ICMR approves RT-qPCR kit to detect influenza, SARS-CoV-2, RSV; here's how it works

The UK Government recently published the Health and Disability White Paper, which lays out proposed reforms to the benefits system. As part of its shake-up, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced plans to end the Work Capability Assessment (WCA) to encourage people who need to claim benefits back into work.

Researchers also found that patients with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes and even anxiety or depression were more likely to develop long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms. Those who were previously hospitalized or admitted to intensive care for Covid also were at higher risk Women, overweight people and those above age 40 are among the groups that have a greater risk of developing long Covid, according to a report published Thursday that makes the case for better pandemic treatment and support. Researchers also found that patients with preexisting conditions like asthma, diabetes and even anxiety or depression were more likely to develop long-lasting Covid-19 symptoms.

Lea Michele has a message for fans hoping to see her on Broadway.

Police investigate at Denvers East High School after a shooting there on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post) DENVER - A 17-year-old student was found dead in a wooded mountain area outside Denver late Wednesday after authorities say he wounded two administrators in a shooting at his Denver high school where students and parents were already fed up about a rash of recent violence and lack of action by officials.The shooting occurred earlier Wednesday at East High School in Denver, not far from downtown, while two administrators searched Austin Lyle for weapons, a daily requirement because of the boy’s behavioral issues, authorities said.

WASHINGTON - The CEO of TikTok made a rare public appearance Thursday before a U.S. Congressional committee, where he faced a grilling on data security and user safety while he makes his own case for why the hugely popular video-sharing app shouldn't be banned.Shou Zi Chew's testimony comes at a crucial time for the company, which has acquired 150 million American users but is under increasing pressure from U.S.

PHILADELPHIA - Officials say the search for a shooting suspect is ongoing after the individual evaded police and SWAT outside of a West Philadelphia residence. According to police, officers responded to a residence on the 200 block of Farson Street just after 1 a.m.

PHILADELPHIA - A caiman discovered at FDR Park in Philadelphia in early March has been euthanized, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The caiman was found abandoned in the park on March 5 and the Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) came to take the reptile to safety. Agency officials were able to recover the reptile with no injuries and warned against abandoning animals, especially ones not native to the United States. The commission says they were unable to find a home for the reptile, forcing them to put it down. Caimans are not native to North America and can grow up to five feet long. Lisa Cephas told FOX 29 she was on her normal Sunday morning when she saw a Issac Peyton, a fisherman from Delaware County, reel in the 3-foot reptile.

A Private Member’s Bill from Premnath Dolawatte, SLPP MP representing Colombo District, was gazetted and published in the order book of Parliament on Wednesday, which seeks to amend sections 365 and 365A of the Penal Code.

PHILADELPHIA - The fire siren at Langhorne-Middletown Fire Station doesn't sound often, but when it does, the whole community knows. The volunteer fire station located in a rural Bucks County suburb averages less than two calls per day, and received less than 650 last year. "The only time that siren blows is when somebody calls 911, so we're not blowing it for the heck of it," Fire Chief Frank Ferry told FOX 29's Hank Flynn. Still, a growing number of community members have called for the "disruptive" siren to be removed in favor of a more advanced alert platform. "It's a quiet town, it's like Mayberry here, and the siren is disruptive," Councilmember Scott Haldeman said. "I took a couple of years to investigate all these other fire departments and spoke with them, and they shut it off because they say it's not needed, so why is it needed here?" MORE LOCAL HEADLINESA 2019 report found that 60% of firehouses in Bucks County still used sirens.

An eye is pictured in a file image dated Jan. 27, 2019.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for the public's help to identify four suspects wanted in connection with a triple shooting in West Philadelphia that left teens injured. According to authorities, the shooting occurred on the 1500 block of N Frazier Street on Monday around 4 p.m. Police say a 13-year-old and two 16-year-olds were injured in the brazen broad daylight shooting. Officials say that the 13-year-old, who was shot in the abdomen, was transported to LankenauMedical Center and placed in critical condition. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESOne 16-year-old was shot five times throughout his body and transported to the hospital in extremely critical condition, according to police. Authorities say the other 16-year-old was shot in the abdomen and taken to a local hospital, where he was placed in stable condition. On Thursday, police released surveillance video of the shooting, showing four masked suspects they say were armed with rifles and semi-automatic pistols.According to investigators, the suspects fired more than 60 shots before fleeing the area on Lansdowne Avenue. Anyone with information on this is urged to contact Philadelphia police or submit an anonymous tip online. Police say a 13-year-old and two 16-year-olds were all injured during a triple shooting in broad daylight on the streets of West Philadelphia.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Postal Voting for the 2023 Local Government Election has been further delayed.The Election Commission in a statement on Thursday (23) announced that postal voting scheduled for the 28th, 29th, 30th  and 31st of March, and the 3rd of April 2023, will not go ahead as planned. 

Lea Michele had a terrifying experience on Wednesday as she was forced to rush her two year old son Ever to the hospital.The former Glee star, 36, took to Instagram to ask for "love and strength" revealing that Ever had been taken to hospital over a "scary health issue". Posting on her Instagram Story, Lea explained that she wouldn't be appearing in Wednesday night's performance of Funny Girl, as she wrote: "I’m so sorry but unfortunately I will be out of @FunnyGirlBwy today.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Several leaders of opposition political parties in Sri Lanka led by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa met with Ambassadors and Delegates representing 12 countries in Colombo on Wednesday (22) evening.According to reports, the objective of the meeting was to discuss the current state of affairs in Sri Lanka.The discussion was mainly focused on Sri Lanka's Democracy, Constitution, and the Local Government Election.The Opposition Leader had requested the foreign missions to extend support to Sri Lanka Internationally.The foreign diplomats who attended the meeting, according to the office of the opposition leader, were:– Sarah Hulton, High Commissioner, High Commission of the United Kingdom in Sri Lanka– Denis Chaibi, Ambassador, Delegation of the European Union in Sri Lanka– Michael Appleton, High Commissioner, New Zealand High Commission in Sri Lanka– Julie J Chung, Ambassador, Embassy of the United States of America in Sri Lanka– Anouk Baron, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Sri Lanka– Dr Francesco Perale, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Italy in Sri Lanka  – Vinod Jacob, Deputy High Commissioner, High Commission of the Republic of India in Sri Lanka– Katsuki Kotaro, Minister/Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka– Lalita Kapur, Deputy High Commissioner, Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka– Aurélien MAILLET, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in Sri Lanka– Daniel Blood, Counsellor (Political), High Commission of Canada in Sri Lanka– Ozaki Takeshi, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka.However, in Parliament on Thursday (23), Government Minister Prasanna Ranatunga alleged that the opposition had met with the foreign diplomats to

Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour are the five-fold strategies to fight Covid-19 as cases go up across the country The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) on Thursday advised all the states to continue focusing on the 5-fold strategy of Test-Track-Treat-Vaccination and Covid Appropriate Behaviour to fight Covid-19. The notification stated, "We will do another mock drill to see the COVID-19 preparations.

The first batch of women de-miners of the Army who have completed the internationally-acclaimed Humanitarian De-mining Course of high standards had the privilege of getting their insignia pinned from the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage after they were invited to the Army HQ on Wednesday (22).Extending his best wishes to those women soldiers, now fully-fledged to undertake overseas UN Peacekeeping Missions, the Army Chief highlighted the significance of their achievement to the Army and the motherland.A group of 3 Lady Officers and 51 female Other Ranks, having undergone the De-mining Course for women soldiers which began in December 2021 under two batches at both Engineers' Brigade Headquarters in Boo Oya and 10 Field Engineers HQ in Mailaddy, Jaffna thus received their insignia from the Commander of the Army during the brief occasion.The De-mining Course, inclusive of field operations drew to a close early this year after they sat for the final examination phase under the close supervision of Major General MK Jayawardena RSP USP ndu, Chief Field Engineer and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Engineers.The Commander of the Army in his brief talk commended their sustained courage for completion of the Humanitarian De-mining Course in keeping with scheduled time frame, and congratulated them for undertaking such a challenge with determination and fearlessness. He also reminded the gathering that their contribution in the future for world peace as women de-miners of Sri Lanka would go into the Army history and keep the national flag flying bringing international admiration.Three Lady Officers and 51 Other Ranks who had graduated in the De-mining Course for women de-miners are currently performing de-

The Sri Lanka Navy conducted a special operation to chase away Indian poaching trawlers from Sri Lankan waters this morning (23rd March 2023).The operation led to the seizure of 2 Indian trawlers with 12 Indian nationals poaching in the Sea of Sri Lanka off Analaitivu and Kovilan, Jaffna.The Navy continues to conduct regular patrols and operations in Sri Lankan waters to curb illegal fishing practices of foreign fishing trawlers.As an extension of these operations, the Northern Naval Command deployed Fast Attack Craft of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla to chase away a cluster of Indian poaching trawlers, having spotted they were engaging in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters off Analaitivu and Kovilan. In this operation, the Navy held 02 Indian poaching trawlers with 12 Indian fishers continuing to remain in Sri Lankan waters.The seized trawlers together with 12 Indian fishermen were brought to the Kankesanthurai harbour and they will be handed over to the Mailadi Fisheries Inspector for onward legal proceedings.In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Navy is conducting operations to stop illegal fishing by foreign fishermen in the island waters.

The High Commission of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and the Pakistani community based in Sri Lanka celebrated the 84th National Day of Pakistan to make Pakistan a strong, vibrant and progressive state.On the occasion, the High Commissioner, Maj. General (Retd) Umar Farooq Burki HI (M), added that Pakistan greatly values its relations with Sri Lanka which are based on mutual trust and understanding.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Milk Powder importers have decided to reduce the price of imported milk powder products.This decision was taken due to the drop in prices in the Global Market.Accordingly, the price of a 1 Kg packet of imported milk powder will be reduced by Rs. 200/-.The price of a 400 g packet of imported milk power will be reduced by Rs.

A delegation of 19 Indian Armed Forces officers led by Group Captain Yunus Syed Muzaffar from the 46th Indian Higher Air Command Course conducted at College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad arrived in Sri Lanka as part of Strategic Study Tour from 20-24 March 2023.The visit is focused on interactions with senior defence hierarchy as well as visits to military establishments and industrial organizations to broaden the vision of the trainees.The delegation started their visit by paying homage to the martyrs of Indian Peace Keeping Force at the memorial in Battaramulla followed by interactions with High Commissioner of India,Gopal Baglay, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva, and Air Marshal S.K Pathirana, Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force. The delegation is also scheduled to visit Galle, Hambantota, Diyatalawa, Kandy and Katunayake and interact with various agencies to get deeper insights about Sri Lanka. India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy seeks to promote institutional linkages between the Armed Forces of India and Sri Lanka.  Such Study Tours help strengthen the existing bonds of camaraderie and enhance people to people connect to achieve regional peace, security and stability. A few members of the delegation, including the head of the delegation, called on the Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and symbolic mementos were exchanged to mark the event.

Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe said that due to the public sector engaging in business activities, the money that was available for the construction of 100 projects similar to the Mahaweli during the past decades, was destroyed.He noted that in the future, the public sector will stop engaging in business and open it to the private sector to create a free and productive economy.President Wickremesinghe mentioned this at the 71st commemoration ceremony of the late Prime Minister D.S. Senanayake at Independence Square on Wednesday (22).Recalling that D.S.

XBB 1.16 variant could be behind it. However, the country has started taking precautionary measures to prevent a further increase in Covid-19 cases. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also held a meeting to review the situation.  Former AIIMS director Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); United State is partnering with Sri Lanka to improve water management to support communities that are facing challenges in accessing clean drinking water.US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung, joined Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and Minister Jeewan Thondaman in celebrating World Water Day on Wednesday (22), where she made these remarks."It seems a little ironic to talk about water conservation in a country that annually averages benefits from about 2,000 millimeters of rain. But the reality is this generous gift from nature doesn’t benefit all Sri Lankans as much as it could, with less than half of rural Sri Lankans having access to piped water," said the Ambassdor."That is why I’m so proud that the United States is partnering with Sri Lanka to improve water management.

Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said. A total 92.06 crore tests for detection of Covid has been conducted so far with 89,078 tests being conducted in the last 24 hours.

Spain captured footage of fin whale with a severely bent spine struggling to swim off the Mediterranean coast.The Spanish aquarium Oceanografic Valencia shared video of the whale on social media and said the animal was spotted on March 4 by a beach in Cullera, near Valencia. A team of biologists and veterinarians from the aquarium were called to view the whale after a boat captain reported that the creature was trapped in a fishing net.

Han Dong announced Wednesday night he is leaving the Liberal caucus and will sit as an Independent member of Parliament.His remarks in the House of Commons came hours after Global News reported that Dong privately advised a senior Chinese diplomat in February 2021 that Beijing should hold off freeing Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, according to two separate national security sources.“I have informed the prime minister and the leadership of the Liberal Party caucus that I will be sitting as an Independent at the conclusion of these remarks,” he said.“Mr. Speaker, I am in your hands as to what happens next.” Read more: Liberal MP Han Dong secretly advised Chinese diplomat in 2021 to delay freeing Two Michaels: sources Dong emphatically denied the allegations against him in remarks directed both to the House and the families of Kovrig and Spavor, who were detained in China for over three years on allegations of espionage.“The allegations made against me are as false as the ones made against you,” he said, referring to Kovrig and Spavor.“Let me assure you, as a parliamentarian and as a person, I have never and would never advocate or support the violation of the basic human rights of any Canadian — of anyone, anywhere, period.”He broke down in tears as he concluded his remarks by thanking his family.

The latest statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) show that in January 2023, there were 5.6million people across Scotland, England and Wales, receiving financial support through Universal Credit, a benefit intended to help those out of work or on a low income with daily living costs.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka to the United States, working in collaboration with renowned American humanitarian donor organizations, has achieved a significant milestone in provision of free medicine and medical supplies to Sri Lanka from July to present date. Eight consignments have already been sent to the Ministry of Health. The total value of the 8 consignments is approximately US Dollars 27 million. At current exchange rate, this is worth nearly Sri Lankan Rupees 10 billion. Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, who reached out to US donor organizations last year, has conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the three donors, Heart to Heart International, Hope Worldwide and Americares for their generosity which has proved timely and potentially lifesaving for hundreds of thousands of Sri Lankans in dire need.The Ambassador intends to continue working with humanitarian organizations and agencies to provide assistance to vulnerable segments of the population.

COLOMBO (News 1st); State Minister Indika Anuruddha commended the efforts made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe during a media briefing convened by the Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna.He told reporters that it was Basil Rajapaksa who recommended that Wickremesinghe be handed over the task of taking the IMF program forward. "The initial step was taken during the Gotabaya Rajapaksa administration. We had a few people in the Viyath Maga who were dragging the president's feet.

MP Gamini Lokuge was appointed as Chair of the Committee on Public Petitions on 21.03.2023 at the Committee meeting held in Parliament.Yadamini Gunawardena proposed the name of Gamini Lokuge whilst Jayantha Katagoda seconded it.Addressing the committee, the newly appointed Chairman said that he will pay special attention to cases where the recommendations given earlier by the Committee on Public Petition were not implemented and take further action for that. The chair who recalled that he had previously served as the Chairman of the Committee on Public Petitions, which plays a very important role in achieving justice for the public, said that he would dedicate himself to that in the future as well.

China that has been granted for emergency use," wrote CSPC in a statement. According to the company, the vaccine “adopts advanced technology with independent intellectual property rights, with the advantages of achieving higher production capacity, better process reproducibility, large-scale production and scale-up more easily…The Product is stable and can be stored at 2-8°C for a long time." Also Read: China Has a New Vision for Itself: Global Power The new MRNA vaccine comes at a critical time for China, as the country has recently rolled back strict Covid restrictions to stimulate its struggling economy.

Coffee contains caffeine, a stimulant, which is widely regarded as safe for healthy adults at about 400 milligrams per day, or roughly the equivalent of four or five cups brewed at home.Coffee has been associated with multiple health benefits and even a lower risk of dying, based on large studies that observed participants’ behavior. Despite research that has shown moderate coffee consumption doesn’t raise the risk of heart rhythm problems, some professional medical societies still caution against consuming caffeine.The latest research:Researchers outfitted 100 healthy volunteers with gadgets that continuously monitored their heart function, daily steps, sleep patterns and blood sugar.

PHILADELPHIA - Lingering smoke from a weekend brush fire in Rancocas State Park is still impacting a local school district that has been fully closed since Tuesday.The New Jersey Forest Fire Service deemed the wildfire 100% contained on Sunday night, but by Monday morning students at Westampton Middle School noticed smokey hallways."When you got into the classroom it was like really bad, you could smell it," 7th grade student Madison Dempster said. She recalled many parents picking up their children early from school, and faculty members handing out masks for anyone people who had trouble breathing. MORE LOCAL HEADLINESThe Westampton School District closed some schools on Monday, and then closed the entire district through Thursday. An update from the district on Wednesday said officials are awaiting lab reports from the New Jersey Department of Education before deciding to reopen schools to students and staff. "I've had to work remote, because I had to be home with the kids," James Welcome said.

PHILADELPHIA - Quite the sight in Center City Wednesday night as the Parkway Corporation prepares to move an historic Gulf Station to Fairmount Park.The antique gas station has been sitting on the corner of 20th and Arch streets for almost 95 years. Residents came out to say goodbye to a building that some got to know and appreciate. "I've always liked having it in the neighborhood. Such a strange item unless you really kind of tracked it down, you really didn't know what it was," said Jay Meadway, who lives nearby. The old filling station is a historically protected building and since it is on the site where the Parkway Corporation is building a new office for Chubb Insurance, it’s being relocated near the Sedgley Porter House in Fairmount Park.MORE HEADLINES Parkway CEO Rob Zuritsky says it will cost over $1 million to move the piece of history—slowly and carefully—to its new home just two miles away."This is the first time we've ever been involved with anything like this," said Zuritsky.

COVID-19 in the province.It is removing a time-based recommendation for COVID-19 isolation. Instead, the province is advising people to stay home until “you feel better.”The roll-out for additional bivalent booster doses for some Albertans will begin next month.And the province is moving to a rapid antigen-based testing regime, shuttering testing centres in ten days.“Changes to COVID-19 testing and isolation recommendations are coming this spring, as Alberta continues to move to a more sustainable approach to COVID-19,” health ministry spokesperson Scott Johnston said in an email.

SEATTLE - Dozens of boats were destroyed, and a man was arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire near Seattle's Ship Canal Bridge early Wednesday morning.Crews responded to a report of a boat storage facility fire at about 2 a.m. along Northeast Northlake Way.   (Seattle Fire Department)When firefighters arrived, a storage facility with several boats was burning and the warehouse next to it caught on fire. Officials previously stated 42 boats were destroyed, but units at the scene confirmed about 30 boats had burned. Crews quickly extinguished the fire and found no one inside the warehouse.

Difference between COVID-19 and H3N2 COVID-19 is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, while H3N2 is a strain of the influenza virus. COVID-19 is generally more contagious than H3N2, and the symptoms can range from mild to severe.

New Delhi: The Indian Council of Medical Council (ICMR)’s covid-19 national task force has revised the clinical management guidelines for treatment of adult patients amid rising cases. In the new treatment protocol, the apex medical research body cautioned about the irrational use of antibiotics and steroids, while recommending that the possibility of co-infection of covid with other endemic infections be determined. “...Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease," read ICMR’s clinical guideline document seen by Mint.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The IMF Executive Board approved Sri Lanka’s program under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that will enable Sri Lanka to access up to $7 billion in funding, reported the President's Media Division.President Ranil Wickremesinghe has expressed his gratitude for the support of the IMF and other international partners, said the PMD.It added that the President committed to full transparency in all discussions with financial institutions & creditors, & to achieve sustainable levels of debt through prudent fiscal management & an ambitious reform agenda.The IMF program is critical to achieving this vision & will help to improve Sri Lanka's standing in international capital markets, making it an attractive country for investors, talent, & tourists, said the President's Media Division.Earlier this month, Sri Lanka received IMF-compatible financing assurances from its official creditors, including Paris Club members, India and China, allowing the IMF to convene an Executive Board and consider Sri Lanka’s request for a loan.The program is expected to provide much-needed policy space to drive the economy out of the unprecedented challenges and instill confidence amongst all the stakeholders.President Ranil Wickremesinghe welcomed the announcement:“In the 75 years of Sri Lanka’s independence, there has never been a more critical period for ou economic future. Our official creditors have declared their support following continuous and positive engagements over the last few months, and we are pleased that the IMF Executive Board approved our program, enabling Sri Lanka to access up to US$ 7 billion in funding from the IMF and IFIs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka's Cabinet of Ministers have granted their approval in principle for the divestment of major shareholding in Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC and Sri Lanka Telecom PLC.Sri Lanka Telecom PLC in a letter to the Colombo Stock Exchange noted that the Treasury Secretary has informed the Board of Directors of SLT that the Cabinet of Minister granted its approval in principle for the divestment of the state held by the Secretary to the Treasury in SLT.It added that the divestment will be implemented by the State-Owned Enterprise Restructuring Unit established under the Ministry of Finance.Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC informed the Colombo Stock Exchange that the Secretary to the Treasury has conveyed that an 'Approval in Principle' was granted by the Cabinet of Ministers for the divestment of the major shareholding in Lanka Hospitals Corporation PLC.

Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in Covid-19 cases.  

#Arcturus variant has now been detected in at least 12 countries. Highest cases in India followed by the US, Brunei, Singapore and the UK. In India, there is a 281% increase in cases 17% increase in deaths over the past 14 days.

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.

Bhushan has also advised the state government to ensure vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza NEW DELHI: Amid the rising number of influenza cases across the country and a slight uptick in the Covid-19 positive rate, the union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Saturday directed all states and union territories to closely monitor the trend of influenza-like illnesses, severe acute respiratory illness (ILI/SARIs) and SARS-CoV-2 while ensuring adequate stock of drugs, medical equipment, medical oxygen in the hospitals. Bhushan has also advised the state government to ensure vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza.

China dismissed such reports and emphasized that the pandemic is a scientific issue and should not be turned into a political matter. "The origins-tracing of SARS-CoV-2 is about science and should not be politicized.

Haryana and Karnataka. The first death was in the Hassan district of Karnataka where an 82-year-old man died due to influenza. In Haryana, a 56-year-old lung cancer patient died after getting infected by the virus in January.

Edited excerpts: Do you think covid-19 pandemic has come to endemicity, in India and the world? From CDC’s perspective and the US administration side of things, we are ready to shift our response in the US, and we feel that we are approaching the time when we can manage covid-19 without using lockdowns etc. SARS-CoV-2 remains a public health priority for us, but we are in a better position to respond. We can definitely say that we are at a point where covid-19 doesn’t have to disrupt our lives which is what really most endemic diseases are.

BANGKOK, THAILAND - 2022/09/03: A close up view of a marijuana plant at a local Thai market. Thailand is the first nation in Asia to decriminalize marijuana for medical and personal use.