Brazil has celebrated its first carnival since the pandemic began. Elegance & Extravagance took over the carnival as people rejoiced and had fun.

Elegance & Extravagance take over the carnival as Brazil celebrates its first carnival since the pandemic

the latest virus flare-up that has pushed the city into panic mode. With the daily rise in Covid-19 cases and virus-related deaths, Shanghai is currently witnessing one of the worst outbreaks since the start of the pandemic.

Shanghai: 12 deaths reported on Friday amid the ongoing spike in COVID cases

The COVID-19 cluster in IIT-Madras in Chennai has grown to a total of 55 cases, a significant number considering that there are only 286 active cases recorded in the southern state. &nbsp;&nbsp;

According to Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan, the 55 cases on campus were confirmed after performing 1,420 tests over the last couple of days. &nbsp;&nbsp;

He added that most of the students had mild symptoms, such as throat irritation and fever, while their blood oxygen saturation levels remained safe. With this cluster emerging and the pan-India trend of rising cases, the Tamil Nadu Government will be ramping up daily COVID-19 testing from 14,000 per day to 18,000 and eventually 25,000. &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-18-sri-lankan-refugees-reach-tamil-nadu-shores-total-influx-reaches-60-473051" hreflang="en">India: 18 Sri Lankan refugees reach Tamil Nadu shores, total influx reaches 60</a>

Elaborating on the cases in Tamil Nadu, Dr Radhakrishnan, said, of the 286 active cases, only 17 were hospitalised, whereas the others were either isolated at home or in isolation facilities. Further, he stated that two patients are in the intensive care unit and seven of them are under oxygen support. On the cases in IIT Madras, he pointed towards the possibility of the spread having originated from students, who had recently travelled from other parts of the country and joined campus. &nbsp;

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Total of 55 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> cases in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/iitmadras?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#iitmadras</a> confirmed from 1400+ tests 
 
Y'day, when 33 cases were confirmed on campus, <a href="https://twitter.com/iitmadras?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@iitmadras</a> went ahead with an in-person press meet on "Covid management" 
 
In a statement, IITM says they are fully geared up to meet exigency, all students vaxxed <a href="https://t.co/qHUYCyyR0q">pic.twitter.com/qHUYCyyR0q</a>
— Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) <a href="https://twitter.com/sdhrthmp/status/1517754741211934720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 23, 2022</a></blockquote>
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On Friday, when a total of 33 cases were reported from the IIT Madras Campus, the institute had gone ahead with an in-person press meet on covid management, despite there being a known outbreak of a COVID-19 cluster and the further risk of spread. Notably, the institute had not formally communicated about the virus outbreak on campus or the prevailing situation there, when rolling out in-person invitations. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Gravitas: More Sri Lankan refugees reach India

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In a statement, IIT Madras later said that they were fully geared up to meet any exigency and all students were vaccinated, the institute would handle the current cases effectively, based on the lessons they learnt from handling the outbreaks during past three waves. &nbsp;

On Friday, Dr Radhakrishnan emphasised the need for people across Tamil Nadu to mask-up and follow Covid protocols. While stressing that the masking rule had never been relaxed by the government, he said that the collection of a Rs 500 penalty from mask-rule violators would resume with immediate effect. Allaying concerns of COVID-19 bed shortages that may arise, he said that there were more than 1.1 lakh beds in Tamil Nadu at present, in comparison with 1.8 lakh beds during the peak phase of the pandemic.&nbsp;

The COVID-19 cluster in IIT-Madras in Chennai has grown to a total of 55 cases, a significant number considering that there are only 286 active cases recorded in the southern state.

The COVID-19 cluster in IIT-Madras in Chennai has grown to a total of 55 cases, a significant number considering that there are only 286 active cases recorded in the southern state. According to Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan, the 55 cases on campus were confirmed after performing 1,420 tests over the last couple of days. He added that most of the students had mild symptoms, such as throat irritation and fever, while their blood oxygen saturation levels remained safe. With this cluster emerging and the pan-India trend of rising cases, the Tamil Nadu Government will be ramping up daily COVID-19 testing from 14,000 per day to 18,000 and eventually 25,000. Also Read | India: 18 Sri Lankan refugees reach Tamil Nadu shores, total influx reaches 60 Elaborating on the cases in Tamil Nadu, Dr Radhakrishnan, said, of the 286 active cases, only 17 were hospitalised, whereas the others were either isolated at home or in isolation facilities. Further, he stated that two patients are in the intensive care unit and seven of them are under oxygen support. On the cases in IIT Madras, he pointed towards the possibility of the spread having originated from students, who had recently travelled from other parts of the country and joined campus. Total of 55 #COVID19 cases in #iitmadras confirmed from 1400+ tests Y'day, when 33 cases were confirmed on campus, @iitmadras went ahead with an in-person press meet on "Covid management" In a statement, IITM says they are fully geared up to meet exigency, all students vaxxed pic.twitter.com/qHUYCyyR0q — Sidharth.M.P (@sdhrthmp) April 23, 2022 × On Friday, when a total of 33 cases were reported from the IIT Madras Campus, the institute had gone ahead with an in-person press meet on covid management, despite there being a known outbreak of a COVID-19 cluster and the further risk of spread. Notably, the institute had not formally communicated about the virus outbreak on campus or the prevailing situation there, when rolling out in-person invitations. Watch: Gravitas: More Sri Lankan refugees reach India × In a statement, IIT Madras later said that they were fully geared up to meet any exigency and all students were vaccinated, the institute would handle the current cases effectively, based on the lessons they learnt from handling the outbreaks during past three waves. On Friday, Dr Radhakrishnan emphasised the need for people across Tamil Nadu to mask-up and follow Covid protocols. While stressing that the masking rule had never been relaxed by the government, he said that the collection of a Rs 500 penalty from mask-rule violators would resume with immediate effect. Allaying concerns of COVID-19 bed shortages that may arise, he said that there were more than 1.1 lakh beds in Tamil Nadu at present, in comparison with 1.8 lakh beds during the peak phase of the pandemic.

Covid cases multiply at IIT Madras; Health authorities advise caution across Tamil Nadu in India

Local government officials in Shanghai asked people in some neighbourhoods to throw away food provided by the government after residents complained of quality issues. These included complaints of moldy food and issues with packaging. The low quality of the food caused a public outcry.

Shanghai is currently facing worst outbreak of Covid. A lockdown is in effect.

Officials in at least two districts in Shanghai's east issued warnings to residents about moldy braised duck and meatballs and issues with packaging of food proivided by the government, reported news network Bloomberg.

Some residents reportedly complained of stomach ache and diarrhea after consuming food they received on April 21. The issue was also discussed on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media network. People vented their anger. Bloomberg reported that a hashtag demanding probe for what happened in Shanghai got more than 100 million views.

Many of the city's residents have been confined to their homes since March, with some flooding social media with complaints of food shortages, spartan quarantine conditions and heavy-handed enforcement.

Protest footage has circulated faster than government censors can delete it.

Chinese officials have scrambled in recent weeks to contain an outbreak spanning multiple regions, largely driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant.

(With inputs from agencies)

Local government officials in Shanghai asked people in some neighbourhoods to throw away food provided by the government after residents complained of quality issues.

Local government officials in Shanghai asked people in some neighbourhoods to throw away food provided by the government after residents complained of quality issues. These included complaints of moldy food and issues with packaging. The low quality of the food caused a public outcry. Shanghai is currently facing worst outbreak of Covid. A lockdown is in effect. Officials in at least two districts in Shanghai's east issued warnings to residents about moldy braised duck and meatballs and issues with packaging of food proivided by the government, reported news network Bloomberg. Some residents reportedly complained of stomach ache and diarrhea after consuming food they received on April 21. The issue was also discussed on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media network. People vented their anger. Bloomberg reported that a hashtag demanding probe for what happened in Shanghai got more than 100 million views. Many of the city's residents have been confined to their homes since March, with some flooding social media with complaints of food shortages, spartan quarantine conditions and heavy-handed enforcement. Protest footage has circulated faster than government censors can delete it. Chinese officials have scrambled in recent weeks to contain an outbreak spanning multiple regions, largely driven by the fast-spreading Omicron variant. (With inputs from agencies)

Moldy food from government triggers public outcry in Shanghai

China’s financial capital will see strengthening of restrictions due to Covid-19, as per reports.

Shanghai to tighten COVID curbs

A 31-year-old health worker from Spain caught Covid twice within a record 20 days, in what is believed to be the shortest-known gap between infections, researchers have claimed.

The woman from Madrid was infected with two different variants—Delta in late December and&nbsp;Omicron&nbsp;in January, BBC reported citing the Spanish scientists.

The woman was fully vaccinated and even took a booster shot. Despite all the protection, the woman tested positive during a PCR screening test at work on December 20 last year.

However, she didn’t develop any symptoms, and self-isolated for 10 days before returning to work.

But 20 days after the first test, the woman took a PCR test again on January 10 after feeling unwell.&nbsp;That test report also turned out to be positive.

In a presentation at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, study author Dr Gemma Recio said the case highlighted that Omicron can "evade the previous immunity acquired either from a natural infection with other variants or from vaccines".

"In other words, people who have had COVID-19 cannot assume they are protected against reinfection, even if they have been fully vaccinated,” she said.

"Nevertheless, both previous infection with other variants and vaccination does seem to partially protect against severe disease and hospitalisation in those with Omicron," added Dr Recio.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-tracks-two-new-omicron-subvariants-what-are-ba4-and-ba5-strains-470395">WHO tracks two new Omicron subvariants: What are BA.4 and BA.5 strains?</a>

She said monitoring reinfections in people who were fully vaccinated was important, and would help the search for variants which evade vaccines.

The Omicron variant of the Covid variant has been found to be evading&nbsp;immunity from past infection or two vaccine doses.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/omicron-variant-originated-from-mice-say-chinese-scientists-is-the-narrative-changing-continuously-450343">:&nbsp;Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists</a>

According to a study by the Imperial College of London, the risk of reinfection with the Omicron variant is 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant.

Watch |&nbsp;Study: Omicron is less severe than Delta &amp; recovery is 3.3 days quicker

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-omicron-is-less-severe-than-delta-recovery-is-33-days-quicker-469270/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

A 31-year-old health worker from Spain caught Covid twice within a record 20 days, in what is believed to be the shortest-known gap between infections, researchers have claimed.

A 31-year-old health worker from Spain caught Covid twice within a record 20 days, in what is believed to be the shortest-known gap between infections, researchers have claimed. The woman from Madrid was infected with two different variants—Delta in late December and Omicron in January, BBC reported citing the Spanish scientists. The woman was fully vaccinated and even took a booster shot. Despite all the protection, the woman tested positive during a PCR screening test at work on December 20 last year. However, she didn’t develop any symptoms, and self-isolated for 10 days before returning to work. But 20 days after the first test, the woman took a PCR test again on January 10 after feeling unwell. That test report also turned out to be positive. In a presentation at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, study author Dr Gemma Recio said the case highlighted that Omicron can "evade the previous immunity acquired either from a natural infection with other variants or from vaccines". "In other words, people who have had COVID-19 cannot assume they are protected against reinfection, even if they have been fully vaccinated,” she said. "Nevertheless, both previous infection with other variants and vaccination does seem to partially protect against severe disease and hospitalisation in those with Omicron," added Dr Recio. Also read | WHO tracks two new Omicron subvariants: What are BA.4 and BA.5 strains? She said monitoring reinfections in people who were fully vaccinated was important, and would help the search for variants which evade vaccines. The Omicron variant of the Covid variant has been found to be evading immunity from past infection or two vaccine doses. Also read |: Omicron variant originated from mice, say Chinese scientists According to a study by the Imperial College of London, the risk of reinfection with the Omicron variant is 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant. Watch | Study: Omicron is less severe than Delta & recovery is 3.3 days quicker (With inputs from agencies)

Spanish woman infected with Covid twice in record 20 days

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson might currently be on a trip to India but he's left Britain in chaos. He embarked on his trip amid calls for his resignation and an investigation into whether he misled parliament over breaking cocvid-19 rules during lockdown.

Did PM Johnson lie in parliament about breaking covid-19 rules? Opposition seeks probe

Covid-19 and linked lockdowns have impacted tourism and hospitality sectors the most. Now, international tourism has significantly recovered this year though it is currently dealing with some uncertainties due to ongoing war in Ukraine, inflation and this coupled with Covid-19 restrictions.

Global Tourism on the path of recovery

Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases in India's capital New Delhi, mask mandate is back. Authorities are again going to impose fine for violating the mandate.

India: Mask mandate back in New Delhi as COVID cases surge

Authorities in the Chinese city of Shanghai are finding it hard to contain the latest virus flare-up that has pushed the city into panic mode. With daily rise in Covid-19 cases and virus-related deaths, Shanghai is currently witnessing one of the worst outbreaks since the start of the pandemic.

Authorities ease COVID rules in Shanghai amid worsening situation in China's financial hub

Tourism industry in Greece was facing the heat of the pandemic from past few years. Now, it prepares for tourist season as Greek govt lifted COVID restrictions.

Greece prepares for tourist season as Greek govt lifts COVID restrictions

Shanghai's covid death toll rises to 17 despite China's 'Zero-Covid' approach

Significant rise in nationwide covid cases due to more contagious omicron sub-variant in the United States has triggered a US federal judge to announce on Monday that the court is now scrapping the mask mandate for public transport that was imposed earlier by the Biden administration.

US judge strikes down CDC mask mandate amid Covid-19 surge

China reported seven new deaths from covid-19 in Shanghai this raised the official toll after thousands of cases were reported during a weeks-long lockdown. City authorities have revealed the first virus deaths on Monday with the latest fatalities bringing the total official toll to 10. Now, Shanghai prepares to ease lockdown.

Shanghai prepares to ease lockdown though it continues to report new COVID cases

China claimed today that just 3 people have died in Shanghai due to the Wuhan Virus. But reports from the city are challenging this claim. Molly Gambhir tells you more.

Gravitas: Did just 3 people die in Shanghai due to Covid?

Hong Kong's COVID policy is creating mountains of plastic waste amid the ongoing pandemic. Hong Kong landfills are now running out of space.

Plastic waste surges amid COVID crisis: Hong Kong landfills run out of space

Plastic everywhere: Hong Kong's zero-Covid facilities have become an environmental nightmare

Median pay for top US CEOs rose 31% last year to a record $20 million, a new study found, surging after a slight decline during the COVID-19 pandemic, as companies showered leaders with stock awards and cash bonuses.

US executives' pay soars 31% after a slight covid era decline

China reported seven new deaths from covid-19 in Shanghai this raised the official toll after thousands of cases were reported during a weeks-long lockdown. City authorities have revealed the first virus deaths on Monday with the latest fatalities bringing the total official toll to 10.

China reports more deaths as Covid-19 count rises to 10

After weeks of lockdown, Shanghai has reported today that three people have died of covid-19 in the latest outbreak which has kept the city of 25 million confined to their homes. The financial city continues to witness surge in cases.

China: Shanghai reports 3 covid deaths amid recent lockdown

Western Media is known for peddling narratives especially when they understand the story only halfway. Now, we are talking about a familiar culprit the New York Times now in their latest headline reads -'India is stalling the WHO's efforts to make global covid death toll public'.

New York Times is defaming India over it's covid-19 toll

China looks nowhere close to winning the battle to contain its biggest covid-19 outbreak. Shanghai remains mired in COVID-19 lockdown as it is logging tens of thousands of cases daily

Shanghai remains mired in COVID-19 lockdown, cases rise in China's financial hub

China looks nowhere close to winning the battle to contain its biggest covid-19 outbreak. Shanghai is converting residential buildings into quarantine centers to house a mounting number of COVID-19 cases but the move is parking anger to protest among residents who are being forced to leave their apartments

Shanghai's quarantine mess: China's quarantine facility exposed

Australian health authorities are on alert after detection of XE variant of coronavirus in the country. The sub-variant was detected in an overseas traveller who landed in New South Wales (NSW). It is the most populous state in the country.

XE variant of coronavirus is combonation of BA.2 and BA.1

BA.2 is also known as 'stealth Omicron and BA.1 is the original, highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus.&nbsp;

The overseas traveller was found to be positive for the variant XE on April 9. There are no reports of more&nbsp;Covid cases due this specific variant so far.

On Friday (April 15), the country reported more than 40,000 new Covid cases. More than 30 deaths were reported. New South Wales accounted for 16 of these deaths.

Latest data from Department of Health said that a total of&nbsp;5,073,311 Covid cases have been reported in Australia. Number of deaths is at&nbsp;6,693. By Thursday afternoon, there were&nbsp;435,702 active cases in the country.

There were 3,138 coronavirus cases being treated in Australian hospitals including 126 in intensive care units, Xinhua news agency reported.

Over the past week, there have been an average of 49,474 new cases reported each day. The median age of all cases is 30 years and the median age of deaths is 83.

So far, about 69 per cent of the eligible population had received booster vaccines in the country.

On Friday, one state`s strict coronavirus face mask mandate has been lifted after about nine months. People in South Australia (SA) are no longer required to wear masks in most public indoor spaces. The requirement of mandatory Covid tests before entering Australia has been lifted as well.

(With inputs from agencies)

Australian health authorities are on alert after detection of XE variant of coronavirus in the country. The sub-variant was detected in an overseas traveller who landed in New South Wales (NSW).

Australian health authorities are on alert after detection of XE variant of coronavirus in the country. The sub-variant was detected in an overseas traveller who landed in New South Wales (NSW). It is the most populous state in the country. XE variant of coronavirus is combonation of BA.2 and BA.1 BA.2 is also known as 'stealth Omicron and BA.1 is the original, highly transmissible Omicron variant of the virus. The overseas traveller was found to be positive for the variant XE on April 9. There are no reports of more Covid cases due this specific variant so far. On Friday (April 15), the country reported more than 40,000 new Covid cases. More than 30 deaths were reported. New South Wales accounted for 16 of these deaths. Latest data from Department of Health said that a total of 5,073,311 Covid cases have been reported in Australia. Number of deaths is at 6,693. By Thursday afternoon, there were 435,702 active cases in the country. There were 3,138 coronavirus cases being treated in Australian hospitals including 126 in intensive care units, Xinhua news agency reported. Over the past week, there have been an average of 49,474 new cases reported each day. The median age of all cases is 30 years and the median age of deaths is 83. So far, about 69 per cent of the eligible population had received booster vaccines in the country. On Friday, one state`s strict coronavirus face mask mandate has been lifted after about nine months. People in South Australia (SA) are no longer required to wear masks in most public indoor spaces. The requirement of mandatory Covid tests before entering Australia has been lifted as well. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia: Authorities on alert as first case of Covid XE variant emerges

Australia reported more than 40,000 new Covid cases and more than 30 deaths on Friday, including 16 in New South Wales, the country`s most populous state.

According to the latest Department of Health data, a total of 5,073,311 Covid cases have been reported in Australia, including 6,693 deaths, and approximately 435,702 active cases as of Thursday afternoon.

There were 3,138 coronavirus cases being treated in Australian hospitals including 126 in intensive care units, Xinhua news agency reported.

Over the past week, there have been an average of 49,474 new cases reported each day. The median age of all cases is 30 years and the median age of deaths is 83.

So far, about 69 per cent of the eligible population had received booster vaccines in the country.

On Friday, one state`s strict coronavirus face mask mandate has been lifted after about nine months. People in South Australia (SA) are no longer required to wear masks in most public indoor spaces.

Masks are still required in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities and public transport.

Peter Malinauskas, who wwas elected South Australian premier in March, said the new rules would give people more choice.

"Of course, if South Australians want to continue to wear masks, they really have that choice," he said.

Some local businesses hoped customers could still wear masks despite the mandate being dropped.

"I personally would prefer (wearing masks) for everyone`s safety," Fernando Gutierrez, a restaurant owner, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "I know that a lot of them might get upset if I try to enforce something that by law is (optional). I can`t do anything."

Australia reported more than 40,000 new Covid cases and more than 30 deaths on Friday, including 16 in New South Wales, the country`s most populous state. According to the latest Department of Health data, a total of 5,073,311 Covid cases have been reported in Australia, including 6,693 deaths, and approximately 435,702 active cases as of Thursday afternoon.

Australia reported more than 40,000 new Covid cases and more than 30 deaths on Friday, including 16 in New South Wales, the country`s most populous state. According to the latest Department of Health data, a total of 5,073,311 Covid cases have been reported in Australia, including 6,693 deaths, and approximately 435,702 active cases as of Thursday afternoon. There were 3,138 coronavirus cases being treated in Australian hospitals including 126 in intensive care units, Xinhua news agency reported. Over the past week, there have been an average of 49,474 new cases reported each day. The median age of all cases is 30 years and the median age of deaths is 83. So far, about 69 per cent of the eligible population had received booster vaccines in the country. On Friday, one state`s strict coronavirus face mask mandate has been lifted after about nine months. People in South Australia (SA) are no longer required to wear masks in most public indoor spaces. Masks are still required in high-risk settings such as hospitals, aged care facilities and public transport. Peter Malinauskas, who wwas elected South Australian premier in March, said the new rules would give people more choice. "Of course, if South Australians want to continue to wear masks, they really have that choice," he said. Some local businesses hoped customers could still wear masks despite the mandate being dropped. "I personally would prefer (wearing masks) for everyone`s safety," Fernando Gutierrez, a restaurant owner, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. "I know that a lot of them might get upset if I try to enforce something that by law is (optional). I can`t do anything."

Australia's Covid cases, deaths continue to rise

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation to a Covid diagnostic test that uses breath samples to provide a positive or a negative result.

Called the ‘InspectIR’, this breath analyser Covid test detects chemical compounds associated with coronavirus in breath samples.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/std-cases-in-us-including-syphilis-rose-during-pandemic-cdc-report-470645" hreflang="en">Cases of syphilis, other STDs rose in US during Covid pandemic: CDC report</a>

Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health said, “today’s authorisation is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for COVID-19.”&nbsp;

“The FDA continues to support the development of novel COVID-19 tests with the goal of advancing technologies that can help address the current pandemic and better position the US for the next public health emergency,” he added.

The test, which is the size of carry-on luggage, can show the result in less than three minutes.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Shanghai Covid Outbreak: Indian consulate "inaccessible"

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-shanghai-covid-outbreak-indian-consulate-inaccessible-470839/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The FDA explained how the test is to be used. It must be carried out under the supervision of a licensed health care provider and can be performed in settings where the patient samples are both collected and analysed, such as doctor's offices, hospitals, and mobile testing locations.

InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyser's performance was tested and validated in a comprehensive study of 2,409 people. The study included both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. As per the FDA website, the test had 91.2 per cent sensitivity (the percentage of positive samples correctly identified) and 99.3 per cent&nbsp;specificity (the percentage of negative samples correctly identified) in the trial.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/health-and-wellness/what-is-myocarditis-a-rare-complication-of-covid-19-and-non-covid-vaccination-470438" hreflang="en">What is myocarditis? A rare complication of COVID-19 and non-Covid vaccinations</a>

“InspectIR expects to be able to produce approximately 100 instruments per week, which can each be used to evaluate approximately 160 samples per day,” said the agency.

“At this level of production, testing capacity using the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is expected to increase by approximately 64,000 samples per month.”

(With inputs from agencies)

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation to a Covid diagnostic test that uses breath samples to provide a positive or a negative result.

US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given emergency use authorisation to a Covid diagnostic test that uses breath samples to provide a positive or a negative result. Called the ‘InspectIR’, this breath analyser Covid test detects chemical compounds associated with coronavirus in breath samples. Also read | Cases of syphilis, other STDs rose in US during Covid pandemic: CDC report Jeff Shuren, director of the FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health said, “today’s authorisation is yet another example of the rapid innovation occurring with diagnostic tests for COVID-19.” “The FDA continues to support the development of novel COVID-19 tests with the goal of advancing technologies that can help address the current pandemic and better position the US for the next public health emergency,” he added. The test, which is the size of carry-on luggage, can show the result in less than three minutes. Watch | Gravitas: Shanghai Covid Outbreak: Indian consulate "inaccessible" The FDA explained how the test is to be used. It must be carried out under the supervision of a licensed health care provider and can be performed in settings where the patient samples are both collected and analysed, such as doctor's offices, hospitals, and mobile testing locations. InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyser's performance was tested and validated in a comprehensive study of 2,409 people. The study included both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. As per the FDA website, the test had 91.2 per cent sensitivity (the percentage of positive samples correctly identified) and 99.3 per cent specificity (the percentage of negative samples correctly identified) in the trial. Also read | What is myocarditis? A rare complication of COVID-19 and non-Covid vaccinations “InspectIR expects to be able to produce approximately 100 instruments per week, which can each be used to evaluate approximately 160 samples per day,” said the agency. “At this level of production, testing capacity using the InspectIR COVID-19 Breathalyzer is expected to increase by approximately 64,000 samples per month.” (With inputs from agencies)

US FDA approves emergency use of first Covid test that uses breath samples

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who has been fined for breaking the lockdown rules during the pandemic is facing another three potential fines for lockdown breaches. According to the British media reports, this the first time that a PM has been fined for breaking their own law.

Reports: UK PM Boris Johnson faces 3 more fines for breaking covid-19 lockdown norms

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Finance Minister Rishi Sunak were both fined for breaking lockdown rules. This is what the opposition party and citizens think...

The Prime Minister who broke the law?

Covid-19 outbreak in the city of shanghai, the financial capital has now reported more than 22,000 new cases in 24 hours and China has put the city under a strict lockdown under its zero covid tolerance policy. Horrifying videos have emerged from shanghai, take a look.

Residents scream from windows, horrifying videos emerge from Shanghai

As China's harsh Covid lockdown continues to disrupt normal life in Shanghai, another Apple manufacturer has decided to shut shop as the city struggles to contain new infections.

One of Apple’s top iPhone suppliers Pegatron on Tuesday said that it is halting its operations in its two facilities until further orders.

“The date of factory resumption is to be advised by the local government," the company said in a statement, adding that it would work with officials to resume operations "as soon as possible."

This might come as a major blow to Apple as the Taiwanese company is responsible for making “roughly” 20 to 30 per cent of all iPhones.

Notably, Quanta, which helps make MacBooks, and iPad maker Compal Electronics, have also halted production at their sites in Shanghai, according to Nikkei Asia,

This decision comes a month after Foxconn, another iPhone manufacturer, halted operations in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen in the wake of China’s “zero-Covid policy”.

Foxconn has "resumed fundamental operations" in Shenzhen as of late March, the company said.

With several Apple suppliers suspending their operations, the tech firm is likely to face supply crunch. So far, it is not immediately clear which types of manufacturing would be affected following Pegatron’s move.

Shanghai, the city of 26 million and home to major international companies, has become the epicentre of China’s latest COVID-19 surge.

Also read |&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/watch-shanghai-residents-loot-supermarket-as-covid-lockdown-spurs-food-scarcity-470063">Shanghai residents loot supermarket as Covid lockdown spurs food scarcity</a>

For the past several weeks, Shanghai has been reporting more than 26,000 cases every day. In the past month, the city has recorded more than 220,000 Covid cases.

The majority of the city still remains under harsh lockdown that prohibits the residents to move outside even for purchasing essential items.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-shanghai-social-media-unpicks-chinas-covid-lockdown-story-469102">COVID-19: Shanghai social media unpicks China's Covid lockdown story</a>

The residents have been confined to home for weeks even as anger grows over food shortages.

Watch |&nbsp;Residents scream from windows, horrifying videos emerge from Shanghai

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/residents-scream-from-windows-horrifying-videos-emerge-from-shanghai-470660/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

(With inputs from agencies)

As China's harsh Covid lockdown continues to disrupt normal life in Shanghai, another Apple manufacturer has decided to shut shop as the city struggles to contain new infections.

As China's harsh Covid lockdown continues to disrupt normal life in Shanghai, another Apple manufacturer has decided to shut shop as the city struggles to contain new infections. One of Apple’s top iPhone suppliers Pegatron on Tuesday said that it is halting its operations in its two facilities until further orders. “The date of factory resumption is to be advised by the local government," the company said in a statement, adding that it would work with officials to resume operations "as soon as possible." This might come as a major blow to Apple as the Taiwanese company is responsible for making “roughly” 20 to 30 per cent of all iPhones. Notably, Quanta, which helps make MacBooks, and iPad maker Compal Electronics, have also halted production at their sites in Shanghai, according to Nikkei Asia, This decision comes a month after Foxconn, another iPhone manufacturer, halted operations in the Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen in the wake of China’s “zero-Covid policy”. Foxconn has "resumed fundamental operations" in Shenzhen as of late March, the company said. With several Apple suppliers suspending their operations, the tech firm is likely to face supply crunch. So far, it is not immediately clear which types of manufacturing would be affected following Pegatron’s move. Shanghai, the city of 26 million and home to major international companies, has become the epicentre of China’s latest COVID-19 surge. Also read | Shanghai residents loot supermarket as Covid lockdown spurs food scarcity For the past several weeks, Shanghai has been reporting more than 26,000 cases every day. In the past month, the city has recorded more than 220,000 Covid cases. The majority of the city still remains under harsh lockdown that prohibits the residents to move outside even for purchasing essential items. Also read | COVID-19: Shanghai social media unpicks China's Covid lockdown story The residents have been confined to home for weeks even as anger grows over food shortages. Watch | Residents scream from windows, horrifying videos emerge from Shanghai (With inputs from agencies)

Another iPhone supplier ceases operations as China’s Covid lockdown bites

The Covid-19 pandemic slowly seems to be waning as several countries have reported a massive slump in new infections but covid cases in china's financial capital shanghai have made the world wary of letting their guards down. In the latest, the US has now ordered all non-essential employees in Shanghai's consulate to evacuate the cities.

US embassy issues warnings about China's covid-19 curbs, asks non-essential employees to evacuate

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