As a massive Covid-19 surge continues to rage on throughout India, scientists and public health officials scramble to determine whether currently authorized vaccines in the country can provide a mitigation effect to this unprecedented spread. A new study published online has provided some hope, with researchers suggesting that the Covaxin vaccine – developed by Bharat Biotech and Pennsylvania-based Ocugen – could neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 variant leading the second wave in India.
India recorded the world’s highest daily tally of 314,835 Covid-19 infections on April 22 as a second wave of the pandemic raised new fears about the ability of crumbling health services to cope.
Japan’s government is considering a state of emergency for Tokyo and Osaka as new Covid-19 case numbers surge, broadcaster NHK reported on Wednesday, a move that would enable prefectural authorities to impose curbs to try to stop infections spreading.
New cases of Covid-19 in the United States fell 0.4 percent during the week ended April 18 after rising for four weeks in a row, according to a Reuters analysis of state and county data.
The United States is preparing for the possibility that a booster shot will be needed between nine to 12 months after people are initially vaccinated against Covid-19, a White House official said on April 15.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said up to 5,800 people who have been fully vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 have been infected by the novel coronavirus following vaccination.
Confusion and complacency in addressing Covid-19 means the pandemic is a long way from over, but it can be brought under control in months with proven public health measures, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on April 12.
India reported another record number of new Covid-19 infections on April 9 and daily deaths hit their highest in more than five months, as the country battles a second wave of infections and states complain of a persistent vaccine shortage.
Coronavirus-related deaths worldwide crossed 3 million on April 6, according to a Reuters tally, as the latest global resurgence of Covid-19 infections is challenging vaccination efforts across the globe.
India reported a record rise in Covid-19 infections on April 5, becoming the second country after the United States to post more than 100,000 new cases in a day, as politicians stage massive election rallies raising fears of further spreading the virus.
