Tag: COVID-19

Singapore sees COVID-19 surge, most cases due to JN.1 variant

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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COVID-19 has made a comeback. The Singapore Ministry of Health (MOH) Friday said the estimated number of cases from December 3 to 9 increased to 56,043, a 75% jump compared with 32,035 cases in the previous week.

The vast majority of cases are infected by the JN.1 variant, a sublineage of BA.2.86. The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose from 225 to 350. The average daily cases in the intensive care unit rose from four to nine, Channel News Asia reported.

The MOH said it “strongly encourages” people to wear a face mask in crowded places even if they are not ill, especially indoors or when visiting vulnerable people.

“Based on the available international and local data, there is currently no clear indication that BA.2.86 or JN.1 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants,” MOH said in a media release. Urging the public to exercise personal and social responsibility, the ministry said people who are unwell with acute respiratory infection symptoms should stay at home and avoid contact with others.

It added that those who are travelling should wear a mask at the airport, purchase travel insurance and avoid crowded areas with poor ventilation. “We urge the public to seek medical treatment at a hospital’s emergency department only for serious or life-threatening emergencies,” stressed the ministry.

“This will preserve our hospital capacity for patients who truly need acute hospital care and allow those with severe illness to receive timely treatment,” the channel had MOH as saying. The Health Ministry said it has been working with public hospitals for contingency planning, such as ensuring adequate manpower and deferring non-urgent elective surgeries to maximise bed capacity for urgent cases in need of acute care.

“In addition, hospitals are tapping on step-down facilities like Transitional Care Facilities and alternative care models like Mobile Inpatient Care@Home (MIC@Home) to ensure proper right-siting of patients,” MOH said. A second COVID-19 Treatment Facility will open this weekend at Singapore EXPO Hall 10, augmenting capacity at the existing facility at Crawfurd Hospital.

A treatment facility already operates at Crawfurd Hospital in Adam Road. Together, the two facilities can take more than 80 patients, and the new facility can be expanded, if necessary. In addition, hospitals will take steps to meet the rise in demand for beds.

“To preserve our healthcare capacity, MOH has been working with public hospitals for contingency planning, including ensuring adequate manpower and deferring of non-urgent electives to maximise bed capacity for urgent cases in need of acute care,” the ministry said. In the week that ended December 9, twenty-three COVID-19 patients were admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), up from nine the previous week, and the highest on a weekly basis for the year. A total of 763 patients were hospitalised with the virus.

MOH said travellers should take precautions such as wearing a mask at the airport, buying travel insurance in case they need medical care overseas and avoiding crowded areas with poor ventilation. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on December 13 that the healthcare impact of the latest spike in numbers is low, with fewer than 10 cases in ICUs at any one time.

Although more than 560 Covid patients were hospitalised on December 13, it is a fraction of the 1,726 at the peak of the pandemic. In the week of December 3 to 9, polyclinics saw 3,590 acute upper respiratory infections a day up from 2,970 a day the previous week. Polyclinics, which treat about 20 percent of acute illness cases in primary care, serve as a yardstick for the nation.

Doctors are urging people to get both the influenza vaccine and Covid-19 booster shots, especially if they are medically vulnerable or are seniors with underlying medical conditions, for whom such infections can be serious. The flu vaccine, which protects against the main strains now circulating here, is free for those who have signed up with Healthier SG, the national healthcare scheme to promote better health among Singaporeans.

Flu kills about 600 people a year here. In comparison, Covid-19 caused 226 deaths in the first 10 months of 2023, according to a report by The Straits Times.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Inhaled single-dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine shows promising results across species

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a significant leap forward in the fight against COVID-19, researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking inhaled SARS-CoV-2 vaccine designed for single-dose dry powder aerosol immunization.

The experimental vaccine has demonstrated compelling outcomes, eliciting robust mucosal immunity and providing protection in various species, including non-human primates. Notably, it exhibits efficacy against a range of SARS-CoV-2 variants, including the Omicron variant.

The global push for vaccination solutions that induce mucosal immune responses and offer non-invasive, single-dose administration has been met with a compelling answer.

The innovative vaccine formulation encapsulates assembled nanoparticles featuring proteinaceous cholera toxin B subunits displaying the SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD) antigen.

Also Read: Covid virus can remain in lungs for two years, reveals study

These components are housed within microcapsules of optimal aerodynamic size, facilitating efficient alveoli delivery, sustained antigen release, and uptake by antigen-presenting cells—critical elements for robust immune response induction.

In preclinical studies, the inhaled vaccine demonstrated a remarkable ability to induce strong production of both IgG and IgA antibodies, along with a local T cell response. This collective immune response proved effective in safeguarding against SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice, hamsters, and non-human primates.

Furthermore, the researchers unveiled a mosaic iteration of the vaccine, co-displaying ancestral and Omicron antigens. This unique approach aims to broaden the antibody response, enhancing protection against co-circulating strains and specifically addressing the challenges posed by the Omicron variant.

The findings present this inhaled vaccine as a promising and versatile platform, not only for combating COVID-19 but also for addressing respiratory infectious diseases more broadly.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Bharat Biotech, Sydney ID announce MoU to advance vaccine research initiative

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Bharat Biotech and the University of Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute Tuesday announced a memorandum of understanding between them to advance vaccine research initiatives, strengthen academic-industry partnerships and augment global efforts to combat infectious diseases.

The agreement aims to build strong sectoral and cross-organisational collaborations to design novel methodologies to tackle future epidemics and infectious diseases, Bharat Biotech said in a statement. It also aims at leveraging academia-industry strengths to advance the science of vaccines and biotherapeutics, it added.

Dr Krishna Ella, the executive chairman at Bharat Biotech, said, “This agreement reflects our ethos to facilitate collaborative research, foster innovation, and further advance the science vaccine technology.”

“Mutually, we are excited about the new opportunities to strengthen our shared vision, leverage the prowess of education, and research capabilities to help build a healthier universe and improve people’s lives by developing safer vaccine platforms. Most importantly, build the talent of young scientists with a passion to innovate,” he said.

Also Read: US FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines for enhanced protection

Professor Jamie Triccas, the deputy director at Sydney ID said, “Positioning Sydney ID on a global scale to drive innovation and highlight our expertise in the development of new vaccines and biotherapeutics is paramount.”

“The reputational and societal impacts of developing novel vaccines to eradicate human and animal diseases that are safe, affordable, and effective cannot be overstated. Together with Bharat Biotech International Ltd, we aim to make a lasting impact on global health,” he said.

Vaccines are the most effective and cost-effective way to protect billions of people worldwide, with vaccine development potentially transforming health by removing the burden of life-threatening infectious diseases from the population, Triccas said.

India’s capabilities in manufacturing vaccines came to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic where companies such as Bharat Biotech were able to provide vaccines that met over 60% of the world’s demand and supplied over 2.4 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, the statement said.

Also Read: WHO authorizes emergency use of Novavax’s updated COVID vaccine

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

All you need to know about mycoplasma, the pathogen behind latest outbreak in China

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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China is grappling with a widespread outbreak of mycoplasma pneumonia, particularly affecting children, in both its southern and northern provinces. Despite official assurances that no unusual or novel pathogens were detected, the surge in mycoplasma cases, coupled with influenza flu, has triggered alarm globally.

Chinese health authorities initially claimed it to be a seasonal illness. However, as cases of mycoplasma pneumonia and influenza flu skyrocketed, especially among the younger population, concerns escalated. The country reported a surge in hospitalisations among children, prompting the World Health Organization (WHO) to request more information from China.

The mycoplasma positivity rate in Beijing has surged to 40%, marking a 1.3-fold increase compared to its peak in 2019, according to health data analytics firm Airfinity Ltd. China cautions that while the surge in mycoplasma-related pneumonia in children may be subsiding, other respiratory illnesses are anticipated to impact the broader population during China’s first winter, after the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.

What is the latest outbreak?

China has witnessed a surge in respiratory illnesses, with the first case reported by the National Health Commission on November 13. This spike has resulted in increased hospitalisations mostly among children, with extended wait times reported by many medical facilities. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently sought more information from China on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children following a report by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED), an organisation that tracks infectious disease outbreaks globally.

What is Mycoplasma?

Mycoplasma pneumonia, a bacterial species, typically induces mild illnesses in older children and young adults. However, it can escalate to pneumonia, a lung infection. Most cases stemming from Mycoplasma pneumonia are characterised as mild, which has been locally named as ‘walking pneumonia’.

How does mycoplasma infection spread?

Mycoplasma spreads through contact with droplets expelled during coughing and sneezing from infected individuals. Prolonged close contact is believed to be necessary for transmission. The spread within families, schools, and institutions tends to occur gradually. The contagious period is likely to be fewer than 10 days, though occasionally it may extend beyond this duration.

What are the symptoms of mycoplasma infection?

Common symptoms of mycoplasma infection include fever, cough, bronchitis, sore throat, headache, and fatigue. Pneumonia is a frequent outcome, seldom requiring hospitalisation. Infections may also lead to middle ear issues (otitis media). The duration of symptoms can vary, ranging from a few days to over a month.

Symptoms generally commence two to three weeks after exposure, with the onset varying between one to four weeks.

Mycoplasma infection diagnosis

Typically, mycoplasma infection is diagnosed based on observed symptoms and a chest X-ray. In some cases, blood tests may be conducted.

Mycoplasma infection preventive measures

To prevent mycoplasma pneumonia infections, it is crucial to implement measures that minimise the risk of exposure. Key practices include adopting good respiratory hygiene, such as regular handwashing, and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. Maintaining clean and well-ventilated spaces can effectively reduce the likelihood of transmission of the pathogen. Individuals with compromised immune systems should exercise additional precautions to minimise their risk of exposure.

What caused the surge in China?

Some attribute the spike in mycoplasma cases to the lingering effects of COVID-19, suggesting that the ongoing circulation of the virus weakens people’s immune defences. While evidence indicates prolonged immune dysfunction in some post-COVID-19 cases, the extent of widespread immune impairment across the population remains uncertain.

On the other hand, an alternative explanation points to an ‘immunity debt’ resulting from reduced seasonal illnesses during COVID-19 lockdowns. The WHO team addressing the situation in China specifically highlighted an “immunity gap created by the pandemic”. Measures like social distancing and reduced travel, aimed at preventing the spread of COVID-19, may have diminished immunological defences against diseases, according to WHO experts.

Is India at risk of infection?

In response to the surge in cases of mycoplasma pneumonia and influenza flu, particularly among children in China, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya stated on Saturday that the government is actively monitoring the situation and implementing necessary measures. The Union Health Ministry, in a statement released on November 25, affirmed India’s readiness for any potential exigency arising from the ongoing influenza situation in China, according to an Indian Express report.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

India reviews respiratory illness preparedness amid surge in cases in China

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In response to a surge in respiratory illnesses among children in northern China, the Union Health Ministry of India is proactively reviewing preparedness measures. This precautionary step is taken in light of the ongoing influenza and winter season, which typically sees an increase in respiratory illness cases. The Indian Government is closely monitoring the situation and has stated there is no cause for alarm.

The Union Health Secretary has advised States and Union Territories to review public health and hospital preparedness measures. These include the availability of human resources, hospital beds, drugs and vaccines for influenza, medical oxygen, antibiotics, personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, functionality of oxygen plants and ventilators, and infection control practices in health facilities.

States and Union Territories have been instructed to implement Operational Guidelines for Revised Surveillance Strategy in the context of COVID-19. This includes integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens presenting as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory illness (SARI). They are also asked to monitor the trends of ILI/SARI, particularly in children and adolescents, and upload the data on the IDSP-IHIP portal.

According to a Reuters report, China’s health ministry has urged local authorities to increase the number of fever clinics due to a surge in respiratory illnesses. This is the country’s first full winter since easing COVID-19 restrictions. The World Health Organization (WHO) asked China for more information last week, citing a report on clusters of undiagnosed pneumonia in children by the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases.

Also Read: Mysterious pneumonia outbreak grips Northern China; what we know so far

China and the WHO have faced questions about the transparency of reporting early in the pandemic, which emerged in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. The WHO said on Friday no new or unusual pathogens had been found in the recent illnesses.

Chinese National Health Commission spokesperson Mi Feng linked the surge in acute respiratory illnesses to the simultaneous circulation of several kinds of pathogens, most prominently influenza. He urged efforts to increase the number of relevant clinics and treatment areas, extend service hours, and strengthen guarantees of drug supplies.

Mi emphasised the need for epidemic prevention and control in key crowded places such as schools, childcare institutions, and nursing homes, and to reduce the flow of people and visits. Cases among children are particularly high in northern areas like Beijing and Liaoning province, where hospitals are warning of long waits.

Also Read: Zoomed Out | Health Insurance — why there is a resistance

The State Council, China’s cabinet, said on Friday that influenza would peak this winter and spring, while mycoplasma pneumoniae infection would remain high in some areas. It also warned of the risk of a rebound in COVID-19 infections.

On Thursday the WHO said data provided by China suggested the recent cases were linked to the lifting of COVID curbs 11 months ago, along with the circulation of known pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae, a common bacterial infection that typically affects children, which has circulated since May.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has reported an increase in respiratory illness in northern China, attributed to usual causes like Influenza, Mycoplasma pneumonia, SARS-CoV-2 etc. The release of COVID-19 restrictions, the onset of the winter season, and the cyclical trend of respiratory illnesses have led to this surge. WHO has sought additional information from Chinese authorities but assesses there is no cause for alarm at present.

Also Read: India needs additional 2.4 million hospital beds to reach recommended ratio: Report

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

INTERVIEW | ‘Private equity in healthcare should not be for quick bucks,’ says Dr Ashish Jha

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerabilities of healthcare systems globally while also highlighting the inequities in addressing these challenges. Three years since the pandemic struck, experts agree that while we are far more prepared on the vaccine front, the response in terms of distribution remains neglected. With geopolitical risks such as the Ukraine-Russia war and, more recently, the Israel-Hamas war overtaking the global milieu, the worrying trend is that the healthcare agenda is on the backfoot again.

Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the School of Public Health at Brown University and the former White House COVID Response Coordinator concurs that distribution remains a challenge for the world despite better vaccines available now.

“We have built these mRNA platforms; they’re fantastic for COVID vaccines, and they’re going to give us many, many other vaccines. And that’s great, but vaccines unto themselves, don’t do anything unless you can distribute them unless you can get them into people’s arms,” Jha told CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive interaction.

On countries that did well on distribution, Jha lauded the response of the United Kingdom as well as India.

“The first country I think of is the United Kingdom. Why? Because they have a fantastic national health service that was able to quickly distribute it. I think India did very well in distribution. But there were some challenges, as you said, and the solution there is in building out our healthcare infrastructure,” he added.

A key debate during the pandemic was access to vaccines and their distribution vis-à-vis patents and intellectual property.

“I think these vaccines are extraordinary. We want companies to develop them. We want companies to make money, but at the end of the day, they have to get out to the world as quickly as possible.”

But waiving off the IP rights alone won’t solve the distribution problem, Jha added.

“If you look at the place that built almost a very large proportion of vaccines for the world, it was the Serum Institute here in India. The question is, how do we expand that capability beyond Serum? How do we create partnerships between, let’s say, Serum and manufacturers in Africa or Latin America? This is the kind of work that needs to be done now. So that we have distributed manufacturing. So the next time there’s a crisis, we’re not just looking to one or two or three manufacturers, but that we have manufacturing around.”

Talking about private equity in the healthcare system, Jha said, “Private equity, to me, is a symptom; it says you have a health system that is not functioning optimally. Now, sometimes we have seen examples of private equity firms going in and cleaning up a mess, making the health system better but unfortunately, those are rare. A lot of times, what we have seen is that private equity firms go in, really take all the value out of that health system, leave it with large amounts of debt, and leave patients much worse off in those communities. So that is something I think the government needs to look at very carefully and make sure that when you have those kinds of private equity investments, ultimately they are good for the health of the population that it serves and not just benefiting the private equity investors who want to make a quick buck and get out.”

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Travel aggregators to disburse pending refunds by Nov’s third week for cancelled plans due to pandemic

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Union Government has asked travel aggregators to disburse pending refunds to customers by the 3rd week of November for travel plans which were cancelled due to the COVID pandemic.

The Department of Consumer Affairs held a meeting with online travel aggregators to discuss consumer-related issues, with representatives from travel platforms like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, ClearTrip etc in attendance.

Highlighting the issue of non-refund of booking amounts for tickets cancelled due to the COVID-induced lockdown period, the department pointed out that refunds were still pending despite an October 2020 Supreme Court order mandating full refunds for tickets booked during the lockdown period for travel within that same period.

The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) had taken suo-moto note of the issue and issued notice to 6 online travel platforms: EaseMyTrip, Yatra, MakeMyTrip, HappyEasyGo, ClearTrip & Ixigo and 5 travel agencies: Thomas Cook, Kesari Tours, Veena World, Neem Holidays & Mango Holidays.

Additionally, failure to refund the booking amount may lead to contempt action against the travel platforms for non-compliance with the top court order.

In the meeting, the Department highlighted prevalent ‘dark patterns’ on online travel platforms like: confirm shaming (Showing ‘No, I will risk it’ during add-on of insurance), showing pre-ticked checkboxes (for authorisng contact by platform, its affiliates and associate partners), triggering alarm (‘last few rooms left’, ‘18 people are looking to book’) and forced action (Giving option of ‘yes’ and ‘I’ll do this later’ for push notifications, without any option to select ‘no’).

During the meeting, it was deliberated that for effective resolution of consumer complaints, the National Consumer Helpline may be integrated with the Air Sewa Portal.

It was also highlighted by the representatives of Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that the Ministry has published a ‘Passenger Charter’ which includes the rights of passengers during air travel.

It was decided that Charter should be actively publicised among consumers as well as published on the National Consumer Helpline (NCH). The establishment of an Ombudsman for time-bound resolution of consumer grievances was also deliberated, where the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Department of Consumer Affairs can jointly work on the modalities with an aim to counter deceptive online practices and protect consumers’ interests in the travel sector.

Kesari Tours, Mango Holidays and Veena World have already moved court against refund orders passed by the CCPA, while the case of Neem Holidays is currently under CCPA’s probe. Ixigo and Thomas Cook have already refunded all the amount to the consumers

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Severe COVID patients must not overexert to avoid heart attacks, says Mansukh Mandaviya

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya cited an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study and said those who had earlier suffered a severe bout of COVID-19 must not overexert themselves for a year or two to avoid heart attacks and cardiac arrests.

Several deaths due to heart issues have been reported in Gujarat recently, including during ‘garba’ events that mark Navratri festivities, which prompted state health minister Rushikesh Patel to hold a meeting with medical experts, including cardiologists.

Patel had asked experts to collect data on the deaths to find out causes and remedies. “The ICMR has conducted a detailed study. As per this study, those who have suffered from severe COVID-19 infection should not overexert themselves. They should stay away from hard workouts, running and strenuous exercises for a short time, say a year or two, so as to avoid heart attacks,” Mandaviya told reporters.

Among those who died of heart attacks was one Veer Shah, a Class 12 student from Kheda district, 28-year-old Ravi Panchal from Ahmedabad, and 55-year-old Shankar Rana from Vadodara.

Incidentally, before the start of Navratri festivities, the state Health and Family Welfare Department, through a notification, made it mandatory for garba event organisers to deploy an ambulance and a medical team at the venue to provide immediate aid to participants.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

COVID-19 new variant Pirola could be highly immune evasive: Japanese study

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In a recent study, a team of Japanese researchers discovered that the new variant of COVID-19, named ‘Pirola’ or BA.2.86, could be one of the ‘highly immune evasive’ among all other variants of the virus found so far. The study on ‘Pirola’, titled ‘Transmissibility, infectivity, and immune evasion of the SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant’, has been recently published in the November edition of The Lancet’s Journal.

Reportedly, the Pirola variant was found in India in late August this year. However, it could not create any noticeable surge in cases in the country. Similar to India, there were several other countries in Europe, North America, and Africa reported to have fewer cases of the Pirola variant. Following the reporting of cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) started monitoring the variant.

While studying the newly found strain, an analysis was carried out by a team of scientists in Sato Lab, Tokyo, Japan, to examine the behaviour of the variant. According to the study, the results established that the blood samples taken from the people who have been vaccinated with extra doses or different types of vaccines did not respond any better against the Pirola or BA.2.86. Later, when the team used the antibodies that worked on the other strains, it also did not result in any positive effects on the new variant.

“The sera obtained from individuals vaccinated with third-dose monovalent, fourth-dose monovalent, BA.1 bivalent, and BA.5 bivalent mRNA vaccines exhibited very little or no antiviral effects against BA.2.86. Additionally, the three monoclonal antibodies which worked against the parental BA.2 did not exhibit antiviral effects against BA.2.86,” mentioned the study.

“Finally, a neutralisation assay using XBB breakthrough infection sera showed that the 50% neutralisation titre of XBB breakthrough infection sera against BA.2.86 was significantly lower than that against EG.5.1. Altogether, these results suggest that BA.2.86 is one of the most highly immune evasive variants so far,” it further added.

Meanwhile, the SARS-CoV-2 XBB descendants such as XBB.1.5 and EG.5.1 were the predominant variants that circulated across the world. However, a lineage which is distinct from the XBB was identified and named BA.2.86 on August 14, 2023.

The study states that the newly established variant ‘Pirola’ has more than 30 mutations in the spike protein when it is compared to the XBB and the parental BA.2, and many of these mutations are assumed to be associated with immune evasion as well.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

British Airways: India a key demand driver; remains central to airline’s global plans

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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British Airways is gearing up to celebrate a milestone in 2024 —  100 years of flying to India. As the airline prepares to mark a century of connecting the United Kingdom and India, Hamish McVey, the Director of Marketing at the airline, highlighted the significance of India as a pivotal destination in their global operations.

“The Indian market has always been a huge, important market for us. Next year we are celebrating 100 years of flying to India. So yes, it is in our top three markets we are flying to, we have 56 flights a week, so it is an important place for us,” he told CNBC-TV18 in an exclusive chat.

The aviation industry faced significant disruptions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in the last two to three years, a resurgence in demand has been witnessed in the market, and this demand has been remarkably sustained.

According to McVey, this resurgence reflects the enduring love and passion for travel. “For us, it has been about responding to that. To respond to the demand as it has been coming back into the market. India is a very good example of that.”

In June this year, Sean Doyle, Chief Executive Officer of British Airways, in a chat with CNBC-TV18’s Managing Editor Shereen Bhan said, “The opportunity and potential of the Indian market are incredible; we can see it domestically and we are seeing it economically.” Doyle believes the Indian diaspora in the UK is a big opportunity which it intends to focus on.

Doyle also talked about how India is the biggest market for employment for British Airways outside the UK. “India has huge potential in terms of human capital; want British Airways to take advantage of that,” he said.

The flagship carrier of the International Aviation Group (IAG) also recently opened its second call centre in Gurugram. The latest call centre is the biggest site globally with 1400 agents.

For more details, watch the accompanying video

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow