Tag: COVID vaccination

New COVID-19 strain JN.1 mild, high vaccination rate eases concerns: Max Healthcare

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

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Hospital chain Max Healthcare Institute has shared encouraging news about the new COVID-19 strain, JN.1, indicating that its symptoms are generally mild, mostly manifesting as coughs and colds. This new variant, identified as JN.1, has been responsible for 341 cases so far, with a significant concentration in the southern state of Kerala.

Sandeep Budhiraja, Group Medical Director at Max, in an interview with CNBC-TV18, pointed out that with over 95% of the population vaccinated, severe symptoms from this variant are unlikely, suggesting a minimal health impact from JN.1.

While JN.1 is more transmissible than previous strains, leading to quicker spread, the resulting illness has been mild. “The good news is that the disease it will cause, or it has caused so far, has been mild,” Budhiraja stated. He also mentioned that India’s population has developed hybrid immunity against COVID-19, which should mitigate the severity of the illness.

Also Read | COVID-19 subvariant JN.1 live updates: Know mask guidelines and other details

However, he advises continued vigilance, especially for the elderly and those with existing health conditions, due to the variant’s transmissibility.

New-Delhi based Max Group operates in various sectors, including life insurance, healthcare, hospitality, real estate, and independent senior living. Max Group encompasses several companies, such as Max Healthcare, Max Life Insurance, Max Financial Services, Max Ventures and Industries, Max India, Max Specialty Films, Max Estates, and Antara Senior Living. Notably, Max Healthcare alone holds a market capitalisation of ₹63,090.95 crore.

Also Read | COVID-19 cases on the rise in India — what we know so far

For the entire interview, watch the accompanying video

Also, catch all the live updates on markets with CNBC-TV18.com’s blog

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

Thailand drops Covid-vaccine proof requirement for foreign visitors

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

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Thailand withdrew a rule requiring foreign travellers to carry proof of Covid vaccination on Monday, just days after reinstating the barrier ahead of the arrival of Chinese tourists.

The vaccine certificate requirement, first announced last week and effective Monday, will not be enforced as it is seen to deter tourists, Deputy Prime Minister and Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told reporters. The decision to pull the rule was taken by the ministry’s health committee early on Monday, he said.

The vaccine rule was brought back as the country prepared for a wave of tourist arrivals from China following Beijing’s decision to reopen the country to the world and scrap quarantine for arrivals from Sunday. But the move drew protests from the local tourism industry, saying the new entry rules announced without much notice would affect travellers.

The waiver of the vaccine certificate will help avoid “inconvenience” to travellers as most Thais as well as tourists from China and other countries have been fully vaccinated and possess a certain degree of immunity against the virus, Anutin said.

ALSO READ: Covid might not go away but no major outbreak likely in India

The minister said tourist arrivals to Thailand will continue to rise and power an economic recovery that’s been underway. The country expects 7 to 10 million Chinese travellers to arrive by air this year, Anutin said.

“If Thai people warmly welcome travellers while being cautious about their own health and safety, the economy will recover quickly after being hit hard by Covid during the past three years,” Anutin said. “Today we will accelerate the process of bringing back what we have lost.”

Southeast Asia’s second-largest economy drew about 11.5 million foreign visitors last year, compared with 40 million before the pandemic in 2019 — when nearly a quarter were from China. The government has increased its target for foreign visitors to 25 million this year.

Still, Thailand will require travellers coming from nations which insist on negative RT-PCR test results for entry to have adequate health insurance to cover the cost of treatment in case of getting infected while visiting the country, Anutin said.

A group of 269 tourists arrived at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi airport on Monday from Xiamen, the first direct flight to the Southeast Asian country after China reopened its borders.

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

Three-time champion Novak Djokovic to miss US Open over lack of COVID Vaccination

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

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Former world number one Novak Djokovic will miss the U.S. Open after he said on Thursday that he will not be able to travel to New York for the tournament, having chosen not to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Current rules require travellers to show proof of full vaccination to board flights to and enter the United States.

“Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open,” Djokovic wrote on Twitter. “Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again.”

Sadly, I will not be able to travel to NY this time for US Open. Thank you #NoleFam for your messages of love and support. ❤️ Good luck to my fellow players! I’ll keep in good shape and positive spirit and wait for an opportunity to compete again. 💪🏼 See you soon tennis world! 👋🏼

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) August 25, 2022

Also read: Usain Bolt to trademark his ‘To Di World’ victory pose in US

The Serbian previously said he was prepared to miss Grand Slam tournaments that require participating players to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

Djokovic was on the entry list for the Aug. 29-Sept. 11 tournament in New York.

The 35-year-old was also unable to defend his Australian Open crown earlier this year after being deported from the country over his vaccination status.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) described Djokovic’s absence as “unfortunate” but looked forward to having him back at Flushing Meadows next year.

“Novak is a great champion and it is very unfortunate that he will be unable to compete at the 2022 US Open, as he is unable to enter the country due to the federal government’s vaccination policy for non-U.S.citizens,” said U.S. Open tournament director Stacey Allaster in a statement. “We look forward to welcoming Novak back at the 2023 US Open.”

Also read: Supreme Court directs AIFF elections be held as per concerns raised by FIFA

Many had hoped to see Djokovic on the Flushing Meadows hard courts where he has hoisted the trophy three-times and reached the final on six other occasions.

The hashtag #LetNovakPlay has been circulating on social media as Djokovic’s fans voiced their support for a player who moved to within one of Spaniard Rafa Nadal’s record of 22 Grand Slam titles after his Wimbledon triumph last month.

Fans had also been circulating an online petition in hopes of gaining Djokovic entry into the U.S. while four-times U.S. Open winner John McEnroe had said it would be “a joke” if the Serb was unable to compete due to his COVID-19 vaccination status.

Also read: Asia Cup 2022: Team previews, form guide and players to watch out for

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

4 crore eligible people haven’t taken a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine so far: Govt

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

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Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar on Friday told the Lok Sabha four crore poeple have still not taken a single shot of the COVID-19 vaccine in India so far.

“As on 18th July, an estimated 4 crore eligible beneficiaries have not taken even a single dose of Covid vaccine,” she said in a reply to a question on the number and percentage of people who have not taken even a single dose.

So far 1,78,38,52,566 vaccine doses (97.34 per cent) have been administered free of cost in government Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) till July 18, she said in a written reply.

ALSO READ: COVID-19 Highlights: Govt awaiting NTAGI’s approval on vaccine for kids aged 5-12 yrs, says Mandaviya

Precaution doses were available free of cost to healthcare workers (HCWs), frontline workers (FLWs) and all beneficiaries above 60 years of age, from March 16 this year in government CVCs and for 18-59 years age group from April 10 in private CVCs, NDTV reported.

A special 75-day drive to administer precaution doses to all aged 18 years and above at government vaccination centres began from July 15.

As many as 98 percent of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 90 per cent have been fully vaccinated, the health ministry said.

Meanwhile, India has been witnessing a spike in COVID-19 cases for a few weeks now.  The country reported 21,411 fresh Covid-19 cases, and 67 deaths on Saturday. Total active cases have now reached 1,50,100 and the daily positivity rate is 4.46 percent.

Maharashtra continues to report the maximum number of COVID-19 cases. Mumbai on Friday logged 299 Covid-19 cases and one death, which took the tally to 11,22,408 and the toll to 16,637, a civic official said.

While Maharashtra reported 2,515 fresh Covid-19 cases, six deaths and 2,449 recoveries on Friday.

The country had crossed the 7,000-mark on June 9, the 8,000 mark on June 11, and the 12,000 mark on June 16.

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

Amarnath Yatra 2022 begins on June 30, govt issues strict health advisory for pilgrims

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

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After a gap of two years, the annual Amarnath Yatra is set to resume in the Kashmir Valley from June 30. The first batch of pilgrims departed from the Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu city towards the two base camps at Pahalgam and Baltal in Kashmir on Wednesday morning amid tight security. The pilgrimage was flagged off by the Jammu Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

The 43-day pilgrimage to the cave shrine of Lord Shiva in the Himalayas will start from Pahalgam and Baltal base camps in Kashmir on Thursday and conclude on August 11.

The Amarnath Yatra was cancelled by the Jammu and Kashmir government in 2020 and 2021 after holding talks with Amarnathji Shrine Board members due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, more than 3.42 lakh pilgrims visited the shrine between July 1 and August 1, before the pilgrimage was suspended midway prior to Article 370 being abrogated and Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two Union territories.

This year, over three lakh pilgrims have registered for the Amarnath Yatra so far, news agency PTI reported quoting officials.

Pilgrims reach the 3,880-metre-high cave shrine of Lord Shiva through the twin routes of Pahalgam and Baltal. The Pahalgam base camp in south Kashmir follows the traditional 48-km Nunwan route, while the Baltal route in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal is 14 km long.

Security measures

For the convenience of the pilgrims, the Ramban district administration officials in Jammu and Kashmir have made multi-tier arrangements around the base camps and routes.

According to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, DRDO hostels have been prepared for the devotees at the base camps.

“Langar, medical, communication, and sanitation facilities for the pilgrims have been done here,” Mint quoted Nitishwar Kumar, CEO of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board, as saying.

Ramban additional district commissioner Harbans Lal said 1,005 toilets and additional mobile toilets have been set up for the devotees along the NH-44 and in the shelter sheds. CCTV cameras will monitor the routes for security of the pilgrims.

Vijay Kumar, Inspector-General of Police, Kashmir, visited the holy cave and the pilgrim’s camp in Panjtarni on Tuesday. He also held security meetings with officers from the army, BSF, CRPF, JKP, ITBP, NDRF and the civil administration.

This year, the government is providing pilgrims with a Radio Frequency Identification to track their movement and well-being, PTI reported.

Health advisory

The Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has issued a fresh advisory for the pilgrims asking them to travel with their Aadhaar Card or any biometric verified government identity card.

Apart from this, the board has asked all pilgrims to carry medical certificate issued by a doctor or hospital in their state. Children below age 13 and senior citizens above 70 years are not allowed to embark on the journey. Pregnant women with over 6 weeks of pregnancy are also not allowed to travel to the holy cave.

Meanwhile, the Centre has asked officials to ensure only asymptomatic individuals and those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to undertake the pilgrimage.

ALSO READ: Uttarakhand govt makes health inspection mandatory for Char Dham yatra after over 100 deaths

The health ministry has also asked the officials in various states where upcoming religious activities such as Rath Yatra and Amarnath Yatra will be organised to ensure that special vaccination camps are organised at transit points. The ministry has asked officials to ensure health workers, frontline workers and volunteers attending such camps have received the two-dose vaccination against COVID-19.

According to the board, pilgrims may develop high altitude sickness on their journey as the Amarnath Yatra involves trekking at altitudes as high as 14,000 feet. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, dizziness, lightheadedness and difficulty in sleeping and bladder dysfunction.

Divisional control room

A divisional control room has been set up in the office of Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, for the convenience of the devotees, Hindustan Times reported.

For inquiry or help, people can contact the control room on the landline phone number 0191-2478993.

Apart from this, Amarnath pilgrims can also contact the following people who will be in charge of the Divisional Control Room.

Ashish Singh Manhas – 7006457521

Ajay Sharma – 7006114365

Rohit Khajuria – 7780974761

Ashish Raina – 9797410374

Ashwani Kumar – 7006673804

Shubam Sharma – 7889368004

Rahul Mehta – 9622290544

Abhinav Khajuria – 7006518034

Varun Slathia – 7006181898

Davinder Kumar – 9086132714

ALSO READ: 2 LeT terrorists sent to attack Yatra killed in encounter in J&K, says Kashmir police

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

Challenge for India is to sustain 8-9% growth for three decades: Niti Aayog CEO

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

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India has done extremely well on the vaccination front and the challenge for the country is to grow 8-9 percent over the next three decades, Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant said on Tuesday.

Addressing an event organised by Public Affairs Forum of India (PAFI), Kant further said that rise in per capita income of India is critical for removing poverty in the country.

“We bounced back post-COVID-19, and have done extremely well on vaccination, next year as well we will grow. The challenge (for India) is to sustain high growth of 8-9 percent over the next three decades,” he said.

According to Kant, the government’s role should be in public policy and the policy should create wealth through the private sector. “The government should be in education, health and nutrition,” he said. According to Kant, it is important for Indian manufacturers to penetrate global markets and value chains.

He said without technological leapfrogging, it will be difficult for India to grow at high rates. The NITI Aayog CEO said India is climatically-blessed and it is an opportunity to use renewable energy.

Also read: Gap between 2nd dose of COVID vaccine, precaution dose to be reduced to 6 months soon, says 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

COVID shot: 2-dose ZyCoV-D regimen to speed up vaccination process, says Zydus

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

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Zydus Lifesciences said on April 26 said a two-dose regimen of ZyCoV-D will help in administering the vaccine against coronavirus infections to a larger population in a shorter time.

The company’s vaccine ZyCoV-D has received emergency use authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for the two-dose regimen.

With the approval, the drug can be administered as a 3 mg two-dose inoculation schedule for those aged 12 years and above. It can be administered with a gap of 28 days. Currently, ZyCoV-D is approved for a 2 mg three-dose vaccination schedule with a gap of 28 days between each jab.

Also read: Vaccine fatigue? Complacency, confusion, fear behind reluctance to take Covid booster, says experts

India began inoculating children aged 12-14 years on March 16. About the two-dose regimen, Zydus Lifesciences Managing Director Sharvil Patel said it will increase the compliance for the vaccine and reduce the overall time required for vaccination to improve immunity against the virus.

“It will also help in administering the vaccine in a larger population in a shorter time which is always desirable in the midst of a pandemic,” he said in a statement. DCGI’s approval follows recommendations by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Also read: COVID shot for less than Rs 150 likely by yearend; Epygen Biotech gets govt funding for new vaccine

The countrywide vaccination drive started on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last year. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and for those aged 45 years and above with specified co-morbid conditions.

India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 last year. The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the virus from May 1 last year. The next phase of vaccination commenced on January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years.

Also read: View: Are we moving towards a fourth Covid wave?

The country began administering ‘precaution’ doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 years and above with co-morbidities from January 10. Precaution doses of the vaccines to all aged above 18 years were allowed at private vaccination centres from April 10.

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