World's first covid human challenge trial found to be safe in young adults

Train services are set to increase again as ScotRail recovers from staff shortages following a Covid surge over the festive period.

pic.twitter.com/z0E38qiXTP

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemanth Herath has slammed the organizing of mass gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the island.‘This is not something that needs to be said over again.

Truckers paralysing the Canadian capital in anger at Covid rules show no sign of backing down, as several of the nation's provinces announced it was time to roll back restrictions that count among the world's toughest.

First nasal spray for covid-19 treatment in India: For the treatment of adult patients suffering from Covid-19, pharma company Glenmark has launched Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (FabiSpray) in India. The nasal spray was launched by the pharma company in partnership with SaNOtize. "Phase 3 trial in India met the key endpoints and demonstrated reduction of viral load of 94 per cent in 24 hours and 99 per cent in 48 hours. Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) was safe and well-tolerated in COVID-19 patients. Glenmark to market NONS under the brand name FabiSpray," the company said in a statement.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

ladies tights such as pantyhose on your face could reduce the risk of getting Covid, more so than masks.A major risk identified with commonly worn face masks is that they do not fit tightly enough to block viral particles from being inhaled or exhaled significantly.Cambridge University researchers have tested seven hacks to improve the fit of masks.Their new study outlined DIY hacks people have used to make masks fit better, including using rubber bands or tape.They found the most effective tactic was to wrap pantyhose around the bottom half of the face or on top of a mask.Researchers have said that this could reduce the number of viral particles by up to seven times more than a loose mask on its own by sealing the gaps around the nose and mouth.They raised that the social and physical impact of wearing tights on your face in public was "unlikely to be tolerated for an extended period of time".Tight-fitting medical masks are great at blocking out the virus, but many describe them as uncomfortable.The study raised that the most common surgical or cloth masks are far less resistant to Covid.Cambridge researchers recruited four volunteers to try seven different mask hacks - the study looked at both surgical and KN95 masks.Other methods included tying the ear bands to make the masks fit more tightly or stuffing the gaps with bandages.Participants did seven minutes of various exercises designed to mimic real-world interactions such as talking, smiling, nodding and eating.The researchers measured how well the masks fit by monitoring the filtration efficiency and calculating a 'fit factor' score.Pantyhose and cloth tape were most effective, increasing the fit factor by 27.7 and 14.7.Surgical masks performed better if worn in

Epik High frontman Tablo has tested positive for COVID-19.OURS, Epik High’s management agency, confirmed the news through a press statement released earlier today (February 9).“Tablo experienced minor symptoms on February 3 and underwent PCR testing, and his results came back negative the next day (January 4),” the agency said, as translated by Soompi. “However, he voluntarily got tested again on February 8, and his results came back positive this morning.”The statement also noted that the rest of Epik High and staff members who were recently in contact with Tablo underwent rapid antigen testing following the hip-hop artist’s diagnosis.

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament today, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced the province’s public health restrictions will now be lifting, while a blockade of protesters demanding an end to mandates resumes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Coutts. Heather Yourex-West looks at the province’s plan, and whether it will be enough to satiate demonstrators.

Director Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker joins Global News’ Linda Olsen to discuss how she is using her experiences growing up Black in Calgary and how that has inspired her art.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to press hard on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. But Quebec Liberal MP Joël Lightbound is challenging his own government’s strategy, demanding Trudeau to stop driving up divisions and deliver a roadmap to end public health mandates.

China enacted a similar traffic light change after one case was detected in November, only to repeal it amid outcry on social media. 

COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight In a letter to school authorities, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange outlined the impact that relaxing COVID-19 restrictions will have on schools and students.“I have been encouraged to see a downward trend in the number of Alberta schools shifted to at-home learning over the last few weeks,” she said.“At the peak of the fifth wave, there were 29 schools that were shifted to at-home learning, and today, only seven of the over 2,500-plus schools in our province remain learning at home.”Please see my letter to school authorities below: pic.twitter.com/Z3sph78dDv— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) February 9, 2022LaGrange said the masking requirement that will be removed effective Feb. 14 will apply to any students in schools or on school buses.

₹808 crore to families of 1,616 deceased healthcare workers from 33 states and UTs, who were involved in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

PHILADELPHIA - As a winter surge of COVID-19 cases brought on by the highly-infectious Omicron variant continues to recede, some states have set a deadline for lifting mask mandates in schools. While the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stood by its recommendation for students to wear masks in school, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said this week that individual districts will have the power to set mask rules after Mar.

COVID-19 who have high risk of progression of the disease. 

Mumbai will be unlocked by the end of February, mayor Kishori Pednekar said on Tuesday, according to news agency ANI. "We have made up our minds," she also said, while stressing not to show laxity in adherence to Covid protocol. "It is essential for the people to wear masks and observe social distancing," Pednekar also said.

announced plans to lift COVID-19 restrictions in phases on Tuesday. COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight “It’s time for us to learn to live with COVID-19,” he said at a press conference, listing the challenges of the pandemic: disrupting livelihoods, dividing people and hurting mental health.“It’s time to let kids be kids.”Kenney said the restrictions exemption program has “outlived its useful purpose,” announcing that after Feb.

Alberta’s COVID-19 vaccine passport program will cease to exist when the clock strikes midnight on Feb. 9, and almost all public health restrictions will be lifted March 1 if the situation in hospitals continues to improve, Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday.

Murderer Wayne Couzens has been placed in isolation after catching Covid in prison. The rapist cop who served as an officer for the Metropolitan Police force is currently serving a full life sentence for the murder of Sarah Everard.The 48-year-old is said to have caught the virus while serving time in HMP Frankland in Durham, with reports stating he is "seriously ill".Wayne is one of less than 20 prisoners in the Durham jail who have contracted Covid.It's been reported that a section of the prison has been closed off to stop the spread of the virus, with food and drink being left at the foot of the door of Wayne's isolated cell.A source told The Sun: "People have been talking about karma, but it looks like he will be OK.

Premier Jason Kenney says Alberta’s vaccine passport will end almost Tuesday at midnight and most other big COVID-19 health rules will be gone in three weeks from now. Dan Grummett, Tom Vernon and Morgan Black have team coverage on what is happening, how the health-care system is doing and how Albertans feel about the changes.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney responds to a question about municipalities and the provincial governments being on the same page when it comes to COVID-19 policy.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney says businesses who want to continue to use the Alberta COVID-19 vaccination QR code are allowed to do so as long as they are issued.

Premier Jason Kenney says the Restriction Exemption Program has been “extremely tough” on businesses in rural Alberta with low COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Premier Jason Kenney announces the final two steps in relaxing COVID-19 restrictions in Alberta based on hospitalizations.

Alberta Health Minister Jason Copping announces expanded eligibility for youth to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Global’s Keith Baldrey looks at what COVID-19 trends B.C. officials will take into account, when deciding on which restrictions to ease.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

Pfizer will spend all that Covid cash.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe announced on Tuesday that public health orders will be coming to an end in the province.Moe said on Feb. 8, 2022, that the requirement to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for businesses, workplaces and other public venues will end on Feb.

World leaders will today launch a call to end the pandemic as a global emergency in 2022 by funding the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator, a partnership of leading agencies that is providing low and middle-income countries with tests, treatments, vaccines, and personal protective equipment.With a significant proportion of the global population still unable to get vaccinated, tested or treated, US$ 16 billion in grant funding is urgently required from governments to fund the work of the ACT-Accelerator agencies. This investment will allow them to procure essential tools to fight COVID-19 and provide them to low- and middle-income countries. The ACT-Accelerator is calling for the support of higher income countries, at a time when vast global disparities in access to COVID-19 tools persist. Over 4.7 billion COVID-19 tests have been administered globally since the

Premier Francois Legault has outlined deconfinement plans for the next 4 weeks, as COVID-19 hospitalizations in the province continue to drop. As of March 14, most measures will have been lifted, leaving only mask mandates and vaccination passport requirements.

Across the country, states are once again beginning to loosen or do away with mask mandates in schools and indoor spaces as COVID-19 cases continue to drop from the Omicron surge.

Nadia Sawalha has revealed she’s tested positive for Covid-19 and says she’s “completely” lost her taste and smell.The Loose Women star, 57, shared the news on Instagram and asked fans for advice on how she could get her senses back, as she posted a selfie with two tissues hanging from her nose. Alongside the photo, Nadia wrote: “HELP ! Advice !? Having tested positive. I’ve completely lost my taste and smell ?! “I’m a cook ! Major problem.

COVID-19 and end mandates by establishing a clear path forward with set calendar dates.That’s one of their five calls to the province in the letter, which is not signed with any individual’s names.

Phillip Schofield has confirmed he’s finally out of isolation after testing negative twice for Covid.The presenter, 59, has been absent from his presenting duties on This Morning and Dancing On Ice after testing positive for coronavirus at the end of January and previously admitted he was “bored out of his brain” after isolating for a week. However, his luck seems to have now changed – on Monday afternoon he posted a negative lateral flow test, followed by another negative test today, meaning he could leave isolation. Sharing a photo of his negative test on Tuesday, Phillip wrote: “It's official!!! 2 days negative...

Liberal MP Joël Lightbound on Tuesday called on his government to provide a clear roadmap out of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related public health restrictions, saying Canadians are worried they can not tell where public health ends and politics begin.

COVID-19-related death, although the number of patients in area hospitals with the virus did rise on Tuesday.A new death had been reported each weekday since Jan. 20 prior to Tuesday’s update.

Asked about Liberal MP Joel Lightbound’s comments against COVID-19 mandates during Tuesday’s session of question period in the House of Commons, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos made it clear that lockdowns and many COVID-19 vaccine mandates are within provincial jurisdiction.

City of Saskatoon is reducing its COVID-19 safeguards despite having some of the highest numbers of hospitalizations the city has seen.Saskatoon city council, in a special session on Tuesday morning, voted to stop requiring proof of vaccination against COVID-19, or recent negative tests for the disease, for people entering city facilities when the provincial government rescinds the public health order to that effect.Councillors also voted to keep requiring visitors to wear a mask in city buildings and on public transit even after the province no longer requires it. Saskatchewan moves to end COVID-19 public health orders The administration told councillors it recommended removing the proof of vaccination and of a recent negative test because it legally relies on the province to implement them.“It would be very challenging to continue proof of vaccination without the public health order in place,” emergency planning director Pamela Goulden-McLeod stated.Requiring masking, city solicitor Cindy Yelland said, is less invasive and therefore more defensible, compared with requiring proof of vaccination.City manager Jeff Jorgenson said the city would be in a more contentious situation were it to keep requiring COVID-19 restrictions when the province didn’t.

COVID-19.“Due to staff shortages as a result of Omicron, effective Mon. Feb. 14, ION LRT service will be reduced to every 15 minutes,” the agency said on Twitter.

Image of one of the stuffed animals from Build-A-Bear's new "after dark" collection. (Courtesy Build-A-Bear after dark collection V Image of one of the stuffed animals from Build-A-Bear's new "after dark" collection.

Pregnant COVID-19 patients are about 40% more likely to develop serious complications or die than their uninfected peers, suggests a study led by University of Utah Health researchers published yesterday in JAMA.

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported two deaths and 70 COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, compared with five deaths and 90 cases a week ago.The deaths reported Tuesday involved a woman in her 70s associated with a long-term care home and a man in his 80s with no association with long-term care or retirement homes.LHSC is caring for 119 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 119 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care. Last Tuesday, there were 149 COVID-19 inpatients with 28 in adult ICUs.

the COVID-19 pandemic and calling on the federal government to “stop dividing Canadians” and to provide a clear plan for when it will lift vaccine mandates.During a Tuesday morning press conference, Lightbound called for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal government to “stop dividing Canadians.”“I can’t help but notice with regret that both the tone and the policies of my government changed drastically on the eve and during the last election campaign.” Trucker convoy protest ‘has to stop,’ Justin Trudeau says Most recently, Trudeau has been outspoken in condemning the behaviour of a so-called “Freedom Convoy” of protestors that has taken over much of downtown Ottawa.Speaking in a press conference Monday, Trudeau said Canadians have watched the protestors “in disgust and disbelief,” wondering “how this could have happened in our nation’s capital after everything we’ve been through together.”However, his comments have prompted some — including interim Conservative leader Candice Bergen — to accuse him of sowing “division” by “overtly politicizing vaccines and the pandemic” and “calling these Canadians names.”Now, Lightbound is slamming the government for causing what he characterized as worsening divisions among Canadians — and he’s calling on the Liberals to make a number of changes.He said they should provide a “clear and measurable benchmark” for when public health measures will be lifted.

COVID-19: Quebec reports 56 more deaths, another drop in hospitalizations Also beginning Saturday, restaurants will be able to seat 10 guests, or people from three different households at one table.It’s a question of being “coherent,” Legault said.The government is also giving the green light for sports games to resume as of Feb. 14, and gyms and spas reopen at half capacity.Meanwhile outdoor shows and events can host a maximum of 5,000 spectators.

A small Massachusetts General Hospital–based study in JAMA shows more lasting antibodies in infants after COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, compared with infants whose mothers had natural COVID-19 infections during pregnancy but were not vaccinated.The study looked at 77 vaccinated pregnant mothers, and 12 wh