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Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Over 50% of Covid cases in 25-50 age group
Ahmedabad: More than half of the total Covid-positive cases in Gujarat - over 700 identified so far - were recorded in the 25 to 50 years age group, or the 'working age group', state health department officials have said. About 10 per cent of the cases were among infants under one year of age, according to govt data. Officials also said that the number of senior citizens in recent cases is relatively very low. Health experts pointed out that three patients who died of Covid - all from Ahmedabad - were women aged 18, 20 and 47 years. "No definite pattern is emerging yet, as cases are under control and the administration is keeping a close watch on the trends. Medical facilities are equipped to tackle any rise in cases. So far, hospitalisation rate is about 5%," said a senior health department official. According to Gujarat's ministry of health and family welfare's (MoHFW) dashboard, 47 new cases were recorded in the 24 hours ending at 8am on Thursday, taking the number of active cases to 508. In terms of active cases, Gujarat ranked fifth after 1,487 in Kerala, 562 in Delhi, 538 in West Bengal, and 526 in Maharashtra. The dashboard indicated that the seven deaths recorded across India had comorbidities such as seizure, pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart and kidney disease, hypertension, septic shock, respiratory failure, and cancer, among others. Experts in the city said that in the new cases, a large number of patients complain about myalgia (severe muscle pain), high-grade fever, and diarrhoea, with rare cases of loss of smell and taste. Dr Maharshi Desai, an internal medicine specialist, said there has been a steady flow of patients with flu-like symptoms in the past few weeks, and chances are high that some may have Covid. "Not all patients undergo testing, as the treatment is primarily symptoms-based. However, those with existing medical and immune-compromised conditions should be tested," he said. "Flu-like symptoms are most common among patients. There is no need to panic or be concerned, as reporting is very low at the community level. After vaccinations and herd immunity, chances of widespread disease are low. Even cough and cold bouts often last for nearly a week," said Dr Vijay Maurya, former president of Ahmedabad Family Physicians' Association (AFPA).
Canberra Times
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Canberra Times
Police shouldn't shy away from criticism. But you have to see the full picture
To address some of these long-term needs, the AFPA is lobbying for the creation of a national Centre of Excellence for Policing. This centre would promote best practice, improve training standards, and help ensure consistency and professionalism across all Australian jurisdictions. It would be a valuable resource not just for the AFP but for policing bodies nationwide.
ABC News
28-04-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Apples grown on Australian mainland to be exported to China for first time
As The decision is being celebrated by growers hoping to cash in on a market already worth hundreds of millions of dollars to Australian horticulture. "It's a great, great outcome," Apple and Pear Australia head of government relations Jeremy Griffith said. "Our growers will now have access to the huge China market." Tasmanian apples have had access to the Chinese market since 2010, but apples from mainland Australia have missed out until now. That was due to so-called technical trade barriers, which require biosecurity protocols to be in place to allow the export of fresh produce that could carry pests and diseases from one country to another. Tasmania is free of fruit fly, but the mainland is not, and Australia was waiting on China to approve protocols relating to the control of fruit fly. Orchards exporting apples to China will need to be registered. ( ABC Rural: Sophie Johnson ) Mr Griffith said the deal, which had taken years to negotiate, had now been done. "That's all been agreed to between our government and the Chinese government," he said. "Orchards need to be registered, there needs to be cold treatment [of fruit], so hopefully everything will be ready to go for the 2026 harvest." A Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry spokesperson confirmed the government had secured technical market access protocols for mainland apples to be sent to China. "This will be beneficial to Australian apple farmers looking to enter new trade markets," the spokesperson said. " We will continue to work with our apple industry to support their ability to meet the protocol requirements. " The announcement comes after 10 Australian abattoirs were this week given the ability to export Market access worth millions According to the Australian Fresh Produce Alliance (AFPA), which represents a large network of the horticulture industry, China bought $380 million worth of Australian fruit and vegetables in 2024 alone. AFPA chief executive Claire McClelland said it was yet another opportunity for Australian agriculture to improve its relationship with one of its biggest buyers. "Securing access to China for Australian apples is a significant achievement for the sector and provides an important new opportunity for growers," she said. "This announcement highlights the value of stable, two-way trade with China and the importance of continuing to strengthen that relationship for the benefit of both countries." Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland. ( ABC News: Tim Lee ) Stability for struggling growers Ninety per cent of Australian apples are grown on the mainland, and the industry has lacked lucrative export markets for decades. Mr Griffith said that had left growers at the mercy of supermarkets. "Australian growers are very reliant on the domestic market, which is 66 per cent controlled by Coles and Woolworths, so we've been very much exposed to two buyers," he said. "There has been a lot of pressure on Australian growers with increasing costs and that inability to pass those costs on to supermarkets because of their buying power. " The opportunity to find an alternative market is a huge opportunity for the industry. " The Coalition has been contacted for comment. ABC Rural RoundUp newsletter Stories from farms and country towns across Australia, delivered each Friday. Your information is being handled in accordance with the Email address Subscribe
