Covid
Covid News
What’s HMPV, the ‘most important virus you've never heard of’?
Human metapneumovirus, or HMPV, is an illness that affects the upper respiratory system, causing similar COVID-19 symptoms, such as cough, sore throat, and fever. While it can affect people of all ages, the risk is higher for children, older adults, and those with compromised immune systems
Xi Jinping’s colossal Covid failure: Mega wave hits hard as China’s vaccination claims fall flat
Covid-19 cases in China are expected to peak in June and as many as 65 million people are expected to be infected by the virus
Explained: Title 42 and how its expiration will affect immigration at the US-Mexico border
The COVID restrictions, known as Title 42, were first implemented under then US president Donald Trump in March 2020. It now comes to an end, allowing migrants crossing the border to request asylum
'End of an era': Beijing drops mandatory mask requirement for subway travellers
Masks, however, remain mandatory when a person has tested positive for COVID or is displaying symptoms, during local outbreaks and in medical institutions and nursing homes
Mask mandates, mock drills and more: Where COVID-19 restrictions are making a comeback in India
Health authorities are on high alert, as COVID-19 cases continue to increase across India. To curb a further spread, Kerala, Puducherry, and Haryana have reintroduced mask rules and other measures. Other states are waiting and watching
Few Indian states reinstate Covid curbs amid rapid rise in cases
Earlier this week, India's Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya held a COVID review meeting where he urged states to stay alert and review their emergency preparedness in case the situation gets worse
China CDC warns WHO against politicising Covid origins, urges 'scientific and fair' position
The World Health Organization on Thursday said that it was certain China had far more data that could shed light on the origins of Covid and demanded that Beijing share all relevant information immediately
India sees record six-month high in COVID cases: Is it time to worry?
India recorded 3,016 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours — a 40 per cent jump since the day before. Experts attribute the rise in infections to the emergence of the XBB.1.16 Omicron variant, which has a high transmission rate
Delhi logs 153 fresh COVID-19 cases, positivity rate jumps to 9.13%
Delhi reported 139 cases with a positivity rate of 4.98 per cent on Saturday. It saw 152 cases with a positivity rate of 6.66 per cent on Friday and 117 cases with a positivity rate of 4.95 per cent on Thursday
Moderna CEO defends $130 US COVID vaccine price in Senate hearing
Moderna CEO Stephane Bancel was called to testify after the company flagged plans to raise the vaccine's price to as much as $130 per dose, drawing the ire of Democratic US Senator Bernie Sanders, who chairs the influential Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
How the debate over COVID's origin rages on and the politics over it
All evidence suggests that coronavirus may have jumped into humans from wild animals in a Chinese market. Political momentum has not always coincided with evidence. Even as the idea of an unintentional lab leak has gained traction in Washington, recent findings have bolstered the market theory
Flower Power: How cherry blossoms season is a boon for Japan's economy
Hanami or cherry blossom season is more than a national obsession in Japan. It brings an influx of revellers from the world over and this year is estimated to have a positive economic impact of 615.8 billion yen (Rs 38,312 crore)
Covid-19 'most likely' leaked from Chinese government controlled lab in Wuhan, says FBI director
FBI Director Christopher Wray claimed that the Chinese government has been trying to block investigative work into the origins of Covid-19
G20 can contribute to finding solution to global challenges of geo-political tensions: Anurag Thakur
The world is facing the lingering effect of COVID pandemic, issues around food and energy security, and inflation, worsening climate change and geo-political tensions, the Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, and Youth Affairs & Sports said
WHO wants to be ready: Global health body wants to draft essential meds, vaccines for poorer nations to Covid repeat
The draft also looks set to continue a long-running argument by calling for intellectual property rights to be waived during pandemics, which advocates say would allow for wider access to life-saving drugs and vaccines more quickly
Covid still an international emergency, says WHO
The UN health agency's emergency committee on Covid-19 met last Friday for a 14th time since the start of the crisis
Japan to drop mask guidance, relax Covid strategy
Masks are ubiquitous in public places and are commonly worn outdoors as well, despite the government having already said they are not necessary outside in uncrowded settings
Bharat Biotech's nasal Covid vaccine launched
The nasal vaccine -- BBV154 -- had received the Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) approval in November for restricted emergency use among adults as a heterologous booster dose
US proposes once-a-year COVID shots for most Americans
While more than 80% of the US population has had at least one vaccine dose, only 16% of those eligible have received the latest boosters authorized in August
Will lift more Covid curbs after Lunar New Year, says Hong Kong health minister
Secretary for Health Lo Chung-mau says curbs easing to go ahead despite expected surge in cases after holiday, arguing city has strong immunity levels to combat virus