Shanghai: China's largest city with over 26 million has started a new round of mass testing after the metropolis added 17,007 new COVID-19 infections, setting a daily record for the fifth consecutive day as officials termed the situation 'extremely grim' with the case numbers in the financial hub crossing 94,000 since March 1.Shanghai's single-day infection numbers also beat China's previous all-time high of 13,436 cases recorded in Wuhan on February 12, 2020, where the coronavirus outbreak first emerged.The residents of the city were kept under tight lockdown for the second week, after mass testing found more than 94,000 infections since March 1, Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported on Wednesday.The city reported 311 positive and 16,766 asymptomatic cases on Tuesday as the city held mass testing of antigen on Sunday followed by nucleic acid tests on Monday for all its population in pursuance of its dynamic zero-case policy, which is coming under severe strain as the cases are spiralling out of control in many cities.Shanghai's municipal government has started a round of mass testing on Wednesday morning to spot infections and the transmission chain after studying the results of a three-day mass testing exercise from Sunday to Tuesday, the Post report said.The mass testing exercise, which has never been seen elsewhere in the world, was aimed to spot most of the infections and quarantine them in a quick manner to achieve a dynamic zero-COVID-19 goal, the report said.China has rushed thousands of personnel from various medical services of the military to Shanghai in a similar move to contain the infections in Wuhan, where COVID-19 first emerged in December 2019.The Director of Shanghai's working group on epidemic control, Gu Honghui, was quoted by the state media as saying that the outbreak in the city was 'still running at a high level'."The situation is extremely grim," Gu said.Wu Qianyu, an official from Shanghai health authorities, said at Tuesday's press briefing that 'currently, Shanghai's epidemic prevention and control is at the most difficult and most critical stage'."We must adhere to the general policy of dynamic clearance without hesitation, without wavering," state-run Global Times quoted him as saying.&nbsp;Meanwhile, the National Health Commission said on Wednesday that the Chinese mainland reported 1,383 new locally-transmitted COVID-19 cases on Tuesday.Of the local confirmed cases reported on Tuesday, 973 were in Jilin, 311 in Shanghai, and 17 in Zhejiang.Tuesday also saw 19,199 new asymptomatic cases on the Chinese mainland, the commission said. The number of COVID-19 patients currently undergoing treatment stood at 24,565, including 75 in critical conditions, the report said.As per the official figures, 4,638 people have died of COVID-19 in China so far since the virus emerged in Wuhan. —PTI

China's largest city with over 26 million has started a new round of mass testing after the metropolis added 17,007 new COVID-19 infections, setting a daily record for the fifth consecutive day as officials termed the situation 'extremely grim' with the case numbers in the financial hub crossing 94,000 since March 1.

Shanghai Starts New Round Of Mass Testing Amid Record Covid Surge

New Delhi: Voluntary use of masks must be promoted in the country in view of Covid-19's new XE variant, healthcare experts said, calling it the single-most effective intervention against all variants of the coronavirus.After more than two years, mandatory wearing of masks was lifted in Maharashtra and Delhi. Wearing masks was mandatory in public in view of the Covid-19 infection and not following this protocol drew a fine as high as Rs 2,000.The World Health Organisation has issued a warning against XE, a new variant of Omicron first detected in the UK, and suggested that it could be more transmissible than any Covid-19 strain so far. The XE variant is a combination or recombinant of both sub-variants -- BA.1 and BA.2 -- of Omicron.Asked about the new variant's impact on India, which is witnessing a dip in cases ever since the Omicron driven wave started receding in February, the experts said that there is no need to panic but advocated for voluntary use of masks in public. Gujarat reported its first case of the XE variant on Saturday after authorities got the genome sequencing results of the sample taken from a man from Mumbai, who had tested positive for Covid-19 during his visit to Vadodara on March 12, a state official said.Earlier, Mumbai civic body officials had said that a woman who had arrived from South Africa in February-end and tested positive in March has been infected by the XE variant, but the health ministry has not confirmed it to be so.Eminent virologist T Jacob John said XE means there were XA, XB, XC and XD earlier but none of them was given much attention."XE gained attention since it became common in the UK. It had about 10 per cent higher transmissibility than the BA.2 lineage of Omicron. Many media-persons misread this as 10 times more transmissible than BA.2 and thus, XE gained false notoriety," he told PTI."After the Omicron wave (predominantly BA.2) receded by the third week of February, there was no cause for alarm even if this one virus is confirmed as XE. No change in our tactics is called for. While masks have many benefits other than Covid control, and should be generally promoted by health education, mandate with punishment for non-compliance is quite unnecessary," he added.Giridhara R Babu, professor and the head of life course epidemiology at the Public Health Foundation of India, said reporting of the XE variant should be seen as a strength of the surveillance system."XE is a recombinant sublineage of one of the many Omicron BA.1 and BA.2 variants. It is not a variant of concern. We should not get worked up due to its reporting. Certainly, we should refrain from implementing any reactive panic measures. We should recollect that the Delta variant had several sublineages before Omicron finally replaced it," he told PTI.Babu said the precautions followed for Omicron should continue before more data on its transmissibility in India emerges."I feel that voluntary use of masks should be encouraged as this is the single most effective intervention against all variants. However, there should not be any penalty, and instead of a mandate, ensuring availability and free distribution of masks, especially in closed space settings, will be helpful," he added.Babu said there is no data to support warranting restrictions in movement. Field investigations of clusters and genomic sequencing should be sustained and strengthened to monitor how newer sublineages might impact, he said.Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, a physician and leading epidemiologist who has been involved in India's pandemic response, said the hype around the XE variant is "uncalled for and exaggerated"."It has no relevance and there is no reason to be concerned.&nbsp;The only relevant thing of reporting of XE shows that India's genomic surveillance system is working. In this backdrop, XE being detected and reported from India is a positive public health sign but doesn't change anything for the public or for the Covid-19 response policy," he said. —PTI

tary use of masks must be promoted in the country in view of Covid-19's new XE variant, healthcare experts said, calling it the single-most effective intervention against all variants of the coronavirus.

Experts Pitch For Use Of Facemask To Meet XE Risk

New Delhi : India reported 3,205 new coronavirus infections in a day, pushing the number of active cases to 19,509 and the overall tally to 4,30,88,118, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated Wednesday.The data released at 8 am also showed that 31 fatalities -- 29 of them from Kerala alone -- were reported in a 24-hour span, taking the cumulative death toll to 5,23,920.The active cases constitute 0.05 per cent of the total infections, the health ministry said, adding the country's COVID-19 recovery rate is 98.74 per cent.The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.98 per cent while the weekly figure was recorded at 0.76 per cent, the ministry said.An increase of 372 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload which now stand at 19,509.The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 4,25,44,689, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent.The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 189.48 crore.India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. It crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.The 31 new fatalities include 29 from Kerala and one each from Maharashtra and Delhi, the data showed.A total of 5,23,920 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,845 from Maharashtra, 69,112 from Kerala, 40,102 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,176 from Delhi, 23,508 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,202 from West Bengal.The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to co-morbidities."Our figures are being reconciled with (those of) 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—PTI

India reported 3,205 new coronavirus infections in a day, pushing the number of active cases to 19,509 and the overall tally to 4,30,88,118, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated Wednesday.

India reports 3205 new Covid cases, 31 fatalities

Delhi: India logged 2,259 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,31,31,822, while the active cases declined to 15,044, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,24,323 with 20 fresh fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.The active cases comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was 98.75 per cent, the ministry said. A decrease of 375 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.50 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.53 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,25,92,455, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 191.96 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.The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. The 20 new fatalities include 17 from Kerala and two from Uttar Pradesh and one from Delhi.A total of 5,24,323 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,856 from Maharashtra, 69,457 from Kerala, 40,106 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,199 from Delhi, 23,516 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,203 from West Bengal.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.—PTI

India logged 2,259 new coronavirus infections taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,31,31,822, while the active cases declined to 15,044, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Friday.

India's active Covid cases tally continues to drop

New Delhi:&nbsp;India saw a single day rise of 2,124 new coronavirus infections, taking the infection tally to 4,31,42,192, while the active cases rose to 14,971, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday. The COVID-19 death toll has climbed to 5,24,507 with 17 more fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed. The active cases comprised 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.75 per cent, the health ministry said. An increase of 130 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.46 per cent and weekly positivity rate was 0.49 per cent, according to the health ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,26,02,714, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 192.67 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. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.—PTI

 India saw a single day rise of 2,124 new coronavirus infections, taking the infection tally to 4,31,42,192, while the active cases rose to 14,971, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.

India logs 2,124 Covid cases in a day, 17 deaths

 India saw a single day rise of 2,124 new coronavirus infections, taking the infection tally to 4,31,42,192, while the active cases rose to 14,971, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday.



New Delhi: India logged 2,710 new coronavirus infections in a day taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,31,47,530, while the active cases rose to 15,814, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll climbed to 5,24,539 with 14 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 98.75 per cent, the ministry said. An increase of 400 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.58 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 0.52 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,26,07,177, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 192.97 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. The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23 last year. The 14 new fatalities include 12 from Kerala and one each from Delhi and Maharashtra.A total of 5,24,539 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,858 from Maharashtra, 69,655 from Kerala, 40,106 from Karnataka, 38,025 from Tamil Nadu, 26,208 from Delhi, 23,519 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,203 from West Bengal. 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.—PTI

India logged 2,710 new coronavirus infections in a day taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,31,47,530, while the active cases rose to 15,814, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

Active COVID-19 cases in country rise to 15,814

New Delhi: With 3,712 new coronavirus infections recorded in a day, India's infection tally rose to 4,31,64,544, while the total number of active cases increased to 19,509, the Union health ministry said on Thursday. The country's COVID-19 death toll has climbed to 5,24,641, with five latest fatalities reported from Kerala, the ministry data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprised 0.05 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.74 per cent, the health ministry said.An increase of 1,123 cases has been recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.84 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 0.67 per cent, according to the health ministry.The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,26,20,394, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.22 per cent.The cumulative number of doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 193.70 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.India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.—PTI

With 3,712 new coronavirus infections recorded in a day, India's infection tally rose to 4,31,64,544, while the total number of active cases increased to 19,509, the Union health ministry said on Thursday.

Sharp increase in active Covid cases with 3,712 new infections

Mumbai: Actor Kartik Aaryan on Saturday said he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.The actor, who is riding high on the success of his latest release "Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2", shared the health update on Instagram."Covid Positive," Aaryan, who was set to perform at the IIFA awards ceremony in Abu Dhabi, posted on his Instagram Stories.The 31-year-old actor previously tested positive for the virus in March last year."Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2", directed by Anees Bazmee, is inching closer to the 150 crore mark.On Saturday, India logged a single-day rise of 3,962 coronavirus infections and 26 fatalities, pushing the overall tally to 4,31,72,547 cases and 5,24,677 deaths.—PTI

Actor Kartik Aaryan on Saturday said he has tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

Kartik Aaryan tests COVID-19 positive

London: Swedish scientists have identified a new coronavirus commonly found in red-backed voles -- small, stocky rodents similar to field mice.The study of approximately 260 bank voles caught around Grimso, in Orebro County in Sweden shows that the virus is well established in the red-backed voles, said the team from the Zoonosis Science Center at Uppsala University.Their finding has been published in the journal Viruses."Between 2015 and 2017, we consistently found what we have called the 'Grimso Virus' in 3.4 per cent of these voles, which would suggest that the virus is widespread and common in Sweden's bank voles," said Ake Lundkvist, Professor in virology and head of the Centre.The team mapped zoonotic viruses to increase the understanding of the interaction between viruses and host animals.Unlike the SARS-CoV and MERS coronaviruses that originate in bats, seasonal coronaviruses, such as HCoV-OC43 and HCoV-HKU1, appear to have spread to humans from rodents like rats, mice and voles.Using an RNA sequencing method, the team identified a new coronavirus known as the aGrimso Virus' belonging to the betacoronavirus family that also includes SARS-CoV, MERS and SARS-CoV-2.Rodents already carry several zoonotic microorganisms, such as Hantaviruses and Tularemia, meaning they play a key role in how infectious diseases are spread.In recent years, there has been a dramatic increase in infectious diseases that can be linked to small mammals, like rodents, and research around the ecology of these host animals is an essential component in the work to prevent future outbreaks.The bank vole (Myodes glareolus) is one of Europe's most common rodents.Previous studies have found several coronaviruses circulating amongst animals in countries like the UK, Poland, France and Germany."We still do not know what potential threats the Grimso Virus may pose to public health. However, based on our observations and previous coronaviruses identified among bank voles, there is good reason to continue monitoring the coronavirus amongst wild rodents," said Lundkvist. —IANS

Swedish scientists have identified a new coronavirus commonly found in red-backed voles -- small, stocky rodents similar to field mice.

Scientists Identify New Coronavirus Commonly Found In Rodents

Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and is in home isolation.Fadnavis, who is the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, had earlier also contracted the viral infection in October 2020.On Sunday, the former state chief minister in a tweet said, "I have tested #COVID19 positive and in home isolation.Taking medication &amp; treatment as per the doctor's advice. Those who have come in contact with me are advised to get Covid tests done. Take care everyone!"Earlier, when Fadnavis contracted the infection in 2020, he had undergone treatment in a government hospital.—PTI

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday said he has tested positive for coronavirus and is in home isolation.

BJP leader Fadnavis tests positive for coronavirus

Mumbai: Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday tested negative for COVID-19, a close aide said.Fadnavis, the leader of opposition in the Maharashtra Assembly, had tested positive for the infection on Sunday and was in home isolation.The BJP MLA was in Latur to attend a public function on Saturday, and his RT-PCR test came positive the next day, forcing him to isolate himself at his official residence here.He was under medication and responding well. His RT-PCR test came negative today, a party official said.Notably, the BJP has fielded three candidates for the Rajya Sabha elections to six seats in the state to be held on Friday. Members of the state Assembly form the electoral college for the Rajya Sabha polls.—PTI

Senior BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday tested negative for COVID-19, a close aide said.

BJP leader Fadnavis tests negative for coronavirus

Amsterdam: According to a new study, Nordic walking was found to boost functional capacity, or the ability to do everyday tasks, in individuals with coronary heart disease more than normal high-intensity interval training and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training.The findings of the research were published in the journal 'Canadian Journal of Cardiology'.Cardiovascular rehabilitation and exercise training programs following major cardiovascular events are associated with considerable improvements in functional capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as mental health. However, some individuals do not enjoy monotonous forms of exercise, such as walking and stationary cycling, and therefore may stop exercising once their cardiovascular rehabilitation program is completed.Researchers explored more diverse exercise options that might appeal to more people to determine whether they could get more individuals to continue to exercise and what benefits might be achieved.Growing evidence suggests that non-conventional exercise interventions, such as high-intensity interval training and Nordic walking are more effective than traditional exercise approaches in improving functional capacity measured by a six-minute walk test - an important predictor of cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Nordic walking is an enhanced form of walking exercise that uses specifically designed poles to further engage both the upper and lower body muscles."Patients with coronary artery disease frequently demonstrate diminished functional capacity, low quality of life and increased the risk of subsequent cardiovascular events and mortality," explained lead investigator Jennifer L. Reed, PhD, Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab, Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute; Faculty of Medicine; and School of Human Kinetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada. Investigators compared the prolonged effects of 12-week rehabilitation with 1) high-intensity interval training; 2) moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training; and 3) Nordic walking, on functional capacity, quality of life and depression symptoms in patients with coronary artery disease. One hundred and thirty patients were randomized to a 12-week training in one of these three groups followed by a 14-week observation phase.While all exercise programs improved depression symptoms and quality of life, the improvement in functional capacity was greatest after Nordic walking (+19 per cent) when compared to high-intensity interval training (+13 per cent) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training (+12 per cent)."This is a key finding because lower functional capacity predicts a higher risk of future cardiovascular events in people with coronary artery disease," noted Dr Reed. "Nordic walking engages core, upper and lower body muscles while reducing loading stress at the knee, which may have resulted in greater improvements in functional capacity.""No previous study has directly compared the long-term effects of high-intensity interval training, moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training and Nordic walking," commented Tasuku Terada, PhD, Exercise Physiology and Cardiovascular Health Lab, Division of Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada."This study is novel in that it simultaneously compared the sustained effects (i.e., 14 weeks after the completion of cardiovascular rehabilitation) of different exercise programs that can readily be incorporated into daily exercise. When prescribing exercise for patients with coronary artery disease, patients' preferences should be considered. Our findings can impact patient care by providing alternative exercise options based on their interests and needs," he concluded. In an accompanying editorial, Carl J. Lavie, MD, Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, John Ochsner Heart and Vascular Institute, Ochsner Clinical School, the University of Queensland School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA, USA, and colleagues noted that the addition of Nordic walking to a cardiovascular rehabilitation program could provide an ideal progression from standard moderate-intensity continuous training or traditional walking, especially for deconditioned patients who may not tolerate the high-intensity exercise, or for patients in whom high-intensity interval training may be contraindicated."The addition of Nordic poles to moderate to vigorous-intensity walking is a simple, accessible option to enhance improvements in walking capacity, increase energy expenditure, engage upper body musculature, and improve other functional parameters such as posture, gait, and balance," commented Dr Lavie."Providing a variety of exercise options enhances patient enjoyment and progression, which is important for adherence and maintenance. Exercise modalities should be prescribed with consideration of patient goals, preferences, and capabilities," he advised.&nbsp;—ANI

According to a new study, Nordic walking was found to boost functional capacity, or the ability to do everyday tasks, in individuals with coronary heart disease more than normal high-intensity interval training and moderate-to-vigorous intensity continuous training.

Research Suggests Nordic Walking Improves Functional Capacity In Heart Disease Patients

New Delhi: Amid an uptick in coronavirus cases, Delhi has ramped up genome sequencing of samples to detect any new variant, officials said on Saturday.On Friday, Delhi logged 1,797 COVID-19 infections in a single day, highest in nearly four months, along with one fatality while the positivity rate rose to 8.18 per cent, according to data shared by the city health department here.The state-run ILBS, which has a genome sequencing lab, has the capacity to analyze 350 samples in four to five days, said a doctor at the facility.Sources said that from the end of 2021 till June 5, the ILBS has tested 5000 to 6000 samples and most of them have tested positive for Omicron. Samples with CT value less than 25 can only be tested, they said.“We have detected BA.1 and BA.2 and its sublineages till now while we have not found any new variants. It has been reported that a new variant has been found in Maharashtra. The results of some of the samples will come next week,” said a source.Officials said that the Delhi government is holding day to day meetings to take stock of the situation vis-a-vis the coronavirus situation.The samples being sent to NCDC, LNJP and ILBS for genome sequencing have also been increased but those with CT value less than 25 can only be sequenced.On Monday, Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena had directed officials to ensure genome sequencing of COVID-19 samples in Delhi to “proactively” detect the prevalence of any new variant amid an uptick in coronavirus cases in the city. Amid a spike in daily cases, the positivity rate too climbed from 1.92 per cent registered on June 7 to 7.01 per cent on June 15, which further increased to 8.18 per cent on June 17, according to official figures.The number of COVID-19 cases has registered a steady rise in the last 10 days, as the daily tally mounted to over 1,300 on June 15 from 247 on June 6, totalling 7,175 cases in this period, according to the official data.&nbsp;&nbsp;—PTI&nbsp;

 Amid an uptick in coronavirus cases, Delhi has ramped up genome sequencing of samples to detect any new variant, officials said on Saturday.

Genome Sequencing Of Corona Samples Ramps Up In Delhi

New Delhi: India reported 12,249 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths, while active cases went up by over 2,300 in a 24-hour span, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on June 22. The latest updates pushed the country’s overall Covid numbers to 4,33,31,645 cases, 5,24,903 deaths and 81,687 active cases, the data released at 8 am showed.The number of active cases rose by 2,374 from Tuesday, and now constitute 0.19 per cent of the total infections, the health ministry said.The country’s COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.60 per cent as the number of people who have recuperated from the disease increased to 4,27,25,055. The case fatality rate was recorded at 1.21 per cent.According to the ministry, 196.45 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020. It surpassed the grim milestone of four crore cases on January 25 this year. —PTI

India reported 12,249 new coronavirus infections and 13 deaths, while active cases went up by over 2,300 in a 24-hour span, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on June 22. 

India Adds 12,249 Coronavirus Infections, 13 Deaths; Active Cases Up By Over 2300

Tokyo: In spite of significant and impressive advances in vaccine technology, the global COVID-19 pandemic is over by any means. An important challenge in limiting the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is identifying the infected individuals. Researchers in Japan have now developed a new antibody-based method for the rapid and reliable detection of SARS-CoV-2 that does not require a blood sample.The ineffective identification of SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals has severely limited the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the high rate of asymptomatic infections (16 per cent-38 per cent) has exacerbated this situation. The predominant detection method to date collects samples by swabbing the nose and throat. However, the application of this method is limited by its long detection time (4-6 hours), high cost, and requirement for specialized equipment and medical personnel, particularly in resource-limited countries. An alternative and complementary method for the confirmation of COVID-19 infection involves the detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies. Testing strips based on gold nanoparticles are currently in widespread use for point-of-care testing in many countries. They produce sensitive and reliable results within 10-20 minutes, but they require blood samples collected via a finger prick using a lancing device. This is painful and increases the risk of infection or cross-contamination, and the used kit components present a potential biohazard risk.Lead author Leilei Bao from the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, explains: "To develop a minimally invasive detection assay that would avoid these drawbacks, we explored the idea of sampling and testing the interstitial fluid (ISF), which is located in the epidermis and dermis layers of human skin. Although the antibody levels in the ISF are approximately15%-25% of those in blood, it was still feasible that anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM/IgG antibodies could be detected and that ISF could act as a direct substitute for blood sampling."After demonstrating that ISF could be suitable for antibody detection, the researchers developed an innovative approach to both sample and test the ISF. "First, we developed biodegradable porous microneedles made of polylactic acid that draws up the ISF from human skin," explains Beomjoon Kim, senior author. "Then, we constructed a paper-based immunoassay biosensor for the detection of SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies." By integrating these two elements, the researchers created a compact patch capable of on-site detection of the antibodies within 3 minutes (result from in vitro tests). This novel detection device has great potential for the rapid screening of COVID-19 and many other infectious diseases that is safe and acceptable to patients. It holds promise for use in many countries regardless of their wealth, which is a key aim for the global management of infectious diseases.&nbsp;—ANI

In spite of significant and impressive advances in vaccine technology, the global COVID-19 pandemic is over by any means.

Research Shows New Coronavirus Antibody Detection Method That Does Not Require Blood Sample

New Delhi: India added 13,615 new coronavirus infections in day while the active cases rose to 1,31,043, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday.The country's total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 4,36,52,944 and the death toll climbed to 5,25,474 with 20 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated.The active cases comprise 0.30 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.50 per cent.An increase of 330 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.The daily positivity rate was recorded at 3.23 per cent and the weekly positivity rate at 4.24 per cent, according to the ministry.The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,29,96,427, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent.According to the ministry, 199 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.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. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year.The 20 new fatalities include three each from Kerala and West Bengal, two each from Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra and Rajasthan and one each from Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and Sikkim.A total of 5,25,474 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 1,47,978 from Maharashtra, 70,153 from Kerala, 40,124 from Karnataka, 38,028 from Tamil Nadu, 26,284 from Delhi, 23,547 from Uttar Pradesh and 21,246 from West Bengal.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. —PTI

India added 13,615 new coronavirus infections in day while the active cases rose to 1,31,043, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday.

India Logs 13,615 New Covid Cases, Active Tally Rise

New Delhi: India saw a single-day rise of 21,566 coronavirus cases, the highest in 152 days, taking its COVID-19 tally to 4,38,25,185, while the number of active cases in the country climbed to 1,48,881 on Thursday, the Union health ministry said.The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,25,870 with 45 more fatalities, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.The active cases account for 0.34 per cent of the total caseload, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.46 per cent, the ministry said.An increase of 3,227 cases was recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours.The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.25 per cent while the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.51 per cent, according to the ministry.The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has gone up to 4,31,50,434 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.2 per cent.According to the ministry, 200.91 crore doses of Covid vaccines have so far been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive.India's COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 2020, 30 lakh on August 23, 2020, 40 lakh on September 5, 2020 and 50 lakh on September 16, 2020.It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 2020, 70 lakh on October 11, 2020, 80 lakh on October 29, 2020, 90 lakh on November 20, 2020 and the one-crore mark on December 19, 2020.The country crossed the grim milestone of two crore Covid cases on May 4 last year, the three-crore mark on June 23 last year and four crore cases on January 25 this year.Of the 45 new fatalities, 17 were reported from Kerala, seven from Maharashtra, six from West Bengal, two each from Assam, Bihar, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand and one each from Goa, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Mizoram, Sikkim and Uttar Pradesh.—PTI

India saw a single-day rise of 21,566 coronavirus cases, the highest in 152 days, taking its COVID-19 tally to 4,38,25,185, while the number of active cases in the country climbed to 1,48,881 on Thursday, the Union health ministry said.

India reports 21,566 Covid cases, highest in 152 days

New Delhi:&nbsp;India added 20,557 new coronavirus infections pushing the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,39,59,321, while the active cases increased to 1,46,323, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll climbed to 5,26,211 with 44 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.33 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 98.47 per cent, the ministry said. An increase of 1,297 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. According to the ministry, 203.21 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 5.18 per cent and the weekly positivity rate was recorded at 4.71 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,32,86,787, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.20 per cent. According to the ministry, 203.21 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive. 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. It crossed the four-crore mark on January 25 this year. The 44 new fatalities include 12 from Kerala, eight from Maharashtra, five from West Bengal, two each from Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Manipur and Tripura and one each from Assam, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Odisha and Sikkim.—PTI

India logs 44 new Covid fatalities

New Delhi: India on Tuesday reported 13,734 new Covid-19 cases, a decline against the 16,464 infections logged the previous day, with 34 additional deaths, said the Union Health Ministry. With the addition of the new fatalities, the country's overall Covid death toll has increased to 5,26,430. The active caseload has marginally declined to 1,39,792, accounting for 0.32 per cent of the country's total positive cases.The recovery of 17,897 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,33,83,787. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.49 per cent. While the daily positivity rate decreased to 3.34 per cent, the weekly positivity rate stood at 4.79 per cent. Also in the same period, a total of 4,11,102 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall tally to over 87.58 crore. As of Tuesday morning, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 204.60 crore, achieved via 2,71,14,804 sessions Over 3.91 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket. —IANS

India on Tuesday reported 13,734 new Covid-19 cases, a decline against the 16,464 infections logged the previous day, with 34 additional deaths, said the Union Health Ministry.


India reports 13,734 new Covid cases, 34 deaths

New Delhi: India on Wednesday again reported a considerable rise at 17,135 new Covid infection in last 24 hrs, against 13,734 Covid cases reported on previous day, said Union Health Ministry.In the same period, the country has reported 47 more Covid deaths, taking the nationwide death toll to 5,26,477.Meanwhile, the active caseload of the country has marginally declined to 1,37,057 cases, accounting for 0.31 per cent of the country's total positive cases.The recovery of 19,823 patients in the last 24 hours took the cumulative tally to 4,34,03,610. Consequently, India's recovery rate stands at 98.49 per cent.Meanwhile, India's Daily Positivity rate has marginally risen to 3.69 per cent, while the Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently also stands at 4.67 per cent.Also in the same period, a total of 4,64,919 tests were conducted across the country, increasing the overall tally to over 87.63 crore.As of Wednesday morning, India's Covid-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 204.84 crore, achieved via 2,71,69,995 sessions.Over 3.91 crore adolescents have been administered with a first dose of Covid-19 jab since the beginning of vaccination drive for this age bracket.—IANS

: India on Wednesday again reported a considerable rise at 17,135 new Covid infection in last 24 hrs, against 13,734 Covid cases reported on previous day, said Union Health Ministry.

After a day of decline, India's Covid tally rises to 17,135 infection, 47 deaths

India on Wednesday again reported a considerable rise at 17,135 new Covid infection in last 24 hrs, against 13,734 Covid cases reported on previous day, said Union Health Ministry.

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