Covid-19 update: Daily cases below 2k mark, active tally at 27,374

ANI, he said, “I would suggest to everyone that if they are going out and especially in crowded places then they must wear a mask." Dr Guleria also warned that high-risk patients can get serious infection. "High-risk groups, elderly people should avoid going out because there are high chances of spreading infection and some can also get a serious infection," he said.

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Health (DOH) announces the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has granted emergency use authorization for the COVID-19 booster by Novavax and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and DOH are allowing use of the COVID-19 booster by Novavax.Novavax monovalent COVID-19 boosters are recommended for adults 18 and older for whom a bivalent booster by Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna is not clinically appropriate and adults who would otherwise not get a COVID-19 booster.Adults who completed their primary series of Novavax, Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines at least six months ago can receive a Novavax booster if they have not already received a different booster by another manufacturer.“We encourage people to get the new bivalent boosters from Pfizer or Moderna because those are the only boosters specially designed to protect against Omicron subvariants.

COVID-19 remains a global health emergency, WHO says On Oct. 17, 2021, there were 218 COVID patients in ICU and 772 in non-ICU spaces, a total of 990.

WASHINGTON - COVID-19 drove a dramatic increase in the number of women who died from pregnancy or childbirth complications in the U.S. last year, a crisis that has disproportionately claimed Black and Hispanic women as victims, according to a government report released Wednesday.The report lays out grim trends across the country for expectant mothers and their newborn babies.It finds that pregnancy-related deaths have spiked nearly 80% since 2018, with COVID-19 being a factor in a quarter of the 1,178 deaths reported last year.

WASHINGTON - U.S. regulators on Wednesday authorized a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine made by Novavax.The Food and Drug Administration said the new booster option is for people 18 and older who can’t get the updated omicron-targeting Pfizer or Moderna boosters for medical or accessibility reasons -- or who otherwise would not receive a COVID-19 booster shot at all.The FDA specified the additional Novavax shot was to be used as a first booster -- not for people who've already had one or more booster doses already — at least six months after completing their primary shots.FILE - In this photo illustration a COVID-19 vaccine is seen with the Novavax logo in the background.

Ontario has quietly changed masking rules for long-term care homes, no longer requiring visitors or caregivers to wear them when alone with a resident in their room.Long-term care homes are one of the only places where provincial mask mandates remain, after Ontario lifted most such requirements in June.But the rules were changed as of Friday, though no public announcement was made. Operators were notified and the COVID-19 guidance document for long-term care homes was updated on an Ontario government website, said a spokesperson for Long-Term Care Minister Paul Calandra.

Overall COVID-19 cases declined again last week, down 6% compared to the week before, but some Western Asian nations such as Singapore are experiencing a steady surge in cases, the World Health Organization (WHO) said today in its latest update on the pandemic.

Two new studies uncover the profound impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on global life expectancy (LE), one showing substantial and sustained LE losses in the United States and Eastern Europe, and the other finding a link between LE at 60 years of age before the pandemic and excess deaths amid COVID-19 only in countries with older populations.

Canada is facing some “difficult days ahead,” but whether or not the government expects the economy to tip into recession will be reflected in the feds’ upcoming fall forecast, Chrystia Freeland says.

Ontario hospitals are coming up with alternative solutions, including the use of unconventional patient spaces and new staffing models, to deal with high patient volumes and long wait times as cases of COVID-19 and other illnesses rise.The Ottawa Hospital says recent high patient volumes have been straining its capacity, while staff pressures, as well as ongoing COVID-19 cases, have made it difficult to manage the issue.The hospital says it has prepared several “temporary unconventional spaces” that could be used to care for patients if needed.

Delhi EV Policy released in 2019 set a target of accelerated EV penetration across all vehicle segments so that 25% of all new vehicle registrations are EVs by 2024. The policy also aims to take the share of electric buses in the public transport bus fleet to 70% by 2025.

FILE-A driver sits in his vehicle as he waits for a health care professional to swab his nose for a COVID-19 PCR test at a Nomi Health testing center inside Tropical Park in Miami on May 24, 2022. (Daniel A.

Novavax's vaccine is based on an older technology that has been used for decades to combat diseases including hepatitis B and influenza. Wednesday's decision is in addition to the earlier clearance for the protein-based vaccine as a primary two-shot regimen for those 12 years and above.

Ryan Seacrest has been seen for the first time since he revealed a week ago he had come down with COVID-19.The morning show star looked healthy on Tuesday in a dark suit with a polka dot scarf around his neck in New York City.The 47-year-old The Kardashians producer was with his 24-year-old model girlfriend Aubrey Paige.

Covid-19 cases between 10 -16 October compared to the previous week. XXB was discovered in Singapore in August. It is a hybrid of Omicron's BA.2.75 and BJ.1 sub-variants.

The World Health Organization has said that Covid-19 remains a global emergency, nearly three years after it was first declared as one.

descendants. Worse, they potentially undermine a critical message: Covid vaccines still provide good protection against all of these variants. Much of the recent hubbub arose because the Centers for Disease Control updated its estimates of circulating variants, noting that two — BQ.1 and BQ.1.1., both descendants of the by-now familiar BA.5 — combined now account for about 11% of infections in the US.

Covid-19 cases in the second week of October. The Department's Surveillance Officer Dr Pradeep Awate had earlier said that the state has reported the XBB variant, which is a new variant having a "growth advantage" over BA.2.75 and immune evasive property. The city civic body asked citizens to get vaccinated against the viral infection, if not done so till now and also get booster dose, and wear face masks in crowded places and follow other COVID-19 protocols.

Elon Musk has claimed that the names of new Covid variants are giving him inspiration for the names of future children.The world’s richest man was responding to a story discussing how variants of Omicron are appearing differently around the globe, rather than just as a single strain.On Twitter, Shibetoshi Nakamoto – the pseudonym for the person behind the cryptocurrency Dodgecoin – posted a screen grab from the article along with a caption.READ MORE: Elon Musk says World War Three could be on the horizon as Putin prepares his nukes“Did Elon Musk name these new covid variants[?]” they asked.Musk appeared to deny that he was in fact the person behind the naming, but did it admit it was giving him inspiration.He replied: “Definitely giving me kid naming ideas”.Musk has a bit of a track record of unusual baby names.In May 2020, the Tesla founder shared a snap of his and musician Grimes’s newborn son.The accompanying caption revealed that the baby boy’s name was “X Æ A-12 Musk” – something that people still find impossible to pronounce.X Æ A-12 was the couple's first child together.Some people were convinced the name was pronounced as “X Ash Archangel”, in reference to a Lockheed aircraft that is nicknamed Archangel.On Twitter, one fan mused: "How do you pronounce that even? Like you can't just go "Come here X AE A-12", like is it pronounced John or Smith.

(With inputs from agencies)

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 0.75%, while the weekly positivity rate was 1.01%, the health ministry said New Delhi: India reported 1,946 new covid cases in the last 24 hours, according to the union health ministry on Wednesday. The active caseload currently stands at 25,968.

(With inputs from PTI)

Diwali and other upcoming festivals to prevent a spike in cases.  In a statement, the BMC said the festival season is a “critical period" as there may be a tendency to ignore COVID-19 safe behaviour during festivals due to large gatherings, events, fairs and crowds in enclosed and non-ventilated spaces. 1) The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) asked citizens to get vaccinated against the viral infection, if not done so till now   2) The Mumbai civic body has also asked all  to get booster dose, and wear face masks in crowded places and follow other COVID-19 protocols.

Covid-19 update: The death toll climbed to 5,28,923 with 10 fatalities, which include six deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated by the the Union health ministry at 8 am stated. India saw a single day rise of 1,946 infections, taking the tally of COVID-19 cases to 4,46,34,376, while the active cases declined to 25,968, according to government data updated on Wednesday. The death toll climbed to 5,28,923 with 10 fatalities, which include six deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated by the the Union health ministry at 8 am stated.

SAN DIEGO, CA - OCTOBER 18: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during Game 1 of the NLCS between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday, October 18, 2022 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Dani SAN DIEGO - Bryce Harper homered again, Kyle Schwarber hit a jaw-dropping, 488-foot drive and Zack Wheeler was brilliant in throwing one-hit ball for seven innings to lead the Philadelphia Phillies over the San Diego Padres 2-0 Tuesday night to open the all-wild card NL Championship Series.Wheeler and two relievers combined on a one-hitter for Philadelphia.

COVID-19 variants, as early signs show a fall resurgence of the virus.At the House of Commons health committee, Dr. Theresa Tam says the Public Health Agency of Canada is keeping a careful eye on the evolution of Omicron variants, which are the most common subvariants in the country.Tam says in the early days of the pandemic the virus would mutate in all sorts of ways, because there was no immunity from previous infection or vaccines.

A study of essential and frontline workers in six US states who tested positive for COVID-19 and received two or three mRNA vaccine doses before Delta infections and three doses before Omicron infections suggests that they had significantly milder infections and lower viral loads than their unvaccinated peers.

Several road closures in Barrie this Thursday for funeral of 2 Ontario police officers shot dead Six patients have tested positive for COVID-19 and have been isolated.Health officials say enhanced cleaning measures and contact tracing are underway, as well as swabbing of patients and staff.Admissions to the unit are on hold during the outbreak and visitors are not permitted, staff at the health centre said.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Petroleum Product (Special Provisions) Bill was passed in Parliament on Tuesday (18) with amendments.Accordingly, 77 votes were received in favor of the bill and only 17 votes were received against.The vote was held after MP Vijitha Herath of National People's Power requested for one.The Petroleum Product (Special Provisions) Bill was published via gazette on the 12th of August 2022, to amend certain sections of The Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Act No.33 of 2002.The bill was prepared after the Cabinet of Minister granted its approval to issue licenses to selected specific sectors of the economy to import and use the fuel they require individually.The bill was included into the parliament agenda on the 31st of August 2022, and it proposed several key amendments to the act.It proposes to award the cabinet appointed Energy Supply Committee with the powers relating to the petroleum.The Committee shall consist of the Secretary to the Ministry of the Minister assigned the subject of Petroleum, Secretary to the Treasury or his nominee not below the rank of Director-General of the Treasury; Chairman or Managing-Director of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation, and two members appointed from among persons who have achieved eminence in the field of petroleum industry or law.However, following an examination of petitions filed challenging the bill, the Supreme Court determined that a special majority was necessary to pass the provisions on considering the decision made earlier, as decision taken by the new committee, and to enact the decisions taken by the Energy Supply Committee before the bill was passed.The Supreme Court also determined that several other articles required a referendum.

The researchers at Boston University have claimed that they have developed a Covid-19 strain that inflicts severe disease and has  80 per cent kill rate. The ones that are dominant across the world such as the sub-variants of Omicron are said to be mild when it comes to their severity. To develop the most lethal Covid strain, the researchers, according to a report, extracted the spike protein from Omicron and genetically engineered it into the strain of Covid-19 which was first detected in China’s Wuhan and tried it on mice.

Many families will be looking forward to jetting off this October half term to get some sun before winter arrives. Across the world countries have scrapped their coronavirus entry requirements, so you can travel abroad without having to worry about completing complicated forms or presenting vaccine certificates.

The Health Information and Quality Authority has published a review of public health measures that 21 countries have planned to use this winter in the event of a Covid-19 surge.

COVID-19 vaccination policy by the end of the year.The last day for the policy will be on Dec. 31.

coronavirus pandemic – and has "no regrets".Jodi Cross had been trying to fall pregnant with her husband Rob for a year.And as life slowed down for the furloughed hairdresser during the pandemic, she had more time to focus on planning for a baby. READ MORE: Mum banned from Halloween bash by 'Karens' after planning Jeffrey Dahmer costume for baby The couple, from Wixams, Bedfordshire, were delighted to find out they were expecting their first daughter during the second lockdown.She they decided to call her baby Lockie – short for lockdown.Jodi, 36, said: "We had been trying for a year to get pregnant and lockdown meant I was furloughed and Rob was working less."I think we just relaxed a bit because we had so much more time than we normally would, and then we found out I was pregnant."When she was born there was the new strain of Covid coming about – Omicron – so we knew she'd be a lockdown baby."So we named her Lockie for lockdown – we really liked the name, and lockdown was a good time in our lives because it was so relaxing."If it wasn't for the pandemic, the pair may not have fallen pregnant so quickly.Rob, 36, moved in with Jodi as the nationwide lockdown began in March 2020.Jodi recalled: "I ended up taking over a little salon during lockdown because I had been on furlough a long time."By this point we had been trying for a year and thought pregnancy wasn't going to happen so started to focus on work instead."A week later I found out I was pregnant."The couple were overjoyed – and got hitched in secret when Jodi was seven months pregnant.Their baby was born last November and they decided to celebrate her conception by calling her Lockie.Jodi said: "We know lots of people didn't enjoy lockdown but for us, it was a

Strictly Come Dancing star Will Mellor has shared a health update on Twitter after worrying fans having been left bedbound last week.The former Coronation Street actor, 46, took to Twitter on Monday (October 17), looking jovial, recording a selfie video, and sharing some feel-good energy with his fans.In a 10-sec clip, Will said: “Morning, it’s a new day, it’s a new week, fresh start, let’s have it.”READ NEXT: Strictly's Helen Skelton breaks silence amid news ex will welcome baby with new girlfriendHe captioned the video: “Happy Monday, people!! Hope you have a great wk!” and hashtagged #positivity, #positivevibesonly and #happymonday.Will also told fans via an Instagram update: “I’m so glad to be feeling better!"Will’s upbeat posts come a few days after the BBC star was struck by a "horrible virus" that led him to miss show rehearsals.However, Will pushed through and on Saturday night (October 15), he and his partner Nancy performed a touching rumba routine to The Joker and the Queen by Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift. For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking hereThe dance aimed to shed light on the importance of men’s mental health and Will dedicated it to those who “put on a brave face” amid their mental health struggles.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – First Reading of the Appropriation Bill for the year 2023 is scheduled to be presented on Tuesday (18).This was decided at the Committee on Parliamentary Business held previously (07) under the chairmanship of Mahinda Yapa Abeywardana, Speaker of Parliament.From 18th to 21st time is allotted from 9.30 am to 10.30 for Questions for Oral Answers.It was decided to hold the debate on the Second Reading of the Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) (Amendment) Bill from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm on the 18th of October.Thereafter, time has been allotted from 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm for the Motion at the Adjournment Time brought in by the Government, the Secretary General said.The Committee also decided to take into debate 6 Bills presented by the Ministry of Justice on October 19th from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm. Accordingly, Poisons, Opium and Dangerous Drugs’ (Amendment) Bill, Notaries Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Powers of Attorney Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Wills Ordinance (Amendment) Bill, Registration of Documents (Amendment) Bill, Prevention of Frauds Ordinance (Amendment) bill are scheduled to be taken up for debate.From 5.00 pm to 5.30 pm time has been set aside for Questions at the Adjournment Time.On October 20th and 21st from 10.30 am to 5.00 pm, the Second Reading debate on the Twenty- Second Amendment to the Constitution Bill is scheduled to be held.

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: Over the past 24 hours, India reported 1,542 new covid cases, the lowest single-day rise, the Union health ministry said in an update on Tuesday. Active cases are now at 26,449, with total reported cases since the pandemic hit in early 2020 at 4.46 crore.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Petroleum Trade Unions have decided to report sick on Tuesday (18).Trade Unions said that they will step away from work on Tuesday (18) Petroleum Products (Special Provisions) Amendment Bill that will be presented to Parliament.Petroleum Trade Unions Alliance Spokesperson Dr.

Fauci, long Covid impairs the body system without any signs, and that's why it has not attracted much attention as a death rate. There is no test for long Covid – its precise causes remain mysterious and little is known about how it interacts with other medical and physical conditions. The World Health Organization (WHO) believes that between 10% and 20% of Covid-19 survivors have been left with lasting symptoms including breathlessness, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction that can persist long after the acute infection has resolved.

The case tally climbed to 4,46,32,430, while the active cases have declined to 26,449, it said. There has been a decrease of 385 cases in the active Covid-19 caseload in 24 hours. India saw a single-day rise of 1,542 coronavirus infections, the lowest in 182 days, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday.

US federal health authorities are gearing up for a widely-expected resurgence of coronavirus during winters. The BQ.1 variant of Covid-19 has already outpaced many rival strains in European nations from England to Germany, where the Covid wave has resurged. Previously, the CDC bundled BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 with their shared parent BA.5.

Chrystia Freeland said she believes Canada is now facing the “final act of the COVID recession” amid economic challenges, but she believes Canadians will pull through.“This is a period of economic turbulence,” said Freeland, speaking at a press conference on Monday. “This is the final act of the COVID recession.”Freeland said she is not going to “sugarcoat” the current situation and Canadians will face “some challenging months ahead,” citing inflation and rising interest rates.“Some people are going to see their mortgage payments rise and that is a challenge,” said Freeland.

recent trial results, said experts as quoted by news agency AFP. The initial testing of the nasal-spray version of the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Oxford University researchers and AstraZeneca Plc, on human beings did not yield the desired protection.

Also Read: New Covid variant alert: Meet omicron's newest cousin, BF.7 The state health department said people must not ignore flu-like symptoms and should get medical advice at the earliest. The earliest possible COVID-appropriate behaviour must be followed by everyone.

COVID strain that has an 80% kill rate following a series of similar experiments first thought to have started the global pandemic that began in China. The variant, a combination of Omicron and the original virus in Wuhan, killed 80% of the mice infected with it, the university said. When mice were only exposed to Omicron, they experienced mild symptoms.The research was conducted by a team of scientists from Florida and Boston at the school's National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories. They extracted the spike protein from Omicron and attached it with the strain first detected at the onset of the pandemic that began in Wuhan, China.

Lisa Murray-Lang and her pet hamster, Spud. (Credit: Lisa Murray-Lang) Panoramic view of Waikiki Beach and Honolulu, Hawaii as seen from the Summit of Diamond Head Crater on February 20, 2022.

Ontario, Canada, healthcare systems saw an uptick in healthcare use by adult COVID-19 survivors—especially women—starting 2 months after people were infected, placing more demand on an atrophied healthcare workforce, finds a study with implications for long COVID and hospital resources long term published today in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ).

PHILADELPHIA - Nick Sirianni threw his head back as he walked into Philadelphia’s locker room and bellowed, " How ‘bout them Eagles! " The Eagles coach took delight in echoing the old Dallas catchphrase.Sirianni had every reason to revel in the moment: The Eagles are the only undefeated team in the NFL.That’s right, 6-0 for only the third time in franchise history, and first since the 2004 season when Donovan McNabb, Terrell Owens & Co. raced all the way to the Super Bowl.Jalen Hurts, C.J.