<p>Indian state of West Bengal on Saturday announced a complete lockdown from May 16 till May 30 in order to contain spread of coronavirus in the state.</p>

<p>"We are taking some strict measures to contain the pandemic, starting Sunday 6 am till 6 pm of May 30," Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said.</p>

<p>During this period, all government and private offices, shopping complexes, malls, bars, sports complexes, pubs and beauty parlours will remain closed, he said.</p>

<p>Movement of private vehicles, taxis, buses, metro rail, suburban trains will also be disallowed during the 15- day lockdown period.</p>

<p>"Petrol pumps will remain open and essential services like milk, water, medicine, electricity, fire, law and order and media will not come under the purview of it," he added.</p>

<p>E-commerce and home delivery services will be allowed.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Indian state of West Bengal on Saturday announced a complete lockdown from May 16 till May 30 in order to contain spread of coronavirus in the state. "We are taking some strict measures to contain the pandemic, starting Sunday 6 am till 6 pm of May 30," Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said.

Indian state of West Bengal on Saturday announced a complete lockdown from May 16 till May 30 in order to contain spread of coronavirus in the state. "We are taking some strict measures to contain the pandemic, starting Sunday 6 am till 6 pm of May 30," Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay said. During this period, all government and private offices, shopping complexes, malls, bars, sports complexes, pubs and beauty parlours will remain closed, he said. Movement of private vehicles, taxis, buses, metro rail, suburban trains will also be disallowed during the 15- day lockdown period. "Petrol pumps will remain open and essential services like milk, water, medicine, electricity, fire, law and order and media will not come under the purview of it," he added. E-commerce and home delivery services will be allowed. (With inputs from agencies)

West Bengal announces complete lockdown to stop Covid spread

<p>Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard. It is being viewed as a surprise move that reflects growing concern on spread of coronavirus.</p>

<p>Japan is grappling with surge of more infectious virus strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics are due to start on July 23.</p>

<p>Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures on Sunday (May 16) under a state of emergency until May 31, Suga told a news conference, adding that this was due to a rapid increase of cases in those areas.</p>

<p>The government had originally decided on a more targetted "quasi-emergency" for five additional prefectures.</p>

<p>"We took experts' opinion into consideration," Suga said on the need for a state of emergency in the prefectures, adding that a stronger message had been needed.</p>

<p>The latest measures bring 19 of Japan's 47 prefectures, home to about 70% of the population, under curbs such as an 8 p.m. closing deadline for eateries and a ban on alcohol at most bars and restaurants.</p>

<p>The decision also came just over two months before the Olympics, postponed for a year due to the pandemic and now set to start on July 23. Suga reiterated that the Olympics could be held while ensuring the safety of both athletes and Japanese nationals, and that the government was considering measures on restricting the movements of foreign journalist."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard.

Japan on Friday declared state of emergency in three more prefectures that are hit hard by COVID-19 pandemic. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga made an announcement in this regard. It is being viewed as a surprise move that reflects growing concern on spread of coronavirus. Japan is grappling with surge of more infectious virus strain just 10 weeks before the Tokyo Olympics. The Olympics are due to start on July 23. Hokkaido, Okayama and Hiroshima will join Tokyo, Osaka and four other prefectures on Sunday (May 16) under a state of emergency until May 31, Suga told a news conference, adding that this was due to a rapid increase of cases in those areas. The government had originally decided on a more targetted "quasi-emergency" for five additional prefectures. "We took experts' opinion into consideration," Suga said on the need for a state of emergency in the prefectures, adding that a stronger message had been needed. The latest measures bring 19 of Japan's 47 prefectures, home to about 70% of the population, under curbs such as an 8 p.m. closing deadline for eateries and a ban on alcohol at most bars and restaurants. The decision also came just over two months before the Olympics, postponed for a year due to the pandemic and now set to start on July 23. Suga reiterated that the Olympics could be held while ensuring the safety of both athletes and Japanese nationals, and that the government was considering measures on restricting the movements of foreign journalist." (With inputs from agencies)

Japan widens COVID-19 emergency to three more prefectures

<p>Nepal has sent out an SOS call. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed for help through a newspaper writeup as his country witnesses a surge in COVID-19 cases. The prime minister wrote an opinion piece for a British daily and said that Nepal is being overwhelmed by Covid.</p>

<p>He said that it is in need of urgent assistance to combat the deadly second wave. Oli lost a vote of confidence on Monday. With the government in crisis, the Himalayan republic is battling a resurgent virus. The country which has a population of just 30 million was reporting around 100 cases a day last month.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-nepal-pm-sends-out-sos-call-for-second-wave-384632/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>This month, the figure is nearing the 10,000 mark. On May 1, Nepal reported more than 5,000 new cases. The figure increased to 7,000 on May 4, followed by 8,000 on May 6. On May 11, it had reached 9,000. Now,&nbsp;the country is reporting 20 cases per 100,000 people a day.</p>

<p>Nepal is on the verge of a crisis that is as devastating as India if not worse. The prime minister of Nepal has appealed for help in an opinion piece published by The Guardian. KP Sharma Oli said,&nbsp;“As I write this, my country is battling a new and brutal wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in the number of infections poses a serious challenge to our brave doctors, nurses, citizen volunteers and the entire health service system... I have, therefore, appealed to the international community to help us with vaccines, diagnostic tools, oxygen kits, critical care medicines and equipment, to support our efforts to save lives.”</p>

<p>Nepal is not ready for a second wave and the country's fragile healthcare system is already under immense pressure. According to the Oli government's COVID-19 response plan, Nepal has just 1,595 intensive care beds and 480 ventilators for 30 million people. There's also a shortage of doctors with just 0.7 physicians per 100,000 people according to World Bank data.</p>

<p>As of May 8, there were hospital bed shortages in 22 of the country's 77 districts and the vaccination rate is also abysmally low. As of last month, only 7.2 per cent of the population had received the first dose.</p>

<p>Nepal's health ministry has conceded that it is losing control of the situation. Critics blame the government for peddling unverified cures. Last month, the prime minister said the virus could be treated by gargling with guava and&nbsp;mango leaves. Earlier, he'd claimed that Nepalis had a very strong immunity because they consume a lot of spices.</p>

<p>With the wrong messaging from the top, people violated social distancing norms.</p>

<p>Many travelled to India to take part in the Kumbh Mela. This included Nepal's former King Gyanendra Shah and Queen Komal Shah who tested positive for the virus. Around the same time, thousands in Nepal celebrated festivals with placards that read “Our festival is dearer to us than our lives”.</p>

<p>Today, such is the crisis that even climbers at Everest base camp are testing positive.</p>

<p>The situation is indeed alarming and China has already sensed an opportunity.</p>

<p>Chinese planes have been flying to Kathmandu with medical assistance.</p>

<p>As the Chinese media pushes its propaganda with headlines like these - “COVID-19 epidemic shows who Nepal's good neighbour is”.</p>


Nepal has sent out an SOS call. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed for help through a newspaper writeup as his country witnesses a surge in COVID-19 cases.

Nepal has sent out an SOS call. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has appealed for help through a newspaper writeup as his country witnesses a surge in COVID-19 cases. The prime minister wrote an opinion piece for a British daily and said that Nepal is being overwhelmed by Covid. He said that it is in need of urgent assistance to combat the deadly second wave. Oli lost a vote of confidence on Monday. With the government in crisis, the Himalayan republic is battling a resurgent virus. The country which has a population of just 30 million was reporting around 100 cases a day last month. This month, the figure is nearing the 10,000 mark. On May 1, Nepal reported more than 5,000 new cases. The figure increased to 7,000 on May 4, followed by 8,000 on May 6. On May 11, it had reached 9,000. Now, the country is reporting 20 cases per 100,000 people a day. Nepal is on the verge of a crisis that is as devastating as India if not worse. The prime minister of Nepal has appealed for help in an opinion piece published by The Guardian. KP Sharma Oli said, “As I write this, my country is battling a new and brutal wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rise in the number of infections poses a serious challenge to our brave doctors, nurses, citizen volunteers and the entire health service system... I have, therefore, appealed to the international community to help us with vaccines, diagnostic tools, oxygen kits, critical care medicines and equipment, to support our efforts to save lives.” Nepal is not ready for a second wave and the country's fragile healthcare system is already under immense pressure. According to the Oli government's COVID-19 response plan, Nepal has just 1,595 intensive care beds and 480 ventilators for 30 million people. There's also a shortage of doctors with just 0.7 physicians per 100,000 people according to World Bank data. As of May 8, there were hospital bed shortages in 22 of the country's 77 districts and the vaccination rate is also abysmally low. As of last month, only 7.2 per cent of the population had received the first dose. Nepal's health ministry has conceded that it is losing control of the situation. Critics blame the government for peddling unverified cures. Last month, the prime minister said the virus could be treated by gargling with guava and mango leaves. Earlier, he'd claimed that Nepalis had a very strong immunity because they consume a lot of spices. With the wrong messaging from the top, people violated social distancing norms. Many travelled to India to take part in the Kumbh Mela. This included Nepal's former King Gyanendra Shah and Queen Komal Shah who tested positive for the virus. Around the same time, thousands in Nepal celebrated festivals with placards that read “Our festival is dearer to us than our lives”. Today, such is the crisis that even climbers at Everest base camp are testing positive. The situation is indeed alarming and China has already sensed an opportunity. Chinese planes have been flying to Kathmandu with medical assistance. As the Chinese media pushes its propaganda with headlines like these - “COVID-19 epidemic shows who Nepal's good neighbour is”.

China senses opportunity in Nepal's devastating COVID-19 wave

<p>Two men were arrested in separate incidents for allegedly duping people on the pretext of supplying oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients in the national capital, police said.</p>

<p>In the first case, Dheeraj Kumar Jangid (22) was arrested from his native place in Rajasthan fo duping people on the pretext of providing them oxygen cylinders.</p>

<p>To make easy money, he took advantage of the scarcity of oxygen cylinders in Delhi and planned to cheat those in need, they said.</p>

<p>With his arrest, two mobile phones were seized from his possession, police said.</p>

<p>The probe was initiated after a woman approached the police with her complaint on March 28 at Govindpuri police station and said that her mother was suffering from COVID-19. As her condition deteriorated, there was a need for oxygen cylinders.</p>

<p>According to the complainant, she came across an advertisement on social media for sale and delivery of oxygen cylinders. When she contacted the given number, she was asked by the accused to transfer Rs 13,000 in advance for two oxygen cylinders. After she made the payment, the delivery was not made in time, and when she called him repeatedly, she was blocked and her money was not refunded.</p>

<p>Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) R P Meena said that based on electronic surveillance and analysis of Call Detail Records of the suspected persons, the police team obtained details of the account where the money was being transferred.</p>

<p>Later, the account holder was identified as Dheeraj Jangid, a resident of Sikar, Rajasthan. The team raided his native place and subsequently arrested him, he said.</p>

<p>The bank account of the accused was frozen, he added.</p>

<p>In the second case, a man identified as Manish Seth (52), a resident of Rohini, who works at a medicare company in Gurgaon was arrested by a team of Dwarka South police station after one of his victims approached the police with a complaint on May 8.</p>

<p>Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Santosh Kumar Meena said that on the basis of technical surveillance of the accused, a raid was conducted at sector-9, Rohini and he was arrested.</p>

<p>The used SIM and mobile number containing the chats and payments proof were seized, he said.&nbsp;</p>


Two men were arrested in separate incidents for allegedly duping people on the pretext of supplying oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients in the national capital, police said.

Two men were arrested in separate incidents for allegedly duping people on the pretext of supplying oxygen cylinders for COVID-19 patients in the national capital, police said. In the first case, Dheeraj Kumar Jangid (22) was arrested from his native place in Rajasthan fo duping people on the pretext of providing them oxygen cylinders. To make easy money, he took advantage of the scarcity of oxygen cylinders in Delhi and planned to cheat those in need, they said. With his arrest, two mobile phones were seized from his possession, police said. The probe was initiated after a woman approached the police with her complaint on March 28 at Govindpuri police station and said that her mother was suffering from COVID-19. As her condition deteriorated, there was a need for oxygen cylinders. According to the complainant, she came across an advertisement on social media for sale and delivery of oxygen cylinders. When she contacted the given number, she was asked by the accused to transfer Rs 13,000 in advance for two oxygen cylinders. After she made the payment, the delivery was not made in time, and when she called him repeatedly, she was blocked and her money was not refunded. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southeast) R P Meena said that based on electronic surveillance and analysis of Call Detail Records of the suspected persons, the police team obtained details of the account where the money was being transferred. Later, the account holder was identified as Dheeraj Jangid, a resident of Sikar, Rajasthan. The team raided his native place and subsequently arrested him, he said. The bank account of the accused was frozen, he added. In the second case, a man identified as Manish Seth (52), a resident of Rohini, who works at a medicare company in Gurgaon was arrested by a team of Dwarka South police station after one of his victims approached the police with a complaint on May 8. Deputy Commissioner of Police (Dwarka) Santosh Kumar Meena said that on the basis of technical surveillance of the accused, a raid was conducted at sector-9, Rohini and he was arrested. The used SIM and mobile number containing the chats and payments proof were seized, he said.

India: Two held in separate cases for duping people on pretext of supplying Oxygen cylinders

<p>Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador. The NGO, Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust sent first tranche of relief material that included Wheat, Sugar, oil and other food materials. This will be helpful to 4000 Afghan refuge families in the city amid the Covid pandemic.</p>

<p>Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Mamundzay said that he was "grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The envoy even posted a tweet in this regard</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Afghan refugees living in New Delhi are among one of the worst affected groups in India due to recent covid surge. Life was already a struggle for many of the 20,000 Afghans &amp; pandemic has made their survival even more precarious. We have taken a number of initiatives aiming 1/2 <a href="https://t.co/j0wGL9Wdmp">pic.twitter.com/j0wGL9Wdmp</a></p>
— Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) <a href="https://twitter.com/FMamundzay/status/1389119774303522823?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The envoy also paid homage to India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra.</p>

<p>Kalra passed away due to Covid.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Afghan ambassador said CG Kalra was a "patriot, a very noble diplomat" who represented "India with great passion."</p>

<p>Here is the interaction between Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and WION's Sidhant Sibbal</p>

<p><strong>WION: Your reaction to the outreach by Indian Sikh NGO for the Afghan refugees by providing them relief amid the Covid crisis?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ambassador Farid Mamundzay</strong>: Afghan Refugees have received support from Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust in Amritsar. It came at a time when this community was suffering from the crisis as a result of the pandemic. They required food, medical and relief assistance. Dr Oberoi (Managing Trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust), came forward fulfilling our request. He said he would help us with the required food supply, required medical and humanitarian assistance. The relief provided to the refugees on a day before Eid brought joy to them. They will receive the support will be there for 3 months. We are grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: What is the situation in Afghanistan when it comes to Covid?</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ambassador Farid Mamundzay</strong>: We are seeing a surge in covid cases across the country in major cities like Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif but it is by no comparison what we have in India, thankfully. We hope that we would learn from the first surge in Afghanistan and we would be able to manage the crisis to the limit possible. So far there have been many cases that have recovered in recent days. [There have been] a number of deaths across the country and we are looking at all possible options to see if we can minimize the infection rate and deal with this deadly variant.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WION: India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra passed away due to Covid. The Afghan foreign ministry issued a statement paying tributes to him.</strong></p>

<p><strong>Ambassador Farid Mamundzay:</strong> CG Kalra was a patriot, a very noble diplomat who served with great dignity in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in the province of Balkh. He represented India with great passion. He helped deepen the ties between our countries. He would be dearly missed, we lost a great friend but since Covid knows no border, no caste, no religion. This has a negative impact on everybody and sadly we lost a beautiful soul.</p>


Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador.

Afghanistan Ambassador Farid Mamundzay expressed his gratitude for Sikh Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) which provided food material to Afghan refugees in New Delhi after a call from the ambassador. The NGO, Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust sent first tranche of relief material that included Wheat, Sugar, oil and other food materials. This will be helpful to 4000 Afghan refuge families in the city amid the Covid pandemic. Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent, Sidhant Sibal, Envoy Mamundzay said that he was "grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere.". The envoy even posted a tweet in this regard Afghan refugees living in New Delhi are among one of the worst affected groups in India due to recent covid surge. Life was already a struggle for many of the 20,000 Afghans & pandemic has made their survival even more precarious. We have taken a number of initiatives aiming 1/2 pic.twitter.com/j0wGL9Wdmp — Farid Mamundzay फरीद मामुन्दजई فرید ماموندزی (@FMamundzay) May 3, 2021 × The envoy also paid homage to India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra. Kalra passed away due to Covid. Afghan ambassador said CG Kalra was a "patriot, a very noble diplomat" who represented "India with great passion." Here is the interaction between Ambassador Farid Mamundzay and WION's Sidhant Sibbal WION: Your reaction to the outreach by Indian Sikh NGO for the Afghan refugees by providing them relief amid the Covid crisis? Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: Afghan Refugees have received support from Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust in Amritsar. It came at a time when this community was suffering from the crisis as a result of the pandemic. They required food, medical and relief assistance. Dr Oberoi (Managing Trustee of Sarbat Da Bhala Charitable Trust), came forward fulfilling our request. He said he would help us with the required food supply, required medical and humanitarian assistance. The relief provided to the refugees on a day before Eid brought joy to them. They will receive the support will be there for 3 months. We are grateful for the support provided by the host community, the Indian community, both in New Delhi and elsewhere. WION: What is the situation in Afghanistan when it comes to Covid? Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: We are seeing a surge in covid cases across the country in major cities like Jalalabad, Kabul, Kandahar, Mazar-e-Sharif but it is by no comparison what we have in India, thankfully. We hope that we would learn from the first surge in Afghanistan and we would be able to manage the crisis to the limit possible. So far there have been many cases that have recovered in recent days. [There have been] a number of deaths across the country and we are looking at all possible options to see if we can minimize the infection rate and deal with this deadly variant. WION: India's Consul General in Afghan city Mazar-e-Sharif Vinesh Kalra passed away due to Covid. The Afghan foreign ministry issued a statement paying tributes to him. Ambassador Farid Mamundzay: CG Kalra was a patriot, a very noble diplomat who served with great dignity in the city of Mazar-e-Sharif in the province of Balkh. He represented India with great passion. He helped deepen the ties between our countries. He would be dearly missed, we lost a great friend but since Covid knows no border, no caste, no religion. This has a negative impact on everybody and sadly we lost a beautiful soul.

Afghanistan envoy to India thanks Sikh NGO for providing relief to Afghan refugees

<p>The&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;on Wednesday banned&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;from across&nbsp;South&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;in a bid to contain surging <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> infections despite having one of the world's most successful vaccination roll-outs.</p>

<p>Sri Lanka and other countries in the region have also imposed travel restrictions as they battle a new wave of the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;that has hit India and its neighbours.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/sri-lanka-bans-travellers-from-india-with-immediate-effect-383172">Sri Lanka bans travellers from India with immediate effect</a></strong></p>

<p>The&nbsp;Maldives, whose economy relies on tourists visiting its pristine atolls, has suffered a more than 15-fold increase in daily infections in the past week.</p>

<p>The Indian Ocean nation, which halted international flights for more than three months last year, saw a record single-day rise of 1,500&nbsp;cases&nbsp;on Tuesday, compared with less than 100 just one month ago.</p>

<p>Authorities said tourist arrivals from the key Indian market and other&nbsp;South&nbsp;Asian countries would stop from Thursday. They have already banned the entry of foreign labourers from around&nbsp;South&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;except for health workers.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-19-influx-of-tourists-lead-to-high-infection-rate-in-maldives-383961/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>"These restrictions apply to&nbsp;travellers&nbsp;originating from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka,"&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;Immigration said in a statement.</p>

<p>Anyone who has only transited through&nbsp;South&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;would also be included, it added.</p>

<p>Indians have been the largest single group of visitors to the&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;this year. Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt and her partner Ranbir Kapoor are among celebrities to have been pictured using the country as an escape from the pandemic.</p>

<p>Travellers&nbsp;from other countries are still permitted to travel to the&nbsp;Maldives&nbsp;with a negative coronavirus test but are not allowed to have contact with the local population.</p>

<p>A curfew from 9 pm to 4 am has been extended to start at 4 pm as part of measures to counter the&nbsp;virus.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maldives-imposes-night-curfew-after-steep-jump-in-covid-19-infections-383421">Maldives imposes night curfew after steep jump in COVID-19 infections</a></strong></p>

<p>Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also announced a night curfew until the end of the month and ordered a three-day shutdown from Friday as part of its anti-virus&nbsp;campaign.</p>

<p>People have been banned from travelling outside of their home provinces after medical experts warned Sri Lanka's healthcare system could collapse unless immediate lockdown measures were implemented.</p>

<p>About 60 per cent of the&nbsp;Maldives' resident population of 515,000 has received a shot, one of the world's highest figures, but less than a quarter have had two injections, a top UN official said.</p>

<p>But the UN Resident Coordinator in the&nbsp;Maldives, Catherine Haswell, told AFP that more than half the population aged between 18 and 29 were yet to receive the first jab.</p>

<p>"At least 80 to 90 percent of the population needs to vaccinated with both doses to reach herd immunity," Haswell said.</p>


The Maldives on Wednesday banned travellers from across South Asia in a bid to contain surging COVID-19 infections despite having one of the world's most successful vaccination roll-outs.

The Maldives on Wednesday banned travellers from across South Asia in a bid to contain surging COVID-19 infections despite having one of the world's most successful vaccination roll-outs. Sri Lanka and other countries in the region have also imposed travel restrictions as they battle a new wave of the virus that has hit India and its neighbours. Also read | Sri Lanka bans travellers from India with immediate effect The Maldives, whose economy relies on tourists visiting its pristine atolls, has suffered a more than 15-fold increase in daily infections in the past week. The Indian Ocean nation, which halted international flights for more than three months last year, saw a record single-day rise of 1,500 cases on Tuesday, compared with less than 100 just one month ago. Authorities said tourist arrivals from the key Indian market and other South Asian countries would stop from Thursday. They have already banned the entry of foreign labourers from around South Asia except for health workers. "These restrictions apply to travellers originating from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka," Maldives Immigration said in a statement. Anyone who has only transited through South Asia would also be included, it added. Indians have been the largest single group of visitors to the Maldives this year. Bollywood stars such as Alia Bhatt and her partner Ranbir Kapoor are among celebrities to have been pictured using the country as an escape from the pandemic. Travellers from other countries are still permitted to travel to the Maldives with a negative coronavirus test but are not allowed to have contact with the local population. A curfew from 9 pm to 4 am has been extended to start at 4 pm as part of measures to counter the virus. Also read | Maldives imposes night curfew after steep jump in COVID-19 infections Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also announced a night curfew until the end of the month and ordered a three-day shutdown from Friday as part of its anti-virus campaign. People have been banned from travelling outside of their home provinces after medical experts warned Sri Lanka's healthcare system could collapse unless immediate lockdown measures were implemented. About 60 per cent of the Maldives' resident population of 515,000 has received a shot, one of the world's highest figures, but less than a quarter have had two injections, a top UN official said. But the UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, Catherine Haswell, told AFP that more than half the population aged between 18 and 29 were yet to receive the first jab. "At least 80 to 90 percent of the population needs to vaccinated with both doses to reach herd immunity," Haswell said.

Maldives bans South Asia travellers as virus cases soar

The coronavirus cases in India has witnessed a radical dip since the beginning of this week. The nation recorded 329, 942 new Covid-19 cases and registered 3,876 deaths in last 24 hours. The crisis of acute oxygen shortage in national capital also stalled as India is receiving global aid to fulfill the demand of the hospitals.

India records 329,942 new COVID-19 cases, 3,876 deaths in last 24 hours

<p>Antibodies against coronavirus remained in the blood of patients with COVID-19 for at least eight months after they were infected, Italian researchers said on Tuesday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They were present "regardless of the severity of the illness, the age of the patients or the presence of other pathologies," according to a statement from the San Raffaele hospital in Milan.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The researchers, working with Italy's ISS national health institute, studied 162 patients with symptomatic coronavirus who turned up at the emergency room during the country's first wave of infections last year.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Blood samples were taken in March and April and again at the end of November from those who survived. Some 29 patients died.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The presence of neutralising antibodies, while reducing over time, was very persistent, eight months after diagnosis, there were only three patients, who no longer showed positivity to the test," said the statement, issued jointly with the ISS.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The study, published in the Nature Communications scientific journal, also emphasised the importance of the development of antibodies in recovering from coronavirus.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Those, who failed to produce them within the first 15 days of infection are at greater risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19," it said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two thirds of the patients surveyed were men, and the average age was 63. Some 57 per cent of them had a pre-existing pathology, notably hypertension and diabetes.&nbsp;</p>


Antibodies against coronavirus remained in the blood of patients with COVID-19 for at least eight months after they were infected, Italian researchers said on Tuesday.

Antibodies against coronavirus remained in the blood of patients with COVID-19 for at least eight months after they were infected, Italian researchers said on Tuesday. They were present "regardless of the severity of the illness, the age of the patients or the presence of other pathologies," according to a statement from the San Raffaele hospital in Milan. The researchers, working with Italy's ISS national health institute, studied 162 patients with symptomatic coronavirus who turned up at the emergency room during the country's first wave of infections last year. Blood samples were taken in March and April and again at the end of November from those who survived. Some 29 patients died. "The presence of neutralising antibodies, while reducing over time, was very persistent, eight months after diagnosis, there were only three patients, who no longer showed positivity to the test," said the statement, issued jointly with the ISS. The study, published in the Nature Communications scientific journal, also emphasised the importance of the development of antibodies in recovering from coronavirus. "Those, who failed to produce them within the first 15 days of infection are at greater risk of developing severe forms of COVID-19," it said. Two thirds of the patients surveyed were men, and the average age was 63. Some 57 per cent of them had a pre-existing pathology, notably hypertension and diabetes.

Covid antibodies last 8 months after infection: Study 

<p>China, the home country of the Wuhan virus, is trying to leverage the crisis in India. It called a meeting of South Asian foreign ministers and extended a last-minute invitation to India.</p>

<p>India did not attend but China's intentions were clear. With India firefighting at home, China wanted to step into India's role as the chief vaccine supplier to the region.</p>

<p>China has been trying to do that while promising more doses to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka.</p>

<p>And that's not all, China has also sent aid to India. Something that India did not ask for.</p>

<p>Oxygen concentrators, ventilators and medical supplies have come from China via the Red Cross.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-chinese-military-probed-weaponising-coronaviruses-384177/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The motive is not lost on anyone. This is not aid. This is China trying to portray itself as the saviour after unleashing a pandemic on the world. Beijing may want the world to forget about its cover-up. But the past keeps catching up with them.</p>

<p>This time it comes in the form of a book.</p>

<p>A book that reveals what China wanted to do with coronaviruses. The Chinese military was studying if these viruses can be used as a weapon in the future. This was five years before the pandemic began.</p>

<p>Chinese military scientists wrote a paper. It predicted a third world war or more specifically, a war where viruses will serve as a bio-weapon. This report was published by The Australian. The journalist behind it has written a book on the origins of the pandemic.</p>

<p><strong>Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/taiwan-fights-to-attend-who-meeting-as-china-denies-entry-384144">Taiwan fights to attend WHO meeting as China denies entry</a></strong></p>

<p>This report is a teaser for the book. It only talks about the paper written by Chinese military scientists.</p>

<p>Scientists from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and senior public health officials wrote the paper. It said SARS coronaviruses are "heralding a new era of genetic weapons". Weapons&nbsp;that can be artificially manipulated into a virus and later weaponised and unleashed in a way "Never seen before".</p>

<p>This was written five years ago.</p>

<p>Chinese military predicting how coronaviruses can be used as weapons,&nbsp;this&nbsp;can normally be termed as mere scientific observations. But considering it's the Chinese army, things assume different dimensions.</p>

<p>For the US, these revelations were deeply disturbing. They found this document while investigating the origins of the virus. Even lawmakers in the UK and Australia are concerned.</p>

<p>The chairmen of the British and Australian foreign affairs and intelligence committees have issued a statement. They say that the Chinese paper raises major concerns about Beijing's lack of transparency over the origins of the Wuhan virus. These claims have essentially revived all the theories around the Wuhan lab and the claim that the virus has leaked from a laboratory.</p>

<p>This paper itself makes no mention of Covid-19 or the Wuhan virus. It talks about coronaviruses in general, the large family of viruses ranging from common cold to SARS. The Wuhan virus is part of this family of viruses. So far, there is no clear evidence that conclusively proves that the Wuhan virus leaked from a lab accidentally or intentionally.</p>

<p>However, Dr Tedros, chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) hasn't dismissed this theory. He wants more investigation into this angle. Even with his compromised credentials, he has not been able to dismiss the lab theory.</p>

<p>So here's a question, was China thinking about building a coronavirus weapon? Experts remain suspicious about Beijing's intentions, and this is the reason why.&nbsp;They are concerned about the high-risk nature of Chinese research into coronaviruses.&nbsp;Especially the studies being conducted by scientists in Wuhan.</p>

<p>The infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology was allegedly conducting a "Gain of function" research. In this research, scientists create new viruses that could be more transmissible and lethal. So they were creating new variants that spread and killed faster.</p>

<p>Peter Jennings, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, has raised a red flag. He believes that under President Xi Jinping, there is a growing collaboration between civilian researchers and the military, a collaboration that could potentially lead to weaponisation of biological research. A collaboration that the Wuhan lab was allegedly conducting.</p>

<p>What does China have to say about these latest revelations?</p>

<p>Beijing deployed the Global Times to respond. It called this report an attempt to twist facts. China continues to deny reports, browbeat critics and whitewash evidence. But the lab theory is not going away. Every new claim, every new revelation, only adds more fuel to the fire.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It keeps bringing us back to the same question. What is China trying to hide about the origins of this pandemic?</p>


China, the home country of the Wuhan virus, is trying to leverage the crisis in India. It called a meeting of South Asian foreign ministers and extended a last-minute invitation to India.

China, the home country of the Wuhan virus, is trying to leverage the crisis in India. It called a meeting of South Asian foreign ministers and extended a last-minute invitation to India. India did not attend but China's intentions were clear. With India firefighting at home, China wanted to step into India's role as the chief vaccine supplier to the region. China has been trying to do that while promising more doses to Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka. And that's not all, China has also sent aid to India. Something that India did not ask for. Oxygen concentrators, ventilators and medical supplies have come from China via the Red Cross. × The motive is not lost on anyone. This is not aid. This is China trying to portray itself as the saviour after unleashing a pandemic on the world. Beijing may want the world to forget about its cover-up. But the past keeps catching up with them. This time it comes in the form of a book. A book that reveals what China wanted to do with coronaviruses. The Chinese military was studying if these viruses can be used as a weapon in the future. This was five years before the pandemic began. Chinese military scientists wrote a paper. It predicted a third world war or more specifically, a war where viruses will serve as a bio-weapon. This report was published by The Australian. The journalist behind it has written a book on the origins of the pandemic. Also Read | Taiwan fights to attend WHO meeting as China denies entry This report is a teaser for the book. It only talks about the paper written by Chinese military scientists. Scientists from the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and senior public health officials wrote the paper. It said SARS coronaviruses are "heralding a new era of genetic weapons". Weapons that can be artificially manipulated into a virus and later weaponised and unleashed in a way "Never seen before". This was written five years ago. Chinese military predicting how coronaviruses can be used as weapons, this can normally be termed as mere scientific observations. But considering it's the Chinese army, things assume different dimensions. For the US, these revelations were deeply disturbing. They found this document while investigating the origins of the virus. Even lawmakers in the UK and Australia are concerned. The chairmen of the British and Australian foreign affairs and intelligence committees have issued a statement. They say that the Chinese paper raises major concerns about Beijing's lack of transparency over the origins of the Wuhan virus. These claims have essentially revived all the theories around the Wuhan lab and the claim that the virus has leaked from a laboratory. This paper itself makes no mention of Covid-19 or the Wuhan virus. It talks about coronaviruses in general, the large family of viruses ranging from common cold to SARS. The Wuhan virus is part of this family of viruses. So far, there is no clear evidence that conclusively proves that the Wuhan virus leaked from a lab accidentally or intentionally. However, Dr Tedros, chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) hasn't dismissed this theory. He wants more investigation into this angle. Even with his compromised credentials, he has not been able to dismiss the lab theory. So here's a question, was China thinking about building a coronavirus weapon? Experts remain suspicious about Beijing's intentions, and this is the reason why. They are concerned about the high-risk nature of Chinese research into coronaviruses. Especially the studies being conducted by scientists in Wuhan. The infamous Wuhan Institute of Virology was allegedly conducting a "Gain of function" research. In this research, scientists create new viruses that could be more transmissible and lethal. So they were creating new variants that spread and killed faster. Peter Jennings, Executive Director of the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, has raised a red flag. He believes that under President Xi Jinping, there is a growing collaboration between civilian researchers and the military, a collaboration that could potentially lead to weaponisation of biological research. A collaboration that the Wuhan lab was allegedly conducting. What does China have to say about these latest revelations? Beijing deployed the Global Times to respond. It called this report an attempt to twist facts. China continues to deny reports, browbeat critics and whitewash evidence. But the lab theory is not going away. Every new claim, every new revelation, only adds more fuel to the fire. It keeps bringing us back to the same question. What is China trying to hide about the origins of this pandemic?

China's past on coronavirus comes back to haunt it

<p>Vaccine maker AstraZeneca is suffering one setback after another. The world was betting big on AstraZeneca last year before the global vaccine rollout.</p>

<p>But now, one of its biggest buyers is dumping AstraZeneca vaccines. The European Union (EU) will not buy more vaccines from AstraZeneca beyond June.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-european-union-ditches-astrazeneca-384176/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was a troubled relationship from the word go. But now, it is edging closer to a break-up. The EU is turning away from AstraZeneca Wuhan virus vaccine. It has placed orders till June and not beyond.</p>

<p>Europe will not renew the deal with AstraZeneca.</p>

<p>"Who could have known last Autumn which vaccine would work or not? I think it was a good policy to buy as many vaccines with all the solutions possible, which most other countries and world powers have done. We had to buy mRNA, Adenovirus, protein subunit so we got everything that was available because no one knew what would work. We now have feedback," said Emmanuel Macron, president of France.</p>

<p>"We use this vaccine in France and in Europe, and we must continue to do so because it will help us get out of this crisis. But to combat the variants, on future orders, we see that other vaccines are more efficient. So this shows European pragmatism which I am proud of."</p>

<p>The French president is talking about Pfizer. The EU recently struck a new deal to buy more than one billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine.</p>

<p>When the pandemic began, the EU was betting on the AstraZeneca shot to vaccinate more than 400 million citizens. But now it has switched to Pfizer. Needless to say, that's bad news for AstraZeneca.</p>

<p>And only the latest in a string of setbacks, Denmark has already stopped using the shot after some patients developed rare blood clots.</p>

<p>Since then, Europeans have either limited the use of this vaccine or stopped administering it altogether. Sweden donated its stockpile of one million AstraZeneca vaccines to Covax. It is the WHO programme for equitable global access for vaccines.</p>

<p>For AstraZeneca, the final blow came from Norway.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Oslo too has suspended the use of this vaccine. But well before the cases of blood clots emerged, AstraZeneca and the European Union engaged in a public spat.</p>

<p>The European leadership blamed the company for its slow vaccine rollout. It claimed that in the first three months of 2021, AstraZeneca delivered just 30 million shots out of the promised 90 million.</p>

<p>In the second quarter, AstraZeneca could deliver only 70 million out of the promised 180 million doses. The tussle ultimately led to a raid by the Italian police on an AstraZeneca facility outside Rome. The EU followed this up with a lawsuit against the company.</p>

<p>What has happened in Europe could be the beginning of a storm for AstraZeneca. The UK has tweaked its advisory. British experts now say the shot shouldn't be given to people under 40 years of age. Canada too has limited the use of the shot.</p>

<p>Last week an expert panel said that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should be the go-to choice for Canada. When the AstraZeneca jab was rolled out,&nbsp;it was one of the world's most promising shots because of its high efficacy and low prices.</p>

<p>Six months on, it is not the West's favourite shot. Blame it on pharma wars.</p>

<p>Or rich countries being spoilt for choice.</p>


Vaccine maker AstraZeneca is suffering one setback after another. The world was betting big on AstraZeneca last year before the global vaccine rollout. But now, one of its biggest buyers is dumping AstraZeneca vaccines.

Vaccine maker AstraZeneca is suffering one setback after another. The world was betting big on AstraZeneca last year before the global vaccine rollout. But now, one of its biggest buyers is dumping AstraZeneca vaccines. The European Union (EU) will not buy more vaccines from AstraZeneca beyond June. × It was a troubled relationship from the word go. But now, it is edging closer to a break-up. The EU is turning away from AstraZeneca Wuhan virus vaccine. It has placed orders till June and not beyond. Europe will not renew the deal with AstraZeneca. "Who could have known last Autumn which vaccine would work or not? I think it was a good policy to buy as many vaccines with all the solutions possible, which most other countries and world powers have done. We had to buy mRNA, Adenovirus, protein subunit so we got everything that was available because no one knew what would work. We now have feedback," said Emmanuel Macron, president of France. "We use this vaccine in France and in Europe, and we must continue to do so because it will help us get out of this crisis. But to combat the variants, on future orders, we see that other vaccines are more efficient. So this shows European pragmatism which I am proud of." The French president is talking about Pfizer. The EU recently struck a new deal to buy more than one billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine. When the pandemic began, the EU was betting on the AstraZeneca shot to vaccinate more than 400 million citizens. But now it has switched to Pfizer. Needless to say, that's bad news for AstraZeneca. And only the latest in a string of setbacks, Denmark has already stopped using the shot after some patients developed rare blood clots. Since then, Europeans have either limited the use of this vaccine or stopped administering it altogether. Sweden donated its stockpile of one million AstraZeneca vaccines to Covax. It is the WHO programme for equitable global access for vaccines. For AstraZeneca, the final blow came from Norway. Oslo too has suspended the use of this vaccine. But well before the cases of blood clots emerged, AstraZeneca and the European Union engaged in a public spat. The European leadership blamed the company for its slow vaccine rollout. It claimed that in the first three months of 2021, AstraZeneca delivered just 30 million shots out of the promised 90 million. In the second quarter, AstraZeneca could deliver only 70 million out of the promised 180 million doses. The tussle ultimately led to a raid by the Italian police on an AstraZeneca facility outside Rome. The EU followed this up with a lawsuit against the company. What has happened in Europe could be the beginning of a storm for AstraZeneca. The UK has tweaked its advisory. British experts now say the shot shouldn't be given to people under 40 years of age. Canada too has limited the use of the shot. Last week an expert panel said that Pfizer and Moderna vaccines should be the go-to choice for Canada. When the AstraZeneca jab was rolled out, it was one of the world's most promising shots because of its high efficacy and low prices. Six months on, it is not the West's favourite shot. Blame it on pharma wars. Or rich countries being spoilt for choice.

AstraZeneca Covid vaccine is no longer West's favourite jab

With infections now spreading to rural areas, a recovery is expected to take longer, the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) said.

Indian auto dealers predict slow recovery as COVID prevails

The B.1.617 variant contains mutations from two separate virus variants, namely E484Q and L452R. The double mutant strain was found in samples of saliva collected from Maharashtra, Punjab, and Delhi.

'Double mutant strain in India resistant to antibodies', says WHO Chief scientist

<p>Huma Qureshi will next be seen in Hollywood flick ‘Army of the Dead’ with famed director Zack Snyder. She has now joined hands with an organisation for COVID-19 relief work in Delhi and with the help of Zack, contributing towards establishing a “temporary hospital facility” to bring relief to those suffering from the disease.</p>

<p>Huma took to social media to make the announcement. She said, "I’ve joined hands with @savethechildren_india to help Delhi fight the pandemic. They need our help now more than ever. We are working to build a temporary hospital facility in Delhi, that will have 100 beds along with an oxygen plant.”</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/tv/COsarpHDcR3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/COsarpHDcR3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/COsarpHDcR3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/COsarpHDcR3/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Huma S Qureshi (@iamhumaq)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>She added, “The project also aims to provide medical kits to patients for treatment at home, that will include consultation with a doctor &amp; psychosocial therapist to ensure that the patient make a full recovery. Take the pledge with me, help breath life back into Delhi.”</p>


Huma Qureshi will next be seen in Hollywood flick ‘Army of the Dead’ with famed director Zack Snyder. She has now joined hands with an organisation for COVID-19 relief work in Delhi and with the help of Zack, contributing towards establishing a “temporary hospital facility” to bring relief to those suffering from the disease.

Huma Qureshi will next be seen in Hollywood flick ‘Army of the Dead’ with famed director Zack Snyder. She has now joined hands with an organisation for COVID-19 relief work in Delhi and with the help of Zack, contributing towards establishing a “temporary hospital facility” to bring relief to those suffering from the disease. Huma took to social media to make the announcement. She said, "I’ve joined hands with @savethechildren_india to help Delhi fight the pandemic. They need our help now more than ever. We are working to build a temporary hospital facility in Delhi, that will have 100 beds along with an oxygen plant.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Huma S Qureshi (@iamhumaq) × She added, “The project also aims to provide medical kits to patients for treatment at home, that will include consultation with a doctor & psychosocial therapist to ensure that the patient make a full recovery. Take the pledge with me, help breath life back into Delhi.”

Huma Qureshi, Zack Snyder build temporary hospital facility to fight COVID-19

<p>Non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients have a low risk of serious long-term effects, but they report more visits to general practitioners following infection, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"The absolute risk of severe post-acute complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection not requiring hospital admission is low. However, increases in visits to general practitioners and outpatient hospital visits could indicate COVID-19 sequelae," the study found.&nbsp;</p>

<p>It was a population-based cohort study using the Danish prescription, patient and health insurance registries.&nbsp;</p>


Non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients have a low risk of serious long-term effects, but they report more visits to general practitioners following infection, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

Non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients have a low risk of serious long-term effects, but they report more visits to general practitioners following infection, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal. "The absolute risk of severe post-acute complications after SARS-CoV-2 infection not requiring hospital admission is low. However, increases in visits to general practitioners and outpatient hospital visits could indicate COVID-19 sequelae," the study found. It was a population-based cohort study using the Danish prescription, patient and health insurance registries.

Non-hospitalised Covid patients have low risk of serious long-term effects: Study 

Speaking to our Principal Diplomatic Correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Patel said, "Covid will only be defeated when all countries have defeated it. Therefore it is imperative that we all collaborate".

Canadian envoy Nadir Patel speaks on COVID assistance to India

<p>Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha, on Monday, became the latest Indian celebrity to take the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine.<br />
<br />
The 33-year-old star took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of herself getting vaccinated. The snap features Sonakshi wearing a double face mask as she signalled a `victory` sign to the camera."#Vaccine manjhe #Victory!!!," (Vaccine means victory) she wrote in the caption.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-oscar-winning-film-minari-to-release-on-amazon-prime-on-this-date-384047" hreflang="en">Oscar-winning film 'Minari' to release on Amazon Prime on this date</a></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COr074sJDJS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COr074sJDJS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COr074sJDJS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COr074sJDJS/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Earlier in the day, Bollywood couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh also took the vaccination jab as the drive opened up for those under 45. Sonakshi and the star couple are the latest addition to be vaccinated after Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Hema Malini, Mohanlal, Jeetendra, Kamal Haasan, Nagarjuna, among others.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/COrvGG7DKVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:540px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);">
<div style="padding:16px;">
<div style=" display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 19% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display:block; height:50px; margin:0 auto 12px; width:50px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COrvGG7DKVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank"><svg height="50px" version="1.1" viewbox="0 0 60 60" width="50px" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd" stroke="none" stroke-width="1"><g fill="#000000" transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 558.924,30.41 556.869,30.41 M541,60.657 C535.114,60.657 530.342,55.887 530.342,50 C530.342,44.114 535.114,39.342 541,39.342 C546.887,39.342 551.658,44.114 551.658,50 C551.658,55.887 546.887,60.657 541,60.657 M541,33.886 C532.1,33.886 524.886,41.1 524.886,50 C524.886,58.899 532.1,66.113 541,66.113 C549.9,66.113 557.115,58.899 557.115,50 C557.115,41.1 549.9,33.886 541,33.886 M565.378,62.101 C565.244,65.022 564.756,66.606 564.346,67.663 C563.803,69.06 563.154,70.057 562.106,71.106 C561.058,72.155 560.06,72.803 558.662,73.347 C557.607,73.757 556.021,74.244 553.102,74.378 C549.944,74.521 548.997,74.552 541,74.552 C533.003,74.552 532.056,74.521 528.898,74.378 C525.979,74.244 524.393,73.757 523.338,73.347 C521.94,72.803 520.942,72.155 519.894,71.106 C518.846,70.057 518.197,69.06 517.654,67.663 C517.244,66.606 516.755,65.022 516.623,62.101 C516.479,58.943 516.448,57.996 516.448,50 C516.448,42.003 516.479,41.056 516.623,37.899 C516.755,34.978 517.244,33.391 517.654,32.338 C518.197,30.938 518.846,29.942 519.894,28.894 C520.942,27.846 521.94,27.196 523.338,26.654 C524.393,26.244 525.979,25.756 528.898,25.623 C532.057,25.479 533.004,25.448 541,25.448 C548.997,25.448 549.943,25.479 553.102,25.623 C556.021,25.756 557.607,26.244 558.662,26.654 C560.06,27.196 561.058,27.846 562.106,28.894 C563.154,29.942 563.803,30.938 564.346,32.338 C564.756,33.391 565.244,34.978 565.378,37.899 C565.522,41.056 565.552,42.003 565.552,50 C565.552,57.996 565.522,58.943 565.378,62.101 M570.82,37.631 C570.674,34.438 570.167,32.258 569.425,30.349 C568.659,28.377 567.633,26.702 565.965,25.035 C564.297,23.368 562.623,22.342 560.652,21.575 C558.743,20.834 556.562,20.326 553.369,20.18 C550.169,20.033 549.148,20 541,20 C532.853,20 531.831,20.033 528.631,20.18 C525.438,20.326 523.257,20.834 521.349,21.575 C519.376,22.342 517.703,23.368 516.035,25.035 C514.368,26.702 513.342,28.377 512.574,30.349 C511.834,32.258 511.326,34.438 511.181,37.631 C511.035,40.831 511,41.851 511,50 C511,58.147 511.035,59.17 511.181,62.369 C511.326,65.562 511.834,67.743 512.574,69.651 C513.342,71.625 514.368,73.296 516.035,74.965 C517.703,76.634 519.376,77.658 521.349,78.425 C523.257,79.167 525.438,79.673 528.631,79.82 C531.831,79.965 532.853,80.001 541,80.001 C549.148,80.001 550.169,79.965 553.369,79.82 C556.562,79.673 558.743,79.167 560.652,78.425 C562.623,77.658 564.297,76.634 565.965,74.965 C567.633,73.296 568.659,71.625 569.425,69.651 C570.167,67.743 570.674,65.562 570.82,62.369 C570.966,59.17 571,58.147 571,50 C571,41.851 570.966,40.831 570.82,37.631"></path></g></g></g></svg></a></div>

<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style=" color:#3897f0; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COrvGG7DKVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;" target="_blank">View this post on Instagram</a></div>
</div>

<div style="padding: 12.5% 0;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;">
<div>
<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style="background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: 8px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<div style="margin-left: auto;">
<div style=" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);">&nbsp;</div>
</div>
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;">
<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;">&nbsp;</div>

<div style=" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/COrvGG7DKVp/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd)</a></p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The second wave of coronavirus has infected many people, and the number of COVID-19 positive cases has been rapidly rising. In Bollywood, an array of celebrities like Kangana Ranaut, Arjun Rampal, Manish Malhotra among others got infected within a span of a few weeks.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-kangana-ranaut-claims-instagram-post-deleted-as-it-hurt-covid-fan-club-384033" hreflang="en">Kangana Ranaut claims Instagram post deleted as it hurt 'COVID fan club'</a><br />
<br />
India registered a total of 3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases being recorded in the last 24 hours. With this, the cumulative count of the cases has gone up to 2,26,62,575.<br />
<br />
As many as 3,754 people succumbed to the disease in the country in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative death toll to 2,46,116. At present, there are 37,45,237 active cases of COVID-19 in the country.&nbsp;</p>


Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha, on Monday, became the latest Indian celebrity to take the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. The 33-year-old star took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of herself getting vaccinated.

Bollywood actor Sonakshi Sinha, on Monday, became the latest Indian celebrity to take the first jab of the COVID-19 vaccine. The 33-year-old star took to her Instagram handle and shared a picture of herself getting vaccinated. The snap features Sonakshi wearing a double face mask as she signalled a `victory` sign to the camera."#Vaccine manjhe #Victory!!!," (Vaccine means victory) she wrote in the caption. Oscar-winning film 'Minari' to release on Amazon Prime on this date View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sonakshi Sinha (@aslisona) × Earlier in the day, Bollywood couple Riteish Deshmukh and Genelia Deshmukh also took the vaccination jab as the drive opened up for those under 45. Sonakshi and the star couple are the latest addition to be vaccinated after Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Hema Malini, Mohanlal, Jeetendra, Kamal Haasan, Nagarjuna, among others. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Riteish Deshmukh (@riteishd) × The second wave of coronavirus has infected many people, and the number of COVID-19 positive cases has been rapidly rising. In Bollywood, an array of celebrities like Kangana Ranaut, Arjun Rampal, Manish Malhotra among others got infected within a span of a few weeks. Kangana Ranaut claims Instagram post deleted as it hurt 'COVID fan club' India registered a total of 3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases being recorded in the last 24 hours. With this, the cumulative count of the cases has gone up to 2,26,62,575. As many as 3,754 people succumbed to the disease in the country in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative death toll to 2,46,116. At present, there are 37,45,237 active cases of COVID-19 in the country.

Sonakshi Sinha receives COVID-19 vaccine shot in Mumbai

<p>Taiwan will quarantine all pilots for its largest carrier China Airlines Ltd for 14 days as it tries to stop an outbreak of COVID-19, the health minister said on Monday, impacting a lifeline for the island's trade-dependent economy. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Taiwan has generally kept the pandemic under control due to early prevention with only sporadic domestic cases, but since last month it has been dealing with an outbreak linked to China Airlines pilots and an airport hotel where many of them stayed. There have been 35 confirmed infections so far in the outbreak.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters the only way to break the chain of transmission at the carrier is to quarantine all China Airlines pilots currently in Taiwan and any who return. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"This will have a big impact on China Airlines, on its passenger and freighter flights, and for the crew, too. But for the safety of the whole community we cannot but make this decision," he said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>The pilots will only be allowed out of quarantine once they have tested negative, Chen said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>China Airlines, a major cargo carrier, said it would split the quarantining pilots into groups and try "as much as possible to maintain flight operations; it is not a total grounding." &nbsp;</p>

<p>China Airlines will prioritise cargo flights, but there will be disruption even as they 'go all out' to ensure they can still fly, it said. &nbsp;</p>

<p>"The short-term reduction in Taiwan’s import and export capacity will affect the delivery time of goods," China Airlines said, without elaborating. &nbsp;</p>

<p>Taiwan's health authorities believe some of the pilots got infected overseas, then spread the infection upon returning to Taiwan, and that others could have been infected by pilots from other airlines staying at the same hotel.&nbsp;</p>


Taiwan will quarantine all pilots for its largest carrier China Airlines Ltd for 14 days as it tries to stop an outbreak of COVID-19, the health minister said on Monday, impacting a lifeline for the island's trade-dependent economy.

Taiwan will quarantine all pilots for its largest carrier China Airlines Ltd for 14 days as it tries to stop an outbreak of COVID-19, the health minister said on Monday, impacting a lifeline for the island's trade-dependent economy. Taiwan has generally kept the pandemic under control due to early prevention with only sporadic domestic cases, but since last month it has been dealing with an outbreak linked to China Airlines pilots and an airport hotel where many of them stayed. There have been 35 confirmed infections so far in the outbreak. Health Minister Chen Shih-chung told reporters the only way to break the chain of transmission at the carrier is to quarantine all China Airlines pilots currently in Taiwan and any who return. "This will have a big impact on China Airlines, on its passenger and freighter flights, and for the crew, too. But for the safety of the whole community we cannot but make this decision," he said. The pilots will only be allowed out of quarantine once they have tested negative, Chen said. China Airlines, a major cargo carrier, said it would split the quarantining pilots into groups and try "as much as possible to maintain flight operations; it is not a total grounding." China Airlines will prioritise cargo flights, but there will be disruption even as they 'go all out' to ensure they can still fly, it said. "The short-term reduction in Taiwan’s import and export capacity will affect the delivery time of goods," China Airlines said, without elaborating. Taiwan's health authorities believe some of the pilots got infected overseas, then spread the infection upon returning to Taiwan, and that others could have been infected by pilots from other airlines staying at the same hotel.

Taiwan to quarantine pilots of its largest airline amid COVID-19 outbreak 

<p>India appreciated the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators by Thailand as well as the donation by the Indian community of another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday.</p>

<p>"A valued maritime partner in our extended neighborhood. Appreciate the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators from our ASEAN partner Thailand. Also, value donation by the Indian community in of another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators," Bagchi said.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🇮🇳🇹🇭<br />
A valued maritime partner in our extended neighbourhood. Appreciate gift of 200 oxygen cylinders &amp; 10 oxygen concentrators from our ASEAN partner Thailand. Also value donation by Indian community in 🇹🇭 of another 100 oxygen cylinders &amp; 60 oxygen concentrators. <a href="https://t.co/CdRMzBwq7D">pic.twitter.com/CdRMzBwq7D</a></p>
— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) <a href="https://twitter.com/MEAIndia/status/1390897619652595718?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 8, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Earlier this month Arindam Bagchi welcomed the gift of 15 oxygen concentrators from the ASEAN partner and friend Thailand. He thanked the Indian community who have donated another 15 oxygen concentrators.</p>

<p>Several countries have come forward to help India as the country fights the second wave of Covid-19.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/first-shipment-of-covid-19-aid-from-us-arrives-in-india-381556/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>India has received medical help and assistance from the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, in the form of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, raw materials for vaccines, PPE kits. 318 oxygen concentrators were received from the US on Tuesday.</p>

<p>Canada offered 10 million USD to Indian Red Cross to facilitate essential goods and medical equipment to India.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/canadas-ontario-province-to-send-3000-ventilators-to-india-amid-covid-crisis-382606">Canada's Ontario province to send 3,000 ventilators to India amid Covid crisis</a></strong></p>

<p>India reported 4,01,078 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the union health ministry. With this, the country has recorded over 4 lakh daily cases for the third consecutive day.</p>

<p>The cumulative number of cases in the country has now gone up to 2,18,92,676.&nbsp;</p>


India appreciated the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators by Thailand as well as the donation by the Indian community of another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday.

India appreciated the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators by Thailand as well as the donation by the Indian community of another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators, said Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi on Saturday. "A valued maritime partner in our extended neighborhood. Appreciate the gift of 200 oxygen cylinders and 10 oxygen concentrators from our ASEAN partner Thailand. Also, value donation by the Indian community in of another 100 oxygen cylinders and 60 oxygen concentrators," Bagchi said. 🇮🇳🇹🇭 A valued maritime partner in our extended neighbourhood. Appreciate gift of 200 oxygen cylinders & 10 oxygen concentrators from our ASEAN partner Thailand. Also value donation by Indian community in 🇹🇭 of another 100 oxygen cylinders & 60 oxygen concentrators. pic.twitter.com/CdRMzBwq7D — Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) May 8, 2021 × Earlier this month Arindam Bagchi welcomed the gift of 15 oxygen concentrators from the ASEAN partner and friend Thailand. He thanked the Indian community who have donated another 15 oxygen concentrators. Several countries have come forward to help India as the country fights the second wave of Covid-19. India has received medical help and assistance from the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, in the form of oxygen concentrators, ventilators, raw materials for vaccines, PPE kits. 318 oxygen concentrators were received from the US on Tuesday. Canada offered 10 million USD to Indian Red Cross to facilitate essential goods and medical equipment to India. Also read | Canada's Ontario province to send 3,000 ventilators to India amid Covid crisis India reported 4,01,078 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, according to the union health ministry. With this, the country has recorded over 4 lakh daily cases for the third consecutive day. The cumulative number of cases in the country has now gone up to 2,18,92,676.

India appreciates gift of 200 oxygen cylinders, 10 oxygen concentrators by Thailand: MEA

<p>China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.</p>

<p>Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has been hit by coronavirus cases since late April. The Nepalese government, starved of tourism revenue, has yet to cancel the spring climbing season, usually from April to early June before the monsoon rains.</p>

<p>It was not immediately clear how the line would be enforced on the summit, a tiny, perilous and inhospitable area the size of a dining table.</p>

<p>A small team of Tibetan climbing guides will ascend Everest and set up the "line of separation" at the summit to stop any contact between mountaineers from both sides of the peak, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the head of Tibet's sports bureau.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/covid-19-mt-everest-climbers-show-symptoms-officials-dismiss-reports-of-possible-outbreak-383235">COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak</a></strong></p>

<p>A group of 21 Chinese nationals are en route to the summit on the Tibetan side, Xinhua reported.</p>

<p>The Tibetan guides will set up the separation line ahead of their arrival, the state-run news agency said, without describing what the line would look like.</p>

<p>It was also unclear whether the Tibetan guides would be the ones enforcing the "separation", or whether they would remain in the so-called death zone, where many lives have been lost due to a dearth of oxygen, to hold the line.</p>

<p>The top of the 8,848-metre peak is a small mound of snow with barely enough space for half a dozen climbers and guides at any one time.</p>

<p>China has not allowed any foreign climbers to ascend from the Tibetan side since the outbreak of the new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> last year due to infection concerns.</p>

<p>Tourists in the Everest scenic area in Tibet are also banned from visiting the base camp on the Tibetan side.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-reports-record-high-covid-19-cases-govt-warns-about-hospital-beds-shortage-382017">Nepal reports record high COVID-19 cases; Govt warns about hospital beds shortage</a></strong></p>

<p>Mainland China on Sunday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on May 8 - all of which involved travellers arriving from overseas - up from seven a day earlier. Nepal reported 9,023 new cases on Friday, the country's biggest one-day increase.</p>


China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday.

China will set up "a line of separation" at the summit of Mount Everest to prevent the mingling of climbers from COVID-hit Nepal and those ascending from the Tibetan side as a precautionary measure, Chinese state media reported on Sunday. Everest base camp on the Nepalese side has been hit by coronavirus cases since late April. The Nepalese government, starved of tourism revenue, has yet to cancel the spring climbing season, usually from April to early June before the monsoon rains. It was not immediately clear how the line would be enforced on the summit, a tiny, perilous and inhospitable area the size of a dining table. A small team of Tibetan climbing guides will ascend Everest and set up the "line of separation" at the summit to stop any contact between mountaineers from both sides of the peak, Xinhua news agency reported, citing the head of Tibet's sports bureau. Also read | COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak A group of 21 Chinese nationals are en route to the summit on the Tibetan side, Xinhua reported. The Tibetan guides will set up the separation line ahead of their arrival, the state-run news agency said, without describing what the line would look like. It was also unclear whether the Tibetan guides would be the ones enforcing the "separation", or whether they would remain in the so-called death zone, where many lives have been lost due to a dearth of oxygen, to hold the line. The top of the 8,848-metre peak is a small mound of snow with barely enough space for half a dozen climbers and guides at any one time. China has not allowed any foreign climbers to ascend from the Tibetan side since the outbreak of the new coronavirus last year due to infection concerns. Tourists in the Everest scenic area in Tibet are also banned from visiting the base camp on the Tibetan side. Also read | Nepal reports record high COVID-19 cases; Govt warns about hospital beds shortage Mainland China on Sunday reported 12 new COVID-19 cases on May 8 - all of which involved travellers arriving from overseas - up from seven a day earlier. Nepal reported 9,023 new cases on Friday, the country's biggest one-day increase.

China to create 'line of separation' at Everest summit on COVID fears

<p>Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination.<br />
<br />
The study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US, showed that after two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, &nbsp;the virus that causes COVID 19, just 54 per cent of people who have received solid organ transplants produced sufficient antibodies. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).<br />
<br />
"Transplant recipients should not assume that two vaccine doses guarantee sufficient immunity against SARS-CoV-2 any more than it did after just one dose," said Dorry Segev, Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.<br />
<br />
"Based on our findings, we recommend that transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients continue to practice strict <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> safety precautions, even after vaccination," added lead author Brian Boyarsky, a surgeon at the varsity.<br />
<br />
People who receive solid organ transplants (such as hearts, lungs and kidneys) often must take drugs to suppress their immune systems and prevent rejection. Such regimens may interfere with a transplant recipient`s ability to make antibodies to foreign substances, including the protective ones produced in response to vaccines, the researchers said.<br />
<br />
The study evaluated this immunogenic response following vaccination from either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech in 658 transplant recipients, none of whom had a prior diagnosis of COVID-19, between December 16, 2020, and March 13, 2021.<br />
<br />
The team found that only 98 of the 658 study participants, 15 per cent, had detectable antibodies to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">SARS-CoV-2</a> at 21 days after the first vaccine dose.<br />
<br />
At 29 days following the second dose, the number of participants with detectable antibodies rose to 357 out of 658, 54 per cent. After both vaccine doses were administered, 301 out of 658 participants, 46 per cent had no detectable antibody at all while 259, 39 per cent only produced antibodies after the second shot.</p>


Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination.

Patients, who had organ transplants, remain vulnerable to COVID-19 infections even after a second vaccine dose, finds a study that urges people who are immunocompromised to strictly adhere to wearing masks, and maintain physical distancing, even after vaccination. The study, led by researchers at Johns Hopkins University in the US, showed that after two doses of Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID 19, just 54 per cent of people who have received solid organ transplants produced sufficient antibodies. The findings are published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). "Transplant recipients should not assume that two vaccine doses guarantee sufficient immunity against SARS-CoV-2 any more than it did after just one dose," said Dorry Segev, Professor of Surgery and Epidemiology at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. "Based on our findings, we recommend that transplant recipients and other immunocompromised patients continue to practice strict COVID-19 safety precautions, even after vaccination," added lead author Brian Boyarsky, a surgeon at the varsity. People who receive solid organ transplants (such as hearts, lungs and kidneys) often must take drugs to suppress their immune systems and prevent rejection. Such regimens may interfere with a transplant recipient`s ability to make antibodies to foreign substances, including the protective ones produced in response to vaccines, the researchers said. The study evaluated this immunogenic response following vaccination from either Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech in 658 transplant recipients, none of whom had a prior diagnosis of COVID-19, between December 16, 2020, and March 13, 2021. The team found that only 98 of the 658 study participants, 15 per cent, had detectable antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 at 21 days after the first vaccine dose. At 29 days following the second dose, the number of participants with detectable antibodies rose to 357 out of 658, 54 per cent. After both vaccine doses were administered, 301 out of 658 participants, 46 per cent had no detectable antibody at all while 259, 39 per cent only produced antibodies after the second shot.

COVID jabs won't raise immunity in organ transplant patients: Study

<p>Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19.</p>

<p>He made the remarks during a review meeting held by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court to take stock of actions taken by various states on care, protection and wellbeing of children during this COVID-19 wave.</p>

<p>In the meeting, held in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), possible measures and actions that need to be taken to ensure that every child in need gets appropriate care and protection during this time, were also deliberated upon.</p>

<p>Bhat said some children have lost either one or both parents to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> and there are many without parental supervision and care when their parents are in hospital or under medical care.</p>

<p>"These children are more vulnerable now than ever before. Concerted efforts should be made by all the key stakeholders to ensure the care and protection of children during the second wave of COVID," he said.</p>

<p>He suggested developing a mechanism to address interim care and needs of orphan, separated, or unaccompanied children, including clear guidance on steps to be taken in the event such a child has been exposed or has symptoms of the virus and requires a period of isolation and treatment.</p>

<p>He further emphasised that caregivers and employees of care institutions - both government-managed and private - should be vaccinated, as frontline professionals and also that the services of these institutions should be declared as essential services.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/children-spread-coronavirus-more-efficiently-than-adults-study-383559">Children spread coronavirus 'more efficiently' than adults: Study</a></strong></p>

<p>Some key priorities outlined by Justice Bhat were - screening and medical care for the children in the institutional care, provision of emergency medicine, supplies, emergency access to hospitals, and a roster of doctors available for teleconsultation,&nbsp;and on priority&nbsp;vaccination of all staff working in the Child Care Institutions and other frontline Child Protection workers.</p>

<p>Nomination of state and district level nodal officers empowered to take decisions and constitute a task force for rapid emergency response for children during COVID-19 was also highlighted.</p>

<p>On the needs of orphaned children, he reiterated that a coordinated response, in each district, by a committee to ensure temporary foster homes as well as gather and secure all information relating to the deceased parent or parents, for future use should be set up.</p>

<p>Each district CWC should compile all the details of such children, and their needs, it was emphasised.</p>

<p>Justice Bhat also stated that "prevention of and response to the second wave of COVID surge requires close coordination and collaboration between child protection system and health system, a multi-sectoral response ensures that children and caregivers' needs are addressed holistically and it leads to a better outcome for children".</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-indias-covid-surge-why-children-could-be-at-risk-383575/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>In the review meeting, judges of all high courts and officials of various states and union territories presented the measures which are being undertaken for the care, protection, and well-being of the children during the second wave of COVID.</p>

<p>Some of the measures by the state and union territories were setting up a state-level nodal officers and district task force for rapid response for care and protection children during the current pandemic, sponsorship for the children lost parents or the bread earners lost income or facing economic hardship.</p>

<p>High Court juvenile justice committees represented by judges, as well as state and union territories also highlighted the measures they are taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 in child care institutions and the medical treatment and care of the children who contracted the disease.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-in-india-3rd-wave-may-hit-kids-mumbai-prepares-pediatric-wards-382729">Covid in India: 3rd wave may hit kids, Mumbai prepares pediatric wards</a></strong></p>

<p>Aastha Khatwani, joint secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, said, "Considering the emergency need, the ministry has issued the advisory to stop illegal adoption and care and protection of the children who have lost one either or both the parents to COVID."</p>

<p>She further added that the ministry has developed clear, coordinated, easy to understand, community messaging on children's unique risks, vulnerabilities and need of care and protection during COVID-19, and these messages are disseminated and broadcast through social media and other channels.</p>

<p>Vandhana Kandhari, child protection specialist of UNICEF India highlighted that "efforts to pre-emptively scale up the capacity of family-based care and social protection systems are critical to enhance family resilience and prevent unnecessary recourse to residential care".</p>

<p>Kandhari added that in order to provide interim care to the children, extended family members, trusted friends, good neighbours and or community members can be declared a 'fit person'.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/novavax-starts-covid-vaccine-trials-on-children-382694">Novavax starts Covid vaccine trials on children</a></strong></p>

<p>The review meeting was held with the chairpersons and members of juvenile justice committees of various high courts and was also attended by officials of Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Health from various states and union territories.</p>


Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19.

Apex court judge and chairperson of the Supreme Court Juvenile Justice Committee S Ravindra Bhat Saturday said there was a need to step up measures to ensure better care, protection and well-being of children during the second wave of COVID-19. He made the remarks during a review meeting held by the Juvenile Justice Committee of the Supreme Court to take stock of actions taken by various states on care, protection and wellbeing of children during this COVID-19 wave. In the meeting, held in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), possible measures and actions that need to be taken to ensure that every child in need gets appropriate care and protection during this time, were also deliberated upon. Bhat said some children have lost either one or both parents to COVID-19 and there are many without parental supervision and care when their parents are in hospital or under medical care. "These children are more vulnerable now than ever before. Concerted efforts should be made by all the key stakeholders to ensure the care and protection of children during the second wave of COVID," he said. He suggested developing a mechanism to address interim care and needs of orphan, separated, or unaccompanied children, including clear guidance on steps to be taken in the event such a child has been exposed or has symptoms of the virus and requires a period of isolation and treatment. He further emphasised that caregivers and employees of care institutions - both government-managed and private - should be vaccinated, as frontline professionals and also that the services of these institutions should be declared as essential services. Also read | Children spread coronavirus 'more efficiently' than adults: Study Some key priorities outlined by Justice Bhat were - screening and medical care for the children in the institutional care, provision of emergency medicine, supplies, emergency access to hospitals, and a roster of doctors available for teleconsultation, and on priority vaccination of all staff working in the Child Care Institutions and other frontline Child Protection workers. Nomination of state and district level nodal officers empowered to take decisions and constitute a task force for rapid emergency response for children during COVID-19 was also highlighted. On the needs of orphaned children, he reiterated that a coordinated response, in each district, by a committee to ensure temporary foster homes as well as gather and secure all information relating to the deceased parent or parents, for future use should be set up. Each district CWC should compile all the details of such children, and their needs, it was emphasised. Justice Bhat also stated that "prevention of and response to the second wave of COVID surge requires close coordination and collaboration between child protection system and health system, a multi-sectoral response ensures that children and caregivers' needs are addressed holistically and it leads to a better outcome for children". In the review meeting, judges of all high courts and officials of various states and union territories presented the measures which are being undertaken for the care, protection, and well-being of the children during the second wave of COVID. Some of the measures by the state and union territories were setting up a state-level nodal officers and district task force for rapid response for care and protection children during the current pandemic, sponsorship for the children lost parents or the bread earners lost income or facing economic hardship. High Court juvenile justice committees represented by judges, as well as state and union territories also highlighted the measures they are taking to stop the spread of COVID-19 in child care institutions and the medical treatment and care of the children who contracted the disease. Also read | Covid in India: 3rd wave may hit kids, Mumbai prepares pediatric wards Aastha Khatwani, joint secretary in the Ministry of Women and Child Development, said, "Considering the emergency need, the ministry has issued the advisory to stop illegal adoption and care and protection of the children who have lost one either or both the parents to COVID." She further added that the ministry has developed clear, coordinated, easy to understand, community messaging on children's unique risks, vulnerabilities and need of care and protection during COVID-19, and these messages are disseminated and broadcast through social media and other channels. Vandhana Kandhari, child protection specialist of UNICEF India highlighted that "efforts to pre-emptively scale up the capacity of family-based care and social protection systems are critical to enhance family resilience and prevent unnecessary recourse to residential care". Kandhari added that in order to provide interim care to the children, extended family members, trusted friends, good neighbours and or community members can be declared a 'fit person'. Also read | Novavax starts Covid vaccine trials on children The review meeting was held with the chairpersons and members of juvenile justice committees of various high courts and was also attended by officials of Departments of Women and Child Development, Social Welfare and Health from various states and union territories.

Need to step up measures for well-being, protection of children during COVID-19 second wave: SC judge

<p>A 300-bed Covid isolation centre came up at Calvary Temple at Miyapur here.<br />
<br />
The Calvary Temple founded by Brother Satish decided to open their premises for the treatment of Covid positive patients from an underprivileged background.<br />
<br />
The facility, inaugurated by Telangana Legislative Council Member K. Kavitha on Saturday, will offer free treatment, medicine and food to the Covid patients.<br />
<br />
The isolation centre has been developed in association with Ankura Hospital and Theresa Hospital.<br />
<br />
This facility, which will start functioning from May 10, consists of 50 oxygen beds and 250 normal beds with a staff of over 100 to look after the patients.<br />
<br />
Kavitha congratulated and thanked Brother Satish, Ankura Hospital and Theresa Hospital for their noble gesture swift initiative to cater to the needs of ailing needy and poor people. She also appealed to people to be safe and be vigilant about the safety of others.<br />
<br />
Kavitha, who is the daughter of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, requested people to adhere to Covid Protocols and practice all the precautionary measures that have been laid down for protection against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">Covid-19.</a></p>


A 300-bed Covid isolation centre came up at Calvary Temple at Miyapur here. The Calvary Temple founded by Brother Satish decided to open their premises for the treatment of Covid positive patients from an underprivileged background.

A 300-bed Covid isolation centre came up at Calvary Temple at Miyapur here. The Calvary Temple founded by Brother Satish decided to open their premises for the treatment of Covid positive patients from an underprivileged background. The facility, inaugurated by Telangana Legislative Council Member K. Kavitha on Saturday, will offer free treatment, medicine and food to the Covid patients. The isolation centre has been developed in association with Ankura Hospital and Theresa Hospital. This facility, which will start functioning from May 10, consists of 50 oxygen beds and 250 normal beds with a staff of over 100 to look after the patients. Kavitha congratulated and thanked Brother Satish, Ankura Hospital and Theresa Hospital for their noble gesture swift initiative to cater to the needs of ailing needy and poor people. She also appealed to people to be safe and be vigilant about the safety of others. Kavitha, who is the daughter of Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao, requested people to adhere to Covid Protocols and practice all the precautionary measures that have been laid down for protection against Covid-19.

300-bed COVID isolation centre comes up in Hyderabad's Calvary Temple

<p>India is facing the worst COVID-19 surge and every passing hour the situation is becoming dire. The country continues facing oxygen and drug crisis amid the rising number of cases. Many international celebrities such as Shawn Mendes, Richard Madden, Mindy Kaling, and Ellen Degeneres have pledged their support to help the country.<br />
<br />
Hugh Jackman, Robert Pattinson, Ewan McGregor and Lily &nbsp;Collins have come forward to raise funds for COVID-19 relief work in India.<br />
<br />
Jackman urged his fans to help India in its fight against the deadly virus. Taking to his Instagram stories on Thursday, the actor shared the link of a fundraiser at GiveIndia, by tagging Priyanka Chopra and GiveIndia.</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/urgent-situation-international-celebs-pledge-support-for-india-amid-covid-19-crisis-382485" hreflang="en">'Urgent situation', International celebs pledge support for India amid COVID-19 crisis</a><br />
<br />
Later, he also shared a poster, reading: "India needs our help. Together we can stop the spread. Let's do our bit and donate to help curb the biggest global outbreak."<br />
<br />
Robert Pattinson, Collins and &nbsp;McGregor are also helping to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in India. As per Variety, the three actors along with GO Campaign initiated to raise funds for the country.<br />
<br />
Urging his followers to donate, Pattinson&nbsp;said, “Think of GO as a really meaningful investment fund — they take your dollars and invest them in children, in a diverse portfolio, for maximum results. And the common thread is those heroes, their proven track record, their commitment to serving children.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/virat-kohli-and-anushka-sharma-announce-campaign-for-raising-funds-for-covid-19-383471" hreflang="en">Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma announce campaign for raising funds for COVID-19</a><br />
<br />
'Emily in Paris' star Lily Collins, who is an ambassador of GO Campaign along with Pattinson and McGregor, said, “India is facing a devastating second wave of COVID-19, and their healthcare system does not have enough resources to care for everybody. They are in dire need of protective equipment, oxygen, medicine, and food to save lives. I have such beautiful memories of my time in India and the country will always hold such a special place in my heart.”<br />
<br />
McGregor added that any kind of donation to the campaign's relief fund will help in saving lives. "As Covid rages through India, GO Campaign needs your help to provide PPE, emergency food, medicine, pulse oximeters, and resuscitators to those who need it. Any donation amount can make a difference and can help save lives," he said.</p>


India is facing the worst COVID-19 surge and every passing hour the situation is becoming dire. The country continues facing oxygen and drug crisis amid the rising number of cases.

India is facing the worst COVID-19 surge and every passing hour the situation is becoming dire. The country continues facing oxygen and drug crisis amid the rising number of cases. Many international celebrities such as Shawn Mendes, Richard Madden, Mindy Kaling, and Ellen Degeneres have pledged their support to help the country. Hugh Jackman, Robert Pattinson, Ewan McGregor and Lily Collins have come forward to raise funds for COVID-19 relief work in India. Jackman urged his fans to help India in its fight against the deadly virus. Taking to his Instagram stories on Thursday, the actor shared the link of a fundraiser at GiveIndia, by tagging Priyanka Chopra and GiveIndia. 'Urgent situation', International celebs pledge support for India amid COVID-19 crisis Later, he also shared a poster, reading: "India needs our help. Together we can stop the spread. Let's do our bit and donate to help curb the biggest global outbreak." Robert Pattinson, Collins and McGregor are also helping to raise funds for COVID-19 relief in India. As per Variety, the three actors along with GO Campaign initiated to raise funds for the country. Urging his followers to donate, Pattinson said, “Think of GO as a really meaningful investment fund — they take your dollars and invest them in children, in a diverse portfolio, for maximum results. And the common thread is those heroes, their proven track record, their commitment to serving children.” Virat Kohli and Anushka Sharma announce campaign for raising funds for COVID-19 'Emily in Paris' star Lily Collins, who is an ambassador of GO Campaign along with Pattinson and McGregor, said, “India is facing a devastating second wave of COVID-19, and their healthcare system does not have enough resources to care for everybody. They are in dire need of protective equipment, oxygen, medicine, and food to save lives. I have such beautiful memories of my time in India and the country will always hold such a special place in my heart.” McGregor added that any kind of donation to the campaign's relief fund will help in saving lives. "As Covid rages through India, GO Campaign needs your help to provide PPE, emergency food, medicine, pulse oximeters, and resuscitators to those who need it. Any donation amount can make a difference and can help save lives," he said.

Robert Pattinson, Lily Collins and more stars pledge support for Covid-19 relief efforts in India

<p>Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to an anti-Covid drug developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The drug has been approved for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus cases. The drug is to be administered orally.</p>

<p>Clinical trials of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) showed that it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.</p>

<p>The approval to the drug has come at a time when India has been grappling with a record-breaking wave of coronavirus pandemic that has stretched the country's healthcare infrastructure to its limit.</p>

<p>The announcement of the approval was made by India's health ministry</p>

<p>"In the ongoing second COVID-19 wave, a large number of patients are facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalisation.</p>

<p>"The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of operation of the drug in infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients," the ministry said.</p>

<p>It said the anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of 2-DG drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a leading laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad.</p>

<p>"On May 01, DCGI granted permission for emergency use of this drug as adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country," the ministry said in a statement.</p>

<p>Adjunctive therapy is a treatment used together with the primary treatment to assist it.</p>

<p>The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water.</p>

<p>"It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique," the ministry said.</p>

<p>In terms of efficacy trends, the ministry said, patients treated with 2-DG showed faster symptomatic cure than the standard of care (SoC) on various endpoints.</p>

<p>"A significantly favourable trend (2.5 days difference) was seen in terms of the median time to achieving normalisation of specific vital signs parameters when compared to SoC," it said.</p>

<p>"Clinical trial results of the drug have shown that it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients," it added.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to an anti-Covid drug developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The drug has been approved for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus cases.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its approval to an anti-Covid drug developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The drug has been approved for emergency use as an adjunct therapy in moderate to severe coronavirus cases. The drug is to be administered orally. Clinical trials of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) showed that it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. The approval to the drug has come at a time when India has been grappling with a record-breaking wave of coronavirus pandemic that has stretched the country's healthcare infrastructure to its limit. The announcement of the approval was made by India's health ministry "In the ongoing second COVID-19 wave, a large number of patients are facing severe oxygen dependency and need hospitalisation. "The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of operation of the drug in infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients," the ministry said. It said the anti-COVID-19 therapeutic application of 2-DG drug has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a leading laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddy's Laboratories (DRL) in Hyderabad. "On May 01, DCGI granted permission for emergency use of this drug as adjunct therapy in moderate to severe COVID-19 patients. Being a generic molecule and analogue of glucose, it can be easily produced and made available in plenty in the country," the ministry said in a statement. Adjunctive therapy is a treatment used together with the primary treatment to assist it. The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water. "It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique," the ministry said. In terms of efficacy trends, the ministry said, patients treated with 2-DG showed faster symptomatic cure than the standard of care (SoC) on various endpoints. "A significantly favourable trend (2.5 days difference) was seen in terms of the median time to achieving normalisation of specific vital signs parameters when compared to SoC," it said. "Clinical trial results of the drug have shown that it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in COVID patients," it added. (With inputs from agencies)

Anti-Covid drug by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation gets regulator nod

<p>Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday evening which was likely to discuss the COVID-19 crisis.</p>

<p>According to the Himalayan Times, the agenda behind gathering the Council of Ministers has not been disclosed yet but the meeting is expected to discuss the COVID-19 crisis that has engulfed the nation.</p>

<p>The meeting comes after the KP Sharma Oli government lost its majority in the parliament ahead of a vote of confidence as the CPN-Maoist Center withdrew its support formally on Wednesday. CPN-Maoist Center on Wednesday submitted a letter informing the Parliament Secretariat that it no more part of the government led by Prime Minister Oli.</p>

<p><strong>Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pandemic-political-instability-economic-crisis-rattles-nepal-383631">Pandemic, political instability, economic crisis rattles Nepal</a></strong></p>

<p>On Thursday, Nepal reported 9,070 new COVID-19 cases, taking the cumulative caseload to 368,580. According to the country`s health ministry, the positivity rate stood at 42.90 per cent.</p>


Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday evening which was likely to discuss the COVID-19 crisis.

Nepal Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli called an emergency cabinet meeting at his official residence in Baluwatar on Saturday evening which was likely to discuss the COVID-19 crisis. According to the Himalayan Times, the agenda behind gathering the Council of Ministers has not been disclosed yet but the meeting is expected to discuss the COVID-19 crisis that has engulfed the nation. The meeting comes after the KP Sharma Oli government lost its majority in the parliament ahead of a vote of confidence as the CPN-Maoist Center withdrew its support formally on Wednesday. CPN-Maoist Center on Wednesday submitted a letter informing the Parliament Secretariat that it no more part of the government led by Prime Minister Oli. Also read | Pandemic, political instability, economic crisis rattles Nepal On Thursday, Nepal reported 9,070 new COVID-19 cases, taking the cumulative caseload to 368,580. According to the country`s health ministry, the positivity rate stood at 42.90 per cent.

Nepal PM summons emergency cabinet meeting

<p>The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;and&nbsp;India&nbsp;were set to bolster warming ties at a virtual summit Saturday by relaunching long-stalled trade talks and agreeing to work together against the coronavirus pandemic battering the south Asian giant.</p>

<p>The devastating wave of infections sweeping&nbsp;India&nbsp;has already impacted the meeting by forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scrap plans to fly to Portugal to see his European counterparts. &nbsp;</p>

<p>But the 27-nation bloc and the world's largest democracy remain determined to capitalise on growing momentum for tighter relations fuelled by shared concerns over the rising might of China.</p>

<p>"I am positive that we will be able to do a major step forward because between the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;and&nbsp;India&nbsp;there is a close relationship, but also a lot of untapped potential," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said as&nbsp;EU&nbsp;leaders gathered in Porto.</p>

<p>"The most untapped potential is in trade and investment."</p>

<p>EU&nbsp;countries have sent medical equipment and drugs worth an estimated 100 million euros ($120 million) to&nbsp;India&nbsp;as part of international efforts to help it fight against the flood of COVID-19 cases.</p>

<p>The focus on the virus at the summit will be on making sure the two vaccine-producing powerhouses can maintain global supplies and monitoring the spread of variants, as well as on trying to plan together to tackle future pandemics.</p>

<p>"We obviously need to work together to continue our efforts to ramp up production, secure the necessary raw materials, and keep supply chains open," a senior&nbsp;EU&nbsp;official said.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"Leaders are going to commit to working together, to better prepare for and respond to global health emergencies, and this clearly includes strengthening and reforming the World Health Organization."</p>

<p>Von der Leyen said the two sides would agree on a "common platform" on sequencing the Covid-19 virus to help keep track of any new variants that may emerge.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/push-on-social-issues-as-eu-faces-covid-fallout-383556">Push on social issues as EU faces Covid fallout</a></strong></p>

<p><strong>Waiving patents&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Modi could also push the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;on waiving patents for COVID-19 jabs after the US threw its weight behind the proposal.</p>

<p>European Council chief Charles Michel said the bloc was willing to discuss the initiative once a concrete proposal was "on the table", but leaders have expressed scepticism about lifting patents.&nbsp;</p>

<p>While the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">pandemic</a> casts a long shadow over the summit, the key announcement is the restarting of talks on a free trade agreement that have been suspended since 2013.</p>

<p>Von der Leyen said talks would restart on a trade pact and begin on separate deals to protect investments and regionally-specific&nbsp;products.&nbsp;</p>

<p>She said that the two sides would also look to cooperate on developing cutting edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence and supercomputers.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Negotiations on the trade deal were halted eight years ago after getting stuck on issues including cutting tariffs and access for Indian workers to Europe.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>'Elephant in the room'&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>It remains to be seen if&nbsp;India&nbsp;is now willing to drop an approach viewed as deeply protectionist by the&nbsp;EU&nbsp;to seal a deal this time around.</p>

<p>"It won't be easy or quick to reach," an official from the bloc told AFP.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/crucial-india-eu-summit-india-european-union-to-hold-key-virtual-trade-talks-383655/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>But growing tensions with China could create a new impetus for talks, with one diplomat calling Beijing "the elephant in the room".</p>

<p>For the&nbsp;EU, the push to restart negotiations comes as efforts to ratify an investment deal agreed with China that hit the buffers after relations soured over tit-for-tat sanctions.</p>

<p>"India&nbsp;for its part has also decided to invest more in its relations with the&nbsp;EU, driven in part by China's growing assertiveness and Brexit, requiring New Delhi to no longer see London as its sole entry point into&nbsp;'Europe',"&nbsp;EU&nbsp;foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote in a blog post.</p>

<p>Britain's departure from the bloc has also created another rival for Brussels as London makes its own play to bolster trade ties with&nbsp;India.</p>

<p>The British government said Tuesday it would start formal free talks with&nbsp;India&nbsp;later this year after the two sides agreed on an initial package to boost trade and investment.</p>


The EU and India were set to bolster warming ties at a virtual summit Saturday by relaunching long-stalled trade talks and agreeing to work together against the coronavirus pandemic battering the south Asian giant.

The EU and India were set to bolster warming ties at a virtual summit Saturday by relaunching long-stalled trade talks and agreeing to work together against the coronavirus pandemic battering the south Asian giant. The devastating wave of infections sweeping India has already impacted the meeting by forcing Prime Minister Narendra Modi to scrap plans to fly to Portugal to see his European counterparts. But the 27-nation bloc and the world's largest democracy remain determined to capitalise on growing momentum for tighter relations fuelled by shared concerns over the rising might of China. "I am positive that we will be able to do a major step forward because between the EU and India there is a close relationship, but also a lot of untapped potential," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said as EU leaders gathered in Porto. "The most untapped potential is in trade and investment." EU countries have sent medical equipment and drugs worth an estimated 100 million euros ($120 million) to India as part of international efforts to help it fight against the flood of COVID-19 cases. The focus on the virus at the summit will be on making sure the two vaccine-producing powerhouses can maintain global supplies and monitoring the spread of variants, as well as on trying to plan together to tackle future pandemics. "We obviously need to work together to continue our efforts to ramp up production, secure the necessary raw materials, and keep supply chains open," a senior EU official said. "Leaders are going to commit to working together, to better prepare for and respond to global health emergencies, and this clearly includes strengthening and reforming the World Health Organization." Von der Leyen said the two sides would agree on a "common platform" on sequencing the Covid-19 virus to help keep track of any new variants that may emerge. Also read | Push on social issues as EU faces Covid fallout Waiving patents Modi could also push the EU on waiving patents for COVID-19 jabs after the US threw its weight behind the proposal. European Council chief Charles Michel said the bloc was willing to discuss the initiative once a concrete proposal was "on the table", but leaders have expressed scepticism about lifting patents. While the pandemic casts a long shadow over the summit, the key announcement is the restarting of talks on a free trade agreement that have been suspended since 2013. Von der Leyen said talks would restart on a trade pact and begin on separate deals to protect investments and regionally-specific products. She said that the two sides would also look to cooperate on developing cutting edge technologies including Artificial Intelligence and supercomputers. Negotiations on the trade deal were halted eight years ago after getting stuck on issues including cutting tariffs and access for Indian workers to Europe. 'Elephant in the room' It remains to be seen if India is now willing to drop an approach viewed as deeply protectionist by the EU to seal a deal this time around. "It won't be easy or quick to reach," an official from the bloc told AFP. But growing tensions with China could create a new impetus for talks, with one diplomat calling Beijing "the elephant in the room". For the EU, the push to restart negotiations comes as efforts to ratify an investment deal agreed with China that hit the buffers after relations soured over tit-for-tat sanctions. "India for its part has also decided to invest more in its relations with the EU, driven in part by China's growing assertiveness and Brexit, requiring New Delhi to no longer see London as its sole entry point into 'Europe'," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell wrote in a blog post. Britain's departure from the bloc has also created another rival for Brussels as London makes its own play to bolster trade ties with India. The British government said Tuesday it would start formal free talks with India later this year after the two sides agreed on an initial package to boost trade and investment.

EU and India relaunch trade quest at COVID-hit summit

<p>More than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of Mount&nbsp;Everest, raising fears that coronavirus may scupper a hoped-for bumper season on the world's highest mountain.</p>

<p>Nepal's tourism industry suffered a devastating blow last year when the pandemic prompted a complete shutdown of its summits, costing millions in lost revenue.</p>

<p>This year authorities have eased quarantine rules in an effort to lure back foreign adventurers and have issued&nbsp;climbing&nbsp;permits to more than 400 people, a new record.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;<a href="COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak">COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak</a></strong></p>

<p>An&nbsp;Everest&nbsp;permit alone costs $11,000 and climbers pay upward of $40,000 for an expedition.</p>

<p>But the warmer weather that ushers in safer conditions for scaling Nepal's dangerous, snow-capped peaks has coincided with a deadly second wave of&nbsp;Covid-19 infections, with active cases in the country rising six-fold in the last two weeks.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also read-&nbsp;<a href="Coronavirus reaches Mount Everest as climber tests positive">Coronavirus reaches Mount Everest as climber tests positive</a></strong></p>

<p>Norwegian climber Erlend Ness spent two nights sleeping in his tent at base camp last month, unsure of what was making him ill.</p>

<p>"I was evacuated to Kathmandu and was tested. My result was positive for&nbsp;Covid," he told AFP, becoming the first climber with an&nbsp;Everest&nbsp;permit to confirm his infection.</p>

<p>"I think I'm not the only one... Every team at the base camp knows the risk of&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;is there and they have to be careful, they should be careful," he said.</p>

<p>Fellow climber Gina Marie Han-Lee decided to abandon her expedition last week over fears the disease was spreading around base camp.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have taken a helicopter out of EBC (Everest&nbsp;base camp) back to Kathmandu after 1 day. The&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;situation at EBC is a total shitstorm. I had no clue what I was flying into," the US citizen wrote on her Facebook page on April 29.</p>

<p>"It was a heartbreaking decision but I'm putting my health first.&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;at a high altitude does not sound like something I want to play with."&nbsp;</p>

<p>Officials at a health clinic catering to the climbers say more than 30 people have been flown off the camp in recent weeks.</p>

<p>At least two have tested positive after returning to the capital Kathmandu.&nbsp;</p>

<p>But the government has yet to confirm a single&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;case on&nbsp;Everest.</p>

<p>"Some evacuated may have tested positive in Kathmandu. They did not test at the base camp, so we cannot be sure where they got infected," said Nepal's tourism department chief Rudra Singh Tamang.</p>

<p>Health professionals at the camp say they do not have the capacity to test for the disease.</p>

<p>"We have permission to only work as a clinic so we don't have tests here. We have made requests but nothing has happened yet," a doctor there said.</p>

<p>More than a thousand people are typically camped at the bustling tent city at the foot of&nbsp;Everest, including foreign climbers and the teams of Nepali guides that escort them to the peak.</p>

<p>But the usual reverie and loud communal parties are absent this year after expedition groups were asked to keep to themselves and avoid socialising with others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Customary religious ceremonies held before an ascent to pray for a safe expedition have also been turned into quiet and private affairs.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"We are taking all precautions possible to make sure that there are no infections," said Tashi Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, the largest&nbsp;climbing&nbsp;agency at&nbsp;Everest.</p>

<p>"We are not visiting other tents, and even groups within the camps are not mixing."</p>

<p>More than 400 people in Nepal have died over the last two weeks after contracting&nbsp;Covid.</p>

<p>The country's health system has been overwhelmed by the sudden spike, with hospitals filling fast and relatives of patients scrambling for medicine and intensive care beds.</p>

<p>Climbers on peaks elsewhere in the country have also run into problems.&nbsp;</p>

<p>An expedition on Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, is in limbo after at least three members tested positive for&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;this week.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Nine are being evacuated and others are being tested, the head of their expedition said.</p>

<p>Breathing is already difficult at high altitudes so any coronavirus outbreak among&nbsp;climbing&nbsp;groups could pose severe health risks.</p>

<p>Evacuating ill climbers from the remote peaks poses a major logistical challenge.</p>

<p>"We are very scared, there are many rumours and we don't know what is really going on," said Harshvardhan Joshi, an Indian climber hoping to summit&nbsp;Everest.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"What if someone shows symptoms after reaching a higher camp?"</p>


More than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of Mount Everest, raising fears that coronavirus may scupper a hoped-for bumper season on the world's highest mountain.

More than 30 sick climbers have been evacuated from the foot of Mount Everest, raising fears that coronavirus may scupper a hoped-for bumper season on the world's highest mountain. Nepal's tourism industry suffered a devastating blow last year when the pandemic prompted a complete shutdown of its summits, costing millions in lost revenue. This year authorities have eased quarantine rules in an effort to lure back foreign adventurers and have issued climbing permits to more than 400 people, a new record. Also read- COVID-19: Mt Everest climbers show symptoms, officials dismiss reports of possible outbreak An Everest permit alone costs $11,000 and climbers pay upward of $40,000 for an expedition. But the warmer weather that ushers in safer conditions for scaling Nepal's dangerous, snow-capped peaks has coincided with a deadly second wave of Covid-19 infections, with active cases in the country rising six-fold in the last two weeks. Also read- Coronavirus reaches Mount Everest as climber tests positive Norwegian climber Erlend Ness spent two nights sleeping in his tent at base camp last month, unsure of what was making him ill. "I was evacuated to Kathmandu and was tested. My result was positive for Covid," he told AFP, becoming the first climber with an Everest permit to confirm his infection. "I think I'm not the only one... Every team at the base camp knows the risk of Covid is there and they have to be careful, they should be careful," he said. Fellow climber Gina Marie Han-Lee decided to abandon her expedition last week over fears the disease was spreading around base camp. "I have taken a helicopter out of EBC (Everest base camp) back to Kathmandu after 1 day. The Covid situation at EBC is a total shitstorm. I had no clue what I was flying into," the US citizen wrote on her Facebook page on April 29. "It was a heartbreaking decision but I'm putting my health first. Covid at a high altitude does not sound like something I want to play with." Officials at a health clinic catering to the climbers say more than 30 people have been flown off the camp in recent weeks. At least two have tested positive after returning to the capital Kathmandu. But the government has yet to confirm a single Covid case on Everest. "Some evacuated may have tested positive in Kathmandu. They did not test at the base camp, so we cannot be sure where they got infected," said Nepal's tourism department chief Rudra Singh Tamang. Health professionals at the camp say they do not have the capacity to test for the disease. "We have permission to only work as a clinic so we don't have tests here. We have made requests but nothing has happened yet," a doctor there said. More than a thousand people are typically camped at the bustling tent city at the foot of Everest, including foreign climbers and the teams of Nepali guides that escort them to the peak. But the usual reverie and loud communal parties are absent this year after expedition groups were asked to keep to themselves and avoid socialising with others. Customary religious ceremonies held before an ascent to pray for a safe expedition have also been turned into quiet and private affairs. "We are taking all precautions possible to make sure that there are no infections," said Tashi Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, the largest climbing agency at Everest. "We are not visiting other tents, and even groups within the camps are not mixing." More than 400 people in Nepal have died over the last two weeks after contracting Covid. The country's health system has been overwhelmed by the sudden spike, with hospitals filling fast and relatives of patients scrambling for medicine and intensive care beds. Climbers on peaks elsewhere in the country have also run into problems. An expedition on Dhaulagiri, the seventh highest mountain in the world, is in limbo after at least three members tested positive for Covid this week. Nine are being evacuated and others are being tested, the head of their expedition said. Breathing is already difficult at high altitudes so any coronavirus outbreak among climbing groups could pose severe health risks. Evacuating ill climbers from the remote peaks poses a major logistical challenge. "We are very scared, there are many rumours and we don't know what is really going on," said Harshvardhan Joshi, an Indian climber hoping to summit Everest. "What if someone shows symptoms after reaching a higher camp?"

Covid threatens Everest climbing comeback plans as infections rise

<p>2020 was not just the year of pandemic, it was also an infodemic, which mainstreamed conspiracy theories.</p>

<p>It amplified hard-to-digest narratives. With the new year, we thought we had left all this behind. But, just like the virus, the conspiracy theories are back too.</p>

<p>The person to set the conspiracy ball rolling this year is the Brazil&nbsp;President&nbsp;Jair Bolsonaro. Throughout 2020, downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 virus, he refused to wear a mask in public, rejected calls for a lockdown, questioned the efficacy of vaccines and advised his supporters to do the same.</p>

<p>The result of this today&nbsp;is that Brazil, a country with just a quarter of India’s population, is the third-worst Covid-hit country in the world. Brazil now has more than 14 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths to date.</p>

<p>Over Brazil’s current state of affairs, Bolsonaro faces a criminal investigation and a possible impeachment. With this, the Brazilian president has suddenly come to the realisation that this virus, i.e.&nbsp;coronavirus, is in fact quite lethal, and according to him can very well be part of a biological war.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-brazils-president-calls-covid-19-biological-warfare-383340/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>“It's a new virus, nobody knows if it was born in a lab or because a human ate some animal they shouldn't have. But it is there. And the military knows all about this chemical, biological and radiological warfare. Could we be fighting a new war? I guess. Which country's GDP has grown the most? I am not going to tell you,” said Bolsonaro.</p>

<p>There have been similar conspiracy theories earlier as well. Theories that this virus is not natural and was made in a lab, or that it is a bio-weapon or that 5G can be used to spread this virus.</p>

<p>While entertaining, these theories remain to be merely theories. According to scientists, there is no evidence to back these claims. While trying to counter scientists, some theories claim that thanks to China’s control on the flow of information, maybe these scientists just haven’t come across the evidence yet.<br />
<br />
Scientists addressing the lab and biowarfare theory say that if the virus was indeed engineered, there would have been the evidence of any additions or deletions in the virus’s original genetic code or DNA.</p>

<p>Last year, at the onset of this pandemic, there were numerous reports on supposedly how the virus escaped from The Wuhan Institute of Virology. To address these rumours and to probe the origins of COVID-19, a team from WHO travelled to China but were unable to find any proof backing these claims.</p>

<p>Was this because they didn’t get there in time? &nbsp;The team went to China in January this year, more than 13 months after the first case of coronavirus was reported. Instead of answering some of the long-standing questions, this team by WHO came back with more questions. According to them, while the institute at Wuhan had many strains of coronavirus, SARS-COV-2, which has at times been referred to as “Wuhan Virus,” is not among them.</p>

<p>However on March 31, calling for a deeper probe into the lab theory, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said that he does not believe his team's assessment of the lab leak possibility was extensive enough.</p>

<p>It’s been a month since Dr Tedros’s statement, and WHO is still evaluating how to move forward with its probe.</p>

<p>Now, President Bolsonaro can do two things; either ask his military to show the world whatever proof they have to support his claims, or wait for WHO to once again travel to China, and conduct another probe.</p>

<p>But whether this would solve the mystery or not, remains doubtful.</p>


2020 was not just the year of pandemic, it was also an infodemic, which mainstreamed conspiracy theories. It amplified hard-to-digest narratives. With the new year, we thought we had left all this behind.

2020 was not just the year of pandemic, it was also an infodemic, which mainstreamed conspiracy theories. It amplified hard-to-digest narratives. With the new year, we thought we had left all this behind. But, just like the virus, the conspiracy theories are back too. The person to set the conspiracy ball rolling this year is the Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro. Throughout 2020, downplaying the severity of the COVID-19 virus, he refused to wear a mask in public, rejected calls for a lockdown, questioned the efficacy of vaccines and advised his supporters to do the same. The result of this today is that Brazil, a country with just a quarter of India’s population, is the third-worst Covid-hit country in the world. Brazil now has more than 14 million cases and more than 400,000 deaths to date. Over Brazil’s current state of affairs, Bolsonaro faces a criminal investigation and a possible impeachment. With this, the Brazilian president has suddenly come to the realisation that this virus, i.e. coronavirus, is in fact quite lethal, and according to him can very well be part of a biological war. “It's a new virus, nobody knows if it was born in a lab or because a human ate some animal they shouldn't have. But it is there. And the military knows all about this chemical, biological and radiological warfare. Could we be fighting a new war? I guess. Which country's GDP has grown the most? I am not going to tell you,” said Bolsonaro. There have been similar conspiracy theories earlier as well. Theories that this virus is not natural and was made in a lab, or that it is a bio-weapon or that 5G can be used to spread this virus. While entertaining, these theories remain to be merely theories. According to scientists, there is no evidence to back these claims. While trying to counter scientists, some theories claim that thanks to China’s control on the flow of information, maybe these scientists just haven’t come across the evidence yet. Scientists addressing the lab and biowarfare theory say that if the virus was indeed engineered, there would have been the evidence of any additions or deletions in the virus’s original genetic code or DNA. Last year, at the onset of this pandemic, there were numerous reports on supposedly how the virus escaped from The Wuhan Institute of Virology. To address these rumours and to probe the origins of COVID-19, a team from WHO travelled to China but were unable to find any proof backing these claims. Was this because they didn’t get there in time? The team went to China in January this year, more than 13 months after the first case of coronavirus was reported. Instead of answering some of the long-standing questions, this team by WHO came back with more questions. According to them, while the institute at Wuhan had many strains of coronavirus, SARS-COV-2, which has at times been referred to as “Wuhan Virus,” is not among them. However on March 31, calling for a deeper probe into the lab theory, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus said that he does not believe his team's assessment of the lab leak possibility was extensive enough. It’s been a month since Dr Tedros’s statement, and WHO is still evaluating how to move forward with its probe. Now, President Bolsonaro can do two things; either ask his military to show the world whatever proof they have to support his claims, or wait for WHO to once again travel to China, and conduct another probe. But whether this would solve the mystery or not, remains doubtful.

Faced with the possibility of impeachment, Brazil President calls COVID-19 a bio-weapon

As the cases of Coronavirus amid second wave are witnessing an upward trajectory since last few weeks, the Indian nationals in UK are worried about their families here in India.

Indian nationals in UK react to worsening crisis in India

<p>Nintendo&nbsp;reported its highest ever annual profit Thursday after virus lockdowns caused sales of its blockbuster Switch console to soar, but the Japanese gaming giant warned the bumper pandemic year would be hard to repeat.</p>

<p>While fresh waves of infections have dashed recovery hopes in many industries, successive rounds of restrictions have helped extend a run of good fortune for video game companies as people seek indoor entertainment.</p>

<p>The firm said surging sales were propelled by the runaway popularity of the Switch and the family-friendly game "Animal Crossing", which became a lockdown hit.</p>

<p>Net profit jumped 85.7 per cent from a year earlier to 480.4 billion yen ($4.4 billion) for the fiscal year to March, beating the company's prediction of 400 billion yen.</p>

<p>It broke its previous profit record set in 2008-09 when it was generating massive revenue driven by its Wii and DS consoles.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/tech-it-out-super-nintendo-world-for-mario-fans-373119/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>Sales were up 34.4 per cent to 1.76 trillion yen,&nbsp;Nintendo&nbsp;said, with 28.8 million Switch units sold,&nbsp;the highest number since the console, which can be handheld or used with a TV, launched four years ago.</p>

<p>But the Kyoto-based company forecast a tougher outlook for the current 2021-22 fiscal year, projecting net profit at 340 billion yen on sales of 1.6 trillion yen.</p>

<p>"Regarding the risk associated with COVID-19... the supply of products might be affected if production and shipments are hindered,"&nbsp;Nintendo&nbsp;said in a statement.</p>

<p>"In addition, the production of products might be affected by obstacles to the procurement of parts, including the increase in global demand for semiconductor components," it said.</p>

<p>The world is facing a chip shortage, driven by a surge in demand for electronic devices during the pandemic and compounded by a fire at a Japanese factory and a drought in Taiwan.</p>

<p>"The global semiconductor shortage could hit the gaming industry hard this year as other essential industries such as the auto sector are waging a fierce battle for chips," Yasuo Imanaka, chief analyst at Rakuten Securities, told AFP.</p>

<p><strong>Tricky fifth year&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>The Switch was the United States' top-selling console in 2020, a year that saw record sales of video games, consoles and accessories, according to NPD Group, a market research firm.</p>

<p>Nintendo&nbsp;forecast global sales at 25.5 million Switch units for this fiscal year.</p>

<p>"Nintendo&nbsp;enjoyed strong sales, fully taking advantage of the lockdown demand," Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, told AFP ahead of the results.</p>

<p>"I don't think the outlook is so pessimistic, as&nbsp;Nintendo&nbsp;has won new game users during the pandemic," he added.</p>

<p>The lower profit target comes as the Switch enters its crucial fifth year. Previously&nbsp;Nintendo's new console sales have tended to peak in the third year after release, and then taper off.</p>

<p>"Animal Crossing: New Horizons", the latest title in the "Animal Crossing" series, was released in March 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic was causing many countries to impose strict lockdowns.</p>

<p>The game sees players guide their digital personas around an uninhabited island, slowly transforming the landscape with a house, garden and eventually a thriving community of adorable cartoon animal neighbours.</p>

<p>Its leisurely pace struck a chord with gamers around the world, many of them yearning for a virtual escape from the onerous restrictions on movement.</p>

<p>Nintendo's first-ever real-life theme park, a "Super Mario"-themed zone at Universal Studios Japan, also opened in March after months of pandemic delays, but was forced to close by new virus restrictions just over a month later.</p>


Nintendo reported its highest ever annual profit Thursday after virus lockdowns caused sales of its blockbuster Switch console to soar, but the Japanese gaming giant warned the bumper pandemic year would be hard to repeat.

Nintendo reported its highest ever annual profit Thursday after virus lockdowns caused sales of its blockbuster Switch console to soar, but the Japanese gaming giant warned the bumper pandemic year would be hard to repeat. While fresh waves of infections have dashed recovery hopes in many industries, successive rounds of restrictions have helped extend a run of good fortune for video game companies as people seek indoor entertainment. The firm said surging sales were propelled by the runaway popularity of the Switch and the family-friendly game "Animal Crossing", which became a lockdown hit. Net profit jumped 85.7 per cent from a year earlier to 480.4 billion yen ($4.4 billion) for the fiscal year to March, beating the company's prediction of 400 billion yen. It broke its previous profit record set in 2008-09 when it was generating massive revenue driven by its Wii and DS consoles. Sales were up 34.4 per cent to 1.76 trillion yen, Nintendo said, with 28.8 million Switch units sold, the highest number since the console, which can be handheld or used with a TV, launched four years ago. But the Kyoto-based company forecast a tougher outlook for the current 2021-22 fiscal year, projecting net profit at 340 billion yen on sales of 1.6 trillion yen. "Regarding the risk associated with COVID-19... the supply of products might be affected if production and shipments are hindered," Nintendo said in a statement. "In addition, the production of products might be affected by obstacles to the procurement of parts, including the increase in global demand for semiconductor components," it said. The world is facing a chip shortage, driven by a surge in demand for electronic devices during the pandemic and compounded by a fire at a Japanese factory and a drought in Taiwan. "The global semiconductor shortage could hit the gaming industry hard this year as other essential industries such as the auto sector are waging a fierce battle for chips," Yasuo Imanaka, chief analyst at Rakuten Securities, told AFP. Tricky fifth year The Switch was the United States' top-selling console in 2020, a year that saw record sales of video games, consoles and accessories, according to NPD Group, a market research firm. Nintendo forecast global sales at 25.5 million Switch units for this fiscal year. "Nintendo enjoyed strong sales, fully taking advantage of the lockdown demand," Hideki Yasuda, an analyst at Ace Research Institute in Tokyo, told AFP ahead of the results. "I don't think the outlook is so pessimistic, as Nintendo has won new game users during the pandemic," he added. The lower profit target comes as the Switch enters its crucial fifth year. Previously Nintendo's new console sales have tended to peak in the third year after release, and then taper off. "Animal Crossing: New Horizons", the latest title in the "Animal Crossing" series, was released in March 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic was causing many countries to impose strict lockdowns. The game sees players guide their digital personas around an uninhabited island, slowly transforming the landscape with a house, garden and eventually a thriving community of adorable cartoon animal neighbours. Its leisurely pace struck a chord with gamers around the world, many of them yearning for a virtual escape from the onerous restrictions on movement. Nintendo's first-ever real-life theme park, a "Super Mario"-themed zone at Universal Studios Japan, also opened in March after months of pandemic delays, but was forced to close by new virus restrictions just over a month later.

Nintendo logs record pandemic profit but outlook cautious

<p>Vietnam&nbsp;has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>.</p>

<p>The nation has so far kept case numbers low,&nbsp;recording&nbsp;just over 3,000 cases and 35 deaths, thanks to strict quarantine measures and extensive contact tracing.</p>

<p>But&nbsp;Vietnam&nbsp;reported its first community outbreak in weeks last Thursday, and other clusters have since emerged.</p>

<p>Several cases have been linked to people who tested positive after their two-week stay in hotel quarantine had ended.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vietnamese-envoy-gets-first-dose-of-indian-covid-19-vaccine-covaxin-377081">Vietnamese envoy gets first dose of Indian COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin</a></strong></p>

<p>"The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of mandatory quarantine for people who have made close contact with COVID-19 patients and people who have entered&nbsp;Vietnam," said health minister Nguyen Thanh Long.</p>

<p>The new quarantine period will be 21 days.</p>

<p>The announcement came after one of the country's best hospitals,&nbsp;which has treated many COVID-19 patients, went into lockdown Wednesday after a doctor tested positive for the virus.</p>

<p>Fourteen others at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi were later found to be infected.</p>

<p>About 800 medical workers, patients as well as any relatives who were visiting at the time the lockdown was announced must remain in the hospital for two weeks, authorities said.</p>

<p>Vietnam&nbsp;has also detected cases in the community of a COVID-19 variant believed to be behind a devastating surge in infections in India.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vietnams-pandemic-response-leader-sworn-in-as-president-375407">Vietnam's pandemic response leader sworn in as president</a></strong></p>

<p>The last community outbreak, centred on the northern city of Hai Duong, was successfully contained last month.</p>

<p>But the country has been on high alert amid a spiralling outbreak in other parts of Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Laos, which both share a border with&nbsp;Vietnam.</p>


Vietnam has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the coronavirus.

Vietnam has extended the quarantine period for anyone arriving in the country to three weeks, authorities said Wednesday, following a fresh community outbreak of the coronavirus. The nation has so far kept case numbers low, recording just over 3,000 cases and 35 deaths, thanks to strict quarantine measures and extensive contact tracing. But Vietnam reported its first community outbreak in weeks last Thursday, and other clusters have since emerged. Several cases have been linked to people who tested positive after their two-week stay in hotel quarantine had ended. Also read | Vietnamese envoy gets first dose of Indian COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin "The Ministry of Health has decided to extend the period of mandatory quarantine for people who have made close contact with COVID-19 patients and people who have entered Vietnam," said health minister Nguyen Thanh Long. The new quarantine period will be 21 days. The announcement came after one of the country's best hospitals, which has treated many COVID-19 patients, went into lockdown Wednesday after a doctor tested positive for the virus. Fourteen others at the National Hospital for Tropical Diseases in Hanoi were later found to be infected. About 800 medical workers, patients as well as any relatives who were visiting at the time the lockdown was announced must remain in the hospital for two weeks, authorities said. Vietnam has also detected cases in the community of a COVID-19 variant believed to be behind a devastating surge in infections in India. Also read | Vietnam's pandemic response leader sworn in as president The last community outbreak, centred on the northern city of Hai Duong, was successfully contained last month. But the country has been on high alert amid a spiralling outbreak in other parts of Southeast Asia including Cambodia and Laos, which both share a border with Vietnam.

Vietnam extends quarantine for arrivals after new virus outbreak

covid

Covid, News on Covid, stories on Covid, articles on Covid, Covid stories at Wion, Covid news, Covid latest news