#Worrying variant: Against the backdrop of the new variant reported from South Africa, the Centre has called for rigorous screening and testing of international travellers from “at risk” countries including Botswana and Hong Kong.

Covid-19: New strain reported from Africa; India brings in stringent screening on travellers from “at risk” countries

#Europe caution: Significantly, this comes even as the Maharashtra State Cabinet expressed concern over the rising number of Covid-19 patients in Europe and discussed steps to curb the number of cases in Maharashtra.

Covid-19: Maharashtra Cabinet concerned about rising number of patients in Europe

# Risk of death: Data in Tamil Nadu showed that risk of death from Covid was 3.5 times higher for those unvaccinated, compared with those vaccinated. This should help convince the common man of the need to be vaccinated at the earliest, Health Secretary Radhakrishnan told district collectors and the Greater Chennai Corporation Collector.

‘Risk of Covid death 3.5 times higher among unvaccinated in TN’

# Gearing up for zoonotic diseases: The emergence of zoonotic diseases has increased significantly, raising public health, economic, societal and environmental concerns. This has been exacerbated by the emergence of zoonotic pathogen like SARS-CoV-2 in human beings, which resulted in Covid-19. BusinessLine talks toAtul Chaturvedi, Secretary, Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, zoonotic diseases and how India is gearing up to deal with such outbreaks.

‘India gearing up to control zoonotic pathogens at their animal source to prevent Covid-like outbreaks’

# Nasal spray rush: ITC Ltd has begun clinical trials on a nasal spray for Covid-19 prevention. It joins others like Cipla and Glenmark, already in the category or close to launch.

ITC starts clinical trial on anti-Covid nasal spray

#Money for vaccines: The Asian Development Bank (ADB), on Thursday, approved a $1.5-billion loan to India to help the government purchase safe and effective vaccines against Covid.

ADB approves $1.5-bn loan for Covid vaccines in India

# Vaccine export: India is willing to supply Covishield and Covaxin to other countries, the Health Minister told ambassadors of Latin American and Caribbean Nations.

‘India willing to supply Covid vaccines globally’

#Maharashtra open for kids: After rounds of discussions with the State-appointed Paediatric Task Force, the Maharashtra State cabinet announced to re-open schools for standard 1 to 4 in rural areas and standard 1 to 7 in urban areas from December 1.

Maharashtra to reopen offline classes for primary schools from Dec. 1

# France opts for boosters: France has launched a plan to give Covid-19 booster shots to all adults, as it opted against a further lockdown or curfew to help combat a worrying uptick in infections in the country.

France opts for 3rd vaccine shots, not lockdown, to fight new wave

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