Finally, there's hope for long COVID treatment. Here's what it is

The Covid-19 pandemic could settle down this year to a point where it poses a threat similar to flu, the World Health Organization has said.

COVID-19 worsens sleep patterns for 28% of people, and recovery does not guarantee improved sleep due to ongoing inflammation, respiratory issues, and sleep apnea. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on the sleep patterns of Indian citizens, according to a recent study by LocalCircles.

Clawing back unspent COVID-19 relief funds may not improve the US fiscal picture and could negatively impact specific programs, vulnerable populations, and the long-term economic recovery. Republicans at the US House of representatives are eyeing unspent COVID-19 relief funds as a target to rein in federal spending. However, a review of federal spending figures by Reuters suggests that clawing back the remaining $80 billion of unspent aid may not significantly improve the US fiscal picture, but could instead have real-world repercussions.

COLOMBO (News 1st); FIFA has upheld a decision to maintain the suspension on Sri Lanka strip the island nation of its voting rights.Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe were suspended from voting during FIFA elections.

COLOMBO (News 1st); MP Udaya Gammanpila has filed requests with the Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Katunayake Airport seeking information on the US diplomats who recently visited Sri Lanka.The requests were filed under the Right to Information Act.MP Udaya Gammanpila noted that the US diplomats had arrived in Sri Lanka on the 17th of February, onboard two C-17 Globe master aircraft.Gammanpila via his requests seek confirmation for the presence of the Director of the Federation Bureau of Investigation among the delegation.MP Udaya Gammanpila also requested information on whether any official from Sri Lanka had instructed that the US delegation not be subject to a check by Immigration and Emigration officials and Sri Lanka Customs officials. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan health authorities claimed there is no risk of Listeria (Listeriosis) spreading across the Ratnapura District.Director of Health Services for the Ratnapura District Dr.

The debate over the origins of the Covid pandemic has been going around for a very long time. Now an international team of virus experts stated that the Covid origin may have started by raccoon dogs from China's Wuhan market, as reported by the Atlantic.  The analysis by the experts said the virus could have been ignited by an infected animal that was being dealt through the illegal wildlife trade.  As per the report, in January 2020, swabs from within and around the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market were used to collect the genetic data.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Professionals Trade Union Collective will meet with the President's Secretary on Friday (17) morning. The PTCU is a collective of over forty trade unions that is against the government's new tax regime.Friday's (17) meeting is to be held ahead of the meeting the Professionals Trade Union Collective will have with the President.Spokesperson for the Government Medical Officers Association Dr.

he drug Paxlovid against Covid-19 from the manufacturer Pfizer is lying on a table. Photo: Fabian Sommer/dpa (Photo by Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images) Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill Paxlovid won another vote of confidence from U.S.

Also read: Suffering from fever and cough? How do you know its H3N2 or new COVID variant “In the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8, 2023, which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15," the letter said. With this, the active caseload has now risen to 4,623.

The spike in covid cases in India can be attributed to the emergence of the new XBB The spike in covid cases in India can be attributed to the emergence of the new XBB.1.16 variant, said Rajesh Gokhale, secretary of the department of biotechnology and chief of India’s SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium. The variant has been found in Maharashtra and among Indian travellers, according to the World Health Organization. In an interview, Gokhale noted that the widespread exposure to covid-19 has made the population susceptible to various viruses, including the seasonal flu.

Actress Shalani Tharaka was adjudged the Most Popular Woman at 'Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana 2022' The women who made the Top Five at 'Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana 2022' were Actress Shalani Tharaka, Actress Dusheni Mayurangi, Musician Kanchana Anuradhi, Actress Ruwangi Ratnayake, and Female Cricketer Chamari Atapattu.Grand Finale of 'Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana 2022' – powered by News 1st and NDB to empower Sri Lankan women took place on Thursday (16) evening at the Stein Studios in Ratmalana.The Gala evening was graced by women representing various fields and distinguished guests. 'Sri Lanka Vanithabhimana 2022' is a program organized to empower the women of Sri Lanka and to recognize them for their achievements.Vanithabhimana 2022 was an island-wide program that spanned across a year to locate Sri Lankan Women entrepenuers living in the most remote areas.On Thurday (16) evening these women walked on the Red Carpet to the Stein Studios for the Grand Finale.A panel of expert judged led by Director General Department of Manpower & Employment Anusha Gokula Fernando selected the best from the best at  Vanithabhimana 2022.Women who braved the challenges in multiple sectors including, Sports, Entrepreneur – Micro Scale, Entrepreneur – Small Scale, Upcoming Entrepreneur, Voluntary Services, Art, Education Services, and Young Leader were recognized at the event.Women who excelled in the  Provincial Level competitions under 10 categories qualified for the National Level Competition.10 women who excelled in those fields were also recognized at Vanithabhimana 2022.Further, 10 women who excelled at Industrial and Professional level were also recognized.Veteran Actress Anoja Weerasinghe, the First Female Aviator of Sri Lankan Airlines Captain

States have been asked to examine the situation at micro level and maintain compliance like surveillance, testing and monitoring new and emerging covid clusters New Delhi: With India reporting an uptick in covid cases over the last few weeks, the government has directed six states to examine the situation at micro level and maintain compliance like surveillance, testing and monitoring new and emerging covid clusters. India has seen a rise in covid cases over the past few weeks.

Fans of Ben & Jerry’s can get a free scoop of ice cream between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m.

pic.twitter.com/BO5DARv6b2 Symptoms of the H3N2 subtype include fever, cough, breathlessness, wheezing, and clinical signs of pneumonia. ICMR reports that out of hospitalized SARI patients with H3N2, 92% suffer from fever, 86% from cough, and 27% from breathlessness. In some cases, patients may require oxygen or ICU care.

Mint. TCPL, which sells packaged beverages under brands such as Tata Tea Premium, Tata Tea Chakra, Tata Grand coffee and bottled water under Himalayan, reported a 5% dip in volume growth in the December quarter in its India beverage business on account of price corrections as well as demand slowdown in key markets. Das said while demand had softened in the December quarter, the trends in the months of December and January were relatively better.

Covid variants stated that India reported the highest number of XBB 1.16 variant cases, currently, the tally stands at 48. Singapore and the US detected 14 and 15 cases respectively, according to a report by The Times of India.  “Thee India states--Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra--are having a high prevalence of XBB 1.16 Covid variant," a top genome expert said.  Speaking to TOI, Dr Vipin M Vashishtha, a member of WHO’s Vaccine Safety Net who has been tracking new Covid variants, said the previous XBB.1 descendant, XBB.1.5, had become dominant across the globe but not in India.  “There is some worry about XBB.1.16 globally because it has certain mutations in the non-spike region of the virus: two ORF9b mutations.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Federation of University Teachers Associations said that its members will continue to strike against the conduct of the government.Activities across state universities were crippled on Thursday (16), and FUTA said it would refrain from taking part in evaluating the answer scripts of the G. C.

Sri Lanka's economy shrank 7.8% in 2022 from the previous year, government data showed on Wednesday, as the country struggled with its worst financial crisis in more than seven decades.The island's fourth-quarter GDP contracted 12.4%, according to the figures.Sri Lanka's growth is expected to shrink by 3% this year, Moody's Investors Service said on Monday but growth is expected to rebound in 2024.Economic mismanagement coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic left Sri Lanka severely short of dollars for essential imports at the start of last year tipping the country into the worst financial crisis since Independence from the British in 1948.Sri Lanka is waiting for a $2.9 billion bailout program from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to be finalised on March 20.“These numbers are broadly in line with expectations.

COVID-19 pandemic is a window into how entrenched people have become over their views of the pandemic and resulting public health measures.“Early on, I think we saw that most people thought the government was doing about the right thing. Some thought it was too fast, some thought it was too slow.

Kate Garraway has shared a heartbreaking update on her husband Derek Draper’s ongoing health issues, stating he is still suffering ‘damage’ from being struck down by Covid.  Former political lobbyist Derek, 55, tested positive for Covid in March 2020 and was placed in an induced coma to help fight off the virus. He was eventually declared Covid-free and emerged from the coma, but has fought one of the most severe cases of long Covid in the country with his body wrecked from the effects of the infectious disease.

COVID-19 has taken a minimal toll on most people’s mental health globally, according to a recent study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ). But a separate study shows that finding may not hold true for children.In fact, the pandemic increased mental distress for kids, a newly-published study led by the University of Calgary shows, leading to a sharp increase in emergency department visits for attempted suicide and suicide ideation among children and adolescents under the age of 19 years old.Nicole Racine, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa, said she believes children were forgotten about during the pandemic and they are one of the vulnerable groups that suffered the most from lockdowns.

Kate Garraway has shared the last holiday she had with her husband Derek Draper and the now-poignant passing conversation they had before their lives were changed by Covid. Fans of the Good Morning Britain presenter are well aware of the fact that former Labour lobbyist suffered severe complications after contracting the virus early into the pandemic in March 2020.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Chinese Embassy handed over a donation of material to the Government of Sri Lanka for the production of police uniforms.The donation was made by the Ambassador of China to Sri Lanka, Qi Zhenhong, to the Minister of Public Security, Tiran Alles.This donation was made at the President's Office in the presence of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Tensions boiled over during a protest at the Sri Lanka Ports Authority in Colombo during a strike launched by the dockworkers at the Colombo Harbour.Dock Workers withdrew from services on Wedensday(15), in line with the nation wide strike by professionals against the government's tax policy.A heated situation arose within the port between the employees who were on strike and the governing authority.Niroshan Gorakanage, Chairman of the All Ceylon General Port Employees Union said that the SLPA chairman and a group of other officials attempted to deploy port workers for shipping operations.Following the incident port employees engaged in a motorcycle parade which was obstructed by officers from the Sri Lanka Navy.  

COLOMBO (News 1st); The President's Media Division operating from the Sri Lankan President's Office released a series of statements on the nation-wide strikes that were launched on Wednesday (15).The statements by the PMD are as follows:– The Railway Department GM confirmed that as a result of the committed service of Railway employees, 20 trains had operated by 8.00 this morning for the convenience of commuters despite the union action.– CPC/CPSTL Chairman Mr. M.U.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Railway operations were crippled on Wednesday (15) morning due to a strike launched by the Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association.The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association of Sri Lanka Railways declared a 24-hour strike that come into effect at midnight on Tuesday (14).According to Sri Lanka Railways, around 20 trains operated on Wednesday (15) morning, compared to the over 60 trains that operate daily in the morning.Railways General Manager A. D.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The teachers and principals unions in Sri Lanka went on a one-day strike on Wednesday (15).Teachers and Principals went on strike in support of the action taken by the Professionals Trade Union Collective and several other issues.News 1st correspondents reported that student turnout across schools in the country was at a low as a result of the strike.The Professionals Trade Union Collective had declared a nation-wide day of strikes and protests.Government, Semi-Government and Private Trade Unions are geared up to support the strikes.Government Medical Officers, Specialist Doctors, University Teachers, Faculty of Medicine Teachers, CEB Engineers, Bankers, Petroleum Workers, Water Supply Workers, Road Development Officers, Education Administrative Officers, Surveyors, Inland Revenue Officers are among the 40 Trade Unions that will support this move.Their main demand is to amend the unjust tax policy implemented by the government.The PAYE tax between 6% to 36% imposed on monthly earnings over Rs. 100,000/- had placed professionals across many sectors in a tough position.Public, Semi-Public and Private Trade Unions have joined their cause with several more demands.These include a demand to reduce bank interest rates, provide a Cost of Living Allowance of Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC said that four more countries have stepped forward to provide debt restructuring assurances to the International Monetary Fund.He tweeted that Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Hungary, and Kuwait have given debt restructuring assurances to IMF. The Foreign Minister is in the UK to attend the Commonwealth Day celebrations.Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry will participate in the 22nd Commonwealth Foreign Affairs Ministers Meeting (CFAMM) at the Commonwealth Headquarters, Marlborough House, London on 15 March 2023. This year’s CFAMM will engage the Foreign Ministers in discussing joint responses to shared challenges such as the need to build resilience for peaceful and sustainable societies, climate financing for environmental sustainability and leveraging intra -commonwealth trade and digital connectivity for economic recovery, food, and energy security.On the sidelines of these events, Minister Sabry will have a call on the Rt Hon James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth Development Affairs (FCDO), bilateral meetings with Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Ann Marie Trevelyan, Minister of State for Indo – Pacific FCDO and Lord Mervyn Davies of Abersoch, Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Sri Lanka. The Foreign Minister will also participate in an afternoon tea hosted by Rt Hon Lord Naseby at the House of Commons and deliver remarks on Sri Lanka’s relations with the UK to a cross section of British Parliamentarians organized by the Sri Lanka High Commission in London together with Sri Lanka Tea Board.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Nadun Chinthaka Wickramaratne, a notorious underworld gang leader and drug trafficker, wanted by Sri Lankan authorities for multiple crimes, was extradited to Sri Lanka on Wednesday (15) morning.Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Department escorted Harak Kata to Sri Lanka along with his associate Salindu Malshaka also known as Kudu Salindu. Sri Lanka Police said the suspects will be subject to further investigations.

India has seen its daily count of covid cases go above 400 lately, according to government data, with two deaths reported, one each in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. While our seven-day rolling average of daily infections calculated on Monday was barely a thousandth of the Delta wave peak in mid-2021, an uptrend has caused concern enough to catch the attention of our authorities.

FILE-Security personnel check the health codes of travelers on smartphones at an entrance to Beijing Capital International Airport in Beijing, China, on Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2021.

Kate Garraway has given an update on her family life as well as her husband Derek Draper's progress as he continues to battle the devastating effects contracting coronavirus had on his body. Many fans are aware that Derek Draper suffered severe complications after contracting coronavirus in March 2020.

Oscar-winning actress is set to film a new project in Ireland in the coming months, but has insisted against wearing a mask because she is “full of antibodies and very healthy”, having contracted the virus a number of times.Speaking as part of her keynote speech at the SXSW Film and TV Festival on Monday (March 13), she said (via Vanity Fair): “I’m about to shoot a picture in Ireland, and I was told to wear a mask at all times, and I’m not.“I’m sure this is being recorded. I’ve had COVID-19 multiple times so I’m full of antibodies and very healthy.”Last year, Swinton explained that while she had got off “relatively lightly” with the virus, she suffered with memory problems and vertigo as a result.She told The Guardian: “I was coughing like an old gentleman who smoked a pipe for 70 years, and had nasty vertigo.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed gratitude to the Paris Club, Japan, India, and China for enabling cooperation required to reach an IMF facility for the country.In an open letter to Sri Lanka's Official Bilateral Creditors, President Wickremesinghe noted that the government deployed all efforts to demonstrate our commitment to the EFF program and relentlessly engage on the path to reforms. He said the administration has already implemented major reforms by way of prior actions agreed with the IMF.The President said his government introduced a robust  reform agenda aimed at achieving debt sustainability, strengthening governance, widening the social safety nets supporting the most vulnerable and ensuring we can grow an inclusive  economy attractive to international business. He said this is how Sri Lanka will improve the lives of its people and ensure they are first in line to benefit from improvements in our economic conditions.The President has requested creditors to maintain and even enlarge and strengthen official bilateral creditor coordination in the context of Sri Lanka's forthcoming engagement. He called on the Paris Club  bilateral partners, in particular Japan, together with all our other official bilateral partners,  including India and China, to garner and foster coordination as you best see fit.The Presidnet noted that Sri Lanka is committed to communicate transparently with all on any debt treatment terms that are agreed with any creditor or group of creditors, before being formalized. The President in his letter has also committed not to resume debt service to any creditor unless that creditor agrees on a comprehensive debt treatment in line with IMF-supported

British actress Tilda Swinton is adamant she will not wear a mask on the set of her new project, despite being asked to do so. "I'm actually just about to start shooting a picture in Ireland. And I was told, full disclosure, and I'm sure this is being recorded – people in Ireland might hear it – to wear a mask at all times," she revealed while giving the keynote address at the 2023 South by Southwest Festival (SXSW).

Kate Garraway has opened up about the reason she decided to draft in cameras to capture every aspect of her husband Derek Draper's health battle after he was hospitalised due to contracting coronavirus.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena noted that immediate measures will be taken to announce the new tenure of Local Government Institutions.The Prime Minister said that the new tenure will be announced following talks with the Election Commission, and the Ministry officials.All public property used by Local Government Members should be handed over to the state before the 19th of March.State Minister Janaka Wakkumbura told News 1st that the tenure of Local Government Institutions will cease from midnight on the 19th of March, and the administration will fall under the Urban Commissioners and the Pradeshiya Sabha Secretaries.He said that only reform measures can be adopted by Local Government Institutions after the 19th of March.

H3N2 influenza virus. Several states of the country, including Tamil Nadu, are witnessing rising cases of the H3N2 influenza virus.

Pfizer argued that Seagen can provide a steady and long-lasting revenue stream that will help fill the $17 billion hole it is facing as key products lose patent protection between 2025 and 2030. Pfizer makes a decent argument. Its commercial and manufacturing heft can undoubtedly maximize the value of Seagen’s portfolio and pipeline of antibody-drug conjugates, medicines that use antibodies to deliver powerful chemotherapies directly to tumor cells.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to go ahead with a pilot project to install Floating Solar Panel Power Plants on the surface of Kiriibban Wewa reservoir and Chandrika Wewa reservoir in the Ratnapura District.Under the Framework Convention on Grant Aid signed between the Republic of Korea and Sri Lanka in 2009, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea has agreed to provide a grant amounting 6.83 Billion Korean Won for the implementation of a pilot project to install floating solar panel power plant with 1 MW capacity on the surface of reservoirs. Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology is acting as the monitoring agency for the pilot project on behalf of the Korean government, said the Department of Government Information.Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Power and Energy to sign the documents between the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology, the Ministry of Power and Energy and the Department of External Resources to start and implement this pilot project according to the agreement reached.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Leave of all employees of Sri Lanka Railways cancelled with immediate effect, said the Superintendent of Sri Lanka Railway on Tuesday (14) afternoon.The announcement came after the Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association of Sri Lanka Railways declared a 24-hour strike.The strike will come into effect at midnight on Tuesday (14).The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association decided to go on strike in support of the mass strike that will launched by multiple trade unions on Wednesday (15), against the governments unjust tax policy, and several other social issues.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Multiple sectors have decided to go on strike for 24-hours on Wednesday (15). One of the main reasons for the strike is the government's latest tax policy, which professionals term as unfair. They have called for immediate reforms in the tax policy.Health Services:The Trade Union action, launched by the Government Medical Officers' Association on Monday (13), continued on Tuesday (14) across five provinces and is expected to go nation-wide on Wednesday (15).The GMOA went on strike against the government's new tax regime, medicine shortage and several other social issues.The All Ceylon Nurses' Union said it would support Wednesday's (15) strike action.Postal Services:The United Postal Services Trade Union Front said it would engage in a trade union action as planned on Wednesday (15).It added that workers at the Central Mail Exchange will step away from duties from 4 PM on Tuesday (14).Transportation Services:The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association of Sri Lanka Railways declared a 24-hour strike. The strike will come into effect at midnight on Tuesday (14).Education Services: Prof.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association of Sri Lanka Railways have declared a 24-hour strike.The strike will come into effect at midnight on Tuesday (14).The Locomotive Operating Engineers' Association decided to go on strike in support of the mass strike that will launched by multiple trade unions on Wednesday (15), against the governments unjust tax policy, and several other social issues.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Postal Service has been declared as an essential service by the President via an extraordinary gazette dated 13th March 2023. 

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan President has decided to appoint a Committee to identify suitable government hospitals to be used as Teaching Hospitals to provide clinical training for Private Medical Students.The President's Media Division said this decision was made to provide clinical training for Medical Students enrolled at the KDU, Dr. Neville Fernando Hospital, Lyceum Campus and other universities in Colombo, Kalutara, Gampaha, Kurunegala & Polonnaruwa, According to the President's Media Division this training will be provided without hampering the training of students in State Universities.Accordingly, State Minister of Health Dr. Seetha Arambepola will be appointed as the Chairperson of the aforementioned Committee, while other appointed members will include Additional Secretary to the Ministry of Health Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); West End stars Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera from Sri Lanka made a special performance of the song "Anagathaye" at the Commonwealth Day Service, that was also attended by King Charles.Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort attended the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey on Monday 13th March – The King’s first as monarch.During the service, which was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, The King delivered his Commonwealth Day message from the Great Pulpit, saying:'Commonwealth Day was an occasion of particular pride for my beloved mother, the late Queen; a treasured opportunity to celebrate our Commonwealth family, to whose service she dedicated her long and remarkable life. The Commonwealth has been a constant in my own life, and yet its diversity continues to amaze and inspire me.

Tilda Swinton is making it clear that she is done with the pandemic.