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The Health Ministry held a meeting to review the Covid-19 preparedness across the country amid a rise in cases

New Covid variant JN.1: Centre asks citizens to stay alert but not panic

The Health Ministry held a meeting to review the Covid-19 preparedness across the country amid a rise in cases

Amid an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the country, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday reviewed the preparedness of health facilities and impressed upon the states to be alert and increase surveillance.
Assuring the states of receiving all support from the Centre, he said, "We need to be on the alert but there is no need to panic." It is important to be prepared with mock drills of hospital preparedness, increased surveillance and effective communication with people, the minister said.
The health minister stressed on holding mock drills in all hospitals once every three months and urged states to ensure preventive measures are taken during the winter season ahead of festivities.
"There should be no laxity in our preparedness. Health is not an area for any politics. The Union Health Ministry is available for every support," Mandaviya said, adding that it was time to work together in a "whole-of-government" approach.
Mandaviya held the review meeting virtually with health ministers and additional chief principal secretaries (Health) of all states and Union Territories. Representatives of Union ministries and departments concerned also attended the meeting.&nbsp;
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But the ODNI report, as in March, did not dismiss the possibility that Covid-19 was being examined in the Wuhan lab at the time and may have leaked out through carelessness.

Covid-19 created in China's Wuhan lab? US intelligence says

But the ODNI report, as in March, did not dismiss the possibility that Covid-19 was being examined in the Wuhan lab at the time and may have leaked out through carelessness.

The head of US intelligence said Friday that there was no evidence that the Covid-19 virus was created in the Chinese government's Wuhan research lab.
In a declassified report, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) said they had no information backing recent claims that three scientists at the lab were some of the very first infected with Covid-19 and may have created the virus themselves.
Drawing on intelligence collected by various member agencies of the US intelligence community (IC), the ODNI report said some scientists at the Wuhan lab had done genetic engineering of coronaviruses similar to Covid-19.
But the US "has no information" indicating they had done such work on the specific Covid-9 virus, known as SARS-CoV-2, or on any "close progenitor, or a backbone virus that is closely related-enough to have been the source of the pandemic."
The report, made for Congress and carrying an unreleased classified annex, came three months after lawmakers demanded a fuller explanation of US intelligence's information on the origins of the pandemic which erupted at the end of 2019.
Some lawmakers allege that the virus was created out of so-called gain-of-function genetic engineering research at Wuhan, and that Beijing had covered up evidence to show it was a man-made disease.
Reiterating a conclusion announced in March, the ODNI report said "almost all" of its constituent agencies, which include the NSA, the CIA and FBI, assess that Covid-19 was not genetically engineered and most believe as well it was not laboratory-adapted.
But the ODNI report, as in March, did not dismiss the possibility that Covid-19 was being examined in the Wuhan lab at the time and may have leaked out through carelessness.
ODNI said the intelligence community remained divided on whether the pandemic arose from a natural occurence of the virus -- perhaps transferred from animals like bats -- or a from lab leak.
The report said the Wuhan lab had done pathogen research and vaccine development together with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) "for public health needs."
But the coronaviruses used in this research "were too distantly related to have led to the creation of SARS-CoV-2," the report said.
It firmly rejected allegations that Covid-19 was developed by the PLA as a bioweapon.
The ODNI report responded to the allegation that three of the scientists at the Wuhan facility who were working on coronaviruses came down with Covid-19 around just ahead of the outbreak.
It said US intelligence found that several Wuhan researchers did become "mildly" ill in the Fall of 2019.
Some of their symptoms were consistent with Covid-19; other symptoms not consistent, it said.
It also said US intelligence did not know if those who became sick handled live viruses in their work.
"The IC continues to assess that this information neither supports nor refutes either hypothesis of the pandemic's origins because the researchers' symptoms could have been caused by a number of diseases," it said.

WHO made its decision to lower its highest level of alert on Friday, after convening an expert group on Thursday.

Covid-19 no longer global emergency: WHO

WHO made its decision to lower its highest level of alert on Friday, after convening an expert group on Thursday.

The World Health Organization said Friday that COVID-19 no longer qualifies as a global emergency, marking a symbolic end to the devastating coronavirus pandemic that triggered once-unthinkable lockdowns, upended economies worldwide and killed at least 7 million people worldwide.
WHO said that even though the emergency phase was over, the pandemic hasn't come to an end, noting recent spikes in cases in Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The U.N. health agency says that thousands of people are still dying from the virus every week.
WHO made its decision to lower its highest level of alert on Friday, after convening an expert group on Thursday. The U.N. agency doesn't &ldquo;declare&rdquo; pandemics, but first used the term to describe the outbreak in March 2020, when the virus had spread to every continent except Antarctica, long after many other scientists had said a pandemic was already underway.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is at 4.41 crore (4,41,75,135) while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19.

India records 3,641 fresh Covid-19 cases, 11 deaths

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is at 4.41 crore (4,41,75,135) while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19.

India recorded a single-day jump of 3,641 fresh COVID-19 cases as the active caseload rose to 20,219, according to Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The toll has risen to 5,30,892 with 11 deaths -- three from Maharashtra and one each in Delhi, Kerala, Karnataka and Rajasthan -- recorded in a 24-hour span. The toll also includes four deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data stated.
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 6.12 while the weekly positivity was pegged at 2.45 per cent.
The total tally of Covid cases was at 4.47 crore (4,47,26,246).
The active cases now comprise 0.05 per cent of the total infections while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.76 per cent, according to the ministry website.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease is at 4.41 crore (4,41,75,135) while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19.
According to the ministry website, 220.66 crore Covid vaccine doses have been administered under the nationwide vaccination drive so far.&nbsp;

Delhi reported 295 Covid-19 cases on March 30

'Prepared for any eventuality': Delhi CM Kejriwal on rise in Covid-19 cases

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reassured residents of Delhi that they don't need to worry about the surge in Covid cases as the government is prepared for any eventuality.  

Delhi reported 295 Covid-19 cases on March 30

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has reassured residents of Delhi that they don't need to worry about the surge in Covid cases as the government is prepared for any eventuality.&nbsp;
He added that the government has sufficient oxygen cylinders and 7,986 beds for Covid patients are ready in Delhi hospitals.&nbsp;
Kejriwal said the XBB 1.16 variant of Covid is predominant at the moment and accounts for 48 per cent of all positive cases. He added that the variant spreads rapidly but is not severe.&nbsp;
Delhi reported 295 Covid-19 cases on March 30

The court said undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender.

SC directs all convicts, undertrials released during pandemic to surrender in 15 days

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the Covid-19  to surrender within 15 days.

The court said undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender.

The Supreme Court on Friday directed that all convicts and undertrial prisoners, who were released during the Covid-19 pandemic in a move to decongest jails, to surrender within 15 days.
A bench of Justices MR Shah and CT Ravikumar said undertrial prisoners, who were released on emergency bail during the pandemic, can move for regular bail before competent courts after their surrender.
"All the convicts who were released during Covid-19 pandemic after their surrender can move competent courts for suspension of their sentence", the bench said.
Several convicts and undertrial prisoners, mostly those who were booked for non-heinous offences, were released during the pandemic in various states on the recommendations of high-powered committee set up in pursuant to directions of the apex court.&nbsp;

One death each has been reported by Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra in the last 24 hours.

India records 1,300 new Covid-19 cases, highest in 140 days

India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. 

One death each has been reported by Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra in the last 24 hours.

India logged 1,300 new coronavirus cases, the highest in 140 days, while the active cases have increased to 7,605, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
The death toll has increased to 5,30,816 with three deaths. One death each has been reported by Karnataka, Gujarat and Maharashtra, the data updated at 8 am stated.
The daily positivity was recorded at 1.46 per cent while the weekly positivity was pegged at 1.08 per cent.
The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,99, 418).
The active cases now comprises 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said.
A total 92.06 crore tests for detection of Covid has been conducted so far with 89,078 tests being conducted in the last 24 hours.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,41,60,997, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19 per cent. &nbsp;According to the ministry's website, 220.65 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.
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The Chandigarh MP was recently in her constituency inaugurating a slew of projects and meeting community members.

Actor Kirron Kher tests positive for Covid-19

Actor and politician Kirron Kher on Monday tweeted that she has tested positive for Covid-19 

The Chandigarh MP was recently in her constituency inaugurating a slew of projects and meeting community members.

Actor and politician Kirron Kher on Monday tweeted that she has tested positive for Covid-19 and requested anyone who has come in contact with her to get tested.
The Chandigarh MP was recently in her constituency inaugurating a slew of projects and meeting community members.&nbsp;
Kher is a cancer survivor. She was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer.&nbsp;
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The revised guidelines were issued on Sunday amid an uptick in coronavirus cases

Antibiotics should only be used for Covid-19 in case of bacterial infection: Centre

Antibiotics should not be used in Covid cases unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection, according to a revised guidelines issued by Centre

The revised guidelines were issued on Sunday amid an uptick in coronavirus cases

Antibiotics should not be used in Covid cases unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection, according to a revised guideline for the treatment of adult coronavirus patients issued by the Centre.
The revised guidelines, issued on Sunday amid an uptick in coronavirus cases, stated that drugs such as Lopinavir-ritonavir, hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin, Molnupiravir, Favipiravir, Azithromycin and Doxycycline should not be used for the treatment of adult COVID-19 patients in India.
The AIIMS/ICMR-COVID-19 National Task Force met on January 5 to revise the clinical guidance protocol. It has also advised doctors not to use convalescent plasma therapy.
"Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. Possibility of co-infection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered," the guidelines said. &nbsp;Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, &nbsp;Remdesivir may be considered for up to five days. It should be started within 10 days of onset of symptoms in those having moderate to severe disease with a high risk of progression (requiring supplemental oxygen) but who are not on IMV or ECMO.
There is no evidence of benefit for the treatment of more than five days and is not to be used in patients who are not on oxygen support or in a home setting, the guidelines stated.
Besides, in rapidly progressing moderate or severe disease, Tocilizumab should be considered preferably within 24-48 hours of the onset of severe disease/ICU admission.
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India saw a single-day rise of over 1,000 fresh COVID-19 cases on Sunday after 129 days. On Monday, the country reported a single-day rise of 918 cases while the active caseload has increased to 6,350.

Centre advised these states to examine the situation of COVID-19 at micro-level and maintain focus on implementation of necessary measures

6 states see rise in Covid cases, Centre issues advisory

The Centre on Thursday asked six states  to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 infections

Centre advised these states to examine the situation of COVID-19 at micro-level and maintain focus on implementation of necessary measures

The Centre on Thursday asked six states -- Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka -- to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19 infections, citing a possible localised spread of the virus.
"There are a few states which are reporting higher numbers of cases indicating possible localised spread of infection," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan has said in a letter to these states.
Bhushan advised these states to examine the situation of COVID-19 at micro-level and maintain focus on implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of the disease, duly ensuring effective compliance with various advisories issued by the Ministry of Health.
Asking the states to keep a strict watch, he mentioned that India has observed a significant decline in the number of COVID-19 cases during the past few months.
However, since the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases being reported in the week ending March 8 and the figure rising to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15.
"There is a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic," Bhushan wrote.
He stressed on monitoring new and emerging clusters of new COVID-19 cases, influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) cases in all health facilities or through dedicated fever clinics on a regular basis for detecting early warning signals of the spread of infection.
He also stressed on genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of international passengers, collection of samples from sentinel sites (identified health facilities), and local clusters of cases, proactive promotion to increase administration of precaution dose for all eligible beneficiaries and following Covid-appropriate behaviour particularly in enclosed spaces and in crowded spaces.
"It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control emerging spread of infection," Bhushan said.
He mentioned that Maharashtra has reported an increase in weekly cases from 355 in the week ending March 8 to 668 in the week ending March 15. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.92 per cent in the week ending March 15 which is higher than India's positivity rate of 0.61 per cent during the same period.
Gujarat has reported an increase in weekly cases from 105 in the week ending March 8 to 279 in the week ending March 15, the letter stated. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.11 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Telangana has reported an increase in weekly cases from 132 in the week ending March 8 to 267 in week ending March 15. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 0.31 per cent in the week ending March 15.
According to the letter, Tamil Nadu has reported an increase in weekly cases from 170 in the week ending March 8 to 258 in the week ending March 15. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 1.99 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Kerala has reported an increase in weekly cases from 434 to 579 during the period. Further, the state reported a positivity rate of 2.64 per cent in the week ending March 15.
Karnataka has reported an increase in weekly cases from 493 to 604 during the period. The state reported a positivity rate of 2.77 per cent in the week ending March 15

For most of the pandemic, people in Hong Kong have been required to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public areas. Violators could be fined 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($637).

 Hong Kong to lift Covid mask mandate on Wednesday

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, ending the city's last major restriction imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

For most of the pandemic, people in Hong Kong have been required to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public areas. Violators could be fined 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($637).

Hong Kong will lift its mask mandate Wednesday, ending the city's last major restriction imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The city's Chief Executive John Lee said the requirement will end outdoors and indoors, including public transit, but some high-risk premises including hospitals and elderly homes can still require people to wear masks.
Lee's announcement at a news briefing Tuesday came a day after the neighboring city Macao eased its mask rule and will bring the financial hub closer to life in pre-pandemic days.
He said he made the decision because the city did not see a rebound in infections and has built an immunity barrier.
&ldquo;In order to give people a very clear message that Hong Kong is resuming normalcy, I think this is the right time to make the decision,&rdquo; he said.
He said the return to normalcy would be beneficial to Hong Kong's economic development and international competitiveness.
For most of the pandemic, people in Hong Kong have been required to wear a mask in indoor and outdoor public areas. Violators could be fined 5,000 Hong Kong dollars ($637).
Hong Kong had largely followed China's &ldquo;zero-COVID&rdquo; strategy over the last three years and used to have some of the world's strictest anti-virus rules. In the last six months, the government has taken bigger steps to open up in an attempt to revive its economy and catch up with its rivals such as Singapore.

People who got the Covid-19 vaccine reported slightly longer menstrual cycles, according to a new study. 

Covid-19 vaccination affects menstrual cycle: Study

New study says Covid-19 jab affects menstrual cycle

People who got the Covid-19 vaccine reported slightly longer menstrual cycles, according to a new study.&nbsp;

A study of nearly 20,000 people around the world observed that the Covid-19 vaccine can increase the cycle length and change the timing of the menstrual cycle. The research was published in the BMJ Medicine journal.&nbsp;
For the study, the team looked at over 250,000 cycles between October 1, 2020 and November 7, 2021. Participants had received vaccines including AstraZeneca, Covishield, Johnson &amp; Johnson, Covaxin, Sputnik, Pfizer and Moderna.&nbsp;
The findings suggested that the average increase in cycle length was four days and 13 percent experienced a delay of eight days or more. Researchers also observed that people who received two vaccinations within one menstrual cycle experienced greater disruptions.&nbsp;
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The effects of COVID-19 infection on the thyroid gland can remain even after one year, according to a recent study.

Covid-19 and thyroid: Know the effects of Covid-19 on thyroid gland 

Does Covid-19 impact the thyroid gland? Find out!

The effects of Covid-19 infection on the thyroid gland can remain even after one year, according to a recent study.

According to a recent study, the effects of Covid-19 infection on the thyroid gland can remain even after one year. The study was presented during the 24th European Congress of Endocrinology.
Pertinently, the thyroid function is crucial for metabolism, growth and development. By continuously releasing a stable amount of thyroid hormones, it aids in the regulation of numerous body functions.
For the study, researchers examined more than 100 patients admitted to the hospital with severe Covid-19. They analysed their thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) to better characterise thyroid involvement and tracked its progression over time.
Researchers observed a clear link between thyroid dysfunction and Covid-19 infection. They also found that severe Covid-19 disease impacts thyroid function through a variety of mechanisms.&nbsp;
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Places across the world that have legalised cannabis appear to have increased its regular use, according to a  UN report. 

Cannabis use has risen with legalisation and Covid-19 lockdowns: UN report

Places across the world that have legalised cannabis appear to have increased its regular use, according to a &nbsp;UN report.&nbsp;

According to a recent UN report, Cannabis use has widely increased in countries that have legalised the drug. The regular intake of the drug also rose during the Covid-19 lockdowns, raising the risk of depression and suicide, the report added.&nbsp;
Various U.S states have legalised non-medical the use of cannabis including Washington and Colorado. Other countries including Canada have taken similar steps.&nbsp;
While cannabis has been the world&rsquo;s most widely used drug, the content of the drug is also getting stronger. As per the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) annual World Drug Report, roughly 284 million people or 5.6 per cent of the world&rsquo;s population consumed drugs such as heroin, cocaine and ecstasy in 2020. Of those, 209 million used cannabis.&nbsp;
The consumption of cannabis among teenagers has not changed much but the drug use has majorly increased among young adults, the report concluded.&nbsp;
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Munmun Majhi and her 10-year-old son were rushed to a hospital and admitted to a psychiatric ward for treatment.

Gurugram: woman locks self, son for 3 years in house to escape Covid

A 33-year-old woman, who had locked herself and her minor son for three years in their house in Gurugram to avoid COVID-19 were rescued by the police on February 21.

Munmun Majhi and her 10-year-old son were rushed to a hospital and admitted to a psychiatric ward for treatment.

A 33-year-old woman, who had locked herself and her minor son for three years in their rented house in Gurugram to avoid COVID-19, was brought out of confinement on Tuesday by a team of officials, police said.
A team of police, health department officials and members of the child welfare department broke open the main door of the house and rescued Munmun Majhi and her 10-year-old son, they said.
The mother-son duo was rushed to the civil hospital.&nbsp;
&ldquo;The woman has some psychological issues. Both of them are referred to PGI, Rohtak where they are admitted to psychiatric ward for treatment,&rdquo; said Dr Virender Yadav, Civil Surgeon, Gurugram.
The matter came to light on February 17 when Munmun's husband Sujan Majhi, who is an engineer with a private company, approached assistant sub-inspector Praveen Kumar deployed at Chakkarpur police post.
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During the three years of confinement with her son, the woman did not allow even her husband into the house after he stepped out to go to office when restrictions eased after the first lockdown in 2020, police said.
Sujan spent the first few days with friends and relatives and after failing to persuade his wife, he started to stay in another rented accommodation in the same locality.
Sujan said that video calls were the only way to stay in touch with his wife and son. He would pay the monthly rent of the house, clear the electricity bills, deposit his son's school fees, buy groceries and vegetables and even leave the bags of ration outside the main door.
&ldquo;Initially, I didn't believe Sujan's claims, but when he made me talk to his wife and son over a video call, I intervened in the matter. The house where the woman was living had accumulated so much filth and garbage that if a few more days had passed, anything untoward could have happened,&rdquo; ASI Kumar told PTI.
The woman's son had not even seen the sun in the last three years, Kumar said, adding that she did not even use cooking gas and storage water during these three years in fear of Covid.
Sujan was overwhelmed to have his wife and son after three years, and thanked the police.
"Now they are being treated and I hope my life will be back on track soon,&rdquo; he said.

China is seeing an unprecedented Covid wave, which has seen hospitals and morgues overwhelmed, and an alleged caseload of 1 million per day. How likely is India to be affected? And how should we prepare?

The India Story | China’s Covid wave: How should India prepare?

China is seeing an unprecedented Covid wave, which has seen hospitals and morgues overwhelmed, and an alleged caseload of 1 million per day. How likely is India to be affected? And how should we prepare?

After China abruptly ended its &lsquo;zero Covid&rsquo; policies amid nationwide protests, the country has been caught unprepared. Although data coming from China remains unclear, reports indicate that the country is seeing around 1 million cases and 5,000 deaths per day. By March, it could see more than 4 million cases per day.
The BF.7 Omicron variant has been blamed for this sudden wave of cases. The variant has also led to case surges in countries like the UK, US, France, and Denmark. However, while India remains prepared and vigilant, experts say that there is no reason to panic.&nbsp;
On this week&rsquo;s episode of The India Story, Vikram Chandra speaks with Dr Arvinder Singh Soin, Chairman, Medanta Liver Transplant Institute, on how likely it is for India to see a surge due to BF.7, and how citizens can keep themselves vigilant.&nbsp;
We also speak to Dr. Li-Meng Yan, Independent Coronavirus Expert, on the possible origins of the current Covid wave in China.

Anti-lockdown protests in China have backed Xi Jinping’s regime into a corner. Are winds of change blowing, or will a clampdown cause the protests to fizzle out? 

The India Story | China Covid protests: Xi Jinping regime backed into a corner?

Anti-lockdown protests in China have backed Xi Jinping&rsquo;s regime into a corner. Are winds of change blowing, or will a clampdown cause the protests to fizzle out?&nbsp;

Not being able to leave your house for work, shortages of medicines, and going hungry if food can&rsquo;t be delivered - many of the hallmarks of Covid-affected lockdown life are now a thing of the past in most of the world. But not in China.
China&rsquo;s &lsquo;zero Covid&rsquo; policies have kept its population in lockdown for nearly three years - and they are at breaking point. Widespread anger over the curbs has led to the CCP facing the boldest and most emphatic protests China has seen in years. Along with an end to the curbs, some protesters are now beginning to demand more - like democracy, and freedom.
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Xi Jinping has staked his personal authority on &lsquo;zero Covid&rsquo;, which his autocratic regime cannot afford to back down from. As calls for him to step down are heard on the streets of China&rsquo;s major cities, has the government backed itself into a corner it can&rsquo;t get out of? Are the protests a turning point in China&rsquo;s history - or will they fizzle out under a strict clampdown from authorities?
In this week&rsquo;s episode of The India Story, Vikram Chandra discusses the situation in China with leading international experts. Catch The India Story live on Fridays at 8PM.

Covid-19 positive outpatients are at a higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders compared with those who tested negative for the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study. 

Covid-19 patients at a higher risk of Alzheimer's, stroke: Study 

Covid-19 positive outpatients are at a higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders, according to a study. 

Covid-19 positive outpatients are at a higher risk of neurodegenerative disorders compared with those who tested negative for the virus, according to a study.&nbsp;

According to a study presented at the &nbsp;European Academy of Neurology (EAN), Covid-19 patients are at an increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer&rsquo;s, Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and ischaemic stroke.
For the study, researchers analysed the health records of 9,19,731 individuals from February 2020 to November 2021. They used statistical techniques to calculate relative risk and results were stratified for hospitalisation status, age, sex and comorbidities.
As per the findings, 43,375 people who tested positive had 3.5 times increased risk of being diagnosed with Alzheimer&rsquo;s disease, 2.6 times higher risk of Parkinson&rsquo;s disease and 2.7 times with ischaemic stroke.&nbsp;
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Coronavirus may survive for 30 days on refrigerated, frozen meat and fish, the study says.

Covid virus may survive for a month on frozen meat, says study 

Coronavirus may survive for 30 days on refrigerated, frozen meat and fish, the study says.

According to a recent study, the Covid-19 causing SARS-CoV-2 virus may survive on meat and fish products in the fridge or freezer for up to 30 days.&nbsp;
Published in the journal Applied and Environmental Microbiology, the research was conducted using chicken, beef, pork, salmon and surrogate viruses with spikes similar to those on SARS-CoV-2.&nbsp;
The team found that the Covid-19 virus can survive within various refrigerated or frozen meat products for a month. They also observed that the virus can replicate within the gut, as well as in the respiratory tract.
Continued efforts are needed to prevent contamination of food and food processing surfaces to prevent Covid-19 infection, researchers suggested.&nbsp;
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Chinese embassy added that the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory measures on entrance by China” to the country.

China suspends visas for South Koreans, Japanese in retaliation to Covid curbs

China suspended issuing visas on Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, according to the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.

Chinese embassy added that the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its &ldquo;discriminatory measures on entrance by China&rdquo; to the country.

China suspended issuing visas on Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, according to a notice posted by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
Japan's Kyodo News service said the ban would also affect Japanese travellers. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the government was aware of the report and was holding unofficial discussions with Chinese authorities about measures being considered by Beijing.
It would be &ldquo;regrettable&rdquo; if restrictions are imposed, the official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The brief notice, published on the embassy WeChat account, said the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its &ldquo;discriminatory measures on entrance by China&rdquo; to the country.
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No other details were given, although China has threatened to retaliate against countries that require travellers from China to show a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within the previous 48 hours.
The announcement appeared to apply only to new applicants, and said nothing about South Koreans currently holding visas.
Withholding visas from Korean or Japanese business-people could delay the revival of fully fledged commercial activity and potential new investments following China's abrupt lifting of anti-virus controls.
Business groups warned earlier that global companies were shifting investment plans away from China because it was too hard for foreign executives to visit. A handful of foreign auto and other executives have visited China over the past three years, but companies have relied on Chinese employees or managers already in the country to run their operations.
A South Korean restaurant owner in Beijing said the announcement forced friends to postpone plans to visit China. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern his business might be affected. He added that he is preparing to renew his own Chinese work visa and doesn't know whether that will be affected.
China has yet to say when it might resume issuing tourist visas on a large scale.
In a phone call with his South Korean counterpart, Park Jin, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang &ldquo;expressed concern" about the measures taken by South Korea and said he &ldquo;hopes that the South Korean side will uphold an objective and scientific attitude".
China's move appeared to be grounded in its demands that its citizens be treated the same as those of other country. Around a dozen countries have followed the US in requiring negative tests for travellers coming from China, which has lifted most of its &ldquo;zero-COVID&rdquo; restrictions for the first time in three years but also has been experiencing a major outbreak since last month.
At a daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin defended China's anti-pandemic measures, adding that &ldquo;Regrettably, a handful of countries, in disregard of science and facts and the reality at home, have insisted on taking discriminatory entry restriction measures targeting China. China firmly rejected this and took reciprocal measures".
Wang did not respond directly to questions about the suspension of visa issuance to South Koreans and Japanese, saying only that he had &ldquo;made it very clear".
The World Health Organisation and several nations have accused China of withholding data on its outbreak. The testing requirements are aimed at identifying potential virus variants carried by travellers.
China's ambassador to Australia said the response of those nations to China's COVID-19 outbreak hadn't been proportionate or constructive.
Xiao Qian told reporters in Canberra that China had shifted its strategy late last year from preventing infections to preventing severe cases. He said countries should use a science-based response.
&ldquo;Entry restrictions, if they're targeted at China, they're unnecessary,&rdquo; the ambassador told reporters.
&ldquo;If you look at some other countries in the world and their policies toward China, I mean, their responsible measures toward China (are) not constructive. It's not based on science. It's not proportionate,&rdquo; he said.
The online notice at the embassy in Seoul did not say why China singled out South Korea for retaliation, although president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's deeply nationalistic government has long resented Seoul's alliance with the US.
The once-cordial ties between South Korea and its biggest trading partner soured after China targeted businesses, sports teams and even K-pop groups to protest deployment of an advanced US anti-missile system in South Korea.
China fought on the side of North Korea in the 1950-1953 war and has remained a supporter of Pyongyang amid its missile launches and nuclear tests, and has opposed further sanctions against Kim Jong Un's hardline communist regime.
China abruptly reversed its strict pandemic containment requirements last month in response to what it says was the changing nature of the outbreak. That came after three years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing that prompted protests on the street in Beijing and other major cities not seen in three decades.
The most optimistic forecasts say China's business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.
The abrupt decision by Xi's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery, but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.
China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalisations in major cities and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush, set to get underway in coming days.
While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year, bringing overall numbers close to those of the 2019 holiday period, before the pandemic hit.

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