With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

Declining trend in Covid cases globally

From 27th February to 26th March 2023, nearly 3.6 million new Covid infections and more than 25,000 deaths were reported showing a decline of -27% in new cases and 39% in new deaths, according to the latest 136^th edition of World Health Organization’s Weekly epidemiological update on Covid-19. The South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean Regions showed a rise in infections. The United States had the highest numbers of new 28-day cases and deaths… (Source, WHO, March 30, 2023).

XBB.1.16: A variant under monitoring

The WHO has characterized the new XBB.1.16 variant as a variant under monitoring. Five other variants are also being monitored namely BQ.1, BA.2.75, CH.1.1, XBB and XBF. The XBB.1.16 is a recombinant of BA.2.10.1 and BA.2.75 strains. It has been detected in 21 countries so far. Mutations at position 478 of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein impart high transmissibility and pathogenicity to the strain. There is only one currently circulating variant of interest, which is XBB.1.5 … (Source, WHO, March 30, 2023).

Over 6000 new Covid cases reported in India

India recorded 6050 new cases in the last 24 hours taking the active cases toll to 28,303, as per data from the Health Ministry. The daily and weekly positivity rates are 3.39% and 3.02%. Yesterday, nearly 1.8 lakh tests were conducted. The total vaccination has crossed 220.66 crore with administration of 2334 doses on the previous day. This includes 95.21 crore second doses and 22.87 crore precaution doses … (Source: Press Information Bureau, April 7, 2023). 

WHO Director General hopeful that COVID-19 will no longer be an emergency this year

The emergency committee of the WHO will meet next month to decide on the status of the pandemic, said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General at a press briefing on Thursday. He was hopeful that the WHO would be able to remove the emergency status of Covid-19 this year. Covid-19 has been a public health emergency of international concern for over 3 years now… (Source: Reuters, April 7, 2023).

Frances eases mandatory Covid vaccination for health professionals

Covid vaccination has been made nonmandatory for health professionals in France, according to Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS), the country’s public health authority. However, it still strongly recommends taking the vaccine … (Source: Reuters, March 31, 2023).

Second booster dose of the bivalent Covid vaccine for older adults

The US FDA has allowed older adults, aged ≥ 65 years and the immunocompromised individuals to take a second booster dose of the bivalent Covid-19 vaccine. The second dose can be taken 4 months after taking the first dose of the bivalent booster… (Source: Medscape, April 4, 2023).