Reduced antibodies not a cause of worry on efficacy against COVID-19, say experts
Both Covishield and Covaxin, while effective at generating an immune response against the coronavirus, appear to generate only half as many antibodies against the B.1.617 strain, or the Indian strain, according to a series of early reports authored by scientists at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Several scientists told
The Hindu that this drop didn t diminish the fact that the vaccines continued to be potent tool against COVID-19.
Scientists at the ICMR-National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune have since January been collecting samples from coronavirus-positive individuals and testing them for prominent variants mostly the international variants of concern B.1.1.7 (UK variant), the B.1.351 (South Africa variant), the P2 (Brazil variant) and B.1.617 (Indian variant). Three related variants of the B.1.617 now make up an increasing proportion of cases in India.
Railways to pay doctors on a par with States
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It was finding it difficult to engage doctors in the existing pay structure
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A file photo of a doctor checking a migrant workers family with themal scanner as they enter Thivim railway station in Goa.
It was finding it difficult to engage doctors in the existing pay structure
The Indian Railways will pay medical practitioners (hired on contract) salary on a par with State governments.
The decision was taken after the authorities found it difficult to engage the doctors in the existing pay structure that was less compared to what the respective States were paying. The health infrastructure of the railways, one of the largest employers in the country, caters to the needs of about 12 lakh employees and their family across the country.
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Bihar lockdown extended till May 25 by 10 days.
The Bihar government has extended complete lockdown in the state till May 25 amid the deteriorating situation of COVID-19 pandemic.Â
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar announced the decision to extend the lockdown on his social media account on Thirsday. The infection rate has reduced during the lockdown period in Bihar with cases falling below the 10,000 mark in one day. It is helping break the chain of Corona in Bihar. Hence we have decided to extend the lockdown till May 25, the CM tweeted in Hindi
The decision was taken after a meeting of the review committee and senior officials of the health department by CM Kumar on Thursday.
Coronavirus | Tamil Nadu parties agree to further intensify lockdown
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May 13, 2021 21:07 IST
The meeting was called to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the State and to seek suggestions from the legislature parties.
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Health department distributes Kabasura Kudineer and screening people as a preventive measure against coronavirus in Chennai. File
| Photo Credit:
M. Vedhan
The meeting was called to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the State and to seek suggestions from the legislature parties.
The current lockdown in Tamil Nadu will be intensified further as there is a need to protect people’s lives from COVID-19, a meeting chaired by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin with leaders of legislature parties in the State unanimously decided.