Data from recent Scotland study suggested Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in risk of hospitalisation when compared with Delta….reports Asian Lite News
The UK National Health Service can avoid becoming overwhelmed only if the Omicron variant turns out to be five to 10 times milder than Delta, according to new modelling.
But if Omicron turns out to be just half as severe as Delta, UK hospitalisations could exceed those seen at the peak of the second wave, suggested the study by the University of Warwick.
“Under these assumptions of no additional control (beyond Plan B), and even assuming omicron is just 10 per cent the severity of delta it is still highly likely that hospital admissions will peak above 1,500 per day,” the authors were quoted as saying by the Telegraph.
“If we assume that Omicron is as severe as Delta then admissions will be an order of magnitude larger, peaking at around 27,000 admissions.”
Data from recent Scotland study suggested Omicron is associated with a two-thirds reduction in risk of hospitalisation when compared with Delta.
A separate study by Imperial College London looking also suggested people with PCR-confirmed Omicron infection were 15 to 20 per cent less likely to require hospitalisation.
But, the Warwick authors noted that assuming the Omicron is 100 per cent as severe as Delta represents a “reasonable worst case”, the researchers said.
They also cautioned that if the time it takes Omicron to become symptomatic is shorter than with Delta, as it is now strongly suspected, would radically alter their results for the better.
“If the generation time of Omicron was half that of Delta, once the model is recalibrated… this would approximately halve the predicted peak outbreak sizes”, they said.
During the second wave of coronavirus, the number peaked at 34,336 on January 18.
As of Sunday, the UK has registered a total of 13,174,528 Covid-19 cases and 149,251 deaths.
Brigadier Nomthandazo Mbambo said the suspect is also expected to be charged under the National Key Points Act, which protects sites of strategic importance. Further details were not immediately available.
In a statement on Sunday night, South Africa’s parliament confirmed that there had been “significant damage” to the New Assembly Wing of the building, which includes the National Assembly chamber where lawmakers sit. It also said some offices had been “severely gutted”.
The Pipilo forest boasts more than 150 types of trees. Communities in the area benefit by collecting and selling fruits, greens and mushroom varieties from the forests in nearby markets…reports Rahul Singh
During their younger days, Khirodhar Mahto and Jodha Mahto, residents of the Upar Ghat area of the Bokaro district in Jharkhand, were deeply troubled by the gradual decline of thick forest cover around their village. They felt that the diminishing green canopy signalled a silent threat to their existence and that of their village. Prompted into action, they rallied together like-minded conservationists among their fellow villagers and started a campaign to save the forests.
Today, both Khirodhar and Jodha (52 and 55 years old, respectively) witness the fruits of their activism, as they are surrounded by lush and dense forests that benefit both the environment and the community.
Khirodhar Mahato is now the chairman of the local forest conservation committee consisting of 11 members and also the convener of the Bokaro District Forest Conservation Committee. He recalled, “The movement gained traction in 1981-1982. When we organised ourselves to salvage and rejuvenate the forests, it brought awareness and sensitivity among the common people.”
His companion, Jodha Mahto, added, “At that time, the dense forests were fading. Many trees had become stunted, making us aware of the severity of the situation. We realised that if our forests disappeared, then our fields would also become barren, and in turn, our livelihoods would also suffer.”
Unfettered mining
Gulab Chandra, a prominent environmental activist of Bokaro district and convenor of the Damodar Bachao Abhiyan said, “These forests are adjacent to some of the country’s major power and coal-producing industrial units — namely the power generation unit of Bokaro Thermal and coal mining projects of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). So protecting the biodiversity of the forest land becomes more challenging and necessary.”
Chandra said that in the 90s, through the Sanjeevani Rath, they started a campaign to distribute tree saplings and inspired people to plant them. Under the banner of the Chotanagpur Central Forest Protection Committee, they also encouraged people to plant trees to celebrate the birth of every girl child, thereby reducing female foeticide. In due course, the trees would provide the parents with financial benefits at the time of their daughter’s wedding. The tree became her ‘brother and protector’ and symbolic rakhis were tied to them. This Van Raksha Bandhan movement, popularised by prominent environmentalist Mahadev Mahato, was adopted to safeguard the forests in Pilpilo. The activist’s visit to the village had motivated the people here, who started tying protective threads on the branches of trees and bushes.
“We take a pledge once a year to protect the trees and take out a procession in which women are also equally involved,” said Pushpa Devi (40) from Kanjakiro.
Meena Devi (30), her fellow villager, said, “We stop anyone from chopping trees and make them understand that it will disturb the environmental balance.” Devi is associated with self-help groups of the Jharkhand State Livelihood Promotion Society (JSLPS) and is the chairperson of the village organisation.
The Sakhus of Upar Ghat
Upar Ghat is a sprawling collection of many isolated forests which mainly fall in the Nawadih block area. Until recently, this zone was still a stronghold of Naxalites with numerous instances of unrest. Though not completely eradicated, their presence is receding, with the violence on the ebb for the time being. Nawadih was also in the news when the Bokaro forest division under the Vanvardhan, Afforestation and Land Conservation Scheme for 2020-21 planted 5.9 lakh native tree saplings in 616 hectares of forest land. Other prominent villages in Upar Ghat are the villages of Pilpilo, Kanjakiro and Pipradih in the Kanjakiro Panchayat limits. People of Kurmi, Adivasi and Turi communities reside in these areas.
The Pipilo forest boasts more than 150 types of trees. Communities in the area benefit by collecting and selling fruits, greens and mushroom varieties from the forests in nearby markets.
Dr M.S. Malik, Dean of the Department of Forestry at Birsa Agricultural University, said there haven’t been studies on the Sakhua’s capacity for water harvesting but said that they grow on very less water and are prolific across Jharkhand because of the favourable acidic soil. “If you dig a pit next to the tree, it retains water and doesn’t dry up,” he said. The Sakhua matures over 40-60 years and has medicinal value.
Mahto knows all about the medicinal value of these native trees; it’s committed to a sharp memory. Oil is produced from the fruit of the Kusum tree, and lacquer is also made from it. The fruits of the Kanaud kaur and Sayam core trees are edible. The fruit of the Koraiya tree is used to treat diabetes, while the Bandarlore and Rohan trees have medicinal properties. During the monsoons, khukri/khukdi or futka (mushroom varieties) are found in the forest, foraged and sold at high prices, almost at Rs 400 per kg.
At constant vigilance
In 2020, many trees were felled when the power line was installed through the Teharwa forest adjacent to the Pilpilo forest. Also, stones for the construction of the power units were sourced from the Upar Ghat forests, the quarrying of which caused significant damage to the woodlands, according to Gulab Chandra, the convener of Damodar Bachao Abhiyan. There were no public consultations about any of this, said Khirodhar Mahto. This pushed Chandra and local activists to raise public awareness against the plundering of natural resources and habitats. The incident had rattled many people.
On the condition of anonymity, a former Forest Department official said that if there are government or private industrial activities within the forest limits it is bound to cause damage, then, as a rule, the concerned authorities must make provision for uprooting and transplanting trees that are in the line of destruction in an alternative area. However, no such conservationist endeavours have been recorded in Pilpilo. He also added that there was also much pressure to open the ecologically endangered zones of Upar Ghat to the tourism sector. Attempts to contact A.K. Singh, Bokaro’s Divisional Forest Officer via phone and email have been unsuccessful.
SAFAR advised the sensitive groups to avoid all physical activity outdoors and move activities indoors, and asthmatics should keep relief medicine handy…reports Asian Lite News.
Residents of the national capital will have to breathe “severely” polluted air as the air quality further deteriorated in the past 24 hours, as per the data shared by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday evening.
“The Air Quality Index was recorded at 404 (readings of 401 and above is ‘severe’). PM10 was 401 (351 to 430 is ‘very poor’) and PM2.5 was 276 (251 and above is ‘severe’),” the Chief Minister informed on social media.
As the PM10 level went over 300, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) has issued a health advisory stating that sensitive people should consider reducing prolonged or heavy exertion and heavy outdoor work.
The PM2.5 level was under the “very poor” category.
The air quality is categorised as “good” when the AQI is between 0 to 50, “satisfactory” between 51-100, “moderate” between 101-200, “poor” between 201-300, “very poor” between 301-400, “severe” between 401-500, and “hazardous” at over 500.
SAFAR advised the sensitive groups to avoid all physical activity outdoors and move activities indoors, and asthmatics should keep relief medicine handy.
In its general advisory for all people, it urged people to stop outdoor activity in the early morning and after sunset.
“Avoid prolonged or heavy exertion. Go for a short walk instead of a jog and take more breaks. Stop any activity level if you experience any unusual coughing, chest discomfort, wheezing, breathing difficulty, or fatigue. If the room has windows, close them. If the air conditioner provides a fresh air intake option, keep that closed,” the advisory read.
#Delhi's Air Quality Index (#AQI) continued to settle in the 'very poor' category at 366, the System of Air Quality and Weather Forecasting And Research (SAFAR) said, adding that it was likely to improve to 'poor' from January 7. pic.twitter.com/vQ9an3YV6n
It further asked people to avoid burning of wood, candles or incense.
“Keep the room clean – don’t vacuum. Do wet mopping to reduce dust. Masks known as N-95 or P-100 respirators may only help if you go out,” according to the advisory.
Delhi, generally, has good to satisfactory air quality. However, the pollution levels spike during October to February due to various factors including stubble burning, road dust, vehicle pollution, and cold weather, leading to a deterioration in the AQI.
A committee member said that it would be better if a few more womenparliamentarians are members of the committee which is going to discuss the law increasing the legal marriage age of women to 21 years from 18…reports Asian Lite News.
The Parliamentary panel which will examine a bill seeking to raise the legal age of marriage of women from 18 to 21 and submit its recommendations has only one woman member.
As per the Rajya Sabha website, the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Education, Women, Children, Youth, and Sports, headed by BJP’s Rajya Sabha member Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, has its full complement of 31 members and Trinamool Congress member of the upper house, Sushmita Dev is only woman among them.
Of the 31 members, 10 are from the Rajya Sabha and 21 from the Lok Sabha.
During the Winter session, the government introduced the Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill in the Lok Sabha and it was referred to the standing committee on the opposition’s demand.
A committee member said that it would be better if a few more women parliamentarians are members of the committee which is going to discuss the law increasing the legal marriage age of women to 21 years from 18.
“Currently there is no vacancy to nominate new women MPs in the committee. But the committee Chairman has power to invite any one and we wish he will invite everyone for wider consultation on the proposed law,” said the member, who did not want to be identified.
The Union Cabinet passed a proposal to increase the minimum legal age of marriage of women to 21 from 18 years on December 15 last year. Currently the legal minimum age of marriage for men is 21 and 18 for women. The proposal was based on the recommendation of NITI Aayog task force headed by Jaya Jaitly.
Senior officials of the Health, Women and Child Development, and the Law Ministries were members of a task force set up in June last year to examine matters pertaining to age of motherhood, imperatives of lowering MMR (Maternal Mortality Rate), improvement of nutritional levels and related issues.
UK Ministers believe a trade deal with Delhi would provide British businesses with a head start start in what is predicted to be the world’s third-largest economy by 2050…reports Asian Lite News.
UK Ministers are keen to ease immigration restrictions in a bid to make it easier for thousands of Indian citizens to live and work in the country as part of the forthcoming trade talks, the Guardian reported.
The potential offer will be under discussion when International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan travels to Delhi this month, reports the Times UK.
Relaxing immigration rules for Indian citizens is a key demand from Delhi.
Trevelyan is said to have the backing of the foreign secretary, Liz Truss, who is keen to curb China’s growing influence in the region. However, they are likely to meet strong resistance from Some Secretary Priti Patel, who opposes the offer.
According to the Times UK, visa relaxation options under consideration include a scheme similar to one agreed with Australia which would allow young Indians the right to live and work in the UK for up to three years.
Another would be to cut visa fees for students and allow them to stay in Britain for a period of time after they graduate. Visa fees for work and tourism, which can cost up to 1,400 pounds, could also be reduced as a sweetener.
UK Ministers believe a trade deal with Delhi would provide British businesses with a head start in what is predicted to be the world’s third-largest economy by 2050.
It could also see Britain jump ahead as India does not have bilateral trade deals with either the US or the European Union.
Ministers are said to be in agreement that a “generous” offer on visas could be the price for such a deal.
One government figure told the Times: “The tech and digital space in India is still hugely protectionist and if we could open up even a slither of access it would put us ahead of the game.”
India now figures in the list of top five countries in the percentage of its population that has been fully vaccinated, reports Asian Lite News
India has surpassed the US in terms of the percentage of its total adult population that has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. While India has given both doses of the vaccine to 65% of its adults, the US has covered only 61.5% of its adult citizens, according to data compiled by the Union Health Ministry.
Spain has emerged as the leading country in the world has covered 81% of its population with both doses, followed by France with 73.2% while the UK has fully vaccinated 69.5% of its population.
India now figures in the list of top five countries in the percentage of its population that has been fully vaccinated.
In case of the first dose coverage, India has covered 90% of its eligible population, US has covered only 73.2% of the population, the UK has covered 75.9% of its population, France has covered 78.3% of its population, and Spain has covered 84.7% of its population, according to the Health Ministry data.
“Further, over 11 states/UTs in India have already achieved 100% of 1st dose vaccination, while 3 States/UTs have already achieved 100% full vaccination against COVID-19. Many States/UTs are soon expected to achieve 100% vaccination very quickly,” the Health Ministry said.
India under PM @NarendraModi Ji's leadership is running the world's most successful & largest vaccination programme.
🇮🇳's #COVID19 💉 drive has performed better than many developed western nations with significantly low population base to vaccinate.
A nationwide Covid-19 vaccination campaign Har Ghar Dastak campaign was implemented from 3rd Nov 2021 which includes mobilization, awareness, vaccination campaign through reaching out to all missed out and dropped out eligible beneficiaries through house-to-house visits. This has also resulted in an increase of 1st dose coverage by 11.6% since the introduction of the campaign. While the second dose coverage increased by 28.9% in the same period, the statement added.
Vaccination of children aged between 15 and 18 begins
Amid concerns over the new, highly transmissible Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, India began vaccinating the 15 to 18-year-old age group against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) today. It is, however, to be noted that only Bharat Biotech’s indigenously-made shot ‘Covaxin’ will be used for vaccinating this age bracket. According to a note sent by the Union health ministry to all states and Union territories, additional doses of Covaxin will be sent to the states for administering the vaccine to this population category.
The government’s decision to begin the vaccination drive in this regard was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Christmas Day last December. It was said that while vaccination for the age bracket of 15-18 will begin from January 3, 2022, the administration of a precautionary third dose (booster shot) for vulnerable categories of people will begin from January 10.
According to an official release by the Union health ministry, those people with the birth year of 2007 or before will be eligible for vaccination under the category of 15 to 18 year-olds.
States have been asked to ensure there are separate queues and vaccination teams for the 15-18 age group to avoid confusion with the vaccination process of all adults.
Potential beneficiaries began registering themselves on the Co-WIN portal from January 1; however, there is also the option of walk-in registration (albeit limited) at multiple vaccination centers when the immunisation drive begins today.
While most existing vaccination centers shall have separate queues beginning today, states have also been informed that they have the option to dedicate a few Covid Vaccination Centres (CVCs) as ‘dedicated CVC’ exclusively for the 15-18-year-olds. The same shall also reflect on the Co-WIN app to ensure that there is no confusion in administering the vaccines to the different age groups.
The states have also been advised to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for the immunisation of 15-18 year-olds and the identification of dedicated session sites for the same. The states were further exhorted to undertake proper planning in advance for the distribution of Covaxin to identified session sites.
Paramilitary forces prepare for third wave
Amid rising number of Covid-19 cases, fuelled by its Omicron variant, the Central Armed Police Forces are stocking required medicines like Remdesivir, as well oxygen supplies and reactivating the dedicated Covid care centres, including the world’s largest makeshift Covid hospital in south Delhi.
The move came as the alarm bell rang among the various paramilitary forces after 19 coronavirus cases were detected in them.
According to the latest data, the Border Security Force (BSF) has reported nine cases, followed by five in the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), three in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and two in the Sashatra Seema Bal (SSB).
No new cases have been reported in the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and the National Security Guard (NSG).
The data also said that 148 active Covid cases have been reported in the CAPFs as of now, comprising 46 in the BSF, 44 in the CISF, 42 in the CRPF, eight in the SSB, five in the ITBP, two in the NSG and one in NDRF and two in NSG.
Remdesivir
A total of 88,642 security men in CAPFs have been infected since the advent of the pandemic whereas 88,146 personnel have been recovered so far. The death toll has gone to 348 since April 2020.
Paramilitary force officials said that amid the rising number of Omicron cases, all the forces have been asked to strictly adhere to Covid-19 protocols in all units and field formations.
The MHA has sought data from all medical directorates of each force regarding the number of beds available, including oxygen beds, commissioning of oxygen supply and medicine stocks at dedicated Covid Health Care Centres across India.
South African tourism is showing signs of recovery with the coastal city of Durban having 80 per cent occupancy at establishments and over 200,000 visitors during the festive season…reports Asian Lite News
“We desperately needed this development because we were bruised by the pandemic and multitudes of our people lost jobs. I am happy that following these figures, it means we are doing things right,” Xinhua news agency quoted Durban Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda as saying
S.Africa tourism shows signs of recovery
Kaunda said during this festive season restaurants and eateries in the townships and other destinations were full of tourists.
Over the Christmas weekend period alone, about 200,000 people visited the city, spending close to R150 million ($10 million).
China will fully implement the obligations of the RCEP agreement and guide local governments, industries and enterprises to better seize the opening-up opportunities, according to the Ministry of Commerce…reports Asian Lite News.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, the world’s largest free trade agreement, entered into force on Saturday.
After the agreement takes effect, more than 90 per cent of merchandise trade among members that have approved the agreement will eventually be subject to zero tariffs, Xinhua news agency reported.
With optimised trade rules among signatories, streamlined procedures and wider opening-up in the sectors of services-trade and investment, the RCEP will bring tangible benefits to the member countries.
China will fully implement the obligations of the RCEP agreement and guide local governments, industries and enterprises to better seize the opening-up opportunities, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
The country will work actively with other members to build the RCEP mechanism into a major platform for economic and trade cooperation in East Asia, the Ministry said.
The RCEP includes 10 ASEAN members, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand. The 15 states’ total population, gross domestic product and trade all account for about 30 per cent of the world total.
The rise in militant attacks in Pakistan coincided with the Afghan Taliban’s military offensive, which started in May 2021 and reached its zenith when the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021…reports Asian Lite News.
After a consistent decline in militant attacks for the past six years, Pakistan witnessed a 56 per cent increase in the number of terror attacks in 2021, despite a one-month ceasefire with TTP, Friday Times reported.
In 2021, militants carried out 294 attacks, killing 388 people and wounding another 606, according to a report compiled by Islamabad-based think tank Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), the report said.
The report details the rising frequency, lethality and geographic scope of terror attacks across Pakistan this year. The lethality of terror attacks rose by 46 per cent in 2021 with 388 total deaths of which 184 were civilians. The remaining 192 of those killed were security forces personnel, a 66 per cent increase in the casualties of Pakistani security forces from the year before. Over 600 people were injured in the terror attacks of 2021, including 389 civilians and 217 security forces personnel, the report said.
The rise in militant attacks in Pakistan coincided with the Afghan Taliban’s military offensive, which started in May 2021 and reached its zenith when the Taliban took over Kabul in August 2021. That same month, 45 militant attacks were reported, the most attacks of any single month in 2021, according to PICSS. Despite a one-month ceasefire with TTP from November 10 to December 10, the overall number of militant attacks did not drop in either month.
Imran Khan
The report shows that the average number of militant attacks per month in Pakistan increased from 16 attacks per month in 2020 to 25 monthly attacks in 2021, the highest on record since 2017. Militant attacks have not been as deadly since 2018. In 2020, there were 188 militant attacks in which 266 people were killed and 595 injured, Friday Times reported.
Balochistan was the most turbulent province this year where the highest number of deaths (170) were recorded in 103 militant attacks. The highest number of injured were also reported in Balochistan, where over 50 per cent of all injuries from militant attacks in the country occurred (331), the PICSS Militancy Database shows.
