Active Covid cases in India cross 5,000-mark
In view of the increase in cases, the Centre is conducting mock drills to check facility-level preparedness for Covid-19.
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First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
Dr explains: Why booster shots are crucial even with mild Covid-19 symptoms prevailing
India is experiencing a mild surge in COVID-19 cases driven by new Omicron subvariants, with mostly mild symptoms and low hospitalizations. Experts stress the importance of boosters, surveillance and protecting vulnerable groups. Firstpost brings out a doctor's view on symptoms, vaccine effectiveness, and the country's preparedness in tackling the evolving situation. read more According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India's active Covid-19 cases have reached 5,364 as of Friday, with Kerala remaining the most affected state, reporting over 1,600 active cases. Gujarat, West Bengal, and Delhi follow, with Delhi recording 592 active cases while conducting an average of 1,200 RT-PCR tests daily. The recent surge is primarily driven by newer Omicron subvariants. Firstpost talked to Dr. Diksha Goyal, Consultant – Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospital, Gurugram to shed light on the current Covid-19 scenario, the impact of emerging variants and what people need to know. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Reports indicate new variants like LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and NB.1.8.1 are driving the surge. Which of these are currently most prevalent in India? The JN.1 subvariant of Omicron is currently the most widespread in India. Other variants like LF.7, XFG, and NB.1.8.1 are present but less common. All appear to cause mild, self-limiting infections, with no significant rise in severe cases or hospitalisation. Are there any emerging symptoms that differ from previous Covid-19 waves? Yes, while traditional symptoms like fever and cough persist, new symptoms such as hoarseness, sore throat, fatigue, and mild gastrointestinal issues (like nausea or diarrhoea) are increasingly reported. These variants may feel milder but remain highly transmissible. How do current case and hospitalisation numbers compare to earlier waves? The current surge is far less severe than previous waves. Most infections are mild, and the healthcare system is not under strain. Authorities are maintaining readiness, but infrastructure and critical care services are coping well. How deadly are these new variants compared to earlier ones like Delta or previous Omicron strains? Clinically, the newer variants are more contagious but less lethal than the Delta variant. Symptoms are often milder than or similar to previous Omicron subvariants, particularly in vaccinated individuals. However, those at higher risk should remain cautious. The WHO has classified NB.1.8.1 as a 'Variant Under Monitoring.' What does this mean? This label signals genetic changes that could affect how the virus behaves, including its ability to spread or evade immunity. While not currently a major threat, it warrants close observation in case of any future risk. Are specific groups more vulnerable to severe illness with these new variants? Yes. Older adults, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant women, and children remain more susceptible to complications. Their immune systems may be weaker or still developing, so vaccination and preventive measures are essential. With waning immunity, what's your advice on booster doses? Booster shots are crucial, especially for high-risk people. They help sustain protection, reduce the severity of illness, and lower the chance of hospitalisation. Staying up to date with boosters remains a key preventive strategy. How effective are current vaccines against these variants? Do we need new formulations? Existing vaccines still offer strong protection against severe illness, hospitalisation, and death. While they may be less effective at preventing infection, they remain beneficial. Updated formulations targeting newer variants could enhance this protection further. What about people with 'hybrid immunity' from both vaccination and infection? Hybrid immunity offers stronger, more durable protection than either vaccination or infection alone. It significantly reduces the risk of severe illness. However, this immunity may wane over time, so periodic boosters are still recommended. How important is genomic surveillance? Is India prepared? Ongoing surveillance and sequencing are vital for tracking new variants and guiding public health responses. India has ramped up its genomic capabilities, but sustained funding, coordination, and vigilance are needed to remain prepared for future waves. Could Covid-19 become seasonal like the flu? That's a strong possibility. Covid-19 may eventually become endemic with periodic surges, much like influenza. The pattern will depend on factors such as mutations, immunity levels, and public health responses. What key lessons from past waves should guide future responses? The most important lessons are early detection, rapid response, and transparency. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure, ensuring vaccine access, and maintaining public health measures during surges are essential for staying ahead of the virus.
Miami Herald
an hour ago
- Miami Herald
Beloved beer brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy
The Great Beerpocalypse, the economic downturn affecting the craft beer industry since the Covid-19 pandemic, continues to claim victims as brewers shut down taprooms and breweries and sometimes file for bankruptcy. American craft brewers produced 23.1 million barrels of beer in 2024, which was a 3.9% decrease from 2023, according to the Brewers Association's Annual Craft Brewing Industry Production Report that was updated on May 6. Don't miss the move: Subscribe to TheStreet's free daily newsletter The report revealed that 2024 was the first year since 2005 that the number of breweries closing outpaced brewery openings nationwide, as 430 new breweries opened, while 529 closed. Related: Another popular furniture retailer files Chapter 11 bankruptcy The good news for the industry was that the total number of breweries increased to 9,922 in 2024 from 9,838 in 2023. While openings declined four consecutive years, the closure rate was considered low at about 5%. Craft breweries that closed businesses without filing for bankruptcy included Sacramento-based brewery and taproom chain Device Brewing Company, which shut down all of its locations on April 27 after a landlord filed a lawsuit against the company over $23,000 in unpaid rent. The brewery did not reveal a reason for shutting down its three brewery taproom locations. Atlanta-area craft brewery Jekyll Brewing, which operated four locations in Georgia and one in Florida, closed all of its locations at the end of business on May 11. The brewer's owner Michael Lundmark confirmed the closure of all Jekyll Brewing locations in a post on Atlanta Beer Society's members-only Facebook page, TheStreet's Daniel Kline reported. Craft breweries filed for bankruptcies as well, as La Vista, Neb., beer brand Nebraska Brewing Company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 28, 2025, to implement a strategic restructuring, facing uncertain times and economic and supply chain issues. Award-winning craft brewery The Duck-Rabbit Craft Brewery filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy protection on April 29 to liquidate its assets and shut down its business permanently. The brewery's owner, Paul Philippon, did not state a specific reason for closing down his business in a Facebook post where he thanked his customers. Finally, MurphDog LLC, which owns Ironmonger Brewing Company's brewery, taproom, and axe-throwing range, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection to reorganize its business, facing financial distress. Related: Another major trucking company files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The Marietta, Ga.-based brewer filed its Subchapter V petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Georgia on June 5, listing up to $50,000 in assets and $1 million to $10 million in liabilities, including over $988,000 owed to insider Doug Bippert and over $885,000 owed to Tom Larsen for loans and unpaid compensation. More bankruptcy: Iconic auto repair chain franchise files Chapter 11 bankruptcyPopular beer brand closes down and files Chapter 7 bankruptcyPopular vodka and gin brand files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy The debtor operated a craft brewery, a taproom, a distillery business, and a recreational axe-throwing range. It is unclear if Ironmonger continues to operate. Ironmonger's phone line was not operating, and its website was disabled on June 6. Tripadvisor listed Ironmonger as permanently closed, while Yelp listed the business as closed also on June 6. The company, founded in 2016, brewed several types of beer with unique names, including Zero Mile Pilsner, You Have Feelings IPA, Murph Dog Irish Red for St. Patrick's Day, Oktoberfest, Billet, Et Tu Juiceous, Too Legit to Wit, and Me Seek Porter. Ironmonger Brewering's cans of beer were available at Total Wine & More, Grapes & Grains locations, and other stores in Georgia. Related: Major health care provider files for Chapter 7 liquidation The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
Borneo Post
2 hours ago
- Borneo Post
Lingering shadow: Why Covid-19's return demands vigilance, not panic
Just when we thought the coast was clear, the familiar shadow of Covid-19 has returned. Just when we thought the coast was clear, the familiar shadow of Covid-19 has returned, uninvited, to our headlines and our communities. For months, we've enjoyed a semblance of normalcy – masks tucked away, social calendars full, and the virus relegated to a footnote. But recent reports from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and the US, all echoing the World Health Organization's (WHO) warnings, deliver an urgent, undeniable message: the pandemic's final act hasn't been written yet. This new surge, born from a cocktail of public fatigue, fading immunity, and viral evolution, demands a rapid recalibration of our approach. Not panic, but a sharp, intelligent focus on risk-based vigilance. The numbers are speaking volumes. Thailand's astonishing nearly 66,000 new cases in six days; Singapore's over 14,000 in a similar period; and Malaysia's consistent weekly average of 600, leading to over 11,000 cases in early 2025 – these are not minor fluctuations. The WHO's global confirmation of an 11% test positivity rate, a level not seen since mid-2024, signals a widespread upward trend, particularly across Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific. This resurgence is happening because people have become lax. Our reduced masking increased social mixing, and critically, the natural waning of both vaccine and infection-acquired immunity has created the perfect storm for transmission. The primary driver of this current surge is the NB.1.8.1 variant, now officially a WHO Variant Under Monitoring. Its defining characteristic is high transmissibility, allowing it to outcompete previous variants quickly, and now represents over 10% of global sequences. However, and this is a crucial point to understand amidst the alarm, NB.1.8.1 does not appear more virulent. Medical experts confirm there's no clear evidence it leads to higher hospitalization or death rates than its predecessors. Moreover, our existing vaccines are still holding strong, especially in preventing severe disease. Grasping this distinction – easily transmissible but not more severe – is key to a calm, effective response. So, what's the urgent takeaway for you? It's about shifting from a generalized 'over' mindset to informed, risk-based action. While the general, vaccinated population may experience symptoms akin to a bad cold, vulnerable groups face significantly higher risks of severe complications. If you or someone you care for falls into categories like the elderly, young children, pregnant individuals, or those with underlying health conditions (diabetes, heart disease, etc.), immediate heightened precautions are non-negotiable. For these vulnerable individuals, the action plan is simple and crucial: · Mask Up: In crowded indoor areas, or if you feel unwell. · Monitor and Test: Be acutely aware of symptoms. With flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and adenovirus also circulating, prompt Covid-19 antigen testing is vital for proper diagnosis and management. · Consult Your Doctor: Seek early medical advice. High-risk individuals might need additional evaluations. Crucially, if you have chronic conditions, maintain strict adherence to your medication. · Stay Vaccinated: Ensure your boosters are current. The vaccines remain effective against current strains.
