ZyCov-D supplies to begin soon but may not be part of national vaccine programme right away
With Omicron on the prowl and decision pending on vaccinating children, government may wait before using the one crore doses of ZyCoV-D, the only vaccine licensed for use in minors
2 Omicron cases detected in Karnataka, first in India, says health ministry
The infected patients are 66-year-old and 46-year-old persons. Contact tracing is on, government says.
South Africa in talks with Pfizer, Merck for Covid pills amid Omicron concerns
South Africa has the highest number of confirmed cases of the Omicron variant, about 3 million, and 90,000 deaths. This is the country's fourth wave of infections.
India records 9,765 new Covid infections in last 24 hours, active cases rise to 99,763
The death toll climbed to 4,69,724 with 477 fresh fatalities while the country's total caseload rose to 3,46,06,541, according to the health ministry data.
Over a million ASHA workers are teaming up with trade unions to seek higher wages
Several ASHA workers said authorities who earlier assured them better wages, PPE and safe working conditions haven’t kept those promises despite a two-day stoppage last year.
Modi govt tables Assisted Reproductive Technology Bill for regulation of clinics
The bill seeks for the regulation and supervision of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) clinics and ART banks, prevention of misuse, safe and ethical practice of ART services.
On Omicron, keep eye out for changes in hospitalisation rate & mortality: Centre tells states
All samples from hotspots to be genome sequenced. States asked to step up surveillance at airports, but Centre objects to Maharashtra’s decision on testing all passengers.
Active Covid cases in India below 1 lakh after 547 days, lowest since March 2020
The active cases have declined to 99,023 comprising 0.29% of the total infections. With 8,954 new infections, the daily caseload has stayed below 20,000 for 54 straight days.
‘Bruce Lee assault’ — ICMR official explains why Covaxin may have edge against Omicron
Dr Samiran Panda says Covaxin, being a whole virion vaccine, could work better, while there are chances of Omicron escaping targeted vaccines such as those based on the mRNA platform.
World AIDS Day: 57% Indians don’t use contraception, Ahmedabad ranks lowest, survey finds
The survey findings come the same day UNAIDS warns of possible '7.7 million more AIDS-related deaths' in next 10 years.
YourTurn
Rollback of Char Dham Act has a message for all governments — free India’s temples
The Char Dham Devasthanam Board Management Act has been repealed in Uttarakhand. It will have ramifications across India.
Gautam Adani’s disputed mine in Australia shows ditching coal isn’t easy
Proposed in 2010 and stalled by legal challenges, financing setbacks and a sustained campaign from climate activists, the Carmichael operation is set to begin exports before December-end.
Defence
US unlikely to impose CAATSA sanctions on India for S-400, but other Russian deals won’t be easy
The $5.43-bn S-400 ‘Triumf’ missile systems deal is going to be at the centre of the upcoming India visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
What farm laws retreat by Modi govt tells us about ruling India like a CM with brute majority
No matter how dominant BJP is, India is a federation of states and it has CMs in only 12. Agriculture is largely a state issue, and most of India doesn’t follow it unquestioningly.