Health

Beijing, May 23 (PTI) The first COVID-19 vaccine to reach phase I clinical trial is safe, well-tolerated, and capable of generating an immune response against the novel coronavirus in humans, says a new research published in The Lancet journal.

According to the study of 108 adults, the vaccine produced neutralising antibodies, and a response mediated by the immune system's T-cells against the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

New Delhi, May 22 (PTI) Congress leader and spokesperson Sanjay Jha on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 and will be under home quarantine for over a week as he is asymptomatic.

He also urged people not to underestimate transmission risks.

"I have tested positive for Covid-19. As I am asymptomatic I am in home quarantine for the next 10-12 days. Please don't underestimate transmission risks, we are all vulnerable. Do take care all," Jha said in a tweet.

Mumbai, May 23 (PTI) Apparently fed up with the COVID situation and personal health issues, senior trade union leader Dada Samant has committed suicide by hanging in suburban Borivali, police said on Saturday. He was 92.

The Maharashtra General Kamgar Union leader was found hanging at the residence of his elder daughter on Friday morning, an official said.

He was brother of prominent trade unionist Datta Samant who was shot dead by gangsters in 1997.

SINGAPORE, May 23 (NNN-CNA) – Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), reported 614 new COVID-19 cases as on Friday noon, bringing the total confirmed cases in the country to 30,426.

Of the newly confirmed cases, four were cases in the community, and 610 were work permit holders residing in dormitories. There were no imported cases.

Of the new cases, 99 percent were linked to known clusters, while the rest are pending contact tracing, the ministry said.

HARARE, May 22 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Zimbabwean President, Emmerson Mnangagwa, expressed Zimbabwe’s gratitude to the visiting team of Chinese medical experts, for sharing their experience and knowledge with Zimbabwe’s front-line medical staff in fighting the COVID-19.

He extended the appreciation in a letter, read out by Zimbabwean Health Minister, Obadiah Moyo, at a joint press conference at the conclusion of the team’s two week visit to the country.

He said, Zimbabwe’s medical staff had benefited immensely from the team’s front-line knowledge in fighting COVID-19.

RIO DE JANEIRO, May 23 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – Brazil registered a record number of new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, with 20,803 cases reported, and exceeded 1,000 deaths in one day for the third time, the government said.

According to the Ministry of Health, the total number of confirmed cases rose to 330,890, while deaths in the country rose to 21,048, with a daily increase of 1,001, which put the fatality rate at 6.4 percent.

On Thursday, Brazil established another record by registering 1,188 deaths in one day.

22 May 2020; MEMO: In a rare move, Pakistan sent medical supplies to the US on Friday to support its fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Anadolu reports.

Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Asad Majeed Khan said the donation was a “token of friendship and solidarity” with the US, which is the world’s worst-hit country with over 1.57 million cases and nearly 95,000 deaths.

Bengaluru, May 22 (PTI): Two police stations here have been sealed partially after a head constable was tested positive for COVID-19.

According to police, the infected head constable was overseeing the arrangements to quarantine people who came from Mumbai.

"Yes," Superintendent of Police of Mandya district Parashurama K told PTI when asked about the head constable being tested positive for COVID-19.

He said the two police stations have been sealed to disinfect them.

Ahmedabad, May 22 (PTI) The Congress has alleged that the Gujarat government was playing with the lives of coronavirus patients to promote 'Dhaman-1' ventilators made by a firm `owned by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's friend'.

The ruling BJP called the allegations levelled by the Congress on Thursday as baseless and said the opposition party was maligning the image of a local manufacturer.

MOSCOW, May 22. /TASS/: Unofficial testing of a coronavirus vaccine on volunteer employees of the Gamalei National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology finished successfully and caused no side effects, the Center’s director Alexander Gintzburg told TASS Friday.