Covid-19 Update: India sees 3,615 new infections, active cases further decline

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The World Bank on Thursday (6) announced that debt restructuring and the implementation of a deep reform program are critical for Sri Lanka’s economic stabilization.Sri Lanka’s real GDP is expected to fall by 9.2 percent this year and a further 4.2 percent in 2023, said the World Bank in its twice-a-year update, underscoring the need for Sri Lanka to build resilience.Beset with Sri Lanka’s economic crisis, Pakistan’s catastrophic floods, a global slowdown, and impacts of the war in Ukraine, South Asia faces an unprecedented combination of shocks on top of the lingering scars of the COVID-19 pandemic, said the World Bank in a statement titled "Unprecedented Shocks Rattle South Asia, Exacerbating Challenges and Dampening Growth."“Protecting the vulnerable is critical as Sri Lanka fast tracks deep reforms to navigate the deepening economic crisis.The crisis calls for immediate action to protect the poorest and most in need while also focusing on strengthening the social protection system,” said Faris H. Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Maldives, Nepal and Sri Lanka. “In the face of the economic crisis, poverty estimates doubled to 25.6 percent between 2021 and 2022, increasing the number of people living in poverty by 2.7 million.

PHILADELPHIA - As city and community leaders try to find ways to protect kids from the gun violence crisis, a new program at several Philadelphia schools aims to keep students safe after the final bell rings.The folks in the blue vests outside West Philadelphia High School are community members paid to monitor dismissal, as part of the "Safe Path" program just instituted this year at eight Philly schools. The goal is to help reduce violence and make sure kids get home safely.

Abbey Clancy has shown off the spectacular results of her new health regime in a series of social media posts. The model, 36, has reportedly started daily Pilates sessions followed by a regular collagen drink to keep herself in shape and retain her glowing complexion.

WASHINGTON - President Joe Biden said Thursday that the risk of nuclear "Armageddon" is at the highest level since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis, as Russian officials speak of the possibility of using tactical nuclear weapons after suffering massive setbacks in the eight-month invasion of Ukraine.Speaking at a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, Biden said Russian President Vladimir Putin was "a guy I know fairly well" and the Russian leader was "not joking when he talks about the use of tactical nuclear weapons or biological or chemical weapons."Biden added, "We have not faced the prospect of Armageddon since Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis." He suggested the threat from Putin is real "because his military is — you might say — significantly underperforming."Marine One carrying US President Joe Biden lands at the Wall Street landing zone in New York on Oct. 6, 2022.

Charlie Hunnam is in the midst of promoting his new Apple TV+ series “Shantaram”, which he filmed on location in India.

NEW YORK (AP) - Amazon will hire 150,000 full-time, part-time and seasonal employees across its warehouses ahead of the holiday season.The announcement, made Thursday, shows the e-commerce behemoth is taking a less conservative approach to its holiday planning than Walmart, which said last month it would hire 40,000 U.S. workers for the holidays, compared to 150,000 in 2021.Amazon, which typically beefs up its operations during the holidays, was looking for the same number of seasonal employees last year.

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 20: Full moon also known as "Hunter's Moon" rises behind the Brooklyn Bridge in New York City, as seen from Jersey City of New Jersey in United States on October 21, 2021. (Photo by Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images LOS ANGELES - Yes, it's that time of year again.

Infection with a pre-Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant offered 35.5% protection against symptomatic Omicron BA.4 or BA.5 reinfection, while an Omicron infection was 76.2% protective, according to a Qatari test-negative, case-control study published yesterday in a letter to the New England Journal of Medicine.

Kate Garraway has had the nation in tears with her regular updates about the condition of her husband.Derek Draper had an unusually severe form of long Covid which nearly cost him his life.Coronavirus ravaged the former Labour Party adviser’s body from top to bottom, causing brain inflammation, kidney failure, damage to his liver and pancreas and his heart to stop several times. He lost eight stone and was left with holes in his lungs from repeat infections.The 55-year-old did manage to return to the north London home he shares with his radio presenter partner and their two children but requires round-the-clock care.Even two-and-a-half years on from first contracting the virus, his wife — who is on ITV's DNA Journey to learn about her family history on Thursday (October 6) — said he still struggles to communicate.Derek Draper is a PR and former political advisor who was born in Chorley, Lancashire, on August 15, 1967.Draper entered politics after university, securing a job in 1992 with Peter Mandelson, then MP for Hartlepool and a central player in Tony Blair’s New Labour government.He later shifted to head up a lobbying firm called GPC Market Access between 1996 and 1999.While working there, he was embroiled in a scandal known as “lobbygate”.Draper was caught on tape boasting to an undercover reporter from The Observer, posing as a businessman, offering to sell access to government ministers.He denied the allegations and accused the newspaper of attempting to entrap him.The incident saw Draper leave politics to retrain as a psychotherapist, studying for a masters in the US.In 2008, Draper made a return to British politics and a year later set-up the website LabourList, a blog that focused on Labour Party news.

EastEnders star Samantha Womack has shared a health update with fans after her breast cancer diagnosis.The 49-year-old actress, who played Ronnie Mitchell in the BBC soap, logged into her Instagram on Thursday (October 6) to thank her 87,000 followers for their support.She announced her news to the world in August as she shared a touching tribute to late Grease star Olivia Newton-John, who passed away from breast cancer.READ MORE: EastEnders' Samantha Womack reveals she has cancer as she pays tribute to late starChatting to the camera, Samatha explained: "Hey, I just want to say thank you to everyone who has been sending me love after I shared my story about battling breast cancer."So, just to tell you, I’ve had my operation, I had a lumpectomy and lymph node removal and I am now going to start my first session of chemotherapy tomorrow."She concluded: "I have read all your stories and messages, they’ve blown me away, genuinely. "I just wanted to say thank you, I am very humbled by the fact that everyone has reached out and yea so, I’ll keep you posted."Just a huge thank you, sending you all lots of love."In addition to her fans, Samantha's famous friends rushed to the comments to extend their support.Ex-EastEnders actress Tamzin Outhwaite wrote: "Oh darling.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has tested positive for COVID-19.

Are 4th COVID-19 doses needed amid Omicron spread? Experts weigh in As of Oct. 4, there were 46 people in hospital with COVID-19, four of whom are in intensive care.

Chelsea star has been open about her health struggles after she and Ryan Libbey welcomed their son Leo last year. Louise had shared a photo of a nasty rash on her face, saying she felt like her immune system was ‘attacking her’. Posting an update on Instagram, she said: ‘Thanks for all your kind messages yesterday.

COVID-19 vaccination appointment, often parents looking on behalf of their young children, and finding nothing, sometimes in the entire city of Toronto. That’s despite assurances from authorities that there is actually wide availability.In response to initial questions last week from The Canadian Press, a spokesperson for Health Minister Sylvia Jones said, “there have been no reported problems.”When pressed again earlier this week, Hannah Jensen acknowledged there was a problem.

FILE - A person works out on a Peloton high-tech stationary bike in his apartment on May 18, 2020, in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) NEW YORK - Peloton is looking to trim hundreds of jobs as the company continues to reorganize its business which has stalled as the coronavirus-related surge fades.The maker of high-end exercise equipment plans to cut approximately 500 jobs or about 12% of its workforce."A key aspect of Peloton’s transformation journey is optimizing efficiencies and implementing cost savings to simplify our business and achieve break-even cash flow by the end of our fiscal year," a company spokesperson said in a statement.Peloton Interactive Inc.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Detectives with the New Castle Division of Police Case Squad have released new surveillance video in an effort to solve a homicide from 2015. Police say the deadly shooting of Kelvin Powers took place on February 11, 2015, at 6:55 p.m. Officers were dispatched to Amstel Drive, part of the William Penn Village Apartments, after receiving reports of a shooting. Investigators say Powers' girlfriend was leaving the apartment with her young son when she was confronted by two armed suspects wearing masks.

Hilary Swank has a lot to be excited about.

Smokers have a 12% increased risk of a laboratory-confirmed viral infection and a 48% increased risk of being diagnosed with respiratory illnesses Cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of viral infection, including coronavirus and respiratory illness. Providing detailed data, the researchers said that smokers have a 12% increased risk of a laboratory-confirmed viral infection and a 48% increased risk of being diagnosed with respiratory illnesses.  The research has been published in the Nicotine and Tobacco Research journal "Past research has shown that smoking increases the risk of COVID-19 disease severity, but the risk of infection had been less clear," said study lead author Melanie Dove from University of California (UC) - Davis.

Mulayam Singh ji is still critical and on life saving drugs, he is being treated in the ICU Medanta hospital, Gurugram, by a comprehensive team of specialists." Samajwadi Party patriarch has been under treatment since August 22 for his regular medical checkups and examinations. On Sunday suddenly his health deteriorated after which he was shifted to ICU in Medanta Hospital. Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav and enquired about his father Mulayam Singh Yadav's health, said sources.

World Health Organisation (WHO) and other experts have categorically stated that ‘COVID is here to stay’. And even though many of us have already been infected with the virus, reinfection cases are on the rise again. And the winter is a crucial time, as apart from COVID, many also contract flu and other pathogens, and for some, it can be critical.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe told Parliament on Thursday (6) that he hopes to visit New Delhi to brief Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sri Lanka's postion.However, he did not specify when he would fly to India in his special statement to the Parliament.Noting that Sri Lanka is slowly reaching stability, the President said that a majority in Sri Lanka support the efforts that have been made, while there are some who are against it."They will not support the recovery of an ailing economy, and are waiting for the economy to breathe its last. They believe that when the people start to die in hunger, they can obtain power over the dead.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.

States have been asked to continue monitoring incoming international travelers, undertake constant genome sequencing and step-up vaccination. NEW DELHI: India reported 2,529 fresh covid cases in the last 24 hours, with active caseload at 32,282 , the Union health ministry said on Thursday.

prostate cancer for the past 19 years.“It hasn’t had a big impact on the way I live my life,” he said. “My wife has periodically said to me, ‘I can hardly believe you’re sick.'” Moncton photographer donates his work, aims to raise awareness for prostate cancer But he is sick, and according to his latest prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test, his PSA count — an indicator of prostate cancer — is increasing.“I think it’s only in the last six or eight months that it’s jumped a bit, and now it’s jumping again,” Carson said.His enlarged prostate was first detected back in 2003, and he subsequently had a prostatectomy, a procedure to remove part or all of the prostate gland.

mask mandate after 30 September were divided; some believed the government should have waited another two months for the holiday season to pass, while others believed people should be allowed to self-regulate. Following the meeting held on 22 September, DDMA also issued a notice revoking the ₹500 fine on not wearing masks is expected to be issued by the health department soon.

A health expert has warned that 'powering through' a Covid-19 infection will do you no favours.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The Tourist Fuel Pass, Pre Paid Card system was launched yesterday (5).This will enable the tourist to use a USD Pre Paid Card to Purchase Fuel at 300+ Fuel Stations across the country. The card will be available at Airport Dialog & Sampath Bank Counters & can be topped up at Sampath Bank Branches.Further, Minister of Subject Kanchana Wijesekara thanked the development partners, CPC, LIOC & Ministry of Tourism & Lands, and several other IT institutions for assisting in implementing the Tourist Fuel Pass Pre Paid Card System.

NORTH PHILADELPHIA - North Philadelphia glowing bright Wednesday night, with the lights of police cars lining the street outside Shriners Hospital for Children, just to put a smile on the young patients’ faces. The Wednesday evening event also holds special meaning for both the children and officers.Philadelphia police from every district rushed to North Philly, while Broad Street completely shut down. A tactical helicopter flew overhead.But, the police presence had nothing to do with crime.Scores of Philly cops of all ranks stopped by to say good night and give a friendly wave to the patients recovering inside the hospital."Giving them a glimmer of hope, if you will and an opportunity to see that people care for them and care about them," Philadelphia Police Deputy Commissioner John Stanford said.From the street the smiles, waves and blinking smartphone lights coming right back from patients and staff inside were plainly visible."Just to brighten one day, out of everything these children go through," Philadelphia Police Sgt.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Today is day two of the 6th edition of the Gammadda Door to Door program, which was launched to gather scientific data on the issues faced by average Sri Lankans, analyse them and propose sustainable solutions thereafter. On Thursday (6) Gammadda teams will visit rural Sri Lankan villages in Jaffna, Matale, and the Kalutara District.The University of Peradeniya has joined hands with Gammadda similar to previous years to make this initiative a success. The primary task of this year's campaign is to comprehend the ground reality faced by Sri Lankans across the island owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and the economic crisis that ensued thereafter. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Alberta jump to nearly 1,000 The clinician added people of any age taking medication for medical conditions, the very young and the under-vaccinated are at risk of severe disease.Less than a month into the new school year, dozens of schools have been placed on respiratory illness outbreaks and 2022 has seen children hospitalized by COVID at a higher rate than the two previous years of the ongoing pandemic.Saxinger said recent exposure to the virus via booster shot or infection reduces the likelihood of severe disease, hospitalization or death.“But of course, that doesn’t mean that a non-severe illness is a walk in the park,” she said, adding getting a booster shot days before attending a dinner can still help with individual protection.Saxinger said anyone with cold- or flu-like symptoms should avoid social gatherings. And getting a COVID-positive result in a rapid test can confirm if someone is contagious with COVID-19.“If they have symptoms and they test COVID-negative, I don’t necessarily think that that’s as reassuring as people might imagine it is.

Students at the University of North Carolina can continue their lawsuit seeking monetary damages for fees they paid before in-person fall 2020 classes were canceled due to COVID-19, a state appeals court ruled. A three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals decided on Tuesday that a trial judge correctly last year refused to dismiss litigation filed by two students against the UNC Board of Governors.The students — Landry Kuehn at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Joseph Lannan at North Carolina State University — also sued on behalf of other students at the two schools who paid similar fees.

Accused Waukesha, Wisconsin, parade killer Darrell Brooks said Wednesday that he is "afraid as hell" of possibly contracting COVID-19 and requested an adjournment during his continued pretrial hearing, in which he is representing himself. "When I was brought in there and they told me they had to test me for COVID, I was immediately, like, what do you mean you have to test me for this? … Immediately, in my head, I started to get afraid that they even had to test for COVID," Brooks said during his hearing livestreamed by FOX 6 Milwaukee of receiving a COVID-19 test in prison.

WAUKESHA, Wis. - Darrell Brooks requested an adjournment of his trial in the Waukesha Christmas parade attack Wednesday, Oct. 5, telling the court he believes he has COVID and needs to wait until at least Friday for test results to come back.

COVID-19 has produced multiple mutations as it spread across the world.Many of those variants did not become dominant, but few did including Alpha, Delta and Omicron. Those mutations caught the attention of global health researchers when they emerged, and now another is catching their eye: BQ.1.1.

Steve Burns during "Blue's Big Musical Movie" Premiere at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by SGranitz/WireImage) (Credit: Paramound) The upcoming "Blue’s Clues" film dropped a big clue about the movie when the beloved original show host, Steve Burns, appeared in the recenlty-released trailer. "Blue’s Big City Adventure" is set to be released for streaming on November 18 exclusively on Paramount+.The movie, which started production over the summer, follows Josh, played by Josh Dela Cruz, and Blue as they travel to New York City to audition for a Broadway musical. RELATED: Hilary Swank announces she's pregnant: 'Not just of 1, but 2'"When Josh gets the opportunity of a lifetime to audition for Rainbow Puppy’s Broadway musical, Josh and Blue skidoo to NYC for the very first time where they meet new friends and discover the magic of music, dance, and following one’s dreams! " Paramount said on its YouTube channel. Burns then appears to join the cast later in the movie. "Blue’s Clues" originally debuted on Sept.

Complex state COVID-19 vaccine eligibility guidelines lead to confusion about eligibility and may contribute to low uptake, according to a population-based study of US adults published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.

Nia Long is prioritizing her mental health.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 25: A New York University (NYU) flag flies outside a Covid-19 test tent outside of the NYU business school on August 25, 2020 in New York City. All students arriving back to the campus are required to get tested for the vi NEW YORK - Maitland Jones Jr., a chemistry professor at New York University who also taught for four decades at Princeton, was fired in August after undergraduate students circulated a petition complaining that his course was too difficult. Dozens of the college students, many of them aspiring doctors, signed on to the petition in the spring. "We are very concerned about our scores, and find that they are not an accurate reflection of the time and effort put into this class," the petition read, according to the New York Times. "We urge you to realize… that a class with such a high percentage of withdrawals and low grades has failed to make students’ learning and well-being a priority and reflects poorly on the chemistry department as well as the institution as a whole."Jones, 84, told the New York Times that he started seeing a loss of focus among students about a decade ago, but the problem was exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. "They weren’t coming to class, that’s for sure, because I can count the house," Jones told the newspaper.

Another wave of Covid-19 is set to hit Northern Ireland, chief scientific adviser Professor Ian Young has said.

Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit have declared a COVID-19 outbreak in the health centre’s transitional care unit.“The health and safety of staff, physicians, patients and our community remains our top priority and we are working closely with the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit and our Infection Prevention and Control and Occupational Health to conduct a full contact tracing investigation to determine any risk to other patients and TEAM RVH on the unit,” says Gail Hunt, RVH president and CEO.The health centre says four patients have tested positive for COVID-19 in the unit as of Tuesday. COVID-19 — Outbreak declared at RVH adult mental health unit in Barrie, Ont.

fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the film set of "Rust," Alec Baldwin has reached a settlement in the wrongful death lawsuit filed by Hutchins’ family, according to reports. Hutchins’ family had filed a wrongful death lawsuit on Feb. 15 over the shooting on Oct.

With the onset of winter, COVID cases are on the rise in the United Kingdom and other European countries. This hints toward a fresh wave of infection in the coming days.

PHILADELPHIA - Police have released new surveillance video and images of suspects wanted in connection with a deadly ambush shooting near Roxborough High School last week. The shooting left one teenager dead and four others injured on the 300 block of Fairway Terrance on the afternoon of September 27. Police say responding officers found four teens, including two 14-year-olds, suffering from gunshot wounds. One 14-year-old was grazed and treated at the scene.

NEW CASTLE, Del. - A large fight erupted at a high school football game last month that ended with four girls being detained and criminally charged.On Tuesday, police released new body cam footage and 911 from the night of the fight outside a football game at Brandywine High School in New Castle on September 16.911 calls captured the chaos of the night, with one caller telling dispatch, "There's fighting everywhere, everywhere, all four corners of the field."Screams could be heard in the background as he told 911 to get police on site "immediately."Body cam footage then showed the moments four different officers responded to the fight.MORE HEADLINES:Officers could be seen trying to break up a fight that broke out involving multiple girls as crowds of people surrounded them.Police say one of the girls nearly struck a female officer, who then pulled the girl to the ground.Four girls were seen being detained at the scene.

The Internal Revenue Service headquarters building appeared to be mostly empty April 27, 2020 in the Federal Triangle section of Washington, D.C. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Time is running out for the millions of Americans who requested a tax deadline extension earlier this year to file their 2021 income returns without a financial penalty. The roughly 19 million taxpayers who asked for an extension earlier this year now face an Oct.

PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Police Department has released new surveillance images showing the suspects wanted in a deadly ambush near Roxborough High School last week. This comes one day after police released the name and image of a teenage suspect wanted in connection with the deadly shooting, which left one football player dead and four other teens injured on the 300 block of Fairway Terrace on the afternoon of September 27. PREVIOUS: Teen wanted for murder in deadly ambush shooting near Roxborough High School, police sayPolice say they found four teens, including two 14-year-olds, suffering from gunshot wounds. One 14-year-old had a graze wound and was treated at the scene. The second 14-year-old, identified as Nicolas Elizalde, was struck in the chest.