
The AU's disease control body said last week it was not " walking away" from AstraZeneca's vaccine but would target itsuse in countries that have not reported cases of the morecontagious 501Y.V2 variant first identified in South Africa latelast year. All travellers and contacts have been tested and quarantined.
ICMR's apex laboratory National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, is attempting to isolate and culture the South African variant to understand its way of functioning, transmissibility, and the effect of the vaccine.
The country paused the rollout of AstraZeneca doses thismonth, after preliminary trial data showed they offered minimalprotection against mild to moderate illness from the country'sdominant coronavirus variant.
The ministry said it was "continuously engaging" with the manufacturers of Sputnik V and that it had signed a non-disclosure agreement with China's Sinopharm to receive more information about its vaccine.
United Kingdom researchers found evidence that suggests that variant "may be associated with an increased risk of death compared with other variants", but more study is required, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Both the South African and Brazilian strains have a mutation in the receptor binding domain of the virus, which makes it easier for the virus to bind itself to the lungs. "There is no guarantee that we would not see another surge".
About the SA variant, better known as B.1.351, Bharagava said that its cases were reported in January in four returnees from African countries. The Brazilian strain, which has increased transmissibility, has been found in 15 countries.
Dr V K Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said the emergence of the two variants was a matter of concern. It is still affecting our population and can raise the number of cases.
And now, the suggestion that its use should be further limited has prompted additional questions in a country that already had one of the highest rates of vaccine skepticism in the world. Hopefully, these variants will not cause a catastrophic situation in the country.
The health authorities are carrying out genetic sequencing on samples of the virus taken from diagnosed patients to detect for either of the variants.
This marks the start of South Africa's new, adjusted vaccine roll-out plan where jabs will be given as part of an implementation study conducted by the South African Medical Research Council and the Department of Health.
World No.1 Ash Barty crashes out of Australian Open
Not letting up, Barty broke Muchova for a third time in the opening game of the second set to continue her utter domination. She breezed through the tournament up to this point, and this was the first match she played that went to three sets.
Democratic congressman sues Trump over role in deadly Capitol riot
While a majority of the Senate, 57 of the 100 members, voted for conviction, it fell short of the two-thirds majority required. That was an 18-point jump since a similar Politico/Morning Consult poll taken the day after the US Capitol riot on Jan 6.
Myanmar junta cuts off internet, deploys tanks as soldiers fire at protesters
The commission rejected the military's claims of widespread fraud in November's elections, which the NLD won in a landslide. An armoured vehicle rides on a street during a protest against the military coup , in Yangon, Myanmar , February 14, 2021.
Andrew Cuomo Addresses Nursing Home Scandal
The Governor seems incapable of comprehending that it was his Administration at fault, and nobody else. Under fire over his management of the coronavirus' lethal path through New York's nursing homes, Gov.
List of priority populations for Phase 1 of Ontario's vaccine distribution plan
Indigenous adults in northern, remote and higher-risk communities, including on-reserve and urban communities. Adult recipients of chronic home care.
Trump clears second impeachment trial, vows to fight on
However, Johnson's message has been overshadowed by the newly-elected US President Joe Biden's decreasing faith in American democracy.
COVID-19 Vaccines To Arrive This Week
Earlier in the day, opposition health spokesman Mark Butler criticised the government for not rolling the vaccines out sooner. More than 142,000 doses had arrived at Sydney airport, the government said.
Biden administration to begin admitting migrants forced to wait in Mexico
Administration officials declined to name them out of fear they may encourage a rush of people to those locations. He later sought funding from the U.S.
Duke and Duchess of Sussex expecting their second child
The black and white image that has just been released was taken remotely by their friend, photographer Misan Harriman . The Duchess of Sussex said she wrote the article about her own loss to encourage others to talk about it.
Cuomo administration 'froze' over nursing home data requests
Sue Serino, the ranking member of the Senate Aging Committee said that hiding the deaths of thousands of New Yorkers for political reasons is "Albany's rock bottom".
Peak of major winter blast to begin across most of the country
This upcoming pattern for the next week is the type where I recommend being sure you have adequate ice melt on hand. Also by Monday morning, a heavy wintry mix will move across Houston into Louisiana and Mississippi.
Ontario reports fewer than 1000 new COVID-19 infections, 42 more deaths
The next update from the Ottawa COVID-19 Testing Taskforce will be released Tuesday, Feb. 16, due to the Family Day holiday. The province has administered more than 467,600 doses of the approved Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.
Oxford University launches Covid-19 vaccine study on children
Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday expressed gratitude to China for its offer of COVID-19 vaccines. The vaccine priority list also excludes anyone under the age of 16, even the clinically extremely vulnerable.
New Zealand will get first batch of coronavirus vaccines next week
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing the country's approval of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. She says it's a "good, timely reminder too, to everyone, please turn on the Bluetooth function and keep scanning".
Utah's senators explain their votes in Trump's second impeachment trial
The day of the riot, McConnell railed against "thugs, mobs, or threats" and described the attack as "this failed insurrection". McConnell's speech was an attempt at a political balancing act, DW's Washington bureau chief Ines Pohl said.