Name: Omicron sub-variant BF.7 driving China's Covid surge: all you need to know
Uploaded: 2022-12-21T18:45:48.000+05:30
Duration: T00M39S
Channel: Editorji News Desk
Description: Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of Covid infections in that country

Giorgi confirmed that she had visited the doctor but said she had done nothing wrong.

Australian Open: Camila Giorgi denies using fake Covid-19 travel certificate

Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a false Covid-19 vaccine certificate to allow her to travel.

Watch what she had to say

Giorgi confirmed that she had visited the doctor but said she had done nothing wrong.

Italian tennis player Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a false Covid-19 vaccine certificate to allow her to travel.
A doctor is under investigation in Italy for supplying false certificates and fake vaccines and Giorgi&rsquo;s name was revealed in a long list of people implicated by an Italian newspaper.
On Tuesday after her 6-0, 6-1 win over Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova at the Australian Open, Giorgi confirmed that she had visited the doctor but said she had done nothing wrong.
Also read: <a title="Australian Open bans Russian &amp; Belarusian flags at Melbourne Park" href="https://www.editorji.com/sports-news/others-sports/australian-open-bans-russian-belarusian-flags-at-melbourne-park-1673935461022">Australian Open bans Russian &amp; Belarusian flags at Melbourne Park</a>

China's official death toll climbed to 65,210 since the coronavirus first broke out in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

China reports nearly 60,000 COVID deaths since last month

China's official death toll climbed to 65,210 since the coronavirus first broke out in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.

China on Saturday reported 59,938 new coronavirus deaths in hospitals across the country over the last 30 days, amid criticism from the WHO that Beijing was heavily under-reporting the magnitude of the pandemic.
The death toll included 59,938 COVID-19 related deaths at hospitals from December 8 to January 12, the National Health Commission said on Saturday, official media here reported.
Jiao Yahui, director of the National Health Commission's medical affairs department, said medical institutes recorded 5,503 deaths as a result of respiratory failure triggered by COVID-19 infections and 54,435 fatalities with underlying conditions, such as cancer or cardiovascular diseases, combined with COVID-19.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/brazil-former-president-jair-bolsonaro-to-be-investigated-for-january-8-riots-1673748405132">Brazil: Former President Jair Bolsonaro to be investigated for January 8 riots</a>
With this, China's official death toll climbed to 65,210 since the coronavirus first broke out in the central Chinese city of Wuhan in December 2019.
PTI

Chinese embassy added that the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its “discriminatory measures on entrance by China” to the country.

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

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

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

China suspended issuing visas on Tuesday for South Koreans to come to the country for tourism or business in apparent retaliation for COVID-19 testing requirements imposed by South Korea on Chinese travellers, according to a notice posted by the Chinese Embassy in Seoul.
Japan's Kyodo News service said the ban would also affect Japanese travellers. A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the government was aware of the report and was holding unofficial discussions with Chinese authorities about measures being considered by Beijing.
It would be &ldquo;regrettable&rdquo; if restrictions are imposed, the official said, speaking on customary condition of anonymity.
The brief notice, published on the embassy WeChat account, said the ban will continue until South Korea lifts its &ldquo;discriminatory measures on entrance by China&rdquo; to the country.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/amid-covid-19-surge-china-ends-quarantine-for-overseas-travellers-1673147932064">Amid Covid-19 surge, China ends quarantine for overseas travellers</a>
No other details were given, although China has threatened to retaliate against countries that require travellers from China to show a negative test result for COVID-19 taken within the previous 48 hours.
The announcement appeared to apply only to new applicants, and said nothing about South Koreans currently holding visas.
Withholding visas from Korean or Japanese business-people could delay the revival of fully fledged commercial activity and potential new investments following China's abrupt lifting of anti-virus controls.
Business groups warned earlier that global companies were shifting investment plans away from China because it was too hard for foreign executives to visit. A handful of foreign auto and other executives have visited China over the past three years, but companies have relied on Chinese employees or managers already in the country to run their operations.
A South Korean restaurant owner in Beijing said the announcement forced friends to postpone plans to visit China. He spoke on condition of anonymity out of concern his business might be affected. He added that he is preparing to renew his own Chinese work visa and doesn't know whether that will be affected.
China has yet to say when it might resume issuing tourist visas on a large scale.
In a phone call with his South Korean counterpart, Park Jin, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang &ldquo;expressed concern" about the measures taken by South Korea and said he &ldquo;hopes that the South Korean side will uphold an objective and scientific attitude".
China's move appeared to be grounded in its demands that its citizens be treated the same as those of other country. Around a dozen countries have followed the US in requiring negative tests for travellers coming from China, which has lifted most of its &ldquo;zero-COVID&rdquo; restrictions for the first time in three years but also has been experiencing a major outbreak since last month.
At a daily briefing, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin defended China's anti-pandemic measures, adding that &ldquo;Regrettably, a handful of countries, in disregard of science and facts and the reality at home, have insisted on taking discriminatory entry restriction measures targeting China. China firmly rejected this and took reciprocal measures".
Wang did not respond directly to questions about the suspension of visa issuance to South Koreans and Japanese, saying only that he had &ldquo;made it very clear".
The World Health Organisation and several nations have accused China of withholding data on its outbreak. The testing requirements are aimed at identifying potential virus variants carried by travellers.
China's ambassador to Australia said the response of those nations to China's COVID-19 outbreak hadn't been proportionate or constructive.
Xiao Qian told reporters in Canberra that China had shifted its strategy late last year from preventing infections to preventing severe cases. He said countries should use a science-based response.
&ldquo;Entry restrictions, if they're targeted at China, they're unnecessary,&rdquo; the ambassador told reporters.
&ldquo;If you look at some other countries in the world and their policies toward China, I mean, their responsible measures toward China (are) not constructive. It's not based on science. It's not proportionate,&rdquo; he said.
The online notice at the embassy in Seoul did not say why China singled out South Korea for retaliation, although president and Communist Party leader Xi Jinping's deeply nationalistic government has long resented Seoul's alliance with the US.
The once-cordial ties between South Korea and its biggest trading partner soured after China targeted businesses, sports teams and even K-pop groups to protest deployment of an advanced US anti-missile system in South Korea.
China fought on the side of North Korea in the 1950-1953 war and has remained a supporter of Pyongyang amid its missile launches and nuclear tests, and has opposed further sanctions against Kim Jong Un's hardline communist regime.
China abruptly reversed its strict pandemic containment requirements last month in response to what it says was the changing nature of the outbreak. That came after three years of lockdowns, quarantines and mass testing that prompted protests on the street in Beijing and other major cities not seen in three decades.
The most optimistic forecasts say China's business and consumer activity might revive as early as the first quarter of this year. But before that happens, entrepreneurs and families face a painful squeeze from a surge in virus cases that has left employers without enough healthy workers and kept wary customers away from shopping malls, restaurants, hair salons and gyms.
The abrupt decision by Xi's government to end controls that shut down factories and kept millions of people at home will move up the timeline for economic recovery, but might disrupt activity this year as businesses scramble to adapt, forecasters say.
China is now facing a surge in cases and hospitalisations in major cities and is bracing for a further spread into less developed areas with the start of the Lunar New Year travel rush, set to get underway in coming days.
While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year, bringing overall numbers close to those of the 2019 holiday period, before the pandemic hit.

The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.

Covid: WHO says China not revealing 'true impact', Beijing not providing 'complete data' on surge

The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.

Even as China is issuing threats to countries imposing Covid testing rules on travellers from the country, the World Health Organisation has criticised Beijing.
WHO's emergencies director on 4 January 2023 said that the current numbers from China "under-represent the true impact of the disease in terms of hospital admissions, ICU admissions, and deaths".
The WHO also said that Beijing is using a very "narrow" definition to declare Covid as the cause of death of patients.
Also Watch:<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/covid-despite-china-s-anger-eu-advises-member-nations-to-make-pre-departure-testing-mandatory-1672886637123"> Covid: Despite China's anger, EU advises member-nations to make pre-departure testing mandatory</a>

Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports.

Covid: Despite China's anger, EU advises member-nations to make pre-departure testing mandatory

Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports.

Even as China has threatened retaliation against countries imposing special rules on travellers from the country, the European Union on 4 January 2023 issued a "strong" advisory.
European Union officials "encouraged" member states to make Covid testing mandatory before departure for travellers from China.
Some EU countries like Italy, France, and Spain have already implemented the measure, as per reports. Following a week of talks between EU health experts, the bloc stopped short of fully imposing on all 27 member states such a travel restriction.
A day after threatening countermeasures, Chinese government spokesperson Mao Ning said on 4 January that "we sincerely hope that all parties will focus on fighting the epidemic itself, avoid the politicization of Covid."
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/covid-who-says-china-not-revealing-true-impact-beijing-not-providing-complete-data-on-surge-1672890128355">Covid: WHO says China not revealing 'true impact', Beijing not providing 'complete data' on surge</a>
As well as pre-departure testing, EU nations are likely to agree on special testing of wastewater in planes coming from China to see if it contains dangerous variants that are not common on the continent yet.
(With AP inputs)

The Joe Biden government said that there is no reason for Beijing to "retaliate" as countries are taking "prudent measures to protect their citizens".

Covid: USA reacts to China's threat of 'countermeasures' after countries impose special travel rules

The Joe Biden government said that there is no reason for Beijing to "retaliate" as countries are taking "prudent measures to protect their citizens".

The American government on 3 January 2023 reacted to China's threats of "countermeasures" after some countries imposed special rules on travellers from China as the country sees a massive Covid surge.
The Joe Biden government said that there is no reason for Beijing to "retaliate" as countries are taking "prudent measures to protect their citizens". The White House said that the decisions are based on "public health and science", and recommended by experts.
China had called the travel rules "unacceptable" and without "scientific basis".
America had earlier criticised Beijing for lack of transparency in furnishing of Covid data amid a wave of infections.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/more-european-nations-tighten-covid-rules-for-china-flights-1672474323255">More European nations tighten Covid rules for China flights</a>

China lashes out at nations for imposing restrictions on arrivals from its country

The United States, Canada, Japan and France are among the countries insisting all travellers from China provide negative Covid tests before arrival, as concerns grow over a surge in cases.

China called the mounting international restrictions on travellers from its territory "unacceptable" on Tuesday after over a dozen countries placed fresh Covid curbs on visitors from the world's most populous nation.
The United States, Canada, Japan and France are among the countries insisting all travellers from China provide negative Covid tests before arrival, as concerns grow over a surge in cases.
China's steep rise in infections comes after Beijing abruptly lifted years of hardline restrictions last month, with hospitals and crematoriums quickly overwhelmed.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/japan-south-korea-impose-restrictions-on-travellers-from-china-1672381485354">Japan, South Korea impose restrictions on travellers from China</a>
But Beijing has pushed ahead with a long-awaited re-opening, last week announcing an end to mandatory quarantines on arrival in a move that prompted &nbsp;Chinese people to plan trips abroad.
"Some countries have taken entry restrictions targeting only Chinese travellers," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a regular briefing.
"This lacks scientific basis and some practices are unacceptable," she added, warning China could "take countermeasures based on the principle of reciprocity".

Around 28% of the eligible population has taken the first booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so far.

Covid: talks on allowing second booster dose in India begin among vaccine experts in govt panel NTAGI

Around 28% of the eligible population has taken the first booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so far.

Amid concerns over a possible Covid wave in India, the country's expert panel on immunisation is discussing the possibility of allowing a second booster dose to people, according to a Hindustan Times report.
A member of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) said that a section supports a second booster dose, but all scientific data will be minutely studied before any recommendation to the government.
Around 28% of the eligible population has taken the first booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine so far.
The Narendra Modi government recently approved the country's first intranasal vaccine as a booster. Bharat Biotech's iNCOVACC's approval for emergency use among adults who have received two doses of Covishield or Covaxin vaccine coincided with the surge of cases in neighbouring China.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/indigo-plane-suffers-technical-glitch-forced-to-abandon-phuket-journey-return-to-delhi-1672725203558">IndiGo plane suffers technical glitch, forced to abandon Phuket journey, return to Delhi</a>

More European nations tighten COVID rules for China flights

Health Secretary Steve Barclay said that the UK was taking a "balanced and precautionary approach." He described the measures as "temporary" while officials assess COVID-19 statistics.

France, Spain and England will implement tougher COVID-19 measures for passengers arriving from China, authorities said Friday.
France's government is requiring negative tests, and is urging French citizens to avoid nonessential travel to China. France is also reintroducing mask requirements on flights from China to France.
French health authorities will carry out random PCR tests at airports on passengers arriving from China to identify potential new coronavirus variants. The new rules take effect on Sunday, but officials said it would be a few days before they are fully in place.
The UK government announced that anyone travelling to England on direct flights from China would be required to take a pre-departure test from January 5.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said that the UK was taking a "balanced and precautionary approach." He described the measures as "temporary" while officials assess COVID-19 statistics.
France and Spain said they would continue to push for a Europe-wide policy.
Also read|<a href="https://www.editorji.com/world-news/japan-to-make-covid-19-test-compulsory-for-travellers-from-china-1672139069559">Japan to make Covid-19 test compulsory for travellers from China</a>

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in some countries, the government has sounded an alert, tightened Covid guidelines and asked states and Union territories to prepare for any eventuality.

Negative Covid report mandatory for passengers travelling to India from these six countries

Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in some countries, the government has sounded an alert, tightened Covid guidelines and asked states and Union territories to prepare for any eventuality.

Passengers arriving in India from China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand will be mandatorily required to provide negative Covid reports from January 1, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.
They will have to upload the negative Covid reports from RT-PCR tests on the Air Suvidha portal prior to their departure.
The tests have to be conducted within 72 hours of undertaking the journey to India, Mandaviya said.
This requirement is in addition to the random two per cent tests of all international passengers in all incoming international flights on their arrival in India irrespective of their port of departure, the minister said.
Amid a spike in coronavirus cases in some countries, the government has sounded an alert, tightened Covid guidelines and asked states and Union territories to prepare for any eventuality.

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Covid Variant 'BF.7'

Year ender 2022

December 2022 Holidays

Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of Covid infections in that country

What to know about Omicron sub-variant BF.7, driving China's Covid surge

Chinese cities are currently hit by the highly transmissible Omicron strain, mostly BF.7 which is the main variant spreading in Beijing and is contributing to a wider surge of Covid infections in that country

The current surge in Covid cases in China is believed to be driven by the BF.7 sub-variant of Omicron that is circulating in the country.&nbsp; The variant is reportedly more infectious and transmits more quickly than other variants known so far.&nbsp;
The symptoms are similar to other Omicron subvariants like fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, fatigue, vomiting, and diarrhea. The variant is likely to cause severe illness for those with weaker immune systems.&nbsp;
This is not the first time that BF.7 has made news, it accounted for over 5 per cent of the cases in the US in October and over 7 per cent of the cases in the UK.
Also watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/india-news/india-covid-alert-3-cases-of-variant-driving-china-spike-detected-in-gujarat-odisha-says-report-1671616390805">India Covid alert: 3 cases of variant driving China spike detected in Gujarat, Odisha, says report</a>

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, reported that myopia in children aged between 6 to 13 increased up to three times in the year 2020. On average, children were more shortsighted by -0.3 diopters.
Researchers analysed nearly 195,000 test results from school vision screenings collected over six years. They found that not only does myopia appear to be worsening, it seems to be more prevalent too. Only 5.7% of children were found to have myopia from 2015 to 2019; last year, that jumped to 21.5%.
Myopia is the most common ocular disorder and a leading cause of visual impairment in children. High myopia can cause serious retinal damage that can lead to blindness. As per World Health Organization, it is estimated to affect 52% of the world population by 2050.
According to researchers, home confinement during Covid and reduced outdoor activity is associated with worsening eyesight. Those hoping to keep their myopia from worsening, should follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away.

Pandemic screen-time not good for our eyesight, here's why

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, reported that myopia in children aged between 6 to 13 increased up to three times in the year 2020. On average, children were more shortsighted by -0.3 diopters.
Researchers analysed nearly 195,000 test results from school vision screenings collected over six years. They found that not only does myopia appear to be worsening, it seems to be more prevalent too. Only 5.7% of children were found to have myopia from 2015 to 2019; last year, that jumped to 21.5%.
Myopia is the most common ocular disorder and a leading cause of visual impairment in children. High myopia can cause serious retinal damage that can lead to blindness. As per World Health Organization, it is estimated to affect 52% of the world population by 2050.
According to researchers, home confinement during Covid and reduced outdoor activity is associated with worsening eyesight. Those hoping to keep their myopia from worsening, should follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away.

Myopia in children increased up to three times in the year 2020
Only 5.7% of children had myopia in 2019, which jumped to 21.5% in 2020
High myopia can cause serious retinal damage that can lead to blindness
Those hoping to keep their myopia from worsening must follow the 20-20-20 rule

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology, reported that myopia in children aged between 6 to 13 increased up to three times in the year 2020. On average, children were more shortsighted by -0.3 diopters.
Researchers analysed nearly 195,000 test results from school vision screenings collected over six years. They found that not only does myopia appear to be worsening, it seems to be more prevalent too. Only 5.7% of children were found to have myopia from 2015 to 2019; last year, that jumped to 21.5%.
Myopia is the most common ocular disorder and a leading cause of visual impairment in children. High myopia can cause serious retinal damage that can lead to blindness. As per <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/delta-variant-who-names-covid-19-strain-first-found-in-india-1622481606025" target="_blank">World Health Organization</a>, it is estimated to affect 52% of the world population by 2050.
According to researchers, home confinement during <a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/india-devastated-by-covid-china-must-pay-up-donald-trump-1623982982835" target="_blank">Covid </a>and reduced outdoor activity is associated with worsening eyesight. Those hoping to keep their myopia from worsening, should follow the 20-20-20 rule: Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break to view something 20 feet away.
Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.editorji.com/story/pandemic-outbreak-delhi-mumbai-top-2-in-hazard-index-1623206218198" target="_blank">Pandemic outbreak: Delhi, Mumbai top 2 in hazard index</a>

If&nbsp;you&rsquo;re looking for natural ways to boost your immunity,&nbsp;the Centre through its @MyGovIndia Twitter&nbsp;page has shared some general measures&nbsp;that&nbsp;you can follow to boost your immunity organically amidst&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;
First on the list of diet suggestions from the government is the consumption of five servings of colourful fruits and vegetables which help you get your&nbsp;recommended&nbsp;intake of vitamins and minerals.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To help with elevated anxiety levels, small amounts of dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa has been recommended.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To boost your body&rsquo;s disease defence, the govt has advised drinking turmeric milk once a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Noting that loss of taste and smell is a common complaint of coronavirus patients, the list suggests people to eat soft foods at small intervals and add some amchur to their food.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Stressing on the importance of foods that help rebuild muscle and boost energy levels, whole grains like ragi, oats and amaranth&nbsp;are suggested to be a part of&nbsp;a recovering patient&rsquo;s diet.&nbsp;
The list includes chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, soy, nuts and seeds as good sources of protein.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Walnuts, almonds as well as olive and mustard oil have been recommended as good sources of healthy fats.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The last bit of advice from the&nbsp;government advisory is a regular physical activity like yoga and breathing exercise or pranayama which should be performed as per one&rsquo;s tolerance.
&nbsp;
Disclaimer:&nbsp;editorji does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this story are for informational purposes only. No material in this video is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have related to Covid-19.

Dark chocolate for anxiety, haldi milk for immunity: Govt’s ‘suggested diet’ for building immunity 

If&nbsp;you&rsquo;re looking for natural ways to boost your immunity,&nbsp;the Centre through its @MyGovIndia Twitter&nbsp;page has shared some general measures&nbsp;that&nbsp;you can follow to boost your immunity organically amidst&nbsp;the&nbsp;COVID-19&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;
First on the list of diet suggestions from the government is the consumption of five servings of colourful fruits and vegetables which help you get your&nbsp;recommended&nbsp;intake of vitamins and minerals.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To help with elevated anxiety levels, small amounts of dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa has been recommended.&nbsp;&nbsp;
To boost your body&rsquo;s disease defence, the govt has advised drinking turmeric milk once a day.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Noting that loss of taste and smell is a common complaint of coronavirus patients, the list suggests people to eat soft foods at small intervals and add some amchur to their food.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Stressing on the importance of foods that help rebuild muscle and boost energy levels, whole grains like ragi, oats and amaranth&nbsp;are suggested to be a part of&nbsp;a recovering patient&rsquo;s diet.&nbsp;
The list includes chicken, fish, eggs, paneer, soy, nuts and seeds as good sources of protein.&nbsp;&nbsp;
Walnuts, almonds as well as olive and mustard oil have been recommended as good sources of healthy fats.&nbsp;&nbsp;
The last bit of advice from the&nbsp;government advisory is a regular physical activity like yoga and breathing exercise or pranayama which should be performed as per one&rsquo;s tolerance.
&nbsp;
Disclaimer:&nbsp;editorji does not provide medical advice. The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained in this story are for informational purposes only. No material in this video is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have related to Covid-19.

https://twitter.com/mygovindia/status/1390347626994864134?s=20

More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including about 3,700 last week.

President Biden announces end to Covid-19 emergencies from May 11

More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including about 3,700 last week.

President Joe Biden informed Congress on Monday that he will end the twin national emergencies for addressing COVID-19 on May 11, as most of the world has returned closer to normalcy nearly three years after they were first declared.
The move to end the national emergency and public health emergency declarations would formally restructure the federal coronavirus response to treat the virus as an endemic threat to public health that can be managed through agencies' normal authorities.
It comes as lawmakers have already ended elements of the emergencies that kept millions of Americans insured during the pandemic. Combined with the drawdown of most federal COVID-19 relief money, it would also shift the development of vaccines and treatments away from the direct management of the federal government.
Biden's announcement comes in a statement opposing resolutions being brought to the floor this week by House Republicans to bring the emergency to an immediate end. House Republicans are also gearing up to launch investigations on the federal government's response to COVID-19.
Then-President Donald Trump first declared the COVID-19 pandemic a national emergency on March 13, 2020. The emergencies have been repeatedly extended by Biden since he took office in January 2021, and are set to expire in the coming months. The White House said Biden plans to extend them both briefly to end on May 11.
&ldquo;An abrupt end to the emergency declarations would create wide-ranging chaos and uncertainty throughout the health care system &mdash; for states, for hospitals and doctors' offices, and, most importantly, for tens of millions of Americans,&rdquo; the Office of Management and Budget wrote in a Statement of Administration Policy.
Congress has already blunted the reach of the public health emergency that had the most direct impact on Americans, as political calls to end the declaration intensified. Lawmakers have refused for months to fulfill the Biden administration's request for billions of more dollars to extend free COVID vaccines and testing.
And the $1.7 trillion spending package passed last year and signed into law by Biden put an end to a rule that barred states from kicking people off Medicaid, a move that is expected to see millions of people lose their coverage after April 1.
Also Watch: <a href="https://www.editorji.com/coronavirus/china-reports-nearly-60-000-covid-deaths-since-last-month-1673747946223">China reports nearly 60,000 COVID deaths since last month</a>
The costs of COVID-19 vaccines are also expected to skyrocket once the government stops buying them, with Pfizer saying it will charge as much as $130 per dose. Only 15% of Americans have received the recommended, updated booster that has been offered since last fall.
Once the emergency expires, people with private insurance will have some out-of-pocket costs for vaccines, tests and treatment, while the uninsured will have to pay for those expenses in their entirety.
Legislators did extend telehealth flexibilities that were introduced as COVID-19 hit, leading health care systems around the country to regularly deliver care by smartphone or computer.
The Biden administration had previously considered ending the emergency last year, but held off amid concerns about a potential &ldquo;winter surge&rdquo; in cases and to provide adequate time for providers, insurers and patients to prepare for its end.
A senior administration official said the three months until the expiration would mark a transition period where the administration will &ldquo;begin the process of a smooth operational wind-down of the flexibilities enabled by the COVID-19 emergency declarations.&rdquo; The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the announcement before it had been released.
More than 1.1 million people in the U.S. have died from COVID-19 since 2020, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including about 3,700 last week.
Case counts have trended downward after a slight bump over the winter holidays, and are significantly below levels seen over the last two winters &mdash; though the number of tests performed for the virus and reported to public health officials has sharply decreased.
Moments before the White House's announcement, Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., accused the president of unnecessarily extending the public health emergency to take action on issues like forgiving some federal student loan debts.
&ldquo;The country has largely returned to normal,&rdquo; Cole said Monday, introducing a Republican-backed bill calling for an end to the health emergency. &ldquo;Everyday Americans have returned to work and to school with no restrictions on their activities. It is time that the government acknowledges this reality: the pandemic is over.&rdquo;

World's first 'Made in India' nasal vaccine for Covid launched on January 26

World's first 'Made in India' nasal vaccine for Covid launched

World's first 'Made in India' nasal vaccine for Covid&nbsp;launched iNCOVACC launched by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya: ANI Intranasal vaccine, iNCOVACC developed by Bharat Biotech

World's first 'Made in India' nasal vaccine for Covid launched on January 26

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh launched Bharat Biotech's nasal Covid vaccine, iNCOVACC, on the occasion of Republic Day on Thursday.
The nasal vaccine -- BBV154 -- had received the Drugs Controller General of India's (DCGI) approval in November for restricted emergency use among adults as a heterologous booster dose.
According to a statement issued by Bharat Biotech earlier, 'iNCOVACC' is priced at Rs 800 for private markets and at Rs 325 for supplies to the government of India and state governments iNCOVACC is a recombinant replication deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilised spike protein. This vaccine candidate was evaluated in phase I, II and III clinical trials with successful results, the Hyderabad-based vaccine maker had said.
Clinical trials were conducted to evaluate iNCOVACC as a primary dose schedule and as a heterologous booster dose for subjects who have previously received two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.
(PTI)

The complainant, 57-year-old Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, said that she has not been able to overcome the trauma from the incident.

Singapore: Indian-origin woman 'kicked in the chest' for not wearing mask testifies in court

The complainant, 57-year-old Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, said that she has not been able to overcome the trauma from the incident.

An Indian-origin woman in Singapore, who was allegedly kicked in the chest and racially abused, made a statement in court on 18 January 2023.
The complainant, 57-year-old Hindocha Nita Vishnubhai, said that she has not been able to overcome the trauma from the incident. She was allegedly attacked by Wong Xing Fong on 7 May 2021 for not wearing a mask amid Covid restrictions.
She said that the rules at the time allowed people who were exercising to not wear masks. Hindocha said she typically brisk-walks to work as she does not have the time to do any other form of exercise before work and had pulled down her face mask to the chin to breathe more freely.
As Hindocha was approaching a bus stop beside the Northvale Condominium located along Choa Chu Kang Drive, she heard someone shouting at her from behind, she told the court.
She turned around to see "a couple", Wong and an unnamed woman, gesturing at her and telling her to mask up. She gestured back to indicate that she was exercising and perspiring.
At this point, Wong walked towards her and hurled the racial slur at her, Hindocha claimed. "I don't like to fight, sir, so I said, 'God bless you'," she said, adding that then Wong ran towards her and gave her a "flying kick" in the chest.
The impact, said Hindocha, caused her to fall on her back, leaving her left forearm and palm bleeding. She alleged that Wong and his female companion then "jogged" away as though nothing had happened.
The accused has denied the allegations levelled by Hindocha.
(With agency inputs)
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