Virus isolation of the newer variants was in process at the institute, which would help assess vaccine effectiveness and support India’s indigenous efforts for vaccine development.
Kerala has reported the first case of JN.1, a descendant of Omicron with a mutation that makes it more infectious. Experts say JN.1 does not appear worrying, but India needs nation-wide serosurvey.
From researchers retracting study tracing origins of Omicron to Modi govt sparring with WHO over excess Covid deaths, the global scientific fraternity was hit by many a controversy.
Resources are already stretched to the breaking point in many hospitals in the country, as Covid-19 & sickness levels amongst staff have been particularly high, said medical staff.
The country's narrow criteria for identifying Covid-19 deaths will only include deaths caused by pneumonia & respiratory failure, said a leading Chinese medical expert Tuesday.
The first case of BF.7 was detected in October by Gujarat Biotechnology Research Centre. Two cases have been reported from Gujarat & one case from Odisha, according to officials.
Cities scrambled to install hospital beds & build fever screening clinics Tuesday as authorities reported five more deaths, with growing concern about virus mutations among others.
This Omicron sub-lineage may have increased ability to infect people who’ve been infected before, or are vaccinated, according to some scientists. However, there's no govt data on this.
Other key promises in the budget include AI- and other technology-enabled services for farmers and continuation of the Ladki Bahin Yojana, which will have the same outlay.
IRIS Lavan was in the region for the International Fleet Review held last month and ‘sought urgent docking in Kochi citing technical issues,’ it is learnt.
The Pakistani political leadership is weak and devoid of any intellect. Its diplomacy is entirely India-China-US focused and suffers from a presumptive view of Afghanistan as a vassal.
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