California marks reopening with grand events

The EU on Tuesday said it had raised its first 20 billion euros ($24 billion) on the markets for its mammoth recovery fund to help the bloc bounce back from the Covid pandemic.&nbsp;

"Today we have successfully conducted the first issuance operation for Next Generation EU. The (European) Commission has just raised 20 billion euros on the capital markets by issuing a 10-year bond," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.

"This is the largest ever institutional bond issuance in Europe."

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Von der Leyen is set to travel to Portugal this week to start giving the commission's approval to plans submitted by each member state to secure their share of the cash.&nbsp;

"By the end of this year we expect to have issued around 100 billion in bonds and bills," von der Leyen said, adding that interest on the first issue would be paid at 0.1 percent.&nbsp;

"This will enable to fund all planned grants and loans for member states this year."

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In the face of the pandemic last year the EU took the historic decision to pool debt to fund the nearly 700-billion-euro recovery package.

The hope is that as European output picks up after a year of Covid and lockdown woes, the fund will herald a rash of spending in insulating buildings, railway transport, electric vehicle charging points and high-speed internet.

Each national plan has had to assign at least 37 percent of funds to measures that better the environment or fight climate change.

Another 20 percent is supposed to finance the transition to a more digital economy.

The EU on Tuesday said it had raised its first 20 billion euros ($24 billion) on the markets for its mammoth recovery fund to help the bloc bounce back from the Covid pandemic.

The EU on Tuesday said it had raised its first 20 billion euros ($24 billion) on the markets for its mammoth recovery fund to help the bloc bounce back from the Covid pandemic. "Today we have successfully conducted the first issuance operation for Next Generation EU. The (European) Commission has just raised 20 billion euros on the capital markets by issuing a 10-year bond," Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. "This is the largest ever institutional bond issuance in Europe." Also read | No social distancing, masks at Wuhan's mass graduation ceremony Von der Leyen is set to travel to Portugal this week to start giving the commission's approval to plans submitted by each member state to secure their share of the cash. "By the end of this year we expect to have issued around 100 billion in bonds and bills," von der Leyen said, adding that interest on the first issue would be paid at 0.1 percent. "This will enable to fund all planned grants and loans for member states this year." Also read | AstraZeneca's antibody fails in protecting exposed patients from COVID-19 In the face of the pandemic last year the EU took the historic decision to pool debt to fund the nearly 700-billion-euro recovery package. The hope is that as European output picks up after a year of Covid and lockdown woes, the fund will herald a rash of spending in insulating buildings, railway transport, electric vehicle charging points and high-speed internet. Each national plan has had to assign at least 37 percent of funds to measures that better the environment or fight climate change. Another 20 percent is supposed to finance the transition to a more digital economy.

EU raises first 20bn euros on markets for Covid recovery fund

Amid rising concern over the deadly Delta variant of COVID in Britain, UK PM Boris Johnson said that he might delay the final lifting of COVID lockdown restrictions in England, Watch this report to know more.

UK PM Boris Johnson voices ’Serious Concern’ over Delta variant

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay.

The Delta variant has caused a surge in Covid cases in Britain, throwing into doubt government plans to ease curbs from June 21.

Johnson said that the spread was a matter of "serious, serious concern". He was speaking on the sidelines of G7 leaders' summit in England.

As per reports, the government&nbsp;may announce a delay of up to four weeks.

Asked if he was less optimistic than he was at the end of May that restrictions could be eased as planned, a downbeat Johnson responded: "Yes, that's certainly fair."

He added that while some data was "still open to question", a formal announcement would come on Monday.

On Friday, the government said the Delta variant was 60 percent more transmissible in households than the variant that forced the country into its last complete lockdown in January.

The research from Public Health England also showed there had been 42,323 identified cases of the Delta variant in the UK, according to data -- up from 29,892 on June 2.

The Alpha variant, first identified in Kent, southeast England, drove a huge surge of Covid cases in January, and hit early in Britain's mass vaccination campaign.

It caused a wave of Covid cases that stretched the state-run National Health Service (NHS) close to breaking point.&nbsp;

Johnson said the current situation was "dramatically different from what it was in either of the first two waves of the pandemic" because of what he called the "effectiveness of the vaccine rollout".

Faced with the Delta variant, the UK has stepped up its vaccine programme, and has now administered nearly 71 million jabs, with over 40 percent of the total population fully vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday gave his strongest hint till now that lifting of all coronavirus restrictions would be delayed. Concerns over spread of the new variant is causing the delay. The Delta variant has caused a surge in Covid cases in Britain, throwing into doubt government plans to ease curbs from June 21. Johnson said that the spread was a matter of "serious, serious concern". He was speaking on the sidelines of G7 leaders' summit in England. As per reports, the government may announce a delay of up to four weeks. Asked if he was less optimistic than he was at the end of May that restrictions could be eased as planned, a downbeat Johnson responded: "Yes, that's certainly fair." He added that while some data was "still open to question", a formal announcement would come on Monday. On Friday, the government said the Delta variant was 60 percent more transmissible in households than the variant that forced the country into its last complete lockdown in January. The research from Public Health England also showed there had been 42,323 identified cases of the Delta variant in the UK, according to data -- up from 29,892 on June 2. The Alpha variant, first identified in Kent, southeast England, drove a huge surge of Covid cases in January, and hit early in Britain's mass vaccination campaign. It caused a wave of Covid cases that stretched the state-run National Health Service (NHS) close to breaking point. Johnson said the current situation was "dramatically different from what it was in either of the first two waves of the pandemic" because of what he called the "effectiveness of the vaccine rollout". Faced with the Delta variant, the UK has stepped up its vaccine programme, and has now administered nearly 71 million jabs, with over 40 percent of the total population fully vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies)

Johnson hints at delay in lifting coronavirus curbs

Standing in her kitchen Alma Beatriz Serrano Ramirez waves a small board in front of her phone, hoping the students watching on the other end are paying attention to the math lesson she is teaching.

Standing in her kitchen Alma Beatriz Serrano Ramirez waves a small board in front of her phone, hoping the students watching on the other end are paying attention to the math lesson she is teaching. The 38-year-old Honduran migrant had dreamed of settling in the United States but so far has only made it to the Mexican city of Matamoros, located on the banks of the Rio Grande River, which separates the two countries. Her pupils -- Adalid, Kimberly, Osval, and a handful of others -- are fellow migrants, many of whom are located some 90 kilometers (55 miles) away in Reynosa, another border town, where a camp of approximately 700 people has been established. While Covid-19 has wreaked havoc on so many aspects of life, it has been a busy time for the Sidewalk School, which was operating in-person in one migrant encampment in Matamoros and now reaches children in several cities along the border. In its online format, the program has welcomed students previously too embarrassed by their lack of education to set foot in a classroom. The classes, which are taught by asylum seekers who are former teachers or teaching assistants, are on everything from writing to math and even yoga and offer rare comfort to students in cities stretching from Tijuana on the Pacific coast to Matamoros near the Gulf of Mexico. Serrano Ramirez's students, who hail from Honduras, Guatemala, and Haiti, are among the countless refugees still flocking to the US border, convinced that President Joe Biden's new administration will let them in -- if only they ask. Finding the border firmly closed, they are now stuck in Mexico in a smattering of towns often controlled by drug traffickers, waiting for the US to review their refugee status requests. 'You get used to it' Serrano Ramirez, who used to teach in Honduras, said she never would have imagined the ordeal she went through just to teach in front of a phone. Compared to her prior classroom experience, the online classes she teaches are "really difficult, but as time passes, you get used to it," she said. Sidewalk School founder Felicia Rangel began the organization in Matamoros in 2018 after being shocked by the destitute conditions of several dozen migrants she met under a bridge. Although she doesn't speak Spanish, she felt moved to help the migrants, whom she saw as victims of former president Donald Trump's immigration policies. Rangel, whose father is Mexican but considers herself African-American, is a former school teacher who followed her husband from Houston to Brownsville. At first "it was just a matter of entertaining the children and teaching them a few things," said Ana Gabriela Martinez Fajardo, an asylum seeker who lives in Matamoros and teaches for the nonprofit. "As more and more children arrived, it became clear that proper classes were necessary because they weren't studying," the 26-year-old said. Sidewalk School began growing as migrants flocked to Matamoros in such numbers that they overflowed the tent camp made for 3,000 people. When Covid struck, Rangel and her co-director, Victor Cavazos, bought 300 digital tablets so that their students, age four to 18, would not be left without schooling. Anonymity of digital learning During the pandemic, the program has flourished. Many of the older students who did not know how to read and write found relief in the anonymity afforded by digital learning. "You can leave your screen off and no one has to see that you're in that kindergarten class," said Rangel, who reported that older pupils would sometimes leave the program in embarrassment over being placed with younger students. This is why even once making it to the United States, some parents continue to enroll their children in online courses rather than public schools, which Rangel says is regrettable. But it's not just the students who are slowly trickling into the United States: In recent months 17 of the 19 teachers have moved across the border, now living in places such as Kentucky, Michigan, or Virginia. However, two teachers are approaching the two-year anniversary of their arrival in Matamoros -- and are still waiting.

Migrant school forced online by Covid unites children on Mexico border

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to delay lifting the remaining coronavirus restrictions in&nbsp;England&nbsp;as data shows a further rise in cases of the rapidly spreading Delta variant, British media reported.

Johnson is due to announce on Monday whether the planned lifting of restrictions, which would see an end to limits on social contact, can go ahead on June 21.

But the rapid spread of the Delta variant, first discovered in India, has thrown those plans into jeopardy, meaning there will be a one-month delay to the lifting of the restrictions, the Daily Telegraph reported.

A four-week delay would push back the easing of restrictions to July 19.

The government has always said decisions at each stage of unlocking depend on the data, and earlier this week the prime minister warned about the recent rise in cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/g7-leaders-agree-on-a-joint-declaration-to-stop-future-pandemics-390934">Also Read |&nbsp;G7 leaders agree on a joint declaration to stop future pandemics</a>

Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland make most public health decisions in their jurisdictions.

The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Britain on Friday reported 8,125 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily total since February, adding that the reproduction "R" number and daily growth rates were also higher in the latest estimates, suggesting the pandemic was growing exponentially.

Johnson has said that an increase in cases was always expected after the most recent stage of lockdown easing in May, but the key to whether all coronavirus restrictions can be scrapped will be the extent to which Britain's vaccine rollout has broken the link between cases and deaths.

Britain's total COVID-19 death toll is over 127,000 but the number of daily deaths have&nbsp;fallen following a third national lockdown and a rapid vaccine rollout. More than three-quarters of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to delay lifting the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England as data shows a further rise in cases of the rapidly spreading Delta variant, British media reported.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to delay lifting the remaining coronavirus restrictions in England as data shows a further rise in cases of the rapidly spreading Delta variant, British media reported. Johnson is due to announce on Monday whether the planned lifting of restrictions, which would see an end to limits on social contact, can go ahead on June 21. But the rapid spread of the Delta variant, first discovered in India, has thrown those plans into jeopardy, meaning there will be a one-month delay to the lifting of the restrictions, the Daily Telegraph reported. A four-week delay would push back the easing of restrictions to July 19. The government has always said decisions at each stage of unlocking depend on the data, and earlier this week the prime minister warned about the recent rise in cases. Also Read | G7 leaders agree on a joint declaration to stop future pandemics Devolved governments in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland make most public health decisions in their jurisdictions. The prime minister’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Britain on Friday reported 8,125 new COVID-19 cases, the highest daily total since February, adding that the reproduction "R" number and daily growth rates were also higher in the latest estimates, suggesting the pandemic was growing exponentially. Johnson has said that an increase in cases was always expected after the most recent stage of lockdown easing in May, but the key to whether all coronavirus restrictions can be scrapped will be the extent to which Britain's vaccine rollout has broken the link between cases and deaths. Britain's total COVID-19 death toll is over 127,000 but the number of daily deaths have fallen following a third national lockdown and a rapid vaccine rollout. More than three-quarters of adults have received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

UK PM Johnson might delay England's final stage of reopening as cases surge

The United States and other Group of Seven nations are considering reallocating $100 billion from the International Monetary Fund's warchest to help countries struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis, the White House said.

The issue will be on the table when G7 leaders discuss how to help steer the world's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic at a three-day summit in Cornwall, England, which began on Friday.

"The United States and our G7 partners are actively considering a global effort to multiply the impact of the proposed Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation to the countries most in need," the U.S. president's office said.

"At potentially up to $100 billion in size, the proposed effort would further support health needs – including vaccinations," it said, adding that it would help promote a more sustained and inclusive global recovery.

SDRs are the&nbsp;IMF's reserve asset and are exchangeable for dollars, euros, sterling, yen, and Chinese yuan or renminbi. Member states can loan or donate their SDR reserves to other countries for their use.

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The United States, which has targeted the SDR allocation to be distributed around the "late (northern) summer," on Friday said: "We strongly support the effort to recycle SDRs to further support health needs."

The&nbsp;IMF&nbsp;had no immediate comment.

IMF&nbsp;Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who will speak virtually with G7 leaders this weekend, on Wednesday told a separate event that she expected the fund's governors to approve a $650 billion boost in SDRs in mid-August.

The global lender is continuing to study how best richer countries could donate or loan their reserves to benefit poorer nations. Details are expected in early autumn.

French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on the other G7 nations to find an agreement on reallocating $100 billion in SDRs to African states.

World finance chiefs agreed in April to issue new SDRs and extend a debt-servicing freeze to help developing countries deal with the pandemic, although only $34 billion of the $650 billion in new reserves will be allocated to Africa since SDRs are issued according to the size of a member's holding in the&nbsp;IMF.

The United States and other Group of Seven nations are considering reallocating $100 billion from the International Monetary Fund's warchest to help countries struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis, the White House said.

The United States and other Group of Seven nations are considering reallocating $100 billion from the International Monetary Fund's warchest to help countries struggling to cope with the COVID-19 crisis, the White House said. The issue will be on the table when G7 leaders discuss how to help steer the world's recovery from the coronavirus pandemic at a three-day summit in Cornwall, England, which began on Friday. "The United States and our G7 partners are actively considering a global effort to multiply the impact of the proposed Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation to the countries most in need," the U.S. president's office said. "At potentially up to $100 billion in size, the proposed effort would further support health needs – including vaccinations," it said, adding that it would help promote a more sustained and inclusive global recovery. SDRs are the IMF's reserve asset and are exchangeable for dollars, euros, sterling, yen, and Chinese yuan or renminbi. Member states can loan or donate their SDR reserves to other countries for their use. Also Read | World leaders meet at G7 summit amid coronavirus crisis The United States, which has targeted the SDR allocation to be distributed around the "late (northern) summer," on Friday said: "We strongly support the effort to recycle SDRs to further support health needs." The IMF had no immediate comment. IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, who will speak virtually with G7 leaders this weekend, on Wednesday told a separate event that she expected the fund's governors to approve a $650 billion boost in SDRs in mid-August. The global lender is continuing to study how best richer countries could donate or loan their reserves to benefit poorer nations. Details are expected in early autumn. French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday called on the other G7 nations to find an agreement on reallocating $100 billion in SDRs to African states. World finance chiefs agreed in April to issue new SDRs and extend a debt-servicing freeze to help developing countries deal with the pandemic, although only $34 billion of the $650 billion in new reserves will be allocated to Africa since SDRs are issued according to the size of a member's holding in the IMF.

US says G7 may reallocate $100 billion from IMF funds to COVID-ravaged nations

Chinese vaccines are facing global scrutiny. From Mongolia to Bahrain to Seychelles, questions are being asked on the effectiveness of Made In China shots. How safe are they really? WION’s Palki Sharma gets you a report.

Gravitas: Chinese vaccines are facing global scrutiny

COVID is not just a menace for humans, but for animals too. 28 elephants tested for COVID-19 in India, days after a 9-year-old lioness succumbed to coronavirus. Similarly, 10 Asiatic lions have been kept under observation at Chennai zoo.

India: 9 Asiatic lions test positive for COVID-19

British government said on Friday that the Delta variant of coronavirus is 60 per cent more transmissible than the variant that forced the lockdown in January.

The Delta variant has caused a rise in cases in Britain, prompting questions about whether social distancing restrictions will be lifted as planned from June 21.

New research from Public Health England "suggests that the Delta variant is associated with an approximately 60 percent increased risk of household transmission" compared to the Alpha variant first identified in southeast England.

In UK, there have been 42,323 cases of the Delta variant so far.

The Alpha variant caused a surge of Covid cases in January before a mass vaccine campaign, leading to a three-month lockdown as hospitals were stretched to near-capacity.

The government has ramped up its vaccine drive. Nearly 41 million first doses and nearly 29 million second doses have been administered.

This means 43 percent of the total population are fully vaccinated and 18 percent are half vaccinated.

However, the cases are rising again with new daily infections hitting 7,393 on Thursday, a level not seen since February.&nbsp;

More than 90 percent of new cases were of the Delta variant, the government said.

However, the number of patients in hospital remains low, at just over 1,000 on Thursday, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said most in-patients are people who are unvaccinated.

The government said this suggested the vaccination programme is mitigating the impact of the Delta variant, urging the public to get both jabs.

(With inputs from agencies)

British government said on Friday that the Delta variant of coronavirus is 60 per cent more transmissible than the variant that forced the lockdown in January. The Delta variant has caused a rise in cases in Britain, prompting questions about whether social distancing restrictions will be lifted as planned from June 21.

British government said on Friday that the Delta variant of coronavirus is 60 per cent more transmissible than the variant that forced the lockdown in January. The Delta variant has caused a rise in cases in Britain, prompting questions about whether social distancing restrictions will be lifted as planned from June 21. New research from Public Health England "suggests that the Delta variant is associated with an approximately 60 percent increased risk of household transmission" compared to the Alpha variant first identified in southeast England. In UK, there have been 42,323 cases of the Delta variant so far. The Alpha variant caused a surge of Covid cases in January before a mass vaccine campaign, leading to a three-month lockdown as hospitals were stretched to near-capacity. The government has ramped up its vaccine drive. Nearly 41 million first doses and nearly 29 million second doses have been administered. This means 43 percent of the total population are fully vaccinated and 18 percent are half vaccinated. However, the cases are rising again with new daily infections hitting 7,393 on Thursday, a level not seen since February. More than 90 percent of new cases were of the Delta variant, the government said. However, the number of patients in hospital remains low, at just over 1,000 on Thursday, and Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said most in-patients are people who are unvaccinated. The government said this suggested the vaccination programme is mitigating the impact of the Delta variant, urging the public to get both jabs. (With inputs from agencies)

Delta coronavirus variant 60 per cent more transmissible, says UK

G7 leaders will agree to expand global Covid vaccine manufacturing to provide at least one billion doses to the world through sharing and financing schemes, Britain said Thursday.

G7 leaders will agree to expand global Covid vaccine manufacturing to provide at least one billion doses to the world through sharing and financing schemes, Britain said Thursday. The announcement came after the United States said it would donate 500 million jabs to 92 poor and lower-middle-income nations. The UK, which is hosting the big powers' gathering in southwest England, added it would donate at least 100 million surplus doses within the next year, including five million beginning in the coming weeks. The commitments follow growing calls for richer countries to step up their efforts to share Covid-19 shots with less-developed nations, with charities warning the current situation is leading to "vaccine apartheid". Britain, which has orders for more than 400 million doses, has faced criticism for failing to begin making donations to poorer countries. But on the eve of welcoming world leaders from the group of seven wealthy nations to their first summit in almost two years, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson vowed that would soon change. "As a result of the success of the UK's vaccine program we are now in a position to share some of our surplus doses with those who need them," he said. "At the G7 Summit, I hope my fellow leaders will make similar pledges". Also Read | Ahead of G7 summit, US President Biden meets UK PM Johnson A Downing Street statement said: "At the Summit world leaders are expected to announce they will provide at least one billion coronavirus vaccine doses to the world.. and set out a plan to expand vaccine manufacturing in order to achieve that goal." 'Humanitarian obligation' Meanwhile, EU members have agreed to donate at least 100 million doses by the end of 2021 -- with France and Germany each committing to providing 30 million. French President Emmanuel Macron issued his own call for pharma groups producing vaccines to donate 10 percent of their production to poor nations. US President Joe Biden on Thursday saluted a "historic" moment in the fight against the pandemic after Washington announced its donation. "This is about our responsibility, our humanitarian obligation to save as many lives as we can," Biden told reporters at the start of his first overseas trip as president. Biden said the move was also in the US interest because of the risk of variants while the White House said the decision would "supercharge the global fight against the pandemic". The enduring challenge to defeat the virus was earlier laid bare by the World Health Organization which warned Europeans not to drop their guard because vaccination levels remain too low to stop another wave of infections. Although pockets of the rich world have scored successes against the disease, the gains are fragile and billions of mostly poor people remain unprotected. Over 100 million people in the 27-nation European Union, or 22.6 percent of its population, have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to an AFP count. The contrast with developing nations was further evidenced Thursday when South Africa's National Institute For Communicable Diseases announced his country had technically entered the third wave with more than 9,000 cases over the past 24 hours. On Thursday, India reported a global record of more than 6,000 Covid-19 deaths in a day after one state dramatically revised its data upwards, fuelling concerns that the official tally of almost 360,000 deaths, the world's third-highest toll, is woefully understated. WHO warns against complacency The United States has also faced criticism for sitting on huge stocks of unused vaccines. But with more than 60 percent of Americans have received at least one shot, Washington has moved to reclaim global leadership with its huge donation which will be channeled through the Covax program which aims to ensure equitable global vaccine distribution. The White House said the doses will start shipping in August. Also Read | UK report says Hong Kong security law used to 'drastically curtail freedoms' Dismissing suggestions that it is in a so-called vaccine diplomacy contest with Russia and China, Washington has described its initiatives as a return to multilateral action after the nationalist isolationism under Biden's predecessor Donald Trump. In Europe, some lockdown restrictions have been eased of late notably ahead of the Euro football competition starting Friday. But Hans Kluge, the WHO's regional director, said he feared complacency. "Vaccination coverage is far from sufficient to protect the region from a resurgence," Kluge told reporters, warning against repeating the "mistake" of last summer by easing protective measures prematurely. Iran's government meanwhile warned that recent success in containing the Middle East's deadliest coronavirus outbreak risks being reversed should the public cease being diligent in their precautions amid a shortage of vaccines. The country saw total infections pass the three million mark on Thursday, adding to the global total of almost 174,350,990. The pandemic has claimed more than 3.7 million lives worldwide.

G7 leaders agree to provide 1 billion Covid vaccine doses to world: UK

After months of debate, WTO members on Wednesday took a first, small step towards a deal aimed at boosting the production of Covid vaccines and treatments through patent waivers or compulsory licensing deals.

After months of debate, WTO members on Wednesday took a first, small step towards a deal aimed at boosting the production of Covid vaccines and treatments through patent waivers or compulsory licensing deals. The World Trade Organization has struggled to move forward on the hotly debated issue, since all decisions at the global trade body must be reached by consensus of all 164 member states. But during a meeting on Wednesday, countries finally backed launching a process towards drafting an agreement, and "agreed on the urgency of this discussion", a Geneva-based trade official said. Views on the matter meanwhile remain far apart, the trade official said, adding that an initial report on progress in the text-based discussions was expected around July 21-22. Since October, the WTO has faced calls led by India and South Africa for the temporary removal of such intellectual property protections, in what proponents argue will boost production in developing countries of vaccines, treatments, diagnostics and other vital medical tools needed to battle Covid-19. This, they have argued, could help address the dire inequity in access to vaccines especially. That notion long met with fierce opposition from pharmaceutical giants and their host countries, which insisted patents were not the main roadblocks to scaling up production and warned the move could hamper innovation. The positions seemed to shift some last month, when Washington came out in support of a global patent waiver for Covid jabs, with other long-time opponents voicing openness to discuss the matter. But others have stuck to their guns. Also Read | We have no time to lose, conclude talks on patent waiver proposal by July-end: India to WTO members Some countries, like Switzerland, prefer a scenario in which pharmaceutical companies enter into voluntary licensing deals, as AstraZeneca has done with the Serum Institute of India (SII) to make its Covid-19 jabs. And the European Commission last Friday presented a counter-proposal to the WTO calling for a multilateral pact aimed at boosting production of Covid-19 vaccines, not by suspending patents but through compulsory licensing deals and by urging countries to remove export restrictions. That text, along with a revised proposal by India and South Africa that is backed by more than 60 countries, will form the basis for the negotiations. Addressing Wednesday's debate, US Charge d'affaires David Bisbee stressed Washington's strong belief in IP protections. "But we must do what is necessary to accelerate manufacturing and equitable distribution of vaccines," he said, insisting that "the WTO must show that it can step up in a global crisis and act efficiently to improve the lives of ordinary people." "We must all come together to find a solution expeditiously, especially as the pandemic continues to spread with new variants." Bisbee said Washington was still examining the revised proposal from India and South Africa, adding though that it appeared to mark a "relatively modest change".

WTO moves forward in Covid vaccine patent waiver talks to boost production

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested.

The guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the health ministry also said that steroids are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of infection.

The DGHS recommended steroids only in hospitalised moderately severe and critically ill COVID-19 cases under strict supervision. "Steroids should be used at the right time, in the right dose, and for the right duration. Self-medication of steroids must be avoided," it said.

The guidelines also said Remdesivir (an emergency use authorisation drug) is not recommended in children. "There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to Remdesivir in children below 18 years of age," the guidelines said. 
The guidelines suggested rational use of High-resolution CT (HRCT) for seeing the extent and nature of lung involvement in patients with COVID-19.

"However, any additional information gained from HRCT scan of the chest often has little impact on treatment decisions, which are based almost entirely on clinical severity and physiological impairment.

"Therefore, treating physicians should be highly selective in ordering HRCT imaging of the chest in COVID-19 patients," the guidelines said.

They said COVID-19 is a viral infection, and antimicrobials have no role in the prevention or treatment of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-made-commitment-to-send-vaccines-to-india-says-us-nsa-389471">Also Read |&nbsp;Joe Biden made commitment to send vaccines to India, says US NSA</a>

For asymptomatic and mild cases, the guidelines said antimicrobials are not recommended for therapy or prophylaxis while for moderate and severe cases antimicrobials should not be prescribed unless there is clinical suspicion of a superadded infection. 
Hospital admission increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections with multidrug-resistant organisms.

For asymptomatic infection among children, the guidelines recommended no specific medication and promoted COVID-appropriate behaviour (mask, strict hand hygiene, physical distancing), and suggested giving a nutritious diet.

The guidelines said that for mild infection paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose may be given every 4-6 hours for fever and throat soothing agents and warm saline gargles in older children and adolescents have been recommended for cough. 
In case of moderate infection, the guidelines suggested initiating immediate oxygen therapy.

"Corticosteroids are not required in all children with moderate illness; they may be administered in rapidly progressive disease and anticoagulants may also be indicated," the guidelines said. For severe COVID-19 among children, the guidelines said if Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) develops, necessary management to be initiated.

"In case shock develops, necessary management should be initiated. Antimicrobials to be administered if there is evidence/strong suspicion of superadded bacterial infection. May need organ support in case of organ dysfunction, e.g.&nbsp;renal replacement therapy," it said.

The guidelines also recommended a six-minute walk test for children above 12 years under the supervision of parents/guardians. "It is a simple clinical test to assess cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance and is used to unmask hypoxia. Attach a pulse oximeter to his/her finger and ask the child to walk in the confines of their room for six minutes continuously," it said.

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested.

The government has come out with comprehensive guidelines for the management of COVID-19 among children in which Remdesivir has not been recommended and rational use of HRCT imaging has been suggested. The guidelines issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) under the health ministry also said that steroids are harmful in asymptomatic and mild cases of infection. The DGHS recommended steroids only in hospitalised moderately severe and critically ill COVID-19 cases under strict supervision. "Steroids should be used at the right time, in the right dose, and for the right duration. Self-medication of steroids must be avoided," it said. The guidelines also said Remdesivir (an emergency use authorisation drug) is not recommended in children. "There is lack of sufficient safety and efficacy data with respect to Remdesivir in children below 18 years of age," the guidelines said. The guidelines suggested rational use of High-resolution CT (HRCT) for seeing the extent and nature of lung involvement in patients with COVID-19. "However, any additional information gained from HRCT scan of the chest often has little impact on treatment decisions, which are based almost entirely on clinical severity and physiological impairment. "Therefore, treating physicians should be highly selective in ordering HRCT imaging of the chest in COVID-19 patients," the guidelines said. They said COVID-19 is a viral infection, and antimicrobials have no role in the prevention or treatment of uncomplicated COVID-19 infection Also Read | Joe Biden made commitment to send vaccines to India, says US NSA For asymptomatic and mild cases, the guidelines said antimicrobials are not recommended for therapy or prophylaxis while for moderate and severe cases antimicrobials should not be prescribed unless there is clinical suspicion of a superadded infection. Hospital admission increases the risk of healthcare-associated infections with multidrug-resistant organisms. For asymptomatic infection among children, the guidelines recommended no specific medication and promoted COVID-appropriate behaviour (mask, strict hand hygiene, physical distancing), and suggested giving a nutritious diet. The guidelines said that for mild infection paracetamol 10-15mg/kg/dose may be given every 4-6 hours for fever and throat soothing agents and warm saline gargles in older children and adolescents have been recommended for cough. In case of moderate infection, the guidelines suggested initiating immediate oxygen therapy. "Corticosteroids are not required in all children with moderate illness; they may be administered in rapidly progressive disease and anticoagulants may also be indicated," the guidelines said. For severe COVID-19 among children, the guidelines said if Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) develops, necessary management to be initiated. "In case shock develops, necessary management should be initiated. Antimicrobials to be administered if there is evidence/strong suspicion of superadded bacterial infection. May need organ support in case of organ dysfunction, e.g. renal replacement therapy," it said. The guidelines also recommended a six-minute walk test for children above 12 years under the supervision of parents/guardians. "It is a simple clinical test to assess cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance and is used to unmask hypoxia. Attach a pulse oximeter to his/her finger and ask the child to walk in the confines of their room for six minutes continuously," it said.

Indian govt issues guidelines on COVID-19 in children, says Remdesivir not recommended

People taken ill by the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> infection may experience fatigue and weakness even after they recover. In a bid to help people get rid of the post-covid symptoms, nutritionist and fitness expert Munmun Ganeriwal recently took to social media to share some tips. She urged people to eat well, exercise regularly, and move often.&nbsp;

"Those who are experiencing mood changes, brain fog, poor sleep, anxiety or depression post-covid, do NOT panic. Know that it is normal. Most important, do remind yourself that RECOVERY TAKES TIME", Munmun wrote on her social media.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/no-health-worries-for-children-born-to-mothers-given-seasonal-flu-vaccine-in-pregnancy-study-390256" hreflang="en">No health worries for children born to mothers given seasonal flu vaccine in pregnancy: Study</a>

The fitness expert urged people to practice 'yoga Nidra' at bedtime. She emphasised the need of meditating every day. As per the nutritionist, avoiding smoking and alcohol will help the patients in minimising brain inflammation.&nbsp;

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A research published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal claimed that people with coronavirus infection may experience mental health issues such as delirium and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while being hospitalised and potentially even after they recover.

As a part of the research, 65 peer-reviewed studies and seven recent pre-prints that are awaiting peer review were analysed. These studies included data from over 3,500 people who have had one of the three related illnesses.&nbsp;

Almost one in three people hospitalised with SARS or MERS went on to develop PTSD. Also, rates of depression and anxiety were high, at roughly 15 per cent one year. Sometimes, they were long after the illness, with a further 15 per cent experiencing some symptoms of depression and anxiety without a clinical diagnosis. The study revealed that over 15 per cent infected also experienced chronic fatigue, mood swings, sleep disorder or impaired concentration and memory.

People taken ill by the deadly coronavirus infection may experience fatigue and weakness even after they recover. In a bid to help people get rid of the post-covid symptoms, nutritionist and fitness expert Munmun Ganeriwal recently took to social media to share some tips.

People taken ill by the deadly coronavirus infection may experience fatigue and weakness even after they recover. In a bid to help people get rid of the post-covid symptoms, nutritionist and fitness expert Munmun Ganeriwal recently took to social media to share some tips. She urged people to eat well, exercise regularly, and move often. "Those who are experiencing mood changes, brain fog, poor sleep, anxiety or depression post-covid, do NOT panic. Know that it is normal. Most important, do remind yourself that RECOVERY TAKES TIME", Munmun wrote on her social media. Also read | No health worries for children born to mothers given seasonal flu vaccine in pregnancy: Study The fitness expert urged people to practice 'yoga Nidra' at bedtime. She emphasised the need of meditating every day. As per the nutritionist, avoiding smoking and alcohol will help the patients in minimising brain inflammation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 'Yuktahaar'by Munmun Ganeriwal (@munmun.ganeriwal) × A research published in the Lancet Psychiatry journal claimed that people with coronavirus infection may experience mental health issues such as delirium and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while being hospitalised and potentially even after they recover. As a part of the research, 65 peer-reviewed studies and seven recent pre-prints that are awaiting peer review were analysed. These studies included data from over 3,500 people who have had one of the three related illnesses. Almost one in three people hospitalised with SARS or MERS went on to develop PTSD. Also, rates of depression and anxiety were high, at roughly 15 per cent one year. Sometimes, they were long after the illness, with a further 15 per cent experiencing some symptoms of depression and anxiety without a clinical diagnosis. The study revealed that over 15 per cent infected also experienced chronic fatigue, mood swings, sleep disorder or impaired concentration and memory.

Fatigue, PTSD, depression and more: Here's how to fight post-Covid problems

Music maestro AR Rahman got his first jab of COVID-19 vaccine. The legend took to social media to share the health update.&nbsp;

He shared a photo of himself with son AR Ameen after getting vaccinated in Chennai. He wrote, "Vaccinated #1stjabdone #covishield.” He even asked fans if others got vaccinated, “Have you?”

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Meanwhile, AR Rahman’s film ‘99 Songs’ released in theatres earlier this year. The musical marks AR Rahman's debut as a producer and a co-writer, and it stars Ehan Bhat and Edilsy Vargas in the lead roles.

AR Rahman is an award-winning music composer with six National Awards and several Filmfare Awards from across Bollywood and the South film industry. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2000 and Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contribution to Indian music and cinema. In the international music world, he has Grammys and Oscars.&nbsp;

Music maestro AR Rahman got his first jab of COVID-19 vaccine. The legend took to social media to share the health update. He shared a photo of himself with son AR Ameen after getting vaccinated in Chennai.

Music maestro AR Rahman got his first jab of COVID-19 vaccine. The legend took to social media to share the health update. He shared a photo of himself with son AR Ameen after getting vaccinated in Chennai. He wrote, "Vaccinated #1stjabdone #covishield.” He even asked fans if others got vaccinated, “Have you?” View this post on Instagram A post shared by ARR (@arrahman) × Meanwhile, AR Rahman’s film ‘99 Songs’ released in theatres earlier this year. The musical marks AR Rahman's debut as a producer and a co-writer, and it stars Ehan Bhat and Edilsy Vargas in the lead roles. AR Rahman is an award-winning music composer with six National Awards and several Filmfare Awards from across Bollywood and the South film industry. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2000 and Padma Bhushan in 2010 for his contribution to Indian music and cinema. In the international music world, he has Grammys and Oscars.

AR Rahman and son get vaccinated for COVID-19

Amid the leaked Anthony S Fauci emails and independent investigations into the Wuhan lab secrets, reports have emerged again that the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China was funded by the US government and the virology lab, headed by Shi Zhengli, received nearly $600,000 in gain-of-function research. 
 
At a US Senate hearing on May 11, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) said that scientists in the US have long known how to mutate animal viruses to infect humans.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-plus-the-lab-leak-theory-389670/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
"For years, Dr Ralph Baric, a virologist in the US, has been collaborating with Dr Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Virology Institute, sharing his discoveries about how to create super viruses. This gain-of-function research has been funded by the NIH. Dr Fauci, do you still support funding of the NIH funding of the lab in Wuhan?," he said at&nbsp;the hearing. 
 
Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, replied: "Senator Paul, with all due respect, you are entirely and completely incorrect that the NIH has not never and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology." 
 
However, according to documents obtained by Daily Mail last year, the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology in China undertook coronavirus experiments on bats and other wild animals which were funded by a $3.4 million grant from the US government.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-i-was-right-about-wuhan-lab-leak-demands-10-trillion-penalty-from-china-389378">Trump says 'I was right about Wuhan lab leak'; demands $10 trillion penalty from China</a> 
 
Zhengli, also known as the 'Bat Woman'&nbsp;is back in the limelight as the conversation around the gain-of-function research has once again started to dominate the headlines. 
 
In 2014, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the NIH arm that Fauci heads, awarded a $3.4 million grant to the New York-based EcoHealth Alliance, which aims to protect people from viruses that jump from species to species. 
 
The group hired the virology lab in Wuhan to conduct genetic analyses of bat coronaviruses collected in Yunnan province, about 800 miles southwest of Wuhan, Tampa Bay Times reported last month. 
 
"The research was considered crucial in part because coronaviruses had previously emerged in China and begun to spread among humans. EcoHealth Alliance paid the lab $598,500 over five years. The lab had secured approval from both the US&nbsp;State Department and the NIH," the report mentioned. 
 
All parties involved in the grant to the Wuhan Institute of Virology have denied that it involved gain-of-function research.

&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-did-the-wuhan-lab-take-a-database-of-22000-virus-samples-offline-389547/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
In Wuhan, China, where the first cases of the coronavirus emerged in late 2019, at least two labs studied coronaviruses that originate in bats,&nbsp;the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (WHCDC). 
 
"Both are close to the seafood market that was originally deemed the source of the outbreak. The WIV is about eight miles (nearly 13 km) away. The WHCDC is right around the corner," according to a report in the Washington Post. 
 
The WIV is where Zhengli works. The WIV has a biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory, the most secure, where researchers wear protective suits. 
 
"But some of WIV`s more controversial experiments on bat coronaviruses are believed to have been done at BSL-2 labs, where researchers wear white lab coats and gloves, as in a dental office," the report mentioned. 
 
Many experts have until recently denied the lab-leak theory and claimed that <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> originated as a natural infection leaping from animals to humans. But now, there has been a shift. 
 
A team of 18 scientists from Universities in the US, Canada, the UK and Switzerland have signed a letter in the journal Science arguing the need to determine the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. 
 
Various other studies have hinted at COVID-19 as a result of the Wuhan lab leak. 
 
"There is some smoke here," said the Washington Post report.

&nbsp;

&nbsp;

Amid the leaked Anthony S Fauci emails and independent investigations into the Wuhan lab secrets, reports have emerged again that the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China was funded by the US government and the virology lab, headed by Shi Zhengli, received nearly $600,000 in gain-of-function research.

Amid the leaked Anthony S Fauci emails and independent investigations into the Wuhan lab secrets, reports have emerged again that the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China was funded by the US government and the virology lab, headed by Shi Zhengli, received nearly $600,000 in gain-of-function research. At a US Senate hearing on May 11, Senator Rand Paul (R-Ky) said that scientists in the US have long known how to mutate animal viruses to infect humans. "For years, Dr Ralph Baric, a virologist in the US, has been collaborating with Dr Shi Zhengli of the Wuhan Virology Institute, sharing his discoveries about how to create super viruses. This gain-of-function research has been funded by the NIH. Dr Fauci, do you still support funding of the NIH funding of the lab in Wuhan?," he said at the hearing. Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, replied: "Senator Paul, with all due respect, you are entirely and completely incorrect that the NIH has not never and does not now fund gain-of-function research in the Wuhan Institute of Virology." However, according to documents obtained by Daily Mail last year, the controversial Wuhan Institute of Virology in China undertook coronavirus experiments on bats and other wild animals which were funded by a $3.4 million grant from the US government. Also Read | Trump says 'I was right about Wuhan lab leak'; demands $10 trillion penalty from China Zhengli, also known as the 'Bat Woman' is back in the limelight as the conversation around the gain-of-function research has once again started to dominate the headlines. In 2014, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, the NIH arm that Fauci heads, awarded a $3.4 million grant to the New York-based EcoHealth Alliance, which aims to protect people from viruses that jump from species to species. The group hired the virology lab in Wuhan to conduct genetic analyses of bat coronaviruses collected in Yunnan province, about 800 miles southwest of Wuhan, Tampa Bay Times reported last month. "The research was considered crucial in part because coronaviruses had previously emerged in China and begun to spread among humans. EcoHealth Alliance paid the lab $598,500 over five years. The lab had secured approval from both the US State Department and the NIH," the report mentioned. All parties involved in the grant to the Wuhan Institute of Virology have denied that it involved gain-of-function research. In Wuhan, China, where the first cases of the coronavirus emerged in late 2019, at least two labs studied coronaviruses that originate in bats, the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) and the Wuhan Center for Disease Control and Prevention (WHCDC). "Both are close to the seafood market that was originally deemed the source of the outbreak. The WIV is about eight miles (nearly 13 km) away. The WHCDC is right around the corner," according to a report in the Washington Post. The WIV is where Zhengli works. The WIV has a biosafety level 4 (BSL-4) laboratory, the most secure, where researchers wear protective suits. "But some of WIV`s more controversial experiments on bat coronaviruses are believed to have been done at BSL-2 labs, where researchers wear white lab coats and gloves, as in a dental office," the report mentioned. Many experts have until recently denied the lab-leak theory and claimed that COVID-19 originated as a natural infection leaping from animals to humans. But now, there has been a shift. A team of 18 scientists from Universities in the US, Canada, the UK and Switzerland have signed a letter in the journal Science arguing the need to determine the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic. Various other studies have hinted at COVID-19 as a result of the Wuhan lab leak. "There is some smoke here," said the Washington Post report.

Did China's 'Bat Woman' receive $600K from US for coronavirus work?

Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu is witnessing an overall decline in Covid-19 cases, but still the state’s daily caseload is the highest in the country. While cases are on gradual decline in northern districts including capital city Chennai, western and southern districts are witnessing high daily caseloads. The state government on Saturday extended the lockdown till June 14th, with new relaxations. The lockdown will be in effect till 6 am on that day.

Following relaxations are due to come into effect from June 7. The new set of district-specific guidelines have been issued keeping in mind 11 hotspot districts and the rest of Tamil Nadu.

Relaxations for all districts

<ul>
	<li>Standalone shops selling grocery, vegetables, fish, meat etc. can be run from 6am to 5pm.</li>
	<li>Pavement vendors selling fruits, vegetables, flowers can function from 6am to 5pm.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fish markets will be open only for wholesale sales. District administrations have been ordered to set up more than one such market in open spaces.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Slaughterhouses will be permitted to sell on wholesale scale.</li>
	<li>Government offices can function with 30 percent staff&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Document registration will be permitted by issuing 50% capacity tokens&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Matchstick industry can function with 50 percent staff .</li>
	<li>Sales of vegetables, fruits at the doorstep via vehicles will continue in every district.</li>
	<li>The public is requested to walk to nearby stores for shopping, and avoid taking two and four-wheeler vehicles.&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Relaxations applicable to all districts (except 11 Covid hotspot Districts namely Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai)</li>
	<li>Private security companies, housekeeping services in large housing complexes will be permitted with e-Registration</li>
	<li>Electricians, Plumbers, Computer and other technicians will be allowed to function between 6am to 5pm with e-Registration</li>
	<li>Shops selling electrical goods, bulbs, cables, switches, wires can function from 6am to 5pm&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Bicycle and two-wheeler service outlets will be allowed to function from 6am to 5pm&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Hardware stores will be allowed to remain open from 6am to 5pm&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Stores selling educational books, stationery can function from 6am to 5pm&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Service centers for vehicles can function from 6am to 5pm&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Passengers allowed to travel in rental vehicles, cabs, autos after e-registration&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Driver plus 3 passengers in Taxi; Driver plus 2 passengers in Auto&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

General&nbsp;

<ul>
	<li>E-pass from district collector will be compulsory for emergency travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri</li>
	<li>Export firms in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Salem, Karur, Erode, Namakkal, Trichy and their suppliers can function with 10 percent staff if they have export orders, to send samples.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu is witnessing an overall decline in Covid-19 cases, but still the state’s daily caseload is the highest in the country. While cases are on gradual decline in northern districts including capital city Chennai, western and southern districts are witnessing high daily caseloads.

Southern Indian State of Tamil Nadu is witnessing an overall decline in Covid-19 cases, but still the state’s daily caseload is the highest in the country. While cases are on gradual decline in northern districts including capital city Chennai, western and southern districts are witnessing high daily caseloads. The state government on Saturday extended the lockdown till June 14th, with new relaxations. The lockdown will be in effect till 6 am on that day. Following relaxations are due to come into effect from June 7. The new set of district-specific guidelines have been issued keeping in mind 11 hotspot districts and the rest of Tamil Nadu. Relaxations for all districts Standalone shops selling grocery, vegetables, fish, meat etc. can be run from 6am to 5pm. Pavement vendors selling fruits, vegetables, flowers can function from 6am to 5pm. Fish markets will be open only for wholesale sales. District administrations have been ordered to set up more than one such market in open spaces. Slaughterhouses will be permitted to sell on wholesale scale. Government offices can function with 30 percent staff Document registration will be permitted by issuing 50% capacity tokens Matchstick industry can function with 50 percent staff . Sales of vegetables, fruits at the doorstep via vehicles will continue in every district. The public is requested to walk to nearby stores for shopping, and avoid taking two and four-wheeler vehicles. Relaxations applicable to all districts (except 11 Covid hotspot Districts namely Coimbatore, Nilgiris, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Tiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Mayiladuthurai) Private security companies, housekeeping services in large housing complexes will be permitted with e-Registration Electricians, Plumbers, Computer and other technicians will be allowed to function between 6am to 5pm with e-Registration Shops selling electrical goods, bulbs, cables, switches, wires can function from 6am to 5pm Bicycle and two-wheeler service outlets will be allowed to function from 6am to 5pm Hardware stores will be allowed to remain open from 6am to 5pm Stores selling educational books, stationery can function from 6am to 5pm Service centers for vehicles can function from 6am to 5pm Passengers allowed to travel in rental vehicles, cabs, autos after e-registration Driver plus 3 passengers in Taxi; Driver plus 2 passengers in Auto General E-pass from district collector will be compulsory for emergency travel to Nilgiris, Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Yelagiri Export firms in Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Salem, Karur, Erode, Namakkal, Trichy and their suppliers can function with 10 percent staff if they have export orders, to send samples.

Tamil Nadu: Lockdown extended till June 14th with district-specific relaxations 

The Wuhan lab leak theory is getting bigger. A video showing Chinese researchers in a bat cave is under scrutiny. A new report claims that the Wuhan lab took a database of "22,000 virus samples" offline, three months before the official start of the pandemic

Gravitas: Why did the Wuhan Lab take a database of "22,000 virus samples" offline?

Former US president Donald Trump has stated that his opinion that the "China Virus" originated in the Wuhan Lab was correct.

He also asked for a penalty to be imposed on China for the deaths and damages caused by the "lab leak."&nbsp;

"Now everyone, even the so-called ''enemy'', is beginning to say that President Trump was right about the China Virus coming from Wuhan Lab," the Republican former president said. The 'enemy' reference was to his Democratic rival and now US President, Joe Biden. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-calls-on-china-to-release-medical-records-of-wuhan-lab-workers-report-389348">Also read | Fauci calls on China to release medical records of Wuhan lab workers: Report</a> 
 
"The correspondence between Dr (Anthony) Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore. China should pay $10 trillion to America, and the world, for the death and destruction they have caused!" added Trump.

Dr Fauci's view on the Wuhan lab leak theory has shifted after Trump's remark. 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/origin-of-wuhan-virus-needs-to-be-found-386627">Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found</a>

Fauci has faced backlash in the wake of the leak of 10,000 emails from the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 2020.

An executive at EcoHealth, which funded research at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology into the origin of COVID-19, thanked Dr Fauci for publicly stating that scientific evidence supports a 'natural origin for the Coronavirus and not a lab leak'. 
 
Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/virus-origin-probe-poisoned-by-politics-says-who-388122">Virus origin probe 'poisoned by politics', says WHO</a>

Denying any connections, Dr Fauci while speaking to CNN said, "That's nonsense. I don't even see how they get that from that email. I have always said and will say today, that I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human, but I keep an open mind that if there may be other origins of that, there may be another reason, it could have been a lab leak from China." He has urged China and World Health Organization&nbsp;for a transparent process, stating that there was a need to get to the bottom of the origins of the pandemic. 
 
<img alt="Lab leak" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e1d421e2-e831-48d0-a063-72d8d2ea80ad" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/WhatsApp%20Image%202021-06-04%20at%201.59.30%20PM.jpeg" />

The controversial claim was dismissed by experts last year, who said it was "extremely unlikely". No evidence to support it has emerged.

But in recent days, amid criticism of an inconclusive international probe into the virus' origins and new reports of Covid-related illness in the region weeks before it was officially identified, the theory is once again sparking debate.

(With inputs from agencies)

Former US president Donald Trump has stated that his opinion that the "China Virus" originated in the Wuhan Lab was correct. He also asked for a penalty to be imposed on China for the deaths and damages caused by the "lab leak.

Former US president Donald Trump has stated that his opinion that the "China Virus" originated in the Wuhan Lab was correct. He also asked for a penalty to be imposed on China for the deaths and damages caused by the "lab leak." "Now everyone, even the so-called ''enemy'', is beginning to say that President Trump was right about the China Virus coming from Wuhan Lab," the Republican former president said. The 'enemy' reference was to his Democratic rival and now US President, Joe Biden. Also read | Fauci calls on China to release medical records of Wuhan lab workers: Report "The correspondence between Dr (Anthony) Fauci and China speaks too loudly for anyone to ignore. China should pay $10 trillion to America, and the world, for the death and destruction they have caused!" added Trump. Dr Fauci's view on the Wuhan lab leak theory has shifted after Trump's remark. Also Read | Origin of Wuhan virus needs to be found Fauci has faced backlash in the wake of the leak of 10,000 emails from the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases from 2020. An executive at EcoHealth, which funded research at China's Wuhan Institute of Virology into the origin of COVID-19, thanked Dr Fauci for publicly stating that scientific evidence supports a 'natural origin for the Coronavirus and not a lab leak'. Also Read | Virus origin probe 'poisoned by politics', says WHO Denying any connections, Dr Fauci while speaking to CNN said, "That's nonsense. I don't even see how they get that from that email. I have always said and will say today, that I still believe the most likely origin is from an animal species to a human, but I keep an open mind that if there may be other origins of that, there may be another reason, it could have been a lab leak from China." He has urged China and World Health Organization for a transparent process, stating that there was a need to get to the bottom of the origins of the pandemic. The controversial claim was dismissed by experts last year, who said it was "extremely unlikely". No evidence to support it has emerged. But in recent days, amid criticism of an inconclusive international probe into the virus' origins and new reports of Covid-related illness in the region weeks before it was officially identified, the theory is once again sparking debate. (With inputs from agencies)

Trump says 'I was right about Wuhan lab leak'; demands $10 trillion penalty from China

Brazilian police carried out raids Wednesday targeting top officials suspected of embezzling pandemic emergency funds in Amazonas state, where there have been gruesome scenes of overflowing hospitals and COVID-19 patients left to suffocate.

"Investigations uncovered evidence that high-ranking officials in the Amazonas state health ministry used a fraudulent tender process to favor a group of local business owners to build a field hospital, under the orders of the highest levels of the state government," federal police said in a statement.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/mass-vaccination-creates-healthy-oasis-in-brazilian-city-388480">Mass vaccination creates healthy oasis in Brazilian city</a>

Police did not say who was targeted in the 19 search and seizure operations, but Brazilian media reports said officers had searched the home of Governor Wilson Lima, an ally of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, and had a warrant to arrest state health minister Marcellus Campelo.

Police said they had six arrest warrants in all.

The field hospital in question was shoddily built and "failed to meet the basic needs of the population affected by COVID-19," police said.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilians-stage-nationwide-protests-against-president-bolsonaros-covid-response-388301">Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response</a>

The Amazonas state capital, Manaus, has been hit hard by the pandemic, which has claimed more than 465,000 lives in&nbsp;Brazil, second only to the United States.

Manaus, dubbed the "capital of the Amazon rainforest," saw haunting scenes last year and early this year of overflowing hospitals, mass graves and corpses piled in refrigerator trucks.

Severe shortages of medical oxygen left dozens of COVID-19 patients to suffocate to death.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-thousands-protest-against-president-bolsonaros-covid-response-388332/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

here have been allegations of massive corruption with pandemic emergency funds in several Brazilian states, including Rio de Janeiro, whose former governor Wilson Witzel was impeached over the charges.

Bolsonaro meanwhile faces mounting criticism and a Senate inquiry into his government's controversial coronavirus response.

The president has fought lockdown measures, snubbed face masks, refused offers of vaccines and touted ineffective medications such as chloroquine against COVID-19.

Brazilian police carried out raids Wednesday targeting top officials suspected of embezzling pandemic emergency funds in Amazonas state, where there have been gruesome scenes of overflowing hospitals and COVID-19 patients left to suffocate.

Brazilian police carried out raids Wednesday targeting top officials suspected of embezzling pandemic emergency funds in Amazonas state, where there have been gruesome scenes of overflowing hospitals and COVID-19 patients left to suffocate. "Investigations uncovered evidence that high-ranking officials in the Amazonas state health ministry used a fraudulent tender process to favor a group of local business owners to build a field hospital, under the orders of the highest levels of the state government," federal police said in a statement. Also Read | Mass vaccination creates healthy oasis in Brazilian city Police did not say who was targeted in the 19 search and seizure operations, but Brazilian media reports said officers had searched the home of Governor Wilson Lima, an ally of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, and had a warrant to arrest state health minister Marcellus Campelo. Police said they had six arrest warrants in all. The field hospital in question was shoddily built and "failed to meet the basic needs of the population affected by COVID-19," police said. Also Read | Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response The Amazonas state capital, Manaus, has been hit hard by the pandemic, which has claimed more than 465,000 lives in Brazil, second only to the United States. Manaus, dubbed the "capital of the Amazon rainforest," saw haunting scenes last year and early this year of overflowing hospitals, mass graves and corpses piled in refrigerator trucks. Severe shortages of medical oxygen left dozens of COVID-19 patients to suffocate to death. here have been allegations of massive corruption with pandemic emergency funds in several Brazilian states, including Rio de Janeiro, whose former governor Wilson Witzel was impeached over the charges. Bolsonaro meanwhile faces mounting criticism and a Senate inquiry into his government's controversial coronavirus response. The president has fought lockdown measures, snubbed face masks, refused offers of vaccines and touted ineffective medications such as chloroquine against COVID-19.

Brazil raids target top officials for embezzling Covid funds in Amazonas

Pot-banging protests erupted across several cities in&nbsp;Brazil&nbsp;on Wednesday evening as President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the nation, just days after protestors took to the streets across the country over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far killed almost half a million people here.

The last few days have been rocky for the government of the right-wing leader, whose popularity had already been flagging amid persistently high daily <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> deaths and cases.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazilians-stage-nationwide-protests-against-president-bolsonaros-covid-response-388301">Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response</a>

On Wednesday alone, almost 100,000&nbsp;Brazilians came down with the coronavirus and 2,507 died, according to government data. Earlier in the day, the nation's Supreme Court authorized a criminal investigation into Bolsonaro's environment minister for allegedly interfering with a police probe into illegal logging.

In the televised speech, Bolsonaro briefly summarized some of his government's recent accomplishments and pledged strong economic growth going forward, but presented no new information.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/brazil-thousands-protest-against-president-bolsonaros-covid-response-388332/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

On Saturday, thousands participated in protests in at least 16 cities across the country, which were organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations.

In Sao Paulo,&nbsp;Brazil's largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one of the largest city's avenues, while a large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire.

Some protests, like the one in Rio de Janeiro, included images of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has emerged as Bolsonaro's main challenger in the nation's 2022 election, wearing the presidential sash.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-visits-indigenous-lands-in-amazon-despite-protests-388142">Bolsonaro visits indigenous lands in Amazon despite protests</a>

In the brief Wednesday evening speech, Bolsonaro, who has ridiculed masks and vaccines in the past, said all&nbsp;Brazilians who wanted a vaccine would be able to get one by the end of the year.

Also in the evening, the nation's Health Ministry revised down the number of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccines</a> it will receive in June by about 4 million doses.

Pot-banging protests erupted across several cities in Brazil on Wednesday evening as President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the nation, just days after protestors took to the streets across the country over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far killed almost half a million people here.

Pot-banging protests erupted across several cities in Brazil on Wednesday evening as President Jair Bolsonaro addressed the nation, just days after protestors took to the streets across the country over his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, which has so far killed almost half a million people here. The last few days have been rocky for the government of the right-wing leader, whose popularity had already been flagging amid persistently high daily COVID-19 deaths and cases. Also Read | Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response On Wednesday alone, almost 100,000 Brazilians came down with the coronavirus and 2,507 died, according to government data. Earlier in the day, the nation's Supreme Court authorized a criminal investigation into Bolsonaro's environment minister for allegedly interfering with a police probe into illegal logging. In the televised speech, Bolsonaro briefly summarized some of his government's recent accomplishments and pledged strong economic growth going forward, but presented no new information. On Saturday, thousands participated in protests in at least 16 cities across the country, which were organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations. In Sao Paulo, Brazil's largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one of the largest city's avenues, while a large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire. Some protests, like the one in Rio de Janeiro, included images of former leftist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who has emerged as Bolsonaro's main challenger in the nation's 2022 election, wearing the presidential sash. Also Read | Bolsonaro visits indigenous lands in Amazon despite protests In the brief Wednesday evening speech, Bolsonaro, who has ridiculed masks and vaccines in the past, said all Brazilians who wanted a vaccine would be able to get one by the end of the year. Also in the evening, the nation's Health Ministry revised down the number of COVID-19 vaccines it will receive in June by about 4 million doses.

Brazilians bang pots in protest against Bolsonaro as another 2,500 die of COVID-19

The Asian Flu in 1956. H5N1 Bird Flu in 1997. The SARS epidemic in 2002. And now, The Wuhan Virus in 2019. Why is China a hotspot for new diseases?

Gravitas: Why is China a hotspot for new diseases?

Britain is in talks with AstraZeneca for additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that will have been modified to better target the Beta coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa, health minister Matt Hancock said on Wednesday. 
 
Britain has previously secured 100 million doses of the vaccine, developed at the University of Oxford and licensed to AstraZeneca. 
 
"We`ve started commercial negotiations with AstraZeneca to secure a variant vaccine: future supplies of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine that have been adapted to tackle the B.1.351 variant first identified in South Africa," Hancock said in a speech at the university. 
 
South Africa put use of AstraZeneca`s shot on hold in February after data showed it gave minimal protection against mild-to-moderate infection caused by the country`s dominant variant, now known as Beta. 
 
Oxford considers the variant top priority for vaccine developers, and AstraZeneca has targeted the development of new vaccines against variants by the autumn. 
 
Britain has committed to funding trials for the new adapted vaccine, which could be fast-tracked through the regulatory process following new guidance in March. 
 
Hancock`s speech came before he hosts a summit of Group of Seven (G7) health ministers in Oxford, which starts on Thursday. 
 
He said that Britain had hit the milestone of giving three-quarters of adults a first COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly half the population has received two doses of vaccine. 
 
Britain has so far reported 904 cases of the Beta variant in total. 
 
By contrast, in South Africa there is an average of 3,745 new cases each day, and only around 1 million out of a target of 40 million people have received a COVID-19 vaccine. 
 
Hancock did not say if the vaccines under negotiation would be donated or kept for use domestically. 
 
Earlier AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said he was working with governments on increasing their pledged vaccine donations through the COVAX vaccine-sharing mechanism. 
 
Hancock said AstraZeneca, which has pledged not to make a profit from vaccines during the pandemic, had released half a billion doses of the shot for global supply so far.

Britain is in talks with AstraZeneca for additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that will have been modified to better target the Beta coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa, health minister Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.

Britain is in talks with AstraZeneca for additional doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that will have been modified to better target the Beta coronavirus variant first identified in South Africa, health minister Matt Hancock said on Wednesday. Britain has previously secured 100 million doses of the vaccine, developed at the University of Oxford and licensed to AstraZeneca. "We`ve started commercial negotiations with AstraZeneca to secure a variant vaccine: future supplies of the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine that have been adapted to tackle the B.1.351 variant first identified in South Africa," Hancock said in a speech at the university. South Africa put use of AstraZeneca`s shot on hold in February after data showed it gave minimal protection against mild-to-moderate infection caused by the country`s dominant variant, now known as Beta. Oxford considers the variant top priority for vaccine developers, and AstraZeneca has targeted the development of new vaccines against variants by the autumn. Britain has committed to funding trials for the new adapted vaccine, which could be fast-tracked through the regulatory process following new guidance in March. Hancock`s speech came before he hosts a summit of Group of Seven (G7) health ministers in Oxford, which starts on Thursday. He said that Britain had hit the milestone of giving three-quarters of adults a first COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly half the population has received two doses of vaccine. Britain has so far reported 904 cases of the Beta variant in total. By contrast, in South Africa there is an average of 3,745 new cases each day, and only around 1 million out of a target of 40 million people have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Hancock did not say if the vaccines under negotiation would be donated or kept for use domestically. Earlier AstraZeneca Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said he was working with governments on increasing their pledged vaccine donations through the COVAX vaccine-sharing mechanism. Hancock said AstraZeneca, which has pledged not to make a profit from vaccines during the pandemic, had released half a billion doses of the shot for global supply so far.

Britain seeks extra AstraZeneca shots to combat Beta COVID-19 variant

With the Covid cases rising in the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, the State government has established Covid care facilities at every panchayat of the UT.&nbsp;

In total, around 15,000 beds have been set up in 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir for Covid patients. Each panchayat will have a five-bed facility, where one bed will be equipped with an oxygen concentrator. Medical staff will also be present.&nbsp;

It is likely to alleviate some pressure off the hospitals, who have been getting overwhelming number of patients. It will also be helpful for people, who don't have space to keep Covid patients in isolation at home. &nbsp;&nbsp;

''On the instructions of L-G, we have established Covid care centres at all the 296 panchayats in Budgam. Medical facilities, such as PPE kits, oximeters, etc are available at these centres. A patient can be isolated and treated with ease,'' said Amardeep Singh, BDO, Budgam.&nbsp;

“As the treatment is available at panchayats, patients now do not need to travel to urban areas for the treatment,” added Budgam BDO.&nbsp;

"Earlier, Covid patients were forced to travel long distances to reach a hospital and it is very difficult during lockdown. All thanks to government’s efforts, now patients will be able to get treatment at their doorstep with convenience,” said Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Secretary (Panchayat), Budgam.&nbsp;

With the Covid cases rising in the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, the State government has established Covid care facilities at every panchayat of the UT.

With the Covid cases rising in the union territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir, the State government has established Covid care facilities at every panchayat of the UT. In total, around 15,000 beds have been set up in 20 districts of Jammu and Kashmir for Covid patients. Each panchayat will have a five-bed facility, where one bed will be equipped with an oxygen concentrator. Medical staff will also be present. It is likely to alleviate some pressure off the hospitals, who have been getting overwhelming number of patients. It will also be helpful for people, who don't have space to keep Covid patients in isolation at home. ''On the instructions of L-G, we have established Covid care centres at all the 296 panchayats in Budgam. Medical facilities, such as PPE kits, oximeters, etc are available at these centres. A patient can be isolated and treated with ease,'' said Amardeep Singh, BDO, Budgam. “As the treatment is available at panchayats, patients now do not need to travel to urban areas for the treatment,” added Budgam BDO. "Earlier, Covid patients were forced to travel long distances to reach a hospital and it is very difficult during lockdown. All thanks to government’s efforts, now patients will be able to get treatment at their doorstep with convenience,” said Shabir Ahmad Bhat, Secretary (Panchayat), Budgam.

Covid care centres established at every panchayat in Jammu and Kashmir 

Continuing a downward trend India recorded 153,485 fresh Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest daily count in 48 days or since April 13, 2021.

Coronavirus: India records 1.5 Lakh new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." 
 
Bolsonaro`s popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the far-right leader played down its severity, dismissed mask wearing and cast doubt on the importance of vaccines. 
 
Organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations, Saturday`s protests in the capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro were peaceful, but in the northeastern city of Recife, police threw tear gas and shot rubber bullets. 
 
In Sao Paulo, Brazil`s largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one the largest city`s avenues. One large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire. 
 
Some protests, like the one in Rio, included images of former leftist president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wearing the presidential sash. 
 
Earlier in May, Lula met centrist Fernando Henrique Cardoso, also a two-term former president, for lunch in a public show of their common purpose to block Bolsonaro from gaining a second term in next year`s presidential election.

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now.

Brazilians staged protests against President Jair Bolsonaro`s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic in at least 16 cities across the country on Saturday, carrying signs such as "Out with Bolsonaro" and "Impeachment now." Bolsonaro`s popularity has plummeted during the coronavirus crisis, which has killed more than 460,000 Brazilians as the far-right leader played down its severity, dismissed mask wearing and cast doubt on the importance of vaccines. Organized by leftist political parties, unions and student associations, Saturday`s protests in the capital Brasilia and in Rio de Janeiro were peaceful, but in the northeastern city of Recife, police threw tear gas and shot rubber bullets. In Sao Paulo, Brazil`s largest city, thousands of mask-wearing people blocked one the largest city`s avenues. One large balloon depicted Bolsonaro as a vampire. Some protests, like the one in Rio, included images of former leftist president Luis Inacio Lula da Silva wearing the presidential sash. Earlier in May, Lula met centrist Fernando Henrique Cardoso, also a two-term former president, for lunch in a public show of their common purpose to block Bolsonaro from gaining a second term in next year`s presidential election.

Brazilians stage nationwide protests against President Bolsonaro's Covid response

Breathless, fevered and without the extra oxygen that could help keep them alive, the new coronavirus patients at a hospital near Myanmar`s border with India highlight the threat to a health system near collapse since February`s coup. 
 
To help her tend the seven COVID-19 patients at Cikha hospital, day and night, chief nurse Lun Za En has a lab technician and a pharmacist`s assistant. 
 
Mostly, they offer kind words and paracetamol. 
 
"We don`t have enough oxygen, enough medical equipment, enough electricity, enough doctors or enough ambulances," Lun Za En, 45, told Reuters from the town of just over 10,000. "We are operating with three staff instead of 11." 
 
Myanmar`s anti-COVID campaign foundered along with the rest of the health system after the military seized power on Feb. 1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose government had stepped up testing, quarantine and treatment. 
 
Services at public hospitals collapsed after many doctors and nurses joined strikes in a Civil Disobedience Movement in the forefront of opposition to military rule - and sometimes on the frontline of protests that have been bloodily suppressed. 
 
Thirteen medics have been killed, according to World Health Organisation data that shows 179 attacks on health workers, facilities and transport - nearly half of all such attacks recorded worldwide this year, said WHO Myanmar representative Stephan Paul Jost. 
 
Some 150 health workers have been arrested. Hundreds more doctors and nurses are wanted on incitement charges. 
 
Neither a junta spokesman nor the health ministry responded to requests for comment. The junta, which initially set fighting the pandemic as one of its priorities, has repeatedly urged medics to return to work. Few have responded. 
 
TESTING COLLAPSED 
 
A worker at one COVID-19 quarantine centre in Myanmar`s commercial capital, Yangon, said all the specialist health workers there had joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. 
 
"Then again, we don`t receive new patients any more as COVID test centres don`t have staff to test," said the worker, who declined to give his name for fear of retribution. 
 
In the week before the coup, COVID-19 tests nationally averaged more than 17,000 a day. That had fallen below 1,200 a day in the seven days through Wednesday. 
 
Myanmar has reported more than 3,200 COVID-19 deaths from over 140,000 cases, although the slump in testing has raised doubts over data that shows new cases and deaths have largely plateaued since the coup. 
 
Now, a health system in crisis is raising concerns about the likely impact on the country from the wave of infections with variants that is sweeping through India, Thailand and other neighbours. 
 
Patients with COVID-19 symptoms started showing up at Cikha hospital in mid-May. It is only 6 km (four miles) from India, and health workers fear the illness could be the highly infectious B.1.617.2 strain - though they lack the means to test for it. 
 
"It`s very concerning that COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations are extremely limited in Myanmar as more lives are at risk with new, more dangerous variants spreading," said Luis Sfeir-Younis, Myanmar COVID-19 operations manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. 
 
SURGE OF CASES 
 
Twenty-four cases have been identified in Cikha, said Lun Za En. Seven were so serious they needed hospitalisation - a sign of how few cases had likely been detected. 
 
Stay-at-home orders have now been declared in parts of Chin state, where Cikha is located, and neighbouring Sagaing region. 
 
The WHO said it was trying to reach authorities and other groups in the area who could provide help, while recognising the difficulties in a health system that was precipitously reversing years of impressive gains. 
 
"It is not clear how this will be resolved, unless there is a resolution at the political level addressing the political conflict," said Jost. 
 
Lun Za En said her hospital was doing the best it could with nebulisers - machines that turn liquid to mist - to relieve breathlessness. Some patients have oxygen concentrators, but they only work for the two hours a day that the town gets electricity. 
 
Refusing to abandon the sick, Lun Za En said she decided not to join the strikes. 
 
"The junta will not take care of our patients," she said. 
 
Across Myanmar, some striking doctors have set up underground clinics to help patients. When Myanmar Red Cross volunteers established three clinics in Yangon neighbourhoods, they quickly had dozens of patients. 
 
At best, such options can provide basic care. 
 
"Eighty percent of the hospitals are public health hospitals," said Marjan Besuijen, head of mission for the Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) aid group. "As MSF or others we can`t step in, it`s too big." 
 
Although military hospitals have been opened to the public, many people fear them or refuse to go on principle - including for coronavirus vaccinations in a campaign the ousted government had launched days before the coup. 
 
"I am very worried that these new infections will spread all over the country," said Lun Za En. "If the infection spreads to the crowded cities, it could be uncontrollable." 
&nbsp;

Breathless, fevered and without the extra oxygen that could help keep them alive, the new coronavirus patients at a hospital near Myanmar`s border with India highlight the threat to a health system near collapse since February`s coup.

Breathless, fevered and without the extra oxygen that could help keep them alive, the new coronavirus patients at a hospital near Myanmar`s border with India highlight the threat to a health system near collapse since February`s coup. To help her tend the seven COVID-19 patients at Cikha hospital, day and night, chief nurse Lun Za En has a lab technician and a pharmacist`s assistant. Mostly, they offer kind words and paracetamol. "We don`t have enough oxygen, enough medical equipment, enough electricity, enough doctors or enough ambulances," Lun Za En, 45, told Reuters from the town of just over 10,000. "We are operating with three staff instead of 11." Myanmar`s anti-COVID campaign foundered along with the rest of the health system after the military seized power on Feb. 1 and overthrew elected leader Aung San Suu Kyi, whose government had stepped up testing, quarantine and treatment. Services at public hospitals collapsed after many doctors and nurses joined strikes in a Civil Disobedience Movement in the forefront of opposition to military rule - and sometimes on the frontline of protests that have been bloodily suppressed. Thirteen medics have been killed, according to World Health Organisation data that shows 179 attacks on health workers, facilities and transport - nearly half of all such attacks recorded worldwide this year, said WHO Myanmar representative Stephan Paul Jost. Some 150 health workers have been arrested. Hundreds more doctors and nurses are wanted on incitement charges. Neither a junta spokesman nor the health ministry responded to requests for comment. The junta, which initially set fighting the pandemic as one of its priorities, has repeatedly urged medics to return to work. Few have responded. TESTING COLLAPSED A worker at one COVID-19 quarantine centre in Myanmar`s commercial capital, Yangon, said all the specialist health workers there had joined the Civil Disobedience Movement. "Then again, we don`t receive new patients any more as COVID test centres don`t have staff to test," said the worker, who declined to give his name for fear of retribution. In the week before the coup, COVID-19 tests nationally averaged more than 17,000 a day. That had fallen below 1,200 a day in the seven days through Wednesday. Myanmar has reported more than 3,200 COVID-19 deaths from over 140,000 cases, although the slump in testing has raised doubts over data that shows new cases and deaths have largely plateaued since the coup. Now, a health system in crisis is raising concerns about the likely impact on the country from the wave of infections with variants that is sweeping through India, Thailand and other neighbours. Patients with COVID-19 symptoms started showing up at Cikha hospital in mid-May. It is only 6 km (four miles) from India, and health workers fear the illness could be the highly infectious B.1.617.2 strain - though they lack the means to test for it. "It`s very concerning that COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccinations are extremely limited in Myanmar as more lives are at risk with new, more dangerous variants spreading," said Luis Sfeir-Younis, Myanmar COVID-19 operations manager for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. SURGE OF CASES Twenty-four cases have been identified in Cikha, said Lun Za En. Seven were so serious they needed hospitalisation - a sign of how few cases had likely been detected. Stay-at-home orders have now been declared in parts of Chin state, where Cikha is located, and neighbouring Sagaing region. The WHO said it was trying to reach authorities and other groups in the area who could provide help, while recognising the difficulties in a health system that was precipitously reversing years of impressive gains. "It is not clear how this will be resolved, unless there is a resolution at the political level addressing the political conflict," said Jost. Lun Za En said her hospital was doing the best it could with nebulisers - machines that turn liquid to mist - to relieve breathlessness. Some patients have oxygen concentrators, but they only work for the two hours a day that the town gets electricity. Refusing to abandon the sick, Lun Za En said she decided not to join the strikes. "The junta will not take care of our patients," she said. Across Myanmar, some striking doctors have set up underground clinics to help patients. When Myanmar Red Cross volunteers established three clinics in Yangon neighbourhoods, they quickly had dozens of patients. At best, such options can provide basic care. "Eighty percent of the hospitals are public health hospitals," said Marjan Besuijen, head of mission for the Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF) aid group. "As MSF or others we can`t step in, it`s too big." Although military hospitals have been opened to the public, many people fear them or refuse to go on principle - including for coronavirus vaccinations in a campaign the ousted government had launched days before the coup. "I am very worried that these new infections will spread all over the country," said Lun Za En. "If the infection spreads to the crowded cities, it could be uncontrollable."

Myanmar COVID-19 outbreak hits health system shattered after coup

Asserting that India is fighting COVID-19 with all its might, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to a number of people ranging from those engaged in transporting medical oxygen to lab technician, and said the country's resolve to prevail over the virus is equal to the magnitude of the challenge it faces.

In his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast, Modi noted that the country was also faced with several natural disasters, including cyclones, landslide and earthquakes, during the pandemic, and said more lives were saved than the past with the Centre, states and local administration coming together to carry out relief and rescue operations.

With the demand for medical oxygen rising exponentially during the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and many states and hospitals complaining of its shortage, the prime minister said the production of the liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has risen by over 10 times to nearly 9,500 MT daily from 900 MT earlier.

"The demand for oxygen surged all of a sudden. This was a very big challenge, and delivering medical oxygen to remote parts of the country was indeed a huge task," he said, noting that many plants manufacturing industrial oxygen were located in the eastern parts of the country and lauded those, including cryogenic tanker drivers, the oxygen express (train) crew and Air Force pilots, involved in its transportation.

In his address, he also praised farmers for generating record produce, and said the agricultural sector protected itself from the adverse effects of the pandemic to a great extent.

The farmers produced record output and the government procured a record amount of crops as well, he said, adding that farmers at several places got more than the minimum support price (MSP) for mustard.

Speaking of the arrangements his government made to allow farmers to transport their produce to different markets, Modi said ?Kisan Rail? has so far ferried nearly 2 lakh tonnes of produce. Now the farmers are able to send fruits, vegetables, grains to other remote parts of the country at a very low cost, he added.

Some products are being sent abroad as well, he said and mentioned that jackfruits from Tripura are now being exported to London and so is Bihar's Shahi Litchi.

In his conversation with people involved in transporting oxygen, Modi spoke to Dinesh Upadhyay, who drive oxygen tankers, Shirisha Gajni, a loco pilot of an all-woman crew oxygen express, and Group Captain Patnaik from the Air Force and lauded their service to the nation.

Noting that there was only one coronavirus testing lab in the country initially but today more than 2,500 labs are in operation, Modi said more than 20 lakh tests are being carried out in a single day now with over 33 crore samples having been tested in the country so far.

The prime minister than spoke to lab technician Prakash Kandpal who shared his experience.

Modi also asked people to continue to adhere to rules related to wearing masks and taking vaccines, saying there should be no letup in our efforts.&nbsp;

"This indeed is the path to our victory," he said.

Asserting that India is fighting COVID-19 with all its might, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to a number of people ranging from those engaged in transporting medical oxygen to lab technician, and said the country's resolve to prevail over the virus is equal to the magnitude of the challenge it faces.

Asserting that India is fighting COVID-19 with all its might, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday spoke to a number of people ranging from those engaged in transporting medical oxygen to lab technician, and said the country's resolve to prevail over the virus is equal to the magnitude of the challenge it faces. In his monthly Mann ki Baat broadcast, Modi noted that the country was also faced with several natural disasters, including cyclones, landslide and earthquakes, during the pandemic, and said more lives were saved than the past with the Centre, states and local administration coming together to carry out relief and rescue operations. With the demand for medical oxygen rising exponentially during the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and many states and hospitals complaining of its shortage, the prime minister said the production of the liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has risen by over 10 times to nearly 9,500 MT daily from 900 MT earlier. "The demand for oxygen surged all of a sudden. This was a very big challenge, and delivering medical oxygen to remote parts of the country was indeed a huge task," he said, noting that many plants manufacturing industrial oxygen were located in the eastern parts of the country and lauded those, including cryogenic tanker drivers, the oxygen express (train) crew and Air Force pilots, involved in its transportation. In his address, he also praised farmers for generating record produce, and said the agricultural sector protected itself from the adverse effects of the pandemic to a great extent. The farmers produced record output and the government procured a record amount of crops as well, he said, adding that farmers at several places got more than the minimum support price (MSP) for mustard. Speaking of the arrangements his government made to allow farmers to transport their produce to different markets, Modi said ?Kisan Rail? has so far ferried nearly 2 lakh tonnes of produce. Now the farmers are able to send fruits, vegetables, grains to other remote parts of the country at a very low cost, he added. Some products are being sent abroad as well, he said and mentioned that jackfruits from Tripura are now being exported to London and so is Bihar's Shahi Litchi. In his conversation with people involved in transporting oxygen, Modi spoke to Dinesh Upadhyay, who drive oxygen tankers, Shirisha Gajni, a loco pilot of an all-woman crew oxygen express, and Group Captain Patnaik from the Air Force and lauded their service to the nation. Noting that there was only one coronavirus testing lab in the country initially but today more than 2,500 labs are in operation, Modi said more than 20 lakh tests are being carried out in a single day now with over 33 crore samples having been tested in the country so far. The prime minister than spoke to lab technician Prakash Kandpal who shared his experience. Modi also asked people to continue to adhere to rules related to wearing masks and taking vaccines, saying there should be no letup in our efforts. "This indeed is the path to our victory," he said.

Mann Ki Baat: India fighting Covid with all its might, says PM Modi

A hat shop in the US state of Tennessee was hit with backlash on Saturday, one day after promoting a yellow star patch like those worn by Jews in Nazi-era Germany, labeled 'not vaccinated’.&nbsp;

It was the latest skirmish in the culture war surrounding Covid vaccination in the United States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country in the pandemic.&nbsp;

Iconic American hatmaker Stetson said on Saturday, it would no longer do business with the Nashville shop HatWRKS, which was excoriated on social media and targeted by protesters.&nbsp;

On Friday, HatWRKS shared on its Instagram account a now-deleted photo announcing the arrival of the $5 patches. It showed a woman, reportedly the business owner, wearing a yellow Star of David with the message ‘not vaccinated' on her black T-shirt.&nbsp;

"Your Nazi star badges are perhaps the most offensive, anti-Semitic thing I've ever seen," one user posted on the business's Facebook page, summing up the social media outcry in response to the post, while others used the hashtag #HATEWORKS.&nbsp;

Local media showed a few dozen protesters outside the shop on Saturday, including some who held up a banner declaring "No Nazis in Nashville!"&nbsp;

And Stetson, known for its Western hats, said on Saturday that "as a result of the offensive content and opinions shared, Stetson and our distribution partners will cease the sale of all Stetson products to HatWRKS in Nashville."&nbsp;

The business, which regularly posted content on social media expressing views against coronavirus restrictions and Democratic President Joe Biden, replaced its controversial post with another one addressing its critics.&nbsp;

"People are so outraged by my post? But are you outraged with the tyranny the world is experiencing?" it said. "If you don't understand what is happening, that is on you, not me."&nbsp;

The HatWRKS controversy came the same week that Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly equated Covid mask mandates with Nazis forcing Jews to wear yellow stars.&nbsp;

"Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star," the freshman Republican from Georgia tweeted about a business making its employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus wear a vaccination logo on their name badge.&nbsp;

She was sharply criticised by leaders of both political parties.&nbsp;

Biden on Friday deplored recent anti-Semitic attacks in the United States, saying in a statement: "We cannot allow the toxic combination of hatred, dangerous lies, and conspiracy theories to put our fellow Americans at risk."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A hat shop in the US state of Tennessee was hit with backlash on Saturday, one day after promoting a yellow star patch like those worn by Jews in Nazi-era Germany, labeled 'not vaccinated’.

A hat shop in the US state of Tennessee was hit with backlash on Saturday, one day after promoting a yellow star patch like those worn by Jews in Nazi-era Germany, labeled 'not vaccinated’. It was the latest skirmish in the culture war surrounding Covid vaccination in the United States, which has suffered the highest death toll of any country in the pandemic. Iconic American hatmaker Stetson said on Saturday, it would no longer do business with the Nashville shop HatWRKS, which was excoriated on social media and targeted by protesters. On Friday, HatWRKS shared on its Instagram account a now-deleted photo announcing the arrival of the $5 patches. It showed a woman, reportedly the business owner, wearing a yellow Star of David with the message ‘not vaccinated' on her black T-shirt. "Your Nazi star badges are perhaps the most offensive, anti-Semitic thing I've ever seen," one user posted on the business's Facebook page, summing up the social media outcry in response to the post, while others used the hashtag #HATEWORKS. Local media showed a few dozen protesters outside the shop on Saturday, including some who held up a banner declaring "No Nazis in Nashville!" And Stetson, known for its Western hats, said on Saturday that "as a result of the offensive content and opinions shared, Stetson and our distribution partners will cease the sale of all Stetson products to HatWRKS in Nashville." The business, which regularly posted content on social media expressing views against coronavirus restrictions and Democratic President Joe Biden, replaced its controversial post with another one addressing its critics. "People are so outraged by my post? But are you outraged with the tyranny the world is experiencing?" it said. "If you don't understand what is happening, that is on you, not me." The HatWRKS controversy came the same week that Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene repeatedly equated Covid mask mandates with Nazis forcing Jews to wear yellow stars. "Vaccinated employees get a vaccination logo just like the Nazi's forced Jewish people to wear a gold star," the freshman Republican from Georgia tweeted about a business making its employees who are fully vaccinated against the coronavirus wear a vaccination logo on their name badge. She was sharply criticised by leaders of both political parties. Biden on Friday deplored recent anti-Semitic attacks in the United States, saying in a statement: "We cannot allow the toxic combination of hatred, dangerous lies, and conspiracy theories to put our fellow Americans at risk." (With inputs from agencies)

Backlash against US shop selling 'yellow star' Covid badges 

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday emphasized the importance of vaccine to overcome the coronavirus pandmeic and assured the public on the availability of the vaccines. He was addressing the nation.

"I urge the citizens who have been vaccinated with the first dose to be sure that the second dose will be provided. I would like to assure that all adult citizens will be vaccinated, and the pandemic will be brought under control by providing more vaccines,” said Oli

The PM said Nepal had received more than 3.2 million vaccines through grants and one million vaccines through procurement.

Thanking the countries for extending help to Nepal in fighting the COVID-19, Oil said, “We are grateful to India, China and its Sichuan and Tibetan governments, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Finland and other friendly nations for their significant support in our fight against COVID.”

The PM said the pandemic has hit developing countries the hardest and that, "Developing countries will fall further behind as there is a shortage of life-saving medicines, including vaccines. Today, the unequal distribution of vaccines has become a topic of global debate.”

Speaking on the ongoing political developments, the Prime Minister said there haD been repeated obstacles in our efforts to ensure political stability and strengthen our democracy.&nbsp;

He noted that Nepal has been recommended for upgrading from underdeveloped to developing countries and that economic growth WAS promising before the onset of the pandemic.

"For the first time, the export trade has crossed the one trillion target, the trade deficit is declining. Employment opportunities are increasing in the country and the outflow of labor is decreasing, ”said Oli.

PM Oli said that his government's priority is to modernize and commercialize agriculture and move it forward in coordination with industry and services.

He said there are many development projects on the way for Nepal and is also planning on expansion of roads, railways, water and airways.&nbsp;

"On the basis of historical treaties, maps, facts and evidence, the remaining issues arising from the border relations with allied India will be resolved through diplomatic channels.”

Earlier in his address to the foreign media, the PM had said that his government is engaged in dialogue with India to bring back the disputed tri-junction of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani area from India's control.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday emphasized the importance of vaccine to overcome the coronavirus pandmeic and assured the public on the availability of the vaccines.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on Friday emphasized the importance of vaccine to overcome the coronavirus pandmeic and assured the public on the availability of the vaccines. He was addressing the nation. "I urge the citizens who have been vaccinated with the first dose to be sure that the second dose will be provided. I would like to assure that all adult citizens will be vaccinated, and the pandemic will be brought under control by providing more vaccines,” said Oli The PM said Nepal had received more than 3.2 million vaccines through grants and one million vaccines through procurement. Thanking the countries for extending help to Nepal in fighting the COVID-19, Oil said, “We are grateful to India, China and its Sichuan and Tibetan governments, the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, Thailand, Singapore, New Zealand, Finland and other friendly nations for their significant support in our fight against COVID.” The PM said the pandemic has hit developing countries the hardest and that, "Developing countries will fall further behind as there is a shortage of life-saving medicines, including vaccines. Today, the unequal distribution of vaccines has become a topic of global debate.” Speaking on the ongoing political developments, the Prime Minister said there haD been repeated obstacles in our efforts to ensure political stability and strengthen our democracy. He noted that Nepal has been recommended for upgrading from underdeveloped to developing countries and that economic growth WAS promising before the onset of the pandemic. "For the first time, the export trade has crossed the one trillion target, the trade deficit is declining. Employment opportunities are increasing in the country and the outflow of labor is decreasing, ”said Oli. PM Oli said that his government's priority is to modernize and commercialize agriculture and move it forward in coordination with industry and services. He said there are many development projects on the way for Nepal and is also planning on expansion of roads, railways, water and airways. "On the basis of historical treaties, maps, facts and evidence, the remaining issues arising from the border relations with allied India will be resolved through diplomatic channels.” Earlier in his address to the foreign media, the PM had said that his government is engaged in dialogue with India to bring back the disputed tri-junction of Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani area from India's control.

Nepal PM Oli assures availability of COVID-19 vaccines to public 

India on Saturday reported 173,790 fresh Covid-19 cases while 3,617 patients succumbed to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said. 
 
This is for the third time since April 13 that India has recorded less than 200,000 cases of Covid. On May 25, India has recorded 196,000&nbsp;lakh cases of Covid, and 186,364 cases on May 28. 
 
The fatalities have also remained below 4,000 for three consecutive days. 
 
India`s overall tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,77,29,247 with 22,28,724 active cases, and 3,22,512 deaths, so far. 
 
According to the Health Ministry, a total of 284,601 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 2,51,78,011 being cured from Covid till date. 
 
The Health Ministry said that a total of 20,89,02,445 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 30,62,747 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. 
 
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 34,11,19,909 samples have been tested up to May 28 for Covid-19. Of these 20,80,048 samples were tested on Friday. 
 
In the last 18 days, India has recorded over 68,000 deaths. On May 24, India crossed a grim milestone of three-lakh deaths due to the coronavirus infections, thus becoming world`s third country after the US and Brazil to cross three-lakh deaths. 
 
India registered record deaths due to Covid exactly a week back with 4,529 deaths,&nbsp;the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019. 
 
It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. 
 
After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the three lakh-mark for the first time on May 17 after touching record high of 414,188 on May 7.

India on Saturday reported 173,790 fresh Covid-19 cases while 3,617 patients succumbed to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said.

India on Saturday reported 173,790 fresh Covid-19 cases while 3,617 patients succumbed to the coronavirus in the last 24 hours, the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry said. This is for the third time since April 13 that India has recorded less than 200,000 cases of Covid. On May 25, India has recorded 196,000 lakh cases of Covid, and 186,364 cases on May 28. The fatalities have also remained below 4,000 for three consecutive days. India`s overall tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,77,29,247 with 22,28,724 active cases, and 3,22,512 deaths, so far. According to the Health Ministry, a total of 284,601 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 2,51,78,011 being cured from Covid till date. The Health Ministry said that a total of 20,89,02,445 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 30,62,747 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research, 34,11,19,909 samples have been tested up to May 28 for Covid-19. Of these 20,80,048 samples were tested on Friday. In the last 18 days, India has recorded over 68,000 deaths. On May 24, India crossed a grim milestone of three-lakh deaths due to the coronavirus infections, thus becoming world`s third country after the US and Brazil to cross three-lakh deaths. India registered record deaths due to Covid exactly a week back with 4,529 deaths, the highest number of fatalities from Covid infection in any country since the coronavirus outbreak was reported in China`s Wuhan in December 2019. It surpassed 4,468 deaths in the US on January 12, and earlier 4,211 in Brazil on April 6. After battling a brutal second wave for weeks, fresh Covid cases came down below the three lakh-mark for the first time on May 17 after touching record high of 414,188 on May 7.

With 173,790 fresh Covid cases, India reports lowest spike since April 13

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