New Delhi: Amidst the weakening wave of corona in the country, different things are being said about its third wave. Some experts say that the third wave of corona in the country will be severe than before. At the same time, some say that there is nothing to worry about in the third wave. Meanwhile, SBI’s research report has made a big prediction about the third wave. 

SBI’s research report has predicted a third wave in August. It has also been said that its peak will be in September. This research of SBI has been published under the name ‘Covid-19: The Race to Finish Line.’ 

It has been said in the report that in the second week of July, the number of new patients will increase to 10 thousand. In the last 24 hours, 34 thousand 703 new cases of corona have been reported in India. Significantly, after 111 days, few cases have been reported in the country. 

Families suffer due to increasing debts

Frightening news has come to the fore in the pandemic. A report by SBI Research has revealed that the families of India are burdened with debt. The corona pandemic has had a huge impact on the income and economic condition of the people, increasing the debt at the family level.

This report of SBI Research says that in the financial year 2020-21, the debt on the family has reached 37.3 percent of the GDP as against 32.5 percent in the last financial year of 2019-20.

It has also been said in the report that due to the second wave of the pandemic, this ratio of debt may increase further in the current financial year.  However, the level of family debt has been increasing since the implementation of GST in July 2017. Earlier, demonetisation was implemented in November 2016.

According to the report, the level of debt on households has increased by 7.20 percent in the four years from the financial year 2017-18. It was 30.1 percent in the financial year 2017-18, which increased to 31.7 percent in 2018-19, 32.5 percent in 2019-20 and jumped to 37.3 percent in 2020-21.

However, the family debt to GDP ratio in India is less as compared to other countries. It is 90 percent in Britain, 79.5 in America, 65.3 in Japan, 61.7 percent in China.  Whereas Mexico has the lowest family debt to GDP ratio at 17.4 percent. Rising household debt means that the savings rate has decreased due to increased consumption and spending on health.

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London: In a sudden turn of events, at least seven members of the England Men’s ODI team for the Pakistan series tested positive for novel Coronavirus. The England and Wales Cricket Board in an official statement on Tuesday said that three players and four management team members have contracted Coronavirus while other members of the contingent have been termed close contacts. 

Due to this development, England will have to pick a completely new squad for the ODI series against Pakistan. 

“Following PCR tests administered yesterday (Monday)  in Bristol, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members –  three players and four management team members- of the England Men’s ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19,” the ECB statement read. 

It has been decided that those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine. 

Meanwhile, the ECB have confirmed the Royal London ODIs and the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan will go ahead. Ben Stokes will return to England duties and captain the squad – which will be named in the next few hours. The series against Pakistan is to be played from July 8. England will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Pakistan at home. 

Tom Harrison, the Chief Executive Officer of ECB said, “Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.’’

 

London: In a sudden turn of events, at least seven members of the England Men’s ODI team for the Pakistan series tested positive for novel Coronavirus. The England and Wales Cricket Board in an official statement on Tuesday said that three players and four management team members have contracted Coronavirus while other members of the contingent have been termed close contacts. 

Due to this development, England will have to pick a completely new squad for the ODI series against Pakistan. 

“Following PCR tests administered yesterday (Monday)  in Bristol, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) can confirm that seven members –  three players and four management team members- of the England Men’s ODI party have tested positive for COVID-19,” the ECB statement read. 

It has been decided that those impacted will now observe a period of self-isolation from July 4 following the UK Government’s protocol on quarantine. 

Meanwhile, the ECB have confirmed the Royal London ODIs and the Vitality IT20s against Pakistan will go ahead. Ben Stokes will return to England duties and captain the squad – which will be named in the next few hours. The series against Pakistan is to be played from July 8. England will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is against Pakistan at home. 

Tom Harrison, the Chief Executive Officer of ECB said, “Overnight we have worked swiftly to identify a new squad, and we are grateful to Ben Stokes who will return to England duties to Captain. We also recognise the impact this news will have on our First Class Counties and their Men’s playing squads and thank them, along with our partners Sky and Royal London, for their ongoing support in dealing with this pandemic.’’

 

New Delhi: Maintaining significant dip in number of daily Covid cases, India reported 34,703 new cases in the last 24 hours. According to Union Health Ministry, this is lowest in 111 days. Active cases have declined to 4,64,357 while the recovery rate rises to 97.17%. 

(This is a developing news. More to follow…)

In the wake of possible third wave of Coronavirus which experts believe will reach its peack sometime in October this year, the central and state governments have ramped up Covid vaccine development and manufacturing ecosystem in the country. 

The Ministry of Science & Technology on Sunday informed that in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering the enhanced production of COVID Vaccines, the Government proactively took the decision of setting up additional laboratories,to facilitate expedited testing / pre-release certification of the  vaccines. 

In an official release issued today, the ministry said that Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology ,Government of India has set up two Vaccine testing facilities in its Autonomous Research Institutes National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, and National Institute of Animal Biotechnology,(NIAB) Hyderabad as Central Drug Laboratory (CDL), for batch testing and quality control of vaccines. 

The statement said that the two new vaccine testing facilitiesset up as Central Drug laboratories at DBT- NCCS, and DBT-NIAB received funding support by the PM-CARES Funds trust. 

The  facilities are  expected to test approx 60  batches of vaccines per month. The facilities  are  geared up to test existing COVID-19 vaccines and other newer COVID-19 vaccines as per demand of the Nation. 

“This will not only expedite the Vaccine manufacture and supply but also be logistically convenient considering that both Pune and Hyderabad are the two Vaccine manufacturing hubs,” the statement read.  

Currently, the nation has a Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) at Kasauli, which is the National Control Laboratory for testing and pre-release certification of Immunobiologicals (vaccines and antisera) meant for human use in India.

Madurai: A 29-year-old man died while being rushed to Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) on Saturday following sudden breathlessness.

The deceased who was identified as D Andrew Simon, is a resident of Pudhu Vilangudi, Madurai, and was a software engineer by profession.

According to sources, a day before he was vaccinated against COVID in Madurai and within 21 hours of inoculation Simon developed sudden breathing difficulty and collapsed on Saturday morning at his residence. He was hurried to the Government Rajaji Hospital, where he was declared brought dead at around 10.45 a.m.

Also Read | Coronavirus Live: Delhi Reports 94 New Covid Cases, 7 Deaths In Last 24 Hrs

However, the real cause of death is yet to be ascertained, a serious Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) is suspected.

Sources also revealed that Simon has been said a diabetic for the past six months, but he was not taking any medications. Health officials said that Simon had no history of hypertension, COPD or tuberculosis, and there is no history of him being allergic to drugs or food.

Also Read | Cuddalore Corona Vaccination: Tamil Nadu Launches First Camp To Vaccinate Pregnant Women

Dr. KV Arjun Kumar at GRH told to The Hindu, “The postmortem report will give a clear picture on the cause of death and to find out if there was any connection with the vaccination.”

New Delhi: In order to ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the state, Goa will launch a ‘Tika Utsav’ from July 5 which will focus on administering the second dose to beneficiaries, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant informed through his Twitter handle on Saturday (July 3). 

The drive has been termed ‘Tika 1.2’, an inspiration from Centre’s ‘Tika Utsav’ that began in April to boost the vaccination drive across the country. 

“The Government of Goa is now launching Tika Utsav 1.2 from 5th July 2021, that will emphasise on administration of the 2nd dose of Vaccine to those who have completed 84 days,” Sawant tweeted. 

The CM added that during the drive, all adults can get their first or second COVID-19 doses. “However, all persons above 18+ can walk-in to get either 1st or 2nd dose during this drive at any of the venues. The public may contact their local representatives / Health Officials for the time table of venue in their locality,” his tweet read. 

However, all persons above 18+ can walk-in to get either 1st or 2nd dose during this drive at any of the venues. The public may contact their local representatives / Health Officials for the time table of venue in their locality. 2/2

— Dr. Pramod Sawant (@DrPramodPSawant) July 3, 2021

According to the Union Health Ministry, 9,60,730 doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Goa so far, out of which 8,37,780 are first doses. 

On Friday (July 2), the Goa government had extended the lockdown till July 12 with a few relaxations. CM Sawant relaxed the timing of the shops which are now allowed to open from 7 am to 6 pm. Moreover, the state government reopened the salons, outdoor sports complexes and stadiums after reviewing the COVID-19 situation. 

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Amid the fear of spread of Delta variant in the country, a study found that COVID-19 recovered individuals with one or two doses of vaccine have relatively higher protection in comparison to those administered either one or two doses of Covishield. 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology, Pune, and Department of Neurosurgery, Command Hospital (Southern Command), Armed Forces Medical College conducted the study ‘Neutralisation of Delta Variant with Sera of Covishield vaccines and COVID-19 Recovered Vaccinated Individuals’, which is yet to be peer-reviewed. 

News agency PTI quoted the report stating that prior vaccination results in less severe disease against subsequent infection provide evidence that both humoral and cellular immune response play an important role in protection.  

“The high transmissibility associated with Delta variant led to second wave of the pandemic in India which affected millions of people. Besides this, variant of concerns have been reported to show lower neutralisation to several approved vaccines. This has led to breakthrough infections after completion of vaccination regimen,” the study said. 

The joint study evaluated immune response in sera of the Covishield vaccinated individuals belonging to categories– one dose vaccinated, two doses vaccinated, COVID-19 recovered plus one dose vaccinated, COVID-19 recovered plus two doses vaccinated and breakthrough COVID-19 cases. The results demonstrated that the breakthrough cases and COVID-19 recovered individuals with one or two dose of vaccine had relatively higher protection against Delta variant. 

“Prior vaccination results in less severe disease against subsequent infection provide evidence that both humoral and cellular immune response play an important role in protection,” the study added.

The significant report has emerged at the time when B.1.617 lineage has created grave havoc in the country. It became worrisome when it further mutated to generate sub-lineages B.1.617.1 (Kappa), B.1.617.2 (Delta) and B.1.617.3. the World Health Organisation has described this sub-lineage as variant of concern as it dominated the other variants. 

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Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech, the biotechnology firm on Saturday announced the efficacy and safety of the indigenous vaccine Covaxin which was jointly developed with the ICMR & NIV Pune. The firm said that it has concluded the final analysis of the Phase III trials. 

“Phase 3 clinical trials of Covaxin was an event-driven analysis of 130 symptomatic COVID-19 cases, reported at least two weeks after the 2nd dose, conducted at 25 sites across India,” the official press release said. 

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Key findings of the analysis:

• 77.8% effective against symptomatic Covid-19, through evaluation of 130 confirmed cases, with 24 observed in the vaccine group versus 106 in the placebo group.
• 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic Covid-19.
• 12% of subjects experiencing commonly known side effects and less than 0.5% of subjects feeling serious adverse events.
• Covaxin demonstrated 63.6% protection against asymptomatic Covid-19.
• Efficacy data showed 65.2% protection against the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.617.2 Delta variant.

According to Bharat Biotech, Covaxin is the first licensed Covid-19 vaccine to report promising efficacy against asymptomatic infections based on qPCR testing. This will help in reducing disease transmission, the company said.

In response to the fresh efficacy data, Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research Dr Balram Bhargava said that Covaxin will “immensely contribute to protect the global community against the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus” apart from benefiting Indian citizens.

“I am delighted to note that Covaxin, developed by ICMR and Bharat Biotech under an effective public-private partnership, has demonstrated an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent in India’s largest Covid Phase 3 clinical trial thus far. Our scientists at ICMR and BBIL have worked tirelessly to deliver a truly effective vaccine of the highest international standards. The successful development of Covaxin has consolidated the position of Indian academia and industry in the global arena,” Dr Bhargava said.

The press release also stated that it has been specifically designed to meet the needs of global distribution chains, the requirements for which are more critical in low- and middle-income countries. It has been formulated to enable shipping and long-term storage at 2-8ºC. It is also formulated to adhere to a multi-dose vial policy, thereby reducing open vial wastage, saving money to procurement agencies and governments alike.

 

New Delhi: After reporting a significant dip in daily Covid cases on Monday, India reported 45,951 new cases in the last 24 hours. The Union Health Ministry in its daily health bulletin on Wednesday said that active caseload has declined to 5,37,064. Recovery Rate has increased to 96.92 per cent. 

New Delhi: The Modi government has set a target of getting all adult populations vaccinated by the end of this year. However, many opposition parties, including Congress, are questioning the success of the government’s announcement. They are apprehensive about the availability of the vaccine, which is currently said to be inadequate as per demand. 

The government has informed the Standing Committee of Parliament about the road map consisting of the target of giving vaccines to all. In a meeting of the Parliamentary Standing Committee relating to the Ministry of Home Affairs held on Monday, the Union Home Secretary, the Union Health Secretary, and other officials gave a presentation giving full details. According to them, the supply of vaccines across the country will increase tremendously from August. According to officials, between August and December, there will be a supply of about 135 crore vaccine doses, which is enough to vaccinate every adult. 

Above all, they do not include vaccines from companies like Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson, whose availability in India is not yet clear. Companies that are likely to provide vaccines include 50 crore doses of Covishield, 40 crore doses of Covaxin, 30 crore doses of Bio E’s Covovax, 10 crore doses of Sputnik V, and 5 crore doses of Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV- D. 

So far, at least one dose of the corona vaccine has been given to more than 33 crore people in the country. Of these, there are about 5.60 crore people who have been given both doses. Since the introduction of the new policy of the vaccine program on June 21, an average increase of about 100 percent has been registered in the vaccination campaign. In the meeting of the committee, when the members asked the officials present about the efficacy of these vaccines on different variants of Coronavirus, they said that all the vaccines are more or less effective against these variants. 

Officials informed that cases are definitely decreasing in the second wave but are not completely over yet. So there is a need to maintain caution. Expressing their inability to tell the probable timing of the third wave, they said that the government is making all possible preparations to deal with the third wave. Officials did say that the cases of Delta Plus, which is said to be a ‘virus of concern’, are on the rise.

The campaign to provide the Covid-19 vaccine in India is progressing rapidly. People are registering themselves through the CoWIN app to book the slot for getting vaccinated. Meanwhile, about 50 countries, including Canada, Mexico, Nigeria and Panama, want to use a system like CoWIN for their vaccination drive. India has also agreed to share ‘open source software’ for free. A government senior official gave information regarding this on Monday. 

Dr RS Sharma, chairman of the Empowered Group for the Covid-19 Vaccine Campaign, said on Monday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed officials to develop an ‘open source software’ of the software and provide it free of cost to any country interested in it.

Many countries interested in CoWIN

Dr RS Sharma said, “The CoWIN platform has become so popular that as many as 50 countries from Central Asia, Latin America, Africa all have shown interest in using it.” He also said that a global conclave of health and technology experts from around the world will be held virtually on July 5 where India will share how the system works. He further said, “CoWIN has become very popular in five months and I am happy that we can now help other countries as well. If we want to win the war against CoVID-19, then we have to work together. For this the cooperation from all the countries is necessary.”

The vaccination drive is progressing at a fast pace across the country. Meanwhile, the Central Government is going to start a new initiative. To speed up the pace of vaccination, the Central Government will provide more vaccines to the states in July. According to reports, the government will give 12 crore vaccination doses to the states and union territories. These 120 million doses will include 100 million shots of Covishield and 20 million shots of Covaxin. However, the question now arises that with these government figures, how will the country achieve the target of making the country fully vaccinated by December 2021. 

The state and union territories will be asked by the government to intensify the vaccination campaign. Government reports say that between June 21 and June 27, on an average, more than 0.6 crore doses have been given in the country every day. At the same time, 10.6 crore doses have been given to the people in the month of June. 

Information from Ministry of Health

Giving information in this matter, the Ministry of Health said, “Information on when and how much the vaccine dose will be given helps in making a strategy for vaccination. The government then decides where and how many vaccine doses are to be spent and distributed. The Center has prepared a plan to calculate the vaccine doses to be given to the states, which includes proportionate population of the age group of 18 years and above.

Rajasthan Government writes to the Center

The states have demanded more Covid-19 vaccines from the Center. The Rajasthan government has written a letter to the Modi government, in which it has stated that the state is facing a shortage of vaccine. To speed up the vaccination campaign, there is a need for more Covid-19 vaccines. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot wrote in a letter to PM Modi, “More than 70 lakh people have to be vaccinated with the second dose by the end of July 2021.”

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New Delhi: A significant dip in daily Covid-19 noted as India reported less than 40,000 daily new cases after 102 days. As per the Union Health Ministry, 37,566 new Covid-19 cases, 56,994 recoveries, and 907 deaths were recorded in the last 24 hours.  

• Total cases: 3,03,16,897
• Total recoveries: 2,93,66,601
• Active cases: 5,52,659
• Death toll: 3,97,637

(This is a developing news. More details awaited)

 

New Delhi: Senior advocate Prashant Bhushan has once again stirred a controversy with his remarks against Covid-19 Vaccines being administered in the country. Taking to his official Twitter account, the activist-lawyer clarified that he is not “anti Vaccine per se” but holds view that “promoting universal vaccination of experimental and untested vaccines is irresponsible”. 

Sharing a newspaper cutout featuring a news report of middle-aged woman succumbing to after-effects of vaccine, Prashant Bhushan in a Twitter post said, “The govt is not monitoring adverse events from vaccine nor releasing data.” 

An hour later, Bhushan in another tweet said that while his friends & family have accused of promoting Vaccine hesitancy, “let me clarify my position. I am not anti Vaccine per se. But I believe it is irresponsible to promote universal vaccination of experimental&untested vaccines esp to young & Covid recovered.” 

“The healthy young have hardly any chance of serious effects or dying due to covid. They have a higher chance of dying due to vaccines. The covid recovered have much better natural immunity, than the vaccine gives them. Vaccines may even compromise their acquired natural immunity,” Bhusan said in another tweet. 

“For the record, I have not taken, nor do I intend to take any COVID-19 Vaccine,” he added.

His remarks against vaccines have irked the Twitteratis with many demanding the social media platform to withdraw his tweet and take strict action Bhushan. Actor Siddharth strongly condemned Bhushan’s remarks and asked twitter India to “mark it as misinformation.”

Here’s how other netizens reacted – 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

New Delhi: Yet again the roll-out of Russian jab ‘Sputnik V’ has been delayed at various private hospitals in the Delhi-NCR region. Indraprastha Apollo Hospital in the national capital had earlier said that it would tentatively start administering the two-dose vaccine by June 25 however, spokesman from the hospital said that authorities do not have clarity on the dates of the vaccine roll-out as yet. 

“We do not have a clarity on the dates of the vaccine roll-out,” a spokesman of Apollo Hospitals told PTI. 

Besides Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital has also not received Sputnik V doses so far from Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories. 

ALSO READ | Russian Jab Sputnik V To Be Administered At 5 Govt Facilities In Gurugram From July; Details Here

An official from the hospital reportedly said, “There is a delay on the part of the suppliers. They have not shared any specific reason for it. I think it could be related to the supply of both the doses together.” 

As per Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government’s pricing schedule, Sputnik V has been priced at Rs 1,145, which will contain the hospital charges as well as the tax.

Sputnik V was developed by Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology with the backing of its sovereign Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Dr Reddy’s, which has the rights to distribute Sputnik V in India, obtained emergency use authorisation in April. 

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Jaipur: Noticing a significant dip in the number of daily Covid cases in the state, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has announced to further ease down the lockdown restrictions in the state. The new guidelines issued on Sunday, will come into effect from 5 am on Monday, June 28. 

As per the revised Covid lockdown guidelines, it is must for all shops, clubs, gyms, restaurants, malls and other commercial establishments to ensure vaccination of their staff. 

The state government has extended operation timings for markets and malls. Public transport and movement of private vehicles have also been given the green signal with certain conditions. In addition to this, marriage ceremonies and religious places have also been allowed in the state with covid appropriate behaviour. 

The guidelines state that the night curfew will be in effect from 8 PM to 5 AM on weekdays and on the weekend, it will begin on Saturday 8 pm and end at 5 am on Monday.

Here’s the list of what’s open, what’s shut – 

• Full staff allowed in all such government offices where the number of personnel is less than 25
• 50 per cent personnel allowed in offices where the number of personnel is 25 or more than 25
• 100 per cent of the personnel allowed in offices where 60 per cent of the personnel have received the first dose of the vaccine
• Offices can function from 9.30AM to 6AM. 
• Travel by private vehicles will be allowed from 5 am till 8 pm on all days except Sundays. 
• Public parks to open for public from 5 am to 8 am. 
• Restaurants allowed to operate dine-in facility from 9 am to 4 pm on weekdays. 
• Compulsory for all shops, clubs, gyms, restaurants, malls and other commercial establishments to ensure vaccination of their staff 
• Gyms, restaurants must ensure screening facility and masks for customers
• Citizens allowed to hold wedding ceremonies in gardens, wedding halls and hotels with a maximum of 40 people till 4 pm. 
• Outdoor activities allowed at clubs. However, clubs where Covid vaccinations have been done will be allowed to open indoor sports activities. 

New Delhi: Covid-19 vaccination platform CoWin now allow international travellers to link their vaccination certificates to their passports. The official handle of Aarogya Setu app in a Twitter post on Saturday said, “Now, you can update your passport number in your vaccination certificate.” 

The centre elaborated the steps on how to link passport to vaccination certificate. It has issued guidelines for updating or correcting passport details in coronavirus vaccination certificates online.

Steps Link Covid Vaccine Certificate To Passports – 

Step 1: Visit the official CoWin portal — www. cowin.gov.in.
Step 2: Select “Raise an issue.”
Step 3: Select the passport option
Step 4: Select the person from the drop down menu
Step 5: Enter passport number and then Submit it. 
Step 6: You will receive the new certificate in seconds

In case name on certificate does not match name on passport, you can request for name correction as well.

Steps To Edit Personal Details – 

Step 1: Visit the official CoWin portal — www. cowin.gov.in.
Step 2: Select “Raise an issue.”
Step 3: Click on the ‘Correction in certificate’ option
Step 4: Select the person from the drop down menu 
Step 5: Select the options you need to make corrections. 
Step 6: Edit the details and then Submit it.  

Users must note that entering passport number and requesting name change can only be done once, so please ensure there are no mistakes in entering the details

 

Gurugram: In a major push to the vaccination drive in the state, health department in Haryana’s Gurugram is all set to administer the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V,  free of cost at the five government health centres. 

The Russian-made vaccine against Covid-19, is expected to be available from the first week of July. 

ALSO READ | India Records Highest Weekly Vaccination With Over 3.3 Cr Jabs Administered In Last Five Days

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Gurugram, Virender Yadav, said that health department has made the necessary arrangements for administering the Russian jab which will be administered free of cost on first-come-first-serve basis in Gurugram under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme.

News agency IANS quoted Yadav saying as, “The health department has made all the necessary arrangements for the storage of Sputnik V. We have placed deep freezers to maintain the temperature required Sputnik V at the Polyclinic in Sector 31, Civil Hospital in Sector 10, Wazirabad Community Health Centre, and the sub-divisional government hospitals in Sohna and Pataudi.” 

With this, Gurugram district will be among the first ones in the state to administer the Russian jab free of cost at government facilities. At present, the Fortis Memorial Research Institute is the only hospital in Haryana which introduced Sputnik V as part of a pilot soft launch last week. 

ALSO READ | Interim Report, Oxygen Needs Change Daily: AIIMS Chief On Delhi Audit By SC Panel

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry reported that India has shattered all previous weekly vaccination records, delivering nearly 3.3 crore doses from June 21 to June 26. The previous high was 2.47 crore shots, which were given out in a week between April 3 and April 9. 

New Delhi: There were several concerns around vaccination, and one of them being infertility concerns in men. However, researchers at the University of Miami have dispelled concerns through a study conducted to assess men’s fertility after vaccination and didn’t find any negative effects on their sperm.

What are the findings?

The research was conducted between Dec 17, 2020 and Jan. 12, 2021. The research was carried out on 45 healthy volunteers aged 18 to 50, who were expected to get the Pfizer or Moderna dose, according to the study published in JAMA Network.

Before the study was undertaken, the participants were prescreened to ensure there are no previous or underlying fertility issues. Semen samples were collected before the first vaccine dose and approximately 70 days after the second. This is the usual time taken for the sperm to regenerate.

ALSO READ | India Coronavirus Cases Today: 42,640 New Cases And 1,167 Deaths Recorded In Last 24 Hrs; Lowest In 91 Days

The researchers carefully studied the semen volume, sperm concentration, sperm motility and total sperm count. The study concluded there was no significant decrease in any of these parameters compared with the samples taken before the Covid-19 shots.

“It was an unknown area that was making guys nervous to get the vaccine,” said study co-author Jesse Ory, urology fellow in infertility/andrology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.

Although the sample size was less, the results were in line with the expectation of the result. As per the study, eight participants who had exhibited low sperm counts before the vaccination went on to record normal levels of sperm in their second sample.

However the researcher clarified that the vaccine however didn’t increase the sperm. “But even in guys who have low sperm count who may be worried about their fertility, they don’t need to worry that this vaccine will impact their fertility any further,” said Ory.

Meanwhile, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have also insisted that there is no evidence that any vaccines, including the ones against Covid-19, cause male or female infertility. On fertility studies published on its website, the agency only looked at females and pregnancy outcomes. It’s the University of Miami study to have conducted at Covid-19 vaccines and sperm count, as per the researcher.

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Bhubaneswar: With administering 3,32,717 does of the Covid -19 vaccine till dare, Odisha has crossed the 1 crore mark. According to the CoWin portal, 1,01,69,517 doses have been administered in the state so far, including 83,27,474 first doses and 18,42,043 second doses. It exceeded the 3 lakh per day target set by the Odisha government on June 21.

As per the Health and Family Welfare Department, Odisha has maintained a negative wastage of 3 per cent which is one of the best in the country. Due to the negative wastage, the government has been able to save 2.9 lakh doses of vaccine till date.

CM Naveen Patnaik took to Twitter to appreciate the commitment of the healthcare workers. He said, “Achieving a significant milestone in #COVID19 vaccination, #Odisha has administered 1 crore vaccine doses including vaccination of our frontline warriors. Commend the commitment of our healthcare workers in ensuring a swift inoculation process to save lives. #OdishaCares”

Khurda leads the list with a total of 14,17,885 doses, followed by Ganjam with 9,57,546 doses and Cuttack with 7,60,566 doses. Balasore, Sundargarh, Puri, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Kendrapara, Jajpur, Mayrbhanj, Keonjhar, Bhadrak, Sambalpur, and Koraput, on the other hand, have so far registered 3 lakh or more vaccines. The lowest number of vaccinations administered is in Boudh district with 80,843 total doses.

According to reports, there are now 34,965 active cases in Odisha. So far, there have been 8,44,801 recoveries and 3,671 deaths in the state.

New Delhi: In its answer to the Supreme Court about giving ex gratia compensation of Rs 4 lakh to the families of COVID-19 victims, the central government on Monday came out prioritising the management for Covid, rather than compensating. 
 
The government, while denying the idea of ex-gratia compensation explained that amidst Covid-19 management, the finances of central and state government are under enough severe strain that further compensating Rs 4 lakh would be beyond the government’s fiscal affordability.  

ALSO READ | India Running ‘Largest & Fastest’ Vaccination Drive, To Have 257 Cr Covid Vaccine Doses By December: Nadda

The statement comes as a reply to a petition the Supreme Court had sought Centre’s stand on. Providing Rs 4 lakh to the families of those who lost their loved ones to Covid-19 and a uniform policy for issuing death certificates to those succumbing to the virus was the two petitions the top court had sought the Centre’s response on, back in May. 
 
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who appeared in front of the court said, “It is not that we do not have money… It is that our focus is rather on the expenditure of money for other things [like public health interventions, social protection, and economic recovery for the affected communities, etc]”. 
 
To this, senior advocate S.B. Upadhyay, who appeared for the petitioners in the court highlighted that in case the government has the money, they are obliged to comply with Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act to provide ex gratia assistance to Covid-19 victims, adding that it was the government itself who had declared Covid-19 a national disaster. 
 
Advocate Gaurav Kumar Bansal, a petitioner, said, “The amount can be less small or big, but some help needs to be given to families, some of whom have lost their sole breadwinners. Families of frontline warriors who lost their lives in the line of duty cannot be left in a lurch”. 
 
After some further discussions, the court has reserved the petitions for judgment. 

New Delhi: With the aim to reach one crore daily vaccinations from August with the help of new vaccine policy, India has ramped up vaccine production. As India on Monday once again started its massive inoculation drive for all adults in the country, the Bharatiya Janata Party national president JP Nadda said that the country will have 257 crore Covid vaccine doses by December to take up double dose vaccination of people in full swing. 

While visiting a vaccination centre at the RML hospital in the national capital on Monday, Nadda said 130 crore people of the country have come forward to take vaccines on the call of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, despite the opposition trying to mislead them and create obstructions.

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“Some leaders opposed vaccines saying they were not guinea pigs or mice. Those who doubted vaccines are now getting them. I want to ask such leaders if it was due to change in their mind, heart or soul,” the BJP national president said.

Speaking to the media, Nadda praised party workers for helping people during the pandemic and said that while other parties went into quarantine or the ICU, the BJP workers risked their lives to provide relief to the people on the ground.

“BJP workers in all booths of the country were reaching out to people to ensure implementation of the prime minister’s call for vaccination,” Nadda said, as reported by news agency PTI. 

ALSO READ | Delhi En Route To Defeating Corona As New Cases Go Below 100-Mark, Lowest Since April 2020

He went on to say that in India is running world’s “largest and fastest” vaccination programme and within 9 months the country produced two indigenous vaccines against Covid under the leadership of Modi.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry in its daily health bullein reported that India on the first day of new vaccine protocol crossed a landmark milestone with the highest-ever Covid-19 vaccine daily coverage by administering 78.75 lakh doses till 7 PM. 

(With inputs from PTI)

New Delhi: Amid fears of a third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Assistant Professor Department of Medicine Dr Neeraj Nischal has highlighted two factors – one is virus related and second is human-related – on which the future Covid-19 wave depends.

Elaborating on the same, he said the coronavirus mutation can be avoided by following a proper behaviour when in a crowded place or with an already infected person.

“Now virus mutates and becomes more infectious. It is something which is beyond our control. But of course, if we do not allow this virus to replicate in our body then maybe this type of mutations can be avoided. What we can do to control is our behavior,” ANI quoted Dr Nischal as saying.

READ: Delhi Unlock: Relaxation In Curbs Extended Till June 28; Restaurants & Bars Warned Over Covid Norms | Details

“We have been talking about Covid appropriate behaviour for 15-16 months and we know that by Covid appropriate behaviour, one can stop these waves altogether. That had happened in the second wave also,” he added.

Responding to a poser about the lockdown to curb further spread of Covid-19, Dr Nischal emphasized “it is important for us to follow Covid appropriate behaviour as that is definitely helpful in stopping the spread of the infection”.

“When the lockdown was introduced, everybody was forced to follow Covid appropriate behaviour and this wave stopped,” he said.

Dr Nischal also appealed to all citizens to get themselves vaccinated against Covid-19.

“Even if you get the infection then it will ensure that you don’t get a severe form of the disease,” he said.

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AIIMS chief Dr Randeep Guleria had earlier on Saturday said a third Covid wave in India is “inevitable” and it could hit the nation in the next six to eight weeks.

The AIIMS Director also said that “a national-level lockdown cannot be a solution” as it adversely affects the economy, which is still reeling under the impact of past restrictions.

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Covid Vaccine: Many countries of the world, including India, are currently grappling with the coronavirus pandemic. The first wave of COVID-19 in India wreaked havoc on the elderly and the second wave targeted the youth. Now, there is a possibility that the third wave of the virus will engulf the children.

Several states have started preemptive preparations against the possible third wave. In such a situation, it is very important to be aware of the preparations for the vaccination of children in the country and how far the process of vaccine trials has reached. Read this news.

Country’s Status –

• Bharat Biotech- Bharat Biotech is manufacturing two vaccines for children.

COVAXIN – The Drug Controller General of India has approved the start of the third phase trials for people between the age of 2 to 18 years. At present, the trial of the Bharat Biotech vaccine for children is going on.

Bharat Biotech is also testing the ‘nasal vaccine’ (BBV154). This vaccine will be a single shot. It is expected to be a game-changer. During the trial, this vaccine was considered very convenient.

The clinical trials of Novavax for children will also begin in India. Novavax will develop this vaccine in collaboration with the Serum Institute of India, Pune.

Apart from adults, this vaccine is being tested on children aged 12 to 18 years. This vaccine will soon apply for a license and after approval, children will be able to get vaccinated. 20 children have been given the first dose of this vaccine as a part of three trials in Belagavi, Karnataka.

Countries Where Kids Vaccination Process Has Started:

• America – The Pfizer vaccine is being administered to children between the ages of 12 and 15.
• Canada – Since May, the Pfizer vaccine is being administered to children in the age group of 12 to 15 years.
• Japan – Vaccination has started from 28th May.
• Italy – In May, children between the ages of 12 and 15 were approved to take the Pfizer vaccine.
• Dubai – The Pfizer vaccine is being administered to children between the ages of 12 and 15.
• Singapore – Vaccination of children in the age group of 12 to 18 years continues.
• Poland – Vaccination of children has started.
• Lithuania – Vaccination of children starts in June.
• Romania – Vaccination has started.
• Hungary – Vaccination of individuals between 16 and 18 years of age is going on since May.
• Norway – Vaccination of only those children who are at risk of serious infection is going on at the moment.
• Switzerland – Vaccination of children between 12 and 15 years of age began in May.
• San Marino – Vaccination of children in the age group of 12 to 15 years continues.
• France – Children between the ages of 12 and 18 will start getting the Pfizer vaccine on 15th June.
• Germany – Since 7th June, children in the age group of 12 to 16 years are being vaccinated.
• Israel – The first dose of the vaccine is being given to children aged 12 to 15 years.
• Estonia – Vaccination will begin in September.
• Austria – Target to vaccinate 3,40,000 children by August.

Check out below Health Tools-
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