New Delhi: The coronavirus is spreading rapidly in Singapore again, causing hospital beds to fill up quickly. Authorities have reintroduced mask mandates, reminiscent of the panic seen during the initial outbreaks in 2020 and subsequent waves in 2021-22. In Today’s DNA, Zee News anchor Sourabh Raaj Jain analysed the alarming situation of coronavirus infection in Singapore and its significance globally.
The resurgence of COVID-19 in Singapore is alarming, with health officials predicting a peak in the next two to four weeks. Two strains of the FLiRT variant, KP.1 and KP.2, have spread rapidly. The Ministry of Health reported 25,900 new cases between May 5 and May 11, a significant increase from the 13,700 cases reported the previous week. Hospital admissions have risen from 181 to 250 daily, and ICU admissions have increased from two to three patients per day.
DNA: Corona returns to Singapore, will there be a new wave of corona in the world? #DNA #DNAWithSourabh #COVID19 #Singapore #Coronavirus @saurabhraajjain pic.twitter.com/MmDR8WNjIl — Zee News (@ZeeNews) May 21, 2024
In response, Singapore’s Health Ministry is ramping up preparations for the new wave. Hospitals have been instructed to increase the number of available beds and reduce elective surgeries. People are being advised to stay home and seek treatment there when possible. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung has urged individuals, especially those with serious illnesses or those aged 60 and above, to get a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
The rise in cases of the KP.1 and KP.2 variants is not limited to Singapore; the United States has also seen increases, with the KP.2 variant accounting for 28 percent and the KP.1 variant for 7.1 percent of cases. Approximately 200 cases of these variants have been reported in India. While no new restrictions have been imposed in Singapore, the rapid resurgence of the virus is a cause for concern globally.
NEW YORK: In a concerning development reported by the New York Post, experts have issued warnings about a potential bird flu pandemic, which they claim could be “100 times worse than COVID.” The discovery of a rare human case in Texas has raised alarms among scientists and health officials. The H5N1 avian flu, which emerged as a new strain in 2020, has spread rapidly, affecting wild birds across all states, as well as commercial poultry and backyard flocks. Recent cases in mammals, including infected cattle herds across four states, have escalated concerns.
At a panel discussing the issue, Suresh Kuchipudi, a prominent bird flu researcher, emphasized the long-standing threat posed by the H5N1 virus. He highlighted its ability to infect various mammalian hosts, including humans, making it a global pandemic threat. John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant, echoed these concerns, suggesting that the potential impact of the virus could surpass that of COVID if it mutates while maintaining a high fatality rate. “This appears to be 100 times worse than COVID — or it could be if it mutates and maintains its high case fatality rate,” John Fulton, a pharmaceutical industry consultant for vaccines and the founder of Canada-based BioNiagara who organized the meeting, was cited as saying.
With a fatality rate of around 52% among humans infected since 2003, according to the World Health Organization, H5N1 presents a significant health risk. Symptoms are similar to other flu strains but can lead to severe pneumonia, with some cases resulting in death.
Recent Case In Texas
A dairy worker in Texas who contracted the virus reported symptoms consistent with conjunctivitis. While the CDC assured the public of low risk, the situation is being closely monitored due to the unprecedented detection of the virus in cattle.
Potential For Mutation And Rapid Spread
The detection of the virus in cattle raises concerns about mutation and potential human transmission. Experts warn that if H5N1 mutates to spread efficiently among humans, it could lead to large-scale transmission due to the lack of immune defenses.
Preventive Measures And Vaccine Development
Efforts are underway to develop vaccines and preventive measures against the virus. The US is already testing vaccine components, and candidate vaccine viruses show promise in protecting against H5N1. Both the CDC and the White House have emphasized the seriousness of the situation, with ongoing monitoring and efforts to keep the public informed and safe. As the world grapples with the evolving threat of the H5N1 avian flu, vigilance and coordinated global efforts remain crucial to prevent a potential pandemic.
Gehlot has asked people to prioritise their well-being during the transitional weather.
New Delhi: As the world welcomes the new year with joy and celebrations, the dark cloud of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic looms larger. The beginning of 2024 has seen a concerning rise in coronavirus infections, with Karnataka witnessing a spike of 296 new cases in the last 24 hours, contributing to the nationwide tally of 636 fresh infections.
The southern state of Karnataka is grappling with the surge as the total number of active COVID-19 cases reached 1245, with 1179 patients under home treatment and 66 admitted to hospitals, including 20 in intensive care units (ICUs).
Meanwhile, Maharashtra is also facing an alarming situation, reporting 70 new cases on Monday, reflecting a positivity rate exceeding 2 percent. The state recorded 131 cases on the previous day. Fortunately, no deaths were reported, and 32 individuals were discharged. Currently, Maharashtra has 693 active cases, with 42 hospitalized, including nine in ICUs.
The Union Health Ministry’s latest data reveals a nationwide spike of 636 new COVID-19 cases, with three fatalities reported in the last 24 hours, two in Kerala and one in Tamil Nadu. The total number of COVID-19 cases since the beginning of the pandemic has now surpassed 4.5 crore, with 4.44 crore recoveries and 5.33 lakh unfortunate deaths.
The emergence of the new sub-variant JN.1 of the virus is further complicating the situation, with 200 reported cases so far. Health experts attribute the rising infections to the winter season and the congregation of people in crowded areas during New Year celebrations.
While the recovery rate remains high at 98.81%, concerns persist as active COVID-19 cases continue to rise, reaching 4394 across the country. The authorities emphasize the importance of adhering to safety protocols, including vaccination, to curb the spread of the virus and protect public health.
The media club said, ‘The triangular memorial is based on three streams of media – print, electronic and digital.’
Noida :
A memorial dedicated to journalists who lost their lives due to Covid-19 across the country was inaugurated on Monday in Uttar Pradesh’s Gautam Buddha Nagar district. The memorial, built by the Noida Media Club, contains the names of 497 journalists from 26 states and union territories of the country who died during the pandemic.