Coronavirus News highlights: Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine show no antiviral effect against Covid-19, says study

Five states constitute 73 per cent of the total Covid-19 cases in India, according to the Health Ministry. India reported 2,020 deaths on Tuesday, while the daily positivity rate declined to 1.81 per cent with 31,443 new coronavirus cases reported. PM Narendra Modi is reviewing the Covid situation in the Northeastern states today with CMs of eight states. Stay tuned for updates.

That's all from today readers. Thank you for tuning in to our coverage of Covid-19 news from India and around the globe. For more latest news visit www.deccanherald.com.

Remdesivir, hydroxychloroquine show no antiviral effect against Covid-19: Study

Remdesivir and hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) showed no antiviral activity in hospitalised patients with Covid-19 in Norway, according to a study published on Tuesday. Read more

WHO warns against people mixing and matching Covid vaccines

The World Health Organization's chief scientist on Monday advised against people mixing and matching Covid-19 vaccines from different manufacturers, calling it a "dangerous trend" since more data is needed about the health impact. Read more

Kerala reports 14,539 fresh Covid-19 cases, 124 deaths

Kerala's Covid-19tally rises to 30,87,673 with 14,539 fresh cases. With 124 more fatalities, the state's death toll now stands at 14,810.

The Uttarakhand government has decided to cancel Kawad Yatra this year in the view of the Covid-19 pandemic.

76% of eligible population vaccinated in Tripura

Over 76 per cent of the eligible population of Tripura have been inoculated against Covid-19 and around 25 per cent got both doses of the vaccine, an official said on Tuesday. The positivity rate of coronavirus in the state currently is 4.3 per cent and it is likely to decline after two weeks. Of the 26.24 lakh people who are eligible for inoculation, over 20 lakh (76.22 per cent) have received the vaccine while 6.47 lakh (24.64 per cent) have taken both doses, National Health Mission (NHM) director in Tripura, Dr Siddhartha Shiv Jaiswal, said. (PTI)

Covaxin recipient infected with Covid-19 Delta variant dies, Pfizer, Moderna recipients recover: Study

A US-based study on six fully vaccinated people who got the Covid-19 infection after attending a wedding in Texas in April found that the Pfizer and Moderna Covid-19 vaccine recipients survived whereas the one who was administered Covaxin died. Read more

Chandigarh schools to reopen for class 9 to 12 from July 19

Schools in Chandigarh will start functioning physically from July 19 for class 9 to class 12 subject to parents’ consent. Online mode of teaching will continue, according to the administration.

The Chandigarh Administration has also allowed thereopening of coaching institutes from July 19 with condition that all the eligible students andstaff are administered at least one dose of vaccine.The administration has also allowedcinema halls andspas to function with 50 per centcapacity.

Vaccine production is rising gradually. It is a planned affair and with this increment, the vaccine is being made available, says Dr VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog.

Kawad Yatra: Uttar Pradesh may make RT-PCR tests for pilgrims mandatory

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has urged that only a minimum number of people should participate in the annual Kawad Yatra and directed the strict implementation of the Covid-19 protocol, an official spokesman said here on Tuesday. Read more

Key takeaways from Health Ministry's briefing:

>Central teams have been deputed to 11 states including Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur to support them in Covid-19 management.Besides northeastern states, the teams have been sent to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Kerala andOdisha, as they were reflecting a growth trajectory.

>Nearly 73.4% of new Covid-19 cases reported so far in July are from Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha.

>55 districts in India have been reporting more than 10%Covid-19 positivity rate for the week ending July 13.

> The ministry warned against the gross violations of Covid-19-appropriate behaviour that have been observed in several parts of the country, saying that it can nullify gains made so far.

>A further surge in cases is being noted in some stateslike Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh. Similarly, there are some states, where cases have come down but are still being witnessed in the form of the plateau, Lav Agarwal, JointSecretary, Union Health Ministry, said.

Five states constitute 73 per cent of the total Covid-19 cases in India, according to the Health Ministry.

Gene editing 'blocks virus transmission' in human cells

Scientists have used CRISPR gene-editing technology to successfully block the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in infected human cells, according to research released Tuesday that could pave the way for Covid-19 treatments. Read more

India's first Covid-19 patient reinfected with coronavirus

A woman medico, who was India's first Covid-19 case, has tested positive again for the virus, health authorities in Thrissur said on Tuesday. "She is reinfected with Covid-19. Her RT-PCR is positive, antigen is negative. She is asymptomatic," Thrissur DMO Dr K J Reena told PTI. Her samples were tested as she was prepared to go to New Delhi for study purposes. Then the RT-PCR result turned out to be positive, she said. Read more

After vaccination burnout, Delta variant spurs countries to speed up shots

The daily pace of Covid vaccinations has increased in about a dozen countries due to the arrival of the more contagious Delta variant and governments expanding their vaccination drives, a data analysis by Reuters found.

Israel's rate of vaccinations has seen a sharp pickup. The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore and Spain are all vaccinating at their fastest speed to date. Belgium, Denmark, Finland and Sweden are not far behind.

PM Modi to meet 6 Chief Ministers over Covid-19 situation on July 16

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Maharashtra, and Kerala on July 16 to discuss the Covid-19 situation in these states. Read more

Prolonged use of steroids causes bone tissue death in post-Covid patients

During the ongoingCovid-pandemic,steroidshave been widely used in the treatment to deal with viral infection. However, after mucormycosis, Avascular Necrosis (AVN), a new health complication thatcauses deathofbonetissues, can be seen in manypost-Covidpatientsowing to the long-termuseof corticosteroids, especially in high doses.

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SII to produce Russia's Sputnik V Covid vaccine from September

The Serum Institute of India (SII) will begin producing the Russian vaccine Sputnik V from September, the Russian Direct Investment Fund said on Tuesday.

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Vietnam to mix doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccines - govt

Vietnam will offer the coronavirus mRNA vaccine jointly developed by Pfizer and BioNTech as a second dose option for people first inoculated with the AstraZeneca vaccine, its government said on Tuesday.

Vietnam's mass inoculation campaign is in its early stages, with less than 300,000 people fully vaccinated so far. It has so far used the AstraZeneca vaccine and last week took delivery of 97,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot. - Reuters.

New Covid rules spark France vaccination rush in France

A record number of French people have been booking appointments forCovid-19 jabs after President Emmanuel Macron announced restrictions on the unvaccinated, including mandatory tests to enter restaurants.

The head of the Doctolib website, the main site to book vaccination appointments, said traffic was at an all-time high following Macron's televised speech on Monday night.

"We recorded 20,000 appointments per minute, an absolute record since the start of the campaign, and it's continued during the night and into this morning," boss Stanislas Niox-Chateau told BFMTV. - AFP.

Madhya Pradesh adds 1,481 'backlog' Covid deaths

Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday added 1,481 'backlog Covid-19 deaths', taking the states' death toll to 10,506.

The addition to the cumulative deaths came after the state government reportedly issued a letter to all district authorities urging them to report any deaths till June 30 which were not added so far on the government's panel.

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We have to work expeditiously to build infrastructure for paediatric care, especially on oxygen. Hundreds of new oxygen plants are being set up in the country through PM Cares - PM Modi

We have to move forward by improving the infrastructure related to testing and treatment - PM Modi

It is true that tourism, business and business have been greatly affected due to Covid. But today I will say very strongly that in hill stations, without wearing masks, huge crowd gatherings in the markets is a matter of concern, it is not right - PM Modi

We have to keep an eye on every variant of the coronavirus. Experts are constantly studying about how disturbing it will be after mutation. In such a situation, prevention and treatment are very important - PM Modi

To combat the possible third wave of Covid-19, we need to continue to accelerate the vaccination process: PM Modi to CMs of Norttheastern states

Covid-19 situation worrisome in some districts of Northeast; need to stay alert and act fast to check further spread of virus: PM Modi

Australia to give 1.5 mln doses of AstraZeneca vaccine to Vietnam

Australia will donate 1.5 million doses of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine to Vietnam soon, the Southeast Asian country said in a statement on Tuesday

After successfully containing the virus for months, Vietnam has recently brought in movement restrictions in major cities after a spike in infections, fuelled by the more infectious Delta variant first found in India. - Reuters.

Chidambaram slams govt's Covid-19 vaccination programme

Congress leader P Chidambaram on Tuesday hit out at the government's Covid-19 vaccination programme, terming its promise of vaccinating all adults by December end as an "empty boast".

He said the states of Odisha and Delhi are facing vaccine shortage and asked the Union health minister to spell out his plans to ensure regular and uninterrupted supply of vaccines to states.

"Vaccine shortage is a fact. Vaccine production is exaggerated. Vaccine import is a mystery. Vaccinating the entire adult population by December 2021 is an empty boast," he said. - PTI

Citizens' group starts drive to vaccinate transgenders in Pune

A group of citizens working towards the Covid-19 vaccination of the underprivileged people has now extended its reach to the transgender community in Maharashtra's Pune city.

As part of the 'VaxAll Initiative', 169 transgenders were vaccinated at a private hospital here on Monday, an official from the medical facility said.

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Israel changes Covid strategy as Delta variant hits

Four weeks ago, Israel was celebrating a return to normal life in its battle with Covid-19.

After a rapid vaccination drive that had driven down coronavirus infections and deaths, Israelis had stopped wearing face masks and abandoned all social-distancing rules.

Then came the more infectious Delta variant, and a surge in cases that has forced Prime Minister Naftali Bennett to reimpose some Covid-19 restrictions and rethink strategy.

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Sputnik V soft launched in over 50 cities in India: Dr Reddy's

Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, which soft-launched Russia's Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India on May 14, has expanded the pilot project to over 50 other cities and towns in the country.

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India reports over 2,000 Covid-19 deaths in 24 hours

With 31,443 new coronavirus infections, India's total tally of Covid-19 cases rose to 3,09,07,282, while the total recoveries crossed three crore, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

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More than 39.46 cr vaccine doses were provided to states/UTs. More than 1.91 cr balance & unutilised doses still available with states/UTs & private hospitals to be administered. The total consumption, including wastage, is 37,55,38,390 doses - ANI

Delhi runs out of Covishield stock, vaccination centres likely to be closed

Delhi has run out of Covishield stock and some Covid vaccination centres are likely to be closed on Tuesday, officials said on Monday.

The national capital had 19,000 doses of Covishield and 2,39,000 doses of Covaxin on Monday morning, according to a bulletin.

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Odisha reported 1,930 new cases, 68 deaths and 2,937 recoveries; active cases 23,492 - ANI

Delta variant going around world at scorching pace: WHO

The Delta variant is ripping around the world at a scorching pace, driving a new spike in cases and deaths, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said, warning that the variant, now in over 104 countries, is expected to soon be the dominant Covid-19 strain circulating worldwide.

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Daily tests, cardboard beds: 24 hours at Tokyo's Olympic Village

For athletes competing at the Tokyo Games, the Olympic Village will be almost all they see, with strict coronavirus rules preventing them from leaving the compound except to train and compete.

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Covid-19: Modi to meet CMs of northeastern states today

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with the chief ministers of eight north-eastern states on Tuesday to discuss the Covid-19 situation amid concerns over the coronavirus numbers in the region.

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Delta surge forces fresh virus restrictions as England embraces 'Freedom Day'

France and Greece on Monday joined countries that are reimposing tighter Covid-19 restrictions to stem the surge of Delta variant infections threatening the global fight against the pandemic.

The virus has killed more than four million people since first emerging in China in late 2019, and attempts to halt its spread are being hampered by mutations creating highly contagious variants such as Delta, first seen in India.

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3rd Covid wave depends on our behaviour: Virologst Kang

In an interview with DH, noted scientist Gagandeep Kang talks about the expected third wave, the Delta variant and India’s vaccination strategy.

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WHO advises against booster orders amid vaccine dearth

Rich countries should not be ordering booster shots for their vaccinated populations while other countries have yet to receive Covid-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Monday.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said deaths were again rising from the Covid-19 pandemic, the Delta variant was becoming dominant, and many countries had yet to receive enough vaccine doses to protect their health workers.

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New South Wales reports 89 locally acquired Covid cases

New South Wales, Australia's most populous state, reported on Tuesday 89 locally acquired cases of Covid-19, a day after recording the biggest daily rise for this year, as officials fight to contain an outbreak in state capital Sydney.

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FDA adds warning of rare reaction risk to J&J Covid vaccine

US regulators on Monday added a new warning to Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine about links to a rare and potentially dangerous neurological reaction, but said it's not entirely clear the shot caused the problem.

The Food and Drug Administration announced the new warning, flagging reports of Guillain-Barre syndrome, an immune system disorder that can causes muscle weakness and occasionally paralysis. Health officials described the side effect as a “small possible risk" for those getting the shot.

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UK to lift nearly all Covid-19 curbs from July 19

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged people on Monday to show caution when nearly all remaining Covid-19 restrictions are lifted in England next week, saying an increase in cases underlined that the pandemic was by no means over.

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Bharat Biotech expects WHO emergency use listing soon

Bharat Biotech on Monday said it has submitted all documents required for the emergency use listing (EUL) of its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to the World Health Organization and expects a nod at the earliest.

Last week, World Health Organization (WHO) chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan had said that the global health body is likely to take a decision on Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin in the emergency use listing within four to six weeks.

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BMC claims 'Trump treatment' successful for Covid-19

Over 200 coronavirus patients at a civic hospital who were administered monoclonal antibodies showed a remarkable recovery following the treatment, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said on Monday.

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Panama allows Pfizer shot for children aged 12 or above

Panama's health ministry on Monday said it would allow the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 as emergency use for children 12 years old and older but gave no details on when it would start.

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Sydney residents bracing more Covid-19 cases, extended lockdown

Australian authorities warned Sydney residents to brace for an extended period of lockdown as another record daily number of Covid-19 infections in the country's largest city was expected to be announced Tuesday.

The Sydney outbreak, fuelled by the highly contagious Delta variant, has been expanding rapidly despite the city of more than 5 million people entering its third week of lockdown. (Reuters)

Assam reports 2,575 new Covid-19 cases, 37 fatalities

Assam reports 2,575 new Covid-19 cases, 37 fatalities. Infection tally rises to 5,36,238, death toll at 4,865. The state now has 19,594 active cases of the disease. (PTI)

Panama authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-vaccine from 12 of age

Panama's health ministry on Monday said it would allow the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 as emergency use for children 12 years old and older but gave no details on when it would start.

Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine is already authorized for those older than 16 years. (Reuters)