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Time of India
2 days ago
- General
- Time of India
Pune city hospitals report rising Covid cases among staff
1 2 Pune: Hospitals in the city are seeing a steady increase in Covid-19 cases among healthcare workers, including doctors and nurses. However, medical experts confirmed that there is no immediate concern about staffing shortages. In other developments, rare complications are also being reported in some patients, such as heart failure and Covid-related encephalitis — although these remain uncommon. Dr Ameet Dravid, an infectious diseases expert at Noble Hospital, said that two of his doctor colleagues are self-isolating after testing positive for Covid. "We are testing hospital staff, and a few have been detected Covid-positive," he said. The doctor added that there was a recent case of Covid-related encephalitis in the hospital, where the virus affected a patient's brain. "The patient was, however, successfully treated and discharged. Additionally, a young female patient was admitted with heart failure linked to Covid complications, a rare occurrence. The complication rate is low, but with multiple cases now, some complications are expected," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo On Tuesday, Dravid said a young Covid patient was admitted with bleeding in the abdomen, another rare complication. At Poona Hospital, Dr Ajit Tambolkar, an intensivist, reported one recent Covid-positive patient with a rare complication — a small clot in the heart causing heart failure in a younger individual. "This is unusual but not unprecedented. We've seen such cases in past surges," he said. He added that around 1-2% of hospital staff are testing Covid-positive, but all cases are mild and manageable. "There's no panic, and we're maintaining strict precautions like masking and handwashing," Tambolkar said. Poona Hospital has a dedicated Covid ward with a capacity of 10 patients to handle any rise in cases. Dr Piyush Chaudhary, an infectious disease specialist at Jehangir Hospital, echoed that there was an increase in Covid-positive cases among staff. "Those in contact with patients can get infected, but it's not causing any staffing issues so far," he said. Hospitals in Pune are reinforcing protocols, including mandatory masking, handwashing, and dedicated Covid wards. Dr Vijay Natarajan, cardiac surgeon and healthcare administrator at Bharati Hospital and Research Centre, emphasized the mild nature of current cases. "We're treating Covid based on clinical condition, as it's like any other viral illness now," he said. The doctor added that rapid antigen test kits are scarce, and routine testing has decreased. "Unlike the first and second waves, there's no need to test everyone. It's a mild form with hardly any hospitalizations or deaths," Dr Natarajan said. He added that staff with viral symptoms are taking sick leave but are not routinely tested, as isolation is less critical given the mild symptoms. Dr Manish Kolge, a physician and intensivist at Rao Hospital, reported four to five mild Covid cases responding well to symptomatic treatment. "No staff have tested positive at our hospital, and people aren't as frightened as before," he said. He stressed that staff follow strict protocols, including masking, sanitization, and maintaining distance from patients.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
Live Events Other winners (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.'With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust . Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred Award. Dravid's winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in 2023. This achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Montgomery. Live Events The Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 grant. Started in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy scene. Other winners Other highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland. This year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside laughter. As festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.' With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Angella Dravid wins Fred Award, Hoani Hotene takes Billy T Award
Dravid, who was up against Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell for the prize, is only the third woman to have won the Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo. She told the Herald, shortly after winning, that she was not surprised that it was an all-female lineup for the prize. 'I was saying to [Comedy Trust chief executive Lauren Whitney] when she told me, I was like, 'of course it's three women', and they're so good. When I was thinking of who would win the Fred, Abby and Mel were in my list of people who I thought would be in there.' Hotene, who was nominated in September last year, said there was a sense of relief at being at the end of the process. " It's very long, you think about it every day. So part of me... there's the real [feeling of] 'man, that's amazing to win', but also there's a little bit of relief of like, 'oh my God, it's done'. 'I don't think it's sunk in yet.' Dravid and the other Fred nominees were only told on Saturday morning that they were in contention. She compared it to being in labour. 'It feels like this incredible journey event, and it's traumatic as well, because there's a lot of pain, there's a lot of anxiety, 'is it gonna be okay?' 'And then, when I gave birth, I forgot about the pain and everything. And I was just holding a little baby in my arms, and then my life changed. 'And it feels a bit like that, except life hasn't changed. I'm still gonna have financial issues.' The prizes were awarded at Last Laughs, which marks the end of the three-week-long International Comedy Festival. More than 100 shows across Auckland and Wellington took to the stage over the course of the festival. It's a high point on the calendar year for the local comedy industry, which, like many others, has struggled with rising costs in recent years. Dravid said there aren't enough opportunities for people to get on stage, and when there is stage time, not everyone can afford to come out, so the industry feels like it is in a recession. 'But the comedians, I think, are still at the top of their game,' she says. 'I wanted to actually thank the comedians on stage because they're the reason why we're getting good jokes out there, because we're testing them on each other, we're writing together. 'And even though our industry is struggling and getting smaller, the comedians are still upskilling and they're becoming better and better.' Hotene agreed, noting there are 'really good comedians' across the country. Other winners at Last Laughs included James Nokise, who accepted the 2024 Topp Prize, given to a comedian with a unique approach to comedy who has made an impact on audiences and the industry. Johanna Cosgrove won the Festival Director's Choice Award, and Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland were joint Best International winners.
NDTV
25-05-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
BCCI Consulted Rahul Dravid For Feedback On Shubman Gill Becoming Captain. India Legend's Response Was...
Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new captain of Team India in Test cricket, marking him as a leading figure in the transition of eras in Indian cricket. Gill is set to become the fifth-youngest player to lead India in Test matches, at the age of 25 years and 285 days old, should he lead them in the first Test against England from June 20. Now, it has emerged that legendary Indian cricketer and former India head coach Rahul Dravid was consulted by the selectors before Gill was appointed captain. Dravid has been Gill's coach at both junior and senior levels. Dravid was the coach of the India U19 team that won the 2018 Under-19 World Cup, which Gill was a part of. Dravid's term as India's head coach, between 2021 and 2024, saw Gill emerge into prominence as one of the nation's leading batters across formats. Therefore, given his role in the rise of Gill, Dravid was reportedly consulted by the selectors regarding the choice of handing the Test captaincy to him. "The selectors spoke to Dravid as he had seen Gill when he was a teenager and had also coached him at the U19 and the senior team. He had some great things to say about Gill's potential as a leader," said a BCCI source, as per a report by Hindustan Times. The 25-year-old has been earmarked by BCCI's chairman of selectors Ajit Agarkar as India's long-term captain. Agarkar stated that the decision to select Gill as a captain isn't just for one or two tours, implying that it is a call taken for the future. Gill has been slowly embedded into leadership roles within the India camp. He was appointed vice-captain in white-ball formats in 2024, and was also the deputy to Rohit Sharma during India's Champions Trophy 2025 title-winning campaign. In the meantime, Gill has also shown promise as a captain through his leadership of Gujarat Titans (GT) in IPL 2025. With a game to spare in the league stage of the ongoing tournament, Gill has led GT to the top of the table. Gill has also performed admirably with the bat during this period. He is firmly in the race to become the top run-scorer of IPL 2025, having amassed 636 runs, with six half-centuries, in just 13 matches. Therefore, despite having a moderate Test average of 35, there is promise that Gill isn't someone whose individual performance gets bogged down by captaincy. Listen to the latest songs, only on
