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New Delhi, As India gets readied for a <keyword id="10424473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="massive-covid-vaccination-programme">massive Covid vaccination programme</keyword>, heath experts on Sunday said that 21 days is an ideal gap between the first and the <keyword id="10424474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-booster-dose">second booster dose</keyword>, and those who get vaccinated have to maintain the same health hygiene as they are supposed to do sans vaccine for a certain time period. Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said that 30 crore people have been listed in prioritised population groups, which involves one crore healthcare workers, two crore personnel from the police department, armed forces, home guard, civil defence organisation and 27 crore people above the age of 50 and below 50 with co-morbidities. The government is expected to roll out its <keyword id="9849917" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="first-vaccines">first vaccines</keyword> in the next few weeks with at least three candidates under the <keyword id="6681091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="active-consideration">active consideration</keyword> of India's drug regulator. According to Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, after taking the first dose, the second dose has to be ideally taken on the 21st day. "After the vaccination, one can resume their normal day to day activities. In between also, there are no guidelines to sit at home and people can carry on their usual activities by taking the basic precautions like social distancing, wearing a mask and frequent sanitising of hands," Goel told IANS. The Union Health Ministry had said that 1.54 lakh vaccinators or auxiliary nurse midwives will administer the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> vaccine to people under the universal immunisation programme when the vaccination process begins. According to Dr Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi, there are a number of vaccines which have different schedules and these vaccine schedules are determined by clinical trials. "Talking about Pfizer vaccine in this regard, two doses are suggested 21 days apart and two doses 28 days apart for AstraZeneca vaccine. Also, the proper rest and precautions are suggested during this period in order to avoid infection and proper care," she told IANS. Dr Mutta also stressed that staying at home is not particularly defined as a precautionary measure but complete care is recommended. "Taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and hand hygiene is important to avoid infection," she noted. Dr Neha Gupta, Infectious Diseases Physician at Medanta Hosptial in Gurugram told IANS: "Vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart and usually the protective efficacy is seven days after the second dose. So, patients need to continue precautions after the first dose of vaccine." There are as many as eight <keyword id="8983421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-vaccine">Covid vaccine</keyword> candidates under different stages of clinical trials which could be ready for authorisation in near future. The vaccines include Covaxin, Astrazeneca and Oxford university developed and Serum Institute of India manufactured <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword>, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila, Russian vaccine candidate Sputnik-V, NVX-CoV2373 by SII, HGCO19 by Geneva, and two unlabelled vaccines - Recombinant Protein antigen-based vaccine by Biological E Limited and Inactivated rabies vector platform by <keyword id="7330627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech-Limited">Bharat Biotech Limited</keyword>. Pune-based Serum Institute of India and Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech have already applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for their potential Covid-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/dos-and-donts-during-solar-eclipse-surya-grahan/articleshow/76436997.cms">The do’s and don’ts of a Solar Eclipse — here what you need to know to protect yourself</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/solar-eclipse-december-2020-time-date-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79697355.cms">The total solar eclipse and its 'diamond rings' won't be visible in India on December 14</a>

Experts believe COVID-19 vaccine doses need a at least a 21-day gap between them

<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

New Delhi, May 13 () The government on Wednesday unveiled a major booster dose entailing a series of initiatives for micro, small and medium enterprises, including Rs 3 lakh crore worth of collateral-free automatic loans for businesses. A subordinate debt of Rs 20,000 crore for stressed units, a Fund of Funds for equity infusion of Rs 50,000 crore, and revision in the definition of MSMEs are among the steps announced by the government to help MSMEs recover from disruptions caused by the coronavirus-related lockdown. The MSME sector employs 11 crore people, comprises 45 per cent of the country's manufacturing output, 40 per cent of exports and almost 30 per cent of the GDP. The sector has been hit hard by the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic, with millions of units staring at the prospect of closure and the threat of job losses. To provide much-needed liquidity to millions of units in distress, battling the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, MSME receivables from the central government and CPSEs will be released in 45 days, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while announcing the relief measures in a conference here. As part of the Rs 20 lakh crore financial package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rs 3 lakh crore worth of collateral-free automatic loans will be sanctioned for businesses. For this purpose, an emergency credit line to MSMEs has been introduced from banks and NBFCs up to 20 per cent of entire outstanding credit as on February 29, 2020, for borrowers with up to Rs 25 crore outstanding and Rs 100 crore turnover eligible. Under this, loans will have a four-year tenor with a moratorium of 12 months on principal repayment. The interest on loans will be capped, with 100 per cent credit guarantee cover to Banks and NBFCs on principal and interest. The scheme can be availed till October 31, 2020. There will be no guarantee fee and no fresh collateral. As a result, 45 lakh units can resume business activity and safeguard jobs. The government will also facilitate a provision of Rs 20,000 crore as subordinate debt for functioning MSMEs which have turned into non-performing assets (NPA) or are stressed, a move expected to benefit two lakh units. Sitharaman said the MSME definition has been changed to allow units with investment up to Rs 1 crore to be called micro-units in place of Rs 25 lakh now. Also, units with turnover of up to Rs 5 crore would be called micro-units, she said, adding a turnover based criteria is being introduced to define small businesses. The investment and turnover limits for small businesses have been raised to Rs 10 crore and Rs 50 crore respectively. Units with an investment of up to Rs 20 crore and turnover of up to Rs 100 crore will qualify as medium-size enterprise. The limits have been raised to allow MSMs to retain fiscal and other benefits. Union MSME Minister Nitin Gadkari hailed the initiatives. "Historic steps by government towards Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening the MSMEs which are the backbone of the country's economy," he said in a tweet. "Foundation has been laid for a new MSME sector at the core of our future self-reliant economy. Directing huge capital inflows into MSME is the first step," Gadkari said in another tweet. Under the revised definition, the distinction between manufacturing and service sector will be eliminated. Moreover, to eliminate "unfair competition" from foreign companies faced by Indian MSMEs, global tenders will be disallowed in government procurement tenders up to Rs 200 crore, a move aimed at building a "Self-Reliant" India. The Rs 50,000 crore equity infusion for MSMEs through a Fund of Funds will be operated through a Mother Fund and few daughter funds, which will help expand MSME size as well as capacity. For this purpose, a Fund of Funds with Corpus of Rs 10,000 crore will be set up to provide equity funding for MSMEs with growth potential and viability. The fund structure will help leverage Rs 50,000 crore of funds at daughter funds level and also help to expand MSME size as well as capacity while encouraging them to get listed on stock exchanges. An e-market linkage for MSMEs will also be promoted to act as a replacement for trade fairs and exhibitions and Fintech will be used to enhance transaction-based lending using the data generated by the e-marketplace. MSMEs are critical for employment preservation and growth; firing up the MSME sector is the surest way to accelerate job creation, Arun Kumar, KPMG India Chairman and CEO, said. The finance minister's schemes announced on Wednesday will provide relief for MSMEs that need immediate succour for their survival as well as help those enterprises that need a fillip to grow. Expanding the definition of MSMEs and introducing new thresholds based on turnover while elevating the investment ceilings for each segment are welcome, Kumar stated. The broad focus on enhancing liquidity is timely, including the measures for NBFCs, HFCs and MFIs and those for the power sector to ease the situation of distribution companies and cash-strapped independent power producers. These measures to ease liquidity for lenders and businesses will make a tangible difference, Kumar commented. RSN MRMR

FM announces major booster to MSMEs to revive economy, protect jobs

<ul><li><keyword id="15535" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vitamin-d-deficiency" source="Orion">Vitamin D deficiency</keyword> among children is observed amongst 2-14 year olds. </li><li>It has both short-term and long-term effects on physical and mental health in children, say doctors. </li><li>Doctors suggest a daily exposure of at least 30 minutes to increase <keyword id="15532" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vitamin-d" source="Orion">Vitamin D</keyword> levels.</li></ul>Pandemic-induced lockdowns have increased the number of cases of Vitamin D deficiency amongst young children, according to Indian pediatricians. While those born just before and during the pandemic seem to be the worst affected, even adolescents are low on this sunshine vitamin as they spent two formative years within the confines of their homes. “The overall number of children observed to have vitamin D deficiency increased many fold during and after Covid. The majority of children affected by Vitamin D deficiency in relation to Covid were infants and adolescents,” Dr Arvind Kumar, director &amp; HOD - Paediatrics, Fortis Hospital, New Delhi, told Business Insider India. The condition has been observed the most in 2-14 year olds. “Not directly but indirectly due to lack of sun exposure, playtime and improper diet, Covid did trigger Vitamin D deficiency in children,” said Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta, consultant- pediatrics, Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru. Even before the pandemic, India had a fairly high incidence of this condition. About 151.9 million children were found to be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency in India in 2019, according to a <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-21279-0#:~:text=In%20India%2C%20approximately%20490%20million,are%20children%20and%20adolescents7.">report </a>by Nature, which was released in October 2022. For a few children, others factors too play a part. Babies who are born prematurely or those who are breastfed are at higher risk of developing this deficiency. “Babies who are born prematurely have a high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Breastfed babies are also at risk, though breast milk is the best type of food for babies, but it does not contain much vitamin D,” Dr Ashok Gawdi, consultant pediatrics, Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, told Business Insider India. Why do babies need Vitamin D? Vitamin D plays a major role in a child’s development. Its deficiency has both short-term and long-term effects on physical and mental health. Children with prolonged deficiency of this vitamin may have stunting, and can also develop rickets, osteomalacia, bone pain and muscle weakness. Rickets is a condition that causes softening, thinning, weakening and deforming of the bones that can occur in growing children. “In the long term, this deficiency can further cause skeletal deformities, brittle bones, frequent fractures and lead to premature osteoporosis,” Varsha Gorey, clinical nutritionist at Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai, told Business Insider India. It is also essential for internal homeostasis and the proper functioning of the human body. Homeostasis refers to the tendency to maintain a stable, relatively constant internal environment in the body. Deficiency leads to relative inefficiency of the immune system and the chances of catching an infection become high. Doctors also say that its deficiency can hamper the mental health of a child as well. “Vitamin D deficiency also has a major impact on mental health. Its deficiencies lead to a poor immune system, development of hypertension, poor growth and mental health issues like depression,” Dr Kumar added. In a 2019 <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/latest-studies/story/children-born-with-lower-vitamin-d-can-end-up-with-high-blood-pressure-study-1560216-2019-07-02">study</a> published in the Journal of Hypertension, researchers examined 775 children from birth to age 18, and found that vitamin D deficiency in children in early childhood had a double risk of elevated systolic blood pressure between 3-18 year olds. The study further said that high systolic blood pressure can further lead to cardiovascular diseases in the longer term. Children need daily sun exposure It is very well known that sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D and doctors suggest a daily exposure of at least 30 minutes. “For sunlight to provide enough Vitamin D, a daily exposure of 20-30 minutes in infants and 30-45 minutes in older children over 32- 40% of body surface area is recommended 5 times a week during noon (11 am to 3 pm),” Dr Kumar further added. Other than sunlight, doctors also recommend adding a few items in the daily diet of children. Fish, liver oil, eggs, milk butter, cheese, and mushrooms are some of the recommended items. “Fortifications of milk, oil, ghee cheese, and butter is an important, preventive health measure,” Dr Kumar said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/indians-remain-wary-of-booster-doses-as-covid-wanes-and-side-effect-worries-rise/articleshow/97053825.cms" style="">Indians remain wary of booster doses as Covid wanes and side-effect worries rise</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/sc-hearing-on-living-will-case-ponders-over-lives-of-stephen-hawking-michael-schumacher/articleshow/97077906.cms" style="">SC hearing on 'living will' case ponders over lives of Stephen Hawking &amp; Michael Schumacher</a>

Vit-D deficiency in children rose multifold after Covid — here’s how it can affect your child’s mental and physical health

<ul><li>The financial capital city of India recorded four cases of <keyword id="13782418" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron-ba-4" source="Orion">Omicron BA.4</keyword> and BA.5 subvariants.</li><li>All the four patients were under home-isolation and have recovered from the infection.</li><li>BA.4 and BA.5 sub variants of Omicron are highly transmissible, first detected in South Africa earlier this year.</li></ul>Maharashtra’s capital city reported three BA.4 and one BA.5 cases of Omicron sub variant. However, all the four patients have fully recovered, said the Maharashtra Health Department on June 13. Out of the four patients, two are 11-year-old girls, who are yet not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine yet. The other two are men aged between 40-60 years. As per report, all the four cases were found between May 14 - 24 and were under home isolation. These two sub variants — BA.4 and BA.5 — are highly transmissible strains of Omicron which have already spread across 42 and 47 countries so far, respectively. The first case was detected in South Africa in the beginning of 2022. BA.4 and BA.5 are not new viruses and no severe cases of hospitalization have been reported in patients with these sub variants in any of the countries where the cases are surging. “Basically, Omicron took off from one branch of the genomic tree and these are the smaller branches of Omicron itself so they are not new viruses. We know that this virus is continuously adapting to the human host in order to escape our immunity and also to travel faster between people,” Dr Jayadevan, Indian Medical Association's national task force's co-chairman, told news agency ANI. As these are the sub variants of Omicron, no new symptoms are to be seen in these strains. Experts suggest that detection of new sub variants and rising cases in the country doesn’t necessarily mean a new wave or the fourth wave is afoot. Active cases in Maharashtra jumped by almost 241% from over 5,000 to 17,000 in the last ten days. According to the health department data, Maharashtra recorded 9,354 COVID-19 cases in May, out of which 5,980 were reported from Mumbai. Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra, doctors and medical experts say that most of the patients are showing <a href="https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/maharashtra-active-covid-cases-jump-241-from-5-127-to-17-480-in-10-days-3063205">milder symptoms</a> and the rate of fatality is quite low as compared to the other waves. Union Health Minister Mandukh Mandaviya also asked the people to remain vigilant and keep following COVID measures as the pandemic is not yet over in the country. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhis-covid-positivity-rate-rises-citizens-are-taking-fewer-booster-doses-say-authorities/articleshow/92197709.cms">Delhi’s COVID positivity rate rises; citizens are taking fewer booster doses say authorities</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="http://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/modi-government-to-fill-10-lakh-jobs-in-ministries-and-departments-to-tackle-rising-unemployment/articleshow/92202117.cms">Modi government to fill 10 lakh jobs in ministries and departments to tackle rising unemployment</a>

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