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In a major global study, researchers have revealed that long-term exposure to air pollution may be linked to 15 per cent of Covid-19 deaths worldwide. According to the study, published in the journal Cardiovascular Research, in Europe the proportion was about 19 per cent, in North America it was 17 per cent, and in East Asia about 27 per cent. "Since the numbers of deaths from Covid-19 are increasing all the time, it's not possible to give exact or final numbers of Covid-19 deaths per country that can be attributed to air pollution," said study author Jos Lelieveld from Max Planck Institute in Germany. "However, as an example, in the UK there have been over 44,000 <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> deaths and we estimate that the fraction attributable to air pollution is 14 per cent, meaning that more than 6,100 deaths could be attributed to air pollution," Lelieveld added. The researchers used epidemiological data from the previous US and Chinese studies of air pollution and Covid-19 and the SARS outbreak in 2003, supported by additional data from Italy. They combined this with satellite data showing global exposure to polluting fine particles known as 'particulate matter' that is less than or equal to 2.5 microns in diameter (known as PM2.5) to create a model to calculate the fraction of coronavirus deaths that could be attributable to long-term exposure to PM2.5. The results are based on epidemiological data collected up the third week in June 2020 and the researchers said that a comprehensive evaluation will need to follow after the pandemic has subsided. Estimates for individual countries show, for example, that air pollution contributed to 29 per cent of coronavirus deaths in the Czech Republic, 27 per cent in China, 26 per cent in Germany, 22 per cent in Switzerland, 21 per cent in Belgium, 19 per cent in The Netherlands, 15 per cent in Italy and 14 per cent in the UK. Referring to previous work that suggests that the fine particulates in air pollution may prolong the atmospheric lifetime of infectious viruses and help them to infect more people. Lelieveld said: "It's likely that particulate matter plays a role in 'super-spreading events' by favouring transmission." According to the researchers, the particulate matter seems to increase the activity of a receptor on cell surfaces, called ACE-2, that is known to be involved in the way Covid-19 infects cells. "So, we have a 'double hit': air pollution damages the lungs and increases the activity of ACE-2, which in turn leads to enhanced uptake of the virus by the lungs and probably by the blood vessels and the heart," the authors wrote. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/china-launches-three-new-spy-satellites-amid-border-dispute-with-india-and-tensions-in-the-south-china-sea/articleshow/78886330.cms">China launches three new spy satellites amid border dispute with India and tensions in the South China Sea</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/indian-equity-markets-trade-higher-led-by-banking-consumer-good-stocks/articleshow/78886121.cms">Indian equity markets trade higher led by banking, consumer good stocks</a>

Air pollution ups COVID-19 deaths by 15% worldwide, claims study

<keyword id="6354785" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="france">France</keyword> has registered a new record for the highest number of single-day Covid-19 cases, with a total of 52,010 people testing positive for the virus in a span of 24 hours, health authorities said. Sunday's figure came after Saturday's record 45,422 cases, Xinhua news agency quoted the Public Health Agency as saying. Since the beginning of the pandemic, France has registered a total of 1,138,507 coronavirus. On October 23, it became the second European country to register more than one million confirmed cases after Spain. Also on Sunday, the country reported 116 new fatalities, taking the death toll to 34,761, official data revealed. In addition, 17 per cent of those tested for the virus now have positive results in France, after reaching 16 per cent on Saturday against 15.1 per cent the day before, in comparison to just 4.5 per cent in early September. The ongoing second wave of the pandemic has forced the French government to impose tougher restrictive measures including curfews in a majority of regions across the country. More than two-thirds of the French population, or around 46 million people, have been requested to stay home between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. for six weeks. On October 24, the National Assembly adopted at the first reading the extension of the state of health emergency until February 16, 2021. The bill authorizes the executive to introduce restrictions to face a "period which will be long and difficult", warned Health Minister Olivier Veran. The toll will "grow heavier in the coming days and weeks, whatever we do" due to the dynamics of the epidemic, he added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/ril-future-retail-stocks-under-pressure-after-singapore-arbitration-court-rules-in-favour-of-amazon/articleshow/78865963.cms">RIL, Future Retail stocks under pressure after Singapore arbitration court rules in favour of Amazon</a>

France reports new record high single-day Covid-19 cases

<ul><li>As of Friday morning, the total number of cases stood at 22,593,363 and the fatalities rose to 792,396, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update.</li><li>The US accounted for the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 5,573,501 and 173,114, respectively, according to the CSSE.</li></ul>The overall number of global coronavirus cases has topped 22.5 million, while the deaths have increased to over 792,000, according to the Johns Hopkins University. As of Friday morning, the total number of cases stood at 22,593,363 and the fatalities rose to 792,396, the University's Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) revealed in its latest update. The US accounted for the world's highest number of cases and deaths at 5,573,501 and 173,114, respectively, according to the CSSE. Brazil came in the second place with 3,501,975 infections and 112,304 deaths. In terms of cases, India ranks third (2,836,925), and is followed by Russia (939,833), South Africa (599,940), Peru (558,420), Mexico (543,806), Colombia (502,178), Chile (391,849), Spain (377,906), Iran (352,558), the UK (324,196), Argentina (320,884), Saudi Arabia (303,973), Pakistan (290,958), Bangladesh (287,959), France (256,534), Italy (256,118), Turkey (254,520), Germany (231,292), Iraq (192,797), Philippines (178,022), Indonesia (147,211), Canada (125,625), Qatar (116,224), Ecuador (105,508), Bolivia (105,050), Kazakhstan (103,815) and Ukraine (100,810), the CSSE figures showed. The other countries with over 10,000 deaths are the Mexico (59,106), India (53,866), UK (41,489), Italy (35,418), France (30,434), Spain (28,797), Peru (26,834), Iran (20,264), Russia (16,058), Colombia (15,979), South Africa (12,618) and Chile (10,671). SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/with-reliance-buying-netmeds-and-pharmeasy-merging-with-medlife-amazon-and-flipkart-are-in-for-a-tougher-competition-than-they-would-like/articleshow/77625512.cms">With Reliance buying Netmeds and PharmEasy merging with MedLife, Amazon and Flipkart are in for a tougher competition than they would like</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/a-car-size-asteroid-flew-within-1830-miles-of-earth-over-the-weekend-the-closest-pass-ever-and-we-didnt-see-it-coming/articleshow/77603002.cms">A car-size asteroid flew within 1,830 miles of Earth over the weekend — the closest pass ever — and we didn't see it coming</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/latest-job-openings-at-google-microsoft-jp-morgan-goldman-sachs-ericsson-amazon-adobe-zomato-for-software-engineers/slidelist/77585263.cms">Google, Microsoft, JP Morgan, Goldman Sachs, Ericsson and other companies hiring software engineers in India right now</a>

Global Covid-19 cases top 22.5 million, Johns Hopkins

New Delhi, Apr 5 () Equity market sentiment will continue to be driven by the trend in coronavirus cases globally as well as in India, analysts said, adding that indices may see high volatility in the holiday-shortened week ahead. Markets will be closed on Monday for 'Mahavir Jayanti' and on Friday for 'Good Friday'. "Going ahead, market would continue to be highly volatile and would track global markets along with the trend in coronavirus cases globally and locally. "However, it has corrected significantly, providing significant investment opportunity for the long term investors," said Siddhartha Khemka, Head - Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Ltd said. The number of Covid-19 cases in the country has neared the 3,000-mark, with the death toll rising to 68. The deadly virus has infected over a million people across the world, and killed more than 50,000. Fitch Ratings on Friday warned that India's 2020-21 GDP growth may stand at 2 per cent -- the slowest since the economy was liberalised 30 years back. It added that the global economy will fall into a deep recession in 2020, with growth print contracting by 1.9 per cent, pulled down by larger contractions in the US and the Euro zone. Concerns over a looming recession have kept investors on the edge. During the last week, the Sensex lost 2,224.64 points or 7.46 per cent. "The market trend will be driven by any signs of the virus infections peaking out in the worst affected countries. India's efforts to keep the infection under control have seen some success and some hurdles, and any news with regards to the lockdown being withdrawn, may be met with some positivity," Vinod Nair, Head of Research, Geojit Financial Services, said. On the macroeconomic front, PMI data for the services sector is due on Monday. "We believe the market trend will continue to remain challenging until the fresh cases start to decline. Though the defensive pack is playing saviour, the damage in other sectors is more severe and that would keep the markets under pressure ahead also," said Ajit Mishra, VP - Research, Religare Broking Ltd. Market participants would also track movement in Brent crude, rupee-dollar trend and investment pattern of overseas investors, analysts said. "Investors remain concerned on the accelerated rise in infections across the world and potential economic fallout of the same," according to Sanjeev Zarbade, VP PCG Research, Kotak Securities. SUM SHW ABMABM

Markets to track Covid-19 updates for further cues: Analysts

<ul><li> In a fight against the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> pandemic, new research adds to the growing body of evidence that vitamin D deficiency may raise the risk of getting novel <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword>. </li><li>Vitamin D is a hormone, produced in the skin during exposure to sunlight, and helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy.</li></ul> In a fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, new research adds to the growing body of evidence that vitamin D deficiency may raise the risk of getting novel coronavirus. Vitamin D is a hormone, produced in the skin during exposure to sunlight, and helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which are needed to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. In a retrospective study of patients tested for Covid-19, published in the journal JAMA Network Open, the researchers found an association between vitamin D deficiency and the likelihood of becoming infected with the coronavirus. "Vitamin D is important to the function of the immune system and vitamin D supplements have previously been shown to lower the risk of viral respiratory tract infections," said study lead author David Meltzer from the University of Chicago (UChicago) in the US. "Our statistical analysis suggests this may be true for the Covid-19 infection," Meltzer added. For the study, the research team looked at 489 UChicago Medicine patients whose vitamin D level was measured within a year before being tested for Covid-19. The findings showed that patients who had vitamin D deficiency, that was not treated, were almost twice as likely to test positive for the Covid-19 coronavirus compared to patients who had sufficient levels of the vitamin. "Half of Americans are deficient in Vitamin D, with much higher rates seen in African Americans, Hispanics and individuals living in areas like Chicago where it is difficult to get enough sun exposure in winter," the researchers wrote. "Understanding whether treating Vitamin D deficiency changes Covid-19 risk could be of great importance locally, nationally and globally," Meltzer said. Vitamin D is inexpensive, generally very safe to take, and can be widely scaled. The research team emphasized the importance of experimental studies to determine whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce the risk, and potential severity, of Covid-19. They also highlight the need for studies of what strategies for vitamin D supplementation may be most appropriate in specific populations. They have initiated several clinical trials at UChicago Medicine and with partners locally. Earlier, another study published in the journal FEBS, found that low levels of Vitamin D in the blood are associated with an increased risk of Covid-19 infection. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/pubg-ban-india-makes-chinese-company-tencent-loses-34-billion-in-2-days/articleshow/77924912.cms">Tencent loses nearly $34 billion since the PUBG ban in India — its second-largest valuation dip this year</a>

Vitamin D deficiency may raise risk of getting Covid-19

Nearly 4.5 million (44,49,552) beneficiaries have received COVID-19 vaccine shots in merely 19 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. India became the fastest country in the world to reach the 4 million COVID-19 vaccination mark, achieving this feat in 18 days. "Many other countries have had a head start of almost 65 days. India launched the countrywide COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16. The number of beneficiaries being vaccinated every day has also shown a progressive increase," the ministry said. In a span of 24 hours, 3,10,604 people were vaccinated across 8,041 sessions, it said, adding that 84,617 sessions have been conducted so far. India's COVID-19 active caseload has dropped to 1.55 lakh (1,55,025) and comprises just 1.44 per cent of the total infections. The day-on-day change in the number of active cases over the last few weeks depicts the consistent decline in active cases. India's Daily Positivity Rate is 1.82 per cent, as of today, it said. "India has maintained the daily positivity rate below 2 per cent in last few weeks (19 days)," the ministry said. The total recoveries have surged to 1,04,80,455. "The difference in new recoveries outnumbering new cases has also improved the recovery rate to 97.13 per cent. The total recovered cases are 67.6 times the active cases," the ministry highlighted. It said 86.04 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in six states and union territories. At 7,030, Maharashtra has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries while 6,380 people recovered in Kerala in a span of 24 hours followed by 533 in Tamil Nadu. The ministry said that 84.67 per cent of the new cases too are from six states and UTs. Kerala continues to report the highest daily new cases at 6,356. It is followed by Maharashtra with 2,992, while Tamil Nadu reported 514 new cases. Six states and UTs also account for 71.03 per cent of the new deaths. Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties at 30 followed by Kerala (20). West Bengal and Chhattisgarh reported 7 casualties each. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-will-transform-in-2021-as-india-pumps-big-money-to-draw-in-startups-for-the-second-space-age/articleshow/80683054.cms">ISRO will transform in 2021 as India pumps big money to draw in startups for the 'second space age'</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/news/new-citizenship-law-pulls-india-down-in-the-democracy-rankings-and-2021-is-not-looking-better/articleshow/80671194.cms">New citizenship law pulls India down in the democracy rankings — and 2021 is not looking better</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/bank-unions-strongly-oppose-divestment-bad-bank-and-fdi-in-insurance-with-threats-to-go-on-strike/articleshow/80668430.cms">Bank unions strongly oppose divestment, a bad bank and threaten to strike</a>

India has administered about 4.5 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in 19 days

The <keyword id="8624004" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</keyword> developed by teams at the University of Oxford has been shown to trigger a robust immune response in healthy adults aged 56-69 and those over 70 years of age. The findings published in 'Lancet' on Thursday based on 560 healthy adult volunteers shows that the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine is "safe and well tolerated" with a lower reactogenicity profile in older adults than in younger adults, meaning the older age groups could build immunity to the disease. "These findings are encouraging because older individuals are at disproportionate risk of severe COVID-19 and so any vaccine adopted for use against SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] must be effective in older adults," the researchers note. The team is also testing whether the vaccine stops people developing COVID-19 in larger Phase 3 trials and early results from this crucial stage are expected in the coming weeks. "We were pleased to see that our vaccine was not only well tolerated in older adults, but also stimulated similar immune responses to those seen in younger volunteers," said Dr Maheshi Ramasamy, an investigator at the Oxford Vaccine Group. "The next step will be to see if this translates into protection from the disease itself," she said. This means there are now four promising vaccines on the horizon after Pfizer-BioNTech, Sputnik and Moderna already reporting good preliminary data from Phase 3 trials. The UK has already ordered 100 million doses of the Oxford vaccine, being manufactured by pharma major AstraZeneca. The vaccine also has a tie-up with the Serum Institute of India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-ceo-delaportes-new-plan-could-allow-company-to-catch-up-to-to-tcs-infosys-hcl-tech-and-others/articleshow/79299467.cms">Wipro CEO Delaporte’s new plan could give the Indian IT services giant the edge it needs to catch up to its peers, according to analysts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/spicejet-shares-gain-over-15-after-american-air-regulator-gives-boeings-737-max-clearance/articleshow/79299146.cms">SpiceJet shares gain over 15% after FAA Boeing’s 737 Max clearance — DGCA says will take some time before making a decision</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/zomato-is-being-pulled-apart-in-a-polarised-india-for-pushing-advertising-money-to-backing-a-partisan-news-outfit/articleshow/79296969.cms">Zomato is being pulled apart in a polarised India⁠ for pushing advertising money to back a partisan news outfit</a>

Oxford University's COVID-19 vaccine shows safe results for senior citizens

<ul><li><keyword id="44612" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pfizer">Pfizer</keyword> and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective in those who haven’t been infected by coronavirus before. </li><li>This is higher than the efficacy target laid out by White House coronavirus advisor Anthony Fauci of 50% to 60%</li><li>At this level, the COVID-19 vaccine will give people protection within 28 days of the first dose, the latest trial shows.</li></ul>The COVID-19 vaccine being developed by the US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and German biotech firm BioNTech is getting closer to becoming a reality. The latest data from their late-stage vaccine trial shows that their COVID-19 vaccine is <a href="https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-vaccine-candidate-against">90% more effective</a> in preventing an infection if a person has never come in contact with it before. This means that those who get the vaccine will be protected within 28 days of the first dose — and there is only a two-dose schedule. This is far more effective than the threshold laid out by the White House coronavirus advisor Anthony Fauci, who has previously stated that a vaccine that is 50% to 60% effective would be acceptable. However, the efficacy of the final vaccine may vary as more results continue to pour in. “The first set of results from our Phase 3 COVID-19 vaccine trial provides the initial evidence of our vaccine’s ability to prevent COVID-19,” said Pfizer chairman and CEO <a href="https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-vaccine-candidate-against">Albert Bourla</a> in a statement. The current findings are based on an interim analysis conducted after 94 participants contracted the virus and will continue until 164 cases have occurred. If the data holds up, it could mean a milestone for the world, which has been scrambling to find a cure for COVID-19 for nearly a year now. Current projections forecast that Pfizer and BioTech are poised to produce up to 50 million doses of their vaccine in 2020, and another 1.3 billion in 2021. The complete data from the phase 3 trial, which kicked off back in July, will be submitted for scientific peer-review and subsequent submission. After they have two months of data has been compiled, which is currently on track for the third week of November, the companies plan to submit for emergency use authorization to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration soon SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/apple-has-frozen-any-new-business-deals-with-primary-iphone-manufacturer-in-china-pegatron-due-to-labour-abuse-allegations/articleshow/79129137.cms">Apple’s new 5G iPhones could reportedly be manufactured by a company within Mainland China for the very first time</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/pubg-mobile-could-return-to-india-riding-on-microsofts-azure-cloud-service/articleshow/79127963.cms">PUBG Mobile could return to India riding on Microsoft’s Azure cloud service</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/top-cyber-espionage-groups-that-have-india-in-their-crosshairs/slidelist/79120867.cms">Top cyber espionage groups that have India in their crosshairs</a>

You Searched For "Covid 19 updates" and got 8 results

Air pollution ups COVID-19 deaths by 15% worldwide, claims study

IANS

France reports new record high single-day Covid-19 cases

IANS

Global Covid-19 cases top 22.5 million, Johns Hopkins

IANS

Markets to track Covid-19 updates for further cues: Analysts

PTI

Vitamin D deficiency may raise risk of getting Covid-19

IANS

India has administered about 4.5 million COVID-19 vaccine shots in 19 days

PTI

Oxford University's COVID-19 vaccine shows safe results for senior citizens

PTI

Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine is 90% effective in preventing coronavirus in those who haven’t been infected ever before, shows data from latest trials

Prabhjote Gill

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