China developed vaccine against COVID-19 maybe available as early as November. Watch this video to get more on this.

China-developed vaccine against COVID-19 maybe available as early as November

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in the Parliament for monsoon session, and spoke to mediapersons present at the Parliament and said that, "this Parliament also has a special responsibility, especially in this session."

In his remarks to media before the commencement of Parliament's monsoon session, PM Modi said, "Jab tak dawai nahi tab tak koi dhilai nahi (no laxity till there is a medicine). We want that a vaccine be developed at the earliest from any corner of the world, our scientists succeed and we succeed in bringing everyone out of this problem."

With the COVID pandemic continuing to spread across the country, the prime minister observed that the session is taking place under special circumstances and asserted that MPs have chosen the path of duty.

He referred to the host of changes, including staggered timings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the decision to run them on weekends too, brought to the running of this session due to the COVID crisis, and said MPs have welcomed them.

Everybody has to follow guidelines and precautions about which they have been informed, Modi said.

He expressed hope that a vaccine is available soon, and people are helped out of this global crisis.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in the Parliament for monsoon session, and spoke to mediapersons present at the Parliament and said that, "this Parliament also has a special responsibility, especially in this session.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday arrived in the Parliament for monsoon session, and spoke to mediapersons present at the Parliament and said that, "this Parliament also has a special responsibility, especially in this session." In his remarks to media before the commencement of Parliament's monsoon session, PM Modi said, "Jab tak dawai nahi tab tak koi dhilai nahi (no laxity till there is a medicine). We want that a vaccine be developed at the earliest from any corner of the world, our scientists succeed and we succeed in bringing everyone out of this problem." With the COVID pandemic continuing to spread across the country, the prime minister observed that the session is taking place under special circumstances and asserted that MPs have chosen the path of duty. He referred to the host of changes, including staggered timings of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and the decision to run them on weekends too, brought to the running of this session due to the COVID crisis, and said MPs have welcomed them. Everybody has to follow guidelines and precautions about which they have been informed, Modi said. He expressed hope that a vaccine is available soon, and people are helped out of this global crisis. (With inputs from agencies)

Till there is no medicine, no laxity: PM Modi ahead of Monsoon Session

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed gratitude to Indian Army and saluted the courage of soldiers ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/theres-corona-and-theres-duty-mps-chose-duty-says-pm-modi-ahead-of-monsoon-session-327329">Also read | ‘There’s corona and there’s duty, MPs chose duty’, says PM Modi ahead of Monsoon Session</a> 
 
All MPs attending the monsoon session will unanimously send a message to our Armed Forces, guarding our borders, that the nation stands behind them, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/monsoon-session-of-parliament-begins-today-amid-covid-19-327320">Also read | Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19</a>

"This Parliament, and especially this session have another responsibility. Today, when our soldiers are holding the fort on borders, on hilly and difficult terrain, and snowfall is likely after some time, I believe that all members of the Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers," the Prime Minister said.

The issues of ongoing LAC standoff, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown are likely to dominate the Monsoon session of Parliament, with the opposition demanding a discussion on them, while the government has listed nearly two dozen new legislations for passage during the COVID-curtailed proceedings.

The 18-day session is being held amid unprecedented precautionary measures against COVID-19 due to a continuing spike in cases. On the eve of the session, the Union Health Ministry reported 94,372 fresh cases in 24 hours.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed gratitude to Indian Army and saluted the courage of soldiers ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Also read | ‘There’s corona and there’s duty, MPs chose duty’, says PM Modi ahead of Monsoon Session All MPs attending the monsoon session will unanimously send a message to our Armed Forces, guarding our borders, that the nation stands behind them, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed gratitude to Indian Army and saluted the courage of soldiers ahead of the Monsoon Session of Parliament. Also read | ‘There’s corona and there’s duty, MPs chose duty’, says PM Modi ahead of Monsoon Session All MPs attending the monsoon session will unanimously send a message to our Armed Forces, guarding our borders, that the nation stands behind them, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also read | Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19 "This Parliament, and especially this session have another responsibility. Today, when our soldiers are holding the fort on borders, on hilly and difficult terrain, and snowfall is likely after some time, I believe that all members of the Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers," the Prime Minister said. The issues of ongoing LAC standoff, handling of the coronavirus pandemic and economic slowdown are likely to dominate the Monsoon session of Parliament, with the opposition demanding a discussion on them, while the government has listed nearly two dozen new legislations for passage during the COVID-curtailed proceedings. The 18-day session is being held amid unprecedented precautionary measures against COVID-19 due to a continuing spike in cases. On the eve of the session, the Union Health Ministry reported 94,372 fresh cases in 24 hours. (With inputs from agencies)

Parliament will send message to soldiers that nation stands with them, says PM Modi

Ahead of the start of Monsoon session &nbsp;today Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said that the current session of the Parliament is being held in unprecedented times.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/monsoon-session-of-parliament-begins-today-amid-covid-19-327320">Also read | Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19</a> 
 
"Parliament session is beginning in distinct times. There's Corona and there's duty. MPs chose the path to duty. I congratulate and express gratitude to them. This time RS-LS will be held at different times in a day. It'll be held on Saturday-Sunday too. All MPs accepted this," said the prime minister.

PM Modi said: "Jab tak dawai nahi tab tak koi dhilai nahi (no laxity till there is a medicine). We want that a vaccine be developed at the earliest from any corner of the world, our scientists succeed and we succeed in bringing everyone out of this problem."&nbsp;

The Prime Minister also saluted the courage of soldiers and said: "I believe that all members of the Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers."

The India-China border row, plunge in GDP growth, nose-diving economy and migrant crisis are some of the key issues that are likely to dominate the Monsoon Session of Parliament which begins today.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Ahead of the start of Monsoon session today Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said that the current session of the Parliament is being held in unprecedented times.

Ahead of the start of Monsoon session today Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the media and said that the current session of the Parliament is being held in unprecedented times. Also read | Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19 "Parliament session is beginning in distinct times. There's Corona and there's duty. MPs chose the path to duty. I congratulate and express gratitude to them. This time RS-LS will be held at different times in a day. It'll be held on Saturday-Sunday too. All MPs accepted this," said the prime minister. PM Modi said: "Jab tak dawai nahi tab tak koi dhilai nahi (no laxity till there is a medicine). We want that a vaccine be developed at the earliest from any corner of the world, our scientists succeed and we succeed in bringing everyone out of this problem." The Prime Minister also saluted the courage of soldiers and said: "I believe that all members of the Parliament will give an unequivocal message that the country stands with our soldiers." The India-China border row, plunge in GDP growth, nose-diving economy and migrant crisis are some of the key issues that are likely to dominate the Monsoon Session of Parliament which begins today. (With inputs from agencies)

‘There’s corona and there’s duty, MPs chose duty’, says PM Modi ahead of Monsoon Session

The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1. Monsoon session in Parliament is usually around mid-July. 
 
The Rajya Sabha function timing is 9 AM to 1 PM, the Lok Sabha will function for 3 PM to 7 PM. Only on the first day, the Lok Sabha will meet in the morning session.

Earlier in the runup to the session,over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalized, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free.

The first-of-its-kind Monsoon Session will see Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sitting in two different shifts, while special seating arrangements have been made for MPs in adherence to social distancing guidelines.

Barring on the first day, Rajya Sabha will convene in morning shift from 9 am till 1 pm, and Lok Sabha in evening shift from 3 pm to 7 pm. The chambers of both houses along with their respective galleries will be used for sitting of the members in each shift.

In between the two shifts, the entire complex will be sanitised. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1.

The Monsoon session of Parliament has begun today amid the coronavirus pandemic. The 18-day Parliament session is scheduled to be held between September 14 and October 1. Monsoon session in Parliament is usually around mid-July. The Rajya Sabha function timing is 9 AM to 1 PM, the Lok Sabha will function for 3 PM to 7 PM. Only on the first day, the Lok Sabha will meet in the morning session. Earlier in the runup to the session,over 4,000 people including MPs and staff have been tested for COVID-19, most parliamentary operations have been digitalized, entire premises sanitised and doors made touch-free. The first-of-its-kind Monsoon Session will see Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha sitting in two different shifts, while special seating arrangements have been made for MPs in adherence to social distancing guidelines. Barring on the first day, Rajya Sabha will convene in morning shift from 9 am till 1 pm, and Lok Sabha in evening shift from 3 pm to 7 pm. The chambers of both houses along with their respective galleries will be used for sitting of the members in each shift. In between the two shifts, the entire complex will be sanitised. (With inputs from agencies)

Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today amid Covid-19

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19. 
In a tweet, the 48-year-old AAP leader said he has gone into self-isolation. 
 
"Had got my COVID-19 test done after I had a mild fever. The report has come positive. I have gone into self-isolation. As of now, I have no fever or any other issue. I am fine. By your blessings, I will recover fully and return to work soon",&nbsp;he said in a tweet in Hindi.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/india-news/delhi-conducting-maximum-covid-19-tests-per-day-per-million-on-earth-cm-kejriwal-327520" hreflang="en">Delhi conducting maximum COVID-19 tests per day per million on earth: CM Kejriwal</a> 
 
Earlier in the day, he did not attend the one-day session of the Delhi Assembly.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet, the 48-year-old AAP leader said he has gone into self-isolation.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19. In a tweet, the 48-year-old AAP leader said he has gone into self-isolation. "Had got my COVID-19 test done after I had a mild fever. The report has come positive. I have gone into self-isolation. As of now, I have no fever or any other issue. I am fine. By your blessings, I will recover fully and return to work soon", he said in a tweet in Hindi. Also read: Delhi conducting maximum COVID-19 tests per day per million on earth: CM Kejriwal Earlier in the day, he did not attend the one-day session of the Delhi Assembly.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia tests positive for coronavirus

Six EU countries have begun testing technology to link national virus-tracing apps across Europe as a second wave of Covid-19 infections threatens the continent.

The Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Latvia have begun testing the new links between their tracing app servers, the European Commission said.

The new system "will ensure that apps will work seamlessly also across borders," the EU executive said.

"Users will only need to install one app and will still be able to report a positive infection test or receive an alert, even if they travel abroad," it said.

Brussels is trying to coordinate between the 27 EU capitals as they seek ways to trace victims of the coronavirus epidemic and better control new outbreaks.

But many member states went ahead with their own contact-tracing mobile apps that are not fully compatible with each other, hampering efforts to monitor the epidemic's spread.

Countries like France and Hungary that built a centralised pool of data will likely not be able to take part in the EU system.

But apps like those used in 18 EU members including Germany, Poland and Italy can be involved.

These use a decentralised data storage model of the kind promoted by US giants Apple and Google, whereas France's StopCovid app has a central server.

"Travel and personal exchange are the core of the European project and the single market," said Thierry Breton, the EU's Industry Commissioner.

"The gateway will facilitate this in these times of pandemic and will save lives."

The technology was developed by German software giant SAP and Deutsche Telekom subsidiary T-Systems.

SAP worked with Deutsche Telekom to build Germany's widely praised coronavirus warning app, which has been downloaded 18 million times.

Six EU countries have begun testing technology to link national virus-tracing apps across Europe as a second wave of Covid-19 infections threatens the continent.

Six EU countries have begun testing technology to link national virus-tracing apps across Europe as a second wave of Covid-19 infections threatens the continent. The Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Latvia have begun testing the new links between their tracing app servers, the European Commission said. The new system "will ensure that apps will work seamlessly also across borders," the EU executive said. "Users will only need to install one app and will still be able to report a positive infection test or receive an alert, even if they travel abroad," it said. Brussels is trying to coordinate between the 27 EU capitals as they seek ways to trace victims of the coronavirus epidemic and better control new outbreaks. But many member states went ahead with their own contact-tracing mobile apps that are not fully compatible with each other, hampering efforts to monitor the epidemic's spread. Countries like France and Hungary that built a centralised pool of data will likely not be able to take part in the EU system. But apps like those used in 18 EU members including Germany, Poland and Italy can be involved. These use a decentralised data storage model of the kind promoted by US giants Apple and Google, whereas France's StopCovid app has a central server. "Travel and personal exchange are the core of the European project and the single market," said Thierry Breton, the EU's Industry Commissioner. "The gateway will facilitate this in these times of pandemic and will save lives." The technology was developed by German software giant SAP and Deutsche Telekom subsidiary T-Systems. SAP worked with Deutsche Telekom to build Germany's widely praised coronavirus warning app, which has been downloaded 18 million times.

Six EU countries test cross-border coronavirus apps

Only 285,000 students returned to class this week in the West Bank, out of 1.3 million in the territory but Hassan Allan's 300 students must wait to see their newly refurbished school.

Teachers in West Bank rebuild school; Watch video

Britain is on course to suffer the biggest increase in redundancies in a generation in the second half of 2020, based on lay-off notifications by employers hit by the coronavirus shock to the economy, a think tank said on Monday.

Around 650,000 people, and potentially a lot more, were likely to be made redundant in Britain between July and December, the Institute for Employment Studies, an independent research organisation.

"Sadly, much of this restructuring appears now to be inevitable," it said.

Layoff notifications were running at more than double the levels of the 2008/9 recession and around 450,000 redundancies could occur in the July-September period - 50% more than the quarterly peak during the global financial crisis.

However, it was not inevitable that the high level of redundancies would lead to mass unemployment if people were able to find jobs with new employers, the IES said.

The government should cut the costs of employment to boost hiring and provide "tightly targeted" wage support in industries and areas that remain viable in the longer-term, the IES said.

Finance minister Rishi Sunak has resisted calls to extend his coronavirus job retention scheme which is due to expire at the end of October.

Employers` groups are urging him to cut social security contributions to soften the expected rise in unemployment.

The IES said its forecasts were based on data from employers planning 20 or more redundancies.

Official labour market figures due on Tuesday are expected to show Britain`s jobless rate rose in the three months to July for the first time having held at 3.9% since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March.

More up-to-date figures from Britain`s tax office are expected to reveal further job losses on top of the surge of 730,000 reported between March and July.

Britain is on course to suffer the biggest increase in redundancies in a generation in the second half of 2020, based on lay-off notifications by employers hit by the coronavirus shock to the economy, a think tank said on Monday.

Britain is on course to suffer the biggest increase in redundancies in a generation in the second half of 2020, based on lay-off notifications by employers hit by the coronavirus shock to the economy, a think tank said on Monday. Around 650,000 people, and potentially a lot more, were likely to be made redundant in Britain between July and December, the Institute for Employment Studies, an independent research organisation. "Sadly, much of this restructuring appears now to be inevitable," it said. Layoff notifications were running at more than double the levels of the 2008/9 recession and around 450,000 redundancies could occur in the July-September period - 50% more than the quarterly peak during the global financial crisis. However, it was not inevitable that the high level of redundancies would lead to mass unemployment if people were able to find jobs with new employers, the IES said. The government should cut the costs of employment to boost hiring and provide "tightly targeted" wage support in industries and areas that remain viable in the longer-term, the IES said. Finance minister Rishi Sunak has resisted calls to extend his coronavirus job retention scheme which is due to expire at the end of October. Employers` groups are urging him to cut social security contributions to soften the expected rise in unemployment. The IES said its forecasts were based on data from employers planning 20 or more redundancies. Official labour market figures due on Tuesday are expected to show Britain`s jobless rate rose in the three months to July for the first time having held at 3.9% since the COVID-19 lockdown began in March. More up-to-date figures from Britain`s tax office are expected to reveal further job losses on top of the surge of 730,000 reported between March and July.

UK faces biggest wave of redundancies in a generation, think-tank says

China looks to prioritise frontline workers and high-risk populations in its fight against coronavirus as the country's top medical official has said that not everyone in China will need to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

"Since the first wave of Covid-19 appeared in Wuhan, China has already survived the impact of Covid-19 several times," Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said at a vaccine summit in the city of Shenzhen on Saturday.

There isn't currently a need for mass vaccination at this stage -- though that could change if another serious outbreak takes place, Gao said.

The policy marks China apart from many Western governments that have outlined plans to introduce mass public vaccination drives.

China's reported virus numbers have stayed low since the spring -- apart from a few clusters in the northeastern Jilin province in May, an outbreak in Beijing in June, and another in the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi in July.

Gao said any potential vaccine would instead be prioritised for those on the front lines -- medical workers, Chinese nationals working overseas in virus hostpots, and people working in dense, high-risk environments like restaurants, schools or cleaning services.

Meanwhile, China has been one of the biggest players in the global race to develop a coronavirus vaccine.

China is the world's largest producer and consumer of vaccines, and can supply more than 1 billion doses of a vaccine annually from 40 manufacturers across the country, according to the 2018-2022 China Human Vaccine Industry Report.

Of the more than 30 vaccines currently in human trials globally, nine are from China.

China looks to prioritise frontline workers and high-risk populations in its fight against coronavirus as the country's top medical official has said that not everyone in China will need to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

China looks to prioritise frontline workers and high-risk populations in its fight against coronavirus as the country's top medical official has said that not everyone in China will need to get vaccinated against COVID-19. "Since the first wave of Covid-19 appeared in Wuhan, China has already survived the impact of Covid-19 several times," Gao Fu, director of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said at a vaccine summit in the city of Shenzhen on Saturday. There isn't currently a need for mass vaccination at this stage -- though that could change if another serious outbreak takes place, Gao said. The policy marks China apart from many Western governments that have outlined plans to introduce mass public vaccination drives. China's reported virus numbers have stayed low since the spring -- apart from a few clusters in the northeastern Jilin province in May, an outbreak in Beijing in June, and another in the Xinjiang capital of Urumqi in July. Gao said any potential vaccine would instead be prioritised for those on the front lines -- medical workers, Chinese nationals working overseas in virus hostpots, and people working in dense, high-risk environments like restaurants, schools or cleaning services. Meanwhile, China has been one of the biggest players in the global race to develop a coronavirus vaccine. China is the world's largest producer and consumer of vaccines, and can supply more than 1 billion doses of a vaccine annually from 40 manufacturers across the country, according to the 2018-2022 China Human Vaccine Industry Report. Of the more than 30 vaccines currently in human trials globally, nine are from China.

China says no need to vaccinate entire population against COVID-19

Pharma giant AstraZeneca on Saturday said it had resumed a Covid-19 vaccine trial after getting the all-clear from British regulators, following a pause caused by a UK volunteer falling ill.

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine trial resumes

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been re-admitted to All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after complaining breathing issue on Saturday.

The minister was admitted in the cardio Neuro department of the hospital at around 11 pm on Saturday.

Shah has been suffering from post-COVID ailments for a month now. He was previously admitted to AIIMS on August 18 after he suffered post-COVID ailments days after his recovery from COVID-19 disease which he contracted in early August.

He had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 2 and received treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

He was discharged after testing negative on August 14 only to re-admit in AIIMS days after to treat his post-COVID syndromes on August 18. He had complained of breathing issues then.

(With inputs from agencies)

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been re-admitted to All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after complaining breathing issue on Saturday. The minister was admitted in the cardio Neuro department of the hospital at around 11 pm on Saturday.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has been re-admitted to All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after complaining breathing issue on Saturday. The minister was admitted in the cardio Neuro department of the hospital at around 11 pm on Saturday. Shah has been suffering from post-COVID ailments for a month now. He was previously admitted to AIIMS on August 18 after he suffered post-COVID ailments days after his recovery from COVID-19 disease which he contracted in early August. He had tested positive for COVID-19 on August 2 and received treatment at Medanta Hospital in Gurugram. He was discharged after testing negative on August 14 only to re-admit in AIIMS days after to treat his post-COVID syndromes on August 18. He had complained of breathing issues then. (With inputs from agencies)

Amit Shah admitted to Delhi's AIIMS again, days after recovering from COVID-19

There seems to be no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic. And this implies face coverings -- of all kinds -- are here to stay.

Fashion brand Louis Vuitton has taken upon itself to make the mask and shield wearing business a little, if not much, stylish.

Louis Vuitton is set to release a luxury face shield that's designed to be "both stylish and protective," the French fashion house said in a statement.

The "eye-catching" LV Shield transitions from clear to dark in sunlight, protecting wearers from the sun. It also features golden studs engraved with Louis Vuitton's brand name and an elastic, monogrammed headband. The visor can also be worn upward as a classic peaked cap, according to the label.

The face shield will be sold online and at select Louis Vuitton stores starting on October 30. Pricing has not yet been announced.

Louis Vuitton joined the global effort to make personal protective equipment to support health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic in April.

There seems to be no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic. And this implies face coverings -- of all kinds -- are here to stay. Fashion brand Louis Vuitton has taken upon itself to make the mask and shield wearing business a little, if not much, stylish.

There seems to be no end in sight to the coronavirus pandemic. And this implies face coverings -- of all kinds -- are here to stay. Fashion brand Louis Vuitton has taken upon itself to make the mask and shield wearing business a little, if not much, stylish. Louis Vuitton is set to release a luxury face shield that's designed to be "both stylish and protective," the French fashion house said in a statement. The "eye-catching" LV Shield transitions from clear to dark in sunlight, protecting wearers from the sun. It also features golden studs engraved with Louis Vuitton's brand name and an elastic, monogrammed headband. The visor can also be worn upward as a classic peaked cap, according to the label. The face shield will be sold online and at select Louis Vuitton stores starting on October 30. Pricing has not yet been announced. Louis Vuitton joined the global effort to make personal protective equipment to support health care workers on the front lines of the pandemic in April.

This fashion brand is releasing a coronavirus face shield with golden studs

Serum Institute of India will resume clinical trials of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate after getting the permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Pune-based vaccine maker said on Saturday.

Pharma giant AstraZeneca on Saturday said that clinical trials for the AstraZeneca Oxford coronavirus vaccine, AZD1222, have resumed in the UK following confirmation by the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) that the trials were safe.

"Once DCGI will give us the permission to restart the trials in India, we will resume the trials," Serum Institute of India (SII) said in a statement.

In a tweet, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said: "As I'd mentioned earlier, we should not jump to conclusions until the trials are fully concluded. The recent chain of events is a clear example why we should not bias the process and should respect the process till the end. Good news, @UniofOxford."

The human trials resumed days after a pause had been announced in the trials after an adverse reaction in one of the participants.

Following the suspension, the DCGI directed Serum Institute of India to suspend till further orders new recruitment in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the vaccine candidate.

AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, as the trial sponsor, on Saturday said that they cannot disclose further medical information but confirmed that independent investigations concluded that the trials were safe to restart.

 
&nbsp;

Serum Institute of India will resume clinical trials of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate after getting the permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Pune-based vaccine maker said on Saturday.

Serum Institute of India will resume clinical trials of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine candidate after getting the permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Pune-based vaccine maker said on Saturday. Pharma giant AstraZeneca on Saturday said that clinical trials for the AstraZeneca Oxford coronavirus vaccine, AZD1222, have resumed in the UK following confirmation by the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority (MHRA) that the trials were safe. "Once DCGI will give us the permission to restart the trials in India, we will resume the trials," Serum Institute of India (SII) said in a statement. In a tweet, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said: "As I'd mentioned earlier, we should not jump to conclusions until the trials are fully concluded. The recent chain of events is a clear example why we should not bias the process and should respect the process till the end. Good news, @UniofOxford." The human trials resumed days after a pause had been announced in the trials after an adverse reaction in one of the participants. Following the suspension, the DCGI directed Serum Institute of India to suspend till further orders new recruitment in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the vaccine candidate. AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, as the trial sponsor, on Saturday said that they cannot disclose further medical information but confirmed that independent investigations concluded that the trials were safe to restart.

India's Serum Institute says will resume COVID-19 vaccine trials after DCGI nod

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday urged private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment to ensure that patients, afflicted with the viral disease, are not denied beds and they get prompt care.

The ministry, in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and AIIMS, New Delhi, at a virtual conclave with private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment emphasised the collective goal must be to have a health system that is available, affordable and accessible to all.

During the meeting, the importance of timely treatment of comorbid patients to reduce fatality was stressed upon. Hospitals were encouraged to protect healthcare workers by adopting all practices on infection prevention and control and keep the staff motivated, the health ministry said.

Hospitals were also asked to ensure seamless admission of patients. The importance of evidence-based treatment protocols and reducing heterogeneity in treatment of COVID-19 patients was also underscored, it said.

Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan inaugurated the virtual conference.

"He reiterated the government's resolve to ensure that COVID-19 patients must not be denied beds and must be provided prompt treatment," the health ministry said.

"The collective goal must be to have a health system that is available, affordable and accessible to all. He highlighted that the aim of the Centre along with the states and Union Territories is to achieve a mortality rate of less than one per cent," the ministry said.

The conclave was organised to provide a platform for discussion on clinical protocols and best practices in COVID-19 management towards reducing avoidable deaths.

According to the ministry, while COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to the country's healthcare systems, there have been proactive responses from the government as well as the private industry.

"The conclave was organised to share the best practices and effective treatment modules being implemented by the public and private sector hospitals in the country."

The health ministry also encouraged the hospital representatives to share their key concerns and challenges being faced while managing COVID-19 in their facilities.

The best practices included discussion of the teleconsultation sessions conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, through the e-ICU, Centers of Excellence (CoE) and clinical grand rounds to enhance the clinical management capacities of the ICU doctors in various states and union territories, the ministry said.

This, supplemented by various other focussed strategies of containment, prevention, early identification, has resulted in higher recoveries and steadily declining mortality.

At the meeting, senior doctors from private hospitals also shared their experiences and challenges about their battle against COVID-19.

Concerns about the delayed referral of patients from smaller facilities and financial stress owing to the lack of health insurance were also discussed. The conclave was attended by more than 150 hospital representatives, senior doctors and clinicians from across the country, the ministry said.

ICMR Director General Prof Balram Bhargava, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, FICCI President and Apollo Hospitals Enterprises JMD Dr Sangita Reddy, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals Dr Alok Roy were also present at the meeting.

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday urged private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment to ensure that patients, afflicted with the viral disease, are not denied beds and they get prompt care.

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday urged private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment to ensure that patients, afflicted with the viral disease, are not denied beds and they get prompt care. The ministry, in collaboration with Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and AIIMS, New Delhi, at a virtual conclave with private hospitals providing COVID-19 treatment emphasised the collective goal must be to have a health system that is available, affordable and accessible to all. During the meeting, the importance of timely treatment of comorbid patients to reduce fatality was stressed upon. Hospitals were encouraged to protect healthcare workers by adopting all practices on infection prevention and control and keep the staff motivated, the health ministry said. Hospitals were also asked to ensure seamless admission of patients. The importance of evidence-based treatment protocols and reducing heterogeneity in treatment of COVID-19 patients was also underscored, it said. Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan inaugurated the virtual conference. "He reiterated the government's resolve to ensure that COVID-19 patients must not be denied beds and must be provided prompt treatment," the health ministry said. "The collective goal must be to have a health system that is available, affordable and accessible to all. He highlighted that the aim of the Centre along with the states and Union Territories is to achieve a mortality rate of less than one per cent," the ministry said. The conclave was organised to provide a platform for discussion on clinical protocols and best practices in COVID-19 management towards reducing avoidable deaths. According to the ministry, while COVID-19 has posed unprecedented challenges to the country's healthcare systems, there have been proactive responses from the government as well as the private industry. "The conclave was organised to share the best practices and effective treatment modules being implemented by the public and private sector hospitals in the country." The health ministry also encouraged the hospital representatives to share their key concerns and challenges being faced while managing COVID-19 in their facilities. The best practices included discussion of the teleconsultation sessions conducted by AIIMS, New Delhi, through the e-ICU, Centers of Excellence (CoE) and clinical grand rounds to enhance the clinical management capacities of the ICU doctors in various states and union territories, the ministry said. This, supplemented by various other focussed strategies of containment, prevention, early identification, has resulted in higher recoveries and steadily declining mortality. At the meeting, senior doctors from private hospitals also shared their experiences and challenges about their battle against COVID-19. Concerns about the delayed referral of patients from smaller facilities and financial stress owing to the lack of health insurance were also discussed. The conclave was attended by more than 150 hospital representatives, senior doctors and clinicians from across the country, the ministry said. ICMR Director General Prof Balram Bhargava, AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria, Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal, FICCI President and Apollo Hospitals Enterprises JMD Dr Sangita Reddy, Chair, FICCI Health Services Committee and Chairman, Medica Group of Hospitals Dr Alok Roy were also present at the meeting.

Ensure COVID-19 patients not denied beds, get prompt treatment: Health ministry to pvt hospitals

Bharat Biotech International Limited, which is developing the coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN, in its latest report announced that its vaccine candidate, COVAXIN, has shown positive efficacy in animal studies and generated robust immune responses.

COVAXIN, developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech, is being tested at 12 institutes across India.

During the procedure, a two-dose vaccination regimen of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates was administered in 20 rhesus macaques, divided into four groups.

"Bharat Biotech proudly announces the animal study results of COVAXIN -- these results demonstrate the protective efficacy in a live viral challenge model," the Hyderabad-based firm said.

The drug-maker added: "The vaccine candidate was found to generate robust immune responses. Thus, preventing infection and disease in the primates upon high amounts of exposure to live SARS-CoV-2 virus."

One group was administered with placebo, while three groups were immunised with three different vaccine candidates at zero and 14 days. All the macaques were exposed to viral challenge 14 days after the second dose.

No evidence of pneumonia was observed by histopathological examination in vaccinated groups, unlike the placebo group.&nbsp;

Adverse events were not seen in animals immunised with a two-dose vaccination regimen.

Bharat Biotech International Limited, which is developing the coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN, in its latest report announced that its vaccine candidate, COVAXIN, has shown positive efficacy in animal studies and generated robust immune responses.

Bharat Biotech International Limited, which is developing the coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN, in its latest report announced that its vaccine candidate, COVAXIN, has shown positive efficacy in animal studies and generated robust immune responses. COVAXIN, developed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech, is being tested at 12 institutes across India. During the procedure, a two-dose vaccination regimen of inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidates was administered in 20 rhesus macaques, divided into four groups. "Bharat Biotech proudly announces the animal study results of COVAXIN -- these results demonstrate the protective efficacy in a live viral challenge model," the Hyderabad-based firm said. The drug-maker added: "The vaccine candidate was found to generate robust immune responses. Thus, preventing infection and disease in the primates upon high amounts of exposure to live SARS-CoV-2 virus." One group was administered with placebo, while three groups were immunised with three different vaccine candidates at zero and 14 days. All the macaques were exposed to viral challenge 14 days after the second dose. No evidence of pneumonia was observed by histopathological examination in vaccinated groups, unlike the placebo group. Adverse events were not seen in animals immunised with a two-dose vaccination regimen.

Indian coronavirus vaccine-maker's test on monkeys gets robust immune response

Among adults tested for the coronavirus at 11 U.S. healthcare facilities in July, those who were infected were about twice as likely to have dined at a restaurant in the previous 14 days, according to a US study.

Otherwise, activity levels were similar in people with or without COVID-19 in other respects. Those included shopping, social gatherings at home, going to an office, salon, or gym, using public transportation or attending religious gatherings.

"Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use," researchers said in the report on Friday in the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

"Eating and drinking on-site at locations that offer such options might be important risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection," they added.

Severe COVID-19 less common in patients with GI symptoms

People with gastrointestinal symptoms related to the new coronavirus, like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, may be significantly less likely to develop severe COVID-19 and die, a new study found. New York City doctors looked at 635 COVID-19 patients, expecting to see worse disease when the GI tract was involved.

To their surprise, patients admitted with GI symptoms had 50% lower odds of severe COVID-19 and death, compared to patients without GI symptoms, even after accounting for age, race, and underlying medical conditions.

Also unexpectedly, patients with GI involvement had lower levels of inflammatory proteins in their blood. A subset who underwent closer inspection of their intestines had virus particles in gut tissues, but relatively little inflammation, and low activity of genes responsible for making inflammatory proteins, doctors found, according to a paper posted on medRxiv on Wednesday ahead of peer review.

When the New York doctors collaborated with Italian colleagues to study 287 COVID-19 patients in Milan, they saw the same link between GI involvement and less-severe disease, Dr. Saurabh Mehandru of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai told Reuters. Mehandru's team has also found that factoring GI symptoms into the initial patient assessment may help identify those at risk for more severe disease.

Antibody-binding might not 'neutralize' the virus

A so-called spike protein on the surface of the new coronavirus helps it invade cells, and some antibodies being tested as treatments work by attaching to the spike and disabling it. But researchers have discovered in test-tube experiments that merely binding to the spike protein is not necessarily enough to "neutralize" the ability of the virus to break into cells.

When they exposed coronavirus particles to antibody-rich plasma from 25 people recovering from COVID-19, all of the antibodies attached themselves to the spike protein. However, a few plasma samples failed to neutralize the virus and were no more effective than plasma from uninfected people.

The findings might help explain why convalescent plasma therapy does not always work, the researchers say. They did not use active virus particles for their experiments. Still, study leader Andrés Finzi of Université de Montréal told Reuters the findings stress the need to learn more about the different shapes the spike protein may assume as the virus breaks into cells, and how to block them.

"Efforts to better understand the link between antibody interaction with the spike protein and virus neutralization might assist ongoing vaccine efforts aimed at eliciting neutralizing antibodies," the researchers conclude in a paper posted on Tuesday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review.

New system groups hospitalized COVID-19 patients by risk

A simple 21-point scoring system helps assign hospitalized COVID-19 patients to different risk groups, UK researchers reported on Wednesday in The BMJ.

"The score does not require an app or any other technology, beyond perhaps a pen or pencil if you can't count up to 21 in your head," Dr. Calum Semple of the University of Liverpool told Reuters. The score takes 8 factors into account including age, other illnesses, kidney health, and oxygen levels in the blood.

Based on the result, patients are assigned to one of four groups. The risk of dying from COVID-19 is 1% in the low-risk group, 10% in the intermediate-risk group, 31% in the high-risk group, and 62% in the very high-risk group. The ISARIC Coronavirus Clinical Characterization Consortium developed its "4C" scoring system using data from 35,463 patients and validated its accuracy in another 22,361 patients.

As pressures on health services increase, being able to identify patients most likely to need escalated care becomes particularly important, Semple said in a news release.

Among adults tested for the coronavirus at 11 U.S. healthcare facilities in July, those who were infected were about twice as likely to have dined at a restaurant in the previous 14 days, according to a US study.

Among adults tested for the coronavirus at 11 U.S. healthcare facilities in July, those who were infected were about twice as likely to have dined at a restaurant in the previous 14 days, according to a US study. Otherwise, activity levels were similar in people with or without COVID-19 in other respects. Those included shopping, social gatherings at home, going to an office, salon, or gym, using public transportation or attending religious gatherings. "Masks cannot be effectively worn while eating and drinking, whereas shopping and numerous other indoor activities do not preclude mask use," researchers said in the report on Friday in the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. "Eating and drinking on-site at locations that offer such options might be important risk factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection," they added. Severe COVID-19 less common in patients with GI symptoms People with gastrointestinal symptoms related to the new coronavirus, like diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, may be significantly less likely to develop severe COVID-19 and die, a new study found. New York City doctors looked at 635 COVID-19 patients, expecting to see worse disease when the GI tract was involved. To their surprise, patients admitted with GI symptoms had 50% lower odds of severe COVID-19 and death, compared to patients without GI symptoms, even after accounting for age, race, and underlying medical conditions. Also unexpectedly, patients with GI involvement had lower levels of inflammatory proteins in their blood. A subset who underwent closer inspection of their intestines had virus particles in gut tissues, but relatively little inflammation, and low activity of genes responsible for making inflammatory proteins, doctors found, according to a paper posted on medRxiv on Wednesday ahead of peer review. When the New York doctors collaborated with Italian colleagues to study 287 COVID-19 patients in Milan, they saw the same link between GI involvement and less-severe disease, Dr. Saurabh Mehandru of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai told Reuters. Mehandru's team has also found that factoring GI symptoms into the initial patient assessment may help identify those at risk for more severe disease. Antibody-binding might not 'neutralize' the virus A so-called spike protein on the surface of the new coronavirus helps it invade cells, and some antibodies being tested as treatments work by attaching to the spike and disabling it. But researchers have discovered in test-tube experiments that merely binding to the spike protein is not necessarily enough to "neutralize" the ability of the virus to break into cells. When they exposed coronavirus particles to antibody-rich plasma from 25 people recovering from COVID-19, all of the antibodies attached themselves to the spike protein. However, a few plasma samples failed to neutralize the virus and were no more effective than plasma from uninfected people. The findings might help explain why convalescent plasma therapy does not always work, the researchers say. They did not use active virus particles for their experiments. Still, study leader Andrés Finzi of Université de Montréal told Reuters the findings stress the need to learn more about the different shapes the spike protein may assume as the virus breaks into cells, and how to block them. "Efforts to better understand the link between antibody interaction with the spike protein and virus neutralization might assist ongoing vaccine efforts aimed at eliciting neutralizing antibodies," the researchers conclude in a paper posted on Tuesday on bioRxiv ahead of peer review. New system groups hospitalized COVID-19 patients by risk A simple 21-point scoring system helps assign hospitalized COVID-19 patients to different risk groups, UK researchers reported on Wednesday in The BMJ. "The score does not require an app or any other technology, beyond perhaps a pen or pencil if you can't count up to 21 in your head," Dr. Calum Semple of the University of Liverpool told Reuters. The score takes 8 factors into account including age, other illnesses, kidney health, and oxygen levels in the blood. Based on the result, patients are assigned to one of four groups. The risk of dying from COVID-19 is 1% in the low-risk group, 10% in the intermediate-risk group, 31% in the high-risk group, and 62% in the very high-risk group. The ISARIC Coronavirus Clinical Characterization Consortium developed its "4C" scoring system using data from 35,463 patients and validated its accuracy in another 22,361 patients. As pressures on health services increase, being able to identify patients most likely to need escalated care becomes particularly important, Semple said in a news release.

Restaurant dining linked to coronavirus: Study

Hospitals in the United States have turned down about a third of their allocated supplies of the Covid-19 drug remdesivir since July as need for the costly antiviral wanes.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed on Friday that some hospitals are still buying the Gilead Sciences GILD.O medicine to build inventory in case the pandemic accelerates over the winter. But current supplies are adequate, in part because they are limiting use to severely ill patients.

Between July 6 and September 8, state and territory public health systems reportedly accepted about 72% of the remdesivir they were offered. Hospitals in turn purchased only about two-thirds of what states and territories accepted.

A surplus of remdesivir - which costs $3,120 for a 6-vial intravenous course - marks a turnaround from earlier in the pandemic, when supplies of the drug had fallen short of demand in some regions.

Government-led distribution of remdesivir will expire at the end of September. Hospitals said they have little information on availability after that.

Remdesivir was first authorised by the FDA in May for emergency use in COVID-19 patients hospitalised and on oxygen support after data showed it helped shorten hospital recovery time.

The agency last month expanded use to hospitalized patients who do not require oxygen support, based on data published in the JAMA medical journal showing that the drug provided a modest benefit for those patients.

There is no evidence that Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospital for a day or two due to an underlying health issue, like diabetes or high blood pressure, would benefit from the drug.

Hospitals in the United States have turned down about a third of their allocated supplies of the Covid-19 drug remdesivir since July as need for the costly antiviral wanes.

Hospitals in the United States have turned down about a third of their allocated supplies of the Covid-19 drug remdesivir since July as need for the costly antiviral wanes. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed on Friday that some hospitals are still buying the Gilead Sciences GILD.O medicine to build inventory in case the pandemic accelerates over the winter. But current supplies are adequate, in part because they are limiting use to severely ill patients. Between July 6 and September 8, state and territory public health systems reportedly accepted about 72% of the remdesivir they were offered. Hospitals in turn purchased only about two-thirds of what states and territories accepted. A surplus of remdesivir - which costs $3,120 for a 6-vial intravenous course - marks a turnaround from earlier in the pandemic, when supplies of the drug had fallen short of demand in some regions. Government-led distribution of remdesivir will expire at the end of September. Hospitals said they have little information on availability after that. Remdesivir was first authorised by the FDA in May for emergency use in COVID-19 patients hospitalised and on oxygen support after data showed it helped shorten hospital recovery time. The agency last month expanded use to hospitalized patients who do not require oxygen support, based on data published in the JAMA medical journal showing that the drug provided a modest benefit for those patients. There is no evidence that Covid-19 patients admitted to the hospital for a day or two due to an underlying health issue, like diabetes or high blood pressure, would benefit from the drug.

US hospitals turn down remdesivir, limit use to sickest coronavirus patients

The United States voted against a UN resolution for a "comprehensive and coordinated response" to the COVID-19 pandemic, a text that included recognition of the WHO's leadership role, on Friday.

The country was supported only by Israel.

The measure, which has been negotiated since May, was consequently adopted by an overwhelming majority of 169 countries out of 193, with Ukraine and Hungary abstaining.

The text is called an omnibus resolution because it covers multiple aspects of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The resolution "acknowledges the key leadership role of WHO and the fundamental role of the United Nations system in catalysing and coordinating the comprehensive global response to the Covid-19 pandemic."

The text "calls for intensified international cooperation and solidarity to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences." It supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call in March for a ceasefire between countries in order to better facilitate the fight against the pandemic -- a request that has been little followed.

The text additionally calls for "the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles," meaning sanctions, in order to create better access to products used in combatting the virus.

It requests nations to maintain food and agricultural supply chains and encourages synching economic recovery strategies to promote sustainable development and combat climate change.

Ahead of the vote, the United States unsuccessfully attempted to remove a paragraph on protecting women in the area of sexual and reproductive health, over objections about abortion.

Libya and Iraq also voted for the paragraph's removal. However more than 120 countries voted to keep it and 25 countries abstained.

The United States withdrew from the WHO this spring, accusing the body of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic and delaying launch of a global alert.

The United States voted against a UN resolution for a "comprehensive and coordinated response" to the COVID-19 pandemic, a text that included recognition of the WHO's leadership role, on Friday.

The United States voted against a UN resolution for a "comprehensive and coordinated response" to the COVID-19 pandemic, a text that included recognition of the WHO's leadership role, on Friday. The country was supported only by Israel. The measure, which has been negotiated since May, was consequently adopted by an overwhelming majority of 169 countries out of 193, with Ukraine and Hungary abstaining. The text is called an omnibus resolution because it covers multiple aspects of the pandemic. The resolution "acknowledges the key leadership role of WHO and the fundamental role of the United Nations system in catalysing and coordinating the comprehensive global response to the Covid-19 pandemic." The text "calls for intensified international cooperation and solidarity to contain, mitigate and overcome the pandemic and its consequences." It supports UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call in March for a ceasefire between countries in order to better facilitate the fight against the pandemic -- a request that has been little followed. The text additionally calls for "the urgent removal of unjustified obstacles," meaning sanctions, in order to create better access to products used in combatting the virus. It requests nations to maintain food and agricultural supply chains and encourages synching economic recovery strategies to promote sustainable development and combat climate change. Ahead of the vote, the United States unsuccessfully attempted to remove a paragraph on protecting women in the area of sexual and reproductive health, over objections about abortion. Libya and Iraq also voted for the paragraph's removal. However more than 120 countries voted to keep it and 25 countries abstained. The United States withdrew from the WHO this spring, accusing the body of mismanaging the coronavirus pandemic and delaying launch of a global alert.

UN adopts coronavirus response resolution; US votes against it

India registered the biggest spike of 97,570 new cases in the last 24 hours. COVID-19 cases in the country have crossed the 4.6 million mark. Maharashtra Coronavirus caseload surges past 1MN mark. However, fatalities rate in the country have crossed 77,000 mark.

COVID-19 cases in India cross 4.6 million-mark with 97,570 new cases

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has revealed shocking statistics of the country's COVID-19 cases. The research paper suggests that millions of Coronavirus cases may have gone undetected in India earlier this year. Watch the report to know more.

India missed 81-130 infections per case in May: ICMR's sero survey

Taiwan will sign up to the "COVAX" global vaccine allocation plan to ensure it will be able to access a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available, the island`s health minister said on Saturday.

Chen Shih-chung told reporters in Taipei that the government had engaged lawyers to enter discussions about signing onto the scheme.

Taiwan is also researching its own vaccine, a process Chen said was going smoothly.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the GAVI vaccine alliance are leading the COVAX facility, aimed at helping buy and fairly distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus around the world.

But some countries which have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the United States, have said they will not join COVAX.

Taiwan has reported fewer than 500 coronavirus cases, including seven deaths, thanks to early and effective prevention steps such as entry bans for most foreign visitors and tough quarantine requirements for those who do come to the island.

While Taiwan is not a WHO member due to pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory, the WHO has said it is committed to providing Taiwan with the help it needs during the pandemic.

The GAVI alliance is a public-private partnership backed by the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation, the WHO, the World Bank, UNICEF and others.

Taiwan will sign up to the "COVAX" global vaccine allocation plan to ensure it will be able to access a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available, the island`s health minister said on Saturday.

Taiwan will sign up to the "COVAX" global vaccine allocation plan to ensure it will be able to access a COVID-19 vaccine when one becomes available, the island`s health minister said on Saturday. Chen Shih-chung told reporters in Taipei that the government had engaged lawyers to enter discussions about signing onto the scheme. Taiwan is also researching its own vaccine, a process Chen said was going smoothly. The World Health Organisation (WHO) and the GAVI vaccine alliance are leading the COVAX facility, aimed at helping buy and fairly distribute vaccination shots against the novel coronavirus around the world. But some countries which have secured their own supplies through bilateral deals, including the United States, have said they will not join COVAX. Taiwan has reported fewer than 500 coronavirus cases, including seven deaths, thanks to early and effective prevention steps such as entry bans for most foreign visitors and tough quarantine requirements for those who do come to the island. While Taiwan is not a WHO member due to pressure from China, which considers the island its own territory, the WHO has said it is committed to providing Taiwan with the help it needs during the pandemic. The GAVI alliance is a public-private partnership backed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the WHO, the World Bank, UNICEF and others.

Taiwan plans to sign up for 'COVAX' vaccine allocation scheme

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published the results of part two of the first national population-based sero survey to check the transmission of coronavirus in the country.

The survey was&nbsp;conducted between May 11 and June 4 in 21 states. The findings&nbsp;indicated that 0.73 per cent of adults in India were exposed to Covid-19 infection, amounting to 6.4 million infections in total by early May.

"The findings of the sero survey indicated a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population in India in early May 2020. As most of the population remains susceptible to infection, our public health strategy needs to plan for an inevitable increase in transmission," the sero-survey revealed.

A total of 30,283 households were visited and 28,000 individuals were enrolled in the survey. The seroprevalence ranged between 0.62 per cent and 1.03 per cent across the four strata of districts.

"The findings of our survey indicated that the overall seroprevalence in India was low, with less than 1 per cent of the adult population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by mid May 2020," ICMR stated.

The low prevalence observed in most districts indicates that India is in early phase of the epidemic and the majority of the Indian population is still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, it added.

"It is therefore necessary to continue to implement the context-specific containment measures including testing of all symptomaties, isolating positive cases and tracing high-risk contacts to slow transmission and to prevent the overburdening of the health system," ICMR said.

The survey also found out that for every RT-PCR confirmed case of Covid-19, there were 82-130 infections in India.

The seropositivity was highest in the age-group of 18-45 years at 43.3 per cent, followed by those between 46 and 60 years (39.5 per cent) and the lowest seropositivity was detected in those aged above 60 years (17.2 per cent), it further stated.

The findings pointed out that the seropositivity was highest at 69.4 per cent in the rural areas, while in the urban slums it was 15.9 per cent and in urban non-slums, it was 14.6 per cent.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published the results of part two of the first national population-based sero survey to check the transmission of coronavirus in the country.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has published the results of part two of the first national population-based sero survey to check the transmission of coronavirus in the country. The survey was conducted between May 11 and June 4 in 21 states. The findings indicated that 0.73 per cent of adults in India were exposed to Covid-19 infection, amounting to 6.4 million infections in total by early May. "The findings of the sero survey indicated a low prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population in India in early May 2020. As most of the population remains susceptible to infection, our public health strategy needs to plan for an inevitable increase in transmission," the sero-survey revealed. A total of 30,283 households were visited and 28,000 individuals were enrolled in the survey. The seroprevalence ranged between 0.62 per cent and 1.03 per cent across the four strata of districts. "The findings of our survey indicated that the overall seroprevalence in India was low, with less than 1 per cent of the adult population exposed to SARS-CoV-2 by mid May 2020," ICMR stated. The low prevalence observed in most districts indicates that India is in early phase of the epidemic and the majority of the Indian population is still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, it added. "It is therefore necessary to continue to implement the context-specific containment measures including testing of all symptomaties, isolating positive cases and tracing high-risk contacts to slow transmission and to prevent the overburdening of the health system," ICMR said. The survey also found out that for every RT-PCR confirmed case of Covid-19, there were 82-130 infections in India. The seropositivity was highest in the age-group of 18-45 years at 43.3 per cent, followed by those between 46 and 60 years (39.5 per cent) and the lowest seropositivity was detected in those aged above 60 years (17.2 per cent), it further stated. The findings pointed out that the seropositivity was highest at 69.4 per cent in the rural areas, while in the urban slums it was 15.9 per cent and in urban non-slums, it was 14.6 per cent.

India had 6.4 million coronavirus cases by May: ICMR sero survey

US President Donald Trump’s daughter and White House advisor, Ivanka has accepted TV show host Joy Behar's challenge, saying she would be willing to make an appearance on The View talk show and get administered with a COVID vaccine on live television.

"Deal @JoyVBehar. I would come on your show to do so. I trust the FDA and so should all Americans. Vanquishing this virus should be our collective top priority," Ivanka Trump tweeted.

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Deal <a href="https://twitter.com/JoyVBehar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JoyVBehar</a>. I would come on your show to do so. 
 
I trust the FDA and so should all Americans. Vanquishing this virus should be our collective top priority. <a href="https://t.co/FXb0Dqjdio">https://t.co/FXb0Dqjdio</a>
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Trump on Monday hinted that a vaccine would be available before November's election, as he accused his Democratic rivals for the White House of undermining public confidence in the immunisation.

Behar then expressed distrust in vaccine development under the Trump administration, while Trump's rivals accused him of rushing the process to field a vaccine before November's election.

“Its not a simple thing to do. He (Donald Trump) would push anything to get re-elected. Don’t fall for it, and by the way, I would take the vaccine if Ivanka takes it,” Behar was heard saying on the show.

Vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris also said she would not take Trump's word on the safety and efficacy of an anti-virus vaccine, if one were ready before the US presidential vote.

Trump has often faced intense pressure and scrutiny over his handling of the pandemic in the United States. This also has clouded his re-election prospects. 
&nbsp;

US President Donald Trump’s daughter and White House advisor, Ivanka has accepted TV show host Joy Behar's challenge, saying she would be willing to make an appearance on The View talk show and get administered with a COVID vaccine on live television.

US President Donald Trump’s daughter and White House advisor, Ivanka has accepted TV show host Joy Behar's challenge, saying she would be willing to make an appearance on The View talk show and get administered with a COVID vaccine on live television. "Deal @JoyVBehar. I would come on your show to do so. I trust the FDA and so should all Americans. Vanquishing this virus should be our collective top priority," Ivanka Trump tweeted. Deal @JoyVBehar. I would come on your show to do so. I trust the FDA and so should all Americans. Vanquishing this virus should be our collective top priority. https://t.co/FXb0Dqjdio — Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) September 10, 2020 × Trump on Monday hinted that a vaccine would be available before November's election, as he accused his Democratic rivals for the White House of undermining public confidence in the immunisation. Behar then expressed distrust in vaccine development under the Trump administration, while Trump's rivals accused him of rushing the process to field a vaccine before November's election. “Its not a simple thing to do. He (Donald Trump) would push anything to get re-elected. Don’t fall for it, and by the way, I would take the vaccine if Ivanka takes it,” Behar was heard saying on the show. Vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris also said she would not take Trump's word on the safety and efficacy of an anti-virus vaccine, if one were ready before the US presidential vote. Trump has often faced intense pressure and scrutiny over his handling of the pandemic in the United States. This also has clouded his re-election prospects.

Ivanka Trump accepts TV show host's COVID vaccine challenge

The IMF on Thursday said that there is a need for another stimulus in India, especially expenditures on health, food and income support for vulnerable households, and support for businesses in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gerry Rice, Director of Communications Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told reporters at a virtual news conference here that the Washington-based global financial institution supports the Indian government's responses to the pandemic including fiscal stimulus with a focus on low income workers and households.

"We support the monetary easing and liquidity and regulatory measures for the financial sector and borrowers that have taken place.

"We believe further fiscal stimulus is warranted, especially expenditures on health, food and income support for vulnerable households, and support for businesses," Rice said, responding to questions on the massive contraction that the Indian economy has experienced in the latest quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In the short term, a detailed well communicated and credible medium-term fiscal consolidation plan is also important, alongside an increase in fiscal transparency, the IMF spokesperson said.

"We hope that would help boost market confidence, thereby helping to reduce the cost of borrowing, as well as help the economy overall," he said.

Noting that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is significant in India on development, and on poverty, Rice said that given the unprecedented shock, the immediate priority needs to be a coordinated policy response to fight the virus.

After the US, India has the second largest number of people who have been infected by coronavirus with more than 4.2 million positive cases. The US has the largest number with 6.4 million cases and 193,250 deaths.

Over 70,000 Indians have died due to coronavirus, as it has had an unprecedented impact on the India economy.

The preliminary GDP estimate for 2020, second quarter performance in India, came in weaker than expected, around 23 per cent as year on year, reflecting on the severe impact of the pandemic, and the ensuing lockdowns.

"The contraction and economic activity reflected broad base weaknesses in industries and services with construction, manufacturing, hotels and transportation sectors, suffering the most," Rice said.

In its last World Economic Outlook Update, the IMF projected India's growth at minus 4.5 per cent and six per cent for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively, he said.

"The near-term growth outlook continues to be clouded by the global and domestic slowdown and uncertainties from the pandemic with significant downside risks. Of course, this is true, not just for India but for most countries," he said, adding that the IMF would be revising India's growth projections during the next World Economic Outlook release on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the IMF in October.&nbsp;

The IMF on Thursday said that there is a need for another stimulus in India, especially expenditures on health, food and income support for vulnerable households, and support for businesses in view of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The IMF on Thursday said that there is a need for another stimulus in India, especially expenditures on health, food and income support for vulnerable households, and support for businesses in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gerry Rice, Director of Communications Department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), told reporters at a virtual news conference here that the Washington-based global financial institution supports the Indian government's responses to the pandemic including fiscal stimulus with a focus on low income workers and households. "We support the monetary easing and liquidity and regulatory measures for the financial sector and borrowers that have taken place. "We believe further fiscal stimulus is warranted, especially expenditures on health, food and income support for vulnerable households, and support for businesses," Rice said, responding to questions on the massive contraction that the Indian economy has experienced in the latest quarter due to the coronavirus pandemic. In the short term, a detailed well communicated and credible medium-term fiscal consolidation plan is also important, alongside an increase in fiscal transparency, the IMF spokesperson said. "We hope that would help boost market confidence, thereby helping to reduce the cost of borrowing, as well as help the economy overall," he said. Noting that the impact of the coronavirus pandemic is significant in India on development, and on poverty, Rice said that given the unprecedented shock, the immediate priority needs to be a coordinated policy response to fight the virus. After the US, India has the second largest number of people who have been infected by coronavirus with more than 4.2 million positive cases. The US has the largest number with 6.4 million cases and 193,250 deaths. Over 70,000 Indians have died due to coronavirus, as it has had an unprecedented impact on the India economy. The preliminary GDP estimate for 2020, second quarter performance in India, came in weaker than expected, around 23 per cent as year on year, reflecting on the severe impact of the pandemic, and the ensuing lockdowns. "The contraction and economic activity reflected broad base weaknesses in industries and services with construction, manufacturing, hotels and transportation sectors, suffering the most," Rice said. In its last World Economic Outlook Update, the IMF projected India's growth at minus 4.5 per cent and six per cent for fiscal years 2020-21 and 2021-22 respectively, he said. "The near-term growth outlook continues to be clouded by the global and domestic slowdown and uncertainties from the pandemic with significant downside risks. Of course, this is true, not just for India but for most countries," he said, adding that the IMF would be revising India's growth projections during the next World Economic Outlook release on the sidelines of the annual meeting of the IMF in October.

Further fiscal stimulus warranted in India, says IMF

International donors have raised $700 million - less than half the target - to purchase future coronavirus vaccines for poor countries in a global initiative to ensure eventual vaccines do not go only to rich countries, a World Health Organization official said on Thursday.

The COVAX Advanced Market Commitment has an initial target of $2 billion to buy the vaccines.

"Up to today, what has been mobilised so far is $700 million ... So there is a great deal of work to be done to diversify the possible sources of funding," Matshidiso Moeti, Africa regional director for the WHO, told an online press briefing.

COVAX is co-led by the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, the WHO and the CEPI Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. Its aim is to deliver 2 billion doses of effective, approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021.

At least eight African countries, including South Africa, Gabon, Namibia and Equatorial Guinea had agreed to self-finance access to the vaccine, Moeti said.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said last month the continent had started to slowly "bend the curve" of COVID-19 infections as measures like mask-wearing and social distancing slow the spread of the pandemic.

International donors have raised $700 million - less than half the target - to purchase future coronavirus vaccines for poor countries in a global initiative to ensure eventual vaccines do not go only to rich countries, a World Health Organization official said on Thursday.

International donors have raised $700 million - less than half the target - to purchase future coronavirus vaccines for poor countries in a global initiative to ensure eventual vaccines do not go only to rich countries, a World Health Organization official said on Thursday. The COVAX Advanced Market Commitment has an initial target of $2 billion to buy the vaccines. "Up to today, what has been mobilised so far is $700 million ... So there is a great deal of work to be done to diversify the possible sources of funding," Matshidiso Moeti, Africa regional director for the WHO, told an online press briefing. COVAX is co-led by the GAVI Vaccine Alliance, the WHO and the CEPI Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. Its aim is to deliver 2 billion doses of effective, approved COVID-19 vaccines by the end of 2021. At least eight African countries, including South Africa, Gabon, Namibia and Equatorial Guinea had agreed to self-finance access to the vaccine, Moeti said. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said last month the continent had started to slowly "bend the curve" of COVID-19 infections as measures like mask-wearing and social distancing slow the spread of the pandemic.

WHO says $700 million raised so far for COVID-19 vaccines initiative for poor

The world may be waiting with bated breath for a vaccine againt COVID-19, but a bigger problem would be the logistics.

Experts say shipping a coronavirus vaccine around the world will be the airline industry’s biggest ever challenge. And as much as an equivalent of 8,000 jumbo jet planes will be required to get a single dose to 7.8 billion people.

Vaccines can be shipped by land, especially in developed economies with local manufacturing capacity, but will have to be flown to other countries.

The International Air Transport Association warned of severe capacity constraints that could hamper efforts to get a vaccine out quickly around the globe. To this end, the international aviation group is working with airlines, airports, health bodies and pharmaceutical firms to draft an airlift plan.

“Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the global air cargo industry. But it won’t happen without careful advance planning. And the time for that is now. We urge governments to take the lead in facilitating cooperation across the logistics chain so that the facilities, security arrangements and border processes are ready for the mammoth and complex task ahead," IATA’s director general, Alexandre de Juniac, said.

IATA warned that, with the severe downturn in passenger traffic, airlines had scaled back their fleets and put many aircraft into long-term storage.

Calling it the “largest single transport challenge ever,” the air transport body called on governments to start preparing for the large-scale delivery of a Covid-19 vaccine.

“The potential size of the delivery is enormous. Just providing a single dose to 7.8 billion people would fill 8,000 (Boeing) 747 cargo aircraft,” IATA said Wednesday.

“Land transport will help, especially in developed economies with local manufacturing capacity. But vaccines cannot be delivered globally without the significant use air cargo."

It added that air cargo plays “a key role in the distribution of vaccines in normal times through well-established global time- and temperature-sensitive distribution systems,” a capability that will be crucial when it comes to transporting vaccines around the world.

The group urged governments to begin planning with “industry stakeholders” to ensure full preparedness when vaccines for Covid-19 are approved and available for distribution. Several vaccines are in late-stage clinical trials currently but only Russia has approved its own vaccine for use so far.

“While there are still many unknowns (number of doses, temperature sensitivities, manufacturing locations, etc.), it is clear that the scale of activity will be vast, that cold chain facilities will be required and that delivery to every corner of the planet will be needed.”

IATA recommended the procurement, or repurposing of, buildings to ensure there were temperature-controlled facilities and equipment available, as well as making sure there are enough people trained to handle time- and temperature-sensitive vaccines.

“If borders remain closed, travel curtailed, fleets grounded and employees furloughed, the capacity to deliver life-saving vaccines will be very much compromised,” IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said.

The world may be waiting with bated breath for a vaccine againt COVID-19, but a bigger problem would be the logistics. Experts say shipping a coronavirus vaccine around the world will be the airline industry’s biggest ever challenge.

The world may be waiting with bated breath for a vaccine againt COVID-19, but a bigger problem would be the logistics. Experts say shipping a coronavirus vaccine around the world will be the airline industry’s biggest ever challenge. And as much as an equivalent of 8,000 jumbo jet planes will be required to get a single dose to 7.8 billion people. Vaccines can be shipped by land, especially in developed economies with local manufacturing capacity, but will have to be flown to other countries. The International Air Transport Association warned of severe capacity constraints that could hamper efforts to get a vaccine out quickly around the globe. To this end, the international aviation group is working with airlines, airports, health bodies and pharmaceutical firms to draft an airlift plan. “Safely delivering Covid-19 vaccines will be the mission of the century for the global air cargo industry. But it won’t happen without careful advance planning. And the time for that is now. We urge governments to take the lead in facilitating cooperation across the logistics chain so that the facilities, security arrangements and border processes are ready for the mammoth and complex task ahead," IATA’s director general, Alexandre de Juniac, said. IATA warned that, with the severe downturn in passenger traffic, airlines had scaled back their fleets and put many aircraft into long-term storage. Calling it the “largest single transport challenge ever,” the air transport body called on governments to start preparing for the large-scale delivery of a Covid-19 vaccine. “The potential size of the delivery is enormous. Just providing a single dose to 7.8 billion people would fill 8,000 (Boeing) 747 cargo aircraft,” IATA said Wednesday. “Land transport will help, especially in developed economies with local manufacturing capacity. But vaccines cannot be delivered globally without the significant use air cargo." It added that air cargo plays “a key role in the distribution of vaccines in normal times through well-established global time- and temperature-sensitive distribution systems,” a capability that will be crucial when it comes to transporting vaccines around the world. The group urged governments to begin planning with “industry stakeholders” to ensure full preparedness when vaccines for Covid-19 are approved and available for distribution. Several vaccines are in late-stage clinical trials currently but only Russia has approved its own vaccine for use so far. “While there are still many unknowns (number of doses, temperature sensitivities, manufacturing locations, etc.), it is clear that the scale of activity will be vast, that cold chain facilities will be required and that delivery to every corner of the planet will be needed.” IATA recommended the procurement, or repurposing of, buildings to ensure there were temperature-controlled facilities and equipment available, as well as making sure there are enough people trained to handle time- and temperature-sensitive vaccines. “If borders remain closed, travel curtailed, fleets grounded and employees furloughed, the capacity to deliver life-saving vaccines will be very much compromised,” IATA’s Director General and CEO Alexandre de Juniac said.

8,000 jumbo jets needed to deliver coronavirus vaccines globally, IATA says

Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca on Tuesday said that it had to &nbsp;"voluntarily paused" a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine. The company called it a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-handled-covid-19-openly-and-transparently-xi-jinping-325898" hreflang="en">China handled COVID-19 openly and transparently: Xi Jinping</a>

AstraZeneca is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford and is considered the frontrunner in the global race for a vaccine against coronavirus.&nbsp;

"As part of the ongoing randomized, controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, our standard review process was triggered and we voluntarily paused vaccination to allow review of safety data by an independent committee," a spokesperson said.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-releases-first-batch-of-covid-19-vaccine-sputnik-v-into-public-325883" hreflang="en">Russia releases first batch of Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V into public</a>

"This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is investigated, ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials."

The company spokesperson also added that in large trials, illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently.

"We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline," the spokesperson said.

The nature and severity of illness or where the patient was not clear immediately.&nbsp;

Pauses during clinical trials are common. But, this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial.

AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates.

Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca on Tuesday said that it had to "voluntarily paused" a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine. The company called it a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness.

Pharmaceuticals giant AstraZeneca on Tuesday said that it had to "voluntarily paused" a randomized clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine. The company called it a routine action after a volunteer developed an unexplained illness. Also read: China handled COVID-19 openly and transparently: Xi Jinping AstraZeneca is developing the drug alongside the University of Oxford and is considered the frontrunner in the global race for a vaccine against coronavirus. "As part of the ongoing randomized, controlled global trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine, our standard review process was triggered and we voluntarily paused vaccination to allow review of safety data by an independent committee," a spokesperson said. Also read: Russia releases first batch of Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V into public "This is a routine action which has to happen whenever there is a potentially unexplained illness in one of the trials, while it is investigated, ensuring we maintain the integrity of the trials." The company spokesperson also added that in large trials, illnesses will sometimes happen by chance but must be reviewed independently. "We are working to expedite the review of the single event to minimise any potential impact on the trial timeline," the spokesperson said. The nature and severity of illness or where the patient was not clear immediately. Pauses during clinical trials are common. But, this is thought to be the first time it has happened for a Covid-19 vaccine trial. AstraZeneca is one of nine companies currently in late-stage Phase 3 trials for their vaccine candidates.

AstraZeneca 'voluntarily pauses' clinical trials for Oxford's COVID-19 vaccine after unexplained illness

Thousands of migrants fled fires early on Wednesday that tore through an overcrowded camp under coronavirus.

WION Dispatch: Inferno engulfs migrant camp in Greece

Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere hit a record high this year, a United Nations report showed on Wednesday, as an economic slowdown amid the coronavirus pandemic had little long-term effect.

The sharp, but short, dip in emissions earlier this year represented only a blip in the build-up of climate-warming carbon dioxide.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/science/polar-bears-will-be-gone-by-2100-if-greenhouse-emissions-are-left-unchecked-314852" hreflang="en">Polar bears will be gone by 2100 if greenhouse emissions are left unchecked</a>

"Greenhouse gas concentrations - which are already at their highest levels in 3 million years - have continued to rise," said Petteri Taalas, head of the World Meteorological Organization, a U.N. agency based in Geneva.

While daily emissions fell in April by 17% relative to the previous year, those levels were still on a par with 2006 emissions – underlining how much global emissions have grown over the last 15 years.

And by early June, as factories and offices reopened, emissions were back up to within 5% of 2019 levels, according to the report by several U.N. agencies.

Even if 2020 emissions are lower than last year's output by up to 7%, as expected, what is released will still contribute to the long-term concentration built up since the beginning of the industrial era.

Presenting the latest data on emissions, global temperatures and climate impacts on Earth's oceans and frozen regions, the report showed that atmospheric concentration of CO2 hit 414.38 parts per million in July, compared with 411.74 ppm a year earlier. Scientists say they consider 350 ppm, breached in 1988, a safe limit.

As CO2 levels have increased, global temperatures have also risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Scientists say a temperature rise beyond 1.5 or 2 degrees will lead to far worse impacts from climate change across the world, including droughts, stronger storms and extreme sea level rise.

"We are really only&nbsp;adapted and able to deal with a very small range of possible weather," Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford, told Reuters. "Even if this is just perturbed a little bit, we come very quickly to the edges of what we as societies can deal with."

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/13-dairy-firms-causing-more-greenhouse-emissions-than-worlds-sixth-largest-economy-306083" hreflang="en">13 dairy firms causing more greenhouse emissions than world's sixth-largest economy</a>

The report detailed how climate change is expected to put hundreds of millions more people at risk of flooding. Access to fresh water is also projected to worsen.

The number of people living in water-scarce areas by mid-century is now estimated to reach up to 3.2 billion, up from the previous estimate of about 1.9 billion.

"It is those who are the most vulnerable in society who are hit fit first," Otto said.

Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere hit a record high this year, a United Nations report showed on Wednesday, as an economic slowdown amid the coronavirus pandemic had little long-term effect.

Concentrations of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere hit a record high this year, a United Nations report showed on Wednesday, as an economic slowdown amid the coronavirus pandemic had little long-term effect. The sharp, but short, dip in emissions earlier this year represented only a blip in the build-up of climate-warming carbon dioxide. Also read: Polar bears will be gone by 2100 if greenhouse emissions are left unchecked "Greenhouse gas concentrations - which are already at their highest levels in 3 million years - have continued to rise," said Petteri Taalas, head of the World Meteorological Organization, a U.N. agency based in Geneva. While daily emissions fell in April by 17% relative to the previous year, those levels were still on a par with 2006 emissions – underlining how much global emissions have grown over the last 15 years. And by early June, as factories and offices reopened, emissions were back up to within 5% of 2019 levels, according to the report by several U.N. agencies. Even if 2020 emissions are lower than last year's output by up to 7%, as expected, what is released will still contribute to the long-term concentration built up since the beginning of the industrial era. Presenting the latest data on emissions, global temperatures and climate impacts on Earth's oceans and frozen regions, the report showed that atmospheric concentration of CO2 hit 414.38 parts per million in July, compared with 411.74 ppm a year earlier. Scientists say they consider 350 ppm, breached in 1988, a safe limit. As CO2 levels have increased, global temperatures have also risen by about 1.1 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels. Scientists say a temperature rise beyond 1.5 or 2 degrees will lead to far worse impacts from climate change across the world, including droughts, stronger storms and extreme sea level rise. "We are really only adapted and able to deal with a very small range of possible weather," Friederike Otto, a climate scientist at the University of Oxford, told Reuters. "Even if this is just perturbed a little bit, we come very quickly to the edges of what we as societies can deal with." Also read: 13 dairy firms causing more greenhouse emissions than world's sixth-largest economy The report detailed how climate change is expected to put hundreds of millions more people at risk of flooding. Access to fresh water is also projected to worsen. The number of people living in water-scarce areas by mid-century is now estimated to reach up to 3.2 billion, up from the previous estimate of about 1.9 billion. "It is those who are the most vulnerable in society who are hit fit first," Otto said.

Build-up of greenhouse gases hits new record despite lockdowns, UN report finds

Countries of the world are in a race to develop the first vaccine, and are also pre-booking potential vaccines. Many countries are also building vaccine alliances.

Russia claims its vaccine will be available this week. On Tuesday India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Moscow to have a wide ranging discussion on the vaccine alliance. Moscow sounds certain that an agreement will be struck. Three days ago, Russian officials talked about setting up a production facility in India.

“Now the focus is on the fact that Russian production capacities will be initially used only for the Russian market. We are organising the production in India and other countries for the foreign market. Due to the perfect work of the Gamaleya institute, we see interest of not 20, not 30, but 40 countries now”, Russian welfare fund head, Kirill Dmitriyev.

Russia the first with a vaccine

Russia was the first country to claim that it has a vaccine that works, and is now aggressively promoting the Sputnik V.

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Recently, a video showed Russian defence minister taking a jab of the vaccine. Moscow still says the vaccine is safe and it works. However, scientists around the world say the trials in Russia were too small to prove the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

Two days back, Russia went public with the data. Published by medical journal the Lancet, it says that early tests show signs of an immune response. Experts are now calling for larger and randomised trials to test Sputnik V.

In this case, an alliance with India would certainly help Russia. India is the third largest vaccine maker in the world, and India currently has 10 vaccine candidates in development.

According to a report - the US, Britain, the European Union and Japan have so far secured about 1.3 billion doses of vaccines, with an option to snap up 1.5 billion more.

Even before a vaccine has been proved effective, more than two billion doses are already gone.

India steps in

South Asian countries are looking to India for help, and with its manufacturing prowess, India can get access to multiple global frontrunners. Some supplies of the Oxford vaccine will be reserved for India.

The Serum Institute of India that has rights to the Oxford vaccine has agreed to supply 50 percent of its stock to India. The Oxford vaccine is among the most promising candidates right now. According to the Serum Institute, it has an 80 per cent chance of working.

Reportedly, India is also keeping an eye on the Moderna vaccine. Also, India is developing its own vaccine called Covaxin. On September 7, it began the second phase of its clinical trials. Besides these two - India is watching eight other vaccine programmes, including German and Israeli candidates.

India has also pledged 15 million dollars to Gavi, the vaccine alliance created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

About 70 per cent of the vaccines used around the world are made in India. 7 billion people in the world need a vaccine for the coronavirus, and the world cannot make a vaccine without India's help.

Countries of the world are in a race to develop the first vaccine, and are also pre-booking potential vaccines. Many countries are also building vaccine alliances.

Countries of the world are in a race to develop the first vaccine, and are also pre-booking potential vaccines. Many countries are also building vaccine alliances. Russia claims its vaccine will be available this week. On Tuesday India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will travel to Moscow to have a wide ranging discussion on the vaccine alliance. Moscow sounds certain that an agreement will be struck. Three days ago, Russian officials talked about setting up a production facility in India. “Now the focus is on the fact that Russian production capacities will be initially used only for the Russian market. We are organising the production in India and other countries for the foreign market. Due to the perfect work of the Gamaleya institute, we see interest of not 20, not 30, but 40 countries now”, Russian welfare fund head, Kirill Dmitriyev. Russia the first with a vaccine Russia was the first country to claim that it has a vaccine that works, and is now aggressively promoting the Sputnik V. × Recently, a video showed Russian defence minister taking a jab of the vaccine. Moscow still says the vaccine is safe and it works. However, scientists around the world say the trials in Russia were too small to prove the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine. Two days back, Russia went public with the data. Published by medical journal the Lancet, it says that early tests show signs of an immune response. Experts are now calling for larger and randomised trials to test Sputnik V. In this case, an alliance with India would certainly help Russia. India is the third largest vaccine maker in the world, and India currently has 10 vaccine candidates in development. According to a report - the US, Britain, the European Union and Japan have so far secured about 1.3 billion doses of vaccines, with an option to snap up 1.5 billion more. Even before a vaccine has been proved effective, more than two billion doses are already gone. India steps in South Asian countries are looking to India for help, and with its manufacturing prowess, India can get access to multiple global frontrunners. Some supplies of the Oxford vaccine will be reserved for India. The Serum Institute of India that has rights to the Oxford vaccine has agreed to supply 50 percent of its stock to India. The Oxford vaccine is among the most promising candidates right now. According to the Serum Institute, it has an 80 per cent chance of working. Reportedly, India is also keeping an eye on the Moderna vaccine. Also, India is developing its own vaccine called Covaxin. On September 7, it began the second phase of its clinical trials. Besides these two - India is watching eight other vaccine programmes, including German and Israeli candidates. India has also pledged 15 million dollars to Gavi, the vaccine alliance created by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. About 70 per cent of the vaccines used around the world are made in India. 7 billion people in the world need a vaccine for the coronavirus, and the world cannot make a vaccine without India's help.

Does India hold the key for global access to the coronavirus vaccine?

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