Covid-19

The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, began in late 2019 in Wuhan, China. The first case of the virus was identified in December 2019 and was linked to a seafood market in Wuhan. Since then, the COVID-19 has been impacting lives without any end in sight. India also faced multiple waves and lost over 5 lakh lives so far, around 7 million deaths have been recorded globally. So far there have been several variants of the virus -- B.1.1.7, B.1.351, P.1, Delta, B.1.617.2, BA.5. Omicron BF.7 strain is driving the current wave of Covid infections in China. As of now, India reported four cases of the Omicron sub-variant BF.7 which is a sub-lineage of the previous Omicron variant BA.5 and has one of the highest transmissibility amongst all COVID variants so far.
The new Omicron variant is expected to infect 60 per cent of people in China in the coming three months. Symptoms of COVID-19 can range from mild to severe, and can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing, and body aches. The virus is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person speaks, coughs, or sneezes. To reduce the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented measures such as lockdowns, travel restrictions, mask mandates, and social distancing guidelines. Vaccines have been developed and are being distributed globally, but it is important to continue following public health guidelines and getting vaccinated to help bring the pandemic under control.
Cases yesterday - 226, Deaths yesterday - 1, Total deaths - 5,30,693, Total cases - 4,46,77,106 (Source - https://www.mygov.in/covid-19)
...read moreVinay Prasad, FDA’s Indian-origin vaccine pick, claimed ‘God wants Trump’
FDA Commissioner Marty Makary on Tuesday named Indian-origin hematologist oncologist Vinay Prasad as the next director of the Center for Biologics and Research

Sonu Sood to be honoured with Humanitarian Award at 72nd Miss World Festival
The Miss World Organisation announced Sonu Sood will be presented with Humanitarian Award in Telangana for his philanthropic work during COVID-19.

3 children locked in 'house of horrors' by parent with 'COVID syndrome' rescued
German siblings aged 8 and 10 were freed from a house in Spain where their parents kept them under extreme COVID lockdown for years.

Is a COVID test required for domestic air travel in the US?
No COVID test or vax proof needed for US domestic flights since May 2023 – International travel also eased.

How Covid reset the rules of drug development
This article is authored by Aditya Sharma, head, Process Solutions, India Region, Merck Life Science, New Delhi.
