Latest news with #Guleria
India Today
6 days ago
- Health
- India Today
Covid is now endemic: Top pulmonologist Randeep Guleria on vaccines, staying safe
India is once again seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, with some regions reporting more severe illness, and even Randeep Guleria, former AIIMS chief and a senior pulmonologist, has explained why this is happening and what we can do to protect IS STILL AROUND, BUT IT'S CHANGED According to Dr. Guleria, Covid-19 has not gone away. 'We are now in an endemic stage, meaning the virus is here to stay and will keep changing,' he said in an exclusive interview with current increase in cases is being caused by a sub-variant of Omicron, known as JN.1. This variant spreads more easily because it has changed in a way that helps it escape the immunity people developed from earlier infections or most people may experience only mild symptoms, those with weak immunity, such as the elderly or people with serious health conditions, are at a higher risk of severe illness and even death. The current increase in cases is being caused by a sub-variant of Omicron, known as JN.1. (Photo: Generative AI) He said that as variants keep evolving with changes in their spike protein, the overall immunity has wanned since the vaccine was taken 2-3 years ago. But also, mutating variants seems to evade the immune system, leading to increased Omicron sub-variant is behaving like a viral infection that peaks during monsoon. 'In northern India we see two peaks, one in winter and one in monsoon. But in places like Chennai and other southern parts, it peaks in October,' said Dr. ABOUT THE OLD VACCINES?Dr. Guleria explained that the vaccines we took two or three years ago were designed to fight the original strain of the virus from Wuhan, the virus has changed, the effectiveness of those vaccines has gone down.'They don't offer the same level of protection now,' he said. Because of this, getting another dose of the old vaccine may not be Dr. Guleria strongly recommends that everyone, especially the elderly and people with existing health problems, take the flu vaccine. As the virus has changed, the effectiveness of those vaccines has gone down. () While it won't protect against Covid-19, it can prevent influenza, which can also be dangerous for high-risk NEEDS TO BE EXTRA CAREFUL?advertisementPeople over the age of 60, those with conditions like diabetes or heart disease, and anyone on immune-suppressing medications should avoid crowded indoor spaces.'Wear a mask if you must go out and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour,' said Dr. same advice applies to younger people with health the average healthy person, mask-wearing is not necessary unless you're around someone who is sick or in a high-risk workers, for example, don't need masks unless they belong to a vulnerable YOU GET TESTED?Dr. Guleria said that not everyone with cold or cough symptoms needs to get tested for Covid. For the average healthy person, mask-wearing is not necessary unless you're around someone who is sick or in a high-risk setting. () 'If your symptoms are mild and you're otherwise healthy, you can stay at home and recover,' he if you have a high fever, chest discomfort, or are not getting better, especially if you are elderly or have other illnesses, you should get helps in choosing the right treatment, whether for flu or is once again seeing a rise in Covid-19 cases, with some regions reporting more severe illness and even Randeep Guleria, a senior pulmonologist at Medanta Hospital, has explained why this is happening and what we can do to protect HOME IF YOU'RE SICKEven if you're young and healthy, it's important to avoid going to work or school if you're sick.'This helps break the chain of infection,' Dr. Guleria said. If you test positive for Covid-19, isolating for at least five days is still Guleria expects the current wave to continue for a while before it slows down. While the illness remains mild for most, he has urged everyone to be cautious, especially those at higher DISEASE CRISISThe expert also highlighted the growing threat of infectious diseases in general and the need for better public health systems. Even if you're young and healthy, it's important to avoid going to work or school if you're sick. () advertisement'We've seen many outbreaks in the last 25 years. We need stronger surveillance and emergency plans to prepare for future health threats,' said Dr. if you're young and healthy, it's important to avoid going to work or school if you're sick.'This helps break the chain of infection,' Dr. Guleria said. If you test positive for Covid-19, isolating for at least five days is still Guleria expects the current wave to continue for a while before it slows down. While the illness remains mild for most, he has urged everyone to be cautious, especially those at higher InMust Watch
News18
28-05-2025
- Health
- News18
'JN.1 Variant Not Fatal But...': Ex-AIIMS Chief Randeep Guleria On Rising Covid-19 Cases
Last Updated: Dr Guleria said COVID-19 vaccines protect against the JN.1 variant, though not fully due to its mutations. They still lower the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation and death Several countries, including India, are witnessing a fresh surge in COVID-19 cases, sparking renewed public concern. After a period of relative decline, infections are once again on the rise—driven by emerging variants. Amid this uptick, Dr. Randeep Guleria, former director of AIIMS Delhi, has weighed in on the situation, offering insights and advice on how to stay safe. Speaking to a private news channel, Dr. Guleria explained that the increase in COVID-19 cases is primarily due to the JN.1 variant, first identified in August 2023. This variant, a sub-variant of the Omicron lineage, is spreading rapidly due to mutations in the spike protein, enabling it to evade the immune system. Dr. Guleria shared that while the JN.1 variant is not highly fatal and generally causes mild symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, cold, and runny nose, it can be more dangerous for the elderly, individuals with comorbidities like diabetes or heart disease, and those with weakened immune systems. Dr. Guleria emphasised that these vulnerable groups should adhere strictly to COVID-19 protocols to avoid infection. The situation in India remains under control, but ongoing surveillance of the new variant is necessary, he said adding that preparations should be made to handle any potential escalation. The former AIIMS director said current data suggests that COVID-19 vaccines offer protection against the JN.1 variant, although they may not fully prevent infection due to its mutations. Vaccines help reduce the severity of the illness and the risk of hospitalisation or death. However, the constant mutations in the virus may decrease the effectiveness of older vaccines, he cautioned. According to experts, people with serious health conditions should take extra precautions to avoid COVID-19. In addition to vaccines, various antiviral medications are now available, which can help treat COVID-19 and reduce the severity of symptoms, they said. These drugs have proven effective against the virus and have contributed to lower mortality rates compared to the early stages of the pandemic, they said adding that antiviral medications are particularly beneficial for high-risk patients, aiding in their recovery. Experts have advised that since COVID-19 symptoms often resemble those of other infections, anyone experiencing a cough, cold, or fever should consider getting tested. First Published: May 28, 2025, 15:03 IST
Mint
29-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
Panchkula ₹17.5 lakh personal loan scam: 5 red flags every Indian borrower should watch for
In a recent financial fraud in Panchkula, a woman and her husband lost ₹ 17.5 lakh to a man posing as an Indian Army captain. According to reports, the accused, identified as Sagar Guleria, allegedly convinced the couple to transfer a sanctioned personal loan amount to his account. He claimed the transfer was necessary to help them access housing loan assistance and government subsidies. The incident offers crucial lessons for prospective personal loan and home loan borrowers to safeguard themselves from financial crimes and ensure a seamless borrowing experience. Satpal Singh, a Naik in the Indian Army and his wife Manpreet Kaur were introduced to the accused Guleria through an acquaintance. During their initial interaction, Guleria claimed to have close connections with banks and promised to help the couple secure a personal loan on favourable terms, including subsidy benefits. On May 8, 2024, a loan of ₹ 17.5 lakh was sanctioned and credited to the couple's joint State Bank of India (SBI) account. Guleria then persuaded them to credit this entire amount to his account through Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS). He stated that this was a necessary step to process the subsidy. Once the money was transferred, Guleria changed his behaviour completely and stopped responding to the couple. A background check and investigation later revealed that he was not a serving Army officer. In fact, he was a declared deserter, with police records confirming his absconding status. Properly check the real identities of individuals: Focus on and verify the credentials of individuals claiming to be official agents or associates of financial institutions. Be clear: Banks are big financial institutions. They hire individuals to assist them with day-to-day functions and not to distribute loans or credit cards in a random, choice-based, and biased manner. Every single penny is accounted for, and nothing at all comes for free in the world of banking and finance. Avoid making upfront payments: Never make upfront payments if someone asks you to do the same. Be clear, your bank or any of its legitimate officials will never ask you to transfer funds into their accounts to help with processing loans and subsidies. This is a clear sign of a financial scam. Never fall for such tricks. Stay away from pressure tactics: Do not fall for urgent demands of fraudsters. Stay away from the pressure tactics they apply. Scammers often create a sense of urgency for some scheme or subsidy, etc., to create a sense of thrill and urgency in victims. This is done to push victims into making hasty decisions. Never follow such directions blindly. Never share sensitive information: Time and again, prominent government institutions such as the RBI, SEBI, etc, come out with press releases and television advertisements to make citizens aware of their rights. The goal is to teach citizens involved with banking, personal loans, credit cards, etc, never to share OTPs, passwords, CVVs, PINs, and other extremely confidential information with anyone. Such sharing can result in financial crimes. No bank or its legitimate official will ever request you share such details via phone, video, or text. This should again be taken as a clear sign of fraud. Avoid unbelievable and too good to be true offers: You should never fall for promises or offers that are too good to be true. Always have a counter question to such lucrative offers. Think, why will a bank or financial institution give you such an offer? Offers that promise substantial benefits with nearly no effort should be carefully examined and avoided. According to a recent report by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the total cases of banking frauds have risen by 27% in the first half of 2024-25 compared to the same period last year. This highlights the increasing importance of spreading financial literacy among citizens who are involved with banking and financial transactions on a daily basis. Hence, by keeping these simple ideas and data in mind, aspirational personal loan and home loan borrowers, along with credit card applicants, can ensure that they make well-informed financial decisions. Disclaimer: The information contained herein is for informational purposes only and should not be interpreted as professional financial advice. Please consult certified advisors before proceeding. First Published: 29 Apr 2025, 11:32 AM IST
Mint
24-04-2025
- Mint
Fake captain defrauds woman of ₹17.5 lakh, take these steps to stay cautious
Recently a case was reported where a woman has claimed that a fake captain has defrauded her of ₹ 17.5 lakh. This is how it happened: Manpreet Kaur's husband who works in the Army as Naik was approached by a colleague and was introduced to 'Captain' Sagar Guleria who – he claimed – had helped a number of Army personnel procure housing loan assistance and government subsidies. Her husband – at Guleria's instance -- applied for a personal loan of ₹ 17.5 lakh which was transferred to the joint bank account of husband and wife. Then Guleria told them to transfer the entire money to his account so that he could apply for the assistance and subsidy. Then when they transferred the money through RTGS, Guleria stopped taking their calls and completely disappeared from the scene. This is one of the many frauds which have been happening all around for the ease of money transfer through net banking and UPI, among other options. In the first half of 2024-25, banking fraud cases surged 27 per cent over the corresponding period of previous year, RBI data showed. 1. Never transfer money on any pretext: In this instance, the victims were persuaded to transfer the money to the perpetrator's bank account. This is a complete red flag. Why would someone convince you to transfer the money for any reason but to commit a fraud? Several cases of digital frauds also came to light where victims were told to transfer the money in order to prove genuineness. 2. Do not trust a stranger: Seeking help for subsidy and housing assistance should ideally happen via a formal channel and not through some person you meet unofficially. A new person promising to help you financially is just a stranger who you are reposing your faith in. There is more risk than benefit. , 3. Reviews from friends: It is always recommended to ask around and seek feedback from the people around you. Sometimes you get too engrossed in the situation at hand and as a result, you develop a tunnel vision and fail to get the overall perspective of the situation. In this case, if the victim had asked around about the perpetrator, he would have probably been told that several Army personnel were defrauded with similar modus operandi. Visit here for all personal finance updates. First Published: 24 Apr 2025, 02:30 PM IST
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Time of India
Fake Army captain defrauds Panchkula woman of Rs 17.5L in personal loan scam
1 2 3 Panchkula: A woman from Chandimandir filed a police complaint alleging that a man posing as an Army captain duped her and her husband into transferring a personal loan of Rs 17.5 lakh into his account under the false promise of providing housing loan assistance and govt subsidies. Manpreet Kaur's husband Satpal Singh serves as a Naik in the Indian Army and was posted at Command, Chandimandir, in 2024. In her complaint, Manpreet alleged that an acquaintance of her husband, Surmukh Singh, introduced them to Captain Sagar Guleria claiming he had good connections with banks and helped many Army personnel secure personal loans. Needing funds to construct a house, Manpreet agreed to proceed through Guleria, who promised a personal loan with subsidy benefits. On May 8, 2024, a loan of Rs 17.5 lakh was sanctioned and credited to Manpreet and her husband's joint SBI account. Guleria then persuaded them to transfer the entire loan amount to his account via RTGS, claiming it was required to process the subsidy. Trusting him, Manpreet's husband shared an OTP, enabling Guleria to move the funds to his account. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo After the transfer, Guleria stopped responding and did not return the money. The couple later found that Guleria was not a serving Army officer but was declared a deserter, with police records from Jalandhar confirming his absconding status. Reports also suggest that he defrauded several Army personnel in a similar manner. Following an investigation by the economic offences wing and approval by senior officials, a case was registered under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (forgery), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. Panchkula: A woman from Chandimandir filed a police complaint alleging that a man posing as an Army captain duped her and her husband into transferring a personal loan of Rs 17.5 lakh into his account under the false promise of providing housing loan assistance and govt subsidies. Manpreet Kaur's husband Satpal Singh serves as a Naik in the Indian Army and was posted at Command, Chandimandir, in 2024. In her complaint, Manpreet alleged that an acquaintance of her husband, Surmukh Singh, introduced them to Captain Sagar Guleria claiming he had good connections with banks and helped many Army personnel secure personal loans. Needing funds to construct a house, Manpreet agreed to proceed through Guleria, who promised a personal loan with subsidy benefits. On May 8, 2024, a loan of Rs 17.5 lakh was sanctioned and credited to Manpreet and her husband's joint SBI account. Guleria then persuaded them to transfer the entire loan amount to his account via RTGS, claiming it was required to process the subsidy. Trusting him, Manpreet's husband shared an OTP, enabling Guleria to move the funds to his account. After the transfer, Guleria stopped responding and did not return the money. The couple later found that Guleria was not a serving Army officer but was declared a deserter, with police records from Jalandhar confirming his absconding status. Reports also suggest that he defrauded several Army personnel in a similar manner. Following an investigation by the economic offences wing and approval by senior officials, a case was registered under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), 467, 468, 471 (forgery), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
