Trump signs order restricting research that enhances pathogens
The ban on federal funding of gain-of-function research applies to China and Iran, among other countries, the White House said. Gain-of-function research studies enhancements to pathogens such as Avian influenza, SARS and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome or MERS viruses.
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Business Standard
6 hours ago
- Business Standard
Infectious variants, viral season behind Covid surge, say experts
Doctors and epidemiologists say that a combination of the emergence of mild but infectious variants, decreased testing and the onset of the viral season is behind the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases from just 35 on April 28 to over 3,700 within a month. This comes as India recorded 3,758 active Covid-19 cases on June 1, with five states — Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, Gujarat and Karnataka — accounting for 76 per cent of the total infections in the country, according to the latest data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Among states, Kerala has the highest caseload of 1,400 — a rise of 970 cases over the last week. It is followed by Maharashtra at 485 cases, of which 50 were reported on Saturday. Delhi too saw an increase of 332 cases since May 26, with the national capital currently reporting 436 active Covid-19 cases. Similarly, Gujarat and Karnataka are also reporting high caseloads at 320 and 238 active cases respectively. The surge has been more pronounced in the last weeks of May 2025, with health ministry data suggesting that India saw a 272 per cent rise in cases within the six-day period from May 26 (1,010 cases) to June 1. Neha Rastogi Panda, consultant–infectious diseases at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram, said that Kerala, Maharashtra and Delhi are seeing a notable uptick in infections from emerging subvariants of the JN.1 variant such as NB.1.8.1 and LF.7. According to data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (Insacog), India has already detected six cases of the LF.7 variant from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Similarly, two cases of the NB.1.8.1 subvariant have been detected from Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu this month. While these subvariants may not be behind India's current surge, JN.1 still remains the dominant strain in the country. According to sources in the ministry, the surge is being led by the JN.1, XFG and LF 7.9 variants, which belong to the Omicron family and cause mild infections. 'A notable but gradual increase in cases of acute respiratory illnesses caused by seasonal influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and respiratory syncytial virus is being seen in some parts of the country,' sources in the ministry added. Panda added that while high transmission is also being observed, there is no rise in severe cases that may require hospitalisation. Another doctor added that a reason behind the rise in cases could be increased testing. 'Rising case numbers have led to an uptick in testing, which had reduced considerably over the year,' he added. Sabine Kapasi, advisor, public health and healthcare services, and strategist with the United Nations Covid-19 Task Force, said that while the numbers are not alarming, they do signal a need for vigilance. To counter the current surge, several states and union territories have issued advisories asking both government and private hospitals to ensure preparedness in terms of beds, oxygen, antibiotics and other drugs. State governments have also asked hospitals for daily reporting of influenza-like illnesses and severe acute respiratory illnesses to the Centre's Integrated Health Information Platform. Central health authorities have also swung into action, holding several review meetings to assess the situation in the country. According to reports, Union health secretary Punya Salila Srivastava has asked all states to submit an action taken report over preparedness plans by June 2.
India.com
10 hours ago
- India.com
Corona cases jump 1300% in 9 days, 21 deaths in just..., active cases surge to...
File/Representational Corona cases: Amid the latest wave of Covid-19, the number of SARS-CoV2 infections in the country has risen to 3783, rising at a rate of 1372 % in the last nine days. As many as 511 new cases were recorded from the previous day, according to the latest update by the Health Ministry on Saturday. Meanwhile, 255 patients were discharged or migrated in the last 24 hours, indicating an improvement in recovery. According to the website of the Health Department, there were 257 cases in India on May 22. As per the data, Kerala has the highest number of cases at 1400. Maharashtra has 485 active cases and Delhi has 436 active cases. There have been 28 deaths due to corona since January. Out of these, 21 people have died in the last 2 days. Kerala with 1,147 cases is the worst-hit state, followed by Maharashtra (424), Delhi (294), and Gujarat (223). The highest number of deaths have been reported from Maharashtra (7), followed by Kerala (5), and Delhi (2). Meanwhile, 255 patients were discharged or migrated in the last 24 hours, indicating an improvement in recovery. The cumulative number of recovered cases since January 1 stands at 1,170. Kerala (72), Delhi (77), and Maharashtra (34) contributed the highest number of recoveries on the day. As per the latest data from the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), set up under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, NB.1.8.1 and LF.7 — descendants of JN.1 Covid variant in the country –are responsible for the rise in SARS-CoV-2 cases in the country. Common symptoms associated with these variants include fever, runny nose, sore throat, headaches, fatigue, and exhaustion. Recently, Dr. Rajiv Bahl, Director General at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) assured the country that there is nothing to worry about as the infections are not severe. (With inputs from agencies)
New Indian Express
12 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Odisha reports first Covid death of the season
BHUBANESWAR: Odisha reported its first Covid-related fatality of the season after an 85-year-old man from the capital city succumbed at his residence on Saturday. Sources said swab samples of the elderly man was collected and sent for tests after he developed symptoms and fell sick. His test reports confirmed that he was positive for SARS-CoV2. Odisha has reported a total of eight Covid cases in May. The tally includes five from Bhubaneswar, two from Cuttack and one from Khurda. Other patients are in stable condition and are recovering well, sources said. Director of public health Dr Nilakantha Mishra said he has been informed of the death and has asked officials to inquire into it. 'An audit will be conducted to ascertain whether the elderly man had comorbidities, and the primary cause of his death,' Mishra told TNIE. So far, 3,395 Covid cases and 22 deaths have been reported in May in the country. In Odisha, recent genome sequencing has identified LF.7.9 and XGF as the dominant sub-variants in circulation. WHO has classified these as variants under-monitoring. Health secretary Aswathy S urged people to remain vigilant but not panic. She emphasised that the circulating variant has not led to any serious complications among patients so far.
