
‘No need to fear Covid spread, precaution is key'
The variants currently emerging with relatively mild symptoms are Omicron JN1 and LF1. These variants typically cause symptoms that last only a few days. In our largely vaccinated community, the likelihood of a severe outbreak is minimal. However, people with compromised immunity, such as those with severe cancer, kidney diseases, or heart conditions, should exercise maximum caution, said IMA state president Dr K A Sreevilasan.
Due to the difficulty in distinguishing these symptoms from other infectious diseases and the higher potential for spread, precautions are primarily necessary. Social distancing, mask usage and use of disinfectants can significantly reduce the risk of infection.
IMA urged govt to increase mask usage in healthcare centres and hospitals. Apart from this, they urged implementation of visitor restrictions in hospitals. Those with fever should avoid contact with others, said IMA state secretary Dr Shashidharan.
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Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Afternoon train from Pune to Lonavla not possible: Rly min
Pune: Commuters and activists have raised objections to the railway ministry's refusal to start local train services between Pune and Lonavla between noon and 3pm. The issue resurfaced after railway minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, in a letter dated Aug 11 to Maval MP Shrirang Barne, stated that it was 'not possible' to operate local trains during this period as the corridor block is reserved for track maintenance. Earlier, the railways operated local trains during the afternoon hours, but discontinued the service after the Covid pandemic. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Gold Rates Today in Pune | Silver Rates Today in Pune The demand for afternoon services has been pending for several years, with passengers complaining that they often are forced to wait two to three hours at stations for the next available train. "City buses are not a practical option as they take longer and require multiple changes," said Mayuresh Jhaweri, a regular commuter. He said college students are the worst affected, as they have no convenient transport after classes in the afternoon. Iqbal Mulani of the Railway Prawasi Sangh said Pune division should adopt the practice followed in Mumbai, where maintenance blocks are taken only on weekends. Mulani, along with representatives of several schools, met the divisional railway manager (DRM) last year to press for the demand. "Over 20,000 students travel between Pune and Lonavla by local trains, including nearly 8,000 who commute daily between Lonavla and Talegaon. Most of them finish school after noon and end up waiting for more than two hours at stations to head home," he said. Nikhil Kanchi, former member of the Railway Advisory Committee, said, "A four-line track between Pune and Mumbai is urgently needed. The proposal has been pending with the govt for a long time." Barne said he has been pursuing the matter with the central govt for years, and has written to both former and current railway ministers, but without success. "I will continue to follow up on this issue to ensure that some alternative solution is found," he said. The Maval MP said he wrote another letter to the railway minister on Aug 4, urging the govt to expedite the work of laying two additional railway lines between Pune and Mumbai. "The railway ministry approved two extra tracks for this route in 2017 and even conducted a survey, but the project is yet to begin," he stated in his letter. Ramdas Bhise, senior divisional operations manager (DOM) of railways for Pune, told TOI that at present, they are taking a two-hour-and-forty-five-minute block in the afternoon, and it is essential for track maintenance to ensure passenger safety. "Unlike Mumbai, which has multiple tracks and can carry out maintenance for routes at night, Pune has only two tracks," Bhise said. "Due to the heavy movement of express trains at night, carrying out maintenance during that time would disrupt the entire long-distance train schedule. So, work has to be done during the day," he said, adding that daily maintenance is done at every section and division of the railways, and timing for the same is decided based on the frequency of trains. "Adding more tracks is the only long-term solution to the issue," Bhise added. Another official clarified that while goods trains may sometimes be seen on tracks during the afternoon, they generally operate only up to stations near the maintenance site. "Freight trains do not follow a fixed timetable and can be halted at any station to allow maintenance to continue. Passenger trains, however, cannot be managed in this way," he added. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.


Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Govt nod to 93 additional LCA Mk 1 jets for IAF
THE CABINET Committee on Security Tuesday cleared the procurement of 97 LCA Mk 1 A light combat aircraft for the Indian Air Force, sources confirmed to The Indian Express. When inducted, the additional indigenous jets will be a boost to the dwindling fighter squadrons of the IAF. The order was already in the pipeline. Their procurement was cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in 2023. Earlier, the IAF had placed an order for 83 LCA Mk 1 A jets in February 2021. Subsequently, in August 2021, the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited placed an order worth Rs 5,375 crore for 99 F404 engines with GE Aerospace to power the indigenously made Tejas Mk-1A. The first of these jet engines was delivered to HAL after a delay of nearly a year and a half, in April this year. The second engine was delivered last month. The engine deliveries were delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic and supply chain issues. Twelve Light Combat Aircraft Tejas will be ready to be rolled out by December this year, of which six aircraft have already been lined up, government officials had said. The timely induction of the indigenous fighter jets, including Tejas Mk 1A, is crucial to holding the IAF's dwindling squadron strength. The IAF has phased out most of its MiG-21 squadrons, and early next decade, it is likely to begin phasing out other ageing fighter squadrons. According to officials, HAL plans to produce 16 fighter jets next year provided the engine deliveries from the US are on schedule. The original plans were to produce 16 aircraft every year and complete deliveries of all jets by 2030.


NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
US Pediatricians' New Covid-19 Shot Recommendations Differ From CDC Advice
New York: For the first time in 30 years, the American Academy of Pediatrics is substantially diverging from U.S. government vaccine recommendations. The group's new COVID-19 recommendations - released Tuesday - come amid a tumultuous year for public health, as vaccine skeptics have come into power in the new Trump administration and government guidance has become increasingly confusing. This isn't going to help, acknowledged Dr. James Campbell, vice chair of the AAP infectious disease committee. "It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them," he added. The AAP is strongly recommending COVID-19 shots for children ages 6 months to 2 years. Shots also are advised for older children if parents want their kids vaccinated, the AAP said. That differs from guidance established under US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., which doesn't recommend the shots for healthy children of any age but says kids may get the shots in consultation with physicians. Children ages 6 months to 2 years are at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, and it was important that recommendations continue to emphasize the need for them to get vaccinated, said Campbell, a University of Maryland infectious diseases expert. Vaccinations also are recommended for older children who have chronic lung diseases or other conditions that put them at higher risk for severe disease, the AAP said. The 95-year-old Itasca, Illinois-based organization has issued vaccination recommendations for children since the 1930s. In 1995, it synced its advice with recommendations made by the federal government's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There have been a few small differences between AAP and CDC recommendations since then. For example, the AAP has advised that children get HPV vaccinations starting at age 9; the CDC says that's OK but has emphasized vaccinations at ages 11 and 12. But in 30 years, this is the first time the recommendations have differed "in a significant or substantial way," Campbell said. Until recently, the CDC - following recommendations by infectious disease experts - has been urging annual COVID-19 boosters for all Americans ages 6 months and older. But in May, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that COVID-19 vaccines are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. A few days later, the CDC issued language that healthy children may get the shots, but that there was no longer a "should" recommendation. The idea that healthy older kids may be able to skip COVID-19 boosters has been brewing for some time among public health experts. As the COVID-19 pandemic has waned, experts have increasingly discussed the possibility of focusing vaccination efforts on people 65 and older - who are among those most as risk for death and hospitalization. A CDC expert panel in June was set to make recommendations about the fall shots. Among the options the panel was considering was whether suggest shots for high-risk groups but still giving lower-risk people the choice to get vaccinated. But Kennedy bypassed the group, and also decided to dismiss the 17-member panel and appoint his own, smaller panel, that included vaccine skeptics. Kennedy also later excluded the AAP, the American Medical Association and other top medical organizations from working with the advisers to establish vaccination recommendations. Kennedy's new vaccine panel has yet to vote on COVID-19 shot recommendations. The panel did endorse continuing to recommend fall flu vaccinations, but also made a decision that led to another notable difference with the AAP. The new advisory panel voted that people should only get flu vaccines that are packaged as single doses and do not contain the preservative thimerosal. The AAP said there is no evidence of harm from the preservative, and recommended doctors use any licensed flu vaccine product that's appropriate for the patient.