Kaunain Sheriff M

“It is true that tourism and business have been greatly affected due to corona. But today, I will say very strongly that it is a matter of grave concern to see people without masks in the market and not following the protocol in hill stations. This is not right,” he said.

Data tracked by the Union Health Ministry show that of the 58 districts that reported a positivity rate higher than 10 per cent between July 5 and July 11, as many as 37 were from the Northeast.

Union Home Secretary A K Bhalla and Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan held a meeting with top officials of Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.

Responding to a question on the daily new cases graph that has plateaued over the last two weeks, Dr V K Paul said on Friday that the slow rate of decline was an indicator that the virus could take the “upper hand” if the current situation did not change.

These are among the key components to be funded through phase-II of the Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health Preparedness package, the Union Cabinet announced.

His departure is one of the strongest signals on the handling of the ferocious second Covid-19 wave — to the government’s detractors, it is an admission of its failure; and to its supporters, a much-needed course correction to reassure the country.

According to the health ministry, 73 districts in India reported a positivity rate of over 10 per cent for the June 29-July 5 week.

The 6.77 crore doses administered in the 13 days from June 21 to July 3 represents a 67 per cent increase in vaccinations over the preceding 13-day period, that is June 8-20.

The Union Health Ministry accepted the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) to allow pregnant women to make an “informed choice” on taking the vaccine.

Pregnant women in India are now eligible for vaccination against Covid-19. Can there be side effects? Are certain pregnant women to be excluded? A look at the Health Ministry guidelines.

With 49 per cent of India's vulnerable population of age 60 and above having been given at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, the Prime Minister praised doctors — who were the first to be administered the shots — for playing a crucial role in encouraging vaccine “enthusiasm and confidence” in the country.

While the government said details on the quantity of doses to be imported to India by Cipla are still under consideration, The Indian Express has learnt that the vaccine is initially expected to be provided to India in limited quantities — as donations by the US drug maker.

“A different formula was used by the Delhi government, which is why the discrepancy was there. And there was a presentation which looked at the actual consumption, which was also less than the demand,” he said.

In its affidavit, the Centre said that based on supply estimates, it estimates 51.6 crore cumulative vaccinations by the end of July.

Data released by the Health Ministry showed that the Delta variant was present in 52 districts across the country in March, and had spread to 174 districts by June.

In talks over supply of their vaccines in India, Pfizer and Moderna are seeking indemnity against costs of compensation for adverse events. Which countries provide such indemnity, and what is the law in India?

A total 56.09 lakh doses of vaccines were given to recipients in rural India, close to double the 31.99 lakh shots that were administered in urban centres, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

Covid 19 Delta Plus Variant in India: Delta Plus variant or B.1.617.2.1 is closely related to the Delta variant, a major contributor to the second wave of Covid-19 in India.

Covid vaccination: Under the government's new vaccination policy that came into effect on Monday, the Centre will procure 75 per cent of the vaccine stock from the open market and distribute it to states, to be administered free to everyone of age 18 years or older at government vaccination centres.

Top government sources, part of the team monitoring the Covid-19 vaccination drive, said states will be informed that 75 percent of the 13.5 crore doses will be made available free of cost in July for advance planning.

AIIMS chief Randeep Guleria told The Sunday Express that the next three months will be crucial for India and the emergence of cases in the UK is a “red flag”.

Referring to data from Christian Medical College, Vellore — 8,991 vaccinated healthcare workers, including those who received only one dose — Dr V K Paul underlined that the role of vaccines in preventing ICU admission was as high as 94 per cent

The recombinant nanoparticle protein-based vaccine — NVX-CoV2373 — developed by the American biotechnology firm has been branded Covovax in India.

The data shows that 3.28 per cent of the cases in the first wave were in the 1-10 age group, compared to 3.05 per cent this time.