COVID-19: 2 cases of Omicron detected in Karnataka, testing of contacts underway

Two males, 66 and 46 years of age, test positive for omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2; all primary and secondary contacts of both cases have been …

Omicron ‘re-infection’ raises questions about waning immunity against COVID-19. Here’s what we know

The metric being currently used to test waning immunity is an antibody test. Immunologists, however, have cautioned against an overreaction to …

COVID-19: Why physicians administered steroids in the second wave

Poor dissemination and discrepancies in Union and state governments’ versions have made doctors lose faith in COVID-19 treatment protocol, …

COVID-19: Steroids have always been a double-edged sword

Administering of steroids is a risk-management exercise requiring close monitoring of patients, which doctors ignored during the pandemic to save …

COVID-19: How steroids were an unnecessary burden during the second wave

Steroids are essential in fighting infectious diseases. Used recklessly, they can cause life-threatening side effects like mucormycosis, as seen&…

New report underscores the need for COVID-19 therapeutics

There is a pronounced need for treatments at all stages of COVID-19, a new report has said

Is COVID-19 Wave 3 here? What the ‘R’ value indicates

The last time the ‘R’ value for India had gone over 1 was during February 21-23, 2021

‘One in three couldn’t afford food year-round in 2020’

Pandemic-induced poverty and rise in food prices keep healthy diet out of reach of three billion people

COVID-19: Vaccine shortage hits much-hyped vaccination drive in Bihar

At the current rate of vaccination, the state will take up to two years to inoculate all its 128 million people, experts say

COVID-19: Lambda variant found in South America now a ‘variant of interest’

The variant was first isolated in Peru in August 2020, but has spread to 29 countries since then

Youth over old: Why Delhi HC argument on black fungus drug distribution is flawed

Utilitarian principles are tempting, especially for a society that has homogenised groups. But the division of groups and attribution of value is …

Amid COVID-19 cases, Bihar faces black fungus challenge

Controversy in Bihar as opposition politicians claim state’s declining cases results of antigen tests, not RT-PCR

Bharat Biotech will begin clinical trials of Covaxin on 2-18 age group

The clinical trials will be conducted to evaluate Covaxin’s safety and efficacy on a population group left out of India’s current …

COVID-19: You have water to wash your hands; but that is a privilege

Given the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact over the country and the globe, systems that supply water  are extremely crucial for rural …

COVID-19 2nd wave: PM Modi, here are 5 things you should do right away

Surveillance and testing, field hospitals, health corps, a human touch and awareness drives can help stem the current wave of COVID-19 in India

‘Double mutant’ COVID-19 variant colonises lungs directly, evades RT-PCR: Experts

The so-called ‘Bengal variant’ of COVID-19 seems to have reached a plateau, say medical experts

COVID-19 mystery: What are the reasons for Africa's low casualties

Researchers are trying to identify the causes behind low incidence of the novel coronavirus disease on the continent  

COVID-19 toll: UP government may be undercounting its dead

Down to Earth visits an electric crematorium in Lucknow to uncover discrepancies in figures 

How worried should you be about coronavirus variants? A virologist explains his concerns

While current vaccines may not prevent mild symptomatic COVID-19 caused by these variants, they will likely prevent moderate and severe disease, …

The Pandemic Year: Lockdown pushes India’s poverty levels

A five-part series as India marks a year of the dreaded COVID-19 lockdown: We look at how the pandemic became a double burden for the poor in India

COVID-19: Over 500 million Africans may fall below extreme poverty line, warns report

Indicators such as fiscal deficits, rising debt and remittances are estimated to fall by 20% because of COVID-19 in Africa

It’s taken roots: COVID-19 may soon turn endemic in many countries

India may be among endemic places; risk of the number of immune inidividuals dropping below a threshhold will remain

The $4 trillion economic cost of not vaccinating the entire world

It is in rich countries’ direct economic interest to ensure poor nations are fully vaccinated as well

Nipah Outbreak: Questions being asked about Kerala’s public health system to detect ‘exotic’ diseases

State health minister though insists that Kerala has a fool-proof system to detect any illness

WHO has ended the COVID-19 global health emergency — what happens now?

The ‘end of the pandemic’ might have several ramifications