Chilean health authorities announced a blanket lockdown across the capital Santiago on Thursday following some of the worst <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> case numbers since the pandemic began, despite having fully vaccinated more than half its population.

The development, which will alarm authorities elsewhere who are debating how fast to reopen as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> campaigns gather steam, comes as Chile's confirmed daily caseload surged 17 per cent&nbsp;in the past two weeks nationwide and 25 per cent in the Metropolitan region that includes Santiago and is home to half the country's population.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chiles-covid-cases-increase-21-in-last-2-weeks-despite-vaccination-388479">Chile's Covid cases increase 21% in last 2 weeks despite vaccination</a>

Intensive care beds in the capital region are now at 98 per cent capacity. Jose Luis Espinoza, the president of Chile's National Federation of Nursing Associations (FENASENF), said his members were "on the verge of collapse."

Chile has one of the world's highest vaccination rates. Around 75 per cent of its 15 million target population have already received at least one dose of vaccine, and nearly 58 per cent are completely inoculated. On a per-capita basis among larger countries, it the vaccination leader in the Americas and the fifth-highest worldwide, according to Reuters data.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-cases-hotspots-emerge-globally-as-worries-mount-389170">COVID-19 cases hotspots emerge globally as worries mount</a>

It has used nearly 23 million vaccines doses so far - 17.2 million of Sinovac's, 4.6 million of Pfizer/BioNTech's, and less than 1 million each of AstraZeneca's and CanSino's.

Vaccines are not 100 per cent effective, medical experts pointed out, and there is a time lag before they reach their highest efficacy. Also driving the fierce second wave is lockdown fatigue and the appearance of more contagious variants.

Of 7,716 people confirmed as infected with COVID-19 between Wednesday and Thursday, 73 per cent had not been fully inoculated and 74 per cent were under 49 years old, the health ministry said.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chile-records-over-7000-new-covid-cases-for-second-day-in-a-row-386631">Chile records over 7,000 new Covid cases for second day in a row</a>

Dr Cesar Cortes, emergency physician at the University of Chile hospital, said people who stayed home last year were now more afraid of being without work.

"Last year, there was low circulation and the confinement measures were more effective because people were scared of dying," he said. "That's not happening now."

Without its vaccines, Chile would be far worse off, he said.

"The complicated situation we are seeing now would be catastrophic," he said.

Chile's health regulator, the ISP, said genome sequencing of infections between December and June had confirmed the Brazilian P1 variant was the most prevalent in the country, and "twice as contagious as the original strain."

Chile is now embarking on vaccinating teenagers, having offered jabs to older age groups. Two weeks ago it introduced green cards to confer greater freedom on the vaccinated in an attempt to encourage the wary to come forward.

An infectious disease specialist at a large Santiago hospital, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak officially, said vaccines could not completely relieve the overburdened hospitals.

"Around 10 per cent of people, even if they are vaccinated, will not be protected against serious illness. That's hundreds of thousands of people going to ICUs," he said. "And when our health system is strained to the limit as it is now, that percentage alone is enough to overwhelm them."

Chilean health authorities announced a blanket lockdown across the capital Santiago on Thursday following some of the worst COVID-19 case numbers since the pandemic began, despite having fully vaccinated more than half its population.

Chilean health authorities announced a blanket lockdown across the capital Santiago on Thursday following some of the worst COVID-19 case numbers since the pandemic began, despite having fully vaccinated more than half its population. The development, which will alarm authorities elsewhere who are debating how fast to reopen as vaccination campaigns gather steam, comes as Chile's confirmed daily caseload surged 17 per cent in the past two weeks nationwide and 25 per cent in the Metropolitan region that includes Santiago and is home to half the country's population. Also read | Chile's Covid cases increase 21% in last 2 weeks despite vaccination Intensive care beds in the capital region are now at 98 per cent capacity. Jose Luis Espinoza, the president of Chile's National Federation of Nursing Associations (FENASENF), said his members were "on the verge of collapse." Chile has one of the world's highest vaccination rates. Around 75 per cent of its 15 million target population have already received at least one dose of vaccine, and nearly 58 per cent are completely inoculated. On a per-capita basis among larger countries, it the vaccination leader in the Americas and the fifth-highest worldwide, according to Reuters data. Also read | COVID-19 cases hotspots emerge globally as worries mount It has used nearly 23 million vaccines doses so far - 17.2 million of Sinovac's, 4.6 million of Pfizer/BioNTech's, and less than 1 million each of AstraZeneca's and CanSino's. Vaccines are not 100 per cent effective, medical experts pointed out, and there is a time lag before they reach their highest efficacy. Also driving the fierce second wave is lockdown fatigue and the appearance of more contagious variants. Of 7,716 people confirmed as infected with COVID-19 between Wednesday and Thursday, 73 per cent had not been fully inoculated and 74 per cent were under 49 years old, the health ministry said. Also read | Chile records over 7,000 new Covid cases for second day in a row Dr Cesar Cortes, emergency physician at the University of Chile hospital, said people who stayed home last year were now more afraid of being without work. "Last year, there was low circulation and the confinement measures were more effective because people were scared of dying," he said. "That's not happening now." Without its vaccines, Chile would be far worse off, he said. "The complicated situation we are seeing now would be catastrophic," he said. Chile's health regulator, the ISP, said genome sequencing of infections between December and June had confirmed the Brazilian P1 variant was the most prevalent in the country, and "twice as contagious as the original strain." Chile is now embarking on vaccinating teenagers, having offered jabs to older age groups. Two weeks ago it introduced green cards to confer greater freedom on the vaccinated in an attempt to encourage the wary to come forward. An infectious disease specialist at a large Santiago hospital, who asked not to be named because he was not authorized to speak officially, said vaccines could not completely relieve the overburdened hospitals. "Around 10 per cent of people, even if they are vaccinated, will not be protected against serious illness. That's hundreds of thousands of people going to ICUs," he said. "And when our health system is strained to the limit as it is now, that percentage alone is enough to overwhelm them."

Chile shuts capital Santiago once more as vaccines fail to quell rampant cases

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months.

China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-30-new-coronavirus-cases-on-june-5-up-from-previous-day-389684">China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day</a>

China appeared to get the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> under control nearly a year ago. But hundreds of millions of Chinese people remain unvaccinated. New variants of the coronavirus have appeared, and questions remain about whether China’s self-made <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccines</a> can stop them.

The latest cases have been found in Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong. Authorities have blamed the delta variant, which has caused widespread loss of life in India.

The city tested practically its entire population of 18.7 million between Sunday and Tuesday, some of them for the second time. It has also put neighborhoods with a total of more than 180,000 residents into total lockdown, with practically no one allowed out except to go to medical testing.

The early infections appear to have jumped from person to person at a cluster of eateries. Each infected person has infected more other people than in any previous outbreak that China has confronted, Zhang Zhoubin, deputy director of the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control, said at a news conference.

“The epidemic faced by Guangzhou this time is an unprecedented opponent, and it requires more resolute and decisive measures to deal with it,” he said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-reports-15-new-locally-transmitted-covid-cases-389134">China reports 15 new locally transmitted Covid cases</a>

Test facilities in Guangzhou have been operating around the clock. Lines are long. Residents wake early to try to beat the rush but still find delays.

China’s approach has evolved since the coronavirus first emerged, when Beijing initially put harsh restrictions on hundreds of millions of people. Today its lockdowns are focused on neighborhoods rather than cities or provinces. China has made vaccination the centerpiece of its strategy.

Still, many of the core tenets remain for a huge and densely populated country: vast testing, strict limits on movement and intense scrutiny of arrivals from other countries.

Foreign businesses have worried that those limits on international travelers could snarl their plans. A European Union Chamber of Commerce survey released this week found that three-quarters of member companies said they had been adversely affected by travel restrictions, usually by hindering them from bringing in key engineers or executives.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-covid-19-outbreak-rattles-china-cluster-grows-in-guangzhou-388878">Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou</a>

Beijing has demanded that travelers from dozens of countries spend two weeks in employer-supervised quarantine even before flying to China. Once there, travelers must spend at least two weeks and sometimes three or longer in government-supervised quarantine, even if they are fully vaccinated. Rounds of tests can turn up a possibly false positive, leading to more tests and additional days or weeks in isolation.

Many foreigners in China face a choice: If they leave to visit spouses, children and other family members elsewhere, they may be unable to reenter the country later because of the pandemic restrictions.

“There is absolutely a growing fatigue for a lot of the foreigners who are here,” said Jacob Gunter, senior policy and communications manager at the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.

At home, China’s leaders are pushing its people to get vaccinated. It has administered about 800 million doses by the government’s count, compared with 300 million administered in the United States. Yin Weidong, chair and CEO of Sinovac Biotech, one of China’s main vaccine manufacturers, told state television Friday that Chinese regulators had approved the emergency use of vaccines in children as young as 3.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-set-to-vaccinate-3-year-old-kids-report-390174">China set to vaccinate 3-year-old kids: Report</a>

Still, administering 800 million doses, almost all of the vaccines require two shots, means most of China’s 1.4 billion people have not been fully vaccinated. Some people remain hesitant to get the shots, and Chinese media outlets have used the Guangzhou outbreak to encourage skeptics to get inoculated.

The spread of the virus has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of China’s vaccines, particularly against variants. The Seychelles last month and now Mongolia in the past three weeks have both had large numbers of infections despite high vaccination rates. Both have used the Sinopharm vaccine from China, although the Seychelles also relied partly on AstraZeneca vaccines.

The delta variant now circulating in Guangzhou has also shown the ability in other countries to infect some people who had already been vaccinated, a phenomenon known as vaccine escape. Research elsewhere has found that to be a particular problem for people who have received only a first injection of a two-jab vaccine and are then exposed to the delta variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-chinese-couples-get-approval-for-3-kids-uighur-women-still-subjected-to-birth-control-horrors-388898">As Chinese couples get approval for 3 kids, Uighur women still subjected to birth control horrors</a>

Researchers in Britain have found that receiving only the first of two shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines may be only 30&nbsp;per cent effective in preventing infection with the delta variant, said Raina MacIntyre, who heads the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute of the University of New South Wales in Sydney.

After two doses, effectiveness appears to rise to 60 per cent with the AstraZeneca vaccine and 88&nbsp;per cent with Pfizer-BioNTech.

“With the degree of vaccine escape there is with the delta variant, you really do need people to be fully vaccinated,” she said.

Yin told China’s state-run television network Saturday that a third shot of his company’s vaccine produces a tenfold increase in antibodies within a week. But Chinese vaccine manufacturers are not yet recommending a third dose.

“As far as China is concerned, in fact, completing the two-shot immunization is the most important task for all the public,” he said.

In the meantime, Guangzhou has tried to turn its virus setback into a showcase for local technologies. Officials there said they had used 31 driverless shuttle vans and trucks to send food and other critical supplies into locked-down neighborhoods to avoid exposing delivery personnel.

By Tuesday, Guangdong province had 157 people in the hospital with the virus and was announcing about 10 new cases per day. The province and also Guangzhou itself have banned anyone since last weekend from leaving unless they have a valid reason and a negative nucleic acid test for the virus within the preceding 48 hours.

Unlike many places around the world, Guangzhou at least does not have to worry about running out of pandemic supplies: It is coincidentally a hub for manufacturing and exporting them. Chen Jianhua, chief economist of the Guangzhou Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference Wednesday that the city’s daily production capacity was 91 million masks and 7 million sets of coronavirus detection chemicals.

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months. China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come.

Neighbourhoods under strict lockdown. Thousands quarantined. Millions tested in mere days. Overseas arrivals locked up for weeks and sometimes months. China has followed variations of that formula for dealing with the coronavirus for more than a year, and a new outbreak suggests that they could be part of Chinese life for some time to come. Also Read | China reports 30 new coronavirus cases on June 5, up from previous day China appeared to get the coronavirus under control nearly a year ago. But hundreds of millions of Chinese people remain unvaccinated. New variants of the coronavirus have appeared, and questions remain about whether China’s self-made vaccines can stop them. The latest cases have been found in Guangzhou, capital of the southern province of Guangdong. Authorities have blamed the delta variant, which has caused widespread loss of life in India. The city tested practically its entire population of 18.7 million between Sunday and Tuesday, some of them for the second time. It has also put neighborhoods with a total of more than 180,000 residents into total lockdown, with practically no one allowed out except to go to medical testing. The early infections appear to have jumped from person to person at a cluster of eateries. Each infected person has infected more other people than in any previous outbreak that China has confronted, Zhang Zhoubin, deputy director of the Guangzhou Center for Disease Control, said at a news conference. “The epidemic faced by Guangzhou this time is an unprecedented opponent, and it requires more resolute and decisive measures to deal with it,” he said. Also read | China reports 15 new locally transmitted Covid cases Test facilities in Guangzhou have been operating around the clock. Lines are long. Residents wake early to try to beat the rush but still find delays. China’s approach has evolved since the coronavirus first emerged, when Beijing initially put harsh restrictions on hundreds of millions of people. Today its lockdowns are focused on neighborhoods rather than cities or provinces. China has made vaccination the centerpiece of its strategy. Still, many of the core tenets remain for a huge and densely populated country: vast testing, strict limits on movement and intense scrutiny of arrivals from other countries. Foreign businesses have worried that those limits on international travelers could snarl their plans. A European Union Chamber of Commerce survey released this week found that three-quarters of member companies said they had been adversely affected by travel restrictions, usually by hindering them from bringing in key engineers or executives. Also read | Fresh COVID-19 outbreak rattles China, cluster grows in Guangzhou Beijing has demanded that travelers from dozens of countries spend two weeks in employer-supervised quarantine even before flying to China. Once there, travelers must spend at least two weeks and sometimes three or longer in government-supervised quarantine, even if they are fully vaccinated. Rounds of tests can turn up a possibly false positive, leading to more tests and additional days or weeks in isolation. Many foreigners in China face a choice: If they leave to visit spouses, children and other family members elsewhere, they may be unable to reenter the country later because of the pandemic restrictions. “There is absolutely a growing fatigue for a lot of the foreigners who are here,” said Jacob Gunter, senior policy and communications manager at the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. At home, China’s leaders are pushing its people to get vaccinated. It has administered about 800 million doses by the government’s count, compared with 300 million administered in the United States. Yin Weidong, chair and CEO of Sinovac Biotech, one of China’s main vaccine manufacturers, told state television Friday that Chinese regulators had approved the emergency use of vaccines in children as young as 3. Also read | China set to vaccinate 3-year-old kids: Report Still, administering 800 million doses, almost all of the vaccines require two shots, means most of China’s 1.4 billion people have not been fully vaccinated. Some people remain hesitant to get the shots, and Chinese media outlets have used the Guangzhou outbreak to encourage skeptics to get inoculated. The spread of the virus has raised fresh questions about the effectiveness of China’s vaccines, particularly against variants. The Seychelles last month and now Mongolia in the past three weeks have both had large numbers of infections despite high vaccination rates. Both have used the Sinopharm vaccine from China, although the Seychelles also relied partly on AstraZeneca vaccines. The delta variant now circulating in Guangzhou has also shown the ability in other countries to infect some people who had already been vaccinated, a phenomenon known as vaccine escape. Research elsewhere has found that to be a particular problem for people who have received only a first injection of a two-jab vaccine and are then exposed to the delta variant. Also read | As Chinese couples get approval for 3 kids, Uighur women still subjected to birth control horrors Researchers in Britain have found that receiving only the first of two shots of the Oxford-AstraZeneca or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines may be only 30 per cent effective in preventing infection with the delta variant, said Raina MacIntyre, who heads the biosecurity program at the Kirby Institute of the University of New South Wales in Sydney. After two doses, effectiveness appears to rise to 60 per cent with the AstraZeneca vaccine and 88 per cent with Pfizer-BioNTech. “With the degree of vaccine escape there is with the delta variant, you really do need people to be fully vaccinated,” she said. Yin told China’s state-run television network Saturday that a third shot of his company’s vaccine produces a tenfold increase in antibodies within a week. But Chinese vaccine manufacturers are not yet recommending a third dose. “As far as China is concerned, in fact, completing the two-shot immunization is the most important task for all the public,” he said. In the meantime, Guangzhou has tried to turn its virus setback into a showcase for local technologies. Officials there said they had used 31 driverless shuttle vans and trucks to send food and other critical supplies into locked-down neighborhoods to avoid exposing delivery personnel. By Tuesday, Guangdong province had 157 people in the hospital with the virus and was announcing about 10 new cases per day. The province and also Guangzhou itself have banned anyone since last weekend from leaving unless they have a valid reason and a negative nucleic acid test for the virus within the preceding 48 hours. Unlike many places around the world, Guangzhou at least does not have to worry about running out of pandemic supplies: It is coincidentally a hub for manufacturing and exporting them. Chen Jianhua, chief economist of the Guangzhou Bureau of Industry and Information Technology, said at a news conference Wednesday that the city’s daily production capacity was 91 million masks and 7 million sets of coronavirus detection chemicals.

China returns to its strict Covid limits to fight a new outbreak

Singapore&nbsp;will begin slowly easing a month-long partial lockdown from next week after the curbs succeeded in stemming a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> outbreak, authorities said Thursday.

The city-state has weathered the pandemic largely unscathed but saw an uptick in local transmissions in recent weeks as new variants spread.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-singapore-finds-delta-most-prevalent-among-coronavirus-variants-locally-390316">COVID-19: Singapore finds delta most prevalent among coronavirus variants locally</a>

Fresh restrictions were introduced in mid-May, including a cap on the size of social gatherings at two, the closure of schools and a ban on dining-in at restaurants.&nbsp;

With cases falling steadily, maximum sizes for gatherings will be lifted to five from Monday, and bigger groups will be allowed at events such as live performances.

If the situation remains under control, more restrictions will be lifted from June 21, including a resumption of restaurant dine-ins, while people will be allowed to work out at gyms without masks.

However, employees who can work from home must continue to do so.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/singapores-death-toll-from-covid-19-tops-casualties-in-sars-outbreak-390385">Singapore's death toll from COVID-19 tops casualties in SARS outbreak</a>

Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, a member of a government task force dealing with the virus, said the city-state's outbreak was now "under control".

"Over the last few weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases... has fallen progressively, fewer clusters are emerging and (are) generally smaller clusters."

Schools have been closed since last month amid fears that new variants were affecting youngsters more.

The&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;outbreak led to the cancellation, for the second time, of a quarantine-free travel corridor with Hong Kong.&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;said the plan would be reviewed again in early July.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-virus-surge-singapore-set-to-vaccinate-students-from-june-3-388595">Amid virus surge, Singapore set to vaccinate students from June 3</a>

At the start of the pandemic,&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;saw sizeable outbreaks in crowded dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers that infected tens of thousands.&nbsp;

But by global standards, its experience with the virus has been mild. Officials in the city of 5.7 million have reported about 62,000 cases so far and 34 deaths.

Singapore will begin slowly easing a month-long partial lockdown from next week after the curbs succeeded in stemming a coronavirus outbreak, authorities said Thursday.

Singapore will begin slowly easing a month-long partial lockdown from next week after the curbs succeeded in stemming a coronavirus outbreak, authorities said Thursday. The city-state has weathered the pandemic largely unscathed but saw an uptick in local transmissions in recent weeks as new variants spread. Also read | COVID-19: Singapore finds delta most prevalent among coronavirus variants locally Fresh restrictions were introduced in mid-May, including a cap on the size of social gatherings at two, the closure of schools and a ban on dining-in at restaurants. With cases falling steadily, maximum sizes for gatherings will be lifted to five from Monday, and bigger groups will be allowed at events such as live performances. If the situation remains under control, more restrictions will be lifted from June 21, including a resumption of restaurant dine-ins, while people will be allowed to work out at gyms without masks. However, employees who can work from home must continue to do so. Also read | Singapore's death toll from COVID-19 tops casualties in SARS outbreak Trade Minister Gan Kim Yong, a member of a government task force dealing with the virus, said the city-state's outbreak was now "under control". "Over the last few weeks, the number of COVID-19 cases... has fallen progressively, fewer clusters are emerging and (are) generally smaller clusters." Schools have been closed since last month amid fears that new variants were affecting youngsters more. The Singapore outbreak led to the cancellation, for the second time, of a quarantine-free travel corridor with Hong Kong. Singapore said the plan would be reviewed again in early July. Also read | Amid virus surge, Singapore set to vaccinate students from June 3 At the start of the pandemic, Singapore saw sizeable outbreaks in crowded dormitories housing low-paid foreign workers that infected tens of thousands. But by global standards, its experience with the virus has been mild. Officials in the city of 5.7 million have reported about 62,000 cases so far and 34 deaths.

Singapore to ease curbs as virus cases fall

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid vaccines</a>. 
 
He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-pm-oli-says-misunderstandings-with-india-resolved-389932">Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved</a> 
 
Mahaseth, who was appointed on Friday by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in a rejig, and the Indian envoy discussed various matters of mutual interests, including the supply of vaccines, the ministry said in a short readout. 
 
Besides other regular issues, the meeting was focused on importing vaccines against Covid from India, said, officials. 
 
Nepal had earlier received two million doses of Covishield from India, of which one million was under a grant and the rest procured by it from the Serum Institute of India under the discounted rate. It was due to receive another one million doses, for which it had already paid, from the Serum Institute.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-resumes-vaccination-campaign-with-chinas-sinopharm-390189">Nepal resumes vaccination campaign with China's Sinopharm</a> 
 
After India put a ban on vaccine export, Nepal could not get the remaining amount, a senior Nepal government official told IANS. 
 
"In order to get the vaccines, we have also written a diplomatic note to the government of India and a separate letter to the Serum Institute for early resumption of the vaccine. The urgency is there as half a million people who had received the first dose of Covisheld are waiting for the second dose but there is no vaccine," the official said. 
 
"Thar is why we are putting pressure on the Indian government to resume that one million vaccine to us on humanitarian grounds."

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nepal-signs-non-disclosure-agreement-for-chinese-vaccines-390031/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
Earlier, Nepal`s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari also wrote a letter to her Indian counterpart, Ram Nath Kovind, seeking the one million vaccines that Nepal has paid for so that those who are waiting for their second dose can be covered.

Additionally, she also sought support from the Indian government to facilitate its procurement of vaccines from Indian manufacturers.

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for Covid vaccines. He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S.

Nepal`s new Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Raghubir Mahaseth on Wednesday sought India`s support for Covid vaccines. He made the request to Indian Ambassador Vinay Mohan Kwatra, who paid a courtesy call on him and handed over the congratulatory message of Indian Foreign Minister, S. Jaishankar, Nepal`s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. Also read | Nepal PM Oli says 'misunderstandings' with India resolved Mahaseth, who was appointed on Friday by Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in a rejig, and the Indian envoy discussed various matters of mutual interests, including the supply of vaccines, the ministry said in a short readout. Besides other regular issues, the meeting was focused on importing vaccines against Covid from India, said, officials. Nepal had earlier received two million doses of Covishield from India, of which one million was under a grant and the rest procured by it from the Serum Institute of India under the discounted rate. It was due to receive another one million doses, for which it had already paid, from the Serum Institute. Also read | Nepal resumes vaccination campaign with China's Sinopharm After India put a ban on vaccine export, Nepal could not get the remaining amount, a senior Nepal government official told IANS. "In order to get the vaccines, we have also written a diplomatic note to the government of India and a separate letter to the Serum Institute for early resumption of the vaccine. The urgency is there as half a million people who had received the first dose of Covisheld are waiting for the second dose but there is no vaccine," the official said. "Thar is why we are putting pressure on the Indian government to resume that one million vaccine to us on humanitarian grounds." Earlier, Nepal`s President Bidhya Devi Bhandari also wrote a letter to her Indian counterpart, Ram Nath Kovind, seeking the one million vaccines that Nepal has paid for so that those who are waiting for their second dose can be covered. Additionally, she also sought support from the Indian government to facilitate its procurement of vaccines from Indian manufacturers.

Nepal's new foreign minister seeks India's support for Covid vaccines

Singapore&nbsp;has reported its 34th death due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, taking its toll from the pandemic beyond the 33 casualties recorded during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.

The city-state was one of the worst-hit countries by SARS outside mainland China, based on numbers of infection and death, according to the World Health Organization's data.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/moderna-awaiting-approval-of-coronavirus-vaccine-for-teens-in-eu-canada-389997">Moderna awaiting approval of coronavirus vaccine for teens in EU, Canada</a>

SARS, a previously unknown infectious disease, is believed to have emerged from the wet markets of China's Guangdong province before spreading into major cities. Globally, as many as 774 people died in the epidemic that reached nearly 30 countries.

While the current pandemic death toll has exceeded&nbsp;Singapore's death toll from the SARS outbreak, the city-state still has one of the world's lowest COVID-19 fatality rates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/fatigue-ptsd-depression-and-more-heres-how-to-fight-post-covid-problems-390332">Fatigue, PTSD, depression and more: Here's how to fight post-Covid problems</a>

Singapore&nbsp;authorities had said at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the experience dealing with SARS meant they were more prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak.

So far,&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;has reported 62,219 COVID-19 infections since January last year, while it recorded 238 SARS cases between March and May 2003.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/hiv-woman-had-covid-19-for-over-6-months-which-mutated-30-times-study-389719">HIV+ woman had COVID-19 for over 6 months which mutated 30 times: Study</a>

The 34th COVID-19 death in&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;was an 86-year-old woman who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and had a history of comorbidities including diabetes and hypertension,&nbsp;Singapore's health ministry said.

Singapore has reported its 34th death due to COVID-19, taking its toll from the pandemic beyond the 33 casualties recorded during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak.

Singapore has reported its 34th death due to COVID-19, taking its toll from the pandemic beyond the 33 casualties recorded during the 2003 Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) outbreak. The city-state was one of the worst-hit countries by SARS outside mainland China, based on numbers of infection and death, according to the World Health Organization's data. Also read | Moderna awaiting approval of coronavirus vaccine for teens in EU, Canada SARS, a previously unknown infectious disease, is believed to have emerged from the wet markets of China's Guangdong province before spreading into major cities. Globally, as many as 774 people died in the epidemic that reached nearly 30 countries. While the current pandemic death toll has exceeded Singapore's death toll from the SARS outbreak, the city-state still has one of the world's lowest COVID-19 fatality rates. Also read | Fatigue, PTSD, depression and more: Here's how to fight post-Covid problems Singapore authorities had said at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic that the experience dealing with SARS meant they were more prepared for the COVID-19 outbreak. So far, Singapore has reported 62,219 COVID-19 infections since January last year, while it recorded 238 SARS cases between March and May 2003. Also read | HIV+ woman had COVID-19 for over 6 months which mutated 30 times: Study The 34th COVID-19 death in Singapore was an 86-year-old woman who had not been vaccinated against COVID-19 and had a history of comorbidities including diabetes and hypertension, Singapore's health ministry said.

Singapore's death toll from COVID-19 tops casualties in SARS outbreak

After almost 9 countries agrees to Europe's new COVID-19 certificate plan rolled out to unblock travel within the bloc. The European Parliament is all set to vote for its clearance.

European Parliament to vote on COVID-19 travel certificate

India's health ministry has revamped the prescribed treatment for COVID-19 patients. According to the new guidelines, the use of ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, antiviral favipiravir, doxycycline, zinc, and vitamins have been completely scrapped.

Indian govt ditches most popular drugs in new COVID-19 treatment plan

Israel has begun vaccinating teenagers aged 12 to 15 against COVID-19. The move comes despite the health ministry last week saying that it had found a small number of hard inflammation cases observed in a young man who received the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine recently.

Israel begins COVID-19 vaccination drive for 12-15 year-olds

China has authorised the emergency use of CoronaVac COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by Chinese firm Sinovac, for children aged between 3 and 17 years.

China authorises CoronaVac vaccine for children above 3 years

The Delta variant of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a>, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kappa-delta-who-releases-greek-nomenclature-for-covid-variants-including-ones-found-in-india-388657">variant of concern (VOC)</a> first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday.

Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, said that experts now believe that Delta has now overtaken Alpha;&nbsp;the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-agrees-to-add-japan-to-safe-travel-list-holds-off-on-britain-over-concerns-of-delta-variant-389198">EU agrees to add Japan to safe travel list, holds off on Britain over concerns of Delta variant</a>

PHE also said that early evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta compared to Alpha, although more data is needed to have a more definitive view on that.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-kingdom-pm-boris-johnson-cautious-about-lifting-lockdown-389211/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency.

"The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinated</a> and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signs-of-an-early-wave-uk-grapples-with-unlock-measures-amid-third-wave-fears-388604">'Signs of an early wave': UK grapples with unlock measures amid third wave fears</a>

According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency.&nbsp;Last week, 201 people attended the hospital.

"Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said.

The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the northwest of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-seeks-extra-astrazeneca-shots-to-combat-beta-covid-19-variant-389061">Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant</a>

PHE said there are 'encouraging signs' that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread.

Experts continue to urge people to, remain cautious,&nbsp;as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/new-coronavirus-variants-are-coming-warn-scientists-behind-modernas-covid-vaccine-388394">'New coronavirus variants are coming', warn scientists behind Moderna's Covid vaccine</a>

"Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said.

In Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre.

Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-vaccine-passport-plans-to-be-scrapped-the-telegraph-388486">UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph</a>

Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out.

Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant.

PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings.&nbsp;

The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday.

The Delta variant of COVID-19, or the B1.617.2 highly transmissible variant of concern (VOC) first identified in India, has now become the dominant VOC in the UK as infections rose by 5,472 in a week to hit a total of 12,431, health officials in Britain said on Thursday. Public Health England (PHE), which monitors all COVID variants in the country, said that experts now believe that Delta has now overtaken Alpha; the VOC first detected in the Kent region of England. Also Read | EU agrees to add Japan to safe travel list, holds off on Britain over concerns of Delta variant PHE also said that early evidence suggests there may be an increased risk of hospitalisation with Delta compared to Alpha, although more data is needed to have a more definitive view on that. "With this variant now dominant across the UK, it remains vital that we all continue to exercise as much caution as possible," said Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive, UK Health Security Agency. "The way to tackle variants is to tackle the transmission of COVID-19 as a whole. Work from home where you can, and practice 'hands, face, space, fresh air' at all times. If you are eligible and have not already done so, please come forward to be vaccinated and make sure you get your second jab. It will save lives," she said. Also Read | 'Signs of an early wave': UK grapples with unlock measures amid third wave fears According to the breakdown of official figures, this week 278 people with the Delta variant attended hospital in an emergency. Last week, 201 people attended the hospital. "Once again, the majority of these had not been vaccinated," PHE said. The areas most affected by the Delta variant remain in the northwest of England with Bolton, where cases have risen by 795 to 2149, and Blackburn with Darwen which has seen 368 new cases, bringing it to 724 in total. Also Read | Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant PHE said there are 'encouraging signs' that the transmission rate in Bolton has begun to fall and that the actions taken by residents and local authority teams have been successful in reducing spread. Experts continue to urge people to, remain cautious, as the country approaches the next stage of the roadmap, with June 21 scheduled as a date for an end of all lockdown restrictions. Also Read | 'New coronavirus variants are coming', warn scientists behind Moderna's Covid vaccine "Variant cases are on the increase in several areas and it is absolutely crucial that everyone plays their part in preventing their spread," PHE said. In Bolton, local teams have gone door to door in targeted areas on consecutive weekends to distribute test kits, share vital safety messages and encourage people to get the vaccine at a local drop-in centre. Take up of both testing and the vaccine was described as "positive". Also Read | UK vaccine passport plans to be scrapped: The Telegraph Blackburn with Darwen has also seen local teams making door-to-door visits, and over 10,000 additional PCR tests have been given out. Mobile testing units have been deployed to the area and wastewater sampling continues, in order to track the spread of the variant. PHE said its health protection teams continue to work with local authorities and schools to carry out surveillance of COVID-19 cases in schools to understand and reduce transmission in these settings.

Covid-19 Delta variant now dominant in UK as cases rise by 5,472 in a week

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.&nbsp; 
 
Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions.

The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. 
 
Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry.

The Hajj pilgrimage in Indonesia has been cancelled for the second year in a row due to fears over the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the religious affairs ministry. Saudi Arabia, where the pilgrimage takes place, has not opened access to the Hajj, according to Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas. Indonesia is the world's most populous Muslim nation, and it also provides the largest number of pilgrims for the Hajj. According to this division, Indonesia ranks up highest in terms of Muslims arriving for Hajj in Mecca followed by Pakistan and India in second and third positions. The Saudi Kingdom had organised an exceptional Hajj season last year with a limited number of pilgrims as part of precautionary measures against the spread of Covid. Saudi Arabia has so far reported 426,384 confirmed Covid cases, with 7,072 deaths and 409,740 recoveries. (With inputs from agencies)

Indonesia cancels Hajj pilgrimage again due to coronavirus concerns

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines.

The decision by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) comes in the backdrop of Pfizer and Cipla putting forth similar demands during negotiations to supply imported vaccines to India.

These exemptions have been made in light of the huge vaccination requirements in India in the wake of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and the need for increased availability of imported vaccines to meet national requirements, according to DCGI.

"It has been decided that for approval of COVID-19 vaccines in India for restricted use in an emergency situation which is already approved for restricted use by US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO Emergency Use Listing and which are well-established vaccines from the standpoint that millions of individuals have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement of conducting post-approval bridging clinical trials and of testing every batch of vaccine by CDL, Kasauli can be exempted, if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by National Control Laboratory of the country of origin," it said.

However, scrutiny of their summary lot protocol and certificate of analysis of batch or lot shall be undertaken by CDL, Kasauli for release as per standard procedures and requirement of assessment on the first 100 beneficiaries for seven days for safety outcomes before the vaccine is rolled out for further immunization programme, the DCGI said in a notice issued on June 1.

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines.

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines. The decision by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) comes in the backdrop of Pfizer and Cipla putting forth similar demands during negotiations to supply imported vaccines to India. These exemptions have been made in light of the huge vaccination requirements in India in the wake of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and the need for increased availability of imported vaccines to meet national requirements, according to DCGI. "It has been decided that for approval of COVID-19 vaccines in India for restricted use in an emergency situation which is already approved for restricted use by US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO Emergency Use Listing and which are well-established vaccines from the standpoint that millions of individuals have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement of conducting post-approval bridging clinical trials and of testing every batch of vaccine by CDL, Kasauli can be exempted, if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by National Control Laboratory of the country of origin," it said. However, scrutiny of their summary lot protocol and certificate of analysis of batch or lot shall be undertaken by CDL, Kasauli for release as per standard procedures and requirement of assessment on the first 100 beneficiaries for seven days for safety outcomes before the vaccine is rolled out for further immunization programme, the DCGI said in a notice issued on June 1.

Indian drugs regulator DCGI eases norms for clearing foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms.&nbsp;

Early evidence suggests that vaccinations can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading among people who have no symptoms.&nbsp;

Vaccines are effective and safe. You may experience side effects as a result of the vaccine, but these are common and will pass in a few days.

Here are some of the tips from health experts about what to do before, during and after getting vaccinated for COVID-19:&nbsp;

Which one is the best vaccine among all 3 available in India?

Covisheild, Covaxin and the recently added Sputnik V&nbsp;are the vaccines available to Indians. All three are effective in both avoiding infection and preventing the disease from progressing to a severe stage. They avoid fatality in the long run for the elderly and those with comorbidities.&nbsp;

Who should not get the Covid vaccine?

According to the UNICEF, at present, people with the following health conditions should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid any possible adverse effects:

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are currently sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (although you can get vaccinated once you have recovered and your doctor has approved). 
 
Before getting vaccinated, here are some tips to keep in mind

1: Register yourself for the jab on the Co-WIN portal and Aarogya Setu app

2: The vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. As you prepare for your immunisation, eat healthily.

3: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

4: Alcohol use should be avoided because it can dehydrate you.

5: To feel your best on the day of your vaccination, get a good night's sleep.&nbsp;

Valuable tips that will help you after vaccination

Stay for monitoring:&nbsp;

Stay seated at the health centre for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination. Doctors will keep an eye on you for any immediate reactions. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, vomiting, or have an allergic response, please report it to the health workers.&nbsp;

Common side effects&nbsp;

As your body develops immunological defence, expect some side effects. These may go away in 1-2 days.&nbsp;

These side effects are:

Arm soreness at the injection site 
Mild fever 
Fatigue 
Headaches 
Muscle or joint aches&nbsp; 
Chills 
Diarrhoea 
Sleeplessness 
 
Which drug should be taken to minimise the adverse effects of this vaccine?

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, in case of minor adverse effects such as injection site pain, tenderness, malaise, pyrexia, etc., paracetamol may be used to alleviate the symptoms.

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms.

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms. Early evidence suggests that vaccinations can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading among people who have no symptoms. Vaccines are effective and safe. You may experience side effects as a result of the vaccine, but these are common and will pass in a few days. Here are some of the tips from health experts about what to do before, during and after getting vaccinated for COVID-19: Which one is the best vaccine among all 3 available in India? Covisheild, Covaxin and the recently added Sputnik V are the vaccines available to Indians. All three are effective in both avoiding infection and preventing the disease from progressing to a severe stage. They avoid fatality in the long run for the elderly and those with comorbidities. Who should not get the Covid vaccine? According to the UNICEF, at present, people with the following health conditions should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid any possible adverse effects: If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are currently sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (although you can get vaccinated once you have recovered and your doctor has approved). Before getting vaccinated, here are some tips to keep in mind 1: Register yourself for the jab on the Co-WIN portal and Aarogya Setu app 2: The vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. As you prepare for your immunisation, eat healthily. 3: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. 4: Alcohol use should be avoided because it can dehydrate you. 5: To feel your best on the day of your vaccination, get a good night's sleep. Valuable tips that will help you after vaccination Stay for monitoring: Stay seated at the health centre for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination. Doctors will keep an eye on you for any immediate reactions. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, vomiting, or have an allergic response, please report it to the health workers. Common side effects As your body develops immunological defence, expect some side effects. These may go away in 1-2 days. These side effects are: Arm soreness at the injection site Mild fever Fatigue Headaches Muscle or joint aches Chills Diarrhoea Sleeplessness Which drug should be taken to minimise the adverse effects of this vaccine? According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, in case of minor adverse effects such as injection site pain, tenderness, malaise, pyrexia, etc., paracetamol may be used to alleviate the symptoms.

COVID-19 vaccination: Tips to follow before and after taking the jab

Drugs Controller General of India recently did away with specific trials of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> vaccines to improve the pace of vaccinations in the country and to invite more players to the country.

This waiver will be applicable for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccines</a> that have already been approved for restricted use by the US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or listed for "Emergency Use" by the World Health Organization.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-50-million-pfizer-vaccines-ready-to-be-delivered-to-india-talks-ongoing-for-partial-indemnity-388951">Over 50 million Pfizer vaccines ready to be delivered to India; talks ongoing for 'partial indemnity'</a>

For the vaccines that are well established from the standpoint that millions have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement for conduction post-approval bridging clinical trials and&nbsp;testing of every batch of the vaccine by the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in&nbsp;Kasauli can be exempted&nbsp;if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by the National Control Laboratory of the country of origin.

While this move is likely to clear the way for foreign vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna for the country’s urgent requirement, pharma company Pfizer wants more. The company is demanding indemnity and according to reports, the Indian government just might grant it.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/indian-govt-pfizer-at-loggerheads-over-covid-19-vaccine-indemnity-demand-386752/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

But what exactly is ‘Indemnity’?

Indemnity is a legal exemption from future lawsuits over their vaccines. It basically means that if the vaccine maker is sued in India, it will be the government's problem, and not the company's.

India has not given such indemnity to any vaccine producer, why should Pfizer be the first?

Pfizer and Moderna are among the best shots on the international market. Both vaccines work on the same technology. They are more than 90 per cent effective. Together, they have been approved by more than 40 countries. India wants them too. Countries like the US and Britain have already signed such indemnity clauses.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pfizer-and-moderna-dont-want-to-deal-with-indian-states-for-vaccines-387168">Pfizer and Moderna don't want to deal with Indian states for vaccines</a>

Can the Government of India grant indemnity to Pfizer?

To date, no vaccine maker in India has this immunity. Granting such immunity to one company may solicit similar demands from other pharma companies. But according to reports, Pfizer has indemnity in all the countries it has exported its vaccines. So the government can extend indemnity on the lines of what other importer countries did.

As per Niti Ayog member VK Paul, "They have requested indemnity to all the nations, including the country of origin. We are examining this request and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on merit. This is under discussion and there is no decision as of now,".

Will the company have&nbsp;indemnity in severe cases?

As of now, a "complete waiver" won't be given on the Pfizer vaccine by India. As per sources,&nbsp;"reactions to the vaccine are indemnified" but the "reaction amounting to death or serious ailment like paralysis can't be given waiver and will carry liability".

The final decision on the matter is yet to be taken.

A Pfizer spokesperson on Wednesday said that the company continues to remain engaged with the Indian government towards making its coronavirus vaccine available for use in the government immunisation programme, adding that "as these discussions are ongoing, we are unable to share any additional details at this time,".

(With inputs from agencies)

Drugs Controller General of India recently did away with specific trials of COVID-19 vaccines to improve the pace of vaccinations in the country and to invite more players to the country.

Drugs Controller General of India recently did away with specific trials of COVID-19 vaccines to improve the pace of vaccinations in the country and to invite more players to the country. This waiver will be applicable for vaccines that have already been approved for restricted use by the US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or listed for "Emergency Use" by the World Health Organization. Also Read | Over 50 million Pfizer vaccines ready to be delivered to India; talks ongoing for 'partial indemnity' For the vaccines that are well established from the standpoint that millions have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement for conduction post-approval bridging clinical trials and testing of every batch of the vaccine by the Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) in Kasauli can be exempted if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by the National Control Laboratory of the country of origin. While this move is likely to clear the way for foreign vaccines like Pfizer and Moderna for the country’s urgent requirement, pharma company Pfizer wants more. The company is demanding indemnity and according to reports, the Indian government just might grant it. But what exactly is ‘Indemnity’? Indemnity is a legal exemption from future lawsuits over their vaccines. It basically means that if the vaccine maker is sued in India, it will be the government's problem, and not the company's. India has not given such indemnity to any vaccine producer, why should Pfizer be the first? Pfizer and Moderna are among the best shots on the international market. Both vaccines work on the same technology. They are more than 90 per cent effective. Together, they have been approved by more than 40 countries. India wants them too. Countries like the US and Britain have already signed such indemnity clauses. Also Read | Pfizer and Moderna don't want to deal with Indian states for vaccines Can the Government of India grant indemnity to Pfizer? To date, no vaccine maker in India has this immunity. Granting such immunity to one company may solicit similar demands from other pharma companies. But according to reports, Pfizer has indemnity in all the countries it has exported its vaccines. So the government can extend indemnity on the lines of what other importer countries did. As per Niti Ayog member VK Paul, "They have requested indemnity to all the nations, including the country of origin. We are examining this request and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on merit. This is under discussion and there is no decision as of now,". Will the company have indemnity in severe cases? As of now, a "complete waiver" won't be given on the Pfizer vaccine by India. As per sources, "reactions to the vaccine are indemnified" but the "reaction amounting to death or serious ailment like paralysis can't be given waiver and will carry liability". The final decision on the matter is yet to be taken. A Pfizer spokesperson on Wednesday said that the company continues to remain engaged with the Indian government towards making its coronavirus vaccine available for use in the government immunisation programme, adding that "as these discussions are ongoing, we are unable to share any additional details at this time,". (With inputs from agencies)

Explainer: Inside Pfizer's demands for vaccine 'indemnity' and Indian government's next move

Why scientists are concerned about virus leaks at biolabs

The United Kingdom has reported zero daily deaths from COVID-19 on Tuesday, for the first time since last July last year. This comes as the country continues to face rising cases linked to the Delta variant.

UK reports zero COVID-19 deaths for the first time since July 2020

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Tuesday that only one strain of the COVID-19 Delta variant first detected in India is now considered of concern, while two other strains had been downgraded.

WHO says only one strain of Delta variant is now of concern

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has announced a new nomenclature for COVID-19 variants. The new system is based on the letters of the Greek alphabet to avoid stigmatising nations where they were first detected.

Letters of Greek alphabet to be used to name COVID-19 variants

Peru has almost tripled its official COVID-19 death toll after a government review found that casualties were being underreported. The death toll has now been increased to over 180,764 from 69,342.

Coronavirus Update: Peru nearly triples its COVID-19 death toll

A study in a Brazilian city has proved that mass vaccination does help in bringing down COVID-19 cases. Serrana city in the southeastern Brazilian state of Sao Paulo saw a 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths after it vaccinated almost all of its adult population.

Brazilian city Serrana sees 95% drop in COVID-19 deaths after mass vaccination

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has set out an agenda for the G7 meet in July, with a top focus on dealing with the coronavirus pandemic. Johnson wants the upcoming Group of Seven summit to reach an agreement on COVID-19 vaccine passports and to open talks on a world treaty to prepare for future pandemics.

British PM Boris Johnson urges G7 accord on COVID-19 'passports'

Beer gardens, cafes, and restaurants in Germany have started to provide outdoor dining options as parts of the country began easing COVID-19 curbs. Germany has been in some form of virus shutdown since November and tentative reopenings in March were quickly quashed by national “emergency brake” measures to stop a spiraling third wave of the virus.

Germans return to beer gardens as COVID-19 curbs ease across country

India's economic growth picked up in the January-March quarter from the previous three months, but economists have grown pessimistic about this quarter after a huge second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the country last month.

Gross domestic product grew 1.6% in January-March compared with the same period a year earlier, mainly driven by manufacturing sector growth, data from the statistics ministry showed on Monday.

That compared with revised growth of 0.5% in the previous three months and 1.0% according to a Reuters poll of economists.

India also revised its annual GDP estimates for the fiscal year, predicting a 7.3% contraction, less than its earlier estimate of -8.0%.

A slow vaccination drive and local restrictions after a massive second wave of infections and deaths across the country have hit economic activities like retail, transport and construction while putting millions out of work.

India has recorded 28 million COVID-19 infections, behind only the United States, and 329,100 deaths as of Monday, although the rise has begun to slow.

Economists said the economy, which was facing a slowdown even before the pandemic, may now see a collapse in consumer demand, which accounts for more than 55% of the economy, as household incomes and jobs have declined.

Garima Kapoor, economist at Institutional Equities, Elara Capital Mumbai, said the March GDP numbers reflected the impact of the unlocking of the economy before the second wave hit.

"The rebound in consumer spending would hence be more gradual than the first wave, with vaccination being the key driver."

The central bank, which has kept monetary policy loose while boosting liquidity to the economy, said last week the prospects will depend on how fast India can arrest infections.

Analysts warn that the slow rollout could pose medium-term risks to growth, especially if the country were to experience a third wave of COVID-19.

Unemployment soared to a near one-year high of 14.7% in the week ending May 23, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai-based private think tank.

India's economic growth picked up in the January-March quarter from the previous three months, but economists have grown pessimistic about this quarter after a huge second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the country last month.

India's economic growth picked up in the January-March quarter from the previous three months, but economists have grown pessimistic about this quarter after a huge second wave of COVID-19 infections hit the country last month. Gross domestic product grew 1.6% in January-March compared with the same period a year earlier, mainly driven by manufacturing sector growth, data from the statistics ministry showed on Monday. That compared with revised growth of 0.5% in the previous three months and 1.0% according to a Reuters poll of economists. India also revised its annual GDP estimates for the fiscal year, predicting a 7.3% contraction, less than its earlier estimate of -8.0%. A slow vaccination drive and local restrictions after a massive second wave of infections and deaths across the country have hit economic activities like retail, transport and construction while putting millions out of work. India has recorded 28 million COVID-19 infections, behind only the United States, and 329,100 deaths as of Monday, although the rise has begun to slow. Economists said the economy, which was facing a slowdown even before the pandemic, may now see a collapse in consumer demand, which accounts for more than 55% of the economy, as household incomes and jobs have declined. Garima Kapoor, economist at Institutional Equities, Elara Capital Mumbai, said the March GDP numbers reflected the impact of the unlocking of the economy before the second wave hit. "The rebound in consumer spending would hence be more gradual than the first wave, with vaccination being the key driver." The central bank, which has kept monetary policy loose while boosting liquidity to the economy, said last week the prospects will depend on how fast India can arrest infections. Analysts warn that the slow rollout could pose medium-term risks to growth, especially if the country were to experience a third wave of COVID-19. Unemployment soared to a near one-year high of 14.7% in the week ending May 23, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, a Mumbai-based private think tank.

India's economic growth picks up in Jan-March, before huge COVID-19 wave

According to reports, British intelligence agencies believe it is “feasible” that the COVID-19 pandemic began with a coronavirus leak from a Chinese bio laboratory. This has prompted Britain's Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi to demand that the WHO must fully investigate the origins of the deadly virus..

Report: British intelligence believes lab-leak theory is 'feasible'

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa introduced new COVID-19 restrictions to help curb the spread of the coronavirus as the country inches into a third wave of the pandemic. Some of the new restrictions announced include the new curfew hours.

South Africa: President Ramaphosa tightens curbs as COVID-19 cases surge

The Delhi government has extended the COVID curfew for another week till 5 am of June 7 while allowing operations of manufacturing/production units within closed premises.

"The DDMA extended the curfew on the movement of individuals except for essential activities in Delhi till 5 am on June 7 (Monday) or further orders whichever is earlier. Operations of manufacturing/production units within closed premises in approved industrial areas and construction activities within their worksites shall be allowed outside the containment zones during the curfew period," reads the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order.&nbsp;

On Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the national capital will begin to unlock from Monday and said that construction activities and factories will be reopened from May 31.

"In the meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor with Delhi Disaster Management Authority over unlocking process, it has been decided that construction activities and factories will be reopened from Monday keeping the daily wage workers in mind," he said.

Kejriwal urged people to follow the COVID-appropriate behaviour and stated that Delhi may have to opt for lockdown if there is an increase in the COVID cases again.The national capital has been under a lockdown since April 19 in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic.

Delhi recorded 956 fresh COVID cases and 122 deaths on Saturday, according to the health department of the union territory. The daily new case numbers on Saturday have been the lowest over the last two month

The Delhi government has extended the COVID curfew for another week till 5 am of June 7 while allowing operations of manufacturing/production units within closed premises.

The Delhi government has extended the COVID curfew for another week till 5 am of June 7 while allowing operations of manufacturing/production units within closed premises. "The DDMA extended the curfew on the movement of individuals except for essential activities in Delhi till 5 am on June 7 (Monday) or further orders whichever is earlier. Operations of manufacturing/production units within closed premises in approved industrial areas and construction activities within their worksites shall be allowed outside the containment zones during the curfew period," reads the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) order. On Friday, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had announced that the national capital will begin to unlock from Monday and said that construction activities and factories will be reopened from May 31. "In the meeting chaired by the Lieutenant Governor with Delhi Disaster Management Authority over unlocking process, it has been decided that construction activities and factories will be reopened from Monday keeping the daily wage workers in mind," he said. Kejriwal urged people to follow the COVID-appropriate behaviour and stated that Delhi may have to opt for lockdown if there is an increase in the COVID cases again.The national capital has been under a lockdown since April 19 in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the second wave of the pandemic. Delhi recorded 956 fresh COVID cases and 122 deaths on Saturday, according to the health department of the union territory. The daily new case numbers on Saturday have been the lowest over the last two month

Delhi extends COVID curbs till June 7

India has reported its lowest daily rise in new cases in 44 days. For the second time, India recorded less than 200,000 infections. Palki Sharma decodes the numbers.

Gravitas: India reports its lowest daily cases in weeks

As India's vaccination drive kicks into high gear, catch the ground report from our correspondent Johan Castell as he visits one of India's largest vaccination centres and receives his first dose of the Covishield Coronavirus vaccine in New Delhi. Get to know what to expect and what the process looks like for those getting the jab.

Getting vaccinated for Coronavirus in India

Indian authorities Friday announced a tentative&nbsp;easing&nbsp;of the&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;in the capital New&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;as <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> infections fall in major cities after weeks of restrictions.

Rural areas of the country are now seeing the brunt of a surge in cases that has overwhelmed the health care system and killed at least 160,000 people since the start of March.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/record-1761-deaths-in-a-day-in-india-lockdown-in-delhi-378740">Record 1,761 deaths in a day in India; Lockdown in Delhi</a>

Arvind Kejriwal,&nbsp;Delhi's chief minister, said that from Monday construction work and factories can resume, "keeping the poorest section of our society, the labourers and daily wage workers, in mind".&nbsp;

"We are starting the process of reopening&nbsp;very, very&nbsp;slowly. We will reassess it after a week based on experts and people's opinions," he said.

Daily infections reported across <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news">India</a> have more than halved from more than 400,000 earlier this month, according to official statistics.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lowest-in-44-days-india-reports-186-lakh-fresh-covid-19-cases-387960">Lowest in 44 days: India reports 1.86 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases</a>

Deaths per day have also fallen but by much less, with 3,660 reported on Friday in the previous 24 hours. This is widely seen as a major underestimate.

Delhi&nbsp;reported Friday about 1,100 new infections, down from about 25,000 daily cases when the&nbsp;lockdown&nbsp;was announced six weeks earlier.

Even as he announced reopening from Monday, Kejriwal urged the people of&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;to "not step out of your homes unnecessarily".&nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/will-open-delhi-phase-wise-from-may-31-kejriwal-388002">Will open Delhi phase-wise from May 31: Kejriwal</a>

"This is a&nbsp;very&nbsp;sensitive time and we have to function with full responsibility so that we can together save our&nbsp;Delhi&nbsp;and our country," he said.

The devastating surge was blamed on new virus variants and the government has allowed most of the activities&nbsp;to return to normal including mass religious and political gatherings.

Coronavirus patients died in droves outside hospitals or at home because of a lack of beds, medical oxygen and drugs, prompting a flood of desperate pleas on social media.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/black-fungus-drug-amphotericin-b-to-be-priced-at-rs-1200-for-each-vial-in-india-387750">Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India</a>

Since mid-April thousands of COVID-19 patients have also contracted the often deadly and usually&nbsp;very&nbsp;rare infection mucormycosis or "black fungus".

Many other parts of India including the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are now also considering&nbsp;easing&nbsp;restrictions on activity.

India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> programme meanwhile is making only&nbsp;slow&nbsp;progress due to shortages, confusion and squabbling between the central government and state authorities.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/thinking-of-mixing-and-matching-vaccine-doses-on-trial-basis-government-adviser-387854">Thinking of mixing and matching vaccine doses on trial basis: Government adviser</a>

So far about 160 million people, equivalent to only 12.5 per cent of the Indian population, have received one dose, and 45 million, or 3.4 per cent, two shots.

India's information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said the vaccination process would be completed by the end of the year.

"Last week, the health ministry gave details in their press conference. They said that about 216 crore (2.16 billion) vaccine doses will be available by December. 108 crore (1.08 billion) people will be vaccinated," the minister said.

"They (the health ministry) also shared a breakdown of vaccines that will be available -- both locally manufactured and those that will come from outside," Javadekar added.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/lockdown-in-delhi-extended-by-a-week-amid-covid-19-spike-380079">Lockdown in Delhi extended by a week amid COVID-19 spike</a>

The crisis has put Prime Minister Narendra Modi under severe pressure, with critics accusing his government of being more focused on deflecting criticism than the pandemic.

"I would request him (Modi) to stop worrying about his image and start worrying about the problem in front of him," Rahul Gandhi from the main opposition Congress party said Friday.

"Which is now killing people and will probably end up killing millions of people."

Indian authorities Friday announced a tentative easing of the lockdown in the capital New Delhi as coronavirus infections fall in major cities after weeks of restrictions.

Indian authorities Friday announced a tentative easing of the lockdown in the capital New Delhi as coronavirus infections fall in major cities after weeks of restrictions. Rural areas of the country are now seeing the brunt of a surge in cases that has overwhelmed the health care system and killed at least 160,000 people since the start of March. Also Read | Record 1,761 deaths in a day in India; Lockdown in Delhi Arvind Kejriwal, Delhi's chief minister, said that from Monday construction work and factories can resume, "keeping the poorest section of our society, the labourers and daily wage workers, in mind". "We are starting the process of reopening very, very slowly. We will reassess it after a week based on experts and people's opinions," he said. Daily infections reported across India have more than halved from more than 400,000 earlier this month, according to official statistics. Also Read | Lowest in 44 days: India reports 1.86 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases Deaths per day have also fallen but by much less, with 3,660 reported on Friday in the previous 24 hours. This is widely seen as a major underestimate. Delhi reported Friday about 1,100 new infections, down from about 25,000 daily cases when the lockdown was announced six weeks earlier. Even as he announced reopening from Monday, Kejriwal urged the people of Delhi to "not step out of your homes unnecessarily". Also Read | Will open Delhi phase-wise from May 31: Kejriwal "This is a very sensitive time and we have to function with full responsibility so that we can together save our Delhi and our country," he said. The devastating surge was blamed on new virus variants and the government has allowed most of the activities to return to normal including mass religious and political gatherings. Coronavirus patients died in droves outside hospitals or at home because of a lack of beds, medical oxygen and drugs, prompting a flood of desperate pleas on social media. Also Read | Black fungus drug Amphotericin B to be priced at Rs 1200 for each vial in India Since mid-April thousands of COVID-19 patients have also contracted the often deadly and usually very rare infection mucormycosis or "black fungus". Many other parts of India including the states of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are now also considering easing restrictions on activity. India's vaccination programme meanwhile is making only slow progress due to shortages, confusion and squabbling between the central government and state authorities. Also Read | Thinking of mixing and matching vaccine doses on trial basis: Government adviser So far about 160 million people, equivalent to only 12.5 per cent of the Indian population, have received one dose, and 45 million, or 3.4 per cent, two shots. India's information and broadcasting minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said the vaccination process would be completed by the end of the year. "Last week, the health ministry gave details in their press conference. They said that about 216 crore (2.16 billion) vaccine doses will be available by December. 108 crore (1.08 billion) people will be vaccinated," the minister said. "They (the health ministry) also shared a breakdown of vaccines that will be available -- both locally manufactured and those that will come from outside," Javadekar added. Also Read | Lockdown in Delhi extended by a week amid COVID-19 spike The crisis has put Prime Minister Narendra Modi under severe pressure, with critics accusing his government of being more focused on deflecting criticism than the pandemic. "I would request him (Modi) to stop worrying about his image and start worrying about the problem in front of him," Rahul Gandhi from the main opposition Congress party said Friday. "Which is now killing people and will probably end up killing millions of people."

Delhi announces 'very, very slow' easing of lockdown

Indian Union Minister Prakash Javadekar said that all Indians will be vaccinated against the novel Coronavirus by December 2021. This after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi claimed that only 3 percent of the country’s population is vaccinated against COVID-19.

Prakash Javadekar: All Indians will be vaccinated against COVID-19 by December 2021

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