The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere except the Middle East and Southeast Asia last week, according to a World Health Organisation weekly report released Wednesday.
In its latest weekly update on the pandemic, the UN health agency said confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about 7,600.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the continuing decline of COVID-19, which peaked in January, as “a very encouraging trend.” Still, he warned that the pandemic was not yet over and urged caution, even as many countries have dropped their coronavirus protocols and segued into trying to live with the virus.
Tedros noted that 18 months after the first mass coronavirus immunization programs began in rich countries, 68 countries have yet to protect 40% of their populations. While enough vaccines are now available, demand has fallen, he said.
“The perception that the pandemic is over is understandable, but misguided,” the WHO chief said. “A new and even more dangerous variant could emerge at any time, and vast numbers of people remain unprotected.” WHO's pandemic report noted that the number of new weekly cases rose by 19% in the Middle East and inched up by 1% in Southeast Asia, while falling everywhere else. The number of deaths increased by 7% in the Western Pacific and dropped elsewhere in the world last week.
WHO previously noted that the numbers are likely to be an underestimate and dependent on countries' testing and reporting strategies. Last week, WHO's emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea, for example, was getting worse, not better.
Despite multiple offers of help, including vaccines, North Korea has not accepted any offers of aid from WHO and has yet to share more detailed information about how the outbreak is evolving there. 

WHO: Covid-19 cases and deaths falling nearly everywhere

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere except the Middle East and Southeast Asia last week, according to the WHO

In its latest weekly update on the pandemic, the UN health agency said confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about 7,600.

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally fell everywhere except the Middle East and Southeast Asia last week, according to a World Health Organisation weekly report released Wednesday.
In its latest weekly update on the pandemic, the UN health agency said confirmed cases dropped 12% to more than 3 million and reported deaths declined 22% to about 7,600.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus described the continuing decline of COVID-19, which peaked in January, as &ldquo;a very encouraging trend.&rdquo; Still, he warned that the pandemic was not yet over and urged caution, even as many countries have dropped their coronavirus protocols and segued into trying to live with the virus.
Tedros noted that 18 months after the first mass coronavirus immunization programs began in rich countries, 68 countries have yet to protect 40% of their populations. While enough vaccines are now available, demand has fallen, he said.
&ldquo;The perception that the pandemic is over is understandable, but misguided,&rdquo; the WHO chief said. &ldquo;A new and even more dangerous variant could emerge at any time, and vast numbers of people remain unprotected.&rdquo; WHO's pandemic report noted that the number of new weekly cases rose by 19% in the Middle East and inched up by 1% in Southeast Asia, while falling everywhere else. The number of deaths increased by 7% in the Western Pacific and dropped elsewhere in the world last week.
WHO previously noted that the numbers are likely to be an underestimate and dependent on countries' testing and reporting strategies. Last week, WHO's emergencies chief Dr. Michael Ryan said the COVID-19 outbreak in North Korea, for example, was getting worse, not better.
Despite multiple offers of help, including vaccines, North Korea has not accepted any offers of aid from WHO and has yet to share more detailed information about how the outbreak is evolving there.&nbsp;

Airlines must de-board any passenger before departure if they refuse to wear face mask inside an aircraft even after being warned, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.
Besides, airport operators must take help of the local police and security agencies and levy fines on people not wearing face masks, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular.
The circular followed a Delhi High Court order of June 3 which said the "DGCA should issue separate binding directions to all staff persons deployed at the airports and in the aircraft, including flight attendants, air hostesses, captains/pilots and others, to take strict action against passengers and others who violate the masking and hygiene norms".
All such persons as are found violating the norms must be fined and persistent defaulters must be placed on the no- fly list, the court had said.
The DGCA's Wednesday circular said airlines must ensure the passengers wear masks properly on flights and they are removed from faces only "under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons".
If a passenger needs an extra face mask, the airline must provide it, it noted.
"The airline shall ensure that in case any passenger does not adhere to above instructions even after repeated warnings, he or she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure," it said.
In case any passenger refuses to wear mask or violates the Covid-19 protocol even after repeated warnings in flight mid-air, he must be treated as "unruly passenger" as defined in the DGCA regulations, the circular said.
The DGCA regulations give powers to airlines to ban passengers for a certain period of time after they have been declared "unruly".
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other police personnel deployed at the entrance of the airport must ensure that no one is allowed to enter the premises without wearing a mask, it said.
All airport operators must increase announcements and surveillance to ensure that passengers at terminal are wearing face masks properly and following Covid-appropriate behaviour at all times within the airport premises, it noted.
"In case any passenger does not wear mask or refuses to wear mask and follow Covid-19 protocol, he should be fined as per the respective state law where the airport is located and he may even be handed over to security agencies," it said.
Airport operators must take sanitisation measures at airports and provide hand sanitisers or dispensers at prominent places in the terminal, it noted.
"Also, airport operators shall levy fines on those violating Covid-19 protocols in accordance with state regulations with the help of local police and security agencies for violation of Covid-19 protocols," it added. 

Not wearing masks? You can now be removed from the plane

Airlines have now been authorised to remove passengers from the plane before take-off if they refused wear a face mask inside an aircraft even after being warned

The DGCA regulations give powers to airlines to ban passengers for a certain period of time after they have been declared "unruly".

Airlines must de-board any passenger before departure if they refuse to wear face mask inside an aircraft even after being warned, aviation regulator DGCA said on Wednesday.
Besides, airport operators must take help of the local police and security agencies and levy fines on people not wearing face masks, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said in a circular.
The circular followed a Delhi High Court order of June 3 which said the "DGCA should issue separate binding directions to all staff persons deployed at the airports and in the aircraft, including flight attendants, air hostesses, captains/pilots and others, to take strict action against passengers and others who violate the masking and hygiene norms".
All such persons as are found violating the norms must be fined and persistent defaulters must be placed on the no- fly list, the court had said.
The DGCA's Wednesday circular said airlines must ensure the passengers wear masks properly on flights and they are removed from faces only "under exceptional circumstances and for permitted reasons".
If a passenger needs an extra face mask, the airline must provide it, it noted.
"The airline shall ensure that in case any passenger does not adhere to above instructions even after repeated warnings, he or she should be de-boarded, if need be, before departure," it said.
In case any passenger refuses to wear mask or violates the Covid-19 protocol even after repeated warnings in flight mid-air, he must be treated as "unruly passenger" as defined in the DGCA regulations, the circular said.
The DGCA regulations give powers to airlines to ban passengers for a certain period of time after they have been declared "unruly".
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and other police personnel deployed at the entrance of the airport must ensure that no one is allowed to enter the premises without wearing a mask, it said.
All airport operators must increase announcements and surveillance to ensure that passengers at terminal are wearing face masks properly and following Covid-appropriate behaviour at all times within the airport premises, it noted.
"In case any passenger does not wear mask or refuses to wear mask and follow Covid-19 protocol, he should be fined as per the respective state law where the airport is located and he may even be handed over to security agencies," it said.
Airport operators must take sanitisation measures at airports and provide hand sanitisers or dispensers at prominent places in the terminal, it noted.
"Also, airport operators shall levy fines on those violating Covid-19 protocols in accordance with state regulations with the help of local police and security agencies for violation of Covid-19 protocols," it added.&nbsp;
WATCH:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/put-passengers-violating-covid-19-norms-on-no-fly-list-delhi-hc-to-aviation-regulator-1654262550481" target="_blank">Put passengers violating Covid-19 norms on no-fly list: Delhi HC to aviation regulator</a>

Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 1,881 new coronavirus cases, 81 per cent more than the previous day and highest since February 18, and also reported one case of B.A.5 variant, the state health department said.
State capital Mumbai alone accounted for 1,242 new cases, almost double the Monday's count.
No new pandemic-related death was reported during the day.
On Monday, the state had recorded 1,036 infections while Mumbai had reported 676 cases. It may be noted that generally fewer cases are recorded on Mondays as fewer tests are carried out during weekends.
On Tuesday, Maharashtra's COVID-19 case tally rose to 78,96,114, while the death toll remained unchanged at 1,47,866.
Tuesday's daily rise in cases was highest since February 18 when the state had recorded 2,086 new cases.
As per the latest report of whole genomic sequencing' from BJ Medical College, Pune, a 31-year-old woman from Pune was found positive for B.A.5 variant, the official release said.
"The woman was asymptomatic and recovered in home isolation," the release added.
On May 28, for the first time in Maharashtra four patients of B.A.4 sub-lineage and three cases of B.A.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of coronavirus were found.
The daily infection rise in Mumbai at 1,242 was the highest since January 29 when the financial capital of India had reported 1,411 new cases.
Mumbai has been driving the state's coronavirus figures in the last few days.
There are 8,432 active cases in Maharashtra now.
The districts of Nandurbar, Dhule, Jalna, Akola, Buldhana and Gondia have no active cases as of Tuesday.
As many as 878 patients recovered since previous evening, taking the tally of recovered patients in the state to 77,39,816. The recovery rate in the state is 98.02 per cent.
As many as 35,694 tests were conducted since previous evening, which raised the tally of coronavirus tests conducted so far to 8,11,12,952.

Maharashtra records 81% rise in daily Covid-19 cases

Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 1,881 new coronavirus cases, 81% more than the previous day and highest since February 18. 

State capital Mumbai alone accounted for 1,242 new cases, almost double the Monday's count.

Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 1,881 new coronavirus cases, 81 per cent more than the previous day and highest since February 18, and also reported one case of B.A.5 variant, the state health department said.
State capital Mumbai alone accounted for 1,242 new cases, almost double the Monday's count.
No new pandemic-related death was reported during the day.
On Monday, the state had recorded 1,036 infections while Mumbai had reported 676 cases. It may be noted that generally fewer cases are recorded on Mondays as fewer tests are carried out during weekends.
On Tuesday, Maharashtra's COVID-19 case tally rose to 78,96,114, while the death toll remained unchanged at 1,47,866.
Tuesday's daily rise in cases was highest since February 18 when the state had recorded 2,086 new cases.
As per the latest report of whole genomic sequencing' from BJ Medical College, Pune, a 31-year-old woman from Pune was found positive for B.A.5 variant, the official release said.
"The woman was asymptomatic and recovered in home isolation," the release added.
On May 28, for the first time in Maharashtra four patients of B.A.4 sub-lineage and three cases of B.A.5 sub-lineage of the Omicron variant of coronavirus were found.
The daily infection rise in Mumbai at 1,242 was the highest since January 29 when the financial capital of India had reported 1,411 new cases.
Mumbai has been driving the state's coronavirus figures in the last few days.
There are 8,432 active cases in Maharashtra now.
The districts of Nandurbar, Dhule, Jalna, Akola, Buldhana and Gondia have no active cases as of Tuesday.
As many as 878 patients recovered since previous evening, taking the tally of recovered patients in the state to 77,39,816. The recovery rate in the state is 98.02 per cent.
As many as 35,694 tests were conducted since previous evening, which raised the tally of coronavirus tests conducted so far to 8,11,12,952.

Over 70 UK companies with a combined workforce of over 3,300 employees have started what is being called the world's biggest trial of a 4-day work week. 
It's a six-month pilot project and is being conducted by 4 Day Week Global in partnership with the thinktank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College.
Companies participating in the trial range from local fish-and-chips shops to large financial businesses. 
Based on what is being called a 100:80:100 model, the employees will get 100% pay for working 80% of time while maintaining 100% output. 
The concept of a 4-day work week has gained momentum with companies looking to bring in flexibility in working to create a happier workforce in a post-pandemic world. 

4-day work week? World's biggest trial begins in UK

Over 70 UK companies with a combined workforce of over 3,300 employees have started what is being called the world's biggest trial of a 4-day work week. 

Companies participating in the trial range from local fish-and-chips shops to large financial businesses.&nbsp;

Over 70 UK companies with a combined workforce of over 3,300 employees have started what is being called the world's biggest trial of a 4-day work week.&nbsp;
It's a six-month pilot project and is being conducted by&nbsp;4 Day Week Global in partnership with the thinktank Autonomy, the 4 Day Week Campaign, and researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College.
Companies participating in the trial range from local fish-and-chips shops to large financial businesses.&nbsp;
Based on what is being called a&nbsp;100:80:100 model, the employees will get 100% pay for working 80% of time while maintaining 100% output.&nbsp;
The concept of a 4-day work week has gained momentum with companies looking to bring in flexibility in working to create a happier workforce in a post-pandemic world.&nbsp;
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/this-country-is-offering-4-day-work-week-with-right-to-ignore-boss-after-work-hours-1645069594049" target="_blank">This country is offering 4-day work week with right to ignore boss after work hours</a>

Biological E Limited on Saturday announced that its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) as a heterologous booster dose.
A press release from the vaccine maker said the Corbevax can be administered as a booster dose to individuals aged 18 years and above after six months of administration of primary vaccination (two doses) of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for restricted use in emergency situation.
BE's Corbevax is the first such vaccine in India to be approved as a heterologous COVID-19 booster in the country, it said.
Recently, BE furnished its clinical trials data to the DCGI which after a detailed evaluation and deliberations with Subject Experts Committee, granted their approval for administering Corbevax as a heterologous booster dose to people who have been vaccinated.
BE's clinical trial data showed that its Corbevax booster dose provided significant enhancement in immune response and excellent safety profile required for an effective booster.
Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E Limited, said, "We are very happy with this approval, which will address the need for COVID-19 booster doses in India. We have crossed yet another milestone in our COVID-19 vaccination journey. This approval reflects once again the sustained world-class safety standards and high immunogenicity of Corbevax." BE has conducted a multi-centre Phase-III placebo controlled heterologous booster clinical trial in 416 subjects from 18 to 80 years of age who were previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin at least six months prior to the administration of Corbevax as a booster, the release added.
Corbevax is entirely developed and manufactured by BE Limited in association with Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine as a recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19.
BE has supplied 100 million doses of the jab to the Central government so far. 

Biological E's Corbevax approved Covid-19 booster dose for 18 and above in India

Biological E Limited on Saturday announced that its Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India  as a heterologous booster dose.

BE's Corbevax is the first such vaccine in India to be approved as a heterologous COVID-19 booster in the country

Biological E Limited on Saturday announced that its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) as a heterologous booster dose.
A press release from the vaccine maker said the Corbevax can be administered as a booster dose to individuals aged 18 years and above after six months of administration of primary vaccination (two doses) of Covaxin or Covishield vaccines for restricted use in emergency situation.
BE's Corbevax is the first such vaccine in India to be approved as a heterologous COVID-19 booster in the country, it said.
Recently, BE furnished its clinical trials data to the DCGI which after a detailed evaluation and deliberations with Subject Experts Committee, granted their approval for administering Corbevax as a heterologous booster dose to people who have been vaccinated.
BE's clinical trial data showed that its Corbevax booster dose provided significant enhancement in immune response and excellent safety profile required for an effective booster.
Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E Limited, said, "We are very happy with this approval, which will address the need for COVID-19 booster doses in India. We have crossed yet another milestone in our COVID-19 vaccination journey. This approval reflects once again the sustained world-class safety standards and high immunogenicity of Corbevax." BE has conducted a multi-centre Phase-III placebo controlled heterologous booster clinical trial in 416 subjects from 18 to 80 years of age who were previously vaccinated with two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin at least six months prior to the administration of Corbevax as a booster, the release added.
Corbevax is entirely developed and manufactured by BE Limited in association with Texas Children's Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine as a recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19.
BE has supplied 100 million doses of the jab to the Central government so far.&nbsp;
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Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19 and has isolated herself, the party said.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said she had developed a mild fever on Wednesday evening and was found Covid positive on testing this morning.
He said the Congress President has been meeting leaders and activists over the last week, some of whom have been found Covid positive.
In a series of tweets, Surjewala said, "Congress president had developed mild fever and Covid symptoms last evening. On testing, she has been found to be COVID positive." "Congress President will appear before ED on 8th June, as informed by us earlier. We, at Indian National Congress, shall keep you posted about any future developments," he tweeted.
Surjewala said as per medical advice, the Congress president has isolated herself.
"As a large number of Congressmen and women and well-wishers have expressed concern, we want to say that she is fine and recovering. We thank everyone for their good wishes," he also said The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Sonia Gandhi and her son Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on June 8 in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper-AJL issue.
Surjewala said he hoped the Congress chief will recover in the next few days and will again get herself tested before her appearance before the ED.
The ED summons triggered furious reactions from the Congress, which alleged that the "fake issue of AJL, (Associated Journals Limited) is an attempt by BJP's propaganda machinery to deviate, divert and digress the attention of citizens from the multifarious vital issues of inflation, falling GDP and social unrest, social divisiveness in this country".
"It is clear that the dictator is scared now and is trying to hide all his failures on the governance front by misusing all government agencies. This time they have come out with a new hideous and cowardly conspiracy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting ED notices issued against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," the party had said.
Reacting to the Congress' allegations, the government on Wednesday said the agencies do their job and the opposition should not worry if they have done no wrong.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi tests positive for Covid-19, has mild fever

Congress President Sonia Gandhi is in self-quarantine after testing positive for Covid-19 on Thursday

Congress said that Sonia Gandhi&nbsp;met several leaders and activists over the last week, some of whom have been found Covid positive.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday tested positive for Covid-19 and has isolated herself, the party said.
Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said she had developed a mild fever on Wednesday evening and was found Covid positive on testing.&nbsp;
He said the Congress President has been meeting leaders and activists over the last week, some of whom have been found Covid positive.
In a series of tweets, Surjewala said, "Congress president had developed mild fever and Covid&nbsp;symptoms last evening. On testing, she has been found to be COVID positive." "Congress President will appear before ED on 8th June, as informed by us earlier. We, at Indian National Congress, shall keep you posted about any future developments," he tweeted.
Surjewala said as per medical advice, the Congress president has isolated herself.
"As a large number of Congressmen and women and well-wishers have expressed concern, we want to say that she is fine and recovering. We thank everyone for their good wishes," he also said The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Sonia Gandhi and her son Lok Sabha MP Rahul Gandhi to appear before it on June 8 in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald newspaper-AJL issue.
Surjewala said he hoped the Congress chief will recover in the next few days and will again get herself tested before her appearance before the ED.
The ED summons triggered furious reactions from the Congress, which alleged that the "fake issue of AJL, (Associated Journals Limited) is an attempt by BJP's propaganda machinery to deviate, divert and digress the attention of citizens from the multifarious vital issues of inflation, falling GDP and social unrest, social divisiveness in this country".
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/task-force-2024-sonia-gandhi-unveils-congress-revamp-model-g23-leaders-included-1653384907834">Task Force-2024: Sonia Gandhi unveils Congress revamp model; G23 leaders included</a>
"It is clear that the dictator is scared now and is trying to hide all his failures on the governance front by misusing all government agencies. This time they have come out with a new hideous and cowardly conspiracy, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi getting ED notices issued against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," the party had said.
Reacting to the Congress' allegations, the government on Wednesday said the agencies do their job and the opposition should not worry if they have done no wrong.

A top official at the World Health Organization said the UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is “getting worse, not better,” despite the secretive country's recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there.
At a briefing on Wednesday, WHO's emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the COVID-19 outbreak there, saying “we have real issues in getting access to the raw data and to the actual situation on the ground.” He said WHO has not received any privileged information about the epidemic — unlike in typical outbreaks when countries may share more sensitive data with the organization so it can evaluate the public health risks for the global community.
“It is very, very difficult to provide a proper analysis to the world when we don't have access to the necessary data,” he said. WHO has previously voiced concerns about the impact of COVID-19 in North Korea's population, which is believed to be largely unvaccinated and whose fragile health systems could struggle to deal with a surge of cases prompted by the super-infectious omicron and its subvariants.
Ryan said WHO had offered technical assistance and supplies to North Korean officials multiple times, including offering COVID-19 vaccines on at least three separate occasions.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials discussed revising stringent anti-epidemic restrictions, state media reported, as they maintained a widely disputed claim that the country's first COVID-19 outbreak is slowing.
The discussion at the North's Politburo meeting on Sunday suggested it would soon relax a set of draconian curbs imposed after it announced the outbreak in early May out of concern about its food and economic situations.
North Korea's claims to have controlled COVID-19 without widespread vaccination, lockdowns or drugs have been met with widespread disbelief, particularly its insistence that only dozens have died among many millions infected — a far lower death rate than seen anywhere else in the world.
The North Korean government has said there are about 3.7 million people with fever or suspected COVID-19. But it disclosed few details about the severity of illness or how many people have recovered, frustrating public health experts' attempt to understand the extent of the outbreak.
“We really would appeal for a more open approach so we can come to the assistance of the people of (North Korea), because right now we are not in a position to make an adequate risk assessment of the situation on the ground,” Ryan said. He said WHO was working with neighboring countries like China and South Korea to ascertain more about what might be happening in North Korea, saying that the epidemic there could potentially have global implications.
WHO's criticism of North Korea's failure to provide more information about its COVID-19 outbreak stands in contrast to the UN health agency's failure to publicly fault China in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

Is Covid-19 situation getting better in North Korea? This is what WHO said

A top official at the World Health Organization said the UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak is &ldquo;getting worse, not better,&rdquo; in North Korea.&nbsp;

A top official at the World Health Organization said the UN health agency assumes the coronavirus outbreak in North Korea is &ldquo;getting worse, not better,&rdquo; despite the secretive country's recent claims that COVID-19 is slowing there.
At a briefing on Wednesday, WHO's emergencies chief Dr. Mike Ryan appealed to North Korean authorities for more information about the COVID-19 outbreak there, saying &ldquo;we have real issues in getting access to the raw data and to the actual situation on the ground.&rdquo; He said WHO has not received any privileged information about the epidemic &mdash; unlike in typical outbreaks when countries may share more sensitive data with the organization so it can evaluate the public health risks for the global community.
&ldquo;It is very, very difficult to provide a proper analysis to the world when we don't have access to the necessary data,&rdquo; he said. WHO has previously voiced concerns about the impact of COVID-19 in North Korea's population, which is believed to be largely unvaccinated and whose fragile health systems could struggle to deal with a surge of cases prompted by the super-infectious omicron and its subvariants.
Ryan said WHO had offered technical assistance and supplies to North Korean officials multiple times, including offering COVID-19 vaccines on at least three separate occasions.
Last week, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and other top officials discussed revising stringent anti-epidemic restrictions, state media reported, as they maintained a widely disputed claim that the country's first COVID-19 outbreak is slowing.
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The discussion at the North's Politburo meeting on Sunday suggested it would soon relax a set of draconian curbs imposed after it announced the outbreak in early May out of concern about its food and economic situations.
North Korea's claims to have controlled COVID-19 without widespread vaccination, lockdowns or drugs have been met with widespread disbelief, particularly its insistence that only dozens have died among many millions infected &mdash; a far lower death rate than seen anywhere else in the world.
The North Korean government has said there are about 3.7 million people with fever or suspected COVID-19. But it disclosed few details about the severity of illness or how many people have recovered, frustrating public health experts' attempt to understand the extent of the outbreak.
&ldquo;We really would appeal for a more open approach so we can come to the assistance of the people of (North Korea), because right now we are not in a position to make an adequate risk assessment of the situation on the ground,&rdquo; Ryan said. He said WHO was working with neighboring countries like China and South Korea to ascertain more about what might be happening in North Korea, saying that the epidemic there could potentially have global implications.
WHO's criticism of North Korea's failure to provide more information about its COVID-19 outbreak stands in contrast to the UN health agency's failure to publicly fault China in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic.

North Korea, the country that attempts to control every move of its citizens has come up with another recommendation for them to follow. Reeling under a deadly Covid outbreak, the unvaccinated country has come up with an ordinary home remedies to combat coronavirus.
The state media has recommended various traditional treatments which include hot drinks, painkillers and antiobiotics.
Gargling with salt water is one of the home remedies proposed by the country to fight the contagious infection. Among other suggestions, citizens have also been told to drink willow leaf or honeysuckle tea to ease the symptoms. Willow leaf is a herbal remedy traditionally used to relieve fever symptoms.
A woman was quoted telling the state broadcasters that traditional treatments are the best, having administered the same to her children. Another elderly lady advocated for ginger tea to fight Covid. The lady went onto say that at first 'she was scared by Covid' but in reality it was 'not a big deal' as she continuously followed doctors' advice.
The country has been hit by a disastrous wave of Covid-19. Limited testing capabilities, flawed health care system and an unvaccinated population are adding to the pressures of the nation as it fights the virus.
North Korea and Eritrea are the only two countries to have rejected global vaccine-sharing initiatives.
The state media outlet Korean Central News Agency reported 1.7 million cases of 'fever' and 62 deaths as a result of it till Tuesday. BBC opined that the hermit nation is yet to declare this supposed 'fever' outbreak a Covid-19 wave. Adding that limited testing capabilities are causing a hindrance to the nation's ability to diagnose cases.
Experts have issued warnings that the country's actual Covid-19 case numbers could be considerably higher than that what is being reported.
Kim Jong-Un, the country's leader has termed the 'fever' outbreak as its most 'significant turmoil' since its founding in 1948.

North Korea's state media lists home remedial suggestions to combat its Covid-19 outbreak 

The nation is reeling under a deadly Covid-19 outbreak, with 1.7 million cases and 62 deaths  

The nation is reeling under a deadly Covid-19 outbreak, with 1.7 million cases and 62 deaths&nbsp;&nbsp;

As North Korea battles Covid-19 outbreak the Kim Jong&nbsp;Un government has come up with another recommendation for the citizens to follow. Reeling under a deadly Covid outbreak, the unvaccinated country has come up with an ordinary home remedies to combat coronavirus.
The state media has recommended various traditional treatments which include hot drinks, painkillers and antiobiotics.
Gargling with salt water is one of the home remedies proposed by the country to fight the contagious infection. Among other suggestions, citizens have also been told to drink willow leaf or honeysuckle tea to ease the symptoms. Willow leaf is a herbal remedy traditionally used to relieve fever symptoms.
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A woman was quoted telling the state broadcasters that traditional treatments are the best, having administered the same to her children. Another elderly lady advocated for ginger tea to fight Covid. The lady went onto say that at first 'she was scared by Covid' but in reality it was 'not a big deal' as she continuously followed doctors' advice.
The country has been hit by a disastrous wave of Covid-19. Limited testing capabilities, flawed health care&nbsp;system and an unvaccinated population are adding to the pressures of the nation as it fights the virus.
North Korea and Eritrea&nbsp;are the only two countries to have rejected global vaccine-sharing initiatives.
The state media outlet Korean Central News Agency reported 1.7 million cases of 'fever' and 62 deaths as a result of it till Tuesday. BBC opined that the hermit nation is yet to declare this supposed 'fever' outbreak a Covid-19 wave. Adding that limited testing capabilities are causing a hindrance to the nation's ability to diagnose cases.
Experts have issued warnings that the country's actual Covid-19 case numbers could be considerably higher than that what is being reported.
Kim Jong-Un, the country's leader has termed the 'fever' outbreak as its most 'significant turmoil' since its founding in 1948.

North Korea on Monday reported eight new deaths and 392,920 more people with fever symptoms amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak.
The latest figures came as leader Kim Jong Un blasted officials over delays in medicine deliveries and ordered his military to get involved in the pandemic response in the capital, Pyongyang.
The North's emergency anti-virus headquarters said more than 1.2 million people fell ill amid a rapid spread of fever since late April and about 564,860 were currently under quarantine.
The eight new deaths reported in the 24 hours through 1800 local time (0900GMT) on Sunday brought its death toll to 50.
State media didn't specify how many of the fever cases and deaths were confirmed as COVID-19 infections.
At a ruling party Politburo meeting on Sunday, Kim criticised government and health officials over what he portrayed as a botched pandemic response.
State medicine supplies weren't being supplied to pharmacies in time because of their "irresponsible work attitude" and lack of organisation, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
KCNA photos showed Kim visiting a small pharmacy in the capital.
Similar shops have been a regular feature of the North Korean capital over the past decade and more.
But their stocks are often mostly Korean traditional remedies, with few modern or foreign-made medicines.
North Korea has long suffered a lack of medicine of all kinds, as well as problems of out of date supplies.
The Politburo had issued an emergency order to immediately release and quickly distribute state medicine reserves and for pharmacies to switch over to 24-hour shifts.
But Kim said such steps weren't being properly implemented and he ordered that the medical units of his military get involved in stabilising the supply of medicine in Pyongyang, KCNA said.
North Korea's claim of a perfect record in keeping out the virus for two and a half years had been widely doubted.
But its extremely strict border closure, large-scale quarantines and propaganda that stressed anti-virus controls as a matter of "national existence" may have staved off a huge outbreak until now.

8 Covid-19 deaths in North Korea, Kim Jong Un blasts officials

At a ruling party Politburo meeting on Sunday, Kim criticised government and health officials over what he portrayed as a botched pandemic response.

North Korea on Monday reported eight new deaths and 392,920 more people with fever symptoms amid a growing COVID-19 outbreak.
The latest figures came as leader Kim Jong Un blasted officials over delays in medicine deliveries and ordered his military to get involved in the pandemic response in the capital, Pyongyang.
The North's emergency anti-virus headquarters said more than 1.2 million people fell ill amid a rapid spread of fever since late April and about 564,860 were currently under quarantine.
The eight new deaths reported in the 24 hours through 1800 local time (0900GMT) on Sunday brought its death toll to 50.
State media didn't specify how many of the fever cases and deaths were confirmed as COVID-19 infections.
At a ruling party Politburo meeting on Sunday, Kim criticised government and health officials over what he portrayed as a botched pandemic response.
State medicine supplies weren't being supplied to pharmacies in time because of their "irresponsible work attitude" and lack of organisation, the official Korean Central News Agency reported.
KCNA photos showed Kim visiting a small pharmacy in the capital.
Similar shops have been a regular feature of the North Korean capital over the past decade and more.
But their stocks are often mostly Korean traditional remedies, with few modern or foreign-made medicines.
North Korea has long suffered a lack of medicine of all kinds, as well as problems of out of date supplies.
The Politburo had issued an emergency order to immediately release and quickly distribute state medicine reserves and for pharmacies to switch over to 24-hour shifts.
But Kim said such steps weren't being properly implemented and he ordered that the medical units of his military get involved in stabilising the supply of medicine in Pyongyang, KCNA said.
North Korea's claim of a perfect record in keeping out the virus for two and a half years had been widely doubted.
But its extremely strict border closure, large-scale quarantines and propaganda that stressed anti-virus controls as a matter of "national existence" may have staved off a huge outbreak until now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for reforming the World Health Organisation (WHO) and streamlining its approval process for vaccines and therapeutics, and favoured making flexible the WTO's rules relating to trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS).
In his address at the second global virtual summit on COVID-19 hosted by US President Joe Biden, Modi also said that a coordinated global response is required to combat future health emergencies and called for building a resilient global supply chain for equitable access to vaccines and medicines.
Modi said the World Health Organisation must be reformed and strengthened to build a more resilient global health security architecture.
The prime minister's call for making flexible rules of the WTO, particularly the TRIPS, came over a year-and-half after India and South Africa placed a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily waive intellectual property rights for producing COVID-19 vaccines to effectively deal with the pandemic.
"It is clear that a coordinated global response is required to combat future health emergencies. We must build a resilient global supply chain and enable equitable access to vaccines and medicines," Modi said.
"The WTO rules, particularly TRIPS, need to be more flexible. WHO must be reformed and strengthened to build a more resilient global health security architecture," he said in the opening session of the summit.
India has been pressing for the TRIPS waiver to ensure scaling up of the vaccine production for equitable and global access.
"We also call for streamlining WHO's approval process for vaccines and therapeutics to keep supply chains stable and predictable. As a responsible member of the global community, India is ready to play a key role in these efforts," Modi said.
In his address, the prime minister also spoke about how India's Genomics Consortium has contributed significantly to the global database on the virus and added that New Delhi will extend this network to countries in its neighbourhood.
"In India, we extensively used our traditional medicines to supplement our fight against Covid and to boost immunity, saving countless lives. Last month, we laid the foundation of 'WHO Centre for Traditional Medicine' in India, with an aim to make this age-old knowledge available to the world," he said.
Referring to India's handling of the pandemic, Modi said the country has fully vaccinated almost 90 per cent of the adult population and more than 50 million children.
"Our vaccination programme is the largest in the world. We have fully vaccinated almost 90 per cent of the adult population, and more than 50 million children. India manufactures four WHO-approved vaccines and has the capacity to produce five billion doses this year," he said.
"We supplied over 200 million doses to 98 countries, bilaterally and through COVAX. India has developed low-cost Covid mitigation technologies for testing, treating and data management. We have offered these capabilities to other countries," Modi said.
The prime minister said the Covid pandemic continues to disrupt "lives, supply chains, and tests the resilience of open societies." "In India, we adopted a people-centric strategy against the pandemic. We have made the highest ever allocation to our annual healthcare budget," he said.
Modi participated in the first global virtual summit on COVID-19 hosted by Biden on September 22 last year as well.
The second summit intends to galvanize new actions to address the continued challenges of the pandemic and build a stronger global health security architecture.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among the key leaders who addressed the summit.

Amid stand-off over Covid-19 death figures, PM Modi reiterates calls for WHO reforms

As India and the World Health Organisation engage in a debate over the country's Covid-19 death toll, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for reforms in the United Nations health agency. 

This is not the first time that India has called reforms in WHO. PM Modi&nbsp;had criticised the United Nations and WHO in 2020 as well

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday called for reforming the World Health Organisation (WHO) and streamlining its approval process for vaccines and therapeutics, and favoured making flexible the WTO's rules relating to trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS).
In his address at the second global virtual summit on COVID-19 hosted by US President Joe Biden, Modi also said that a coordinated global response is required to combat future health emergencies and called for building a resilient global supply chain for equitable access to vaccines and medicines.
Modi said the World Health Organisation must be reformed and strengthened to build a more resilient global health security architecture.
The prime minister's call for making flexible rules of the WTO, particularly the TRIPS, came over a year-and-half after India and South Africa placed a proposal at the World Trade Organization (WTO) to temporarily waive intellectual property rights for producing COVID-19 vaccines to effectively deal with the pandemic.
"It is clear that a coordinated global response is required to combat future health emergencies. We must build a resilient global supply chain and enable equitable access to vaccines and medicines," Modi said.
"The WTO rules, particularly TRIPS, need to be more flexible. WHO must be reformed and strengthened to build a more resilient global health security architecture," he said in the opening session of the summit.
India has been pressing for the TRIPS waiver to ensure scaling up of the vaccine production for equitable and global access.
"We also call for streamlining WHO's approval process for vaccines and therapeutics to keep supply chains stable and predictable. As a responsible member of the global community, India is ready to play a key role in these efforts," Modi said.
In his address, the prime minister also spoke about how India's Genomics Consortium has contributed significantly to the global database on the virus and added that New Delhi will extend this network to countries in its neighbourhood.
"In India, we extensively used our traditional medicines to supplement our fight against Covid and to boost immunity, saving countless lives. Last month, we laid the foundation of 'WHO Centre for Traditional Medicine' in India, with an aim to make this age-old knowledge available to the world," he said.
Referring to India's handling of the pandemic, Modi said the country has fully vaccinated almost 90 per cent of the adult population and more than 50 million children.
"Our vaccination programme is the largest in the world. We have fully vaccinated almost 90 per cent of the adult population, and more than 50 million children. India manufactures four WHO-approved vaccines and has the capacity to produce five billion doses this year," he said.
"We supplied over 200 million doses to 98 countries, bilaterally and through COVAX. India has developed low-cost Covid mitigation technologies for testing, treating and data management. We have offered these capabilities to other countries," Modi said.
The prime minister said the Covid pandemic continues to disrupt "lives, supply chains, and tests the resilience of open societies." "In India, we adopted a people-centric strategy against the pandemic. We have made the highest ever allocation to our annual healthcare budget," he said.
Modi participated in the first global virtual summit on COVID-19 hosted by Biden on September 22 last year as well.
The second summit intends to galvanize new actions to address the continued challenges of the pandemic and build a stronger global health security architecture.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa were among the key leaders who addressed the summit.

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A man from West Bengal is doing his bit to spread awareness on Covid-19 and the precautions that people must take.
Thakur Das Sasmal is covering different cities on foot to inform people about the deadly disease.
Kick-starting his journey from Kolkata on the 25th of August, Sasmal has already covered 5500 kms so far.

On a mission: man covers 5500 km on foot to spread awareness on Covid

Thakur Das Sasmal, a man from West Bengal is travelling across different cities on foot to spread awareness on Covid-19

A man from West Bengal is doing his bit to spread awareness on Covid-19 and the precautions that people must take.
Thakur Das Sasmal is covering different cities on foot to inform people about the deadly disease.
Sasmal&nbsp;who kick started his journey in Kolkata&nbsp;on August 25th has already covered 5500 kms so far.

COVID-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh potential deaths in India in 2021, said a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, which based its findings on estimates of "excess" mortalities in the country during the pandemic.
Globally, the mathematical modelling study found that COVID-19 vaccines reduced the potential death toll during the pandemic by nearly 20 million (1 million = 10 lakhs) or more than half in the year following their implementation.
In the first year of the vaccination programme, 19.8 million out of a potential 31.4 million COVID-19 deaths were prevented worldwide, according to estimates based on excess deaths from 185 countries and territories, the researchers said.
The study estimates a further 5,99,300 lives could have been saved if the World Health Organisation's target of vaccinating 40 per cent of the population in each country with two or more doses by the end of 2021 had been met.
The study estimated the number of deaths that were prevented between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021, which reflects the first year in which the vaccines were distributed.
"For India, we estimate that 42,10,000 deaths were prevented by vaccination in this period. This is our central estimate, with the uncertainty in this estimate ranging between 36,65,000-43,70,000," lead author of the study, Oliver Watson from the Imperial College London, the UK, told PTI.
"What this modelling study shows is that the vaccination campaign in India has likely saved millions of lives. This shows the remarkable impact that the vaccination has had, especially in India, which was the first country to experience the impact of the Delta variant," Watson said in an email.
The India numbers are based on the estimates that 51,60,000 (48,24,000-56,29,000) deaths may have occurred in the country during the pandemic, a number which is 10 times the official figure of 5,24,941 deaths reported so far, he said.
"These estimates are based on the estimates of excess mortality in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, which we have sourced from The Economist and are similar to the estimates that the WHO have reported. Independently, our group has also investigated the COVID-19 death toll based on reports of excess mortality and seroprevalence surveys and arrived at similar estimates of almost 10 times the official count," Watson said.
According to the estimates by The Economist, 2.3 million people died in India from COVID-19 by the start of May 2021, as against official figures of around 2,00,000.
The WHO had last month estimated that there were 4.7 million Covid-linked deaths in India, a figure that was refuted by the government.
Of the almost 20 million deaths estimated to have been prevented in the first year after vaccines were introduced, almost 7.5 million deaths were prevented in countries covered by the COVID-19 Vaccine Access initiative (COVAX), the researchers said.
COVAX was set up because it was clear early on that global vaccine equity would be the only way out of the pandemic, they said.
The initiative has facilitated access to affordable vaccines for lower income countries to try to reduce inequalities, with an initial target of giving both vaccine doses to 20 per cent of the population in countries covered by the commitment by the end of 2021, the researchers said.
Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered outside of a clinical trial setting on December 8, 2020, almost two-thirds of the world's population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (66 per cent), they noted.
Despite the incredible speed of the vaccine roll-out worldwide, more than 3.5 million COVID-19 deaths have been reported since the first vaccine was administered in December 2020, they said.
To estimate the impact of the global vaccination programmes, the researchers used an established model of COVID-19 transmission using country-level data for officially recorded COVID-19 deaths occurring between December 8, 2020 and December 8 2021.
To account for under-reporting of deaths in countries with weaker surveillance systems, they carried out a separate analysis based on the number of excess deaths recorded above those that would have been expected during the same time period.
China was not included in the analysis owing to its large population and very strict lockdown measures which would have skewed the findings, the researchers said.
The team found that based on officially recorded COVID-19 deaths, an estimated 18.1 million deaths would have occurred during the study period if vaccinations had not been implemented.
Of these, the model estimates that vaccination has prevented 14.4 million deaths, representing a global reduction of 79 per cent.
These findings do not account for under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths, which is common in lower income countries.
The team did a further analysis based on total excess deaths during the same time period to account for this.
They found that COVID-19 vaccination prevented an estimated 19.8 million deaths out of a total of 31.4 million potential deaths that would have occurred without vaccination, a reduction of 63 per cent.
More than three quarters (79 per cent) of deaths averted were due to the direct protection against severe symptoms provided by the vaccination, leading to lower mortality rates, the researchers said.
The remaining 4.3 million averted deaths were estimated to have been prevented by indirect protection from reduced transmission of the virus in the population and reduced burden on healthcare systems, thereby improving access to medical care for those most in need, they said.
The study found that the vaccine impact changed over time and in different areas of the world as the pandemic progressed.
In the first half of 2021, the greatest number of deaths averted by vaccination was seen in lower middle-income countries, resulting from the significant epidemic wave in India as the Delta variant emerged.
This subsequently shifted to the greatest impact being concentrated in higher income countries in the second half of 2021, as restrictions on travel and social mixing were eased in some areas leading to greater virus transmission.
The shortfall in the WHO target of fully vaccinating 40 per cent of the population of each country by the end of 2021 is estimated to have contributed to an additional 5,99,300 deaths worldwide that could have been prevented.
Lower-middle income countries accounted for the majority of these deaths.
"Our study demonstrates the enormous benefit that vaccines had in reducing deaths from COVID-19 globally," said Professor Azra Ghani, Chair in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London.
"Whilst the intense focus on the pandemic has now shifted, it is important that we ensure the most vulnerable people in all parts of the world are protected from ongoing circulation of COVID-19 and from the other major diseases that continue to disproportionately affect the poorest," Ghani said.
The authors note several limitations to their findings. Notably, their model is based on a number of necessary assumptions, including the precise proportions of which vaccine types have been delivered, how they were delivered and the precise timing of when new virus variants arrived in each country.
They also assumed that the relationship between age and the proportion of COVID-19 deaths occurring among infected individuals is the same for each country.

Covid vaccines prevented deaths of 42 lakh Indians in 2021: Lancet study

The study estimated the number of deaths that were prevented between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021, which reflects the first year in which the vaccines were distributed.

COVID-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh potential deaths in India in 2021, said a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal, which based its findings on estimates of "excess" mortalities in the country during the pandemic.
Globally, the mathematical modelling study found that COVID-19 vaccines reduced the potential death toll during the pandemic by nearly 20 million (1 million = 10 lakhs) or more than half in the year following their implementation.
In the first year of the vaccination programme, 19.8 million out of a potential 31.4 million COVID-19 deaths were prevented worldwide, according to estimates based on excess deaths from 185 countries and territories, the researchers said.
The study estimates a further 5,99,300 lives could have been saved if the World Health Organisation's target of vaccinating 40 per cent of the population in each country with two or more doses by the end of 2021 had been met.
The study estimated the number of deaths that were prevented between December 8, 2020 and December 8, 2021, which reflects the first year in which the vaccines were distributed.
"For India, we estimate that 42,10,000 deaths were prevented by vaccination in this period. This is our central estimate, with the uncertainty in this estimate ranging between 36,65,000-43,70,000," lead author of the study, Oliver Watson from the Imperial College London, the UK, told PTI.
"What this modelling study shows is that the vaccination campaign in India has likely saved millions of lives. This shows the remarkable impact that the vaccination has had, especially in India, which was the first country to experience the impact of the Delta variant," Watson said in an email.
The India numbers are based on the estimates that 51,60,000 (48,24,000-56,29,000) deaths may have occurred in the country during the pandemic, a number which is 10 times the official figure of 5,24,941 deaths reported so far, he said.
"These estimates are based on the estimates of excess mortality in India during the COVID-19 pandemic, which we have sourced from The Economist and are similar to the estimates that the WHO have reported. Independently, our group has also investigated the COVID-19 death toll based on reports of excess mortality and seroprevalence surveys and arrived at similar estimates of almost 10 times the official count," Watson said.
According to the estimates by The Economist, 2.3 million people died in India from COVID-19 by the start of May 2021, as against official figures of around 2,00,000.
The WHO had last month estimated that there were 4.7 million Covid-linked deaths in India, a figure that was refuted by the government.
Of the almost 20 million deaths estimated to have been prevented in the first year after vaccines were introduced, almost 7.5 million deaths were prevented in countries covered by the COVID-19 Vaccine Access initiative (COVAX), the researchers said.
COVAX was set up because it was clear early on that global vaccine equity would be the only way out of the pandemic, they said.
The initiative has facilitated access to affordable vaccines for lower income countries to try to reduce inequalities, with an initial target of giving both vaccine doses to 20 per cent of the population in countries covered by the commitment by the end of 2021, the researchers said.
Since the first COVID-19 vaccine was administered outside of a clinical trial setting on December 8, 2020, almost two-thirds of the world's population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine (66 per cent), they noted.
Despite the incredible speed of the vaccine roll-out worldwide, more than 3.5 million COVID-19 deaths have been reported since the first vaccine was administered in December 2020, they said.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/coronavirus/sc-nobody-can-be-forced-to-undergo-vaccinations-covid-19-1651471087521" target="_blank">SC: nobody can be forced to undergo vaccinations | Covid-19</a>
To estimate the impact of the global vaccination programmes, the researchers used an established model of COVID-19 transmission using country-level data for officially recorded COVID-19 deaths occurring between December 8, 2020 and December 8 2021.
To account for under-reporting of deaths in countries with weaker surveillance systems, they carried out a separate analysis based on the number of excess deaths recorded above those that would have been expected during the same time period.
China was not included in the analysis owing to its large population and very strict lockdown measures which would have skewed the findings, the researchers said.
The team found that based on officially recorded COVID-19 deaths, an estimated 18.1 million deaths would have occurred during the study period if vaccinations had not been implemented.
Of these, the model estimates that vaccination has prevented 14.4 million deaths, representing a global reduction of 79 per cent.
These findings do not account for under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths, which is common in lower income countries.
The team did a further analysis based on total excess deaths during the same time period to account for this.
They found that COVID-19 vaccination prevented an estimated 19.8 million deaths out of a total of 31.4 million potential deaths that would have occurred without vaccination, a reduction of 63 per cent.
More than three quarters (79 per cent) of deaths averted were due to the direct protection against severe symptoms provided by the vaccination, leading to lower mortality rates, the researchers said.
The remaining 4.3 million averted deaths were estimated to have been prevented by indirect protection from reduced transmission of the virus in the population and reduced burden on healthcare systems, thereby improving access to medical care for those most in need, they said.
The study found that the vaccine impact changed over time and in different areas of the world as the pandemic progressed.
In the first half of 2021, the greatest number of deaths averted by vaccination was seen in lower middle-income countries, resulting from the significant epidemic wave in India as the Delta variant emerged.
This subsequently shifted to the greatest impact being concentrated in higher income countries in the second half of 2021, as restrictions on travel and social mixing were eased in some areas leading to greater virus transmission.
The shortfall in the WHO target of fully vaccinating 40 per cent of the population of each country by the end of 2021 is estimated to have contributed to an additional 5,99,300 deaths worldwide that could have been prevented.
Lower-middle income countries accounted for the majority of these deaths.
"Our study demonstrates the enormous benefit that vaccines had in reducing deaths from COVID-19 globally," said Professor Azra Ghani, Chair in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London.
"Whilst the intense focus on the pandemic has now shifted, it is important that we ensure the most vulnerable people in all parts of the world are protected from ongoing circulation of COVID-19 and from the other major diseases that continue to disproportionately affect the poorest," Ghani said.
The authors note several limitations to their findings. Notably, their model is based on a number of necessary assumptions, including the precise proportions of which vaccine types have been delivered, how they were delivered and the precise timing of when new virus variants arrived in each country.
They also assumed that the relationship between age and the proportion of COVID-19 deaths occurring among infected individuals is the same for each country.

Children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can experience symptoms of long COVID lasting at least two months, according to a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal on Thursday.
The largest study to date of long COVID symptoms in children aged 0-14 years used national level sampling of children in Denmark and matched COVID-19 positive cases with a control group with no prior history of a the disease.
In the study, surveys were sent to the mother or guardian of children between 0-14 years who had tested positive for COVID-19 between January 2020 and July 2021.
In total, responses were received for almost 11,000 children with a positive COVID-19 test result who were matched by age and sex to over 33,000 children who had never tested positive for COVID-19.
The surveys asked participants about the 23 most common symptoms of long COVID in children and used the World Health Organization definition of long COVID as symptoms lasting more than two months.
The most commonly reported symptoms among children 0-3 years old were mood swings, rashes, and stomach aches.
Among 4-11 years old the most commonly reported symptoms were mood swings, trouble remembering or concentrating, and rashes, and among 12-14 years old, fatigue, mood swings, and trouble remembering or concentrating.
The results of the study found children diagnosed with COVID-19 in all age groups to be more likely to experience at least one symptom for two months or longer than the control group.
In the 0-3 years age group 40 per cent of children diagnosed with COVID-19 (478 of 1,194 children) experienced symptoms for longer than two months, compared to 27 per cent of controls (1,049 of 3,855 children).
For the 4-11 years age group the ratio was 38 per cent of cases (1,912 of 5,023 children) compared to 34 per cent of controls (6,189 of 18,372 children), and for the 12-14 years age group, 46 per cent of cases (1,313 of 2,857 children) compared to 41 per cent of controls (4,454 of 10,789 children) experienced long-lasting symptoms.
The types of non-specific symptoms associated with long COVID are often experienced by otherwise healthy children; headache, mood swings, abdominal pain, and fatigue are all symptoms of common ailments that children experience which are unrelated to COVID-19.
However, the study revealed that children with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to experience long-lasting symptoms than children who had never had a positive diagnosis, suggesting that these symptoms were a presentation of long COVID.
This is supported by approximately one third of children with positive COVID-19 tests experiencing symptoms that were not present before the SARS-CoV-2 infection, the researchers said.

Long Covid in infected children can last at least two months: Lancet study

Children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can experience symptoms of long Covid lasting at least two months, according to a study published in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health journal

In the 0-3 years age group 40 per cent of children diagnosed with COVID-19 (478 of 1,194 children) experienced symptoms for longer than two months, compared to 27 per cent of controls (1,049 of 3,855 children).

Children infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus can experience symptoms of long COVID lasting at least two months, according to a study published in The Lancet Child &amp; Adolescent Health journal on Thursday.
The largest study to date of long COVID symptoms in children aged 0-14 years used national level sampling of children in Denmark and matched COVID-19 positive cases with a control group with no prior history of a the disease.
In the study, surveys were sent to the mother or guardian of children between 0-14 years who had tested positive for COVID-19 between January 2020 and July 2021.
In total, responses were received for almost 11,000 children with a positive COVID-19 test result who were matched by age and sex to over 33,000 children who had never tested positive for COVID-19.
The surveys asked participants about the 23 most common symptoms of long COVID in children and used the World Health Organization definition of long COVID as symptoms lasting more than two months.
The most commonly reported symptoms among children 0-3 years old were mood swings, rashes, and stomach aches.
Among 4-11 years old the most commonly reported symptoms were mood swings, trouble remembering or concentrating, and rashes, and among 12-14 years old, fatigue, mood swings, and trouble remembering or concentrating.
ALSO WATCH: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/lifestyle-news/health/international-day-of-yoga-2022-include-yoga-in-your-daily-routine-if-you-re-diabetic-1655794690972" target="_blank">International Day of Yoga 2022: Include Yoga in your daily routine if you're diabetic</a>
The results of the study found children diagnosed with COVID-19 in all age groups to be more likely to experience at least one symptom for two months or longer than the control group.
In the 0-3 years age group 40 per cent of children diagnosed with COVID-19 (478 of 1,194 children) experienced symptoms for longer than two months, compared to 27 per cent of controls (1,049 of 3,855 children).
For the 4-11 years age group the ratio was 38 per cent of cases (1,912 of 5,023 children) compared to 34 per cent of controls (6,189 of 18,372 children), and for the 12-14 years age group, 46 per cent of cases (1,313 of 2,857 children) compared to 41 per cent of controls (4,454 of 10,789 children) experienced long-lasting symptoms.
The types of non-specific symptoms associated with long COVID are often experienced by otherwise healthy children; headache, mood swings, abdominal pain, and fatigue are all symptoms of common ailments that children experience which are unrelated to COVID-19.
However, the study revealed that children with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis were more likely to experience long-lasting symptoms than children who had never had a positive diagnosis, suggesting that these symptoms were a presentation of long COVID.
This is supported by approximately one third of children with positive COVID-19 tests experiencing symptoms that were not present before the SARS-CoV-2 infection, the researchers said.

Senior Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has not travelled to the United Kingdom for the upcoming rescheduled fifth Test match after testing positive for Covid-19, a BCCI source told PTI. 
The off-spinner had tested positive before the Indian squad's departure on June 16 and is currently under quarantine, the BCCI source further informed. 
'The board is hopeful that Ashwin will recover in time before the England Test which starts on June 1st', they said. 
The 35-year-old who would likely miss the warm-up Test against Leicestershire will only fly to England after meeting all protocol requirements. The warm-up Test starts on June 24th.
The rest of the Indian squad had already arrived in the UK for the upcoming Edgbaston Test. Head coach Rahul Dravid along with Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant has also reached London after finishing the 5-match T20I series vs South Africa. 

IND Vs ENG: R Ashwin tests positive for Covid-19, misses London flight

R Ashwin had tested positive before Indian Team's departure to England on June 16. He is currently under quarantine. 

Tap to read more.

The off-spinner had tested positive before the Indian squad's departure and is currently under quarantine, the BCCI source further informed.&nbsp;

Senior Indian bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has not travelled to the United Kingdom for the upcoming rescheduled fifth Test match after testing positive for Covid-19, a BCCI source told PTI.&nbsp;
The off-spinner had tested positive before the Indian squad's departure on June 16 and is currently under quarantine, the BCCI source further informed.&nbsp;
'The board is hopeful that Ashwin will recover in time before the England Test which starts on July 1st', they said.&nbsp;
The 35-year-old who would likely miss the warm-up Test against Leicestershire will only fly to England after meeting all protocol requirements. The warm-up Test starts on June 24th.
The rest of the Indian squad had already arrived in the UK for the upcoming Edgbaston Test. Head coach Rahul Dravid along with Shreyas Iyer, and Rishabh Pant has also reached London after finishing the 5-match T20I series vs South Africa.&nbsp; Also Read <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/india-tour-of-england-team-india-arrive-in-leicester-for-warm-up-match-1655728482091">India tour of England: Team India arrive in Leicester for warm-up match</a>

China's capital has put school online in one of its major districts amid a new Covid-19 outbreak linked to a nightclub, while life has yet to return to normal in Shanghai despite the lifting of a more than two-month-long lockdown.
China has stuck to its “zero-Covid” policy requiring mass testing, quarantines and the sequestering of anyone who has come into contact with an infected person in concentrated locations where hygiene is generally poor.
A total of 166 cases have been linked to the Heaven Supermarket club in the downtown Gongti nightlife area after an infected person visited there Thursday. Of those, 145 were customers, while the rest were staff or people with whom customers had later contact.
The entire area, along with the adjacent Sanlitun shopping and dining complex, was shut down until further notice.
The outbreak prompted authorities in the sprawling Chaoyang district to put school back online, with the exception of students taking middle and high school placement exams. Sports gatherings in the city have also been put on hold.
Chaoyang has ordered daily mass testing, with long lines forming and wait times of two hours or more.
In Shanghai, 502 people have been linked to three positive tests detected June 9 among patrons of the Red Rose Beauty Salon. The individuals involved come from 15 districts across the city of 25 million people, prompting the first large-scale restrictions since the lockdown was formally ended June 1.
With mass testing and restrictions on movement back in force, streets and supermarkets emptied again over the weekend.
Failure to undergo testing will lead to a yellow code on a person's health status app, forbidding them access to all public places.
Most students remain at home and all but a few restaurants are open only for takeout. Many customers simply partake of their food and drink on the steps beside blooming flower bushes outside the establishments.
While 22 million Shanghai residents were released from lockdown almost two weeks ago, 220,000 people are still restricted to their homes under a rule requiring that no positive cases are found within their residential compounds for more than 10 days. Another 600,000 are in control zones, where their movements are restricted within their compounds.
Corrugated steel fences and other barriers continue to block off neighborhoods and businesses, leading to further discontent and complaints from residents who remain in lockdown.
The strict implementation of lockdowns, along with a lack of information and poor distribution of food and other daily necessities, has led to rarely seen displays of anger and desperation. Residents have confronted workers and police who have become known as “big whites" for the protective gear they wear, circulated protest videos online and coordinated nightly screaming and pot-banging events to let off steam.
The loosening of restrictions led to an exodus of non-Shanghai residents, including foreigners, who had found themselves trapped in the lockdown.
Despite the recent outbreak, Beijing reported just 51 new cases on Monday, 22 of them asymptomatic. City residents are still undergoing regular testing — mostly every other day — and must wear masks and swipe a mobile phone app to enter public places and facilitate case tracing.
China has maintained its “zero-Covid” policy despite considerable economic costs and an assertion from the head of the World Health Organization that the policy isn't sustainable.
Nationwide, China reported just 143 cases, almost all in Beijing and Shanghai. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China remained static at 5,226.

Bar suspected to be Covid-19 hotspot, new restrictions imposed in Beijing

China's capital has switched back to online schools in one of its major districts amid a new COVID-19 outbreak linked to a nightclub

China has stuck to its &ldquo;zero-Covid&rdquo; policy requiring mass testing, quarantines and the sequestering of anyone who has come into contact with an infected person in concentrated locations where hygiene is generally poor.

China's capital has put school online in one of its major districts amid a new Covid-19 outbreak linked to a nightclub, while life has yet to return to normal in Shanghai despite the lifting of a more than two-month-long lockdown.
China has stuck to its &ldquo;zero-Covid&rdquo; policy requiring mass testing, quarantines and the sequestering of anyone who has come into contact with an infected person in concentrated locations where hygiene is generally poor.
A total of 166 cases have been linked to the Heaven Supermarket club in the downtown Gongti nightlife area after an infected person visited there Thursday. Of those, 145 were customers, while the rest were staff or people with whom customers had later contact.
The entire area, along with the adjacent Sanlitun shopping and dining complex, was shut down until further notice.
The outbreak prompted authorities in the sprawling Chaoyang district to put school back online, with the exception of students taking middle and high school placement exams. Sports gatherings in the city have also been put on hold.
Chaoyang has ordered daily mass testing, with long lines forming and wait times of two hours or more.
In Shanghai, 502 people have been linked to three positive tests detected June 9 among patrons of the Red Rose Beauty Salon. The individuals involved come from 15 districts across the city of 25 million people, prompting the first large-scale restrictions since the lockdown was formally ended June 1.
Also Watch| <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/shanghai-china-s-largest-city-savours-easing-up-of-covid-19-curbs-1654061615568" target="_blank">Shanghai: China's largest city savours easing up of Covid-19 curbs</a>
With mass testing and restrictions on movement back in force, streets and supermarkets emptied again over the weekend.
Failure to undergo testing will lead to a yellow code on a person's health status app, forbidding them access to all public places.
Most students remain at home and all but a few restaurants are open only for takeout. Many customers simply partake of their food and drink on the steps beside blooming flower bushes outside the establishments.
While 22 million Shanghai residents were released from lockdown almost two weeks ago, 220,000 people are still restricted to their homes under a rule requiring that no positive cases are found within their residential compounds for more than 10 days. Another 600,000 are in control zones, where their movements are restricted within their compounds.
Corrugated steel fences and other barriers continue to block off neighborhoods and businesses, leading to further discontent and complaints from residents who remain in lockdown.
The strict implementation of lockdowns, along with a lack of information and poor distribution of food and other daily necessities, has led to rarely seen displays of anger and desperation. Residents have confronted workers and police who have become known as &ldquo;big whites" for the protective gear they wear, circulated protest videos online and coordinated nightly screaming and pot-banging events to let off steam.
The loosening of restrictions led to an exodus of non-Shanghai residents, including foreigners, who had found themselves trapped in the lockdown.
Despite the recent outbreak, Beijing reported just 51 new cases on Monday, 22 of them asymptomatic. City residents are still undergoing regular testing &mdash; mostly every other day &mdash; and must wear masks and swipe a mobile phone app to enter public places and facilitate case tracing.
China has maintained its &ldquo;zero-Covid&rdquo; policy despite considerable economic costs and an assertion from the head of the World Health Organization that the policy isn't sustainable.
Nationwide, China reported just 143 cases, almost all in Beijing and Shanghai. The death toll from the outbreak in mainland China remained static at 5,226.

Developed by the Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, India has got its first homemade Covid-19 vaccine for animals called Anocovax.The immunity induced by Anocovax neutralises both Delta and Omicron variants of coronavirus, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research said in a statement.
The vaccine contains inactivated Delta antigen with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. It is safe for dogs, lions, leopards, mice and rabbits.
 

Anocovax: India's first Covid vaccine for animals launched

The immunity induced by Anocovax neutralises both Delta and Omicron variants of coronavirus, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research said in a statement.

Developed by the Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines, India has got its&nbsp;first homemade&nbsp;Covid-19 vaccine for animals called Anocovax.
Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday launched the country's first homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Anocovax for animals, developed by Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRC).
Anocovax is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta (COVID-19) vaccine for animals. The immunity induced by Anocovax neutralises both Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said in a statement.
The vaccine contains inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. It is safe for dogs, lions, leopards, mice and rabbits, it added.
"It is due to the untiring contributions of scientists that the country stands self-reliant in developing its own vaccines more rather than importing. This is really a big achievement," Tomar said after the virtual launch of the COVID-19 vaccine and diagnostic kits for animals developed by the ICAR-NRC.
Besides Anocovac, Tomar launched the 'CAN-CoV-2 ELISA kit' -- a sensitive and specific nucleocapsid protein-based indirect ELISA kit -- for antibody detection against SARS-CoV-2 in canines.
"There are no laboratory animals required for the preparation of the antigens. The kit is made in India and a patent has been filed for the same. No other comparable kits for detection of antibodies in canines are available in the market," the ICAR said.
Surra ELISA kit, a suitable diagnostic assay for 'Trypanosoma evansi' infection in multiple animal species, was also launched.
Surra is one of the most important haemoprotozoan diseases of the different livestock species caused by Trypanosoma evansi. The disease is prevalent in all the agro-climatic parts of India. In India, losses to livestock productivity were estimated to be Rs 44,740 million annually due to Surra, the ICAR noted. Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/cricket/kane-williamson-ruled-out-of-2nd-test-vs-england-after-testing-covid-19-positive-1654851095648">Kane Williamson ruled out of 2nd Test vs England after testing Covid-19 positive</a>
The minister also launched the Equine DNA parentage testing kit, which is a powerful genomic technology for parentage analysis among horses.
ICAR Director General Trilochan Mohapatra, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Secretary Atul Chaturvedi, and ICAR Deputy Director General (Animal Science) Bhupendra Nath Tripathi were also present.
ICAR is the country's premier agri-research institute that functions under the Union Agriculture Ministry.&nbsp;

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