In its weekly bulletin, Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium says Delta plus variant does not have significantly increased immune escape properties compared to the Delta variant.
The study is the first to report hospitalisation risk for the Delta vs Alpha variants based on cases confirmed by whole-genome sequencing, the most accurate way to determine the virus variant.
AY.12 is, at present, the most dominant strain in Israel — 51% of samples studied have shown the prevalence of this variant. In India, the first sample of AY.12 was found on 7 Sep 2020.
The ICMR study was conducted on 354 vaccinated patients of whom 241 had taken one dose, and 113 had taken two. Study also included 185 unvaccinated Covid patients.
The study results may fuel calls to give booster shots to the fully vaccinated. While UK is still deciding, US says those who got both doses will get a third shot after 8 months.
New variants like Delta, which are more transmissible and have been shown to evade protections in some cases, are moving the bar for herd immunity near impossibly high levels.
Researchers found the death rate in India among Covid patients with at least one existing health condition was 5.7%, compared to 0.7% in those otherwise healthy.
The Delta Plus variant, also known as AY.1 and designated as a variant of concern in India, has been detected in the genome sequence of a Mumbai woman who died of Covid on 27 July.
The 63-year-old woman was fully vaccinated and died in July. Her 6 close contacts have tested positive for Covid, of which two are infected with Delta+ variant, according to BMC.
Delhi Health Minister Jain also said Centre has not yet asked for data on deaths due to shortage of oxygen and that a new sero survey will be undertaken in the national capital soon.
Trump’s OBBB is framed to augment domestic semiconductor production and enhance trade protection, even at the expense of certain social programs such as Medicaid, food stamps, and student loans, as well as a projected ballooning federal deficit from US$2.8 to 3.3 trillion
New bill aims to fix key issues with IBC 2016, including delays & patchy implementation, and protect creditors, with window for genuine promoters to retain control of their companies.
Under joint venture, JSW Sarbloh Motors will indigenise and manufacture TX range ATVs in Chandigarh. The first India-assembled unit is expected by early 2026.
Now that both IAF and PAF have made formal claims of having shot down the other’s aircraft in the 87-hour war in May, we can ask a larger question: do such numbers really matter?
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