News for 'Infection Prevention and Control'

BMC nixes report of surge in COVID-19 cases by May

BMC nixes report of surge in COVID-19 cases by May

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

A section of media had reported said that a five-member central team, which is on a visit to Mumbai, has projected that the number of COVID-19 cases in the metropolis will touch an estimated 42,604 by April 30 and spiral to 6,56,40 by May 15.

Trump rallies led to 700 COVID-19 deaths: Study

Trump rallies led to 700 COVID-19 deaths: Study

Rediff.com1 Nov 2020

In the study titled 'The Effects of Large Group Meetings on the Spread of COVID-19: The Case of Trump Rallies', researchers concluded 18 rallies by Trump held between June 20 and September 22 "ultimately resulted in more than 30,000 incremental confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 'likely led to more than 700 deaths', which may not necessarily have been among attendees.

Coronavirus: Swaminarayan sect shuts all temples globally

Coronavirus: Swaminarayan sect shuts all temples globally

Rediff.com14 Mar 2020

'To prevent large gatherings, BAPS mandirs (temples) will be closed throughout the world, but devotees will be given daily darshan through the websites of each mandir,' the BAPS said in a media release.

Facebook deletes Trump's post claiming children are 'immune' to Covid

Facebook deletes Trump's post claiming children are 'immune' to Covid

Rediff.com6 Aug 2020

The Trump campaign accused Facebook of "flagrant bias."

COVID-19: How The RAT Can Help

COVID-19: How The RAT Can Help

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

'Serial testing is much more valuable than a single test which reflects just a point in time.'

At 2.18%, India's COVID-19 fatality rate among lowest: Vardhan

At 2.18%, India's COVID-19 fatality rate among lowest: Vardhan

Rediff.com31 Jul 2020

Chairing the 19th meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on COVID-19 through video-conference on Friday, Vardhan said India has achieved the milestone of more than 10 lakh recoveries, a recovery rate to 64.54 per cent.

'Malaysia strain' COVID-19 virus no cause for concern

'Malaysia strain' COVID-19 virus no cause for concern

Rediff.com20 Aug 2020

While some reports claim the mutation is capable of enhancing the infectivity of the virus, this is not well established and also does not necessarily indicate more virulence or harmfulness of the disease.

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective

Moderna says its COVID-19 vaccine is 94.5% effective

Rediff.com16 Nov 2020

Cambridge, Massachusetts-based Moderna's announcement comes just a week after Pfizer and Biontech said their COVID-19 vaccine candidate was found to be more than 90 per cent effective in preventing COVID-19 in participants.

Ramdev's Patanjali claims to have COVID-19 medicine; Govt frowns

Ramdev's Patanjali claims to have COVID-19 medicine; Govt frowns

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

While Ramdev claimed that Ayurved-based 'Coronil and Swasari' medicine have shown 100 per cent favourable results during clinical trials on COVID-19 infected patients except those on a life support system, the Ayush Ministry sought from the company detailed report on composition, testing and other data of the drugs.

Coronavirus death toll in China crosses 1,000

Coronavirus death toll in China crosses 1,000

Rediff.com11 Feb 2020

The death toll due to nCoV rose to 1,016 and the confirmed cases have gone up to 42,638, according to the commission.

'We have tided over the crisis in this part of the country, hopefully'

'We have tided over the crisis in this part of the country, hopefully'

Rediff.com15 May 2021

'In the second wave, probably due to the mutants, probably due to COVID-19-inappropriate behaviour, we are seeing it coming in the younger population, say from ages 30 to 50.' 'Also, we've seen that sometimes they deteriorate pretty rapidly and therefore we may need to keep a closer watch on the symptoms and on the oxygen levels at home.'

Pfizer says its Covid vaccine is 95% effective in final trials

Pfizer says its Covid vaccine is 95% effective in final trials

Rediff.com18 Nov 2020

Pfizer and BioNTech said they have concluded phase 3 study of their mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate BNT162b2, meeting all primary efficacy endpoints.

'Yoga from home' to mark this year's International Yoga Day in US

'Yoga from home' to mark this year's International Yoga Day in US

Rediff.com14 Jun 2020

For health enthusiasts in the US, popular yoga guru Baba Ramdev is scheduled to conduct a virtual session on common yoga protocol with postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation during an online event organised by the Indian Consulate in Houston in collaboration with various community organisations.

5 health problems that are worse than kidney stones

5 health problems that are worse than kidney stones

Rediff.com18 Mar 2019

Do not ignore any pain, burning sensation, fever or vomitting. If unattended, it could be fatal, says Dr Amjad Khan Pathan.

Lockdown will no longer help in COVID-19 fight: Virologist

Lockdown will no longer help in COVID-19 fight: Virologist

Rediff.com23 May 2020

Shahid Jameel, recipient of Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology, also said that the country had already reached community transmission a long time ago.

India Sitting on COVID Time Bomb

India Sitting on COVID Time Bomb

Rediff.com12 Aug 2021

Whether the third wave will ravage us depends on the pace of vaccinations, careful and calibrated opening up of establishments, and a strategy to contain the spread in specific states or pockets.

US: First batch of COVID-19 vaccine roll out of Pfizer plant

US: First batch of COVID-19 vaccine roll out of Pfizer plant

Rediff.com14 Dec 2020

The vaccine arrives at a critical moment for the US. Hospitalisations due to COVID-19 hit record highs for the seventh day in a row on Saturday.

How bats offer clues to combat COVID-19

How bats offer clues to combat COVID-19

Rediff.com13 Jul 2020

While bats are the ancestral hosts to many deadly viruses affecting humans such as Ebola, rabies, and the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, the flying mammals themselves tolerate these pathogens without ill effects

Virus with no vaccine claims 3 lives in Kerala

Virus with no vaccine claims 3 lives in Kerala

Rediff.com21 May 2018

Nipah virus infection is a newly emerging zoonosis that causes severe disease in both animals and humans.

4,291 COVID-19 cases linked to Markaz event: Govt

4,291 COVID-19 cases linked to Markaz event: Govt

Rediff.com18 Apr 2020

Addressing a daily media briefing to give updates on the COVID-19 situation in the country, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said most of the Markaz event-related cases have been found in states with high burden of the disease, such as Tamil Nadu (84 per cent), Telengana (79 per cent), Delhi (63 per cent), Uttar Pradesh (59 per cent) and Andhra Pradesh (61 per cent).

China coronavirus toll up to 170; cases soar to 7,711

China coronavirus toll up to 170; cases soar to 7,711

Rediff.com30 Jan 2020

The coronavirus outbreak began in Wuhan, capital of China's Hubei province, in December and has now spread across the globe. The Chinese authorities are trying to contain the epidemic while other countries, including India, are working on plans to evacuate their citizens from Wuhan and other cities in Hubei province, the epicentre of the outbreak.

'People are dying. We are helpless'

'People are dying. We are helpless'

Rediff.com17 May 2021

'Some VIP or minister should come to the ward and see how people are suffering.' 'The pain and suffering of the relatives of the patients who are admitted; let them hear their desperate pleas for medicines and oxygen and ventilators and ICU beds; the cries of the kith and kin of doctors and nurses who are being eaten by the pandemic.'

Over 500 COVID-19 cases reported in 5 paramilitary forces

Over 500 COVID-19 cases reported in 5 paramilitary forces

Rediff.com9 May 2020

The border guarding force has the maximum confirmed cases of the disease among the Central Armed Police Forces, also known as paramilitary forces.

COVID-19 doubling rate 11 days, fatality 3.2%: Govt

COVID-19 doubling rate 11 days, fatality 3.2%: Govt

Rediff.com30 Apr 2020

Also, the recovery rate in COVID-19 patients has progressively improved from 13.06 per cent to over 25 per cent in the country over the last 14 days. Addressing a press briefing, Joint Secretary in the ministry Lav Agarwal said the doubling rate of COVID-19 cases in several states is better than the national average.

'Everybody need not rush to hospital'

'Everybody need not rush to hospital'

Rediff.com7 Jan 2022

'If your oxygen saturation is okay and is maintained after the six-minute walk test -- which has been described all over the world -- and you do not have an unrelenting fever, then you can even be managed at home.'

No decision on T20 World Cup before July, says NZ cricket boss

No decision on T20 World Cup before July, says NZ cricket boss

Rediff.com23 Apr 2020

Fairfax media said on Thursday that Cricket Australia had discussed postponing the T20 World Cup to February as part of scenario-planning.

China closes makeshift hospitals as virus cases plunge

China closes makeshift hospitals as virus cases plunge

Rediff.com9 Mar 2020

The overall confirmed cases on the mainland reached 80,735 by the end of Sunday which included 3,119 people who have died so far.

Hong Kong's COVID-19 lessons for the world

Hong Kong's COVID-19 lessons for the world

Rediff.com22 Apr 2020

'The rate of transmission of COVID-19 in Hong Kong was 0.7 -- anything below 1 suggests the epidemic is receding.' 'The city-State achieved this without the de facto police-State curfew that India has resorted to,' says Rahul Jacob.

Nipah patient stable, says Kerala Health Minister

Nipah patient stable, says Kerala Health Minister

Rediff.com5 Jun 2019

A total of 311 people from various districts are under observation, Health Minister K K Shailaja said.

Pandemic moving eastwards, says Govt; reviews situation with 5 states

Pandemic moving eastwards, says Govt; reviews situation with 5 states

Rediff.com5 May 2021

A rise in the number of daily COVID-19 cases and mortality has been observed in Assam, West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar and Jharkhand, indicating the pandemic is moving eastwards, the Union health ministry said.

Delhi should prepare for 15,000 daily covid cases during winter: Report

Delhi should prepare for 15,000 daily covid cases during winter: Report

Rediff.com9 Oct 2020

"Coming festivals (Chhat, Puja, Dussehra, Deepavali, Id, Xmas, New year) pose a huge challenge in the pandemic control. It has been seen that Onam in Kerala and Ganesh Chaturthi in Maharashtra escalated the pandemic seriously. This must not be allowed to happen in Delhi," the report stated.

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

New Covid strain: MHA retains curbs in latest guidelines

Rediff.com28 Dec 2020

In a statement, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said it has issued fresh guidelines for surveillance with regard to COVID-19 that will remain in force till January 31, as it asked the states and union territories to keep a strict vigil to prevent any rise in cases during the New Year celebrations and the winter season.

Delhi unlock: Markets, malls, shrines to open daily

Delhi unlock: Markets, malls, shrines to open daily

Rediff.com13 Jun 2021

Restaurants with 50 per cent capacity, weekly markets and religious places will reopen in Delhi from June 14, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Sunday, saying the COVID-19 situation has significantly come under control in the city.

Nipah resurfaces in Kerala; student 1st case this year

Nipah resurfaces in Kerala; student 1st case this year

Rediff.com4 Jun 2019

The results of blood samples of the student, which were tested at the National Institute of Virology in Pune, have confirmed Nipah, she said.

Beijing shuts down markets after 6 new COVID-19 cases reported

Beijing shuts down markets after 6 new COVID-19 cases reported

Rediff.com13 Jun 2020

China's National Health Commission, (NHC) said on Saturday that 18 new confirmed coronavirus cases were reported in the country on Friday, including six domestically-transmitted cases in Beijing. Also on Friday, seven new asymptomatic cases were reported, taking the total number of such people in quarantine to 98, it said.

Zika virus cases in Rajasthan rise to 51

Zika virus cases in Rajasthan rise to 51

Rediff.com13 Oct 2018

The Zika virus has already been found in some mosquitoes taken as samples from Sindhi Camp while few mosquitoes collected from densely populated Shastri Nagar had already been found to be carriers of the virus leading to suspicion they are behind the spread of the infection.

Using contact lenses? Read this

Using contact lenses? Read this

Rediff.com17 May 2006

Air pollution spreads Covid faster, govt officials tell Parl panel

Air pollution spreads Covid faster, govt officials tell Parl panel

Rediff.com6 Nov 2020

Air pollution may lead to a faster spread of Covid-19 infection as it causes coughing and sneezing, government officials told a parliamentary panel on Friday, according to sources.

China exonerates itself in whitepaper on COVID-19

China exonerates itself in whitepaper on COVID-19

Rediff.com7 Jun 2020

A whitepaper released by the Chinese government gave a lengthy explanation to refute the allegations of cover up and delay by Beijing on reporting the COVID-19 outbreak last year in Wuhan. United States President Donald Trump and leaders of several countries have accused China of not being transparent in reporting the deadly disease, leading to huge human casualties and economic crisis across the world.