 "Supreme Court clears Vantara elephant project, rejects PIL: Top 5 things to know")
 "Focus back to India-US trade deal: Trump’s negotiators landing in New Delhi tonight")
Coronavirus LATEST News Updates: Dr Reddy’s said registration on CoWIN not open to public yet and it will be open at the time of commercial launch. The study underlines the importance of vaccination of pregnant and lactating women against COVID-19, the ICMR said. A multi-centre study on a cohort of over 31,000 vaccinated healthcare workers of a leading private facility, spanning across the country, has found that Covid vaccine provided protection against infection in “95 percent” of the beneficiaries A Chennai NGO has alleged discrepancies in the state government’s figures on Covid-19 deaths in Tamil Nadu between April and May. As many as 730 doctors died during the second wave of the COVID pandemic, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday, adding that the maximum fatalities have been reported in Bihar In anticipation of likely intermittent surges in the number of COVID-19 cases, the government has released guidelines for operationalising Covid-care services for children Odisha on Wednesday extended its partial lockdown by two more weeks, till 1 July and divided the state into two categories depending on the COVID-19 positivity rate. A new, experimental anti-viral treatment used for some worst-affected COVID-19 patients has been found to save lives, according to the results of a UK trial on Wednesday. Union health ministry responded to social media posts suggesting COVAXIN shots contain newborn calf’s serum and put out a clarification. “Newborn Calf Serum is used only for preparation of vero cells…The vero cells are completely destroyed in process of viral growth,” says the ministry. “The grown virus is also killed and purified. This is then used to make final vaccine and in the final vaccine formulation no calf serum is used.” Doctors on Tuesday cautioned that Delhi could face a “worse than second wave situation” of COVID-19 if people do not adhere to safety norms or lower their guards Any adult can walk in to the nearest vaccination centre to get registered on the CoWIN digital platform and be inoculated against COVID-19, the Union Health Ministry said. It is not mandatory to pre-register online or book an appointment to get the vaccine, the government said, as it seeks to increase the pace of vaccinations and tackle the ‘vaccine hesitancy’ it has blamed for the slow rollout of vaccines in parts of the country. Meanwhile, the first death due to vaccination was reported in India, even as India said the benefits of inoculation far exceed its harms. The government panel studying COVID vaccine’s severe adverse effects said the death occurred due to anaphylaxis following inoculation. The decision regarding enhancing interval between two doses of Covishield was based on scientific evidence and taken in a transparent manner, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization Chair NK Arora said. The government had on 13 May said it has accepted the COVID-19 Working Group’s recommendation and extended the gap between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. “Based on the available real-life evidence, particularly from the UK, the Covid-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of Covishield vaccine. No change in the interval of Covaxin vaccine doses was recommended,” the ministry had said in a statement. As the Covid positivity rate dropped to two percent in Punjab, the state government eased restrictions, allowing restaurants, cinema halls and gyms to operate at 50 percent capacity beginning Wednesday. Under fresh guidelines, which will be in effect till 25 June, daily night curfew will be in place from 8 pm to 5 am and weekend curfew from 8 pm on Saturday up to 5 am on Monday across the state, according to a government statement. All restaurants, including those in hotels, cafes, coffee shops, fast food outlets, dhabas, and cinemas and gyms at maximum 50 percent capacity, subject to all their employees having received at least one dose of Covid vaccine. Air-conditioned buses can also ply with 50 percent occupation. Bars, pubs and ‘‘ahatas’’ (taverns) shall, however, continue to remain closed, the statement said. All educational institutions will also continue to be closed.
Coronavirus News Updates: Sputnik V vaccine soft launch scaled up in Delhi and Mumbai, says Dr Reddy's
Dr Reddy’s said registration on CoWIN not open to public yet and it will be open at the time of commercial launch
 "Coronavirus News Updates: Sputnik V vaccine soft launch scaled up in Delhi and Mumbai, says Dr Reddy's")
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination update
‘Near home vaccination centres for elderly, differently-abled’
The government has allowed setting up of ‘’near home’’ vaccination centres for elderly and differently-abled people for simplifying the process of inoculation for them. In a statement, Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Rattan Lal Kataria highlighted various steps taken by the government to assist the senior citizens during the pandemic.
He said in order to simplify the process of vaccination for the elderly and the differently-abled, the government has allowed the establishment of ‘’near home’’ vaccination centres for them. He was addressing a programme on the occasion of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Central Government has taken the initiative to provide protection to its elderly population by immunizing them at the earliest and making them the primary category, the minister said.
As a result of this policy, majority of our elderly population have received the first dose and have been able to protect themselves from COVID-19, he said. Kataria further highlighted the success stories of recently launched state-wise call centres (toll free number-14567) in major states under the Elderline Project. He claimed the helpline is doing a tremendous job during the ongoing pandemic.
Coronavirus latest news update:
Fresh cases in TN under 11,000
Coronavirus cases plunged below 11,000 in Tamil Nadu on Wednesday with the State reporting 10,448 new infections. Till date, the caseload is 23,88,746, a bulletin said. With 270 fatalities, including 106 in private hospitals and 164 in government facilities, the toll has mounted to 30,338. Totally, 21,058 people got discharged today and the total recoveries rose to 22,44,073. The active cases till date stood at 1,14,335, according to the bulletin.
The state capital reported 42 deaths due to the infection and 689 fresh cases while Coimbatore with a maximum of 1,420 new infections reported 28 fatalities. Erode registered 1,123 fresh cases (12 fatalities), Thirupathur with only 126 new infections reported 20 fatalities while Salem added 693 new cases and 18 fatalities.
About 32 districts, including Nilgiris, Karur, Namakkal, Thanjavur, Thiruvarur, Nagapattinam, Chengalpattu, Cuddalore and Ariyalur saw new cases below 500. While the metros case tally touched 5,27,283, Coimbatore saw 2,08,253, Chengalpattu 1,52,722 and Thiruvallur 1,08,650.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination news
Sputnik ‘soft launch’ scaled up: Dr Reddy’s
Soft launch of Sputnik V vaccine in India, which was initiated in Hyderabad, has been scaled up to many cities incl Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi, Chennai among others. Registration on CoWIN not open to public yet, will be open at the time of commercial launch: Dr Reddy's pic.twitter.com/vjosoWoK5u
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2021
Coronavirus latest news update
TN rolls out scheme for kids who lost parents due to COVID-19
Rolling out a welfare scheme to help fulfill the future needs of children who lost both their parents to COVID-19, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday handed over certificates of Rs 5 lakh in fixed deposits in favour of each of five such children. The deposits made in the state-run Tamil Nadu Power Finance and Infrastructure Development Corporation was given by the Chief Minister to their guardians at the Secretariat.
Also, Stalin gave away cheques for Rs 3 lakh to each of five other children who had lost one of their parents to the virus. Top government officials, led by Chief Secretary V Iraianbu participated. Days ago, the chief minister had announced various welfare measures for children who had lost both their parents or one of their parents due to COVID-19.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination news
635 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths in J&K
Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday recorded 635 fresh COVID-19 cases, bringing the virus tally to 3,09,361, while 12 deaths in the last 24 hours raised the pandemic toll to 4,217, officials said. Of the fresh cases, 193 were from the Jammu division and 442 from the Kashmir division, the officials said. They said Srinagar district recorded a maximum of 129 new cases, followed by 76 in Budgam district.
The number of active cases has dropped to 11,381 in the Union Territory, while 2,93,763 patients have recovered from the infection so far, the officials said. The number of confirmed cases of mucormycosis (black fungus) remained unchanged at 21 in the UT as no fresh case of the infection was reported, they said.
Coronavirus latest news update
‘Fatality rate among pregnant women higher in second wave’
Pregnant and postpartum women were more severely affected during the second wave of COVID-19 as compared to the first with symptomatic cases and the case fatality rate being significantly higher among this category this year, according to a study by ICMR.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday said cases related to pregnant and postpartum women during the first wave (1 April, 2020 – 31 January, 2021) and during the second wave (1 February, 2021 to 14 May) of the pandemic in India were compared.
“Symptomatic cases were significantly higher at 28.7 percent in the second wave (111/387), compared to the first wave (162/1143) when the proportion was 14.2 percent,” the apex research body said. “The case fatality rate (CFR) among pregnant women and postpartum women was 5.7 percent (22/387) during the second wave, which was significantly higher compared to the scenario encounter in the first wave with CFR 0.7 percent (8/1143),” it said.
Total number of maternal deaths during both the waves of pandemic were 2 percent (30/1530), of which the majority (28/30) were due to COVID-19 pneumonia and respiratory failure. “The study underlines the importance of vaccination of pregnant and lactating women against COVID-19,” the ICMR said. The COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women in India. However, the government has still not allowed vaccinating pregnant women citing lack of clinical trial data and the matter is under discussion by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The WHO last week had recommended vaccinating pregnant women if they face high risk of exposure to COVID, and if they have co-morbid conditions
Coronavirus latest news update: Supreme Court
SC says at least half of judges should sit on alternate days
The Supreme Court has said that non-listing of plea for regular bail impinges upon liberty of the person in custody and advocated that under the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic, at least half of the judges should sit on alternate days so that hearing is accorded to those in distress.
Expressing “shock” that a bail plea filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court was not listed for hearing for over a year, the apex court said denial of hearing is an infringement of right and liberty assured to an accused. “Even during the pandemic, when all courts are making attempts to hear and decide all matter, non-listing of such an application for bail defeats the administration of justice,” said a vacation bench of justices Hemant Gupta and V Ramasubramanian.
“Under the prevailing pandemic, at least half of the judges should sit on alternative days so that hearing is accorded to the person in distress,” the bench said in its order passed on Tuesday.
Coronavirus latest news update
Shivraj Singh Chouhan meets PM
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and apprised him about the efforts made by the state government so far to check the spread of coronavirus, according to an official statement. Apart from this, the chief minister gave details of the preparations being made by the state government to deal with a possible third wave of COVID-19, it said.
Chouhan said a public awareness campaign would be launched in the entire state from 21 June for vaccination, in which all state cabinet members, MLAs and MPs would participate to motivate the public to get vaccinated, said the statement issued by the Madhya Pradesh Information Centre here. The public would be informed that vaccination is the only protective shield to prevent COVID, it said.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination news
95% of vaccinated healthcare staff got protection against Covid, finds study
A multi-centre study on a cohort of over 31,000 vaccinated healthcare workers of a leading private facility, spanning across the country, has found that the Covid vaccine provided protection against infection in “95 percent” of the beneficiaries. The study by Apollo Hospitals took place over four and a half months, from 16 January to 30 May, and covered 31,621 healthcare workers who had received either both doses or the first dose of Covishield or Covaxin, a hospital spokesperson said.
The brutal second wave of the coronavirus pandemic was at its peak in April and May. Several doctors died during this period, and many doctors who had received double doses, were also infected in this duration.
The mega vaccination drive against Covid was launched by the government on January 16 and healthcare workers across government and private hospitals were the first ones to get the jab.
Coronavirus latest news update
Congress party to take out nationwide outreach campaign
The Congress party on Wednesday said that it will undertake a nationwide outreach campaign to help those affected by the coronavirus crisis, reports PTI. The party will also collect data about the number of infected patients and those who died due to the disease.
Coronavirus latest news update: Goa COVID cases
Goa records 310 new COVID-19 cases, 13 deaths
Goa’s coronavirus caseload went up by 310 and rose to 1,63,358 on Wednesday, while 428 more patients recovered from the infection, a health department official said. The toll increased to 2,960 after 13 patients succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, he said.
The number of recovered cases rose to 1,56,354 as 428 more patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, the official said. Goa now has 4,044 active cases of coronavirus, the official said.
Coronavirus latest news update: Chennai COVID deaths
Chennai NGO alleges underreporting of deaths at six hospitals
A Chennai NGO has alleged discrepancies in the state government’s figures on Covid-19 deaths in Tamil Nadu between April and May.
Arappor Iyakkam said it had collated and analysed data from six hospitals – Government Rajaji Hospital in Madurai, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical College Hospital in Trichy, Vellore Medical College Hospital, Karur Medical College Hospital and Tiruppur Government Headquarters Hospital. The overall number of death certificates issued between April and May in these hospitals was 11,699.
“The report finds that the likely underreporting of Covid deaths in these 6 hospitals is at least 8.4 to 9.8 times more than the declared Covid deaths in the media bulletin for the months of April and May 2021,” the NGO claimed in its report.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
Covishield, Covaxin cut infection risk in 95% healthcare workers in India: Study
Covid vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — prevented the risk of infection in more than 95 percent of healthcare workers in India, according to a study by Apollo Hospitals released on Wednesday.
The study by Apollo Hospitals took place over four and a half months, from 16 January to 30 May, and covered 31,621 healthcare workers who had received either both doses or the first dose of Covishield or Covaxin, a hospital spokesperson said.
The brutal second wave of the coronavirus pandemic was at its peak in April and May. Several doctors died during this period, and many doctors who had received double doses, were also infected in this duration.
Coronavirus latest news update
Andhra Pradesh logs 6,617 new COVID-19 cases, 57 deaths
Andhra Pradesh’s coronavirus caseload increased to 18,29,751 as 6,617 fresh cases were added in the 24 hours ending 9 am on Wednesday. Recoveries rose to 17,43,176 after 10,228 patients got cured during the period, the latest bulletin said. With 57 more succumbing in a day, the overall Covid-19 toll climbed to 12,109, the bulletin said. The state now has 71,466 active cases.
Coronavirus latest news update
730 doctors died in COVID-19 second wave, says IMA
As many as 730 doctors died during the second wave of the COVID pandemic, said the Indian Medical Association (IMA) on Wednesday, adding that the maximum fatalities have been reported in Bihar, reports ANI.
Bihar reported 115 doctor deaths, followed by Delhi which recorded 109 fatalities, and Uttar Pradesh with 79. In southern states, Andhra Pradesh reported 38, Telangana 37, Karnataka 9, Kerala 24, and Odisha 31. Twenty-three doctors died in Maharashtra.
Today, India reported 62,224 fresh COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, while the daily positivity rate further dropped to 3.22 percent, according to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoFHW).
Coronavirus latest news update
Mumbai police launches probe in ‘vaccination fraud’ in Kandivali Housing Society
Mumbai Police launched an investigation after a housing society in suburban Kandivali suspected “fraud” by some persons who had organised a COVID-19 vaccination camp for its members by claiming to represent a private hospital and also expressed apprehensions that the vaccine that was administered could be spurious. A senior officer said on Wednesday no FIR has been registered so far but the police will probe the case from different angles.
We have not registered an FIR in this case and not arrested anybody. We have also not detained anybody. We are just investigating," Deputy Commissioner of Police, zone 11, Vishal Thakur told PTI.
In a complaint submitted to the police, the Hiranandani Heritage Residents Welfare Association (HHRWA) had said that a vaccination camp was arranged by the residential complex on May 30. But later it found that the Co-WIN portal did not have any record of the people who participated and they received certificates in the name of different hospitals.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
India will revisit dosage interval of Covishield based on emerging data, says Centre
NK Arora, chairperson of the working group of immunisation advisory body NTAGI on Wednesday stated that India will revisit the dosage interval for the Covishield vaccine and take appropriate action based on emerging data.
Describing the Covid and vaccination situation as “very dynamic”, he said in a statement that the emerging evidence and reports regarding efficacy of partial versus full immunisation are also under consideration.
On the decision to increase the gap between two doses of Covishield from four-six weeks to 12-16 weeks, he said the move was based on scientific decision and there was no dissenting voice among the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) members.
Coronavirus latest news update: Nagaland lockdown news
Nagaland extends COVID-19 lockdown till 30 June
The Nagaland government extends the state-wide lockdown till June 30, reports PTI. The restrictions were scheduled to end on 18 June. “The coronavirus situation in the state is improving but we are still not out of the woods,” says government co-spokesperson and advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon. “The positivity rate is declining but it needs to go down below five percent. Also, we need to inoculate more than 50% of the population.”
_**Read full report here**_Coronavirus latest news update
PM calls for ‘repair and prepare’ as India emerges from pandemic
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for focus on ‘repair and prepare’ as the nation emerges out of a devastating pandemic. “Over the past year, we have witnessed a lot of disruption in different sectors. Much of it is still there. Yet, disruption does not have to mean despair,” he said at VivaTech Summit.
“Instead, we must keep the focus on the twin foundations of repair and prepare,” he said referring to the need to augment healthcare infrastructure in the country as well as prop up the economy. Indian economy suffered its worst contraction in decades in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, as the pandemic-induced lockdown impaired economic activity.
The government, however, continued with the reforms that would help sustain higher growth rates after the world emerges from the pandemic.
Coronavirus latest news update: COVID-19 guidelines
Drugs for treating adult COVID patients not recommended for kids: Centre
According to a government guideline issued on Wednesday, drugs such as ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, favipiravir and antibiotics like doxycycline and azithromycin prescribed for adult COVID-19 patients have not been recommended for treating children
In anticipation of likely intermittent surges in the number of COVID-19 cases, the government has come out with guidelines for operationalising Covid-care services for children. The recommendations include augmenting existing Covid care facilities to provide care to children with acute coronavirus infection.
According to it, once vaccines are approved for children, those with comorbid conditions having more severe manifestations of COVID-19 and poorer outcomes should be a priority group for immunisation.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccines
Two COVID-19 vaccines for young children show promise in early trials: Study
The Moderna COVID-19 vaccine and an experimental protein-based preventive proved to be safe and showed good antibody response against SARS-CoV-2 in a trial on baby rhesus macaques, scientists say, reports PTI
The research, published on Tuesday in the journal Science Immunology, suggests that vaccines for young children are likely important, safe tools to curtail the pandemic. “Safe and effective vaccines for young children will help limit the spread of COVID-19 because we know children can transmit the virus to others, whether they get sick from SARS-CoV-2 infection or remain asymptomatic,” said Sallie Permar from New York-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital, US.
“Moreover, many children have become sick and even died from the infection, with many more negatively impacted by the measures put in place to curb the spread. Thus, young children deserve protection from COVID,” Permer said.
Coronavirus latest news update: Delhi cases
Delhi recorded 212 cases, 25 deaths
Delhi recorded 212 new COVID-19 cases and 25 fatalities on Wednesday, while the positivity rate dipped to 0.27 percent, according to data shared by the health department. As per the bulletin, these new fatalities pushed the death toll due to COVID-19 here to 24,876.
Delhi reports 212 new #COVID19 cases, 516 recoveries and 25 deaths in the last 24 hours.
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2021
Total cases 14,31,710
Total recoveries 14,04,085
Death toll 24,876
Active cases 2749 pic.twitter.com/k2afNVnhhJ
Coronavirus latest news update: Odisha lockdown
Odisha extends partial lockdown till 1 July
Odisha on Wednesday extended its partial lockdown by two more weeks, till 1 July and divided the state into two categories depending on the COVID-19 positivity rate, a senior official said. The restrictions will be in force till 5 am of 1 July, Chief Secretary SC Mohapatra told PTI.
The weekend shutdowns on Saturdays and Sundays will also continue across Odisha till the end of the month. He said that under Category A, there are 17 districts located in the southern and western parts of the state where the positivity rate is 5 per cent or less, while 13 districts in coastal regions feature in Category B, the official said.
Coronavirus latest news update
Rs 41.62 crore allocated from PM CARES Fund for 250-bedded makeshift hospital
Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM CARES) Fund Trust has allocated Rs. 41.62 crores to establish two 250-bedded makeshift COVID Hospitals by DRDO at Murshidabad and Kalyani, West Bengal. For this, certain infrastructural support would also be provided by the State Government and MoHFW, Government of India.
Coronavirus latest news update: COVID19 treatment
UK trial finds Regeneron anti-viral therapy saves lives from COVID-19
A new, experimental anti-viral treatment used for some worst-affected COVID-19 patients has been found to save lives, according to the results of a UK trial on Wednesday. In the ongoing Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals’ combination of drugs was found to benefit patients with severe symptoms of the virus who had not mounted a natural antibody response of their own. It not only cut down the numbers requiring a ventilator, among the 9,875 people who took part in the trial between September 2020 and May this year, but also reduced the duration of their hospital stay.
Coronavirus latest news update
PM to launch ‘Customized Crash Course’ for frontline workers on Friday
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch ‘Customized Crash Course programme for COVID-19 19 Frontline workers’ on 18 June 2021 at 11 am via video conferencing. The launch will commence the programme in 111 training centres spread over 26 states. The launch will be followed by the Prime Minister’s address. Union Minister of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will also be present on the occasion.
Coronavirus latest news update
A fifth of asymptomatic Covid-19 patients develop long COVID-19: Study
As per a study published Tuesday, almost a fifth of covid-19 patients without symptoms went on to experience conditions consistent with long COVID-19 a month after their initial diagnosis, reports AFP
The analysis by non-profit FAIR Health encompassed insurance claims from 1.96 million Americans — the largest population of patients ever studied for long COVID-19 — from February 2020 to February 2021.
“Even as the Covid-19 pandemic wanes, long-haul COVID-19 persists as a public health issue affecting many Americans,” said FAIR Health’s president Robin Gelburd.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
Bharat Biotech says no calf serum in final Covaxin dose
Responding to an RTI reply that has caused a stir on Twitter, the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech issued a statement saying that the final COVAXIN dose administered to people does not have newborn calf serum.
“New born calf serum is used in the manufacturing of viral vaccines. It is used for the growth of cells, but neither used in growth of SARS CoV2 virus nor in the final formulation. COVAXIN® is highly purified to contain only the inactivated virus components by removing all other impurities.
Bovine serum is widely used in the manufacture of vaccines globally for several decades. The usage of new born calf serum was transparently documented in the following publications since the last 9 months,” the company’s statement read.
The Centre on Wednesday also issued a clarification, stating that while the serum is used only for the manufacturing of vaccines, the final vaccine does not contain newborn calf serum at all
Coronavirus latest news update
Thousands of Indian students secure US visa appointments for July, August
Thousands of Indian students have secured visa appointments for July and August since 14 June, said the US embassy on Tuesday. A senior American diplomat told The Indian Express, that the US mission in India is “actively working” to accommodate as many student visa applicants as possible in July and August, and facilitating their legitimate travel remained a top priority for it.
Since June 14, thousands of students have secured visa appointments for July & August. Thousands of appointments remain available & we will open thousands more in coming weeks. We appreciate your patience as we diligently work to resolve the technical issues you have encountered.
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) June 15, 2021
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
Calf serum in COVAXIN?
Yes and No!
A row broke out Wednesday as Congress leader Gaurav Pandhi alleged on Twitter that the indigenously developed COVAXIN covid-19 vaccine contained a serum extracted from the blood of a newborn calf. However, the Central government clarified later that the final product that is eventually injected into humans does not contain any calf serum.
“Newborn Calf Serum is used only for the preparation of Vero cells…The Vero cells are completely destroyed in process of viral growth. The grown virus is also killed and purified. This is then used to make the final vaccine. Hence, the final vaccine (COVAXIN) does not contain newborn calf serum at all and the calf serum is not an ingredient of the final vaccine product,” the government said in a press release
Meanwhile, experts have also opined that the inclusion of calf serum in vaccine manufacturing is a standard process. “The vaccine will not have the presence of any calf sera. In other words, it is not used to make vaccines, but as an agent to grow the cell. After that, the cell is purified and a virus is introduced into that cell. This is where the virus multiplies, it is harvested and killed. A similar process happens in polio vaccine manufacturing too. It is used by all viral vaccine manufacturers in India,” a senior industry official told BusinessToday.In.
Animals are not killed to derive blood serum for covaxin. Either the blood is taken from alive calf or (usually the case) imported from slaughter houses from outside of India. Moreover, no amount of calf/cow is actually in the vaccine, it is only needed to produce it https://t.co/l6GVDCj0U6
— Dr Sumaiya Shaikh 🇸🇪🇦🇺 (@Neurophysik) June 15, 2021
Coronavirus latest news update: COVID19 variant
New AY.1 variant not ‘variant of concern’, says Centre
The Centre, as per reports, has acknowledged that the AY.1 or B.1.617.2.1 variant of COVID-19 is closely related to the Delta variant, but asserts it is not yet a “Variant of Concern”, Business Today reported. “We don’t know much about this yet and are studying it including the prevalence in India,” NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul says.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccine manufacturing
Ocugen picks Jubilant HollisterStier as manufacturer for Covaxin in US
Bharat Biotech’s US and Canada associate for its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, Ocugen Inc, has selected Jubilant HollisterStier as a manufacturer for its Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine candidate production. Jubilant HollisterStier is based in Spokane, Washington, US.
The US Food and Drug Administration recently ‘recommended’ Ocugen to pursue Biologics License Utility (BLA) route for Covaxin as a substitute of Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
NTAGI chief NK Arora defends decision to increase gap between doses
In stark contradiction to Reuters report quoted earlier, NTAGI chief NK Arora said on Tuesday. There was no dissenting voice among the members of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI ). He said that the decision to increase gap in doses was taken based on scientific evidence.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
We didn’t back doubling of vaccine dosing gap, say scientists from NTAGI
The Indian government doubled the gap between the two doses of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine without the agreement of the scientific group that it said recommended the increase, three members of the advisory body told Reuters.
It said the extended gap was recommended by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), based on real-life evidence mainly from Britain. Yet the NTAGI scientists, classified by the government as three of the 14 “core members”, said the body did not have enough data to make such a recommendation.
Coronavirus latest news update
Arvind Kejriwal plans to train 5,000 youths as community nursing assistants
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday announced a prepare a team of freshly trained paramedics, in case a third more severe wave strikes the National Capital. Kejriwal said that 5,000 youngsters of age 18 and above who have cleared their 12th class exam, will be given a two-weeks training to assist doctors and nurses.
The training will be of two weeks in batches of 500. The trained community nursing assistants will be called into service if and when the need arises. They will be paid for their work on a daily basis.
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccination policy
Doctors recommend cutting the gap between vaccine doses
Delta variant: Likely to escape one vaccine dose. Twice more likely to get you into hospital.
— Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin (@ArvinderSoin) June 16, 2021
But two doses almost certain to prevent hospitalization.
We must shorten the 12-16 week dosage gap for COVISHIELD without further ado.
Coronavirus latest news update: Unlock Guidelines
Centrally protected monuments reopen from today
All centrally protected monuments, museums and sites closed for around two months due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic will reopened today. According to ASI, visitors will be able to book entry tickets online and no offline booking facility has been made available. The ASI order has mandated strict compliance with the executive orders, if any, issued by the state, district or disaster management authority.
.
Agra: People visit the Taj Mahal as all Centrally protected monuments/sites and museums under Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) open from today.
— ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) June 16, 2021
No more than 650 people will be allowed inside Taj Mahal at a time. Tickets will be sold online. pic.twitter.com/6kgEzjNtdS
Coronavirus latest news update: Delhi Unlock
Doctors warn of ‘worse than second wave’ situation if norms not followed
With close gathering of shoppers in markets and restaurants resuming business amid phased unlock in the national capital, doctors on Tuesday cautioned that Delhi could face a “worse than second wave situation” of COVID-19 if people do not adhere to safety norms or lower their guards.
The remarks from many doctors at leading government or private facilities here come after visuals of various crowded markets surfaced in reports and on social media, showing Covid-appropriate behaviour not being followed by many people, like wearing of masks or maintaining social distance.
Delhi had been reeling under a brutal second wave of the pandemic that is sweeping the country, claiming a massive number of lives daily, with the recent oxygen supply shortage issue at various hospitals, adding to the woes. Since April 19, both daily cases and single-day deaths count had been spiralling up.
A lockdown was imposed by the government on April 19, however, in the last two weeks, several restrictions have been eased, like metro services with 50 per cent seating capacity from June 7, restaurants with 50 per cent capacity from June 14, besides the market and the malls resuming business.
Coronavirus latest news update: Unlock guidelines
Uttarakhand govt looks at resuming Char Dham Yatra
The Uttarakhand government said on Wednesday that it has directed Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board to complete yatra preparations by 1 July. It is pertinent to point out here that the last religious congregation in the state, right when the first was wave was ebbing, was considered one of the triggers for the second wave, apart from the political gatherings held in five states owing to the Assembly elections.
In view of the reduction in COVID cases, Uttarakhand govt has directed Char Dham Devasthanam Management Board to complete yatra preparations by July 1. Steps regarding yatra will be taken as per Nainital High Court's directions: Uttarakhand Minister Subodh Uniyal pic.twitter.com/o0eulqJnBr
— ANI (@ANI) June 16, 2021
Coronavirus latest news update: Vaccine policy
Health Ministry defends decision to increase gap in doses
Questions were raised on the government’s 13 May decision to increase the gap between two Covishield does as England and Northern Ireland have decided to reduce the gap for ages 40 and above. The government, however, has defended its decision stating it was taken after considering scientific evidence.
#LargestVaccineDrive
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) June 16, 2021
Decision to increase gap between #COVISHIELD doses taken on scientific evidence in a transparent manner- NTAGI Chair Dr N. K. Arora https://t.co/UV4zlhGhUC pic.twitter.com/cl83QyCMjS
News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building
At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.
More Impact Shorts "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
 "Charlie Kirk, shot dead in Utah, once said gun deaths are 'worth it' to save Second Amendment")
 "From governance to tourism, how Gen-Z protests have damaged Nepal")
 "Did Russia deliberately send drones into Poland’s airspace?")
 "Netanyahu ‘killed any hope’ for Israeli hostages: Qatar PM after Doha strike")
Top Shows
