More than half of people hospitalised with COVID-19 still have at least one symptom two years after they were first infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the longest follow-up study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.

The research followed 1,192 participants in China infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first phase of the pandemic in 2020.

While physical and mental health generally improved over time, the study suggests that COVID-19 patients still tend to have poorer health and quality of life than the general population.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bill-gates-tests-positive-for-covid-19-says-experiencing-mild-symptoms-477995">Bill Gates tests positive for COVID-19, says experiencing 'mild symptoms'</a>

This is especially the case for participants with long covid, who typically still have at least one symptom including fatigue, shortness of breath, and sleep difficulties two years after initially falling ill, the researchers said.

The long-term health impacts of COVID-19 have remained largely unknown, as the longest follow-up studies to date have spanned around one year, they said.

"Our findings indicate that for a certain proportion of hospitalised COVID-19 survivors, while they may have cleared the initial infection, more than two years is needed to recover fully from COVID-19," said study lead author Professor Bin Cao, of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China.

"Ongoing follow-up of COVID-19 survivors, particularly those with symptoms of long covid, is essential to understand the longer course of the illness, as is further exploration of the benefits of rehabilitation programmes for recovery," Cao said in a statement.

The researchers noted that there is a clear need to provide continued support to a significant proportion of people who have had COVID-19, and to understand how vaccines, emerging treatments, and variants affect long-term health outcomes.

Watch |&nbsp;China’s censors target WHO Chief after comments criticizing its Zero covid policy

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They evaluated the health of 1,192 participants with acute COVID-19 treated at Jin Yin-tan Hospital in Wuhan, between January 7 and May 29, 2020, at six months, 12 months, and two years.

Assessments involved a six-minute walking test, laboratory tests, and questionnaires on symptoms, mental health, health-related quality of life, if they had returned to work, and health-care use after discharge, the researchers said.

The median age of participants at discharge was 57 years, and 54 per cent were men.

Six months after initially falling ill, 68 per cent of participants reported at least one long covid&nbsp;symptom, according to the researchers. 
By two years after infection, reports of symptoms had fallen to 55 per cent, they said.

Fatigue or muscle weakness were the symptoms most often reported and fell from 52 per cent at six months to 30 per cent at two years, the researchers said.

Regardless of the severity of their initial illness, 89 per cent of participants had returned to their original work at two years, they said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-growing-criticism-chinese-study-claims-lifting-zero-covid-policy-will-unleash-tsunami-of-cases-478182">Chinese study claims lifting ‘zero-Covid’ policy will unleash ‘tsunami of cases’</a>

The researchers noted that two years after initially falling ill, patients with COVID-19 are generally in poorer health than the general population, with 31 per cent reporting fatigue or muscle weakness and 31 per cent reporting sleep difficulties.

COVID-19 patients were also more likely to report a number of other symptoms including joint pain, palpitations, dizziness, and headaches, they said.

Around half of study participants had symptoms of long COVID at two years, and reported lower quality of life than those without long covid.

In mental health questionnaires, 35 per cent reported pain or discomfort and 19 per cent reported anxiety or depression.

Long covid&nbsp;participants also more often reported problems with their mobility or activity than those without the disorder.

The authors acknowledge some limitations to their study.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/for-the-first-time-north-korea-officially-confirms-covid-outbreak-orders-lockdown-to-check-omicrons-spread-478240">Covid-19 in North Korea: After official confirmation of outbreak, Kim orders lockdown</a>

Without a control group of hospital survivors unrelated to COVID-19 infection, it is hard to determine whether observed abnormalities are specific to COVID-19, they said.

The slightly increased proportion of participants included in the analysis who received oxygen leads to the possibility that those who did not participate in the study had fewer symptoms than those who did, according to the researchers.

This may result in an overestimate of the prevalence of long covid symptoms, they added.

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More than half of people hospitalised with COVID-19 still have at least one symptom two years after they were first infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the longest follow-up study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.

More than half of people hospitalised with COVID-19 still have at least one symptom two years after they were first infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to the longest follow-up study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal. The research followed 1,192 participants in China infected with SARS-CoV-2 during the first phase of the pandemic in 2020. While physical and mental health generally improved over time, the study suggests that COVID-19 patients still tend to have poorer health and quality of life than the general population. Also read | Bill Gates tests positive for COVID-19, says experiencing 'mild symptoms' This is especially the case for participants with long covid, who typically still have at least one symptom including fatigue, shortness of breath, and sleep difficulties two years after initially falling ill, the researchers said. The long-term health impacts of COVID-19 have remained largely unknown, as the longest follow-up studies to date have spanned around one year, they said. "Our findings indicate that for a certain proportion of hospitalised COVID-19 survivors, while they may have cleared the initial infection, more than two years is needed to recover fully from COVID-19," said study lead author Professor Bin Cao, of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, China. "Ongoing follow-up of COVID-19 survivors, particularly those with symptoms of long covid, is essential to understand the longer course of the illness, as is further exploration of the benefits of rehabilitation programmes for recovery," Cao said in a statement. The researchers noted that there is a clear need to provide continued support to a significant proportion of people who have had COVID-19, and to understand how vaccines, emerging treatments, and variants affect long-term health outcomes. Watch | China’s censors target WHO Chief after comments criticizing its Zero covid policy They evaluated the health of 1,192 participants with acute COVID-19 treated at Jin Yin-tan Hospital in Wuhan, between January 7 and May 29, 2020, at six months, 12 months, and two years. Assessments involved a six-minute walking test, laboratory tests, and questionnaires on symptoms, mental health, health-related quality of life, if they had returned to work, and health-care use after discharge, the researchers said. The median age of participants at discharge was 57 years, and 54 per cent were men. Six months after initially falling ill, 68 per cent of participants reported at least one long covid symptom, according to the researchers. By two years after infection, reports of symptoms had fallen to 55 per cent, they said. Fatigue or muscle weakness were the symptoms most often reported and fell from 52 per cent at six months to 30 per cent at two years, the researchers said. Regardless of the severity of their initial illness, 89 per cent of participants had returned to their original work at two years, they said. Also read | Chinese study claims lifting ‘zero-Covid’ policy will unleash ‘tsunami of cases’ The researchers noted that two years after initially falling ill, patients with COVID-19 are generally in poorer health than the general population, with 31 per cent reporting fatigue or muscle weakness and 31 per cent reporting sleep difficulties. COVID-19 patients were also more likely to report a number of other symptoms including joint pain, palpitations, dizziness, and headaches, they said. Around half of study participants had symptoms of long COVID at two years, and reported lower quality of life than those without long covid. In mental health questionnaires, 35 per cent reported pain or discomfort and 19 per cent reported anxiety or depression. Long covid participants also more often reported problems with their mobility or activity than those without the disorder. The authors acknowledge some limitations to their study. Also read | Covid-19 in North Korea: After official confirmation of outbreak, Kim orders lockdown Without a control group of hospital survivors unrelated to COVID-19 infection, it is hard to determine whether observed abnormalities are specific to COVID-19, they said. The slightly increased proportion of participants included in the analysis who received oxygen leads to the possibility that those who did not participate in the study had fewer symptoms than those who did, according to the researchers. This may result in an overestimate of the prevalence of long covid symptoms, they added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Half of Covid survivors show one symptom even two years after infection: Lancet study

In Pics: For first time, North Korea reports Omicron cases, goes for lockdown

With 2,288 new coronavirus infections reported in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,31,07,689, while the active cases decreased to 19,637, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

The death toll climbed to 5,24,103 with 10 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.74 per cent, the ministry said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-centre-approves-russian-vaccine-sputnik-booster-shot-says-officials-477030">Centre approves Russian vaccine ‘Sputnik’ booster COVID-19 shot: Report</a>

A decrease of 766 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.47 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.79 per cent, according to the ministry.

Watch |&nbsp;India: Mask mandate back in New Delhi as COVID cases surge

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The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,63,949, while the case fatality rate was 1.22 per cent.

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The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 190.50 crore.

India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covovax-vaccine-available-for-everyone-above-12-years-adar-poonawalla-476470">Covovax vaccine available for everyone above 12 years: Adar Poonawalla</a>

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

The 10 new fatalities include six from Kerala, three from Delhi and one from Karnataka.&nbsp;

With 2,288 new coronavirus infections reported in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,31,07,689, while the active cases decreased to 19,637, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

With 2,288 new coronavirus infections reported in a day, India's tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,31,07,689, while the active cases decreased to 19,637, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll climbed to 5,24,103 with 10 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.74 per cent, the ministry said. Also read | Centre approves Russian vaccine ‘Sputnik’ booster COVID-19 shot: Report A decrease of 766 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.47 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.79 per cent, according to the ministry. Watch | India: Mask mandate back in New Delhi as COVID cases surge The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,63,949, while the case fatality rate was 1.22 per cent. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 190.50 crore. India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. Also read | Covovax vaccine available for everyone above 12 years: Adar Poonawalla The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. The 10 new fatalities include six from Kerala, three from Delhi and one from Karnataka.

India: Active COVID-19 cases dip to 19,637

Japanese&nbsp;authorities have pledged to investigate a mix-up that saw high&nbsp;school&nbsp;athletes given hand sanitiser to drink during a race, with one student falling ill after taking a swig.

Competition organisers for a girls' 5,000-metre walking race held last weekend in central Japan's Yamanashi prefecture mistakenly poured the sanitiser into cups and placed them at a drinks station for athletes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-says-japan-would-eventually-cease-to-exist-heres-what-he-meant-by-it-477573">Elon Musk says Japan would 'eventually cease to exist'. Here's what he meant by it</a>

Yamanashi's high&nbsp;school&nbsp;sport federation said the sanitiser had been stored in an unlabelled plastic bottle alongside those containing drinking water in a cardboard box.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Japan Soba Noodles: The unlikely victim of Ukraine war

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Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is commonly used to protect against Covid-19 and has become ubiquitous in Japan and other countries since the pandemic began.

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One athlete collapsed, vomited and dropped out of the race after drinking the sanitiser, while two others spat it out and continued.

In all, three athletes were taken to hospital for treatment and were reported to be recovering.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-slams-japan-after-kishida-said-ukraine-plight-could-be-replicated-in-east-asia-476810">China slams Japan after Kishida said Ukraine plight could be replicated in East Asia</a>

Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki said Monday that there would be a third-party investigation.

"On behalf of the prefecture, I would like to offer a sincere apology to the athlete and her family," he said.

Japanese authorities have pledged to investigate a mix-up that saw high school athletes given hand sanitiser to drink during a race, with one student falling ill after taking a swig.

Japanese authorities have pledged to investigate a mix-up that saw high school athletes given hand sanitiser to drink during a race, with one student falling ill after taking a swig. Competition organisers for a girls' 5,000-metre walking race held last weekend in central Japan's Yamanashi prefecture mistakenly poured the sanitiser into cups and placed them at a drinks station for athletes. Also read | Elon Musk says Japan would 'eventually cease to exist'. Here's what he meant by it Yamanashi's high school sport federation said the sanitiser had been stored in an unlabelled plastic bottle alongside those containing drinking water in a cardboard box. Watch | Gravitas: Japan Soba Noodles: The unlikely victim of Ukraine war Alcohol-based hand sanitiser is commonly used to protect against Covid-19 and has become ubiquitous in Japan and other countries since the pandemic began. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: One athlete collapsed, vomited and dropped out of the race after drinking the sanitiser, while two others spat it out and continued. In all, three athletes were taken to hospital for treatment and were reported to be recovering. Also read | China slams Japan after Kishida said Ukraine plight could be replicated in East Asia Yamanashi governor Kotaro Nagasaki said Monday that there would be a third-party investigation. "On behalf of the prefecture, I would like to offer a sincere apology to the athlete and her family," he said.

Japan: School kids served sanitiser in place of water in horrible mix-up

A study conducted on&nbsp;animals has shown that&nbsp;a covid vaccine developed to be administered orally not only protects fighting against the coronavirus, but also reduces the airborne dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the others in close contact, reported by PTI.

The study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, shows that the vaccine has the capacity to neutralise the virus through mucosal tissue, limiting the infections and the spread of the active airborne particles.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-finds-omicron-variant-of-covid-is-as-severe-as-delta-variant-476893">Study finds Omicron variant of Covid is as severe as Delta variant</a>

In the study,&nbsp;which used hamsters for trials, the vaccine induced a strong antibody&nbsp;response in&nbsp;the blood and lungs.

When the animals were exposed to large doses of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing a breakthrough infection they were found to be less symptomatic and had lower quantities of infections virus in their nose and lungs than the non-vaccinated hamsters.

As a result, they did not shed as much virus through routine airborne exposures, according to the researchers.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Another setback for Johnson &amp; Johnson COVID vaccine jab as FDA limits its use

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Stephanie N Langel of Duke University Medical Centre in the US said, “Considering most of the world is under-immunised and this is especially true of children, the possibility that a vaccinated person with a breakthrough infection can spread covid&nbsp;to unimmunised family or community members poses a public health risk.”

She further said that developing such vaccines will not only be beneficial for protecting against disease but will also decrease the chances of transmitting the virus to an unvaccinated person.

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The researchers, which included teams from Vaxart, a US vaccine producer and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, a clinical research non-profit,&nbsp;examined the vaccine that uses an adenovirus as a vector to express the virus spike protein. The SARS-CoV-2 uses the spike protein to enter and infect human cells.&nbsp;

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/study-shows-risk-of-long-covid-19-is-worse-after-getting-infected-with-delta-variant-than-omicron-477052">&nbsp;Study shows risk of long COVID-19 is worse after getting infected with Delta variant than Omicron</a>

According to researchers, contrary to the vaccinations that are injected to muscle, mucosal immunisations enhance the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), the immune system’s first line of defence against pathogens in the lungs and nose.

They said that these mucosal ports of entry are then protected making it rare for a vaccinated person to transfer infection during cough or sneezing. As per the researchers, the human vaccination is designed to be consumed as a pill.&nbsp;

Researchers noted that this study focused on the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, but new tests will be conducted to test the vaccine against the Omicron variants.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A study conducted on animals has shown that a covid vaccine developed to be administered orally not only protects fighting against the coronavirus, but also reduces the airborne dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the others in close contact, reported by PTI.

A study conducted on animals has shown that a covid vaccine developed to be administered orally not only protects fighting against the coronavirus, but also reduces the airborne dissemination of the SARS-CoV-2 virus to the others in close contact, reported by PTI. The study published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, shows that the vaccine has the capacity to neutralise the virus through mucosal tissue, limiting the infections and the spread of the active airborne particles. Also read | Study finds Omicron variant of Covid is as severe as Delta variant In the study, which used hamsters for trials, the vaccine induced a strong antibody response in the blood and lungs. When the animals were exposed to large doses of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, causing a breakthrough infection they were found to be less symptomatic and had lower quantities of infections virus in their nose and lungs than the non-vaccinated hamsters. As a result, they did not shed as much virus through routine airborne exposures, according to the researchers. Watch | Another setback for Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine jab as FDA limits its use Stephanie N Langel of Duke University Medical Centre in the US said, “Considering most of the world is under-immunised and this is especially true of children, the possibility that a vaccinated person with a breakthrough infection can spread covid to unimmunised family or community members poses a public health risk.” She further said that developing such vaccines will not only be beneficial for protecting against disease but will also decrease the chances of transmitting the virus to an unvaccinated person. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: The researchers, which included teams from Vaxart, a US vaccine producer and Lovelace Biomedical Research Institute, a clinical research non-profit, examined the vaccine that uses an adenovirus as a vector to express the virus spike protein. The SARS-CoV-2 uses the spike protein to enter and infect human cells. Also read | Study shows risk of long COVID-19 is worse after getting infected with Delta variant than Omicron According to researchers, contrary to the vaccinations that are injected to muscle, mucosal immunisations enhance the production of immunoglobulin A (IgA), the immune system’s first line of defence against pathogens in the lungs and nose. They said that these mucosal ports of entry are then protected making it rare for a vaccinated person to transfer infection during cough or sneezing. As per the researchers, the human vaccination is designed to be consumed as a pill. Researchers noted that this study focused on the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, but new tests will be conducted to test the vaccine against the Omicron variants. (With inputs from agencies)

New oral vaccine protects against Covid and reduces its transmission, says Study

The Asian Games due to take place in Hangzhou in September have been postponed indefinitely, organisers said Friday, as China battles a resurgence of Covid cases.

No reason was given for the delay, but China is racing to extinguish its largest outbreak of Covid-19 since the early days of the pandemic.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/world-athletics-day-2022-history-significance-everything-you-need-to-know-476678">World Athletics Day 2022:&nbsp;History, significance, everything you need to know</a>

“The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that the 19th Asian Games, originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25, 2022, will be postponed,” said a statement on the official Games website, first posted on Chinese state media.

The new dates for the sporting contest “will be announced at a later date”, the statement added.

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The host city of Hangzhou lies near the country’s biggest city, Shanghai, which has endured a weeks-long lockdown as part of the ruling Communist Party’s zero-tolerance approach to the virus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/taiwan-to-host-asian-pride-games-after-two-years-despite-spikes-in-covid-cases-475099">Taiwan to host Asian Pride Games after two years despite spike in COVID-19</a>

Organisers said last month that Hangzhou, a city of 12 million in eastern China, had finished constructing some 56 competition venues for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games.

At the time, they indicated that they planned to hold the events under a virus control plan that “learns from the successful experience” of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which were held in February in a Covid-secure bubble.

The Asian Games due to take place in Hangzhou in September have been postponed indefinitely, organisers said Friday, as China battles a resurgence of Covid cases.

The Asian Games due to take place in Hangzhou in September have been postponed indefinitely, organisers said Friday, as China battles a resurgence of Covid cases. No reason was given for the delay, but China is racing to extinguish its largest outbreak of Covid-19 since the early days of the pandemic. Also read | World Athletics Day 2022: History, significance, everything you need to know “The Olympic Council of Asia has announced that the 19th Asian Games, originally scheduled to be held in Hangzhou, China from September 10 to 25, 2022, will be postponed,” said a statement on the official Games website, first posted on Chinese state media. The new dates for the sporting contest “will be announced at a later date”, the statement added. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: The host city of Hangzhou lies near the country’s biggest city, Shanghai, which has endured a weeks-long lockdown as part of the ruling Communist Party’s zero-tolerance approach to the virus. Also read | Taiwan to host Asian Pride Games after two years despite spike in COVID-19 Organisers said last month that Hangzhou, a city of 12 million in eastern China, had finished constructing some 56 competition venues for the Asian Games and Asian Para Games. At the time, they indicated that they planned to hold the events under a virus control plan that “learns from the successful experience” of the Beijing Winter Olympics, which were held in February in a Covid-secure bubble.

Asian Games 2022 postponed, Chinese state media reports

Despite an outbreak of the coronavirus caused by two new Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus; BA.4 and BA.5, South Africa has now put an end to school children wearing masks on Thursday (May 5).

The health ministry announced that regulations requiring all students to wear masks in class expired at midnight ad were not renewed. However, adults are still required to wear masks in public indoor locations, and there are still limits on the number of people for gatherings.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-chief-warns-world-is-blind-to-how-covid-is-mutating-after-safrica-reports-two-new-omicron-variants-476547" hreflang="en">After S.Africa reports two new Omicron variants, WHO chief warns world is blind to Covid mutations</a>

The country has officially reported over 3.8 million infected cases and 100,407 fatalities, the highest toll in Africa and yet just around half of the adult population has been properly vaccinated. Following a brief break in April, the number of cases has been in the country has been steadily increasing with reporting more than 6,100 cases on Wednesday (May 4).

Watch |&nbsp;More trouble for Jacob Zuma, probe finds questionable deals under his rule

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The ministry in a statement said, “The only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones against this pandemic and the current rising number of positive cases is through vaccination and adhering to preventative measures at all times.”

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Indoor gatherings are limited to half of the venue capacity or 1,000 people and outdoor events can have 2,000 people with a negative covid test report. The inbound travellers are expected to be fully vaccinated and if not,&nbsp;to submit their negative covid test report.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-watchdog-warns-pandemic-is-far-from-over-will-continue-to-impact-our-lives-476651" hreflang="en">EU watchdog warns pandemic is 'far from over', will continue to impact our lives</a>

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation chief on Wednesday said that the two Omicron sub-variant are to be blamed for the increase in infections in the country. He further said, “too soon to know whether these new sub-variants can cause more severe disease than other Omicron sub-variants." 
(With inputs from agencies)

Despite an outbreak of the coronavirus caused by two new Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus; BA.4 and BA.5, South Africa has now put an end to school children wearing masks on Thursday (May 5).

Despite an outbreak of the coronavirus caused by two new Omicron sub-variants of coronavirus; BA.4 and BA.5, South Africa has now put an end to school children wearing masks on Thursday (May 5). The health ministry announced that regulations requiring all students to wear masks in class expired at midnight ad were not renewed. However, adults are still required to wear masks in public indoor locations, and there are still limits on the number of people for gatherings. Also read | After S.Africa reports two new Omicron variants, WHO chief warns world is blind to Covid mutations The country has officially reported over 3.8 million infected cases and 100,407 fatalities, the highest toll in Africa and yet just around half of the adult population has been properly vaccinated. Following a brief break in April, the number of cases has been in the country has been steadily increasing with reporting more than 6,100 cases on Wednesday (May 4). Watch | More trouble for Jacob Zuma, probe finds questionable deals under his rule The ministry in a statement said, “The only way we can protect ourselves and our loved ones against this pandemic and the current rising number of positive cases is through vaccination and adhering to preventative measures at all times.” WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Indoor gatherings are limited to half of the venue capacity or 1,000 people and outdoor events can have 2,000 people with a negative covid test report. The inbound travellers are expected to be fully vaccinated and if not, to submit their negative covid test report. Also read | EU watchdog warns pandemic is 'far from over', will continue to impact our lives Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, World Health Organisation chief on Wednesday said that the two Omicron sub-variant are to be blamed for the increase in infections in the country. He further said, “too soon to know whether these new sub-variants can cause more severe disease than other Omicron sub-variants." (With inputs from agencies)

Despite an increase in COVID-19 cases, South Africa to drop masks for kids

In pics: One dead, 5000 suffer breathing problems as thick sandstorm hits Iraq

American Pharma giant Pfizer has operationalized its largest and only drug development centre in Asia in the Indian city of Chennai. Set up at a cost of USD20 million (approx INR150 crore), the facility will carry out the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Finished Dosage Forms (FDFs) for a wide range of Prizer's offerings. While API refers to the component of the drug that causes the intended effect, FDF refers to the finished drug that is meant for consumption.&nbsp;

According to&nbsp;S. Sridhar, Country Manager, Pfizer India, their organisation is&nbsp;confident that the latest facility will allow for synergistic co-development of cutting-edge API and FDF processes under the same roof. The world-class scientific, technology and innovation-driven Research Park campus provides an ideal setting for our work, he said. Pfizer is also considering roping in talent from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and other academia (as employees or interns), collaborating with academia, and funding healthcare sector start-ups in India, among other activities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-reports-record-profits-amid-growth-in-vaccine-paxlovid-pill-476179">Pfizer reports record profits amid growth in vaccine, Paxlovid pill</a>

Queried on the operational status of the new facility, Pfizer officials told WION that a majority of the Chennai facility was operational and that their work had started. However, only the qualification of some sophisticated equipment remains to be completed, in line with Good Manufacturing Practice, they added. "Our new facility is aimed at working on small molecule drug development and we have labs that are meant for chemistry, microbiology, process engineering, support labs, etc." they said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: Macron set to host Modi after re-election

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Simply put, a&nbsp;small-molecule drug is a synthetic chemical derived from or inspired by natural products produced by bacteria, fungi, and plants. These drugs use biochemical processes to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases.

As per the company, the new centre integrates two essential functions under the export-oriented undertaking of Pfizer Inc.: Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and Global Technology and Engineering (GT&amp;E) Center of Excellence. While PharmSci is dedicated to the development of anti-infectives, oncolytics, sterile injectables, anaesthesia products, hospital products, GT &amp; E pioneers next-generation API processing and manufacturing technology to supply medicines to patients around the globe.&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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Situated at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, this 61,000sq ft facility employs over 250 scientists and professionals from a range of domains, including formulation scientists and pharmacists, analytical scientists, life science specialists (Microbiologists, Biotechnologists), chemical engineers, data scientists, and programme managers.

This facility in Chennai is part of one of the 12 global centres that Pfizer operates around the world. In addition to this drug development centre, Pfizer also operates three plants that manufacture Pfizer Pharmaceutical products in the Indian cities of Visakhapatnam, Goa, and Ahmedabad, besides nearly thirty third-party manufacturing facilities.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizers-anti-covid-pill-gets-who-approval-heres-what-you-should-know-about-paxlovid-472896">Pfizer's anti-Covid pill gets WHO approval. Here's what you should know about Paxlovid</a>

"We believe that the proximity of Pfizer to IITM, scientists and students, the Tech Corridor, and other leading industry start-ups will foster greater collaboration between industry and academia. We are also sure that the academicians at IITM will benefit from having access to Pfizer’s centre," said Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President, IITM Research Park. 
&nbsp;

American Pharma giant Pfizer has operationalized its largest and only drug development centre in Asia in the Indian city of Chennai. Set up at a cost of USD20 million (approx INR150 crore), the facility will carry out the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Finished Dosage Forms (FDFs) for a wide range of Prizer's offerings.

American Pharma giant Pfizer has operationalized its largest and only drug development centre in Asia in the Indian city of Chennai. Set up at a cost of USD20 million (approx INR150 crore), the facility will carry out the development of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) and Finished Dosage Forms (FDFs) for a wide range of Prizer's offerings. While API refers to the component of the drug that causes the intended effect, FDF refers to the finished drug that is meant for consumption. According to S. Sridhar, Country Manager, Pfizer India, their organisation is confident that the latest facility will allow for synergistic co-development of cutting-edge API and FDF processes under the same roof. The world-class scientific, technology and innovation-driven Research Park campus provides an ideal setting for our work, he said. Pfizer is also considering roping in talent from the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras and other academia (as employees or interns), collaborating with academia, and funding healthcare sector start-ups in India, among other activities. Also read | Pfizer reports record profits amid growth in vaccine, Paxlovid pill Queried on the operational status of the new facility, Pfizer officials told WION that a majority of the Chennai facility was operational and that their work had started. However, only the qualification of some sophisticated equipment remains to be completed, in line with Good Manufacturing Practice, they added. "Our new facility is aimed at working on small molecule drug development and we have labs that are meant for chemistry, microbiology, process engineering, support labs, etc." they said. Watch | Gravitas: Macron set to host Modi after re-election Simply put, a small-molecule drug is a synthetic chemical derived from or inspired by natural products produced by bacteria, fungi, and plants. These drugs use biochemical processes to diagnose, treat, or prevent diseases. As per the company, the new centre integrates two essential functions under the export-oriented undertaking of Pfizer Inc.: Pharmaceutical Sciences (PharmSci) and Global Technology and Engineering (GT&E) Center of Excellence. While PharmSci is dedicated to the development of anti-infectives, oncolytics, sterile injectables, anaesthesia products, hospital products, GT & E pioneers next-generation API processing and manufacturing technology to supply medicines to patients around the globe. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Situated at the IIT Madras Research Park in Chennai, this 61,000sq ft facility employs over 250 scientists and professionals from a range of domains, including formulation scientists and pharmacists, analytical scientists, life science specialists (Microbiologists, Biotechnologists), chemical engineers, data scientists, and programme managers. This facility in Chennai is part of one of the 12 global centres that Pfizer operates around the world. In addition to this drug development centre, Pfizer also operates three plants that manufacture Pfizer Pharmaceutical products in the Indian cities of Visakhapatnam, Goa, and Ahmedabad, besides nearly thirty third-party manufacturing facilities. Also read | Pfizer's anti-Covid pill gets WHO approval. Here's what you should know about Paxlovid "We believe that the proximity of Pfizer to IITM, scientists and students, the Tech Corridor, and other leading industry start-ups will foster greater collaboration between industry and academia. We are also sure that the academicians at IITM will benefit from having access to Pfizer’s centre," said Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, President, IITM Research Park.

Pfizer's largest drug development centre in Asia is situated in this Indian city

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, confirmed on Wednesday (May 4) in his tweet that the COVID-19 vaccination Covovax will now be available to everyone above the age of 12 years.

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A lot of you have asked if Covovax is available for adults. The answer is yes, it is available for everyone above the age of 12.
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) <a href="https://twitter.com/adarpoonawalla/status/1521908211577618437?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2022</a></blockquote>
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This confirmation came a day after Poonawalla stated on Twitter that Covovax is now available for children in India. In the country, Covovax (Novavax) will be available for children. This is the only Indian-made vaccine that is also available in Europe, and it boasts a 90 per cent efficacy rate. The CEO even mentioned the vision of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of delivering another vaccine to protect the children.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/omicron-as-severe-as-previous-covid-variants-large-study-finds-476450">Omicron as severe as previous Covid variants, large study finds</a>

The Indian government last year in December approved use of Covovax for an emergency case.

Watch |&nbsp;Cognitive abilities can decline due to severe covid: Reports

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Last Monday (May 2), the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) authorised the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India for the age group of 12-17 years.&nbsp;

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However, many Twitter users expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that the Covovax option is not available on the CoWIN app for vaccine recipients for the age group of 18 years and above.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/severe-covid-may-result-in-cognitive-ability-dropping-by-10-iq-points-study-476336">Severe Covid infection may affect thinking similar to 20 years of ageing: Study</a>

Another user tweeted with a screenshot of the app and said, “Check this out, when we select 18 &amp; above option in CoWIN app, automatically Covovax option gets faded i.e disabled while 4 other options are highlighted i.e Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik, ZyCov-D."

(With inputs&nbsp;from agencies)

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, confirmed on Wednesday (May 4) in his tweet that the COVID-19 vaccination Covovax will now be available to everyone above the age of 12 years.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune, confirmed on Wednesday (May 4) in his tweet that the COVID-19 vaccination Covovax will now be available to everyone above the age of 12 years. A lot of you have asked if Covovax is available for adults. The answer is yes, it is available for everyone above the age of 12. — Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) May 4, 2022 × This confirmation came a day after Poonawalla stated on Twitter that Covovax is now available for children in India. In the country, Covovax (Novavax) will be available for children. This is the only Indian-made vaccine that is also available in Europe, and it boasts a 90 per cent efficacy rate. The CEO even mentioned the vision of the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aim of delivering another vaccine to protect the children. Also read | Omicron as severe as previous Covid variants, large study finds The Indian government last year in December approved use of Covovax for an emergency case. Watch | Cognitive abilities can decline due to severe covid: Reports Last Monday (May 2), the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) authorised the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine from the Serum Institute of India for the age group of 12-17 years. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: However, many Twitter users expressed their dissatisfaction with the fact that the Covovax option is not available on the CoWIN app for vaccine recipients for the age group of 18 years and above. Also read | Severe Covid infection may affect thinking similar to 20 years of ageing: Study Another user tweeted with a screenshot of the app and said, “Check this out, when we select 18 & above option in CoWIN app, automatically Covovax option gets faded i.e disabled while 4 other options are highlighted i.e Covishield, Covaxin, Sputnik, ZyCov-D." (With inputs from agencies)

Covovax vaccine available for everyone above 12 years: Adar Poonawalla

May 3 is marked as World Asthma Day (WAD) to raise awareness about the disease and how individuals suffering can best prepare themselves as the condition cannot be cured.

Asthma is often under-treated mainly in low-and middle-income countries.&nbsp;

As per a World Health Organization (WHO) report, it is estimated that Asthma affected nearly 262 million people and caused 416,000 deaths in 2019.&nbsp;

Let’s now understand what is asthma, its causes, the theme for this year's Asthma Day, the condition's impact on daily life and different strategies for its prevention.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/women-more-likely-to-have-asthma-attacks-deaths-than-men-report-474429">Women more likely to have asthma attacks, deaths than men: Report&nbsp;</a>

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects all age groups. It’s basically caused due to inflammation and tightening around the tiny airways and the air channels in the lungs.

Its symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and even chest tightness. However, these sensations come and go, but are usually problematic at night or when one is exercising. &nbsp;

As per WHO, Asthma symptoms can get worse by “triggers.”

The possible triggers can be dust, smoke, strong fumes, change in weather, animal furs and even grass.

The theme for 2022:

The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) a WHO-linked organisation founded in the year 1993, organises World Asthma Day. GINA’s theme for this year is “Closing Gaps in Asthma Care."

As per GINA, there are several gaps in between asthma care, and it needs to be addressed in order to reduce avoidable suffering and the costs of treating uncontrolled asthma.

Watch |&nbsp;Study: Asthma Patients less likely to die of COVID-19

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Causes of Asthma:

There are several distinct factors that lead to increased chances of having asthma, but it’s difficult to just point out one direct reason.

The first cause can be genetics. It's prevalent in individuals whose family members have asthma.&nbsp;

People with other allergy disorders, such as eczema and rhinitis are likely to develop asthma (hay fever).

One of the most common causes is linked to urbanisation and even lifestyle factors contribute to this.

Environmental allergens and pollutants, such as indoor and outdoor pollution, home dust mites, chemical fumes at professional places, or even dust raise the risk of asthma.&nbsp;

Weight causes so many problems for people. Overweight or obese people are most likely to develop asthma.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Impacts of Asthma on daily lives:

Sleep disturbance, fatigue during the day and poor concentration are all symptoms of people who are under-treated for Asthma.&nbsp;

Asthmatics miss their schools, and work which later might cause financial hardship for the family and the community.&nbsp;

Asthmatic patients may even require emergency medical attention and even hospital admission for treatment.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/out-of-breath-population-boom-and-its-impact-on-air-pollution-452400">Out of breath: Population boom and its impact on air pollution</a>

The WHO is currently working and expanding diagnosis and treatment for Asthma.

As per WHO reports, tobacco smoke reduction is crucial for both primary asthma prevention and even in disease management. &nbsp;The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as WHO initiatives like MPOWER and MTobacco Cessation, are facilitating development in this field.&nbsp;

&nbsp;

May 3 is marked as World Asthma Day (WAD) to raise awareness about the disease and how individuals suffering can best prepare themselves as the condition cannot be cured.

May 3 is marked as World Asthma Day (WAD) to raise awareness about the disease and how individuals suffering can best prepare themselves as the condition cannot be cured. Asthma is often under-treated mainly in low-and middle-income countries. As per a World Health Organization (WHO) report, it is estimated that Asthma affected nearly 262 million people and caused 416,000 deaths in 2019. Let’s now understand what is asthma, its causes, the theme for this year's Asthma Day, the condition's impact on daily life and different strategies for its prevention. Also read | Women more likely to have asthma attacks, deaths than men: Report What is Asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects all age groups. It’s basically caused due to inflammation and tightening around the tiny airways and the air channels in the lungs. Its symptoms include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and even chest tightness. However, these sensations come and go, but are usually problematic at night or when one is exercising. As per WHO, Asthma symptoms can get worse by “triggers.” The possible triggers can be dust, smoke, strong fumes, change in weather, animal furs and even grass. The theme for 2022: The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) a WHO-linked organisation founded in the year 1993, organises World Asthma Day. GINA’s theme for this year is “Closing Gaps in Asthma Care." As per GINA, there are several gaps in between asthma care, and it needs to be addressed in order to reduce avoidable suffering and the costs of treating uncontrolled asthma. Watch | Study: Asthma Patients less likely to die of COVID-19 Causes of Asthma: There are several distinct factors that lead to increased chances of having asthma, but it’s difficult to just point out one direct reason. The first cause can be genetics. It's prevalent in individuals whose family members have asthma. People with other allergy disorders, such as eczema and rhinitis are likely to develop asthma (hay fever). One of the most common causes is linked to urbanisation and even lifestyle factors contribute to this. Environmental allergens and pollutants, such as indoor and outdoor pollution, home dust mites, chemical fumes at professional places, or even dust raise the risk of asthma. Weight causes so many problems for people. Overweight or obese people are most likely to develop asthma. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Impacts of Asthma on daily lives: Sleep disturbance, fatigue during the day and poor concentration are all symptoms of people who are under-treated for Asthma. Asthmatics miss their schools, and work which later might cause financial hardship for the family and the community. Asthmatic patients may even require emergency medical attention and even hospital admission for treatment. Also read | Out of breath: Population boom and its impact on air pollution The WHO is currently working and expanding diagnosis and treatment for Asthma. As per WHO reports, tobacco smoke reduction is crucial for both primary asthma prevention and even in disease management. The Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, as well as WHO initiatives like MPOWER and MTobacco Cessation, are facilitating development in this field.

On World Asthma Day 2022, know the causes and impact of the condition

According to reports, five new dengue cases have been registered in Delhi since&nbsp;last week&nbsp;bringing the total number of dengue cases to 81.

The cases of vector-borne diseases commonly&nbsp;spread between July and November and sometimes&nbsp;even last till mid-December.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/in-landmark-ruling-indian-apex-court-says-no-one-can-be-forced-to-get-covid-19-vaccine-475613">Covid: India's Supreme Court against restrictions on unvaccinated in public places</a>

As per the reports so far, no deaths have been reported due to the vector-bone sickness.

According to the data, the capital reported 23 cases in January, 16 cases in February, 22 in March and 20 cases in April. As per the civic officials, dengue cases reported earlier this year are due to the favourable weather for mosquito breeding.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas: India may soon make food labelling mandatory

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The South Delhi Municipal City (SDMC) is the city’s focal agency for vector-borne disease prevention.

As per the agency’s report, 4,431 dengue cases were reported in Delhi in 2016, 4,726 in 2017, 2,798 in 2018, 2,036 in 2019 and 1,072 in 2020.

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The report said Delhi has also reported 11 instances of malaria and eight cases of chikungunya so far this year.

In the national capital last year, there were 9,613 cases, the highest since 2015, in addition, 23 deaths were reported in Delhi, the most since 2016. Dengue fever in the capital claimed 10 deaths in 2017, four deaths in 2018 and two in 2019.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/researchers-at-iit-mandi-discover-molecule-that-can-be-used-to-treat-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes-475727">IIT researchers discover molecule that can be used to treat diabetes</a>

The city had a large dengue break in the year 2015, with the number of infections reaching 10,600 in October alone, being the most severe dengue outbreak since 1996.

The SDMC’s Public Health Department recently performed a mosquito breeding inspection at building sites in schools and hospitals, issuing 99 notices to violators.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

According to reports, five new dengue cases have been registered in Delhi since last week bringing the total number of dengue cases to 81. The cases of vector-borne diseases commonly spread between July and November and sometimes even last till mid-December.

According to reports, five new dengue cases have been registered in Delhi since last week bringing the total number of dengue cases to 81. The cases of vector-borne diseases commonly spread between July and November and sometimes even last till mid-December. Also read | Covid: India's Supreme Court against restrictions on unvaccinated in public places As per the reports so far, no deaths have been reported due to the vector-bone sickness. According to the data, the capital reported 23 cases in January, 16 cases in February, 22 in March and 20 cases in April. As per the civic officials, dengue cases reported earlier this year are due to the favourable weather for mosquito breeding. Watch | Gravitas: India may soon make food labelling mandatory The South Delhi Municipal City (SDMC) is the city’s focal agency for vector-borne disease prevention. As per the agency’s report, 4,431 dengue cases were reported in Delhi in 2016, 4,726 in 2017, 2,798 in 2018, 2,036 in 2019 and 1,072 in 2020. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: The report said Delhi has also reported 11 instances of malaria and eight cases of chikungunya so far this year. In the national capital last year, there were 9,613 cases, the highest since 2015, in addition, 23 deaths were reported in Delhi, the most since 2016. Dengue fever in the capital claimed 10 deaths in 2017, four deaths in 2018 and two in 2019. Also read | IIT researchers discover molecule that can be used to treat diabetes The city had a large dengue break in the year 2015, with the number of infections reaching 10,600 in October alone, being the most severe dengue outbreak since 1996. The SDMC’s Public Health Department recently performed a mosquito breeding inspection at building sites in schools and hospitals, issuing 99 notices to violators. (With inputs from agencies)

Five new dengue cases reported in Delhi; no deaths recorded

Germany's iconic&nbsp;Oktoberfest&nbsp;beer&nbsp;festival&nbsp;will once again take place in Munich in 2022 after being cancelled two years running due to the coronavirus, the city's mayor said Friday.

The&nbsp;Oktoberfest&nbsp;would be held "without conditions or restrictions", Munich mayor Dieter Reiter told a press conference.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-votes-overwhelmingly-in-favour-of-supplying-heavy-weapons-to-ukraine-amid-ongoing-conflict-474643">Germany votes overwhelmingly in favour of supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict</a>

The world-renowned knees-up &nbsp;drew around six million visitors annually before the pandemic. It was cancelled in 2020 for the first time since World War II after the outbreak of the virus.

The&nbsp;festival, usually held between September and October, was cancelled again in 2021 as Germany battled consecutive deadly waves of the virus.

Watch |&nbsp;Gravitas Global Headlines: Germany defends gas purchase from Russia

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Since then, pandemic "conditions have changed", Reiter said, noting that the healthcare system was no longer under significant stress from the coronavirus.

"I hope the situation does not get worse in the autumn and that the&nbsp;festival&nbsp;will not have to be called off at the last minute," Reiter said.

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Most Covid curbs have been lifted in Germany, including the requirement to wear masks in shops and schools, while plans to introduce a vaccine mandate were dropped.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has cast a shadow over similar springtime festivities in Bavaria, where the subject has been hotly debated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ahead-of-pms-visit-german-minister-says-it-is-in-indias-interest-to-stop-ukrainian-war-474499">Ahead of PM's visit, German minister says ‘it is in India’s interest to stop Ukrainian war’</a>

Cancelling the&nbsp;Oktoberfest&nbsp;as a result of the war "could not be justified", Reiter said, while sharing his sympathies with Ukraine and Munich's twin city Kyiv.

"Nobody can tell what the situation will be in autumn" with the war, the mayor said.

Germany's iconic Oktoberfest beer festival will once again take place in Munich in 2022 after being cancelled two years running due to the coronavirus, the city's mayor said Friday.

Germany's iconic Oktoberfest beer festival will once again take place in Munich in 2022 after being cancelled two years running due to the coronavirus, the city's mayor said Friday. The Oktoberfest would be held "without conditions or restrictions", Munich mayor Dieter Reiter told a press conference. Also read | Germany votes overwhelmingly in favour of supplying heavy weapons to Ukraine amid ongoing conflict The world-renowned knees-up drew around six million visitors annually before the pandemic. It was cancelled in 2020 for the first time since World War II after the outbreak of the virus. The festival, usually held between September and October, was cancelled again in 2021 as Germany battled consecutive deadly waves of the virus. Watch | Gravitas Global Headlines: Germany defends gas purchase from Russia Since then, pandemic "conditions have changed", Reiter said, noting that the healthcare system was no longer under significant stress from the coronavirus. "I hope the situation does not get worse in the autumn and that the festival will not have to be called off at the last minute," Reiter said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: Most Covid curbs have been lifted in Germany, including the requirement to wear masks in shops and schools, while plans to introduce a vaccine mandate were dropped. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has cast a shadow over similar springtime festivities in Bavaria, where the subject has been hotly debated. Also read | Ahead of PM's visit, German minister says ‘it is in India’s interest to stop Ukrainian war’ Cancelling the Oktoberfest as a result of the war "could not be justified", Reiter said, while sharing his sympathies with Ukraine and Munich's twin city Kyiv. "Nobody can tell what the situation will be in autumn" with the war, the mayor said.

Oktoberfest to return this year after two years of virus hiatus

India logged 3,377 new COVID-19 infections taking the country's total tally of cases to 4,30,72,176, while the active cases rose to 17,801, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

The death toll climbed to 5,23,753 with 60 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.

The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the ministry said. An increase of 821 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-records-more-than-3000-new-cases-and-39-deaths-474526">&nbsp;COVID-19: India records more than 3,000 new cases and 39 deaths</a>

The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.71 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.63 per cent, according to the ministry.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,30,622, while the case fatality rate was 1.22 per cent.

The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 188.65 crore.

Watch |&nbsp;Indian EAM Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh, Bhutan to deepen ties

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India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19.

The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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The 60 new fatalities include 42 from Karnataka, 14 from Kerala, and two each from Delhi and Maharashtra.

A total of 5,23,753 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,840 from Maharashtra, 68,966 from Kerala, 40,099 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,172 from Delhi, 23,506 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,201 from West Bengal.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/amid-fourth-covid-19-wave-fears-india-reports-3303-new-cases-active-cases-increase-to-16980-474564">Amid fourth COVID-19 wave fears, India experiences substantial growth in daily number of cases</a>

The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

"Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

India logged 3,377 new COVID-19 infections taking the country's total tally of cases to 4,30,72,176, while the active cases rose to 17,801, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

India logged 3,377 new COVID-19 infections taking the country's total tally of cases to 4,30,72,176, while the active cases rose to 17,801, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,23,753 with 60 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.04 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the ministry said. An increase of 821 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. Also read | COVID-19: India records more than 3,000 new cases and 39 deaths The daily positivity rate was recorded as 0.71 per cent and the weekly positivity rate as 0.63 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,30,622, while the case fatality rate was 1.22 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 188.65 crore. Watch | Indian EAM Jaishankar to visit Bangladesh, Bhutan to deepen ties India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16. It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. WATCH WION LIVE HERE: The 60 new fatalities include 42 from Karnataka, 14 from Kerala, and two each from Delhi and Maharashtra. A total of 5,23,753 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,840 from Maharashtra, 68,966 from Kerala, 40,099 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,172 from Delhi, 23,506 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,201 from West Bengal. Also read | Amid fourth COVID-19 wave fears, India experiences substantial growth in daily number of cases The ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. "Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research," the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

COVID-19: India's active cases rise to 17,801

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States have decided to ban sales of menthol-flavoured cigarettes in an attempt to reduce smoking in the general population.

The menthol cigarettes are considered to be one of the most hazardous smoking products in the market and with the increasing cases of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, this move was imminent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/elon-musk-reveals-intentions-to-monetize-tweets-and-cut-salaries-as-part-of-his-pitch-to-bank-lenders-474812">Musk unveils plans to monetise tweets, cut salaries in his pitch to lenders</a>

Menthol cigarettes are extremely popular among smokers because of the cooling effect of menthol and as it is not harsh like normal tobacco products, the addiction rate is also quite high. As a result, they make up one third of the US cigarette market which is valued currently at roughly $80 billion.

Banning them “would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” Xavier Becerra, the health and human services secretary told New York Times.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-explosions-rock-kyiv-again-russian-spy-chief-makes-glaring-accusations-474749" hreflang="en">As explosions rock Kyiv again, Russian spy chief makes glaring accusations</a>

The entire process is expected to take around a year to be completed and the initial plan will be published on May 4 as a proposed regulation. However, it can get delayed due to impending legal battles with tobacco companies who have already expressed their displeasure with the decision.

“The scientific evidence shows no difference in the health risks associated with menthol cigarettes compared to non-menthol cigarettes, nor does it support that menthol cigarettes adversely affect initiation, dependence or cessation. As a result, we do not believe the published science supports regulating menthol cigarettes differently from non-menthol cigarettes,” Kingsley Wheaton, the chief marketing officer of British American Tobacco, the leading seller of menthol cigarettes, said.

WATCH |&nbsp;US Capitol riot probe: House committee to hold open hearings

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-capitol-riot-probe-house-committee-to-hold-open-hearings-474889/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States have decided to ban sales of menthol-flavoured cigarettes in an attempt to reduce smoking in the general population.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States have decided to ban sales of menthol-flavoured cigarettes in an attempt to reduce smoking in the general population. The menthol cigarettes are considered to be one of the most hazardous smoking products in the market and with the increasing cases of lung cancer and other respiratory diseases, this move was imminent. Also read | Musk unveils plans to monetise tweets, cut salaries in his pitch to lenders Menthol cigarettes are extremely popular among smokers because of the cooling effect of menthol and as it is not harsh like normal tobacco products, the addiction rate is also quite high. As a result, they make up one third of the US cigarette market which is valued currently at roughly $80 billion. Banning them “would help prevent children from becoming the next generation of smokers and help adult smokers quit,” Xavier Becerra, the health and human services secretary told New York Times. Also read | As explosions rock Kyiv again, Russian spy chief makes glaring accusations The entire process is expected to take around a year to be completed and the initial plan will be published on May 4 as a proposed regulation. However, it can get delayed due to impending legal battles with tobacco companies who have already expressed their displeasure with the decision. “The scientific evidence shows no difference in the health risks associated with menthol cigarettes compared to non-menthol cigarettes, nor does it support that menthol cigarettes adversely affect initiation, dependence or cessation. As a result, we do not believe the published science supports regulating menthol cigarettes differently from non-menthol cigarettes,” Kingsley Wheaton, the chief marketing officer of British American Tobacco, the leading seller of menthol cigarettes, said. WATCH | US Capitol riot probe: House committee to hold open hearings

US FDA pushes ahead with move to ban menthol cigarettes to prevent youth initiation

World Malaria Day 2022: From causes to who all are at risk, here's all you need to know

On Saturday, the United Nations said it was aware of 169 unusual occurrences of acute hepatitis, a liver infection which is mostly infecting young children from the age group of one month old to 16 years old.

According to the World Health Organisation, at least one child has died from a mysterious strain of acute hepatitis that has now been recorded in 12 nations.

The majority of this infections have been reported in the UK with 114 cases, followed by Spain with 13 cases and the Israel with 12 cases. In addition to this the pandemic has expanded to United States, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, France, Norway, Romania and Belgium.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-is-here-to-stay-and-it-affects-women-worse-than-men-says-study-473318">Covid is here to stay and it affects women worse than men, says study</a>

These cases are are even more unusual because they aren't linked to any of the virus's five common strains: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.

Some of the hepatitis symptoms include dark urine, yellowing of skin and eyes, sickness, fatigue, fever, nausea, joint pains and loss of appetite.

According to WHO, the vast majority of children who were not vaccinated, therefore any link to Covid-19 vaccinations has been ruled out.

Watch |&nbsp;Is it too early to go back to pre-COVID life?

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Parents are being advised to be on the lookout for these signs and seek medical help if necessary. The British Health Agency has recommended Handwashing and “thorough respiratory hygiene” like covering mouth while sneezing.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/invasive-descendants-of-callery-pears-found-in-over-30-states-in-us-473211">Invasive descendants of Callery pears found in over 30 states in US</a>

Scientists suspect that an adenovirus, a common type of virus that causes cold, is to be blamed for the recent surge in acute hepatitis cases. Adenovirus infection has been detected in at least 74 of the children afflicted. However, while adenovirus 41 has been related to hepatitis in immunocompromised children, it has never been connected to the disease in otherwise healthy children.&nbsp;

According to some scientists’ weak immunity as a result if reduced social mixing during the epidemic.&nbsp;

On Saturday, the United Nations said it was aware of 169 unusual occurrences of acute hepatitis, a liver infection which is mostly infecting young children from the age group of one month old to 16 years old.

On Saturday, the United Nations said it was aware of 169 unusual occurrences of acute hepatitis, a liver infection which is mostly infecting young children from the age group of one month old to 16 years old. According to the World Health Organisation, at least one child has died from a mysterious strain of acute hepatitis that has now been recorded in 12 nations. The majority of this infections have been reported in the UK with 114 cases, followed by Spain with 13 cases and the Israel with 12 cases. In addition to this the pandemic has expanded to United States, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, France, Norway, Romania and Belgium. Also read | Covid is here to stay and it affects women worse than men, says study These cases are are even more unusual because they aren't linked to any of the virus's five common strains: hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E. Some of the hepatitis symptoms include dark urine, yellowing of skin and eyes, sickness, fatigue, fever, nausea, joint pains and loss of appetite. According to WHO, the vast majority of children who were not vaccinated, therefore any link to Covid-19 vaccinations has been ruled out. Watch | Is it too early to go back to pre-COVID life? Parents are being advised to be on the lookout for these signs and seek medical help if necessary. The British Health Agency has recommended Handwashing and “thorough respiratory hygiene” like covering mouth while sneezing. Also read | Invasive descendants of Callery pears found in over 30 states in US Scientists suspect that an adenovirus, a common type of virus that causes cold, is to be blamed for the recent surge in acute hepatitis cases. Adenovirus infection has been detected in at least 74 of the children afflicted. However, while adenovirus 41 has been related to hepatitis in immunocompromised children, it has never been connected to the disease in otherwise healthy children. According to some scientists’ weak immunity as a result if reduced social mixing during the epidemic.

WHO confirms death of at least one child from mysterious acute hepatitis

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is on an official visit to Nepal, lauded the country's achievements in the health sector, including the allocation of a good amount of budget for health services.&nbsp;

Ghebreyesus called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba earlier today.

The President highlighted the role of multisectoral collaboration to improve health issues, while the Director-General congratulated Nepal for recognising health as a basic human right in its constitution.&nbsp;

Nepal's Foreign Ministry Statement lauded Nepal’s achievement in reducing maternal and child mortality and for being a pioneer in a number of health initiatives, including a nation-wide new vaccine campaign against typhoid in the routine immunisation programme, the first of its kind in the South East Asia Region of WHO immunisation.&nbsp;

While emphasising the cooperation of WHO in further bolstering health services in Nepal, the Prime Minister praised the effective leadership of WHO during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed his hope for more collaboration between Nepal and WHO in the days to come.&nbsp;

"Nepal is the first country in the S.E Asia Region to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine into its national immunisation program.&nbsp;

Today, WHO DG and RD Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh visited a vaccine site to observe the ongoing campaign which aims to vaccinate 7.5 million children, "WHO Nepal said in a tweet.&nbsp;

Later in the day, Ghebreyesus visited Patan Secondary School to observe the ongoing campaign for typhoid vaccination. He also paid a visit to the National Public Health Laboratory and Teku Hospital.

The Director-General arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday and held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka.&nbsp;

Another statement from the Foreign Ministry said, "The Foreign Minister appreciated the leadership of WHO during the COVID pandemic and expressed thanks to the Director-General for his unfailing support of Nepal during the COVID crisis, including through vaccine support."

He also thanked the Director-General for decades of cooperation from WHO with Nepal in the prevention and control of diseases, the provision of vaccines and technical assistance in critical areas of public health.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is on an official visit to Nepal, lauded the country's achievements in the health sector, including the allocation of a good amount of budget for health services.

World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who is on an official visit to Nepal, lauded the country's achievements in the health sector, including the allocation of a good amount of budget for health services. Ghebreyesus called on President Bidya Devi Bhandari and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba earlier today. The President highlighted the role of multisectoral collaboration to improve health issues, while the Director-General congratulated Nepal for recognising health as a basic human right in its constitution. Nepal's Foreign Ministry Statement lauded Nepal’s achievement in reducing maternal and child mortality and for being a pioneer in a number of health initiatives, including a nation-wide new vaccine campaign against typhoid in the routine immunisation programme, the first of its kind in the South East Asia Region of WHO immunisation. While emphasising the cooperation of WHO in further bolstering health services in Nepal, the Prime Minister praised the effective leadership of WHO during the COVID-19 pandemic and expressed his hope for more collaboration between Nepal and WHO in the days to come. "Nepal is the first country in the S.E Asia Region to introduce the typhoid conjugate vaccine into its national immunisation program. Today, WHO DG and RD Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh visited a vaccine site to observe the ongoing campaign which aims to vaccinate 7.5 million children, "WHO Nepal said in a tweet. Later in the day, Ghebreyesus visited Patan Secondary School to observe the ongoing campaign for typhoid vaccination. He also paid a visit to the National Public Health Laboratory and Teku Hospital. The Director-General arrived in Kathmandu on Thursday and held a meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Narayan Khadka. Another statement from the Foreign Ministry said, "The Foreign Minister appreciated the leadership of WHO during the COVID pandemic and expressed thanks to the Director-General for his unfailing support of Nepal during the COVID crisis, including through vaccine support." He also thanked the Director-General for decades of cooperation from WHO with Nepal in the prevention and control of diseases, the provision of vaccines and technical assistance in critical areas of public health.

WHO lauds Nepal’s prioritisation of health in the national budget

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;reopened gyms, beauty parlours, theme parks and cinemas for the first time in more than four months on Thursday, as authorities relax some of the world's most stringent covid&nbsp;restrictions that have weighed on residents and businesses.

Many restaurants reported full bookings for the coming weeks as&nbsp;dining&nbsp;out has been extended until 10 p.m. (1400 GMT) from 6 p.m. and group gatherings have been expanded to four people, from two previously. Many schools have also resumed in-person learning after months of online classes.

Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has eased the measures as Shanghai authorities said tough coronavirus restrictions would remain in place for now.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/plastic-everywhere-chinas-zero-covid-facilities-causing-environmental-problems-472088">Plastic everywhere: Hong Kong's zero-Covid facilities have become an environmental nightmare</a>

Residents flocked to gyms, salons and massage parlours, while others visited temples and churches which had also been shut.

"Everyone has things to do and be able to make money. It's excellent and people can come out for activities again, everyone is happy," said Idy Lee, 44, who owns a hair salon in the city's bustling Mong Kok district.

The easing comes as the number of daily&nbsp;COVID-19 infections in the global financial hub dropped below 1,000 for the past six days from a peak of more than 70,000 on March 3.

While many residents are relieved at the relaxation of rules, scores of businesses have already closed and tens of thousands of people have fled the city as authorities re-imposed measures in January that were first implemented in 2020.

Watch |&nbsp;Plastic waste surges amid COVID crisis: Hong Kong landfills run out of space

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Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;has grappled to impose a "dynamic zero" covid&nbsp;policy similar to mainland China, which aims to quash all outbreaks versus living with the virus as many countries are doing.

Hong&nbsp;Kong's borders have been effectively sealed since 2020 with few flights able to land and hardly any passengers allowed to transit, isolating a city that had built a reputation as a global hub.

Swimming pools and beaches remain shut, frustrating many athletes and residents. Bars, nightclubs and saunas are also still closed, with many unable to stay afloat and others on borrowed time.

"The reopening of gyms is a happy thing, but I hope the government will give us some subsidies because we have been closed on and off for a year and a half and lost a lot of customers," Parker Chan, a 25-year-old coach at Fitness Formula.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-to-ease-covid-19-restrictions-as-infections-fall-470984">Hong Kong to ease COVID-19 restrictions as infections fall</a>

While&nbsp;Hong&nbsp;Kong&nbsp;managed to keep the coronavirus at bay for much of 2021, a surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant brought the former British colony to its knees in February, swamping its world-class medical system as&nbsp;cases&nbsp;ripped through the densely-packed city.

It has recorded more than 1.1 million infections and 8,963 deaths.

Hong Kong reopened gyms, beauty parlours, theme parks and cinemas for the first time in more than four months on Thursday, as authorities relax some of the world's most stringent covid restrictions that have weighed on residents and businesses.

Hong Kong reopened gyms, beauty parlours, theme parks and cinemas for the first time in more than four months on Thursday, as authorities relax some of the world's most stringent covid restrictions that have weighed on residents and businesses. Many restaurants reported full bookings for the coming weeks as dining out has been extended until 10 p.m. (1400 GMT) from 6 p.m. and group gatherings have been expanded to four people, from two previously. Many schools have also resumed in-person learning after months of online classes. Hong Kong has eased the measures as Shanghai authorities said tough coronavirus restrictions would remain in place for now. Also read | Plastic everywhere: Hong Kong's zero-Covid facilities have become an environmental nightmare Residents flocked to gyms, salons and massage parlours, while others visited temples and churches which had also been shut. "Everyone has things to do and be able to make money. It's excellent and people can come out for activities again, everyone is happy," said Idy Lee, 44, who owns a hair salon in the city's bustling Mong Kok district. The easing comes as the number of daily COVID-19 infections in the global financial hub dropped below 1,000 for the past six days from a peak of more than 70,000 on March 3. While many residents are relieved at the relaxation of rules, scores of businesses have already closed and tens of thousands of people have fled the city as authorities re-imposed measures in January that were first implemented in 2020. Watch | Plastic waste surges amid COVID crisis: Hong Kong landfills run out of space Hong Kong has grappled to impose a "dynamic zero" covid policy similar to mainland China, which aims to quash all outbreaks versus living with the virus as many countries are doing. Hong Kong's borders have been effectively sealed since 2020 with few flights able to land and hardly any passengers allowed to transit, isolating a city that had built a reputation as a global hub. Swimming pools and beaches remain shut, frustrating many athletes and residents. Bars, nightclubs and saunas are also still closed, with many unable to stay afloat and others on borrowed time. "The reopening of gyms is a happy thing, but I hope the government will give us some subsidies because we have been closed on and off for a year and a half and lost a lot of customers," Parker Chan, a 25-year-old coach at Fitness Formula. Also read | Hong Kong to ease COVID-19 restrictions as infections fall While Hong Kong managed to keep the coronavirus at bay for much of 2021, a surge of the highly contagious Omicron variant brought the former British colony to its knees in February, swamping its world-class medical system as cases ripped through the densely-packed city. It has recorded more than 1.1 million infections and 8,963 deaths.

Hong Kong reopens venues, extends dining hours as covid cases fall

The Indian government’s insurance policy for COVID-19 fighting health staff has been extended for another 180 days.

The central government stated in an order, "The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID-19 has been extended for a further period of 180 days from April 19, 2022."

It has been decided to extend the policy so as to continue to provide a safety net for the dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients. 
 
The insurance policy PMGKP was launched on March 30, 2020 to give assistance of Rs 5 million in complete personal accident insurance to 2.1 million health care providers, including all health workers who might have direct contact and treatment of a COVID patient and are at risk.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/delhi-records-over-500-covid-19-cases-no-mandatory-rtpcr-required-for-domestic-air-travel-472034">Delhi records over 500 COVID-19 cases; no mandatory RT-PCR required for domestic air travel</a>

A letter to this effect was sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries (Health), Principal Secretaries (Health) and Health Secretaries of all state and Union territories on April 19,2022, requesting widespread exposure among health personnel in their own respective states and Union territories.

The government said, private hospital staffs, volunteers, local urban bodies, daily wages outsourced staff requisitioned by state or central hospitals, AIIMS and Institute of National Importance (INI) of the central ministries specifically drafted for the care of covid patients.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india/what-caused-90-jump-in-covid-cases-in-india-kerala-govt-reacts-to-data-discrepancies-reports-472103">What caused 90% jump in Covid cases in India? Central, Kerala state govts in tussle over 'late reporting'</a> 
 
So far, 1905 claims of health workers who died during COVID-related duties have been settled since the scheme’s inception.

However, the country has recently reported 1247 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, which is roughly 43 per cent down from the previous day. As per the ministry, 928 patients have recovered from the last 24 hours.

The Indian government’s insurance policy for COVID-19 fighting health staff has been extended for another 180 days. The central government stated in an order, "The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID-19 has been extended for a further period of 180 days from April 19, 2022.

The Indian government’s insurance policy for COVID-19 fighting health staff has been extended for another 180 days. The central government stated in an order, "The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Healthcare Workers Fighting COVID-19 has been extended for a further period of 180 days from April 19, 2022." It has been decided to extend the policy so as to continue to provide a safety net for the dependents of health workers who are deputed to take care of COVID-19 patients. The insurance policy PMGKP was launched on March 30, 2020 to give assistance of Rs 5 million in complete personal accident insurance to 2.1 million health care providers, including all health workers who might have direct contact and treatment of a COVID patient and are at risk. Also read | Delhi records over 500 COVID-19 cases; no mandatory RT-PCR required for domestic air travel A letter to this effect was sent to all Additional Chief Secretaries (Health), Principal Secretaries (Health) and Health Secretaries of all state and Union territories on April 19,2022, requesting widespread exposure among health personnel in their own respective states and Union territories. The government said, private hospital staffs, volunteers, local urban bodies, daily wages outsourced staff requisitioned by state or central hospitals, AIIMS and Institute of National Importance (INI) of the central ministries specifically drafted for the care of covid patients. Also read | What caused 90% jump in Covid cases in India? Central, Kerala state govts in tussle over 'late reporting' So far, 1905 claims of health workers who died during COVID-related duties have been settled since the scheme’s inception. However, the country has recently reported 1247 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, which is roughly 43 per cent down from the previous day. As per the ministry, 928 patients have recovered from the last 24 hours.

India extends Covid medical insurance policy for health workers for 6 months

Johnson&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;suspended&nbsp;sales&nbsp;forecasts for its&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;during the American pharmaceutical giant's quarterly earnings call Tuesday, as demand lags behind that of shots by Moderna and Pfizer.

"Given global supply surplus and demand uncertainty, the Company is suspending&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;Vaccine&nbsp;sales&nbsp;guidance," J&amp;J said in a statement, adding that the move will have "no impact to adjusted operational earnings per share."

The company's chief executive Joaquin Duato said the first quarter results,&nbsp;in which estimated reported&nbsp;sales&nbsp;excluding&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;sales&nbsp;figures were up 3.8 to 4.8 percent over the same period one year ago,&nbsp;"demonstrate strong performance across the enterprise, despite macro-economic headwinds."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-announces-global-covid-summit-may-12-471896">United States announces global covid summit May 12</a>

On Wall Street, J&amp;J's stock was down 0.4 to $177 in electronic trading before the New York Stock Exchange opening bell.

Back in February The New York Times reported that&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;&amp;&nbsp;Johnson&nbsp;had temporarily suspended production at a key plant manufacturing its&nbsp;Covid-19&nbsp;vaccine, although the company stressed it was still fulfilling its delivery commitments.

J&amp;J said at the time it was projecting&nbsp;sales&nbsp;of $3 billion to $3.5 billion in 2022 for its&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;shot, much less than the $32 billion&nbsp;forecast&nbsp;by Pfizer for the same period.

Watch |&nbsp;China's zero-covid policy impacts economy, analysts predict lowest GDP in decades

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A US government-appointed panel of medical experts on Thursday unanimously recommended mRNA&nbsp;Covid&nbsp;vaccines&nbsp;made by Pfizer and Moderna over J&amp;J's shot.

J&amp;J's&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;was initially praised because it could be stored at fridge temperature and offered good efficacy against earlier strains of the coronavirus after just one shot.

But evidence later emerged linking it to a rare form of clotting, particularly among women of child-bearing age, causing authorities to briefly halt and then resume its use in April last year.

Johnson & Johnson suspended sales forecasts for its Covid-19 vaccine during the American pharmaceutical giant's quarterly earnings call Tuesday, as demand lags behind that of shots by Moderna and Pfizer.

Johnson & Johnson suspended sales forecasts for its Covid-19 vaccine during the American pharmaceutical giant's quarterly earnings call Tuesday, as demand lags behind that of shots by Moderna and Pfizer. "Given global supply surplus and demand uncertainty, the Company is suspending COVID-19 Vaccine sales guidance," J&J said in a statement, adding that the move will have "no impact to adjusted operational earnings per share." The company's chief executive Joaquin Duato said the first quarter results, in which estimated reported sales excluding Covid-19 vaccine sales figures were up 3.8 to 4.8 percent over the same period one year ago, "demonstrate strong performance across the enterprise, despite macro-economic headwinds." Also read | United States announces global covid summit May 12 On Wall Street, J&J's stock was down 0.4 to $177 in electronic trading before the New York Stock Exchange opening bell. Back in February The New York Times reported that Johnson & Johnson had temporarily suspended production at a key plant manufacturing its Covid-19 vaccine, although the company stressed it was still fulfilling its delivery commitments. J&J said at the time it was projecting sales of $3 billion to $3.5 billion in 2022 for its Covid shot, much less than the $32 billion forecast by Pfizer for the same period. Watch | China's zero-covid policy impacts economy, analysts predict lowest GDP in decades A US government-appointed panel of medical experts on Thursday unanimously recommended mRNA Covid vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna over J&J's shot. J&J's vaccine was initially praised because it could be stored at fridge temperature and offered good efficacy against earlier strains of the coronavirus after just one shot. But evidence later emerged linking it to a rare form of clotting, particularly among women of child-bearing age, causing authorities to briefly halt and then resume its use in April last year.

Johnson & Johnson suspends sales forecast for Covid vaccine

Shanghai reported seven more Covid deaths on Tuesday. This comes after&nbsp;hundreds of thousands of cases were reported in the city during its week-long lockdown.

It doesn’t end here, the city reported more than 20,000 mostly asymptomatic cases on Tuesday, defying officials’ efforts to eradicate the virus, the AFP reported.

Even while the virus still continues to spread, the city officials announced the first deaths of this outbreak on Monday (April 18) with Tuesday's death toll&nbsp;bringing the total&nbsp;to an unbelievable low of 10 as per official figures.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-economic-data-hints-at-cost-of-zero-covid-strategy-471860">China's economic data hints at cost of zero Covid strategy</a>

According to Shanghai’s health official Wu Qianyu, who spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, the recent seven deaths were all the unvaccinated patients aged between 60 and 101 with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and heart-related problems.

As per&nbsp;Shanghai&nbsp;Municipal Health Commission, the patients "became severely ill after admission to hospital, and died after ineffective rescue efforts, with the direct cause of death being underlying diseases".

Earlier on Sunday, Shanghai’s health officials said&nbsp;that less than two-thirds of residents have received their covid jabs and nearly 40 per cent have received their booster.&nbsp;

On the other hand, Beijing claims its zero-covid policy of tight lockdowns and mass testing has prevented deaths and public health disasters that much of the rest of the world is battling with.

Watch |&nbsp;Shanghai reports first covid deaths since start of covid-19 lockdown

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/shanghai-reports-first-covid-deaths-since-start-of-covid-19-lockdown-471768/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

However, China has a massive senior population with a poor vaccination rate, which has raised questions over official&nbsp;figures.

AFP reports, unverified social media posts claimed that the fatalities in Shanghai were going unnoticed, but the messages were swiftly removed from the internet.

Since March 2022, many of the 25 million residents who have been restricted to their homes have been complaining about food shortages, harsh quarantine conditions and strict police&nbsp;handling&nbsp;policing on the internet.&nbsp;

The country's social media was flooded with protest footage that spread faster than the Chinese government’s ability to remove them.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/morning-news-brief-covid-19-deaths-in-shanghai-russia-ukraine-updates-and-more-471767">&nbsp;Morning news brief: COVID-19 deaths in Shanghai, Russia-Ukraine updates, and more</a>

Since the virus first emerged in late 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the country’s zero-tolerance approach to covid has limited new cases to a trickle.

Nearly 350 million people in at least 44 cities in the country are in some sort of lockdown as per one estimate released on Monday.

(With inputs from agencies)

Shanghai reported seven more Covid deaths on Tuesday. This comes after hundreds of thousands of cases were reported in the city during its week-long lockdown. It doesn’t end here, the city reported more than 20,000 mostly asymptomatic cases on Tuesday, defying officials’ efforts to eradicate the virus, the AFP reported.

Shanghai reported seven more Covid deaths on Tuesday. This comes after hundreds of thousands of cases were reported in the city during its week-long lockdown. It doesn’t end here, the city reported more than 20,000 mostly asymptomatic cases on Tuesday, defying officials’ efforts to eradicate the virus, the AFP reported. Even while the virus still continues to spread, the city officials announced the first deaths of this outbreak on Monday (April 18) with Tuesday's death toll bringing the total to an unbelievable low of 10 as per official figures. Also read | China's economic data hints at cost of zero Covid strategy According to Shanghai’s health official Wu Qianyu, who spoke at a press conference on Tuesday, the recent seven deaths were all the unvaccinated patients aged between 60 and 101 with underlying medical conditions such as diabetes and heart-related problems. As per Shanghai Municipal Health Commission, the patients "became severely ill after admission to hospital, and died after ineffective rescue efforts, with the direct cause of death being underlying diseases". Earlier on Sunday, Shanghai’s health officials said that less than two-thirds of residents have received their covid jabs and nearly 40 per cent have received their booster. On the other hand, Beijing claims its zero-covid policy of tight lockdowns and mass testing has prevented deaths and public health disasters that much of the rest of the world is battling with. Watch | Shanghai reports first covid deaths since start of covid-19 lockdown However, China has a massive senior population with a poor vaccination rate, which has raised questions over official figures. AFP reports, unverified social media posts claimed that the fatalities in Shanghai were going unnoticed, but the messages were swiftly removed from the internet. Since March 2022, many of the 25 million residents who have been restricted to their homes have been complaining about food shortages, harsh quarantine conditions and strict police handling policing on the internet. The country's social media was flooded with protest footage that spread faster than the Chinese government’s ability to remove them. Also read | Morning news brief: COVID-19 deaths in Shanghai, Russia-Ukraine updates, and more Since the virus first emerged in late 2019 in the central Chinese city of Wuhan, the country’s zero-tolerance approach to covid has limited new cases to a trickle. Nearly 350 million people in at least 44 cities in the country are in some sort of lockdown as per one estimate released on Monday. (With inputs from agencies)

COVID-19: Shanghai reports seven deaths as the virus toll rises

A global summit to chart an end to the Covid-19 crisis and plan for future upheavals will occur May 12, the White House said Monday, even as President Joe Biden struggles to get vital pandemic funding from Congress.

The virtual gathering will be co-chaired by the United States, along with current G7 president Germany, G20 president Indonesia, African Union chair Senegal, and Belize, the current chair of the CARICOM Caribbean grouping.

"The summit will redouble our collective efforts to end the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare for future health threats," the countries said in a joint statement.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-vignettes-covid-cases-are-soaring-in-china-so-is-its-inflation-471872">Chinese vignettes | Covid cases are soaring in China, so is its inflation</a>

This will be the second global huddle on the pandemic, which has killed more than six million people and triggered profound disruption to leading economies and trading patterns in the two years since it began to spread.

Biden hosted a similar summit last September, at which he urged partners to surge vaccines and ensure that 70 per cent of every country has been vaccinated by September this year.

Although death rates are plummeting world wide, the virus continues to spread, preventing many leading countries from fully lifting restrictions, while Shanghai in China is in the midst of a draconian lockdown.

Summit hosts appealed for maintaining the sense of urgency.

"In advance of the May 12 summit, we are calling on world leaders, members of civil society, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, and the private sector to make new commitments and bring solutions to vaccinate the world, save lives now, and build better health security -- for everyone, everywhere," the joint statement said.

"The emergence and spread of new variants, like Omicron, have reinforced the need for a strategy aimed at controlling Covid-19 worldwide," it said.

Watch |&nbsp;Shanghai reports first covid deaths since start of covid-19 lockdown

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/shanghai-reports-first-covid-deaths-since-start-of-covid-19-lockdown-471768/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

And while the latest variants are less lethal, the summit statement stressed there must be a focus on stopping similar future catastrophes from taking the world by surprise.

"We know we must prepare now to build, sustain, and finance the global capacity we need, not only for emerging Covid-19 variants, but also future health crises," the statement said.

Biden goals face headwinds

Biden took office in 2021 promising to overcome the pandemic at home but also putting a heavy accent on efforts to vaccinate poor areas of the world.&nbsp;

The United States has pledged to deliver at least 1.1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses&nbsp;for global use before 2023 and has so far shipped around half of that.

However, Biden's ambition to make the United States an "arsenal for vaccines" similar to US leadership in World War II now faces political headwinds.

A package ensuring $10 billion in continued funding for the domestic Covid response has yet to be passed by Congress, while there is no agreement at all on more funding for vaccine donations abroad.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-europe-uk-report-severe-cases-of-hepatitis-among-children-471770">US, Europe, UK report severe cases of hepatitis among children</a>

"It's vital Congress acts now so the US can continue our momentum in the international effort to get shots in arms in every part of the world, no matter how remote, and to prevent the spread of the next Covid variant with our international allies and partners," a senior administration official told AFP.

Also muddying the waters is the war in Ukraine, which is sapping diplomatic attention in the world's most powerful countries. A source familiar with the issue told AFP that nevertheless the pandemic response remains seen as fundamentally important.

A global summit to chart an end to the Covid-19 crisis and plan for future upheavals will occur May 12, the White House said Monday, even as President Joe Biden struggles to get vital pandemic funding from Congress.

A global summit to chart an end to the Covid-19 crisis and plan for future upheavals will occur May 12, the White House said Monday, even as President Joe Biden struggles to get vital pandemic funding from Congress. The virtual gathering will be co-chaired by the United States, along with current G7 president Germany, G20 president Indonesia, African Union chair Senegal, and Belize, the current chair of the CARICOM Caribbean grouping. "The summit will redouble our collective efforts to end the acute phase of the Covid-19 pandemic and prepare for future health threats," the countries said in a joint statement. Also read | Chinese vignettes | Covid cases are soaring in China, so is its inflation This will be the second global huddle on the pandemic, which has killed more than six million people and triggered profound disruption to leading economies and trading patterns in the two years since it began to spread. Biden hosted a similar summit last September, at which he urged partners to surge vaccines and ensure that 70 per cent of every country has been vaccinated by September this year. Although death rates are plummeting world wide, the virus continues to spread, preventing many leading countries from fully lifting restrictions, while Shanghai in China is in the midst of a draconian lockdown. Summit hosts appealed for maintaining the sense of urgency. "In advance of the May 12 summit, we are calling on world leaders, members of civil society, non-governmental organizations, philanthropists, and the private sector to make new commitments and bring solutions to vaccinate the world, save lives now, and build better health security -- for everyone, everywhere," the joint statement said. "The emergence and spread of new variants, like Omicron, have reinforced the need for a strategy aimed at controlling Covid-19 worldwide," it said. Watch | Shanghai reports first covid deaths since start of covid-19 lockdown And while the latest variants are less lethal, the summit statement stressed there must be a focus on stopping similar future catastrophes from taking the world by surprise. "We know we must prepare now to build, sustain, and finance the global capacity we need, not only for emerging Covid-19 variants, but also future health crises," the statement said. Biden goals face headwinds Biden took office in 2021 promising to overcome the pandemic at home but also putting a heavy accent on efforts to vaccinate poor areas of the world. The United States has pledged to deliver at least 1.1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses for global use before 2023 and has so far shipped around half of that. However, Biden's ambition to make the United States an "arsenal for vaccines" similar to US leadership in World War II now faces political headwinds. A package ensuring $10 billion in continued funding for the domestic Covid response has yet to be passed by Congress, while there is no agreement at all on more funding for vaccine donations abroad. Also read | US, Europe, UK report severe cases of hepatitis among children "It's vital Congress acts now so the US can continue our momentum in the international effort to get shots in arms in every part of the world, no matter how remote, and to prevent the spread of the next Covid variant with our international allies and partners," a senior administration official told AFP. Also muddying the waters is the war in Ukraine, which is sapping diplomatic attention in the world's most powerful countries. A source familiar with the issue told AFP that nevertheless the pandemic response remains seen as fundamentally important.

United States announces global covid summit May 12

Last year, India was at the centre of the global Covid outbreak, but the situation&nbsp;has seen significant improvement since then, as most of the precautions have now been lifted.

But on Monday, India's daily COVID-19 cases nearly doubled compared to the previous day. On Monday, more than 2,000 cases were registered for the first time this month with southern Kerala state recording&nbsp;a spike in mortality.

With the Covid marking a slight return in India,&nbsp;here are some of the techniques that you can follow if you get infected with COVID-19 and also ensure that others around you are safe.

1. Distance yourself from everyone:&nbsp;Keep your belongings away. Prefer to wear an N95 mask even if you are alone in the room, use gloves and disposables as it reduces the chances of transmission to others.

2. Stay hydrated:&nbsp;Drinking plenty of water is very essential for the body but it’s even more important when you’re sick. Your body loses water as a result of symptoms like fever, sweating, vomiting, which leads to dehydration. It's okay to hydrate yourself with water, but your body will absorb the fluid better if either salt or sugar is added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/delhi-reports-increase-in-covid-19-cases-weekly-cases-rise-in-haryana-kerala-and-gujarat-471815">Delhi reports increase in COVID-19 cases; weekly cases rise in Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat</a>

3. It’s very common that when you’re sick, especially during an upset stomach, you may not feel like having anything. During Covid, there are high chances of passing out. So, your body needs proper nourishment to feel great. Eat nutritious foods&nbsp;that help in boosting your immunity. Incorporate fresh citrus fruits and vegetables like spinach into your diet. Even intake of vitamin supplements can help in building immunity.

4. It is strongly advised to lie face down if faced with shortness of breath,&nbsp;as it helps improve&nbsp;oxygen levels in the blood.

5. Keep a regular check on your oxygen level using a pulse oximeter.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/is-covid-19-more-dangerous-than-driving-how-scientists-are-parsing-coronavirus-risks-471747">Is COVID-19 more dangerous than driving? How scientists are parsing coronavirus risks.</a>

6. Practice breathing exercises.&nbsp;

7. Taking medicines like paracetamol might help you in alleviating symptoms like body aches, fever, but if you are at a higher risk of developing severe infection, such as those who are unvaccinated, ages or people with medical issues, doctors might prescribe you oral antiviral medicines.

Last year, India was at the centre of the global Covid outbreak, but the situation has seen significant improvement since then, as most of the precautions have now been lifted.

Last year, India was at the centre of the global Covid outbreak, but the situation has seen significant improvement since then, as most of the precautions have now been lifted. But on Monday, India's daily COVID-19 cases nearly doubled compared to the previous day. On Monday, more than 2,000 cases were registered for the first time this month with southern Kerala state recording a spike in mortality. With the Covid marking a slight return in India, here are some of the techniques that you can follow if you get infected with COVID-19 and also ensure that others around you are safe. 1. Distance yourself from everyone: Keep your belongings away. Prefer to wear an N95 mask even if you are alone in the room, use gloves and disposables as it reduces the chances of transmission to others. 2. Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water is very essential for the body but it’s even more important when you’re sick. Your body loses water as a result of symptoms like fever, sweating, vomiting, which leads to dehydration. It's okay to hydrate yourself with water, but your body will absorb the fluid better if either salt or sugar is added. Also read | Delhi reports increase in COVID-19 cases; weekly cases rise in Haryana, Kerala and Gujarat 3. It’s very common that when you’re sick, especially during an upset stomach, you may not feel like having anything. During Covid, there are high chances of passing out. So, your body needs proper nourishment to feel great. Eat nutritious foods that help in boosting your immunity. Incorporate fresh citrus fruits and vegetables like spinach into your diet. Even intake of vitamin supplements can help in building immunity. 4. It is strongly advised to lie face down if faced with shortness of breath, as it helps improve oxygen levels in the blood. 5. Keep a regular check on your oxygen level using a pulse oximeter. Also read | Is COVID-19 more dangerous than driving? How scientists are parsing coronavirus risks. 6. Practice breathing exercises. 7. Taking medicines like paracetamol might help you in alleviating symptoms like body aches, fever, but if you are at a higher risk of developing severe infection, such as those who are unvaccinated, ages or people with medical issues, doctors might prescribe you oral antiviral medicines.

Here are some simple tips to help you ease your Covid symptoms at home

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