Hong Kong may let bankers who get covid exit on private jets

Active cases in the country has reached to 22,594 across the country taking the total tally of covid cases to more than 4.46 crore New Delhi: India has reported 826 new covid case in the last 24 hours, the union health ministry said on Tuesday. Active cases in the country has reached to 22,594 across the country taking the total tally of covid cases to more than 4.46 crore. Total death figure has reached 528,980 in the last two years.

But what exactly is brain fog, and is it limited to COVID? It is what it sounds like Brain fog is not a medical diagnosis, but rather the description patients tend to use for their symptoms. Brain fog is what doctors refer to as “cognitive dysfunction". This describes problems with closely linked tasks such as concentration, information processing, memory, thinking and reasoning, and making sense of language.

The COVID-19 pandemic claimed thousands of Sri Lankan lives, and News 1st revealed questionable transactions that took place during the height of the pandemic.Approximately 7 Million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are to expire on Monday, 31st of October 2022.The Epidemiology Unit of the Ministry of Health repeatedly requested the people of Sri Lanka to obtain the vaccine doses before delay.Pfizer Inc expects to roughly quadruple the price of its COVID-19 vaccine to about $110 to $130 per dose after the United States government's current purchase program expires.Approximately 7 Million doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine are to expire, and if it does the value of those vaccines as per the current market rate would be astronomical.While vaccine stocks are about to expire leading to another colossal waste, Sri Lanka also lost a large sum of money when it delayed placing orders for the vaccine.In February 2020, Sri Lanka recorded its first even COVID-19 infection and it didn't take long for the coronavirus to spread across the country.What did Sri Lanka do when other countries devoted their resources to developing a vaccine?Sri Lankan MPs and Minister dropped pots into rivers, and the so-called miracle tonic Dhammika Paniya was promoted widely – while there was absolutely no interest in procuring the vaccines.Experts in the field of medicine repeatedly called for the government to procure vaccines, however as Sri Lankan authorities opted to myth over science, the procurement of much-needed vaccines was delayed.On the 30th of December 2020, the UK granted approval for the emergency use of the AstraZeneca vaccine prompting many other countries to place immediate orders for the vaccines.As it was also produced by the

The region’s over-50s are being urged to arrange their flu and coronavirus vaccines.

Covid-19 update: The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,28,961 with four more fatalities. With 1,994 fresh cases, India's Covid-19 tally has climbed to 4,46,42,742, while the number of active cases of the infection has declined to 23,432, the Union health ministry said on Sunday. The death toll due to the viral disease has gone up to 5,28,961 with four more fatalities, according to the ministry's data updated at 8 am.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Ministry of Health says that no final decision has been taken so far with regard to the COVID-19 vaccines which are due to expire.A senior official of the Ministry said that the vaccines are due to expire on October 31st.The consignment of vaccines which is due to expire amounts to over a million, the Health Ministry added.

India reported 2,112 new infections raising the COVID-19 tally to 4,46,40,748, while the number of active cases declined to 24,043, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll climbed to 5,28,957 with four fatalities which includes three deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. One death has been reported from West Bengal in a span of 24 hours.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Political parties in the opposition met in Parliament on Thursday (20) to sign a joint declaration opposing the governmets' decision to delay the local government elections.The Samagi Jana Balawegaya, Sri Lanka Freedom Party, National Freedom Front, Democratic Left Front, 43rd Brigade, Tamil National Alliance, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya, Sri Lanka Mahajana Party, Lanka Sama Samaja Party, Sri Lanka Communist Party, All Ceylon Muslim Congress, Nawa Lanka Freedom Party, the Democratic People's Front, the Vijayadharani Janata Sabha, the Frontline Socialist Party, and the Uttara Sabha, signed the declaration.However, the Janata Vimukthi Peramuna led National People's Power did not sign it.A unanimous decision was reached to strongly oppose individuall or collectively, any move made by the government to delay the polls, under the guise of electoral reforms.Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa stated that the participants agreed that timely changes in respect of electoral laws, should be addressed, in a continuing time frame but insisted that this should not in any manner be used as a pretext for the postponement of elections.Any departure from the democratic and the electoral process would constitute an intolerable onslaught on the franchise of the people, he emphasized.

Civil servants have been given top roles on Scotland’s troubled Covid-19 Public Inquiry - despite claims the probe is “independent”.

Jenna Ortega had to "shower in cold water" during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 20-year-old actress was shooting the title role in Netflix series 'Wednesday' in Romania when the pandemic broke out and explained that the entire cast was left without hot water in their accommodation because there were no repair workers available to fix a faulty boiler. She said: " I mean, we were out there for seven, eight months in Romania.

Selma Blair was spotted enjoying a quiet stroll in Los Angeles earlier on Wednesday along with her adorable service dog named Scout. This is the first time the talented star, 50, has been seen since exiting Dancing With The Stars earlier this week. The Cruel Intentions alum tearfully announced during Monday's episode of Dancing With The Stars that she would make an early departure from the competition show to focus on her health amid her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis.  Afternoon outing: Selma Blair, 50, was spotted for the first time on Wednesday after her early exit from Dancing With The Stars on Monday to focus on her health amid her battle with multiple sclerosis The Legally Blonde actress kept her look stylishly casual during her quiet walk, and donned a simple pair of denim shorts to stay cool in the California heat. The star paired the shorts with a yellow and white, short-sleeved T-shirt with the phrase 'The Bad News Bears' printed on the front.  Selma slipped into a pair of white and green Adidas sneakers to stay comfortable during the stroll. To further accessorize her look for the day, The Sweetest Thing actress donned a pair of gold-rimmed shades to protect her eyes from the bright sun, along with a white printed cap. A large, fashionable black purse was slung over her left shoulder to carry a few items she needed during the day.   Furry companion: The actress was accompanied by her friendly and adorable service dog named, Scout, whom she adoptedThe beauty was accompanied by her helpful and adorable service dog named, Scout.

Also Read: Do you have COVID cough? Here’s how to find out Everyone should use a mask when going outside, especially in crowded areas, Guleria advises. Although it is expected that new variants may emerge and that existing types will continue to mutate, the current circumstance is different.

A rapidly spreading Covid strain has been dubbed the Nightmare Variant after it was found to double infections in a matter of days.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A decision has been taken to wind up operations of the “Covid 19 Health and Social Security Fund”, which was established to provide relief to those affected by the Covid 19 epidemic, and Cabinet approval has been obtained for it.The Secretary of the Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund, Dr Tharaka Liyanapathirana notified the public that the “Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund” at the Bank of Ceylon, account number 85737373 has been closed down effective from October 18th and requested the public not to donate to this fund from now on.He also notified donors not to send cheques or money towards this fund, to the Presidential Secretariat.The secretary of the Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund extended his appreciation to the donors who contributed to this fund to make this program implemented throughout the country during the Covid-19 epidemic, a success.The Covid-19 Health and Social Security Fund had received a total of Rs. 2,207,164,785.58 (Rs.

pregnancy-related deaths last year, according to a government report released on Wednesday. It says that it is a crisis that has disproportionately claimed Black and Hispanic women as victims. The report lays out trends across the country for expectant mothers and their newborn babies, the news agency AP reported.

Meanwhile, states have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: India reported 2,141 new covid infections in the last 24 hours, the Union health ministry said in an update on Thursday. Active cases now stand at 25,510, with total reported cases since the pandemic hit in early 2020 at more than 4.46 crore.

China's capital, Beijing, has dialled up measures to stop Covid, strengthening public checks and locking down some residential compounds after a quadrupling of its case load in recent weeks, just as a key Communist Party congress entered full swing.

Also Read: COVID-19 lockdown, mass testing in China despite minor cases - here’s why On October 20, the 21 million-people city reported 18 additional locally-transmitted cases for the day before, bringing the total for the preceding 10 days to 197. The 49 infections found in the prior 10-day period were outnumbered by that number by a factor of four.

Covid-19: The cumulative caseload of India has gone up to 4,46,36,517, while the active cases declined to 25,510. India again witnessed an increase in daily Covid-19 cases with the country reporting 2,141 coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The country had logged around 1,500 cases on Tuesday.  With this, the cumulative caseload of India has gone up to 4,46,36,517, while the active cases declined to 25,510.

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.

Health insurance policies have become the need of the hour, especially in view of the rise in lifestyle diseases. These policies, which help meet any planned or unforeseen expenditure on hospitalization and medicines, have tax benefits as well. As per section 80D of the income tax (I-T) act, you can avail deductions on payments of up to ₹50,000 for premium on policies for senior citizens and ₹25,000 for others in your family in a year.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – International slavery continues to be a modern day curse that plagues our world.News 1st has for many years battled against international slavery, with a particular focus on Sri Lankan Domestic Workers who are all too often held captive in the Middle East.In the recent past, News 1st has warned that Sri Lanka's current economic crisis would result in increasing numbers of Sri Lankan women being trapped into slavery as thousands more venture overseas to escape poverty.  Now our worst fears have been realised.News 1st brings to you the shocking revelation that more than 50 women have been sent into slavery in Dubai by two job agencies in the central cities of Anuradhapura and Kurunegala, in a report filed by News 1st's Nisal Sooriyarachchi, and Naveksha Gunasekera.A foreign employment agency in Anuradhapura has trafficked more than 50 women to work as virtual slave labour in the state of Dubai where most of them are currently been held against their will in atrocious conditions. Several women who who fell victim to this scam have revealed that the agency headed by 3 women living in Dubai. Thushara Nilmini, a resident of Anuradhapura, who finally made her way back to Sri Lanka after falling victim to the scam, said that between 50 and 60 women who went abroad for domestic work are being held captive in various areas of Dubai. Chandrika, who asked that her full name not be revealed, has gone to work as a domestic worker in Dubai and is currently in a destitute state there. News 1st managed to obtain a telephone interview while she is in Dubai.She said that they stayed at the agency for about a month, and barely got anything to eat. "Then they stationed us at this safe house.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu has assured to support Sri Lanka during this difficult period. He is currently on an official visit to Sri Lanka, and met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday (19). While appreciating the President’s efforts in rebuilding Sri Lanka’s economy he said that President Ranil Wickremesinghe is the right person to get the country out of the present crisis and assured him that he has a force backing him.He also stated that the U.S.

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)

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is planning to designate the Ratmalana Airport for private aircraft in the future.Sri Lanka's Minister of Ports and Aviation told the Parliament on Wednesday (19) that the Ratmalana Airport will be used as a dedicated airport for private jets, as well as flying schools.He told the house that before he was appointed as the minister, a large sum of money was spent on converting the Ratmalana Aiport into an international airport, however, there were concerns surrounding the modus operandi followed in the upgrades.The Minister said the Maldivian Airline had expressed their interest to fly passengers to Ratmalana, however, following the opening of the airport the Maldivian Airline was reluctant to operate citing the situation in the country that prevailed.

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.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The National Council sub-committee on identifying short- and medium-term programs related to economic stabilization disclosed that that only 1/5th of the country's population gets a proper nutritious diet and that 75% of the country's income is spent on food.These matters were taken into discussion when the National Council sub-committee on identifying short- and medium-term programs related to economic stabilization met in Parliament on Tuesday (18) under the chairmanship of Patali Champika Ranawaka, Member of Parliament.The meeting was called to seek expert views on food security and nutrition security, need for fertilizer, decline in the harvest, malnutrition and its possible social consequences. The committee sought expert views on debt restructuring and drug use in the country previously.The short-term and mid-term measures that can be taken to overcome this situation were discussed here, especially since the malnutrition situation in the country for about ten years has escalated with the current economic crisis.Accordingly, the Chairman informed the Ministry of Finance to conduct a survey on income and household expenditure immediately.

(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.

MARIETTA, Ohio (AP) - A small plane crashed into a car dealership parking lot near the border of Ohio and West Virginia early Tuesday, killing two people on board and sparking a large fire.The crash of the 1974 Beechcraft Air King E90 in Marietta, Ohio, was reported about 7:15 a.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. The pilot and another person on board were killed.