Nearly two years of pandemic linked closing, Australia has fully reopened its global borders to travelers outside the country but they should be vaccinated against covid-19, this as tourists returned and hundreds of people were united with family and friends once again.

Australia welcomes back tourists nearly after two years of Covid linked closing

Britain’s 95-year-old Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19 and has mild symptoms, the Buckingham Palace said in a statement. Meanwhile, the British monarch will continue to perform light duties.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth tests positive for COVID-19

Noting that risks of Covid-19 had 'dramatically reduced', Bill Gates warned that it was almost certain that the world will see another pandemic. He was speaking at Germany's annual Munich Security Conference.

Gates said that severity of coronavirus had lessened and large part of the global population had attained a certain level of protection against the infection.

“The chance of severe disease, which is mainly associated with being elderly and having obesity or diabetes, those risks are now dramatically reduced because of that infection exposure," he said.

However, he cautioned: “We’ll have another pandemic. It will be a different pathogen next time."

He said that the world would be in a better position to tackle future pandemics if investments were made in medical technology now.

“The cost of being ready for the next pandemic is not that large," he said, adding: “It’s not like climate change. If we’re rational, yes, the next time we’ll catch it early."

Gates said that it was too late to reach the goal set by World Health Organisation (WHO) to vaccinate 70 per cent of global population by mid-2022

“Next time we should try and make it, instead of two years, we should make it more like six months," he said, adding that standardized platforms, including messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, would make that possible.

“The cost of being ready for the next pandemic is not that large. It’s not like climate change. If we’re rational, yes, the next time we’ll catch it early," said Gates, who is the co-chair of the Bill &amp; Melinda Gates Foundation.

Noting that risks of Covid-19 had 'dramatically reduced', Bill Gates warned that it was almost certain that the world will see another pandemic. He was speaking at Germany's annual Munich Security Conference.

Noting that risks of Covid-19 had 'dramatically reduced', Bill Gates warned that it was almost certain that the world will see another pandemic. He was speaking at Germany's annual Munich Security Conference. Gates said that severity of coronavirus had lessened and large part of the global population had attained a certain level of protection against the infection. “The chance of severe disease, which is mainly associated with being elderly and having obesity or diabetes, those risks are now dramatically reduced because of that infection exposure," he said. However, he cautioned: “We’ll have another pandemic. It will be a different pathogen next time." He said that the world would be in a better position to tackle future pandemics if investments were made in medical technology now. “The cost of being ready for the next pandemic is not that large," he said, adding: “It’s not like climate change. If we’re rational, yes, the next time we’ll catch it early." Gates said that it was too late to reach the goal set by World Health Organisation (WHO) to vaccinate 70 per cent of global population by mid-2022 “Next time we should try and make it, instead of two years, we should make it more like six months," he said, adding that standardized platforms, including messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, would make that possible. “The cost of being ready for the next pandemic is not that large. It’s not like climate change. If we’re rational, yes, the next time we’ll catch it early," said Gates, who is the co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Covid risk 'dramatically reduced' but world may face another pandemic: Bill Gates

After Covid pause, Chinese New Year parade enthralls San Francisco again

All eyes are on the heightened tensions between Russia and the West over the Ukraine crisis. Nonetheless the trouble looks like a disguised relief for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Covid, Ukraine...Is PM Boris Johnson using crisis to stem unpopularity?

Soaring inflation and pandemic have failed to affect luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Cartier, as the sector hiked prices to notch up stellar profits. Last year, the world economy began to recover from the pandemic but rising inflation has accompanied the rebound. Prices for raw materials and energy are soaring

But luxury good makers can respond by hiking their prices and actually look more desirable to their customers.

"Our advantage over many other companies and groups is a certain price flexibility, i.e. we have the means to react to inflation," LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault told reporters.

UBS analysts estimate that top brands such as Louis Vuitton, which is owned by industry leader LVMH, have raised their prices two-and-a-half times higher than the inflation rate over the past 20 years.

Indeed, "pricing power remains one of the key characteristics of the luxury goods industry," UBS analysts wrote in a research note.

LVMH bagged a record 64 billion euros ($72 billion) in sales and 12 billion euros in net profit last year, both exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

The French company also owns a broad range of spirits, perfume, jewellery and cosmetics products.

'Less susceptible' to rising costs

Kering -- which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent -- also beat its pre-Covid levels to book a net profit of 3.2 billion euros on sales of 17.6 billion euros, the group reported on Thursday.

Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault acknowledged that "for every new season, we create a new collection and we review all the price matrices." 
Hermes chalked up profits of 2.4 billion euros on sales of nine billion euros.

Hermes chief Axel Dumas said that his brand, which is enjoying "very strong demand", raises its prices once a year.&nbsp;

"All of our products have the same margins. We don't play with our prices. They're linked to manufacturing costs and not to desirability."&nbsp;

He argued that the craftsmanship that goes into making Hermes bags means that they are "perhaps less susceptible to rising energy and raw materials prices than others".

Swiss group Richemont, which owns Cartier and runs its business year from April to March, said it booked sales of 5.6 billion euros in the third quarter alone, an increase of 38 percent over the corresponding period of 2019.

(With inputs from agencies)

Soaring inflation and pandemic have failed to affect luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Cartier, as the sector hiked prices to notch up stellar profits.

Soaring inflation and pandemic have failed to affect luxury brands, from Louis Vuitton to Gucci and Cartier, as the sector hiked prices to notch up stellar profits. Last year, the world economy began to recover from the pandemic but rising inflation has accompanied the rebound. Prices for raw materials and energy are soaring But luxury good makers can respond by hiking their prices and actually look more desirable to their customers. "Our advantage over many other companies and groups is a certain price flexibility, i.e. we have the means to react to inflation," LVMH chief executive Bernard Arnault told reporters. UBS analysts estimate that top brands such as Louis Vuitton, which is owned by industry leader LVMH, have raised their prices two-and-a-half times higher than the inflation rate over the past 20 years. Indeed, "pricing power remains one of the key characteristics of the luxury goods industry," UBS analysts wrote in a research note. LVMH bagged a record 64 billion euros ($72 billion) in sales and 12 billion euros in net profit last year, both exceeding pre-pandemic levels. The French company also owns a broad range of spirits, perfume, jewellery and cosmetics products. 'Less susceptible' to rising costs Kering -- which owns Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent -- also beat its pre-Covid levels to book a net profit of 3.2 billion euros on sales of 17.6 billion euros, the group reported on Thursday. Kering CEO Francois-Henri Pinault acknowledged that "for every new season, we create a new collection and we review all the price matrices." Hermes chalked up profits of 2.4 billion euros on sales of nine billion euros. Hermes chief Axel Dumas said that his brand, which is enjoying "very strong demand", raises its prices once a year. "All of our products have the same margins. We don't play with our prices. They're linked to manufacturing costs and not to desirability." He argued that the craftsmanship that goes into making Hermes bags means that they are "perhaps less susceptible to rising energy and raw materials prices than others". Swiss group Richemont, which owns Cartier and runs its business year from April to March, said it booked sales of 5.6 billion euros in the third quarter alone, an increase of 38 percent over the corresponding period of 2019. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid fails to deter luxury sector

Hong Kong is reeling under the Covid-19 wave led by the Omicron variant. Elections in the country have been postponed and nearly 7.4 million people have been put under strict mandates as Covid cases rise in the country.

Covid wave in Hong Kong: Elections postponed, 7.4 million people put under strict mandates

Cuba is struggling to reawaken its tourism industry after months of pandemic-induced slumber as U.S travellers stay away, threatening to derail the communist-run government's plan to haul the Caribbean island's economy from a deepening crisis.

Covid: Cuban tourism industry struggles. Is Cuba suffering from image problem?

Office of UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he intends to set out plans next week to remove the mandate of self-isolation for people who are infected with Covid.

If such relaxation comes into force, it will make Britain will become first major &nbsp;European country to allow people who know they are infected with COVID-19 to freely use shops, public transport and go to work -- a move many of his health advisors think is risky.

"Covid will not suddenly disappear, and we need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms," Johnson said in a statement.

Johnson will also give more details on how Britain will guard against future coronavirus variants through ongoing surveillance, amid reports that the government wants to end free testing and scale back public health studies.

Currently people in England are legally required to self-isolate for at least five days if instructed to by public health officials, and are advised to isolate even without a specific order if they have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive.

Removing the COVID-19 self-isolation legal requirements and replacing them with voluntary guidance would bring the disease in line with how Britain treats most other infections.

Some 85% of Britain's population aged 12 or over have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and two thirds of the population - including the vast majority of those most at risk - have had three.

Britain's death toll of more than 160,000 fatalities within 28 days of infection is the second-highest in Europe after Russia's. Relative to the size of Britain's population, it is 6% higher than the average for the European Union.

COVID-19 restrictions are unpopular with many members of Johnson's Conservative Party, who view them as disproportionate given widespread take-up of vaccines.

"Pharmaceutical interventions, led by the vaccination programme, will continue to be our first line of defence," the government said. "An awareness of public health guidance should remain, as with all infectious diseases such as flu."

(With inputs from agencies)

Office of UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he intends to set out plans next week to remove the mandate of self-isolation for people who are infected with Covid.

Office of UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that he intends to set out plans next week to remove the mandate of self-isolation for people who are infected with Covid. If such relaxation comes into force, it will make Britain will become first major European country to allow people who know they are infected with COVID-19 to freely use shops, public transport and go to work -- a move many of his health advisors think is risky. "Covid will not suddenly disappear, and we need to learn to live with this virus and continue to protect ourselves without restricting our freedoms," Johnson said in a statement. Johnson will also give more details on how Britain will guard against future coronavirus variants through ongoing surveillance, amid reports that the government wants to end free testing and scale back public health studies. Currently people in England are legally required to self-isolate for at least five days if instructed to by public health officials, and are advised to isolate even without a specific order if they have COVID-19 symptoms or test positive. Removing the COVID-19 self-isolation legal requirements and replacing them with voluntary guidance would bring the disease in line with how Britain treats most other infections. Some 85% of Britain's population aged 12 or over have had at least two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine, and two thirds of the population - including the vast majority of those most at risk - have had three. Britain's death toll of more than 160,000 fatalities within 28 days of infection is the second-highest in Europe after Russia's. Relative to the size of Britain's population, it is 6% higher than the average for the European Union. COVID-19 restrictions are unpopular with many members of Johnson's Conservative Party, who view them as disproportionate given widespread take-up of vaccines. "Pharmaceutical interventions, led by the vaccination programme, will continue to be our first line of defence," the government said. "An awareness of public health guidance should remain, as with all infectious diseases such as flu." (With inputs from agencies)

Britain plans to remove self-isolation mandate for Covid patients

The antiviral pill molnupiravir reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation by 65% in a new study by Indian researchers that offered stronger results than previous research about the drug’s effectiveness.

The study, led by a researcher at the Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Clinical Research Site, split 1,218 Indian adults infected with the coronavirus and experiencing mild symptoms into comparably sized groups.

Only 1.5% of the group that received the pill required hospitalisation, compared with 4.3% of the group that didn’t receive the pill.

A study last year by Merck, which developed the pill with the help of Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, found that the drug reduced the risk of hospitalisation by 30%.

The previous study had several differences that make comparison difficult, Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president of Merck Research Laboratories, said in an interview Saturday.

Participants in the Merck study were at high risk of developing complications after a Covid diagnosis, Barr said. The study also was conducted globally and included patients with both mild and moderate infections. The Indian study didn’t target patients at high risk.

Still, “there are a lot of similarities in the studies,” he said. “Both studies show reductions in hospitalisation. Both studies show reduction in viral load, that is, the amount of virus you can detect in the nose, from before to after treatment. And both studies had substantial improvement in symptom resolution.”

Antiviral pills such as molnupiravir and Pfizer’s Paxlovid have the potential to reach more people than the antibody treatments that are being widely used in the United States for high-risk Covid patients. Since the start of the pandemic, scientists have hoped for convenient treatments that could be prescribed by any doctor and picked up at a local drugstore.

The Food and Drug Administration in December authorised molnupiravir for emergency use by certain adults who were at high risk. The drug is available by prescription only and should be started within five days of symptoms, the FDA said, adding that it’s not a substitute for vaccination.

Merck’s pill works by introducing errors into the virus’s genes to stop it from replicating, which has raised concerns about the risk that it could cause reproductive harm. The risk is hypothetical, and Merck says it has not been borne out in its studies.

The FDA said that women who were pregnant should generally not take the pills, but that there could be exceptions. The agency said women who may become pregnant should use contraception while taking the pills and for at least four days after. The male partners of women who could become pregnant should use contraception while taking the pills and for at least three months after, the agency said.

Some scientists have also raised concerns that the pills could in theory cause the virus to mutate in a way that does not stop it from replicating but instead leads to the emergence of a new variant.

Demand for the Merck pill has been weak in the United States because of the low reported efficacy and the safety concerns.

Until the availability of antiviral drugs, patients who wanted treatment for Covid needed to go to a facility to get an infusion or injection, Barr said.

“That’s a pretty substantive barrier to being able to get treatment,” he said. “And it’s a barrier that’s more likely to be disproportionately high in patients with the least access to health care.”

The antiviral pill molnupiravir reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation by 65% in a new study by Indian researchers that offered stronger results than previous research about the drug’s effectiveness.

The antiviral pill molnupiravir reduced the risk of COVID-19 hospitalisation by 65% in a new study by Indian researchers that offered stronger results than previous research about the drug’s effectiveness. The study, led by a researcher at the Chennai Antiviral Research and Treatment Clinical Research Site, split 1,218 Indian adults infected with the coronavirus and experiencing mild symptoms into comparably sized groups. Only 1.5% of the group that received the pill required hospitalisation, compared with 4.3% of the group that didn’t receive the pill. A study last year by Merck, which developed the pill with the help of Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, found that the drug reduced the risk of hospitalisation by 30%. The previous study had several differences that make comparison difficult, Dr. Eliav Barr, senior vice president of Merck Research Laboratories, said in an interview Saturday. Participants in the Merck study were at high risk of developing complications after a Covid diagnosis, Barr said. The study also was conducted globally and included patients with both mild and moderate infections. The Indian study didn’t target patients at high risk. Still, “there are a lot of similarities in the studies,” he said. “Both studies show reductions in hospitalisation. Both studies show reduction in viral load, that is, the amount of virus you can detect in the nose, from before to after treatment. And both studies had substantial improvement in symptom resolution.” Antiviral pills such as molnupiravir and Pfizer’s Paxlovid have the potential to reach more people than the antibody treatments that are being widely used in the United States for high-risk Covid patients. Since the start of the pandemic, scientists have hoped for convenient treatments that could be prescribed by any doctor and picked up at a local drugstore. The Food and Drug Administration in December authorised molnupiravir for emergency use by certain adults who were at high risk. The drug is available by prescription only and should be started within five days of symptoms, the FDA said, adding that it’s not a substitute for vaccination. Merck’s pill works by introducing errors into the virus’s genes to stop it from replicating, which has raised concerns about the risk that it could cause reproductive harm. The risk is hypothetical, and Merck says it has not been borne out in its studies. The FDA said that women who were pregnant should generally not take the pills, but that there could be exceptions. The agency said women who may become pregnant should use contraception while taking the pills and for at least four days after. The male partners of women who could become pregnant should use contraception while taking the pills and for at least three months after, the agency said. Some scientists have also raised concerns that the pills could in theory cause the virus to mutate in a way that does not stop it from replicating but instead leads to the emergence of a new variant. Demand for the Merck pill has been weak in the United States because of the low reported efficacy and the safety concerns. Until the availability of antiviral drugs, patients who wanted treatment for Covid needed to go to a facility to get an infusion or injection, Barr said. “That’s a pretty substantive barrier to being able to get treatment,” he said. “And it’s a barrier that’s more likely to be disproportionately high in patients with the least access to health care.”

A Covid pill from Merck showed more promise in reducing the risk of hospitalisation

In Pics | Nice Carnival makes a comeback after two years of pandemic

Dr. Anthony Fauci, top medical advisor to the US President Joe Biden said we are still in the first phase of the Covid-19 pandemic. Dr. Fauci said there are five stages of the pandemic.

The five stages of the covid Pandemic, as told by Dr Anthony Fauci

The world is battling the deadly coronavirus pandemic for over two years now. However, there are a few countries that remain completely untouched by the pandemic.

The world is battling the deadly coronavirus pandemic for over two years now. However, there are a few countries that remain completely untouched by the pandemic. The WHO has released a list that shows a couple of countries that have zero cases of the virus. Most of these countries and territories are islands in the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. Here is the list: Micronesia: This country is spread across the western Pacific Ocean comprising more than 600 islands. However, Micronesia is made up of 4 island states: Pohnpei, Kosrae, Chuuk and Yap. Nauru: Located in Oceania, the country features a coral reef and white-sand beaches. As per the WHO list, nearly 68 people per 100 are fully vaccinated here. Niue: It is a small island nation in the South Pacific ocean. Over 79 people per 100 are fully vaccinated against Covid here. Also read | WHO shortens quarantine time for Covid-exposed after negative test Pitcairn Islands: This comprises the islands of Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno. It is a small volcanic region situated in the South Pacific at latitude 25.04 south and longitude 130.06 west. 74 people per 100 are fully vaccinated here. Saint Helena: Known as the place of Napoleon Bonaparte's exile and death, this is a remote volcanic outpost in the South Atlantic Ocean. WHO claims that 58.16 persons per 100 are fully vaccinated here. Tokelau: Located near New Zealand, this place has a single airport. It only has a population of about 1,500 people. Tuvalu: This is a group of three reef islands and six atolls. Tuvalu closed its borders and mandated quarantine. As per WHO, nearly 50 people are fully vaccinated per 100 population. Turkmenistan and North Korea have also been listed as being free of the deadly coronavirus. These countries have not yet acknowledged any case officially. The WHO list also mentions countries that have been the worst hit by the deadly virus. The United States tops the list with 77,521,589 cases, followed by India with 42,780,235 cases.

Here is a list of countries that remain untouched by Covid with zero cases so far

The new sub-variant of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading rapidly, as per reports. BA.2 is becoming a dominant strain in several countries. Will vaccines work against this new variant and how deadly is this new sub-variant?

Will vaccines work against BA.2, the new sub-variant of Omicron? Covid-19

Is it time to start living with the COVID-19? What is the global strategy for the pandemic at Present? How to adapt to ever-changing challenges. Watch this video to know all the answers from experts themselves.

Is it time to start living with the COVID-19? Experts answer

In a bid to ramp up vaccination campaigns in the low and middle-income countries, the World Health Organization has announced that the six African nations will receive the technology that is needed to produce the mRNA vaccines.

WHO: African countries to get mRNA vaccine technology

As pandemic waves swept through India, some questions were asked on why India was not introducing foreign vaccines, especially at a time when India was in the grip of the delta variant of the COVID-19 infection and now for the very first time India's Health Minister has clarified on this issue.

WION speaks to Indian Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: 'New India will run by its own rules'

As per the new guidelines, the World Health Organization has decreased the recommended quarantine duration for people exposed to the coronavirus. People who test negative can now end quarantine after seven days. Earlier, the duration used to be that of 14 days.

In cases where testing to shorten quarantine is not possible, it may be ended after day 10 without testing. This will only be done if the contact presents no symptoms.&nbsp;

This comes at a time when several nations across the globe are easing Covid curbs.&nbsp;

Travel restrictions have been eased in several European nations. Many countries have shortened their quarantine time. In Estonia and Iceland, quarantine time has been reduced to seven days.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-eases-virus-border-rules-for-workers-students-454049">Also read |&nbsp;COVID-19: Japan eases virus border rules for workers and students but tourists will still be barred</a>

Slovenia has also shortened its quarantine time to five days.&nbsp;

The Norwegian government has already lifted its final Covid restrictions as they have scrapped all the social distancing measures. Also, masks are not mandatory now in public spaces.&nbsp;

Not just Norway but several other European nations are planning on easing the curbs. Spain, recently, became the first European country to move towards ending mask mandates.&nbsp;

Restrictions in the Netherlands have also been eased. Non-essential stores, hairdressers and gyms are now be allowed to reopen.

(With inputs from agencies)

As per the new guidelines, the World Health Organization has decreased the recommended quarantine duration for people exposed to the coronavirus. People who test negative can now end quarantine after seven days.

As per the new guidelines, the World Health Organization has decreased the recommended quarantine duration for people exposed to the coronavirus. People who test negative can now end quarantine after seven days. Earlier, the duration used to be that of 14 days. In cases where testing to shorten quarantine is not possible, it may be ended after day 10 without testing. This will only be done if the contact presents no symptoms. This comes at a time when several nations across the globe are easing Covid curbs. Travel restrictions have been eased in several European nations. Many countries have shortened their quarantine time. In Estonia and Iceland, quarantine time has been reduced to seven days. Also read | COVID-19: Japan eases virus border rules for workers and students but tourists will still be barred Slovenia has also shortened its quarantine time to five days. The Norwegian government has already lifted its final Covid restrictions as they have scrapped all the social distancing measures. Also, masks are not mandatory now in public spaces. Not just Norway but several other European nations are planning on easing the curbs. Spain, recently, became the first European country to move towards ending mask mandates. Restrictions in the Netherlands have also been eased. Non-essential stores, hairdressers and gyms are now be allowed to reopen. (With inputs from agencies)

WHO shortens quarantine time for Covid-exposed after negative test

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations --&nbsp;the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years.

The varsity was shut closed in March 2020 owing to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, the nearest such, swarmed with students as they headed to their colleges located in the north campus, where they were greeted by guards bearing thermal scanners in their hands.

The canteens and roadside eateries were abuzz with activity, bringing cheer to the owners as well as the students many of whom could bond with their friends over a cuppa for the very first time.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/poland-minister-przydacz-sees-indias-positive-role-amid-ukraine-russia-crisis-454011">Also read |&nbsp;Poland Minister Przydacz sees India's "positive" role amid Ukraine-Russia crisis</a>

As students queued up outside stalls to savour momos, tea, sweet corn and other snacks, business returned to these eateries that had been left cash-strapped owing to the closure of the university. When PTI probed inside the classrooms, most students were seen wearing masks.

Manish Kansal, a teacher at Hindu College, said the students' excitement was quite apparent despite their masked faces.

"We were meeting our students for the first time. They were wearing masks but we could see the excitement in their eyes. Some of the students were even clicking pictures of the college, and the roads and traffic outside," he told PTI.

Gajendra Mohan Thakur, a 26-year-old Campus Law Centre student, said, "I was excited to go back to the campus. The university was shut for around two years and the online mode of study was not efficient enough to substitute the offline mode of education. It is a time to reclaim our lost years."

Kalyanai Harbola, a first-year student, made no attempt to hide her excitement and said the reopening of campus brought her life back on track. We are super excited to join offline classes as it provides a whole new bunch of opportunities and exposure to shape our future, she said.

Earlier this month, several student bodies had held protests demanding the reopening of the campus. The authorities decided to resume the classes after a decline in number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-makes-helmets-and-safety-harnesses-a-must-for-kids-riding-pillion-454019">Also read |&nbsp;India makes helmets and safety harnesses a must for kids riding pillion</a>

While there was a good turnout of students from the national capital, attendance from other states was low, with their numbers only expected to pick up from the next week. Principals, however, said the turnout was better than what they had expected. According to teachers, attendance was higher among second-year students as compared to those from first-year.

However, not everyone was happy with the resumption of offline classes as outstation students complained of a spike in rent at paying guest accommodations. Gauri, a third-year student of English (Honours) from Kerala, said the PG rates have tripled. PG owners are taking advantage of the situation and asking students triple the amount of the actual rent. They are asking for Rs 16,000 for a triple-seater room. This is too much," she said.

Several outstation students PTI spoke to complained they were given too few days to plan their return. I am anxious since we have exams in the next 20 days. We have to sort many things out and also study for exams. This is an additional pressure. Students were asking for hybrid classes but our demand was refused. They said it is not possible, said 24-year-old Aditi Jain, a student of Masters in English.

Watch |&nbsp;&nbsp;Gravitas Plus: Is Delhi University being unfair to students?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-is-delhi-university-being-unfair-to-students-421609/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Another student, 18-year-old Mamatha Rose from Kerala, who looked visibly tired after standing in a long queue at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station, too shared her grouse. "They earlier informed us that you have to come to Delhi. But two days back they told us you can take online classes. I mean, there is so much mismanagement. We had already booked the tickets and my friend and her father helped us in booking a PG, she said.

"They did not give us enough time to shift. Today, I am unable to attend classes because I need to shift. They should have provided us with accommodation facilities," Rose added.

Even those who managed to find a stay in university hostels are no better off. With many of the hostels under renovation, students are forced to find accommodation elsewhere.

"The hostel allotment is underway but, anyway, seats are limited and students are given hostel rooms on the basis of a merit list so very few students get them," said a student of Kirori Mal College.&nbsp;

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations -- the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years.

Classrooms abuzz with students wearing masks, queues at canteens and roadside eateries, and bustling crowds at nearby metro stations -- the Delhi University campus in India's capital New Delhi, came alive on Thursday as students returned to colleges after a gap of almost two years. The varsity was shut closed in March 2020 owing to the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Vishwavidyalaya Metro Station, the nearest such, swarmed with students as they headed to their colleges located in the north campus, where they were greeted by guards bearing thermal scanners in their hands. The canteens and roadside eateries were abuzz with activity, bringing cheer to the owners as well as the students many of whom could bond with their friends over a cuppa for the very first time. Also read | Poland Minister Przydacz sees India's "positive" role amid Ukraine-Russia crisis As students queued up outside stalls to savour momos, tea, sweet corn and other snacks, business returned to these eateries that had been left cash-strapped owing to the closure of the university. When PTI probed inside the classrooms, most students were seen wearing masks. Manish Kansal, a teacher at Hindu College, said the students' excitement was quite apparent despite their masked faces. "We were meeting our students for the first time. They were wearing masks but we could see the excitement in their eyes. Some of the students were even clicking pictures of the college, and the roads and traffic outside," he told PTI. Gajendra Mohan Thakur, a 26-year-old Campus Law Centre student, said, "I was excited to go back to the campus. The university was shut for around two years and the online mode of study was not efficient enough to substitute the offline mode of education. It is a time to reclaim our lost years." Kalyanai Harbola, a first-year student, made no attempt to hide her excitement and said the reopening of campus brought her life back on track. We are super excited to join offline classes as it provides a whole new bunch of opportunities and exposure to shape our future, she said. Earlier this month, several student bodies had held protests demanding the reopening of the campus. The authorities decided to resume the classes after a decline in number of COVID-19 cases in the national capital. Also read | India makes helmets and safety harnesses a must for kids riding pillion While there was a good turnout of students from the national capital, attendance from other states was low, with their numbers only expected to pick up from the next week. Principals, however, said the turnout was better than what they had expected. According to teachers, attendance was higher among second-year students as compared to those from first-year. However, not everyone was happy with the resumption of offline classes as outstation students complained of a spike in rent at paying guest accommodations. Gauri, a third-year student of English (Honours) from Kerala, said the PG rates have tripled. PG owners are taking advantage of the situation and asking students triple the amount of the actual rent. They are asking for Rs 16,000 for a triple-seater room. This is too much," she said. Several outstation students PTI spoke to complained they were given too few days to plan their return. I am anxious since we have exams in the next 20 days. We have to sort many things out and also study for exams. This is an additional pressure. Students were asking for hybrid classes but our demand was refused. They said it is not possible, said 24-year-old Aditi Jain, a student of Masters in English. Watch | Gravitas Plus: Is Delhi University being unfair to students? Another student, 18-year-old Mamatha Rose from Kerala, who looked visibly tired after standing in a long queue at the Vishwavidyalaya Metro station, too shared her grouse. "They earlier informed us that you have to come to Delhi. But two days back they told us you can take online classes. I mean, there is so much mismanagement. We had already booked the tickets and my friend and her father helped us in booking a PG, she said. "They did not give us enough time to shift. Today, I am unable to attend classes because I need to shift. They should have provided us with accommodation facilities," Rose added. Even those who managed to find a stay in university hostels are no better off. With many of the hostels under renovation, students are forced to find accommodation elsewhere. "The hostel allotment is underway but, anyway, seats are limited and students are given hostel rooms on the basis of a merit list so very few students get them," said a student of Kirori Mal College.

Delhi University colleges reopen, students back on campus after two years

India, the world's largest democracy and second most populous nation had a huge challenge when Covid pandemic hit its shores. The sheer size and complexities within the country made it quite a task to battle the disease. There was no medicine, no vaccine available during initial months. Priyam Gandhi-Mody, in her book 'A Nation to Protect: Leading India through the Covid crisis', has described how India battled and emerged from the deadly crisis under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Efforts of all Indians created a compounding effect under a strong leadership that made tackling the pandemic possible.

The launch of 'A Nation to Protect' took place on February 18 at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi. The book was launched by Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare along with Professor Shamika Ravi (Economist) and Dr VK Paul (member of NITI Aayog).

What followed was a discussion moderated by Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor In Chief&nbsp;of WION. The discussion saw Priyam Gandhi-Mody and the eminent panel discuss aspects of India's fight against the pandemic.

<img alt="Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor In Chief, WION (Photo: Manas Joshi)" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6a0a021b-9ffb-46e0-81a4-d84cd9676d04" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Sudhir%20Chaudhary.jpeg" />

Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor In Chief, WION (Photo: Manas Joshi)

"I was able look at the situation in top-down manner," said Priyam Gandhi-Mody as she talked about her book. When asked about her approach she said that she attempted to capture the Indian response to the pandemic from an outsider's perspective.

In her opening remarks, Gandhi-Mody noted that doomsday predictions were made about India worldover.

"It was said that because of India, global Covid response would take a hit," she said. She expressed displeasure at 'political partisanship' that was observed in Indian political arena just when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was leading the country out of the grips of the pandemic.

Sudhir Chaudhary noted that a section of media was trying to cash in on the frenzy to target the establishment.

"Do you think they did a disservice to the nation through their coverage?" asked Chaudhary.

"It is often said that 'sadness is sexy'. But how sexy is it if you are going to do it at the expense of your country?" replied Gandhi-Mody. "A section of political leaders and media made this into 'us versus them' battle"

Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya said he believed that 'A Nation to Protect' describes the reality as it unfolded during last two years.

"We have seen what happens when there is a true leadership with a vision," said Mandaviya referring to PM Modi.

<img alt="A nation to protect" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d142129-f62a-4701-a99c-33a5dbda7ee8" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/20220218_174928.jpg" />

Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya with author Priyam Gandhi-Modi (Photo: Manas Joshi)

"PM Modi is a very good listener," said Dr VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog.&nbsp;

"I am often surprised at his capacity to read extensively," said Prof Shamika Ravi, the economist who has been a member of Economic Advisory Council to the prime minister.

"So do you think Covid is man-made?" Sudhir Chaudhary asked Priyam Gandhi-Mody towards the end of the session. She said that she would like more information to come out.

'A Nation to Protect' has been published by Rupa Publications.

India, the world's largest democracy and second most populous nation had a huge challenge when Covid pandemic hit its shores. The sheer size and complexities within the country made it quite a task to battle the disease.

India, the world's largest democracy and second most populous nation had a huge challenge when Covid pandemic hit its shores. The sheer size and complexities within the country made it quite a task to battle the disease. There was no medicine, no vaccine available during initial months. Priyam Gandhi-Mody, in her book 'A Nation to Protect: Leading India through the Covid crisis', has described how India battled and emerged from the deadly crisis under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Efforts of all Indians created a compounding effect under a strong leadership that made tackling the pandemic possible. The launch of 'A Nation to Protect' took place on February 18 at Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi. The book was launched by Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare along with Professor Shamika Ravi (Economist) and Dr VK Paul (member of NITI Aayog). What followed was a discussion moderated by Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor In Chief of WION. The discussion saw Priyam Gandhi-Mody and the eminent panel discuss aspects of India's fight against the pandemic. Sudhir Chaudhary, Editor In Chief, WION (Photo: Manas Joshi) "I was able look at the situation in top-down manner," said Priyam Gandhi-Mody as she talked about her book. When asked about her approach she said that she attempted to capture the Indian response to the pandemic from an outsider's perspective. In her opening remarks, Gandhi-Mody noted that doomsday predictions were made about India worldover. "It was said that because of India, global Covid response would take a hit," she said. She expressed displeasure at 'political partisanship' that was observed in Indian political arena just when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was leading the country out of the grips of the pandemic. Sudhir Chaudhary noted that a section of media was trying to cash in on the frenzy to target the establishment. "Do you think they did a disservice to the nation through their coverage?" asked Chaudhary. "It is often said that 'sadness is sexy'. But how sexy is it if you are going to do it at the expense of your country?" replied Gandhi-Mody. "A section of political leaders and media made this into 'us versus them' battle" Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya said he believed that 'A Nation to Protect' describes the reality as it unfolded during last two years. "We have seen what happens when there is a true leadership with a vision," said Mandaviya referring to PM Modi. Union minister Mansukh Mandaviya with author Priyam Gandhi-Modi (Photo: Manas Joshi) "PM Modi is a very good listener," said Dr VK Paul, member of NITI Aayog. "I am often surprised at his capacity to read extensively," said Prof Shamika Ravi, the economist who has been a member of Economic Advisory Council to the prime minister. "So do you think Covid is man-made?" Sudhir Chaudhary asked Priyam Gandhi-Mody towards the end of the session. She said that she would like more information to come out. 'A Nation to Protect' has been published by Rupa Publications.

A Nation to Protect: Priyam Gandhi-Mody's book brings out India's fight against Covid

Covid situation worsens in Hong Kong with daily cases climbing over the 4,000 mark. The city fails to maintain its zero covid policy, hundreds of patients are lying in beds outside the hospital as the medical system in the economic hub are overwhelmed by the rising covid cases.

Hospitals overwhelmed as covid-19 cases rise in Hong Kong

Japan is set to announce easing of border controls that were put in place to counter spread of Covid-19 pandemic, these measures were slammed by business leaders and educators.

Japan is set to announce easing of COVID-19 border curbs

A quarter century ago I was walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrim route. Two weeks into my 500-mile hike I was anxious, lonely and miserable. Each day was worse than the one before. I felt like a failure and a weakling.

One afternoon while walking through a parched field of cut wheat in the high plateau under blistering sun, I dropped to my knees and began to sob. My tears had caught me unaware and were unstoppable. I cursed whatever God I half believed in and demanded answers for why I felt so alone, so frail, so incomplete. I cried myself out, got to my feet and trudged on, six hours to the next village. I found a bed and fell into dreamless sleep.

The next morning I was back on the trail. Shuffling along, I couldn’t shake the feeling I had forgotten something. I stopped and checked my pack. Twice. Nothing was out of place or missing. An hour later I was taking a break beside a barn, snacking on a wedge of cheese and a hunk of stale bread. As I went to hoist my pack and soldier on, I became aware of hearing birds call, distinct and clear. I noticed how crisp the colors around me appeared, the burnt umber of the earth, the high red of a nearby tractor. The few puffy clouds overhead appeared to morph and shift in a way that felt almost preordained. The sensation was one of being wide-awake. Then it dawned on me — what I had “forgotten,” what I didn’t have, what I was missing. It was fear.

As we enter our third calendar year under the cloud of Covid, I have been thinking a lot about fear, its destabilizing, paralyzing hunger — and about travel and how we need its transformative power more than ever. Despite the slogans early in the pandemic that “we’re all in this together,” so many of the people I know have felt so alone, so isolated, so trapped, and yes, so afraid.

Fear seems to be the one commonality of the pandemic. And no one I know reacts well under sustained exposure to fear. Not all my fearful decisions have been bad, but nearly all my bad decisions have been made from a place of fear.

It strikes me now as strange that I had not been aware of fear’s presence in my life until that moment of its first absence. But anxieties born in childhood had become such a part of my rhythm that they were accepted without thought. Beside the barn I suddenly felt myself fully, without need to justify my being. It was a feeling like none I had known. I was, for the moment at least, free. Finally, I thought, here I am. And I wanted more of it.

Since I had experienced this sensation while on the road, it naturally followed — my reasoning went — that by traveling more I could build on this moment. In the void created by the absence of so much fear, feelings of joy and generosity rushed in, which led to connection with others and the world at large. I traveled to Asia and Africa, throughout Europe and South America. I met people who seemed so different, yet on closer inspection shared the same feelings I did. The farther from home I got, the more at home in myself I grew.

As variants spike and recede, it seems that Covid, in one form or another, will remain with us. Fear needs to be mitigated. And fear is a cunning and dangerous foe, a subtle and corrosive taskmaster, and it can bludgeon like a hammer. Not unlike the virus we now combat, or a politician hungry to remain in power, fear mutates, and finds a way to endure. Franklin Roosevelt. assured us that we had nothing to fear but fear itself. He knew, as many of us seem to have forgotten, that wherever fear calls the shots, trouble follows.

Fear demands submission while hiding behind good intentions. It incites wanton disregard in the name of independence. And when called out, fear is quick to justify itself: “If you’re smart, you’ll be afraid. Very afraid.”

Maybe there’s another answer, one that is paradoxical to the narrative we’ve been living. Whatever the effectiveness of closing borders, there’s little doubt that it has succeeded in exacerbating our (not always) latent fear of the “other.” But isolation is a devil’s garden. Of course, due diligence and responsible behavior are required in such a fluid situation, but taking back our agency has its own rewards. With the proper precautions, travel may provide a most unlikely way out of this quagmire of fear in which we find ourselves.

The great travel writer Paul Theroux said that “travel is optimism in action.” Confronted with ever-changing restrictions, complicated and confusing testing protocols, and inconsistent messaging, travelers today need all the optimism they can muster. But reduced services and limitations that we have learned to take in stride at home during the pandemic have created in us an adaptability that is an ideal quality for the road. If you have a willingness to be flexible, the rewards of travel still await.

I recently returned from Ireland, where fewer travelers lent the place a homey feel I hadn’t experienced since before the Celtic Tiger roared. I fell in love with the Irish anew and returned energized and expansive — feelings in short supply during Covid.

Over the summer, inspired by my desire to allay the fear that had built up in me over the pandemic, I again walked across Spain for a month on the Camino de Santiago, this time with my 19-year-old son. The liberation we both experienced was profound. The tyrannical rule of fear could not stand up under the force of human connection. Optimism returned. And I’m headed to Antarctica, where I trust all that fresh air and open space to keep me safe. The thought of encountering blue ice elicits a sense of hope that has been absent for too long.

It might feel counterintuitive to leave what is familiar and seemingly safe to venture out into the unknown in order to be free of life’s terrors, but that is exactly what has been my liberation. It’s always easier to sit on the couch than to get up and go. But maybe the couch is no longer the answer. Perhaps it’s time, with the proper safeguards, to get back out there. Travel still has the power to amaze, to delight and surprise, to awe and inspire, to unite, and most important right now, to obliterate fear.

A quarter century ago I was walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrim route. Two weeks into my 500-mile hike I was anxious, lonely and miserable.

A quarter century ago I was walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, the ancient pilgrim route. Two weeks into my 500-mile hike I was anxious, lonely and miserable. Each day was worse than the one before. I felt like a failure and a weakling. One afternoon while walking through a parched field of cut wheat in the high plateau under blistering sun, I dropped to my knees and began to sob. My tears had caught me unaware and were unstoppable. I cursed whatever God I half believed in and demanded answers for why I felt so alone, so frail, so incomplete. I cried myself out, got to my feet and trudged on, six hours to the next village. I found a bed and fell into dreamless sleep. The next morning I was back on the trail. Shuffling along, I couldn’t shake the feeling I had forgotten something. I stopped and checked my pack. Twice. Nothing was out of place or missing. An hour later I was taking a break beside a barn, snacking on a wedge of cheese and a hunk of stale bread. As I went to hoist my pack and soldier on, I became aware of hearing birds call, distinct and clear. I noticed how crisp the colors around me appeared, the burnt umber of the earth, the high red of a nearby tractor. The few puffy clouds overhead appeared to morph and shift in a way that felt almost preordained. The sensation was one of being wide-awake. Then it dawned on me — what I had “forgotten,” what I didn’t have, what I was missing. It was fear. As we enter our third calendar year under the cloud of Covid, I have been thinking a lot about fear, its destabilizing, paralyzing hunger — and about travel and how we need its transformative power more than ever. Despite the slogans early in the pandemic that “we’re all in this together,” so many of the people I know have felt so alone, so isolated, so trapped, and yes, so afraid. Fear seems to be the one commonality of the pandemic. And no one I know reacts well under sustained exposure to fear. Not all my fearful decisions have been bad, but nearly all my bad decisions have been made from a place of fear. It strikes me now as strange that I had not been aware of fear’s presence in my life until that moment of its first absence. But anxieties born in childhood had become such a part of my rhythm that they were accepted without thought. Beside the barn I suddenly felt myself fully, without need to justify my being. It was a feeling like none I had known. I was, for the moment at least, free. Finally, I thought, here I am. And I wanted more of it. Since I had experienced this sensation while on the road, it naturally followed — my reasoning went — that by traveling more I could build on this moment. In the void created by the absence of so much fear, feelings of joy and generosity rushed in, which led to connection with others and the world at large. I traveled to Asia and Africa, throughout Europe and South America. I met people who seemed so different, yet on closer inspection shared the same feelings I did. The farther from home I got, the more at home in myself I grew. As variants spike and recede, it seems that Covid, in one form or another, will remain with us. Fear needs to be mitigated. And fear is a cunning and dangerous foe, a subtle and corrosive taskmaster, and it can bludgeon like a hammer. Not unlike the virus we now combat, or a politician hungry to remain in power, fear mutates, and finds a way to endure. Franklin Roosevelt. assured us that we had nothing to fear but fear itself. He knew, as many of us seem to have forgotten, that wherever fear calls the shots, trouble follows. Fear demands submission while hiding behind good intentions. It incites wanton disregard in the name of independence. And when called out, fear is quick to justify itself: “If you’re smart, you’ll be afraid. Very afraid.” Maybe there’s another answer, one that is paradoxical to the narrative we’ve been living. Whatever the effectiveness of closing borders, there’s little doubt that it has succeeded in exacerbating our (not always) latent fear of the “other.” But isolation is a devil’s garden. Of course, due diligence and responsible behavior are required in such a fluid situation, but taking back our agency has its own rewards. With the proper precautions, travel may provide a most unlikely way out of this quagmire of fear in which we find ourselves. The great travel writer Paul Theroux said that “travel is optimism in action.” Confronted with ever-changing restrictions, complicated and confusing testing protocols, and inconsistent messaging, travelers today need all the optimism they can muster. But reduced services and limitations that we have learned to take in stride at home during the pandemic have created in us an adaptability that is an ideal quality for the road. If you have a willingness to be flexible, the rewards of travel still await. I recently returned from Ireland, where fewer travelers lent the place a homey feel I hadn’t experienced since before the Celtic Tiger roared. I fell in love with the Irish anew and returned energized and expansive — feelings in short supply during Covid. Over the summer, inspired by my desire to allay the fear that had built up in me over the pandemic, I again walked across Spain for a month on the Camino de Santiago, this time with my 19-year-old son. The liberation we both experienced was profound. The tyrannical rule of fear could not stand up under the force of human connection. Optimism returned. And I’m headed to Antarctica, where I trust all that fresh air and open space to keep me safe. The thought of encountering blue ice elicits a sense of hope that has been absent for too long. It might feel counterintuitive to leave what is familiar and seemingly safe to venture out into the unknown in order to be free of life’s terrors, but that is exactly what has been my liberation. It’s always easier to sit on the couch than to get up and go. But maybe the couch is no longer the answer. Perhaps it’s time, with the proper safeguards, to get back out there. Travel still has the power to amaze, to delight and surprise, to awe and inspire, to unite, and most important right now, to obliterate fear.

Travel is my antidote for fear. As Covid eases, I’m heading out again

Covid is a problem enough but the aftereffects of the infection are increasingly getting looked at. Many symptoms and tendencies are seen among those who have recovered from Covid in the year following the infection.

A study now says that Covid survivors were 40 per cent more likely to develop symptoms of depression. The study also says that people may also struggle sleeping. The survivors have also been found to 20 per cent more likely to abuse substances within a year of catching Covid.

Suicidal thoughts were found to be 46 per cent more common among Covid survivors.&nbsp;

The study was carried out by researchers from St Louis University who observed 150,000 people who were military veterans. The cohort was mostly male, in their 60s. People from this group were tested positive up to January 2021.

There was a correlation seen between Covid infection and mental health issues. People were also found to be at higher risk to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks.

For the purpose of this study, the military veterans who were observed were compared to a group of 5.6 million veterans who had not caught the virus till date.

The study was observational in nature. It has been published in British Medical Journal (BMJ). No direct cause was established as to why Covid survivors were showing symptoms of mental health issues.

Covid is a problem enough but the aftereffects of the infection are increasingly getting looked at. Many symptoms and tendencies are seen among those who have recovered from Covid in the year following the infection.

Covid is a problem enough but the aftereffects of the infection are increasingly getting looked at. Many symptoms and tendencies are seen among those who have recovered from Covid in the year following the infection. A study now says that Covid survivors were 40 per cent more likely to develop symptoms of depression. The study also says that people may also struggle sleeping. The survivors have also been found to 20 per cent more likely to abuse substances within a year of catching Covid. Suicidal thoughts were found to be 46 per cent more common among Covid survivors. The study was carried out by researchers from St Louis University who observed 150,000 people who were military veterans. The cohort was mostly male, in their 60s. People from this group were tested positive up to January 2021. There was a correlation seen between Covid infection and mental health issues. People were also found to be at higher risk to develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks. For the purpose of this study, the military veterans who were observed were compared to a group of 5.6 million veterans who had not caught the virus till date. The study was observational in nature. It has been published in British Medical Journal (BMJ). No direct cause was established as to why Covid survivors were showing symptoms of mental health issues.

Covid survivors at increased risk to develop depression, use drugs: Study

Europe limps back to normalcy as cases decline after a surge driven by the Omicron variant of the COVID-19. Austria, Germany, Switzerland relaxes COVID curbs.

Europe limps back to normalcy: Austria, Germany, Switzerland relaxes COVID curbs as cases decline

Britain is all set to vaccinate young children after expanding its inoculation drive against the COVID-19. Children in age groups 5-11 will get jabs against COVID-19.

UK: Children in age group 5-11 to get jabs against COVID-19

A hybrid of&nbsp;Delta and&nbsp;Omicron variants called 'Deltacron' may actually be real. It was initially touted as a laboratory error. &nbsp;

This comes as a patient has been diagnosed with both the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid at the same time in the UK. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/following-fathers-footsteps-canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-invokes-emergency-powers-to-end-protests-453348" hreflang="en">Following father’s footsteps, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers to end protests</a>

But it is still not clear if it originated in Britain or came from outside, the Daily Mail reported citing the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) weekly variant surveillance report. &nbsp;

According to the UKHSA officials, the severity of this new virus and its impact on vaccine performance is still unknown.

The officials were "not concerned" due to the variant as its case numbers are "low", the report said citing a source at the UKHSA. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/with-covid-witnessing-downturn-carnival-of-hope-begins-in-venice-452993" hreflang="en">With Covid witnessing downturn, 'Carnival of hope' begins in Venice</a>

Professor Paul Hunter, infectious disease expert, University of East Anglia, said that it "shouldn't pose too much of a threat" as the UK has huge levels of immunity against the original Delta and Omicron strains. &nbsp;&nbsp;

"So, I'm not overly worried at the moment. If both Delta and Omicron are falling then, in theory, this (variant) should struggle to take off," Hunter added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

A hybrid of Delta and Omicron variants called 'Deltacron' may actually be real. It was initially touted as a laboratory error. This comes as a patient has been diagnosed with both the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid at the same time in the UK.

A hybrid of Delta and Omicron variants called 'Deltacron' may actually be real. It was initially touted as a laboratory error. This comes as a patient has been diagnosed with both the Delta and Omicron variants of Covid at the same time in the UK. Also Read: Following father’s footsteps, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau invokes emergency powers to end protests But it is still not clear if it originated in Britain or came from outside, the Daily Mail reported citing the UK Health Security Agency's (UKHSA) weekly variant surveillance report. According to the UKHSA officials, the severity of this new virus and its impact on vaccine performance is still unknown. The officials were "not concerned" due to the variant as its case numbers are "low", the report said citing a source at the UKHSA. Also Read: With Covid witnessing downturn, 'Carnival of hope' begins in Venice Professor Paul Hunter, infectious disease expert, University of East Anglia, said that it "shouldn't pose too much of a threat" as the UK has huge levels of immunity against the original Delta and Omicron strains. "So, I'm not overly worried at the moment. If both Delta and Omicron are falling then, in theory, this (variant) should struggle to take off," Hunter added. (With inputs from agencies)

Hybrid variant of Covid 'Deltacron' may be real. All you should know

Hong Kong is struggling to cope as COVID-19 cases rises to record highs and overwhelms its hospitals. Daily infections have multiplied 13 times over the past two weeks from about 100 cases at the start of February to over 1300 on February 13th, authorities are scrambling to control the deepening outbreak.

Hong Kong's daily covid-19 cases multiply 13 times in last two weeks

With no limitations on the number of flights, Vietnam will remove its covid-19 restrictions on global passenger flights with all markets starting tomorrow. Southeast Asian country imposed tight border controls at the start of the pandemic to keep out covid-19 with some initial success but that dealt a blow to its burgeoning tourism sector which accounts for around 10 percent of GDP.

Vietnam: No covid-19 curbs on international flights

Scientists have warned that the next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron. These scientists have cautioned against letting our guard down. The warning has come even as countries around the world gradually seek to relax Covid curbs and travel restrictions.

Prof Mark Woolhouse, of Edinburgh University said that it is not known where in the family-tress of coronavirus will the next variant come from.&nbsp;

“The Omicron variant did not come from the Delta variant. It came from a completely different part of the virus’s family tree. And since we don’t know where in the virus’s family tree a new variant is going to come from, we cannot know how pathogenic it might be. It could be less pathogenic but it could, just as easily, be more pathogenic,” he said. He was quoted by The Guardian.

Woolhouse's opinion was seconded by Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick University.

“People seem to think there has been a linear evolution of the virus from Alpha to Beta to Delta to Omicron,” he told the Observer. “But that is simply not the case. The idea that virus variants will continue to get milder is wrong. A new one could turn out to be even more pathogenic than the Delta variant, for example.” he said as quoted by The Guardian.

Though citizens may have shown aversion to further undergo coronavirus restrictions, decisions towards lifting of all curbs is also drawing criticism from sections of British society. There are growing demands for Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, the government’s most senior advisers on Covid to present evidence if any, to back decision to end pandemic restrictions.

Scientists have warned that the next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron. These scientists have cautioned against letting our guard down. The warning has come even as countries around the world gradually seek to relax Covid curbs and travel restrictions.

Scientists have warned that the next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron. These scientists have cautioned against letting our guard down. The warning has come even as countries around the world gradually seek to relax Covid curbs and travel restrictions. Prof Mark Woolhouse, of Edinburgh University said that it is not known where in the family-tress of coronavirus will the next variant come from. “The Omicron variant did not come from the Delta variant. It came from a completely different part of the virus’s family tree. And since we don’t know where in the virus’s family tree a new variant is going to come from, we cannot know how pathogenic it might be. It could be less pathogenic but it could, just as easily, be more pathogenic,” he said. He was quoted by The Guardian. Woolhouse's opinion was seconded by Professor Lawrence Young of Warwick University. “People seem to think there has been a linear evolution of the virus from Alpha to Beta to Delta to Omicron,” he told the Observer. “But that is simply not the case. The idea that virus variants will continue to get milder is wrong. A new one could turn out to be even more pathogenic than the Delta variant, for example.” he said as quoted by The Guardian. Though citizens may have shown aversion to further undergo coronavirus restrictions, decisions towards lifting of all curbs is also drawing criticism from sections of British society. There are growing demands for Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance, the government’s most senior advisers on Covid to present evidence if any, to back decision to end pandemic restrictions.

Next Covid variant may be more dangerous than Omicron, say scientists

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