Covid cases cross 7K mark, health experts call for targeted vigilance
New Delhi, June 11 (UNI) India is witnessing a renewed rise in Covid-19 cases with the active caseload increasing to 7,121, following the detection of 306 new infections within the past 24 hours, according to data released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday.
During the same period, six fatalities linked to the virus were also reported, raising concerns over emerging variants and regional outbreaks.
Of the reported deaths, three occurred in Kerala, two in Karnataka, and one in Maharashtra. Health authorities confirmed that one of the deceased was a 43-year-old male with a compromised immune system, while the others were elderly individuals with a history of chronic and respiratory illnesses, underscoring the heightened vulnerability of at-risk populations.
The current increase in cases is being attributed to the circulation of newly emerging variants, notably LF.7, XFG, JN.1, and the recently identified NB.1.8.1 subvariant. While these variants are still under investigation, early trends suggest increased transmissibility, although hospitalisation rates remain relatively low at this stage.
Among the states, Kerala continues to report the highest number of active Covid-19 cases, with a total of 2,223 patients currently undergoing treatment. The state also recorded the most new infections in the past 24 hours, logging 170 fresh cases. Gujarat followed with 114 new infections, pushing its active tally to 1,223, while Delhi's active cases rose to 757, indicating a wider geographical spread of the virus.
The government authorities as well as health experts have reiterated the importance of maintaining Covid-appropriate behaviour, including wearing masks, frequent hand washing, and avoiding crowded indoor spaces, particularly in areas experiencing a rise in cases.
Furthermore, with seasonal viral fevers also circulating, healthcare professionals stressed the need to differentiate Covid-19 from other infections.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Deccan Herald
40 minutes ago
- Deccan Herald
Covid cases in Karnataka crosses 1,550
There are now 395 active cases of Covid and a cumulative of 1,555 Covid positive cases recorded in the state since January 1.
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sedentary lifestyle leads to rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease among young adults
Bengaluru: At first glance, most people wouldn't think twice about fatigue, occasional discomfort or a slightly abnormal report during routine a check-up. However, doctors in Bengaluru say these signals are now linked to something more serious: fatty liver disease, specifically, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Since Covid-19 pandemic, city hospitals reported a 30% increase in NAFLD cases, with a noticeable surge among young adults in their 20s and 30s. Unlike traditional liver disease linked to alcohol use, this condition stems from poor lifestyle, long hours of desk work, processed food, irregular meals and physical inactivity. Dr Santhosh Kumar S C, consultant, gastroenterology at Fortis Hospital, said, "We're seeing a sharp rise in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, with over 10 patients on average per day. The main reason: Obesity." He said NAFLD cases are being observed across socio-economic groups. A person sitting at a paan stall all day, an autorickshaw or cab driver, anyone with a sedentary lifestyle is vulnerable. There are two broad types of fatty liver - alcoholic and non-alcoholic. While alcoholic fatty liver was more common earlier, now people with no or limited alcohol use are being diagnosed due to carb-heavy diets, inactivity, and prolonged sitting, he explained. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Dr Harshavardhan Rao B, head of department and consultant, medical gastroenterology, Ramaiah Memorial Hospital, said, "Fatty liver isn't just about fat, it's a warning sign for your metabolism. It's now called metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease or MAFLD because it reflects the combined impact of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, abnormal cholesterol, poor diet, lack of physical activity, and even stress. " He noted a clear shift after the pandemic. "Many switched to a sedentary work-from-home lifestyle, relied on outside food, and faced longer working hours, all of which pushed physical and mental health to the back seat. As a result, we're seeing more people diagnosed incidentally with fatty liver on routine scans." MAFLD often progresses in stages, beginning with fat accumulation, followed by inflammation, and then, in some cases, fibrosis, cirrhosis, or even cancer. Many patients show no symptoms until liver damage is already underway, highlighted Dr Rao. However, the condition is often reversible in its early stages. Changes in diet, increased physical activity, regular sleep, and health checks can prevent progression. Dr Vinay Kumar B R, hepatologist and liver transplantation specialist, Narayana Health City, said, "In Bengaluru, especially among IT professionals and those with desk jobs, we see a significant rise in both diabetes and fatty liver. It's now common to find some degree of fatty liver in two to three out of every five patients during routine scans or blood tests." Dr Balaji Gurrappa, consultant, gastroenterology, Kauvery Hospital, added, "In women, Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD) and use of hormonal pills can also increase risk." BOX: Precautions Maintain healthy weight Embrace balanced diet Stay physically active Manage underlying health conditions Limit or avoid alcohol BOX: Risk factors Diabetes Hypertension Cholesterol Obesity Poor lifestyle Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
BioNtech to buy CureVac in $1.25 billion share deal to boost cancer focus
German biotech firm BioNTech has agreed to acquire domestic peer CureVac for about $1.25 billion worth of BioNTech shares, it said on Thursday, to boost its work on new mRNA-based cancer treatments. Under the agreed deal, which pairs two former rivals in the race to develop COVID-19 vaccines, each CureVac share will be exchanged for about $5.46 in BioNTech American depositary shares, or ADS, BioNTech said. The deal further underscores BioNTech's costly long-term ambition to focus on new cancer treatments and show that its success as Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine partner, which left its balance sheet flush with billions of euros in cash, was not a fluke. "With the acquisition, BioNTech aims to strengthen the research, development, manufacturing, and commercialization of investigational mRNA-based cancer immunotherapy," it said. CureVac about a year ago opted to focus on oncology when it agreed to sell its remaining influenza and COVID-19 vaccine development to its alliance partner, Britain's GSK. It had previously cut jobs as it sought to move beyond its failure to develop an mRNA-based COVID vaccine during the pandemic. BioNTech last week won a major shot in the arm for its cancer drug activities when Bristol Myers Squibb agreed to pay up to $11.1 billion to jointly develop a next-generation cancer immunotherapy that could take on rival Merck & Co's best-selling drug Keytruda. The company said payment in BioNTech shares would be subject to a collar mechanism - if the 10-day volume-weighted average price of BioNTech ADS shortly before the closing of the offer exceeds $126.55, the exchange ratio would be 0.04318, and if the price is lower than $84.37, the exchange ratio would be 0.06476. CureVac shareholders are expected to own between 4% and 6% of BioNTech after the deal closes, it added.
