AstraZeneca vaccine protection wanes after three months: Lancet Study
London: The protection offered by the Oxford-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine declines after three months of receiving two doses of the preventive, according to a study published in The Lancet journal. The findings drawn from datasets in Brazil and Scotland suggest that booster programmes are needed to help maintain protection from severe disease in those vaccinated […]
Omicron infects 70 times faster, causes less severe disease: Study
Beijing: The Omicron variant of coronavirus infects and multiplies 70 times faster than Delta and the original COVID-19 strain, but the severity of illness is likely to be much lower, according to a study. The yet-to-be peer-reviewed study provides the first information on how the novel variant of concern infects human respiratory tract. The researchers […]
Kids in 5-14 age group in Europe show highest COVID rates: WHO
Geneva: The World Health Organization’s office for Europe said Tuesday that children in the 5 to 14 age group now account for the highest rates of reported COVID-19 infection in the region. WHO Europe regional director Dr Hans Kluge also argued that vaccine mandates should be an absolute last resort, and said that COVID-19 deaths […]
Significant: Chewing gum to ‘cut’ Covid transmission
Washington: Scientists are developing a chewing gum laced with a plant-grown protein that serves as a “trap” for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, reducing viral load in saliva and potentially lowering transmission. The researchers noted that people who are fully vaccinated can still become infected with SARS-CoV-2 and can carry a viral load similar […]
Five kg free foodgrains scheme extended till March 2022
New Delhi: In a bid to support the poor recovering from the COVID-19 shock, the Centre on Wednesday decided to further extend the free supply of 5kg foodgrains per month under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Anna Yojana for four months till March 2022, a decision that will cost an additional Rs 53,344 crore to the […]
Kartarpur Sahib corridor to be reopened from today
New Delhi: The Kartarpur Sahib corridor to the most revered shrines of Sikhs located in Pakistan will be reopened from Wednesday, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Tuesday. The corridor links Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan, the final resting place of Sikhism founder Guru Nanak Dev, to Dera Baba Nanak shrine in Punjab’s Gurdaspur […]
Hajj 2022 online application process starts
Union Minister announces enhanced facilities
Mumbai: The online application process for Haj 2022 began on Monday with Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi announcing significant reforms and enhanced facilities for the pilgrimage. While announcing Haj 2022 at Haj House in south Mumbai, Naqvi said the entire Haj process will be 100 per cent digital/online. The last date of […]
Covid-19: Expert panel recommends emergency use approval for Covaxin in 2-18 age group
New Delhi: An expert panel of India’s Central drug authority has recommended granting emergency use authorisation to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children and adolescents in the 2 to 18 years age group with certain conditions, sources said on Tuesday. If approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), it will be the second COVID-19 […]
COVID-19 will become like common cold but that will take a while: Expert
New Delhi: COVID-19 will become like the common cold in due course but that will take a while as “there is still so much about coronavirus that we do not understand”, said Sir Malcolm Grant, the Founder Chair of England’s National Health Service. Addressing the India Today Conclave 2021, he said India has got an […]
Covid-19: Schools to remain closed in JK
Physical classes allowed for only class 10 and 12
Srinagar: Authorities on Sunday extended closure of schools barring 10th and 12th standards across Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesman said. The decision was taken at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary A K Mehta. Besides schools, the government has retained all the COVID-19 containment guidelines, including night curfew. “Classes for 12th standard shall be […]
