumbed to the infection. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are 13,298 active coronavirus cases in Gujarat, while over 2.10 lakhs have recovered and 4,171 died due to the virus.

Ahmedabad Police has collected ₹18.41 crores as fine from people who were fined for not wearing face masks in public places amid the COVID-19 outbreak. "Over 3.13 lakh people paid ₹18.

Ahmedabad Police has collected ₹18.41 crores as fine from people who were fined for not wearing face masks in public places amid the COVID-19 outbreak. "Over 3.13 lakh people paid ₹18.41 crores in fine for not wearing face masks in public places in Ahmedabad, Gujarat since the outbreak of COVID-19, Harshad Patel, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic control), Ahmedabad said. Patel also informed that over 1,400 police personnel detected positive for COVID-19 and 13 of them have succumbed to the infection. According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, there are 13,298 active coronavirus cases in Gujarat, while over 2.10 lakhs have recovered and 4,171 died due to the virus.

Over 3.13 lakh people fined for not wearing masks in Ahmedabad, ₹18.41 cr collected

The prime minister of Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, died in a South African hospital on Sunday after contracting coronavirus, the government said in a statement.

Ambrose Dlamini, 52, had been hospitalised in neighbouring South Africa in early December, two weeks after testing positive for Covid-19.

"Their Majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini," Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said.

The prime minister "passed on this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa," he added, without detailing the cause of Dlamini's death.

Dlamini had announced in mid-November that he had tested positive for coronavirus but said that he felt well and was asymptomatic.

Dlamini, a businessman but political novice, was named prime minister in October 2018.

The head of the government's role is limited in Eswatini where the current king, in power since 1986, names all ministers and controls parliament.

Formerly known as Swaziland, the kingdom of Eswatini has reported over 6,700 coronavirus cases and 127 deaths among its population of 1.2 million people.

A South Africa-based civil society group, the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), had accused the government of giving the prime minister special treatment by moving him to a country with better healthcare.

More than 39 per cent of the tiny landlocked country's population lived below the poverty line in 2016 and 2017, according to the World Bank.

The prime minister of Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, died in a South African hospital on Sunday after contracting coronavirus, the government said in a statement.

The prime minister of Eswatini, Africa's last absolute monarchy, died in a South African hospital on Sunday after contracting coronavirus, the government said in a statement. Ambrose Dlamini, 52, had been hospitalised in neighbouring South Africa in early December, two weeks after testing positive for Covid-19. "Their Majesties have commanded that I inform the nation of the sad and untimely passing away of His Excellency the Prime Minister Ambrose Mandvulo Dlamini," Deputy Prime Minister Themba Masuku said. The prime minister "passed on this afternoon while under medical care in a hospital in South Africa," he added, without detailing the cause of Dlamini's death. Dlamini had announced in mid-November that he had tested positive for coronavirus but said that he felt well and was asymptomatic. Dlamini, a businessman but political novice, was named prime minister in October 2018. The head of the government's role is limited in Eswatini where the current king, in power since 1986, names all ministers and controls parliament. Formerly known as Swaziland, the kingdom of Eswatini has reported over 6,700 coronavirus cases and 127 deaths among its population of 1.2 million people. A South Africa-based civil society group, the Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN), had accused the government of giving the prime minister special treatment by moving him to a country with better healthcare. More than 39 per cent of the tiny landlocked country's population lived below the poverty line in 2016 and 2017, according to the World Bank.

Eswatini PM dies in South African hospital after contracting Covid-19

The preparations for COVID-19 vaccination is being undertaken on a war footing in Uttarakhand. The vaccination will start as soon as vaccines are made available by the Centre, said State Health Secretary Amit Negi.

State Health Secretary Amit Negi said, "All preparations for vaccination are going on a war footing, as soon as the state gets vaccines from the centre, the vaccination process will be started in the state. In the first phase, health workers will be given the vaccination. Preparations for cold chain, man power, vaccination booth etc. are going smoothly.

"The largest store in the state is being built in Dehradun, this centre will have the capacity to carry millions of vaccines, followed by three regional centres in Udhamsinghnagar, Almora and Srinagar, stores in the more populous Haridwar district. Preparations are underway to vaccinate 100 people in one booth.

Preparations for COVID-19 vaccine undertaken at war footing in Uttarakhand r facilities, preparations for waiting area, vaccination area and observation area at the booths, is running smoothly.&nbsp;

The preparations for COVID-19 vaccination is being undertaken on a war footing in Uttarakhand. The vaccination will start as soon as vaccines are made available by the Centre, said State Health Secretary Amit Negi.

The preparations for COVID-19 vaccination is being undertaken on a war footing in Uttarakhand. The vaccination will start as soon as vaccines are made available by the Centre, said State Health Secretary Amit Negi. State Health Secretary Amit Negi said, "All preparations for vaccination are going on a war footing, as soon as the state gets vaccines from the centre, the vaccination process will be started in the state. In the first phase, health workers will be given the vaccination. Preparations for cold chain, man power, vaccination booth etc. are going smoothly. "The largest store in the state is being built in Dehradun, this centre will have the capacity to carry millions of vaccines, followed by three regional centres in Udhamsinghnagar, Almora and Srinagar, stores in the more populous Haridwar district. Preparations are underway to vaccinate 100 people in one booth. Preparations for COVID-19 vaccine undertaken at war footing in Uttarakhand r facilities, preparations for waiting area, vaccination area and observation area at the booths, is running smoothly.

COVID-19 vaccine preparations at war footing in Uttarakhand

Germany`s CureVac announced on Monday that it has enrolled the first participant in the Phase 2b/3 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. 
 
The trial will assess the safety and efficacy in adults and is expected to include more than 35,000 participants in Europe and Latin America, it added in a statement.

 
(More details expected)

Germany`s CureVac announced on Monday that it has enrolled the first participant in the Phase 2b/3 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The trial will assess the safety and efficacy in adults and is expected to include more than 35,000 participants in Europe and Latin America, it added in a statement.

Germany`s CureVac announced on Monday that it has enrolled the first participant in the Phase 2b/3 study of its COVID-19 vaccine candidate. The trial will assess the safety and efficacy in adults and is expected to include more than 35,000 participants in Europe and Latin America, it added in a statement. (More details expected)

CureVac enrols first participant in pivotal study of COVID vaccine

Scientists believe they’ve understood why coronavirus symptoms linger in some patients for a long period of time, or what is commonly known as “long COVID”.

Turns out, it’s part of the body’s reaction against COVID-19. But it’s a direct result of an over dramatic response from the immune system. Once the carrier beats the virus, its symptoms fully disappear, but in some cases the symptoms can continue to show for months after recovery. 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poor-countries-seen-missing-out-as-rich-nations-hoard-covid-19-vaccines-348699/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A research undertaken at Yale University reveals how coronavirus patients had a lot of misguided antibodies. These antibodies, instead of attacking the virus, targeted one’s organs, tissues, and the immune system instead, setting off long-term symptoms.

&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/rare-fungal-infection-detected-in-coronavirus-patients-349431" hreflang="en">Rare fungal infection detected in coronavirus patients</a>

The scientists reached the conclusion after comparing the immune system’s response in people who were infected with the virus, and those who weren’t. 
 
In the former grouping, they found antibodies that weren’t supposed to be there. These aberrant antibodies killed useful immune cells, blocked defences, and attacked the body on multiple fronts.

After follow up tests, scientists found that the more “autoantibodies” one had in their blood, the more likely they were to experience extreme symptoms that last long.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/not-a-joke-william-shakespeare-from-warwickshire-gets-coronavirus-jab-in-uk-after-margaret-keenan-348372" hreflang="en">'Not a joke': William Shakespeare from Warwickshire gets coronavirus jab in UK after Margaret Keenan</a> 
 
“Covid-19 patients make autoantibodies that actually interfere with immune responses against the virus,” Aaron Ring, an immunobiologist at Yale University and a senior author of the study told The Guardian.

Ring added that their team was certain that these autoantibodies were causing harm to patients with COVID-19. They also fear that the harmful effects of the virus may continue to linger because of this, which could in turn trigger long lasting medical issues. 
 
The team at Yale screened 194 patients and hospital workers who had undergone differing degrees of COVID-19. As opposed to antibodies that help neutralise and control the virus, autoantibodies are wrongly shaped and erroneously latch on to proteins released by human cells.

Scientists believe they’ve understood why coronavirus symptoms linger in some patients for a long period of time, or what is commonly known as “long COVID”. Turns out, it’s part of the body’s reaction against COVID-19.

Scientists believe they’ve understood why coronavirus symptoms linger in some patients for a long period of time, or what is commonly known as “long COVID”. Turns out, it’s part of the body’s reaction against COVID-19. But it’s a direct result of an over dramatic response from the immune system. Once the carrier beats the virus, its symptoms fully disappear, but in some cases the symptoms can continue to show for months after recovery. A research undertaken at Yale University reveals how coronavirus patients had a lot of misguided antibodies. These antibodies, instead of attacking the virus, targeted one’s organs, tissues, and the immune system instead, setting off long-term symptoms. Also read: Rare fungal infection detected in coronavirus patients The scientists reached the conclusion after comparing the immune system’s response in people who were infected with the virus, and those who weren’t. In the former grouping, they found antibodies that weren’t supposed to be there. These aberrant antibodies killed useful immune cells, blocked defences, and attacked the body on multiple fronts. After follow up tests, scientists found that the more “autoantibodies” one had in their blood, the more likely they were to experience extreme symptoms that last long. Also read: 'Not a joke': William Shakespeare from Warwickshire gets coronavirus jab in UK after Margaret Keenan “Covid-19 patients make autoantibodies that actually interfere with immune responses against the virus,” Aaron Ring, an immunobiologist at Yale University and a senior author of the study told The Guardian. Ring added that their team was certain that these autoantibodies were causing harm to patients with COVID-19. They also fear that the harmful effects of the virus may continue to linger because of this, which could in turn trigger long lasting medical issues. The team at Yale screened 194 patients and hospital workers who had undergone differing degrees of COVID-19. As opposed to antibodies that help neutralise and control the virus, autoantibodies are wrongly shaped and erroneously latch on to proteins released by human cells.

Your overdramatic immune system could be causing 'long COVID': Study

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has warned that the next four to six months could be the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547">Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy</a> 
 
"Sadly, the next four to six months could be the worst of the pandemic. The IHME (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation) forecast shows over 200,000 additional deaths. If we would follow the rules, in terms of wearing masks and not mixing, we could avoid a large percentage of those deaths,"&nbsp;Gates said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-fungal-infection-detected-in-coronavirus-patients-349431">Also read: Rare fungal infection detected in coronavirus patients</a>

"I thought the US would do a better job handling it," said Gates, who in 2015 had warned the world of such a pandemic.

"Overall, when I did the forecasts in 2015, I talked about the deaths potentially being higher. So, this virus could be more fatal than it is. We didn't get the worst-case. But the thing that has surprised me is that the economic impact in the US and around the world has been much greater than the forecasts that I made five years ago," he said.

Earlier in October Gates had said that life will only be back to normal once the second generation of Covid-19 vaccine becomes available.

The COVID-19 has so far killed more than 290,000 people in the US.

Gates said that his Foundation has been funding a lot of the research for the vaccines.

"We're very agile. We're a partner in a thing called CEPI, which is the second biggest funder after the US government," he said.

"So, in diagnostics, therapy and vaccines, we know where the science is, we know how the pieces need to come together in an urgent way.

And so our expertise in infectious disease, which normally only relates to developing countries, applied to the entire world for this crisis," he added.

The US need to help all of humanity, Gates said when asked of the executive order signed by President Donald Trump which prioritizes distribution of the vaccine to Americans before it goes to people in other countries.

"We want the world economy to be going. We want to minimize the deaths. And, you know, the basic technology is a German company. And so blocking international sharing and cooperation has been disruptive and a mistake during this entire pandemic," he said.

"So, we need to ramp up the capacity of all the vaccines. There will be some additional ones approved in the months ahead that are easier to scale up the manufacturing. But the US has benefited from other countries' work care, and we shouldn't be entirely selfish in how we go forward," he added.

Responding to a question, Gates said that he will take the vaccine publicly as the former US president, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama, have said to increase the confidence of the people in the vaccine.

"I will do the same. When it's my turn -- I'm not going to budge, but when my turn comes up, I will visibly take the vaccine, because I think that it's a benefit to all people to not be transmitted," he said.

Gates said that access to the vaccine should be based on medical need, not wealth at all.

"After all, this epidemic has been awful in the way that it's exacerbated inequities. It's been worse for Hispanics, worse for blacks, worse for low-income service workers, multigenerational households, a number of things that mean that, in terms of picking who gets the vaccine, we better be using equity to drive all those decisions," he said.

Despite the availability of the vaccine, Gates said that the next four to six months really call on Americans to do their best.

"Because we can see that this will end, and you don't want somebody you love to be the last to die of coronavirus," he said.

"Certainly, mask-wearing has essentially no downside. They're not expensive. Bars and restaurants in most of the country will be closed as we go into this wave. And I think, sadly, that's appropriate.

To date, more than 72 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 1.61 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has warned that the next four to six months could be the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has warned that the next four to six months could be the worst of the coronavirus pandemic. Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy "Sadly, the next four to six months could be the worst of the pandemic. The IHME (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation) forecast shows over 200,000 additional deaths. If we would follow the rules, in terms of wearing masks and not mixing, we could avoid a large percentage of those deaths," Gates said. Also read: Rare fungal infection detected in coronavirus patients "I thought the US would do a better job handling it," said Gates, who in 2015 had warned the world of such a pandemic. "Overall, when I did the forecasts in 2015, I talked about the deaths potentially being higher. So, this virus could be more fatal than it is. We didn't get the worst-case. But the thing that has surprised me is that the economic impact in the US and around the world has been much greater than the forecasts that I made five years ago," he said. Earlier in October Gates had said that life will only be back to normal once the second generation of Covid-19 vaccine becomes available. The COVID-19 has so far killed more than 290,000 people in the US. Gates said that his Foundation has been funding a lot of the research for the vaccines. "We're very agile. We're a partner in a thing called CEPI, which is the second biggest funder after the US government," he said. "So, in diagnostics, therapy and vaccines, we know where the science is, we know how the pieces need to come together in an urgent way. And so our expertise in infectious disease, which normally only relates to developing countries, applied to the entire world for this crisis," he added. The US need to help all of humanity, Gates said when asked of the executive order signed by President Donald Trump which prioritizes distribution of the vaccine to Americans before it goes to people in other countries. "We want the world economy to be going. We want to minimize the deaths. And, you know, the basic technology is a German company. And so blocking international sharing and cooperation has been disruptive and a mistake during this entire pandemic," he said. "So, we need to ramp up the capacity of all the vaccines. There will be some additional ones approved in the months ahead that are easier to scale up the manufacturing. But the US has benefited from other countries' work care, and we shouldn't be entirely selfish in how we go forward," he added. Responding to a question, Gates said that he will take the vaccine publicly as the former US president, Bill Clinton, George Bush and Barack Obama, have said to increase the confidence of the people in the vaccine. "I will do the same. When it's my turn -- I'm not going to budge, but when my turn comes up, I will visibly take the vaccine, because I think that it's a benefit to all people to not be transmitted," he said. Gates said that access to the vaccine should be based on medical need, not wealth at all. "After all, this epidemic has been awful in the way that it's exacerbated inequities. It's been worse for Hispanics, worse for blacks, worse for low-income service workers, multigenerational households, a number of things that mean that, in terms of picking who gets the vaccine, we better be using equity to drive all those decisions," he said. Despite the availability of the vaccine, Gates said that the next four to six months really call on Americans to do their best. "Because we can see that this will end, and you don't want somebody you love to be the last to die of coronavirus," he said. "Certainly, mask-wearing has essentially no downside. They're not expensive. Bars and restaurants in most of the country will be closed as we go into this wave. And I think, sadly, that's appropriate. To date, more than 72 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 1.61 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University. (With inputs from agencies)

Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates

United States President Donald Trump, along with Vice President Mike Pence and other top US officials will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine, first of which was approved in the country recently. A report by Reuters claimed that the move would be undertaken to ensure the continuity of government.

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According to the report, all essential personnel in the White House, along with certain officials in the government would receive the vaccination within 10 days.

Trump contracted the coronavirus recently, and recovered from it soon after. So it’s unclear whether he would receive the vaccine or not.

Additionally, it is unsure whether the transition team for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would receive the vaccinations.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/trump-vows-to-reject-defense-bill-passed-by-veto-proof-majority-349569" hreflang="en">Trump vows to reject defense bill passed by veto-proof majority</a>

On Saturday, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory panel recommended the country’s first coronavirus vaccine, jointly developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE.&nbsp;

The United States is hardest hit country by the virus across the globe, with the death toll topping 298,000.

The doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to reach 145 locations across the US on Monday. The earliest doses will be given to healthcare workers, and the elderly.

John Ullyot, the National Security Council spokesman said that senior officials in the Congress, judiciary, and the executive would receive vaccinations to ensure that the functioning of US government is not hampered during the pandemic.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/australian-mp-urges-donald-trump-to-pardon-julian-assange-before-leaving-white-house-349532" hreflang="en">Australian MP urges Donald Trump to pardon Julian Assange before leaving White House</a>

"The American people should have confidence that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United States government on the advice of public health professionals and national security leadership," Ullyot said in a statement.

In July 2016, former US President Barack Obama had set up a “National Continuity Policy” aimed at easing the pressure during such times.

"This will further ensure that the United States government will continue essential operations, without interruption, for our citizens as we continue to fight this pandemic and work toward a return to prosperity for our nation," the official added.

United States President Donald Trump, along with Vice President Mike Pence and other top US officials will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine, first of which was approved in the country recently.

United States President Donald Trump, along with Vice President Mike Pence and other top US officials will be offered the COVID-19 vaccine, first of which was approved in the country recently. A report by Reuters claimed that the move would be undertaken to ensure the continuity of government. According to the report, all essential personnel in the White House, along with certain officials in the government would receive the vaccination within 10 days. Trump contracted the coronavirus recently, and recovered from it soon after. So it’s unclear whether he would receive the vaccine or not. Additionally, it is unsure whether the transition team for President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris would receive the vaccinations. Also read: Trump vows to reject defense bill passed by veto-proof majority On Saturday, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s advisory panel recommended the country’s first coronavirus vaccine, jointly developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE. The United States is hardest hit country by the virus across the globe, with the death toll topping 298,000. The doses of COVID-19 vaccine are expected to reach 145 locations across the US on Monday. The earliest doses will be given to healthcare workers, and the elderly. John Ullyot, the National Security Council spokesman said that senior officials in the Congress, judiciary, and the executive would receive vaccinations to ensure that the functioning of US government is not hampered during the pandemic. Also read: Australian MP urges Donald Trump to pardon Julian Assange before leaving White House "The American people should have confidence that they are receiving the same safe and effective vaccine as senior officials of the United States government on the advice of public health professionals and national security leadership," Ullyot said in a statement. In July 2016, former US President Barack Obama had set up a “National Continuity Policy” aimed at easing the pressure during such times. "This will further ensure that the United States government will continue essential operations, without interruption, for our citizens as we continue to fight this pandemic and work toward a return to prosperity for our nation," the official added.

Trump, Pence among top US officials to be offered COVID-19 vaccine on priority: Report

The death toll in the United States from the coronavirus pandemic is closing on the 300,00 mark, and the total number of COVID-19 cases is expected to hit a record 16 million in the coming days as millions of doses of a new vaccine are expected to start rolling out across America.

US: COVID-19 pandemic death toll approaching 300,000 mark

With higher educational institutions in various states having started in-person classes or contemplating resuming classes, the Covid-19 cluster in IIT-Madras has raised safety concerns. IITans who were on campus told Zee media that the most likely cause of the spread of Covid-19 was the common dining area that was shared by over 700 students.&nbsp;

Over 100 Covid-19 cases were reported from the institute, at a time when the IIT has been functioning on limited capacity with only 10% students in the hostels. According to the institute, they have asked all students to remain in their rooms and are supplying packed food in the rooms.&nbsp;

IIT Madras has been permitting research scholars pursuing experimental work to return to campus after a 14-day (on-campus) quarantine and testing. However, owing to the limited quarantine capacity on the campus, the rate at which scholars are being brought back has been limited, said the Institute in a statement.&nbsp;

The Institute has said that some&nbsp;Project Staff working on research and staying in the city have been coming to work in the labs, as permitted by the government. They added that SoPs were in place to determine how many scholars and project staff can work safely in each lab based on its size, ventilation etc.

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr. J. Radhakrishnan told Zee Media that&nbsp;103 cases have been reported from the IIT campus out of 440 samples tested. He added that all of those(nearly 770 persons) on campus were being tested in the order of primary contacts, close contacts, symptomatic people, mess staff etc.&nbsp;

When asked about the common dining area that possibly led to the cluster, he said that the health department had advised the Institute to close the common dining area and provide takeaway meals.&nbsp;

Students also pointed out that while the institute had ensured individual hostel rooms and lesser number of students sharing washrooms, day scholars were coming to campus in small numbers. While there was a general advisory asking students no to venture out, students say many among them may have stepped out of the campus and could have contracted the infection from outside the premises, as well.&nbsp;

IIT Madras has said that they would attempt to increase capacity to quarantine returning students, as the government was releasing the hostels that were used to quarantine patients through the lockdown.&nbsp;

As on Sunday, there are 10,208 active Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu and 1,276 persons (including 340 in Chennai) had tested positive over the last 24hours.

With higher educational institutions in various states having started in-person classes or contemplating resuming classes, the Covid-19 cluster in IIT-Madras has raised safety concerns.

With higher educational institutions in various states having started in-person classes or contemplating resuming classes, the Covid-19 cluster in IIT-Madras has raised safety concerns. IITans who were on campus told Zee media that the most likely cause of the spread of Covid-19 was the common dining area that was shared by over 700 students. Over 100 Covid-19 cases were reported from the institute, at a time when the IIT has been functioning on limited capacity with only 10% students in the hostels. According to the institute, they have asked all students to remain in their rooms and are supplying packed food in the rooms. IIT Madras has been permitting research scholars pursuing experimental work to return to campus after a 14-day (on-campus) quarantine and testing. However, owing to the limited quarantine capacity on the campus, the rate at which scholars are being brought back has been limited, said the Institute in a statement. The Institute has said that some Project Staff working on research and staying in the city have been coming to work in the labs, as permitted by the government. They added that SoPs were in place to determine how many scholars and project staff can work safely in each lab based on its size, ventilation etc. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr. J. Radhakrishnan told Zee Media that 103 cases have been reported from the IIT campus out of 440 samples tested. He added that all of those(nearly 770 persons) on campus were being tested in the order of primary contacts, close contacts, symptomatic people, mess staff etc. When asked about the common dining area that possibly led to the cluster, he said that the health department had advised the Institute to close the common dining area and provide takeaway meals. Students also pointed out that while the institute had ensured individual hostel rooms and lesser number of students sharing washrooms, day scholars were coming to campus in small numbers. While there was a general advisory asking students no to venture out, students say many among them may have stepped out of the campus and could have contracted the infection from outside the premises, as well. IIT Madras has said that they would attempt to increase capacity to quarantine returning students, as the government was releasing the hostels that were used to quarantine patients through the lockdown. As on Sunday, there are 10,208 active Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu and 1,276 persons (including 340 in Chennai) had tested positive over the last 24hours.

Common dining facility led to COVID-19 cluster, suspect IIT-Madras students

Germany will close most stores from Wednesday (December 16) until at least January 10, cutting short the busy Christmas shopping season, as it tightens coronavirus restrictions and tries to rein in the spread of the disease.

Germany to impose stricter lockdown to battle rise in COVID-19 cases

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has announced the closure of non-essential stores & schools from the December 16 to January 10 after meeting with regional leaders.

Germany to enter festive season coronavirus lockdown

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Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates