Decline in Global Immunization During Covid-19
Context: A recent paper published in The Lancet Global Health titled “Estimating the Health Effects of Covid-19-Related Immunization Disruptions in 112 Countries During 2020–30: A Modelling Study” has highlighted a concerning trend. The study reveals that global immunization rates have declined significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This decline has led to an increase in disease […]
The COVID19 Death Toll in India
Context: The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant and widespread impact on global public health in 2020 and 2021, resulting in a substantial loss of life. However, attributing deaths directly to COVID-19 was challenging, leading the international public health community to stress the importance of measuring the pandemic’s impact in terms of excess mortality. Relevance: GS2- Health Mains […]
New Covid-19 Variant: Pirola
Context: An article published in the Yale Medicine Review on August 31 has noted the rise of Covid-19 infections in multiple countries, driven by a new variant of SARS-CoV-2 called BA.2.86, which is informally being termed ‘Pirola’.Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About SARS-CoV-2 Virus Mutation Process About Pirola Variant Covid-19 […]
Covid- Moving Towards The Endemic Stage in India
Context: According to the data updated by the Union Health Ministry recently, India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly eight months Relevance: GS II- Health Dimensions of the Article: Key points: What does endemic stage mean, and are we there yet? Does it mean we are safer? What is […]
What Is The Zero-COVID Policy?
Context Since the initial outbreak in Wuhan, China, in 2019, the world has seen multiple repeated waves of COVID-19 infections. This was largely driven by emerging variants of concern (VOCs) of the causative virus, SARS-CoV-2. However, China remained successful in containing the disease’s spread until recently due to its zealous “zero-COVID” policy. As a result […]
Incovacc: Intranasal Covid-19 Vaccine
Context: Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine, BBV154 or Incovacc is the world’s first intranasal vaccine to be approved as a booster dose for Covid-19. Relevance: GS III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: About Incovacc The nasal vaccine is a recombinant replication-deficient adenovirus vectored vaccine with a pre-fusion stabilized spike protein. Significance: Mechanism: -Source: Indian Express
A Ground Plan for India’s COVID-19 Response
Context India’s daily new COVID19 cases have crossed the 8,000 mark for the first time after more than 100 days. However, the cases (moderate to severe) and COVID-19 related hospital admissions continue to be low. The spike in infections has raised some worries about the start of the fourth national COVID19 wave in India. Clearly, […]
Being Ready for Covid 19
Context: The number of active COVID-19 cases and test positivity rates in India has declined sharply. The third wave of Pandemic showed the efficacy of vaccine as a life saver. Relevance: GS-II: Government Policies & Interventions, Health Dimensions of the Article: COVID-19 pandemic What made all the difference? Shortage of supply and demand Way Forward […]
Entering Another Covid Year, R-value Over 1 in big cities
Context: In terms of daily detections of Covid-19 cases, India on the last day of 2021 finds itself in a situation similar to the one in 2020. And yet, the situation in India today is very different from what it was a year ago. Although the government has not described it as such, there are […]
UN Women report on COVID-19 relief for women
Context: Women were significantly less likely to report receiving pandemic-related cash relief from governments or non-profits, according to a new report by United Nations Women. Relevance: GS-II: Social Justice and Governance (Issues related to Women, Government Policies and Initiatives) Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the “Women and girls left behind” report (Global level) Data: […]