With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

“More transmissible and more dangerous” Covid variants may appear, says WHO

In a media briefing earlier this week, the WHO has warned about a rise in Covid-19 cases in the approaching winter season, even though now the deaths are decreasing worldwide. Dr Tedros A Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General said, “Subvariants of Omicron are more transmissible than their predecessors, and the risk of even more transmissible and more dangerous variants remains.” He also expressed concern about the low vaccine uptake in high-risk people, including the unvaccinated healthcare workers and elderly population. Cautioned must still be exercised…(WHO, Aug. 31, 2022).

Updated bivalent Covid-19 booster vaccines

Following FDA authorization of the Moderna and Pfizer bivalent Covid-19 booster vaccine as single booster dose, the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) has also recommended the Pfizer updated booster for individuals aged 12 years and older and Moderna for persons aged 18 years and older. Besides the current vaccine components, the updated boosters contain BA.4 and BA.5 spike protein… (CDC, Sept. 1, 2022).

Over 200 crore vaccine doses administered in India

Covid-19 cases continue to show a declining trend in India. There were 6168 new cases in the last 24 hours. The active cases are now less than 60,000. The current recovery rate is 98.68%. The 7-day positivity rate is 2.51%. So far, over 200 crore total vaccine doses have been administered, including 94.29 crore second dose and 16.15 crore precaution dose…(Source: Press Information Bureau, Sept. 2, 2022).

Asymptomatic Covid-19 patients can now end their isolation but with a mask in Ontario

Ontario in Canada has allowed Covid-19 patients to end their isolation 24 hours after they become asymptomatic but they have to use a mask. Such asymptomatic patients, who are still Covid-positive, including their close contacts, can also go to work or attend school, but wearing a face mask for 10 days is compulsory. However, they cannot visit high-risk settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities…(Source: Medscape, Sept. 1, 2022).