India's second wave is subsiding. Schools have reopened. Kids are back in classrooms. But, are they vaccinated? The DCGI is yet to approve Covaxin for emergency use in children. Palki Sharma tells you why the process should be fast-tracked.

Gravitas: Why India needs to begin vaccinating Children

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes&nbsp;showed no signs of easing.

Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave of Covid-19 infections.

While case numbers remain low by most international standards, they have been steadily growing since the highly transmissible Delta variant was first found in New Zealand in mid-August.

The outbreak, centred on Auckland, has forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to drop her core policy goal of eliminating the virus in favour of ramping up vaccination efforts.

The centre-left leader is set to unveil a new strategy on Friday that will allow for greater freedoms once vaccination targets have been reached.

Around two-thirds of the eligible population have now been fully inoculated.

"We know that vaccinations are already making a significant difference to the outbreak in Auckland, but so too are people following the rules," Ardern told reporters.

Before the arrival of Delta, New Zealand won widespread praise for its hardline approach, which involved strict lockdowns, rigorous contact tracing and tight border restrictions.

The measures paid off, with just 28 deaths in a population of five million and domestic life near normal for long periods.

But Ardern has conceded Delta was a "game-changer", spreading at a rate too fast for contract-tracers to keep up.

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes showed no signs of easing.

New Zealand recorded its highest number of daily coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic on Tuesday as a Delta-variant outbreak that dashed the nation's "Covid Zero" hopes showed no signs of easing. Health authorities announced 94 new virus cases, exceeding the previous daily record of 89 set in April last year during the first wave of Covid-19 infections. While case numbers remain low by most international standards, they have been steadily growing since the highly transmissible Delta variant was first found in New Zealand in mid-August. The outbreak, centred on Auckland, has forced Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to drop her core policy goal of eliminating the virus in favour of ramping up vaccination efforts. The centre-left leader is set to unveil a new strategy on Friday that will allow for greater freedoms once vaccination targets have been reached. Around two-thirds of the eligible population have now been fully inoculated. "We know that vaccinations are already making a significant difference to the outbreak in Auckland, but so too are people following the rules," Ardern told reporters. Before the arrival of Delta, New Zealand won widespread praise for its hardline approach, which involved strict lockdowns, rigorous contact tracing and tight border restrictions. The measures paid off, with just 28 deaths in a population of five million and domestic life near normal for long periods. But Ardern has conceded Delta was a "game-changer", spreading at a rate too fast for contract-tracers to keep up.

New Zealand Covid cases hit record despite vaccination push

Despite mass vaccination program against covid 19, the infection rate remains stubbornly high. Contrasting sharply with its European neighbors.

United Kingdom: Covid infection rates remain stubbornly high

In pics | Social distancing goes for a toss at Grand Mosque in Mecca

For the first time since the pandemic began in March last year, Mumbai did not register any COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours on Sunday.

Mumbai civic commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal stated in a tweet that the city had zero deaths from the virus on Sunday, the first time since March 26, 2020.&nbsp;

"This is great news for all of us in Mumbai. As Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, I salute Team MCGM for their spectacular performance, " he Tweeted.

According to Iqbal Singh Chahal, at least 97% of Mumbai residents have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 55% completely vaccinated.&nbsp;

Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said, "The good news. Mumbai today has recorded zero Covid deaths, the first time since March 26, 2020. Keep the mask on the face and get yourself vaccinated if you haven’t yet. Help us keep Mumbai safe, we’re here to serve you."

There are no operational containment zones in Mumbai.

There are, nevertheless, 50 active sealed structures.

In the Covid care centres, there are presently 538 high-risk contacts.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

For the first time since the pandemic began in March last year, Mumbai did not register any COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours on Sunday. Mumbai civic commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal stated in a tweet that the city had zero deaths from the virus on Sunday, the first time since March 26, 2020.

For the first time since the pandemic began in March last year, Mumbai did not register any COVID-19 deaths in 24 hours on Sunday. Mumbai civic commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal stated in a tweet that the city had zero deaths from the virus on Sunday, the first time since March 26, 2020. "This is great news for all of us in Mumbai. As Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Commissioner, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai, I salute Team MCGM for their spectacular performance, " he Tweeted. According to Iqbal Singh Chahal, at least 97% of Mumbai residents have gotten their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, with 55% completely vaccinated. Maharashtra minister Aaditya Thackeray said, "The good news. Mumbai today has recorded zero Covid deaths, the first time since March 26, 2020. Keep the mask on the face and get yourself vaccinated if you haven’t yet. Help us keep Mumbai safe, we’re here to serve you." There are no operational containment zones in Mumbai. There are, nevertheless, 50 active sealed structures. In the Covid care centres, there are presently 538 high-risk contacts. (With inputs from agencies)

In a first, Mumbai records zero deaths in single day since beginning of pandemic

Only 32% Russians of Russians are fully vaccinated against Covid. A lack of tough restrictions has allowed the virus to spread unchecked, the Kremlin continues to avoid the implementation of strict restrictions.

Russia records more than 33,000 more new Covid cases

United States is all set to lift restrictions for its overseas visitors. It will reopen its land borders with Canada and Mexico to non-essential workers who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The border which will be reopened on November 8th.Will end a 19-month curb on non-essential travel which was propelled due to the covid-19 pandemic.

United States set to lift restrictions for its overseas visitors

In a sign of respite for the world the coronavirus pandemic has slowed for a seventh week in a row.The pandemic had gained ground since mid-june fanned by the highly contagious delta variant. But since late August it has been in decline.

Coronavirus pandemic slowed for seventh week in a row

The head of the US International Development Finance Corporation would be visiting India later this month as part of the Quad's efforts to boost vaccine manufacturing.

The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is a state-run development finance institution, which invests in development projects primarily in lower- and middle-income countries.

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Leading a high-powered delegation, DFC Chief Operating Officer (COO) David Marchick would travel to India from October 24 to 26.

In Hyderabad, the delegation will visit the offices of the Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E and participate in a signing ceremony to open a new facility with substantial capacity for vaccine manufacturing, an official release said.

This work is in support of the historic commitment set out by President (Joe) Biden and his counterparts in the 'Quad' &nbsp;Australia, India, Japan and the United States," the DFC said in a statement.

Marchick would travel to India after his visit to South Africa beginning October 18. The travel to South Africa and India is to advance DFC investments helping boost global health and expand COVID-19 vaccine production capacity throughout the developing world.

DFC Vice President of Development Credit Jim Polan and other DFC senior staff will accompany the COO.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-to-allow-fully-vaccinated-travellers-from-november-8-white-house-421033">US to allow fully vaccinated travellers from November 8: White House&nbsp;</a>

During the South Africa tour, the DFC delegation will visit Africa Data Centres, a DFC client that is developing and expanding critical technology infrastructure throughout Africa. The delegation will tour the sterile facilities of Aspen Pharmacare, Africa's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, in Gqeberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth), as well as meet with other pharmaceutical manufacturers critical to the COVID-19 response, a media release said.

Since day one of the Biden administration, President Biden has stated that the only way to defeat COVID-19 is to end the pandemic both at home and abroad by vaccinating Americans at home and non-Americans abroad,&nbsp;the DFC said.

The US has committed to donate 1.1 billion doses of Covid vaccines worldwide and has already shipped nearly 200 million doses to developing countries more doses than the rest of the world combined, it said.

The head of the US International Development Finance Corporation would be visiting India later this month as part of the Quad's efforts to boost vaccine manufacturing.

The head of the US International Development Finance Corporation would be visiting India later this month as part of the Quad's efforts to boost vaccine manufacturing. The United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is a state-run development finance institution, which invests in development projects primarily in lower- and middle-income countries. Also Read | US experts recommend Moderna booster for older and at-risk groups Leading a high-powered delegation, DFC Chief Operating Officer (COO) David Marchick would travel to India from October 24 to 26. In Hyderabad, the delegation will visit the offices of the Indian vaccine manufacturer Biological E and participate in a signing ceremony to open a new facility with substantial capacity for vaccine manufacturing, an official release said. This work is in support of the historic commitment set out by President (Joe) Biden and his counterparts in the 'Quad' Australia, India, Japan and the United States," the DFC said in a statement. Marchick would travel to India after his visit to South Africa beginning October 18. The travel to South Africa and India is to advance DFC investments helping boost global health and expand COVID-19 vaccine production capacity throughout the developing world. DFC Vice President of Development Credit Jim Polan and other DFC senior staff will accompany the COO. Also Read | US to allow fully vaccinated travellers from November 8: White House During the South Africa tour, the DFC delegation will visit Africa Data Centres, a DFC client that is developing and expanding critical technology infrastructure throughout Africa. The delegation will tour the sterile facilities of Aspen Pharmacare, Africa's largest pharmaceutical manufacturer, in Gqeberha (formally known as Port Elizabeth), as well as meet with other pharmaceutical manufacturers critical to the COVID-19 response, a media release said. Since day one of the Biden administration, President Biden has stated that the only way to defeat COVID-19 is to end the pandemic both at home and abroad by vaccinating Americans at home and non-Americans abroad, the DFC said. The US has committed to donate 1.1 billion doses of Covid vaccines worldwide and has already shipped nearly 200 million doses to developing countries more doses than the rest of the world combined, it said.

US Development Finance Corporation chief to visit India to boost vaccine manufacturing

The United States is all set to lift restrictions for its overseas visitors. It will reopen its land borders with Canada and Mexico to non-essential workers who are fully vaccinated against covid-19.

United States to lift travel restrictions on overseas visitors

For months, the UK government flagged issues with the Indian covid-19 vaccine certification. However, the recent study shows that 43,000 Britains were found to have been issued false covid-19 reports.

Covid Update | UK: 43,000 people were issued false negative Covid-19 results

Since the onset of Covid-19, some countries have turned to traditional ways of healing rituals to ward off the pandemic, watch this bulletin for more.

Venezuelans fight Covid pandemic; seek strength, healing from mythical goddess

In a sign of respite, the coronavirus pandemic has slowed for the seventh week in a row. Since August the number of covid cases has seen a drop.

Coronavirus pandemic slowed for 7th week in a row

A mandate for all workers in Italy to show a government-issued COVID-19 pass has come into force, triggering protests at key ports and fears of disruption.

As per the new guidelines, anyone who is on a payroll, both in the public and private sectors, must have a 'green pass' with a QR code as proof of either full vaccination, recent recovery from infection or a negative test.

Also, employees who go to work without a pass can be fined up to 1,500 euros and can also face suspension without pay. Employers could also face fines if they allow staff to work without it.

More than 85 per cent of Italians over the age of 12 have received at least one jab, qualifying for the pass. Among those who have not been vaccinated, a minority say they either oppose the idea or are fearful.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-covid-19-cases-among-children-peaked-in-september-shows-data-421035">Also read |&nbsp;US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data</a>

Some foreigners have also reported difficulties getting the jab, including undocumented workers.

As per reports, up to three million workers are estimated to be unvaccinated.&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government has said that this will help in preventing further lockdowns in Italy.

The new rules triggered massive protests all across Italy. More than 6,500 people demonstrated at the northeastern port of Trieste, according to local government.

France was the first country in Europe to bring in the idea of green pass&nbsp;by announcing in July that people would need a certificate to enter bars, restaurants, trains, and aeroplanes.&nbsp;Italy copied the measure, but pushed further.

A mandate for all workers in Italy to show a government-issued COVID-19 pass has come into force, triggering protests at key ports and fears of disruption. As per the new guidelines, anyone who is on a payroll, both in the public and private sectors, must have a 'green pass' with a QR code as proof of either full vaccination, recent recovery from infection or a negative test.

A mandate for all workers in Italy to show a government-issued COVID-19 pass has come into force, triggering protests at key ports and fears of disruption. As per the new guidelines, anyone who is on a payroll, both in the public and private sectors, must have a 'green pass' with a QR code as proof of either full vaccination, recent recovery from infection or a negative test. Also, employees who go to work without a pass can be fined up to 1,500 euros and can also face suspension without pay. Employers could also face fines if they allow staff to work without it. More than 85 per cent of Italians over the age of 12 have received at least one jab, qualifying for the pass. Among those who have not been vaccinated, a minority say they either oppose the idea or are fearful. Also read | US: COVID-19 cases among children peaked in September, shows data Some foreigners have also reported difficulties getting the jab, including undocumented workers. As per reports, up to three million workers are estimated to be unvaccinated. Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government has said that this will help in preventing further lockdowns in Italy. The new rules triggered massive protests all across Italy. More than 6,500 people demonstrated at the northeastern port of Trieste, according to local government. France was the first country in Europe to bring in the idea of green pass by announcing in July that people would need a certificate to enter bars, restaurants, trains, and aeroplanes. Italy copied the measure, but pushed further.

Italy comes up with world's strictest anti-Covid measures

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Wolverhampton in central England has been suspended over concerns that it had been incorrectly giving negative PCR test results to thousands of people. An investigation had been launched into the lab by NHS Test and Trace. The investigation was launched after receiving reports that people were getting negative PCR test results after &nbsp;testing positive on rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs)

As per UKHSA, about 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results.

US Government's advice says that PCR tests are more accurate than LFDs, and people can stop self-isolating if a positive LFD result is followed by a negative PCR test result.

"We have immediately suspended testing at this laboratory while we continue the investigation," said Dr Will Welfare, Public Health Incident Director at UKHSA.

"There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided."

Immensa Health Clinic, the private company that runs the lab, was founded in May 2020, and has been awarded contracts worth 170 million pounds ($234 million) to process results of PCR tests.

Its chief executive, Andrea Riposati, said the company was "fully collaborating" with UKHSA's investigation, and did "not wish this matter or anything else to tarnish the amazing work done by the UK in this pandemic."

Riposati also runs Dante Labs, which is being investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over allegations it has failed to deliver PCR test results on time or sometimes at all.

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Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism, with many saying NHS Test and Trace falls well short of the "world-beating" system he had promised.

"If it was found that the results of 40,000 cancer or HIV tests may have been incorrect, there would be an uproar and heads would roll," said opposition Labour party lawmaker Rosena Allin-Khan.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cop26-queen-finds-world-leaders-irritating-because-they-only-talk-and-dont-act-420982">COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act'</a>

"Not with Test and Trace. Tens of billions of pounds thrown at numerous private companies who have put profit before the pandemic."

UKHSA said it was an isolated incident in one laboratory, with samples now being redirected to other labs, and overall testing availability was unaffected.

(With inputs from agencies)

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Wolverhampton in central England has been suspended over concerns that it had been incorrectly giving negative PCR test results to thousands of people.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Wolverhampton in central England has been suspended over concerns that it had been incorrectly giving negative PCR test results to thousands of people. An investigation had been launched into the lab by NHS Test and Trace. The investigation was launched after receiving reports that people were getting negative PCR test results after testing positive on rapid lateral flow devices (LFDs) As per UKHSA, about 43,000 people may have been given incorrect negative PCR test results. US Government's advice says that PCR tests are more accurate than LFDs, and people can stop self-isolating if a positive LFD result is followed by a negative PCR test result. "We have immediately suspended testing at this laboratory while we continue the investigation," said Dr Will Welfare, Public Health Incident Director at UKHSA. "There is no evidence of any faults with LFD or PCR test kits themselves and the public should remain confident in using them and in other laboratory services currently provided." Immensa Health Clinic, the private company that runs the lab, was founded in May 2020, and has been awarded contracts worth 170 million pounds ($234 million) to process results of PCR tests. Its chief executive, Andrea Riposati, said the company was "fully collaborating" with UKHSA's investigation, and did "not wish this matter or anything else to tarnish the amazing work done by the UK in this pandemic." Riposati also runs Dante Labs, which is being investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) over allegations it has failed to deliver PCR test results on time or sometimes at all. Also Read | UK: One third of farmers could be depressed, reveals survey Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism, with many saying NHS Test and Trace falls well short of the "world-beating" system he had promised. "If it was found that the results of 40,000 cancer or HIV tests may have been incorrect, there would be an uproar and heads would roll," said opposition Labour party lawmaker Rosena Allin-Khan. Also Read | COP26: Queen finds world leaders 'irritating' because they only 'talk' and don't 'act' "Not with Test and Trace. Tens of billions of pounds thrown at numerous private companies who have put profit before the pandemic." UKHSA said it was an isolated incident in one laboratory, with samples now being redirected to other labs, and overall testing availability was unaffected. (With inputs from agencies)

UK: Covid testing lab suspended after thousands get incorrect results

Protesters massed at some of Italy's major ports Friday as thousands took to the streets against the introduction of one of the world's toughest Covid pass regimes.

More than 6,500 people demonstrated at the northeastern port of Trieste, according to local government estimates, although regional president Massimiliano Fedriga insisted that "the port is working".

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-protest-against-tunisia-leader-with-government-awaited-419650">Thousands protest against Tunisia leader with government awaited</a>

Delays were reported at the northwestern port of Genoa, where about 300 people blocked an entrance, while pockets of protests broke out across Italy ahead of bigger demonstrations called for later in the day.

The government is braced for widespread disruption by Italians angry at the extension of the coronavirus "Green Pass" to all workers, after a demonstration last weekend sparked violent clashes in Rome.

From Friday, all workers must show a Green Pass offering proof of vaccination, recent recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test -- or face being declared absent without pay.

More than 85 percent of Italians over the age of 12 have received at least one jab, thus automatically qualifying for the pass.

Among those who have not been vaccinated, a minority say they either oppose the idea or are fearful. Some foreigners have also reported difficulties getting the jab, including undocumented workers.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/italy-starts-administering-covid-booster-shots-to-people-over-60-419579">Italy starts administering Covid booster shots to people over 60</a>

But up to three million workers are estimated to be unvaccinated -- and most will only be able to work if they pay for their own tests either every 48 or 72 hours, depending on the type.

Ivano Russo, director general of trade group Confetra, told AFP that out of a total of 900,000 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse staff employed by members of his lobby, "25 to 30 percent" do not have Covid certificates.

Dock workers in Trieste have threatened to go on strike indefinitely, despite being offered free Covid tests.&nbsp;

"Citizens not puppets" and "No Green Pass, No Discrimination" read some of the placards in the crowd gathered Friday.

In Genoa, the small blockade was peaceful early Friday, according to an AFP journalist, although some truck drivers reported delays.

"Today it's really hard to unload," Marco, a 50-year-old driver, told the ANSA news agency.

"I have to unload, I have to be able to work. I took the vaccine to get the Green Pass because I have to work."

Downloading passes&nbsp;

Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government says the pass will help prevent further lockdowns in Italy, one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic.

Business lobby Confindustria has been among the staunchest backers of the measure, which follows a similar initiative adopted in Greece last month, saying it would "create workplaces that are as safe as possible".

Introduced in August, initially for museums and indoor dining, it has also had the effect of boosting vaccinations, and rates of infection currently remain low.

The eurozone's third largest economy is expected to record almost six percent growth this year after a devastating Covid-induced recession.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humanitarian-crisis-in-focus-as-italy-hosts-g20-afghan-summit-420064">Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit</a>

Ahead of the extension of the Green Pass to workplaces, more than 560,000 certificates were downloaded on Wednesday and around 860,000 Thursday, according to government data.

However, there are concerns there is not enough capacity for everyone who is not vaccinated to have regular Covid tests, raising the prospect of mass absenteeism from work.

Anyone caught in the workplace without a Green Pass risks fines ranging from 600 to 1,500 euros ($700 to 1700).

And those who fail to turn up for work because they don't have one face suspension on no pay -- but cannot be fired.

Meanwhile, employers can be fined 400 to 1,000 euros for not checking if their staff comply with the rules.&nbsp;

Trade unions initially called for compulsory vaccinations to avoid discrimination between those who were and were not jabbed.

They are now pushing for free tests, saying staff should not have to pay to go to work, although ministers so far seem unlikely to agree.

Protesters massed at some of Italy's major ports Friday as thousands took to the streets against the introduction of one of the world's toughest Covid pass regimes.

Protesters massed at some of Italy's major ports Friday as thousands took to the streets against the introduction of one of the world's toughest Covid pass regimes. More than 6,500 people demonstrated at the northeastern port of Trieste, according to local government estimates, although regional president Massimiliano Fedriga insisted that "the port is working". Also Read | Thousands protest against Tunisia leader with government awaited Delays were reported at the northwestern port of Genoa, where about 300 people blocked an entrance, while pockets of protests broke out across Italy ahead of bigger demonstrations called for later in the day. The government is braced for widespread disruption by Italians angry at the extension of the coronavirus "Green Pass" to all workers, after a demonstration last weekend sparked violent clashes in Rome. From Friday, all workers must show a Green Pass offering proof of vaccination, recent recovery from COVID-19 or a negative test -- or face being declared absent without pay. More than 85 percent of Italians over the age of 12 have received at least one jab, thus automatically qualifying for the pass. Among those who have not been vaccinated, a minority say they either oppose the idea or are fearful. Some foreigners have also reported difficulties getting the jab, including undocumented workers. Also Read | Italy starts administering Covid booster shots to people over 60 But up to three million workers are estimated to be unvaccinated -- and most will only be able to work if they pay for their own tests either every 48 or 72 hours, depending on the type. Ivano Russo, director general of trade group Confetra, told AFP that out of a total of 900,000 truck drivers, couriers and warehouse staff employed by members of his lobby, "25 to 30 percent" do not have Covid certificates. Dock workers in Trieste have threatened to go on strike indefinitely, despite being offered free Covid tests. "Citizens not puppets" and "No Green Pass, No Discrimination" read some of the placards in the crowd gathered Friday. In Genoa, the small blockade was peaceful early Friday, according to an AFP journalist, although some truck drivers reported delays. "Today it's really hard to unload," Marco, a 50-year-old driver, told the ANSA news agency. "I have to unload, I have to be able to work. I took the vaccine to get the Green Pass because I have to work." Downloading passes Prime Minister Mario Draghi's government says the pass will help prevent further lockdowns in Italy, one of the European countries hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. Business lobby Confindustria has been among the staunchest backers of the measure, which follows a similar initiative adopted in Greece last month, saying it would "create workplaces that are as safe as possible". Introduced in August, initially for museums and indoor dining, it has also had the effect of boosting vaccinations, and rates of infection currently remain low. The eurozone's third largest economy is expected to record almost six percent growth this year after a devastating Covid-induced recession. Also Read | Humanitarian crisis in focus as Italy hosts G20 Afghan summit Ahead of the extension of the Green Pass to workplaces, more than 560,000 certificates were downloaded on Wednesday and around 860,000 Thursday, according to government data. However, there are concerns there is not enough capacity for everyone who is not vaccinated to have regular Covid tests, raising the prospect of mass absenteeism from work. Anyone caught in the workplace without a Green Pass risks fines ranging from 600 to 1,500 euros ($700 to 1700). And those who fail to turn up for work because they don't have one face suspension on no pay -- but cannot be fired. Meanwhile, employers can be fined 400 to 1,000 euros for not checking if their staff comply with the rules. Trade unions initially called for compulsory vaccinations to avoid discrimination between those who were and were not jabbed. They are now pushing for free tests, saying staff should not have to pay to go to work, although ministers so far seem unlikely to agree.

Protests and blockades greet new Italy Covid rules

In the summer of 2020, half a year into the coronavirus pandemic, scientists traveled into the forests of northern Laos to catch bats that might harbor close cousins of the pathogen.

In the dead of night, they used mist nets and canvas traps to snag the animals as they emerged from nearby caves, gathered samples of saliva, urine and feces, then released them back into the darkness.

The fecal samples turned out to contain coronaviruses, which the scientists studied in high-security biosafety labs, known as BSL-3, using specialized protective gear and air filters.

Three of the Laos coronaviruses were unusual: They carried a molecular hook on their surface that was very similar to the hook on the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2. Like SARS-CoV-2, their hook allowed them to latch onto human cells.

"It is even better than early strains of SARS-CoV-2," said Marc Eloit, a virus expert at the Pasteur Institute in Paris who led the study, referring to how well the hook on the Laos coronaviruses binds to human cells. The study was posted online last month and has not yet been published in a scientific journal.

Virus experts are buzzing about the discovery. Some suspect that these SARS-CoV-2-like viruses may already be infecting people from time to time, causing only mild and limited outbreaks. But under the right circumstances, the pathogens could give rise to a COVID-19-like pandemic, they say.

The findings also have significant implications for the charged debate over COVID’s origins, experts say. Some people have speculated that SARS-CoV-2’s impressive ability to infect human cells could not have evolved through a natural spillover from an animal. But the new findings seem to suggest otherwise.

"That really puts to bed any notion that this virus had to have been concocted or somehow manipulated in a lab to be so good at infecting humans," said Michael Worobey, a University of Arizona virus expert who was not involved in the work.

These bat viruses, along with more than a dozen others discovered in recent months in Laos, Cambodia, China and Thailand, may also help researchers better anticipate future pandemics. The viruses’ family trees offer hints about where potentially dangerous strains are lurking and which animals scientists should look at to find them.

Last week, the U.S. government announced a $125 million project to identify thousands of wild viruses in Asia, Latin America and Africa to determine their risk of spillover. Eloit predicted that there were many more relatives of SARS-CoV-2 left to find.

"I am a fly fisherman," he said. "When I am unable to catch a trout, that doesn’t mean there are no trout in the river."

When SARS-CoV-2 first came to light, its closest known relative was a bat coronavirus that Chinese researchers found in 2016 in a mine in southern China’s Yunnan province. RaTG13, as it is known, shares 96% of its genome with SARS-CoV-2. Based on the mutations carried by each virus, scientists have estimated that RaTG13 and SARS-CoV-2 share a common ancestor that infected bats about 40 years ago.

Both viruses infect cells by using a molecular hook, called the "receptor-binding domain," to latch onto their surface. RaTG13’s hook, adapted for attaching to bat cells, can only cling weakly to human cells. SARS-CoV-2’s hook, by contrast, can clasp cells in the human airway, the first step toward a potentially lethal case of COVID-19.

To find other close relatives of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife virus experts checked their freezers full of old samples from across the world. They identified several similar coronaviruses from southern China, Cambodia and Thailand. Most came from bats, while a few came from scaly mammals known as pangolins. None were closer to RaTG13 than RaTG12.

Eloit and his colleagues instead set out to find new coronaviruses.

They travelled to northern Laos, about 150 miles from the mine where Chinese researchers had found RaTG13. Over six months, they caught 645 bats belonging to 45 different species. The bats harboured two dozen kinds of coronaviruses, three of which were strikingly similar to SARS-CoV-2 — especially in the receptor-binding domain.

In RaTG13, 11 of the 17 key building blocks of the domain are identical to those of SARS-CoV-2. But in the three viruses from Laos, as many as 16 were identical — the closest match to date.

Eloit speculated that one or more of the coronaviruses might be able to infect humans and cause mild disease. In a separate study, he and colleagues took blood samples from people in Laos who collect bat guano for a living. Although the Laotians did not show signs of having been infected with SARS-CoV-2, they carried immune markers, called antibodies, that appeared to be caused by a similar virus.

Linfa Wang, a molecular virus expert at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore who was not involved in the study, agreed that such an infection was possible, since the newly discovered viruses can attach tightly to a protein on human cells called ACE2.

"If the receptor-binding domain is ready to use ACE2, these guys are dangerous," Wang said.

Paradoxically, some other genes in the three Laotian viruses are more distantly related to SARS-CoV-2 than other bat viruses. The cause of this genetic patchwork is the complex evolution of coronaviruses.

If a bat infected with one coronavirus catches a second one, the two different viruses may end up in a single cell at once. As that cell begins to replicate each of those viruses, their genes get shuffled together, producing new virus hybrids.

In the Laotian coronaviruses, this gene shuffling has given them a receptor-binding domain that is very similar to that of SARS-CoV-2. The original genetic swap took place about a decade ago, according to a preliminary analysis by Spyros Lytras, a graduate student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Lytras and his colleagues are now comparing SARS-CoV-2 not just to the new viruses from Laos, but to other close relatives that have been found in recent months. They are finding even more evidence of gene shuffling. This process, known as recombination, may be reshaping the viruses from year to year.

"It’s becoming more and more obvious how important recombination is," Lytras said.

He and his colleagues are now drawing the messy evolutionary trees of SARS-CoV-2-like viruses based on these new insights. Finding more viruses could help clear up the picture. But scientists are divided as to where to look for them.

Eloit believes the best bet is a zone of Southeast Asia that includes the site where his colleagues found their coronaviruses, as well as the nearby mine in Yunnan where RaTG13 was found.

"I think the main landscape corresponds to north Vietnam, north Laos and south China," Eloit said.

The U.S. government’s new virus-hunting project, called DEEP VZN, may turn up one or more SARS-CoV-2-like viruses in that region. A spokesperson for USAID, the agency funding the effort, named Vietnam as one of the countries where researchers will be searching and said that new coronaviruses are one of their top priorities.

Other scientists think it is worth looking for relatives of SARS-CoV-2 farther afield. Worobey of the University of Arizona said that some bat coronaviruses carrying SARS-CoV-2-like segments have been found in eastern China and Thailand.

"Clearly, the recombination is showing us that these viruses are part of a single gene pool over hundreds and hundreds of miles, if not thousands of miles," Worobey said.

Colin Carlson, a biologist at Georgetown University, suspects that a virus capable of producing a COVID-like outbreak might be lurking even farther away. Bats as far east as Indonesia and as far west as India, he noted, share many biological features with the animals known to carry SARS-CoV-2-like viruses.

"This is not just a Southeast Asia problem," Carlson said. "These viruses are diverse, and they are more cosmopolitan than we have thought."

The interest in the origins of the pandemic has put renewed attention on the safety measures researchers are using when studying potentially dangerous viruses. To secure DEEP VZN grants, scientists will have to provide a biosafety and biosecurity plan, according to a USAID spokesperson, including training for staff, guidelines on protective equipment to be worn in the field and safety measures for lab work.

If scientists find more close cousins of SARS-CoV-2, it does not necessarily mean they pose a deadly threat. They might fail to spread in humans or, as some scientists speculate, cause only small outbreaks. Just seven coronaviruses are known to have jumped the species barrier to become well-established human pathogens.

"There’s probably a vast range of other coronaviruses that end up going nowhere," said Jessica Metcalf, an evolutionary ecologist at Princeton University.

Still, recombination may be able to turn a virus going nowhere into a new threat. In May, researchers reported that two coronaviruses in dogs recombined in Indonesia. The result was a hybrid that infected eight children.

"When a coronavirus that we have monitored for decades, that we think of as just something our pets can get, can make the jump, we should have seen that coming, right?" Carlson said.

In the summer of 2020, half a year into the coronavirus pandemic, scientists traveled into the forests of northern Laos to catch bats that might harbor close cousins of the pathogen.

In the summer of 2020, half a year into the coronavirus pandemic, scientists traveled into the forests of northern Laos to catch bats that might harbor close cousins of the pathogen. In the dead of night, they used mist nets and canvas traps to snag the animals as they emerged from nearby caves, gathered samples of saliva, urine and feces, then released them back into the darkness. The fecal samples turned out to contain coronaviruses, which the scientists studied in high-security biosafety labs, known as BSL-3, using specialized protective gear and air filters. Three of the Laos coronaviruses were unusual: They carried a molecular hook on their surface that was very similar to the hook on the virus that causes COVID-19, called SARS-CoV-2. Like SARS-CoV-2, their hook allowed them to latch onto human cells. "It is even better than early strains of SARS-CoV-2," said Marc Eloit, a virus expert at the Pasteur Institute in Paris who led the study, referring to how well the hook on the Laos coronaviruses binds to human cells. The study was posted online last month and has not yet been published in a scientific journal. Virus experts are buzzing about the discovery. Some suspect that these SARS-CoV-2-like viruses may already be infecting people from time to time, causing only mild and limited outbreaks. But under the right circumstances, the pathogens could give rise to a COVID-19-like pandemic, they say. The findings also have significant implications for the charged debate over COVID’s origins, experts say. Some people have speculated that SARS-CoV-2’s impressive ability to infect human cells could not have evolved through a natural spillover from an animal. But the new findings seem to suggest otherwise. "That really puts to bed any notion that this virus had to have been concocted or somehow manipulated in a lab to be so good at infecting humans," said Michael Worobey, a University of Arizona virus expert who was not involved in the work. These bat viruses, along with more than a dozen others discovered in recent months in Laos, Cambodia, China and Thailand, may also help researchers better anticipate future pandemics. The viruses’ family trees offer hints about where potentially dangerous strains are lurking and which animals scientists should look at to find them. Last week, the U.S. government announced a $125 million project to identify thousands of wild viruses in Asia, Latin America and Africa to determine their risk of spillover. Eloit predicted that there were many more relatives of SARS-CoV-2 left to find. "I am a fly fisherman," he said. "When I am unable to catch a trout, that doesn’t mean there are no trout in the river." When SARS-CoV-2 first came to light, its closest known relative was a bat coronavirus that Chinese researchers found in 2016 in a mine in southern China’s Yunnan province. RaTG13, as it is known, shares 96% of its genome with SARS-CoV-2. Based on the mutations carried by each virus, scientists have estimated that RaTG13 and SARS-CoV-2 share a common ancestor that infected bats about 40 years ago. Both viruses infect cells by using a molecular hook, called the "receptor-binding domain," to latch onto their surface. RaTG13’s hook, adapted for attaching to bat cells, can only cling weakly to human cells. SARS-CoV-2’s hook, by contrast, can clasp cells in the human airway, the first step toward a potentially lethal case of COVID-19. To find other close relatives of SARS-CoV-2, wildlife virus experts checked their freezers full of old samples from across the world. They identified several similar coronaviruses from southern China, Cambodia and Thailand. Most came from bats, while a few came from scaly mammals known as pangolins. None were closer to RaTG13 than RaTG12. Eloit and his colleagues instead set out to find new coronaviruses. They travelled to northern Laos, about 150 miles from the mine where Chinese researchers had found RaTG13. Over six months, they caught 645 bats belonging to 45 different species. The bats harboured two dozen kinds of coronaviruses, three of which were strikingly similar to SARS-CoV-2 — especially in the receptor-binding domain. In RaTG13, 11 of the 17 key building blocks of the domain are identical to those of SARS-CoV-2. But in the three viruses from Laos, as many as 16 were identical — the closest match to date. Eloit speculated that one or more of the coronaviruses might be able to infect humans and cause mild disease. In a separate study, he and colleagues took blood samples from people in Laos who collect bat guano for a living. Although the Laotians did not show signs of having been infected with SARS-CoV-2, they carried immune markers, called antibodies, that appeared to be caused by a similar virus. Linfa Wang, a molecular virus expert at the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore who was not involved in the study, agreed that such an infection was possible, since the newly discovered viruses can attach tightly to a protein on human cells called ACE2. "If the receptor-binding domain is ready to use ACE2, these guys are dangerous," Wang said. Paradoxically, some other genes in the three Laotian viruses are more distantly related to SARS-CoV-2 than other bat viruses. The cause of this genetic patchwork is the complex evolution of coronaviruses. If a bat infected with one coronavirus catches a second one, the two different viruses may end up in a single cell at once. As that cell begins to replicate each of those viruses, their genes get shuffled together, producing new virus hybrids. In the Laotian coronaviruses, this gene shuffling has given them a receptor-binding domain that is very similar to that of SARS-CoV-2. The original genetic swap took place about a decade ago, according to a preliminary analysis by Spyros Lytras, a graduate student at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. Lytras and his colleagues are now comparing SARS-CoV-2 not just to the new viruses from Laos, but to other close relatives that have been found in recent months. They are finding even more evidence of gene shuffling. This process, known as recombination, may be reshaping the viruses from year to year. "It’s becoming more and more obvious how important recombination is," Lytras said. He and his colleagues are now drawing the messy evolutionary trees of SARS-CoV-2-like viruses based on these new insights. Finding more viruses could help clear up the picture. But scientists are divided as to where to look for them. Eloit believes the best bet is a zone of Southeast Asia that includes the site where his colleagues found their coronaviruses, as well as the nearby mine in Yunnan where RaTG13 was found. "I think the main landscape corresponds to north Vietnam, north Laos and south China," Eloit said. The U.S. government’s new virus-hunting project, called DEEP VZN, may turn up one or more SARS-CoV-2-like viruses in that region. A spokesperson for USAID, the agency funding the effort, named Vietnam as one of the countries where researchers will be searching and said that new coronaviruses are one of their top priorities. Other scientists think it is worth looking for relatives of SARS-CoV-2 farther afield. Worobey of the University of Arizona said that some bat coronaviruses carrying SARS-CoV-2-like segments have been found in eastern China and Thailand. "Clearly, the recombination is showing us that these viruses are part of a single gene pool over hundreds and hundreds of miles, if not thousands of miles," Worobey said. Colin Carlson, a biologist at Georgetown University, suspects that a virus capable of producing a COVID-like outbreak might be lurking even farther away. Bats as far east as Indonesia and as far west as India, he noted, share many biological features with the animals known to carry SARS-CoV-2-like viruses. "This is not just a Southeast Asia problem," Carlson said. "These viruses are diverse, and they are more cosmopolitan than we have thought." The interest in the origins of the pandemic has put renewed attention on the safety measures researchers are using when studying potentially dangerous viruses. To secure DEEP VZN grants, scientists will have to provide a biosafety and biosecurity plan, according to a USAID spokesperson, including training for staff, guidelines on protective equipment to be worn in the field and safety measures for lab work. If scientists find more close cousins of SARS-CoV-2, it does not necessarily mean they pose a deadly threat. They might fail to spread in humans or, as some scientists speculate, cause only small outbreaks. Just seven coronaviruses are known to have jumped the species barrier to become well-established human pathogens. "There’s probably a vast range of other coronaviruses that end up going nowhere," said Jessica Metcalf, an evolutionary ecologist at Princeton University. Still, recombination may be able to turn a virus going nowhere into a new threat. In May, researchers reported that two coronaviruses in dogs recombined in Indonesia. The result was a hybrid that infected eight children. "When a coronavirus that we have monitored for decades, that we think of as just something our pets can get, can make the jump, we should have seen that coming, right?" Carlson said.

Newly discovered bat viruses give hints to Covid’s origins

Sydney is all set to end its quarantine for fully vaccinated international travellers from November 1, the country had closed its international borders in March 2020 due to pandemic. Here's more on Covid-19 latest updates.

Covid-19 Latest News Updates: Sydney to end quarantine; FDA Advisers back Moderna booster shot

An expert committee on Thursday recommended a booster dose of Moderna's anti-Covid vaccine in the United States for certain at-risk groups, a month after making a similar decision for the Pfizer shot.

The opinion submitted by the advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration -- composed of researchers, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts -- is not binding, but it is rare for the FDA not to follow it.&nbsp;

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After a day of debate, the experts decided to authorize a booster dose of Moderna for three categories of people: the over-65s, people aged between 18 and 64 who are at a higher risk of developing a severe version of the coronavirus, and those whose work may involve frequent exposure to the virus.&nbsp;

The same definitions were adopted for the Pfizer booster.&nbsp;

The last category includes supermarket workers, health workers, prisoners and people in homeless shelters.&nbsp;

The booster can be administered six months after the second injection of Moderna's vaccine. The dosage is 50 micrograms, which is half the dosage of the initial shots.&nbsp;

A Moderna representative told the panel the booster would help combat the Delta variant, at a time when vaccine effectiveness has been observed to decline over time against infection and mild cases of the disease, even though it remains effective against severe cases.&nbsp;

The committee will meet again on Friday to deliver its verdict on a booster dose for the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.&nbsp;

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It will also discuss the results of a study published this week that looked at the possibility of using a different vaccine for the booster shot than that used for the initial dose, which at the moment is not authorized in the United States.

The study suggests that people who have received the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine may benefit from a booster dose of a different, messenger-RNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna.&nbsp;

Almost 15 million Americans have received a dose of the J&amp;J vaccine, and nearly 70 million are fully vaccinated with Moderna.&nbsp;

If the FDA officially allows booster shots for these two vaccines, an expert committee from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will in turn have to deliver its own opinion next week, at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

As a final step, the CDC will have to publish precise recommendations for these injections, intended for healthcare professionals administering them.

An expert committee on Thursday recommended a booster dose of Moderna's anti-Covid vaccine in the United States for certain at-risk groups, a month after making a similar decision for the Pfizer shot.

An expert committee on Thursday recommended a booster dose of Moderna's anti-Covid vaccine in the United States for certain at-risk groups, a month after making a similar decision for the Pfizer shot. The opinion submitted by the advisory committee of the Food and Drug Administration -- composed of researchers, epidemiologists and infectious disease experts -- is not binding, but it is rare for the FDA not to follow it. Also Read | COVID-19: Covaxin gets emergency use nod for children aged 2-18 years After a day of debate, the experts decided to authorize a booster dose of Moderna for three categories of people: the over-65s, people aged between 18 and 64 who are at a higher risk of developing a severe version of the coronavirus, and those whose work may involve frequent exposure to the virus. The same definitions were adopted for the Pfizer booster. The last category includes supermarket workers, health workers, prisoners and people in homeless shelters. The booster can be administered six months after the second injection of Moderna's vaccine. The dosage is 50 micrograms, which is half the dosage of the initial shots. A Moderna representative told the panel the booster would help combat the Delta variant, at a time when vaccine effectiveness has been observed to decline over time against infection and mild cases of the disease, even though it remains effective against severe cases. The committee will meet again on Friday to deliver its verdict on a booster dose for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Also Read | Global Covid-19 caseload tops 236.7 million It will also discuss the results of a study published this week that looked at the possibility of using a different vaccine for the booster shot than that used for the initial dose, which at the moment is not authorized in the United States. The study suggests that people who have received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may benefit from a booster dose of a different, messenger-RNA vaccine such as Pfizer or Moderna. Almost 15 million Americans have received a dose of the J&J vaccine, and nearly 70 million are fully vaccinated with Moderna. If the FDA officially allows booster shots for these two vaccines, an expert committee from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) will in turn have to deliver its own opinion next week, at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. As a final step, the CDC will have to publish precise recommendations for these injections, intended for healthcare professionals administering them.

US experts recommend Moderna booster for older and at-risk groups

Volunteers have unveiled a digital tribute to Sri Lanka's Covid-19 victims. Each Jasmine flower on the website represents a victim of the virus. Mariam Wardak tells you more.

South Asia Diary: Sri Lanka's digital tribute to Covid victims

Following the formation a new advisory group on dangerous pathogens, the World Health Organisation says this may be our last chance to find the origins of the covid-19 pandemic and has again demanded raw data from china on the earliest covid cases which were detected in Wuhan in late 2019.

WHO demands raw data from China on the earliest COVID cases detected in Wuhan

WHO has a new team to probe the origins of the Wuhan virus. But once again, China is dictating the terms. Foreign investigators won't be allowed to test blood samples from Wuhan. China has also denied access to the infamous bat caves. Palki Sharma has more.

Gravitas: China will not allow foreigners to test Wuhan blood samples

Isolated populations in India are vulnerable to Covid-19, says a joint study by researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the Banaras Hindu University and some other universities.

The researchers called for high priority protection and utmost care for the isolated populations in the light of this study.

Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj from the CSIR-CCMB, who is presently director of the CDFD, Hyderabad, and Prof Gyaneshwer Chaubey of the BHU, jointly led the genomic analysis of several Indian populations.

Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has impacted various ethnic groups all over the world. Recent studies suggest that the indigenous groups in Brazil have been massively affected by Covid-19.

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The death rate was twice high among the indigenous communities of Brazil. It was also shown that many of the indigenous communities have reached the verge of extinction due to this pandemic.

India is home for several indigenous and smaller communities including Andaman Islanders, who are living in isolation for tens of thousands of years. The study found that populations that carry similar long DNA segments (homozygous) in their genome are most likely to be more susceptible to Covid-19.

The research has been published online recently in the journal `Genes and Immunity`. Dr Thangaraj, who traced the origin of Andaman Islanders, said: "We have investigated a highdensity genomic data of &gt;1,600 individuals from 227 ethnic populations. We found high frequency of contiguous lengths of homozygous genes among Onge, Jarawa (Andaman Tribes) and a few more populations who are in isolation and follow a strict endogamy, making them highly susceptible for Covid-19 infection."

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The researchers have also assessed the ACE2 gene variants, that make individuals susceptible for Covid-19. They found that the Jarawa and Onge populations have high frequency of these mutations. "There have been some speculations on the effect of Covid-19 among isolated populations. However, for the first time, we have used genomic data to access the risk of Covid-19 on the small and isolated populations," said Prof Chaubey, Professor of Molecular Anthropology at the BHU.

"Results obtained from this study suggest that we need to have a high priority protection and utmost care for the isolated populations, so that we don`t lose some of the living treasures of modern human evolution," said Dr Vinay Kumar Nandicoori, Director, CCMB, Hyderabad.

Other participants of this study include Prajjval Pratap Singh, Prof V.N. Mishra, Prof Royana Singh and Dr Abhishek Pathak from the BHU, Dr Prashanth Suravajhala from Amrita University, Kerala, Pratheusa Machha from CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, Dr Rakesh Tamang from Calcutta University, Dr Ashutosh K. Rai from Saudi Arabia, Dr Pankaj Shrivastava from FSL MP, and Prof Keshav K. Singh from University of Alabama (US) .

Isolated populations in India are vulnerable to Covid-19, says a joint study by researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the Banaras Hindu University and some other universities.

Isolated populations in India are vulnerable to Covid-19, says a joint study by researchers from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the Banaras Hindu University and some other universities. The researchers called for high priority protection and utmost care for the isolated populations in the light of this study. Dr Kumarasamy Thangaraj from the CSIR-CCMB, who is presently director of the CDFD, Hyderabad, and Prof Gyaneshwer Chaubey of the BHU, jointly led the genomic analysis of several Indian populations. Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has impacted various ethnic groups all over the world. Recent studies suggest that the indigenous groups in Brazil have been massively affected by Covid-19. Also Read | High vaccination rate will aid India's economic recovery: Gita Gopinath The death rate was twice high among the indigenous communities of Brazil. It was also shown that many of the indigenous communities have reached the verge of extinction due to this pandemic. India is home for several indigenous and smaller communities including Andaman Islanders, who are living in isolation for tens of thousands of years. The study found that populations that carry similar long DNA segments (homozygous) in their genome are most likely to be more susceptible to Covid-19. The research has been published online recently in the journal `Genes and Immunity`. Dr Thangaraj, who traced the origin of Andaman Islanders, said: "We have investigated a highdensity genomic data of >1,600 individuals from 227 ethnic populations. We found high frequency of contiguous lengths of homozygous genes among Onge, Jarawa (Andaman Tribes) and a few more populations who are in isolation and follow a strict endogamy, making them highly susceptible for Covid-19 infection." Also Read | Over 960 million COVID-19 vaccines administered in India, says health ministry The researchers have also assessed the ACE2 gene variants, that make individuals susceptible for Covid-19. They found that the Jarawa and Onge populations have high frequency of these mutations. "There have been some speculations on the effect of Covid-19 among isolated populations. However, for the first time, we have used genomic data to access the risk of Covid-19 on the small and isolated populations," said Prof Chaubey, Professor of Molecular Anthropology at the BHU. "Results obtained from this study suggest that we need to have a high priority protection and utmost care for the isolated populations, so that we don`t lose some of the living treasures of modern human evolution," said Dr Vinay Kumar Nandicoori, Director, CCMB, Hyderabad. Other participants of this study include Prajjval Pratap Singh, Prof V.N. Mishra, Prof Royana Singh and Dr Abhishek Pathak from the BHU, Dr Prashanth Suravajhala from Amrita University, Kerala, Pratheusa Machha from CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad, Dr Rakesh Tamang from Calcutta University, Dr Ashutosh K. Rai from Saudi Arabia, Dr Pankaj Shrivastava from FSL MP, and Prof Keshav K. Singh from University of Alabama (US) .

Isolated populations in India vulnerable to Covid-19, says study

Following the formation of the new advisory group on dangerous pathogens, the WHO now says 'this may be our last chance to know the origins of Covid 19 pandemic'.

W.H.O: Our best and last chance to probe covid origin

The United States will lift restrictions at its land borders with Canada and Mexico for fully vaccinated foreign nationals in early November.

Covid News: United States to lift land border restrictions with Canada & Mexico

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said that the country needs to step up its vaccination campaign against COVID-19. This comes after 973 COVID deaths and more than 28-thousand cases were recorded on Tuesday alone. These are the single-highest covid-19 deaths the country has seen since the beginning of the pandemic.

Russian President Vladimir Putin says country needs to step up vaccination campaign

A group of British MPs on Tuesday slammed UK PM Boris Johnson led government's response to COVID pandemic as 'public health failure'. In a parliamentary report, the MPs said that delay in imposing lockdown was &nbsp;"one of the most important public health failures" in the country's history.

The MPs found government's pandemic planning as having been too focussed on flu. They said that the government failed to learn lessons from Sars, Mers and Ebola outbreaks.

The study, published by two parliamentary watchdog committees after months of hearings, comes ahead of an independent public inquiry into the government's coronavirus handling due to begin next year.

Britain has been hit hard by the crisis, with nearly 138,000 Covid-19 deaths since March last year, raising questions about why it has fared worse than other nations.

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MPs on two parliamentary committees said the government had waited too long to push through lockdown measures in early 2020.

Leading advisors had pushed a "deliberate policy" to take a "gradual and incremental approach" to interventions such as social distancing, isolation and lockdowns, said the report.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-consistently-in-the-bottom-10-of-nations-in-biodiversity-intactness-419731">UK consistently in the bottom 10% of nations in biodiversity intactness</a>

That approach had been proved "wrong" and cost lives, they noted.

"Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic -- and the advice that led to them -- rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced," they wrote.

There was a "policy approach of fatalism about the prospects for Covid in the community", which contributed to the failures.

(With inputs from agencies)

A group of British MPs on Tuesday slammed UK PM Boris Johnson led government's response to COVID pandemic as 'public health failure'. In a parliamentary report, the MPs said that delay in imposing lockdown was "one of the most important public health failures" in the country's history.

A group of British MPs on Tuesday slammed UK PM Boris Johnson led government's response to COVID pandemic as 'public health failure'. In a parliamentary report, the MPs said that delay in imposing lockdown was "one of the most important public health failures" in the country's history. The MPs found government's pandemic planning as having been too focussed on flu. They said that the government failed to learn lessons from Sars, Mers and Ebola outbreaks. The study, published by two parliamentary watchdog committees after months of hearings, comes ahead of an independent public inquiry into the government's coronavirus handling due to begin next year. Britain has been hit hard by the crisis, with nearly 138,000 Covid-19 deaths since March last year, raising questions about why it has fared worse than other nations. Also Read | 'Leave Serena Hotel area immediately': US and UK citizens warned of threat to Kabul hotels MPs on two parliamentary committees said the government had waited too long to push through lockdown measures in early 2020. Leading advisors had pushed a "deliberate policy" to take a "gradual and incremental approach" to interventions such as social distancing, isolation and lockdowns, said the report. Also Read | UK consistently in the bottom 10% of nations in biodiversity intactness That approach had been proved "wrong" and cost lives, they noted. "Decisions on lockdowns and social distancing during the early weeks of the pandemic -- and the advice that led to them -- rank as one of the most important public health failures the United Kingdom has ever experienced," they wrote. There was a "policy approach of fatalism about the prospects for Covid in the community", which contributed to the failures. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's COVID response 'public health failure': British MPs

In the space of just three blocks, hundreds of people packed in.

They clutched jars of honey, cartons of fresh peas and bouquets of flowers. Bags slung on shoulders bulged with ripe peaches, eggplants and cherries.

Other than a few masked faces, the bustling Clement Street Farmers Market on a recent Sunday felt like a relic of prepandemic times.

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The market has run without interruption through every surge of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, and the restaurants and shops on Clement Street, the main artery of the Richmond District in the northwest corner of San Francisco, have been spared the financial ruin seen across other big cities over the past 19 months.

Few, if any, businesses on the street have permanently closed, according to Morgan Mapes, the president of the Clement Street Merchants Association. Unlike downtown San Francisco, which is now largely desolate, this commercial strip never relied on business from tourists or office workers.

“We’re in a sweet spot,” Mapes said. “We cater to our neighbors and our residents.”

The self-contained nature of Clement Street offers not only an explanation for how it survived the pandemic, but also a window into how cities may change in the next few years. The megacity where people commute for hours to work, play and shop may soon be on the wane.

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Before I go on, here’s some background on Clement Street: It runs eastward for 2 1/2 miles from the northwest corner of the peninsula, and much of its length is lined with shops.

Clement Street is often thought of as San Francisco’s second Chinatown; maybe you’ve gone there for dim sum or soup dumplings. It is also where you’ll find the beloved Green Apple Books, the ever-popular Burma Superstar restaurant and Schubert’s Bakery, which is more than a century old.

Just before the pandemic, in January 2020, I stayed on Clement Street during a trip to San Francisco, because lodgings are more affordable in the quieter (and extra foggy) part of the city. I remember loving that I never had to leave the street to find food, go to the movies or meet friends at a bar.

I’ve recently learned that there’s a name for this convenience: the 15-minute city. The concept, which the mayor of Paris featured in her 2020 reelection campaign, envisions neighborhoods as complete social ecosystems, with offices, grocery stores, parks and doctors offices within a short walk or bike ride of every resident.

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Mapes believes this structure was vital to Clement Street’s success during the pandemic. Even during lockdowns, people living in the area continued to buy groceries and other goods from nearby shops.

“I don’t really leave the neighborhood for much,” said Mapes, who owns a vintage clothing store on Clement. “You have everything here.”

When I recently returned to Clement Street, the area appeared mostly untouched by the pandemic.

There was more outdoor seating on the sidewalks, but the restaurants were as crowded as ever. Customers filtered in and out of boutique shops. A neighborhood cafe where I had noticed a group of men playing cards in the mornings still seemed to be serving as a town square.

Though the “15-minute city” idea predates the coronavirus, it has gained traction during the pandemic as people spent more time in their communities and came to dread resuming their long commutes.

“The pandemic has caused us to think about how to move differently, to consume differently, to live differently,” Carlos Moreno, a Sorbonne professor and driving force behind the idea, told the BBC. “We are discovering that by working differently we have more spare time, to have more time to be with our families or friends. We are discovering and appreciating our neighborhoods much more.”

Moreno believes that cities will never go back to the way they once were, and that that’s a good thing. There will be more emphasis on walking and biking, he says, and more mixing of residential and commercial spaces as services move closer to where people live.

Proponents of the 15-minute city think it will make us happier, too, as we get to know our neighbors instead of rushing from one thing to the next.

This sense of community was already on display on Clement Street. After visiting the farmers’ market on that recent Sunday, I met Mapes at her store as she closed up for the evening.

While we sat inside, a man parked his bicycle in front of the shop. He began dusting and washing the windows of the storefront, a service he apparently wanted to provide for free.

In the space of just three blocks, hundreds of people packed in. They clutched jars of honey, cartons of fresh peas and bouquets of flowers. Bags slung on shoulders bulged with ripe peaches, eggplants and cherries.

In the space of just three blocks, hundreds of people packed in. They clutched jars of honey, cartons of fresh peas and bouquets of flowers. Bags slung on shoulders bulged with ripe peaches, eggplants and cherries. Other than a few masked faces, the bustling Clement Street Farmers Market on a recent Sunday felt like a relic of prepandemic times. Also read | Merck seeks US FDA's authorisation for COVID-19 pill The market has run without interruption through every surge of the coronavirus, and the restaurants and shops on Clement Street, the main artery of the Richmond District in the northwest corner of San Francisco, have been spared the financial ruin seen across other big cities over the past 19 months. Few, if any, businesses on the street have permanently closed, according to Morgan Mapes, the president of the Clement Street Merchants Association. Unlike downtown San Francisco, which is now largely desolate, this commercial strip never relied on business from tourists or office workers. “We’re in a sweet spot,” Mapes said. “We cater to our neighbors and our residents.” The self-contained nature of Clement Street offers not only an explanation for how it survived the pandemic, but also a window into how cities may change in the next few years. The megacity where people commute for hours to work, play and shop may soon be on the wane. Also read | 'Old fake news': Sputnik refutes claims Russia stole Oxford vaccine blueprint Before I go on, here’s some background on Clement Street: It runs eastward for 2 1/2 miles from the northwest corner of the peninsula, and much of its length is lined with shops. Clement Street is often thought of as San Francisco’s second Chinatown; maybe you’ve gone there for dim sum or soup dumplings. It is also where you’ll find the beloved Green Apple Books, the ever-popular Burma Superstar restaurant and Schubert’s Bakery, which is more than a century old. Just before the pandemic, in January 2020, I stayed on Clement Street during a trip to San Francisco, because lodgings are more affordable in the quieter (and extra foggy) part of the city. I remember loving that I never had to leave the street to find food, go to the movies or meet friends at a bar. I’ve recently learned that there’s a name for this convenience: the 15-minute city. The concept, which the mayor of Paris featured in her 2020 reelection campaign, envisions neighborhoods as complete social ecosystems, with offices, grocery stores, parks and doctors offices within a short walk or bike ride of every resident. Also read | Women's mental health deteriorated more in Covid pandemic: Study Mapes believes this structure was vital to Clement Street’s success during the pandemic. Even during lockdowns, people living in the area continued to buy groceries and other goods from nearby shops. “I don’t really leave the neighborhood for much,” said Mapes, who owns a vintage clothing store on Clement. “You have everything here.” When I recently returned to Clement Street, the area appeared mostly untouched by the pandemic. There was more outdoor seating on the sidewalks, but the restaurants were as crowded as ever. Customers filtered in and out of boutique shops. A neighborhood cafe where I had noticed a group of men playing cards in the mornings still seemed to be serving as a town square. Though the “15-minute city” idea predates the coronavirus, it has gained traction during the pandemic as people spent more time in their communities and came to dread resuming their long commutes. “The pandemic has caused us to think about how to move differently, to consume differently, to live differently,” Carlos Moreno, a Sorbonne professor and driving force behind the idea, told the BBC. “We are discovering that by working differently we have more spare time, to have more time to be with our families or friends. We are discovering and appreciating our neighborhoods much more.” Moreno believes that cities will never go back to the way they once were, and that that’s a good thing. There will be more emphasis on walking and biking, he says, and more mixing of residential and commercial spaces as services move closer to where people live. Proponents of the 15-minute city think it will make us happier, too, as we get to know our neighbors instead of rushing from one thing to the next. This sense of community was already on display on Clement Street. After visiting the farmers’ market on that recent Sunday, I met Mapes at her store as she closed up for the evening. While we sat inside, a man parked his bicycle in front of the shop. He began dusting and washing the windows of the storefront, a service he apparently wanted to provide for free.

How one San Francisco street survived the pandemic

The covid-19 pandemic has increased the wealth gap between the rich and the poor in the world. While the global stock markets have surged since last year, poor people have lost lot of wealth; rising inflation is making matters worse.

Debt of poor nations surges 12%, wealth gap widens between rich and poor

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report.

Washington Post said that WHO wanted to carry out investigations in Enshi, six-hour drive from Wuhan which was world's first major epicentre of coronavirus outbreak.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/China-xi-jinping-crackdown-evergrande-mao-zedong-mistake-repeat-419919">Opinion | Is China's Xi Jinping repeating Mao's mistake?</a>

China has repeatedly resisted calls for a thorough international investigation into origins of COVID pandemic within its borders. A WHO has already made observations while in China but there were strict restrictions on movement of the members. At the end of their investigation, the team had stressed the need for more observations.

In August, US intelligence agencies told US President Joe Biden that coronavirus was not a biological weapon but may have been caused due to natural transmission or due to a lab leak.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/after-talks-fail-to-resolve-issues-at-lac-china-pins-blame-on-india-419801">After talks fail to resolve issues at LAC, China pins blame on India</a>

China has vehemently denied allegations that coronavirus originated there

The animal farms around Wuhan came into focus when it became known that animals from these farms were sold in the wet markets of Wuhan when such a sale was not permitted under the law.

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report.

China has rejected calls by World Health Organisation (WHO) for inspection of bat caves and animal breeding farms aimed at further investigation into origins of COVID pandemic, said a report. Washington Post said that WHO wanted to carry out investigations in Enshi, six-hour drive from Wuhan which was world's first major epicentre of coronavirus outbreak. Also Read: Opinion | Is China's Xi Jinping repeating Mao's mistake? China has repeatedly resisted calls for a thorough international investigation into origins of COVID pandemic within its borders. A WHO has already made observations while in China but there were strict restrictions on movement of the members. At the end of their investigation, the team had stressed the need for more observations. In August, US intelligence agencies told US President Joe Biden that coronavirus was not a biological weapon but may have been caused due to natural transmission or due to a lab leak. Also Read | After talks fail to resolve issues at LAC, China pins blame on India China has vehemently denied allegations that coronavirus originated there The animal farms around Wuhan came into focus when it became known that animals from these farms were sold in the wet markets of Wuhan when such a sale was not permitted under the law.

China rejects WHO calls for inspection of bat caves, animal farms: Report

The rise in COVID-19 cases among children in Israel has triggered a noticeable jump in hospitalizations of kids with pediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome or PIMS - a rare condition that develops in some children, after exposure to the virus.

Rise in COVID-19 cases among children in Israel trigger noticeable jump

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