Coronavirus News highlights: 'Covid 2nd wave may have more lasting damage on Indian economy'

India on Monday reported 39,361 new Covid-19 cases and 416 new deaths, with the caseload rising to 3,14,11,262. The United States said that it has millions of vaccines ready to be despatched to India once the legal hurdles are clear, one that could resolve many worries over the third wave. Moody's Analytics said that he second wave may have a more lasting damage on the Indian economy and exports will once again be the foundation for recovery.

Delhi recorded 39 freshCovid-19 cases and one more death on Monday while the positivity rate stood at 0.07 per cent, according to data shared by the health department.

Covid 2nd wave may have more lasting damage on Indian economy, exports to drive recovery: Moody's Analytics

The second wave ofCovid-19 may have a more lasting damage on the Indian economy and exports will once again be the foundation for recovery, Moody's Analytics said on Monday. (PTI)

Drug targets for pan-coronavirus treatment identified

Scientists have identified the most highly conserved drug-binding pockets in viral proteins fromCovid-19 patient samples and from other coronaviruses, revealing the most promising targets for pan-coronavirus drugs. The researchers from the University of Toronto in Canada noted that safe and effective vaccines offer hope for an end to theCovid-19 pandemic. However, the possible emergence of vaccine-resistant SARS-CoV-2 variants, as well as novel coronaviruses, make finding treatments that work against all coronaviruses as important as ever, they said. (PTI)

Schools for classes 10 to 12 reopen in Punjab

Schools for classes 10 to 12 reopened in Punjab on Monday with students saying they were happy to return to classrooms as they could interact with their teachers in person and understand things better. The schools have opened after nearly four months. They were shut in March amid a surge inCovid-19 cases. (PTI)

A mixed vaccination of first AstraZeneca and then a Pfizer COVID-19 shot boosted neutralizing antibody levels by six times compared with two AstraZeneca doses, a study from South Korea showed.

The study involved 499 medical workers - 100 receiving mixed doses, 200 taking two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech shot and the remainder getting two AstraZeneca shots.

All showed neutralizing antibodies, which prevent the virus from entering cells and replicating, and the result of the mixed schedule of vaccines showed similar amounts of neutralizing antibodies found from the group that received two Pfizer shots.

A British study last month showed similar results - an AstraZeneca shot followed by Pfizer produced the best T-cell responses, and a higher antibody response than Pfizer followed by AstraZeneca.

Aspen to start J&J Covid-19 vaccine supplies to South Africa from Monday

South Africa's Aspen Pharmacare will supply the first batch of Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine to the country from July 26, the drugmaker said on Monday.

It will be the first set of vaccines to be manufactured in the country from active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) - substances used to make the final drug product - sourced from Europe, Aspen said.

Andaman and Nicobar Islands reports 4 new Covid-19 cases, tally rises to 7,529

As many as 18 persons died of Mucormycosis ( 'black fungus') in Mysusu till July 26.

The district reported a total of 125 cases since the outbreak of 'black fungus'. While 29 cases are active and undergoing treatment, 78 persons recovered and were discharged from hospitals. The doctors have operated on 78 cases to date.

More than 14.5 crore doses administered in first 35 days of the World's Largest Free-For-All Vaccination Drive launched on June 21, 2021.

India Tracker

Gujarat | Schools for classes 9th to 11th reopen from today, in accordance with COVID-19 protocols

Active COVID-19 cases in country increase to 4,11,189: Union Health Ministry

Punjab Govt allows reopening of schools for Classes 10, 11 & 12 from today.

India logs 39,361 new Covid-19 cases, 416 deaths

India on Monday reported 39,361 new Covid-19 cases and 416 new deaths, with the caseload rising to 3,14,11,262.With 35,968 people recovering from the deadly infection, the recovery rate fell to 97.36 per cent.

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South Goa district administration extends COVID-induced curfew till August 2; issues detailed guidelines

Proportion of child Covid-19 cases rises in Karnataka

An increase in the proportion of child Covid-19 cases over the last three weeks has pediatricians and other medical professionals watching developments closely.

As per official data, pre-teens (children aged 0-9) represented an average of 3.5% of daily cases in the state in May. It rose to 4% in June and has now jumped to 4.4% in July. Among teenagers (aged 0-17), the proportion has remained a constant 8% to 9% statewide.

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Bengaluru registers 165 fresh Covid cases, lowest in 167 days

The state registered the lowest daily cases on Sunday in the second wave, with the official data showing 1,001 fresh Covid infections.

Sunday’s figures were the lowest single-day tally in 132 days and just 165 of them are from Bengaluru Urban, the lowest numbers for the city in 167 days. February 8 was the last time when the city recorded the lowest cases, with 127 infections.

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