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<keyword id="19897423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19" source="keywords">COVID-19</keyword>, the unwelcome guest that never quite leaves, may well be in the process of ushering in a fresh global wave, with <keyword id="6356662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="singapore" source="Orion">Singapore</keyword> potentially on the front lines. The Singapore government is on alert, with its Ministry of Health reporting a significant rise in COVID-19 cases. There was a doubling of infections in the first half of May, with the numbers increasing from 13,700 in the first week of this month to 25,900 in the second (May 5 to 11). Hospitalisations have also spiked, with average daily admissions rising from 181 to around 250 in the same period. To manage hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been directed to reduce non-urgent elective surgeries and transfer suitable patients to care facilities. Health Minister <keyword id="19895083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ong-Ye-Kung" source="keywords">Ong Ye Kung</keyword> has indicated that Singapore is in the early stages of this wave, which is expected to peak between mid- and end-June. Recognising Singapore's role as a major transport and communications hub, Ong has acknowledged that the city-state is likely to experience COVID-19 waves earlier than other regions. An uptick in infection numbers has also been observed in the neighbouring countries as well, including Philippines. However, no alarming rise in hospitalisation has been reported yet. Regional reports are attributing this surge to new COVID-19 variants, collectively termed FLiRT. This name is based on the technical names for their mutations, one of which includes the letters "F" and "L", and another, the letters "R" and "T". The FLiRT group comprises of variants KP.1, KP.2, KP.3, JN.1.1 and JN.1.7. At present, KP.1 and KP.2 make up over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. While the WHO has classified KP.2 as a variant under monitoring, there is no evidence suggesting these variants are more transmissible or cause more severe illness than existing strains. Nevertheless, Ong has urged high-risk groups, including those aged 60 and above, medically vulnerable individuals, and residents of aged care facilities, to receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose if they haven't been vaccinated in the past year. The public has also been advised to consider wearing masks again. Ong emphasised that there are no current plans for social restrictions, as Singapore treats COVID-19 as an <keyword id="21743830" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="endemic-disease" source="keywords">endemic disease</keyword>. He noted that additional measures would only be considered as a last resort. “COVID-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves,” he said. Meanwhile, 91 cases of the <keyword id="21640619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="FLiRT-variants" source="keywords">FLiRT variants</keyword> have been detected in India. However, there have been no reports of severe cases or unique symptoms associated with these variants so far. (With inputs from TOI)

FLiRT-ing with pandemic! With a sharp rise in COVID cases, could Singapore be witnessing the start of a global wave?

<keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword> is seeing a new <keyword id="21710881" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-19-wave" source="keywords">COVID-19 wave</keyword> as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 even as <keyword id="19962428" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-Minister" source="keywords">Health Minister</keyword> <keyword id="19895083" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Ong-Ye-Kung" source="keywords">Ong Ye Kung</keyword> on Saturday advised the wearing of masks again. "We are at the beginning part of the wave where it is steadily rising," said Ong. "So, I would say the wave should peak in the next two to four weeks, which means between mid- and end of June," The Straits Times newspaper quoted the minister as saying. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said the estimated number of COVID-19 cases in the week of May 5 to 11 rose to 25,900 cases, compared with 13,700 cases in the previous week. The average daily COVID-19 hospitalisations rose to about 250 from 181 the week before. The average daily intensive care unit (ICU) cases remained low at three cases, compared with two cases in the previous week. The MOH said that to protect hospital bed capacity, public hospitals have been asked to reduce their non-urgent elective surgery cases and move suitable patients to transitional care facilities or back home through Mobile Inpatient Care@Home, an alternative inpatient care delivery model that offers clinically suitable patients the option of being hospitalised in their own homes instead of a hospital ward. Ong urged those who are at greatest risk of severe disease, including individuals aged 60 years and above, medically vulnerable individuals and residents of aged care facilities, to receive an additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so in the last 12 months. Ong said that if the number of COVID-19 cases doubles one time, Singapore will have 500 patients in its healthcare system, which is what Singapore can handle. However, if the number of cases doubles a second time, there will be 1,000 patients, and "that will be a considerable burden on the hospital system", he pointed out. "One thousand beds is equivalent to one regional hospital," Ong said. "So, I think the healthcare system has to brace ourselves for what is to come." There are no plans for any form of social restrictions or any other mandatory kind of measures for now, as COVID-19 is treated as an endemic disease in Singapore, he said, adding that imposing additional measures would be a last resort. Ong said that with Singapore being a transport and communications hub, it will be one of the cities to get a wave of COVID-19 earlier than others. "So, COVID-19 is just something that we have to live with. Every year, we should expect one or two waves," he said. Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. Currently, KP.1 and KP.2 account for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. As of May 3, the World Health Organisation has classified KP.2 as a variant under monitoring. There are currently no indications, globally or locally, that KP.1 and KP.2 are more transmissible or cause more severe disease than other circulating variants, the MOH said. However, members of the public are urged to stay updated with vaccinations to protect themselves against current and emerging virus strains. The MOH said that to date, about 80 per cent of the local population have completed their initial or additional dose, but have not received a dose within the last year. The ministry added that since COVID-19 vaccination started in 2020 to 2021, the vaccines have consistently been proven to be safe and effective in protecting individuals from severe illness. Billions of doses have been administered globally, and safety monitoring internationally has shown that the vaccine is safe, it said. There have also been no long-term safety concerns with COVID-19 vaccination, and adverse effects from vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines, have all been observed to occur shortly after vaccination, the ministry added. 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Singapore seeing new COVID-19 wave, minister advises wearing of masks

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="20348245" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="zach" source="keywords">Zach</keyword> and Annie moved their family from <keyword id="19916114" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="california" source="keywords">California</keyword> to <keyword id="20109210" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scotland" source="keywords">Scotland</keyword> for a simpler life.</li><li>The couple, who have three young kids, loved California but felt that it was too fast-paced.</li></ul>Zach, 38, and Annie, 37, packed up their lives and moved their family from the US to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tiny-home-renovation-old-abandoned-cottage-scotland-before-after-photos-2022-7">Scotland</a> earlier this year. They had been living in <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/people-stunned-price-of-palo-alto-california-home-for-sale-2024-5">California</a>, where Zach — who was originally from Scotland — was working with the highway patrol. Because of his job, the couple and their three kids had to move frequently throughout the state. Although they had a chance to live in places such as Sonoma County and around <keyword id="19915272" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="silicon-valley" source="keywords">Silicon Valley</keyword>, life always felt "<a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reasons-i-left-silicon-valley-california-after-two-years-2023-12">extremely fast-paced</a>," Annie, who works in healthcare, told Business Insider. "Life just seemed to be work — or school for the kids — a little break and then repeat. It seemed hard to fit in a lot of quality family time or fun little adventures," Zach told BI. <div type="image" title="A man and a woman posing for a selfie." height="1600" width="1185" msid="113889827" hostid="261"></div>The couple, whose children — two sons and one daughter — are below 10, asked to be identified by only their first names to protect their privacy. They wanted to live a simpler life with their kids, away from the rat race and the pressure to constantly <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/millionaire-investing-saving-spending-financial-independence-retire-early-fire-2024-9">keep up with the Joneses.</a> Annie had always wanted to live in Scotland, and late last year — after a decade of living in California — it finally seemed like the right time for their family to seriously consider taking the plunge. <h2>Preparing for the move</h2>In a way, the move felt like it had been 10 years in the making. "Ever since I met Zach, I've wanted to live in Scotland. It's just been me slowly wearing him down and trying to get him to come back," Annie said. The timing for their move was right, in part because their kids were still young. "We knew if we were ever going to make the move, we had to move before our kids established true friend groups and got too far in their academics to where that transition would be difficult," Annie said. The couple knew they wanted to be in the East Lothian area just outside Edinburgh because it was near where Zach grew up. It was also a place that their kids were familiar with. "We made an effort pretty much every year, apart from during COVID-19, to travel back to Scotland," Zach said. Familiarity aside, their kids were also excited by the move because they'd made plenty of good memories on their past visits. <div type="image" title="A wooden front door of a cottage." height="4284" width="5712" msid="113889818" hostid="261"></div>"They love <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-i-bought-my-first-house-22-2024-3">Scotland</a> because they've been here so many times, and every time they come over they think it's magic because their grandparents spoil them and take them to all of the best places," Annie said. "So when we said that we were moving to Scotland, they were all for it for the most part." While Zach and their kids had UK passports, Annie had to apply for a spousal visa, which she said took about two months to be approved. Then came the exciting part: looking for a <keyword id="7173" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="house" source="Orion">house</keyword>. Thankfully, the process wasn't too hard, even though they were still living in California at the time. <div type="image" title="Zach and Annie moved from California to Scotland with their three young kids." height="4284" width="5712" msid="113889826" hostid="261"></div>"Annie's hobby is looking at houses all around the world, she's constantly browsing for fun," Zach said. When the listing for a cozy three-bedroom house came up, the couple jumped on the opportunity. "When it popped up, I thought it was ridiculously underpriced," Annie said. "It was actually the only house that Zach's parents went and toured for us." At Zach's parents' encouragement, the couple decided to put in an offer for the house and ended up getting it. <div type="image" title="A cabinet in the corner of a living room." height="5712" width="4284" msid="113889825" hostid="261"></div>They preferred to keep the exact amount private but said they paid about 15% more than the original asking price of about £200,000, or about $265,000. "Budget-wise, our goal was always to try to not have this huge mortgage hanging over our head. It was something we felt we had in the States, especially in California, where house prices are crazy," Zach said. <h2>Getting settled into their home</h2>Zack and Annie are part of a wave of California residents who are choosing to leave the state. Between 2021 and 2022, 817,669 people left California — making it the <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/top-states-americans-are-moving-to-florida-texas-california-2023-10">US state with the most people moving out</a>. Several former residents that BI previously spoke to said rising crime rates and the high cost of living were factors in their decision to <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reasons-why-californians-are-leaving-the-state">leave California</a>. <div type="image" title="The dining area and kitchen." height="4284" width="5712" msid="113889828" hostid="261"></div>Zack and Annie closed on the house in February, but only arrived in Scotland with their kids in May. Since the couple bought their house without viewing it in person, they were a little concerned that it would feel too small for their family of five. "We just moved from a pretty large four-bedroom house that's at least 2,000 square feet in the States to about 950 square feet in Scotland," Annie said. "That's a big change. But when we walked in, the rooms were all really nicely sized, and they just felt right." They spent about two months renovating the place while living with Zach's parents. It wasn't until late July that they finally moved into their new house. <div type="image" title="The dining area." height="1562" width="1179" msid="113889823" hostid="261"></div>"The kids never saw the house unfinished. The moment they stepped in the door, their room was decorated and they had their beds set up with all their toys on it," Annie said. "They walk in and they think everything's beautiful when we actually shed blood, sweat, and tears trying to make it a home, but it was definitely worth it." It's also really easy for the family to get around their neighborhood on foot. The main street of their town — where there are cafés, shops, and a grocery store — is only a 10-minute walk away, Annie said. "We have trails just outside our doorstep where the kids can go explore. There are beaches not too far away," she said, adding that there's no need for a car unless they're driving the kids to their grandparents' place. <div type="image" title="The bathroom." height="4032" width="3024" msid="113889821" hostid="261"></div>"It's a process to get every child loaded up in a car, so we wanted to reduce that as much as possible. And now we just walk to everything we do, and I feel we're healthier for it," she said. If they're ever feeling up for a small adventure, they can easily drive 20 minutes to the various small towns around them, Zach said. "Whereas in the States, if we wanted to go do something different or outside our little area, it's probably a 45-minute drive and then it becomes more of a day trip," he said. <h2>A simple life</h2>The couple says that life in Scotland is simpler — which is exactly what they were looking for. Even though they've only been here for a few months, the couple says they feel more content with life in Scotland — so much so that they even started a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.youtube.com/@SimpleScottishLiving">YouTube channel</a> documenting their adventures in the country. <div type="image" title="A man and a woman gaze lovingly at each other in front of a stone building." height="632" width="843" msid="113889829" hostid="261"></div>Although the couple enjoyed living in the US, life in Scotland reminded them of their own childhoods. "Seeing what the children could get by being over here was sort of nostalgic. It brought us back to the '90s childhood we had," Annie said. "You go out and play until the streetlights turn on, and we just felt this sense of peace and safety in Scotland." Have you recently built or renovated your dream home? If you've got a story to share, get in touch with me at <a target="_blank" href="mailto:agoh@businessinsider.com">agoh@businessinsider.com</a>. Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated the converted dollar amount of the home's asking price. It was about $265,000, not $340,000.

A California family of 5 found a house in Scotland listed for under $270,000. The catch: It was half the size of their old place.

As many as 290 cases of <keyword id="21545939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-2" source="keywords">KP.2</keyword> and 34 cases of <keyword id="21748081" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="KP-1" source="keywords">KP.1</keyword>, both sub-lineages of COVID-19 that are responsible for surge in cases in Singapore, have been found in India, according to official data. However, a source in the Union health ministry told PTI that they are all sub variants of <keyword id="20115417" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="JN1" source="keywords">JN1</keyword> and there is no associated increase in hospitalisation and severe cases. "So there is no reason for concern or panic. The mutations will keep happening at a rapid pace and this is the natural behaviour of viruses like SARS-CoV2," the source said. The source further said that the INSACOG surveillance is sensitive and is able to pick up the emergence of any new variant and samples are also picked from hospitals in a structured manner to detect any change in the severity of disease due to virus. Data compiled by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) showed that 34 cases of KP.1 have been found across seven states and UTs with 23 cases registered from West Bengal. The other states are Goa (1), Gujarat (2), Haryana (1), Maharashtra (4) Rajasthan (2) and Uttarakhand (1). As many as 290 cases of KP.2 have been registered with Maharashtra reporting the highest number at 148, according to the data. The other states and Union territories are Delhi (1), Goa (12), Gujarat (23), Haryana (3), Karnataka (4), Madhya Pradesh (1), Odisha (17), Rajasthan (21), Uttar Pradesh (8), Uttarakhand (16) and West Bengal (36). Singapore is seeing a new COVID-19 wave as the authorities recorded more than 25,900 cases from May 5 to 11 with KP.1 and KP.2 accounting for over two-thirds of cases in Singapore. Globally, the predominant COVID-19 variants are still JN.1 and its sub-lineages, including KP.1 and KP.2. KP.1 and KP.2 belong to a group of COVID-19 variants scientists have nicknamed 'FLiRT', after the technical names of their mutations. The strains in FLiRT are all descendants of the JN.1 variant, an offshoot of the Omicron variant. KP.2 was classified by the World Health Organization as a Variant Under Monitoring.

290 cases of COVID-19 variant KP.2, 34 cases of KP.1 detected in India: INSACOG data

Not allowing yourself to be peer-pressured into downloading those tiresome dating apps may be the first best precaution you can take to protect your heart. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 may well be the second, it turns out. A new international study examining the effects of vaccines on millions of patients in the UK, Spain and Estonia found that being vaccinated may be the trick to a healthier heart. In the first month after infection, the researchers found that the risk of <keyword id="25186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blood-clotting" source="Orion">blood clotting</keyword> plummeted by a whopping 78% in the limbic veins and 47% in the arteries of the vaccinated individuals. Avoiding these complications helped more than halve the <keyword id="32031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-failure" source="Orion">heart failure</keyword> risk among vaxxers compared to the non-vaccinated. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?" comment="subhead" text="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?">What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?</cmsannotation> Unfortunately, just having blood inside your body isn’t enough to help you survive; the stuff needs to constantly move and slosh through your blood vessels, transporting and depositing oxygen and other nutrients around like silt on a river edge. However, certain conditions — such as diabetes and obesity — can cause some of your blood to abnormally coagulate, forming giant blockages that prevent your veins and arteries from moving blood around efficiently. This places an extra burden on your heart, which can lead it to fail. Research has shown that COVID-19 infections have the capability to cause unusual blood clots in multiple parts of the body, including the lungs and the legs. This can lead to organ failures, <keyword id="6357661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-attack" source="Orion">heart attack</keyword> and <keyword id="25191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stroke" source="Orion">stroke</keyword>. Fortunately, simply taking a wee bit of time off to get yourself jabbed by the <keyword id="24209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="Orion">vaccine</keyword> helps tremendously, it turns out. It wasn’t just heart failure and stroke; being vaccinated also reduced the risk of developing other heart-related diseases. This included scary conditions such as heart attacks and ventricular arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat), although this shield only persisted for the first 30 days after the infection. Despite not being at peak efficacy, the vaccine’s protection was potent enough to slash risk of heart failure by nearly 50% for up to a year after vaccination, the study found. This showed that even as the protective halo of the vaccine waned over time, it still continued to pack a punch. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?" comment="subhead" text="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?">Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?</cmsannotation> There has been a second-wave of reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccine, majorly due to concerns of long-term complications that can arise from them. The important thing to note is that while the vaccine can lead to heart issues in some people, it only takes place in extremely rare circumstances. Conversely, one study even showed that vaccination reduced the risk of long-COVID by a massive 67%. The researchers thus hope that these positive heart-related findings will help clear any vaccination hesitations among sceptics. However, more studies need to be conducted to conclusively understand the protection offered by booster doses in different populations. "Our findings probably reflect the fact that the vaccines are effective in reducing infection, and minimise the risk of severe COVID-19," explains study author Núria Mercadé-Besora. "These results could encourage COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant people who are worried about the potential risk of vaccine side effects." The findings of this study have been published in Heart and can be accessed <a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2024/01/24/heartjnl-2023-323483" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

COVID-19 vaccine can slash risk of post-infection heart failure by half, study finds

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that future coronavirus waves are expected and that governments across the world need to remain vigilant and ready to respond to any threat that may emerge. "We have never been in a better position to end the pandemic," WHO Director General <keyword id="3685849" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="tedros-adhanom-ghebreyesus" source="Orion">Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus</keyword> said at a press briefing in Geneva on Wednesday. According to the WHO, during the week of September 5-11, the number of new weekly cases worldwide decreased by 28 per cent over the previous week to more than 3.1 million. The number of new weekly deaths was down 22 per cent to just under 11,000. Tedros likened the pandemic response to a marathon race. "Now is the time to run harder and make sure we cross the line and reap the rewards of all our hard work." Nevertheless, the WHO's experts continue to urge caution, Xinhua news agency reported. The virus is "circulating at a very intense level around the world at the present time. And, in fact, the number of cases that are being reported to the WHO we know are an underestimate," <keyword id="5856524" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="maria-van-kerkhove" source="Orion">Maria Van Kerkhove</keyword>, technical lead of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme, said. "We feel there are far more cases that are actually circulating than are being reported to us," she added. "We expect there to be future waves of infection, potentially at different time points throughout the world, caused by different subvariants of Omicron or even different variants of concern," she noted. Those future waves of infection "do not need to translate into future waves of death, because we have tools that can prevent infections," she said. Even as the pandemic wanes, people should maintain high levels of vigilance, said <keyword id="32505" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="mike-ryan" source="Orion">Mike Ryan</keyword>, executive director of the WHO's Health Emergencies Programme. The world is fighting "a highly mutable evolving virus that has shown us, time and time again in two-and-a-half years, how it can adapt and how it can change," <keyword id="7076" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="ryan" source="Orion">Ryan</keyword> added. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tamilnad-mercantile-bank-lists-at-510-lower-than-grey-market-estimates/articleshow/94213399.cms">Tamilnad Mercantile Bank lists at ₹510, lower than grey market estimates</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indias-trade-deficit-widens-139-to-27-98-bn-in-august/articleshow/94213410.cms">India's trade deficit widens 139% to $27.98 bn in August</a>

WHO warns future waves of Covid-19 infection as deaths drop

<keyword id="28249" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="europe" source="Orion">Europe</keyword> is facing a <keyword id="840227" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="New-wave" source="Orion">new wave</keyword> of the Covid-19 pandemic triggered by the highly-transmissible BA.4 and BA.5 sub-variants of <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword>, according to the <keyword id="114599" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="european-medicines-agency" source="Orion">European Medicines Agency</keyword> (EMA). "We see a new wave of Covid-19 in many members of the <keyword id="6355110" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="european-union" source="Orion">European Union</keyword>," <keyword id="106387" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="xinhua-news-agency" source="Orion">Xinhua news agency</keyword> quoted Marco Cavaleri, head of <keyword id="14398398" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="biological-health-threats-and-vaccines-strategy" source="Orion">Biological Health Threats and Vaccines Strategy</keyword> of the EMA, as saying during an online press conference from Amsterdam. "The wave is driven by BA.4 and BA.5 which are highly-transmissible," Cavaleri added. "Based on current predictions, BA.4 and BA.5 are expected to become dominant across the European countries, likely replacing all other variants by the end of July." In April, the EMA already advised people aged 80 and above to get a second booster vaccine. Now, Cavaleri repeated that message and also suggested a second booster for those aged from 60 to 79, as well as medically vulnerable people of any age. "Although there is no evidence that the variants make people sicker than earlier strains of the virus, the increase in transmission among older age groups is starting to translate into severe diseases," Cavaleri said. "As this new wave is unfolding across Europe, it is essential to maintain the protection of vulnerable groups and avoid any postponement of vaccination." The EMA is open to various next-generation Covid vaccines and willing to consider those adapted to the currently predominant Omicron subvariants. However, these vaccines could come too late for the autumn vaccination campaigns planned by the EU member states, according to Cavaleri. The EMA therefore indicated a preference so far for vaccines already authorized. "The authorized vaccines still give good protection against increased hospitalization, severe illness and death," Cavaleri said. SEE ALSO : <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/tiktoks-blackout-challenge-faces-backlash-after-allegedly-killing-7-kids/articleshow/92740060.cms">TikTok's 'blackout challenge' faces backlash after allegedly killing 7 kids</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/voice-tech-is-evolving-rapidly-here-are-the-top-trends-in-voice-tech-to-watch-for/articleshow/92727686.cms">Voice tech is evolving rapidly. Here are the top trends in voice tech to watch for</a>

Omicron sub-variants are triggering a new COVID wave in Europe

<ul><li><keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> may be a milder variant than Delta but it’s too soon to be sure of that.</li><li>If you haven’t taken the first two shots of the vaccine, the risk of infection and hospitalisation is higher.</li><li>Taking a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may provide better protection against the virus.</li><li>The third wave of COVID-19 infections may peak in India by February first week.</li><li>Countries like the US and UK have refrained from imposing stringent restrictions on people’s movement despite rising cases.</li></ul>There are at least 5 learnings emerging from different countries facing the third wave of COVID-19 infections where the most number of cases are that of the latest variant, Omicron. First, Omicron is likely to be a milder variant although the World Health Organisation has said that it needs more data to make that point conclusively. Moreover the emergence of a new variant called <keyword id="12876991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ihu" source="Orion">IHU</keyword>, discovered by researchers in France, which is likely to be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/new-covid-19-variant-named-ihu-discovered-in-france-said-to-be-stronger-than-omicron/amp_articleshow/88685048.cms">stronger than Omicron</a>, has increased the need for caution. Second, the WHO has said that the risk of infection and the potential need for hospitalisation is higher for those who have not taken the vaccines. Third, India’s covid cases would peak by February 2 <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Country </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Total Cases </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">New Cases </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Death toll </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">USA </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5,71,31,187 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4,26,051 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+767 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">UK </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,34,22,815 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,57,758 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+42 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Spain </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">66,67,511 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+93,190 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+42 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Italy </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">63,96,110 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+68,052 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+140 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">France </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1,03,17,819 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+67,461 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+270 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Turkey </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">95,97,670 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+44,869 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+160 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Argentine </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">57,39,326 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+44,396 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+41 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3,49,60,261 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+37,379 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">+124 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: Worldometers Note: Data, as of January 3, 2022 The forecast, from researchers at IIT Kanpur, is based on the assumption that India will follow the trends of rise in cases seen in other countries. The research also used the rate of increase in cases from the first and second waves in India. Fourth, a booster dose may be needed New studies conducted in the United Kingdom have<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/omicron-chart-protection-2-3-vaccine-booster-effectiveness-hospitalization-symptomatic-2022-1"> revealed</a> that the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine may be necessary to boost a person’s resistance to the Omicron variant by as much as 88%. This is a significantly higher degree of protection against the latest variant when compared to the second dose, whose effectiveness begins to reduce after a period of six months. Oxford<a href="https://theprint.in/health/booster-dose-of-covishield-can-increase-antibody-levels-against-omicron-oxford-study-says/786422/"> has said </a>that a third booster shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria is necessary to boost the antibody levels. Covershield is the Indian version of Vaxzevria, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) Fifth, night curfews are useless and other countries have refrained from stringent restrictions on movement of people. Even though the US and UK are recording high covid-19 cases on a daily basis, the countries have decided not to introduce any new restrictions. However, work from home has once again become a norm in these countries. Many states in India, on the other hand, have proactively imposed night curfews, weekend lockdowns and other such restrictions in order to beat the third wave. Whereas, the need may be to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in places, and at times, when crowds do gather for business or otherwise. Even now, large crowds sans social distancing, and people without masks on the street, is not a rare sight in India. However, the policy response has been limited to night curfews. WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, in a TV interview, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/no-science-behind-night-curfews-in-india-whos-swaminathan-1066559.html">noted</a> that there is no science behind night curfews when it comes to tackling Covid-9. "Entertainment venues are places where these viruses spread the most. It's natural to bring in some restrictions there," he added. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-tests-positive-for-covid-19/articleshow/88679427.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tests positive for COVID-19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/infoedge-and-zomatos-deepinder-goyal-invested-money-in-geniemode-10-month-old-tech-startup/articleshow/88683920.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">After Deepinder Goyal and Kunal Shah, Info Edge backs this 10-month-old tech startup</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ongc-appoints-alka-mittal-as-chairperson-and-managing-director/slidelist/88681434.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet Alka Mittal, the first woman to head oil giant ONGC</a>

From new variant IHU to utility of booster doses ⁠— these are five lessons India can learn from the third wave of COVID-19 in other countries

<ul><li>It highlighted that the states or districts where the cases were low may witness a high number of cases.</li><li>Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh may ideally see a dip in the number of COVID-19 cases or at least may not be hit as badly as the previous wave.</li><li>The major reason behind this could be strong immunity acquired post-vaccination, which can decrease the number of symptomatic cases in every state.</li></ul>The possibility of a third wave of COVID-19 projected to hit the country any time between September and October could likely be less severe than the previous wave in May-June, which devastated the whole country, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (<keyword id="6364396" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="icmr" source="Orion">ICMR</keyword>). A study backed by ICMR and Imperial College of London’s CHROMIC model predicts that Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh may ideally see a dip in the number of COVID-19 cases or at least may not be hit as badly as the previous wave. The major reason behind this could be strong immunity acquired post-vaccination, which can decrease the number of symptomatic cases in every state. Dr. Samiran Panda, ICMR’s epidemiology and communicable disease (ECD) head said, as <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/third-wave-likely-to-be-less-severe-says-icmr/articleshow/85749273.cms">quoted</a> by The Times of India, “Nobody can predict the third wave for the whole country. It will now make sense only if district or state-specific data are used for specific projections. The wave may rear its head only if states remove restrictions prematurely.” He further said that the third wave is likely to arrive only when there is a decline in natural or vaccination boosted immunities, a new and more dangerous variant takes birth like Delta variant or there is a relaxation in the states without following appropriate COVID behaviour or people refraining themselves from getting the vaccine shots. Dr. Panda also highlighted that the states or districts where the cases were low may witness a high number of cases, whereas states/districts that reported a high number of cases may hit with a low number of cases during the third wave. He further strongly urged the states to not allow mass gatherings. “Intensified vaccination and following COVID protocols is the only way ahead”, he added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bengal-districts-alipurduar-coochbehar-south-dinajpur-birbhum-purulia-and-jhargram-have-not-reported-any-covid-19-deaths-in-last-one-month/articleshow/85757746.cms">Bengal districts Alipurduar, Coochbehar, South Dinajpur, Birbhum, Purulia and Jhargram have not reported any COVID-19 deaths in last one month</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/iphone-13-could-support-satellite-connectivity-allowing-users-to-make-calls-without-cell-signal/articleshow/85757478.cms">iPhone 13 could support satellite connectivity, allowing users to make calls without cell signal</a>

ICMR predicts third wave of COVID-19 to be less severe than the second wave — Delhi, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh may see a decline

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="11896021" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="hong-kong" source="Orion">Hong Kong</keyword> is wrestling with the deadliest <keyword id="11893994" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> wave in the world right now, per capita.</li><li>Most elderly adults in Hong Kong are unvaccinated due to a combination of confusion and mistrust.</li></ul>After two years of holding back the <keyword id="11893194" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus" source="Orion">coronavirus</keyword> near-perfectly, Hong Kong is suffering a brutally punishing wave of new <keyword id="12616996" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> infections — the deadliest in the world right now, per capita."We have about 30,000 [new] cases a day," Dr. Edwin Tsui, Hong Kong's Centre for Health Protection controller, said on Wednesday during a <a href="https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2022/03/20220316/20220316_175147_256.html">news conference</a>. Though Omicron infections are also rising in other spots around the globe that have held the virus at bay until now (like New Zealand) Hong Kong is in the uniquely painful position of having very few of its elderly adults fully vaccinated. That is a big part of the reason why the per capita death rate in Hong Kong is so high right now.Since late December, when <a href="https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2021/12/20211231/20211231_171638_961.html">local transmission of Omicron</a> began in Hong Kong, <a href="https://www.news.gov.hk/eng/2022/03/20220316/20220316_175147_256.html">4,634 people have died</a>. Previously, only <a href="https://weekly.chinacdc.cn/news/TrackingtheEpidemic.htm">213 people in Hong Kong</a> had died from COVID-19 in all of 2020 and 2021 combined.This wave, which began in February, 89% of deaths have been among people who did not receive two doses of a vaccine, and most of the deaths have been in unvaccinated victims 60 and up.<h2>Older people in Hong Kong have some of the lowest vaccination rates in the world</h2>Just 36% of Hong Kong residents over the age of 80 have had two doses of a vaccine from either Pfizer or Sinovac. The <a href="https://www.covidvaccine.gov.hk/en/dashboard/">vaccination rate</a> among younger people in Hong Kong is far higher, with more than 88% of people aged 20-59 years old receiving two doses so far. Reasons for the low vaccination rate among the elderly include fear, confusion over whether the vaccines are safe for people with preexisting conditions, and mistrust of the government's handling of the pandemic."The government has never truly taken consideration of the elderly in every single measure and policy it has carried out since the start of the pandemic," unvaccinated 72-year-old Sit Pui-yu <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3166840/coronavirus-hong-kong-alone-afraid-and">told the South China Morning Post</a>. Terry Lum, a professor of social work at the University of Hong Kong, told the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/25/business/hong-kong-unvaccinated-elderly.html">New York Times</a> the government has not moved swiftly to shut down misinformation. "When that misinformation is circulating and no one comes out to clarify the information, and we have such low cases, the people wonder, 'Why would I take the risk?'" Lum said.Hong Kong's lagging elderly vaccination rates are outliers compared to the rest of the world, where the older you are, the more likely it is you've been fully vaccinated.In the US, <a href="https://data.cdc.gov/Vaccinations/COVID-19-Vaccination-and-Case-Trends-by-Age-Group-/gxj9-t96f/data">more than 85% of people over the age of 75</a> are fully vaccinated, while in the <a href="https://reports.opensafely.org/reports/vaccine-coverage/">UK 96% of seniors over the age of 80</a> have had two shots. Those higher than average vaccination rates among elders reflect the recognition that elderly adults are some of the most vulnerable to COVID-19's nastiest consequences, including death.<h2>The virus is spreading through nursing homes</h2>With the Omicron variant able to spread more quickly and more easily than previous versions of the virus did, unvaccinated elders in Hong Kong are at greater risk now than ever before. "Some care homes have seen all residents infected, according to my understanding," Elderly Commission chairman Dr. Lam Ching-choi told the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3169331/hong-kong-now-has-worlds-highest-covid-19-death">South China Morning Post</a> earlier this month. "Very unfortunately, the death rate among the elderly will continue to rise as we currently do not have enough resources – from hospital beds and isolation facilities to medication."Hong Kong has hurried in recent weeks to rush the construction of several <a href="https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202203/04/P2022030400277.htm">makeshift hospitals</a> and patient isolation facilities, with bed locations including a <a href="https://hongkongfp.com/2022/03/05/covid-19-new-facility-at-kai-tak-cruise-terminal-to-house-elderly-with-mild-symptoms/">cruise ship terminal</a>, a <a href="https://twitter.com/newsgovhk/status/1503964012832198659">gym</a>, and an <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lok+Ma+Chau+Loop,+Hong+Kong/@22.5210197,114.0621504,14z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x3403f69c3406e115:0x9e4abcbf0352c480!8m2!3d22.521021!4d114.07966">unincorporated patch of land</a> that sits next to mainland China. Hundred of healthcare workers are also being brought over from the mainland to help with the surge. Professor Lau Yu-lung, a government adviser on vaccines, said even elderly patients with symptoms should go ahead and get vaccinated as soon as possible. "We can vaccinate them as long as they don't have a fever, since all elderly people have coughs," he told the <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3169331/hong-kong-now-has-worlds-highest-covid-19-death">Post</a>. <div type="image" title="isolation trailers for covid patients in hong kong" height="1400" width="2100" msid="90290602" hostid="261"></div>On February 24, Hong Kong also issued a new <a href="https://www.info.gov.hk/gia/general/202202/21/P2022022100781.htm">vaccine pass requirement</a> for anyone over the age of 12 entering public spaces, including gyms, hair salons, supermarkets, mahjong parlors, and malls. Walter Cheung Shu-wai <a href="https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3166840/coronavirus-hong-kong-alone-afraid-and">told the Post</a> that his 94-year-old mother received her first dose of Pfizer's vaccine last week, and she had no noticeable side effects. "Our family had been thinking about it for more than half a year. We see that the epidemic is getting more and more serious since the fifth wave of infections, and it would be risky if my mother gets infected," he said. "I guess we all need to calculate the risk."

3 charts show why Hong Kong is suffering the deadliest Omicron wave in the world right now

<ul><li>Over 62% or 6 out of 10 Indians believe that the <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> led-government handled the COVID situation quite effectively, as per a new survey.</li><li>Furthermore, 52% of the respondents said that the government also handled the economic recovery during the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic really well.</li><li>Despite rising unemployment and soaring inflation, the overall popularity of the <keyword id="6354642" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="modi" source="Orion">Modi</keyword> government has been rising since the beginning of the pandemic.</li></ul>Six out of ten Indians believe that the Narendra Modi led-government handled the COVID situation ‘quite effectively’, as per a survey. This is a drastic change from last year’s survey when only 27% believed so. Similarly the percentage of people who rated the pandemic handling as ‘quite poorly’ went down from 32% last year to a mere 9% this year, as per a report by <keyword id="6379818" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="localcircles" source="Orion">LocalCircles</keyword>, a community social media platform. The opinion seems to have changed after the vaccination drive which covered around 200 crore people in first, second and booster doses. Nine out of 10 Indians or 88% are satisfied with how the government effectively handled the COVID vaccine development, procurement and distribution. Furthermore, 52% of the respondents said that the government handled the economic recovery quite well during the different waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only 25% believed that the government handled it very badly. The government announced various stimulus packages and undertook many measures at different stages which were <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/one-year-of-covid-lockdown-how-indian-economy-dealt-with-the-virus/articleshow/81666829.cms">reportedly</a> equivalent to ₹29.87 lakh crore or 15% of the GDP. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Unemployment issue is still unaddressed" comment="subhead" text="Unemployment issue is still unaddressed">Unemployment issue is still unaddressed</cmsannotation> Around 29% of citizens in the 2020 survey conducted by the LocalCircles, said that the government addressed the issue of unemployment very well. This percentage saw a marginal drop in 2021 to 27%. The Covid-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns since 2020 have had a drastic effect on an already struggling Indian economy, resulting in business disruption and massive job losses. The Center for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data says that unemployment is looming large as it rose to 7.8% in April from 7.6% in March this year. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Overall popularity of Modi government has risen" comment="subhead" text="Overall popularity of Modi government has risen">Overall popularity of Modi government has risen</cmsannotation> Despite rising unemployment and soaring inflation, the popularity of the Modi government has been rising since the beginning of the pandemic. Over 67% of the respondents said the government has either met or exceeded their expectations in the last three years, which is a jump from 51% in 2021. Only 30% say that they are not satisfied with the performance of the Modi government 2.0. BJP won the Lok Sabha elections in 2014 and formed the government again in 2019 with a thunderous majority. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/lic-reports-a-17-decline-in-the-net-profits-as-compared-to-same-quarter-in-the-last-fiscal/articleshow/91894568.cms">LIC reports a 17% decline in the net profits as compared to same quarter in the last fiscal</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/these-four-drone-company-stocks-gave-record-breaking-returns-in-one-year/articleshow/91892935.cms">These four drone company stocks gave record breaking returns in one year</a>

Modi government popularity soars after vaccination drives and a mild third wave

<ul><li>Even as India grapples with the second wave of COVID-19, the government’s advisor has warned about the possibility of a third wave. </li><li>According to him, a third wave is inevitable, going by the higher levels of coronavirus circulating in the country. </li><li>He also said that while vaccines are effective currently, they will need to be updated to deal with new strains.</li></ul>A third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is inevitable given the higher levels of coronavirus circulating in the country, said Indian government’s principal scientific advisor K VijayRaghavan. "A phase three is inevitable, given the higher levels of circulating virus but it is not clear on what time scale this phase three will occur. We should prepare for new waves," K VijayRaghavan said during the press conference. “Scientists of India and all over the world are working to anticipate these kinds of variants and act against them rapidly by early warning and developing modified tools. It's an intense research program, happening in India and abroad,” he <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1389899026405814273">added</a>. India has already lost over 2.25 lakh people to COVID-19 infections, a lot more in the second wave that has peaked in the last month and a half. The peak of coronavirus infections in the first wave, in September 2020 was 6.3 million. Compared to that, the total infections currently have crossed 20 million. What made the second wave worse was the lack of planning given the poor state of health infrastructure in the country where there is only one hospital bed for 2,000 people, <a href="http://hdr.undp.org/en/2020-report">according</a> to the United Nations Human Development Report 2020. A lot of the deaths have been blamed on the poor preparation from genome sequencing to ensuring adequate supply of hospital beds and oxygen, as well as sourcing of vaccines. The government of India has come under severe criticism for downplaying the threat of the second wave and allowing (even participating) public gatherings and election rallies, including those held by the Prime Minister. The government also said, “Long Covid-19 wave of such ferocity we are seeing was not predicted.” However, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/scientists-warned-the-central-government-about-new-covid-19-variants-and-surge-in-cases-says-scientist-community/articleshow/82381531.cms">reports</a> suggest that the government had ignored warnings from scientists about the second wave, weeks before there was an explosion in new cases. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/private-ambulances-in-gurgaon-are-on-strike-amid-the-surging-cases-of-covid-19/articleshow/82404211.cms">COVID-19 patients are the ones paying the price amid the tussle over rates between the government and ambulance operators in Gurgaon</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/oxygen-crisis-in-delhi-india-supreme-court-stays-contempt-proceeding-against-centre-but-asks-for-solutions/articleshow/82404049.cms">Oxygen crisis in Delhi: India’s top court stays contempt proceeding against Centre, but asks for solutions</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/banks-respond-positively-to-indian-central-banks-covid-stimulus-package-check-out-the-list-of-top-gainers/articleshow/82400850.cms">Banks respond positively to Indian central bank’s COVID stimulus package – check out the list of top gainers</a>

You Searched For "Covid 19 wave" and got 12 results

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