International India Facing Healthcare and Economic Disaster from Second Wave of COVID

[Arkain2K]

India: Two vaccine doses gave 95% protection from death against Covid-19's Delta variant
Sushmi Dey | TNN | Jul 16, 2021

NEW DELHI: Two doses of Covid vaccine were successful in preventing 95% of deaths due to Covid-19 during the second wave, whereas deaths were lower by 82% among those inoculated with one dose, the government said citing a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) among more than 1.17 lakh police personnel – who were at high risk of infection - in Tamil Nadu.

The study also assumes significance as it was conducted during the second wave which was mostly driven by the spread of the Delta variant, implying the vaccine is effective against the variant that has been found to be highly transmissible as well as virulent resulting in a large number of deaths during the second wave.
The findings of the study were presented by NITI Aayog member-health Dr V K Paul on Friday reiterating the importance of vaccination in preventing severe infection and deaths.

About 1,17,524 police personnel were analysed for the study out of which those unvaccinated were 17,059, while those who received one dose were 32,792 and those fully vaccinated were 67,673.

The findings of the study show the incidence of death due to Covid-19 was 1.17 per 1000 among those who were unvaccinated, whereas it reduced to 0.21 per 1000 in the group that received one dose of Covid jabs. The death rate dropped to 0.06 per 1000 among people fully vaccinated with two doses of Covid vaccines.

"We would like to reiterate that our vaccines are effective and hugely safe. Pregnant women and lactating women should receive it. Patients with cancer and diabetes are even needier in this requirement and here is real life data to show vaccine effectiveness to prevent deaths is huge," Dr Paul said.

"But we should also remember that not just vaccines but we also need to mask up to prevent infection," he said.

https://m.timesofindia.com/india/tw...a-variant-centre/amp_articleshow/84481507.cms

 

[milliniar]

4000? where'd you hear that? A lot of people are resigned to the fact that we'll be saddled with this virus for a long time. Scary, but I know a smart, educated dentist who thinks it's all a scam and won't get the vaccine. A lot more people are going to die.

Covid will be endemic, cold, flu, and covid season.

 

[mozfonky]

Covid will be endemic, cold, flu, and covid season.

maybe, hope not

 

[Kdup]

maybe, hope not

I still haven’t got it yet. Hoping to dodge it.

 

[Arkain2K]

India crosses the milestone of 1 billion COVID-19 vaccinations
October 21, 2021

NEW DELHI — India has administered 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccine, officials said Thursday, passing a milestone for the South Asian country where the delta variant fueled its first crushing surge earlier this year.

About 75% of India's total eligible adult population have received at least one dose, while around 30% are fully immunized. The country of nearly 1.4 billion people is the second to exceed a billion cumulative doses after the most populous country China did so in June.

Coronavirus cases have fallen sharply in India since the devastating months at the start of the year when the highly transmissible delta variant, first detected in the country a year ago, was infecting hundreds of thousands daily, sending COVID-19 patients into overwhelmed hospitals and filling cremation grounds.

Officials have bolstered the vaccination campaign in recent months, which experts say have helped control the outbreak since. The country began its drive in January.

Still, there remains a worrying gap between those who have received one shot and those fully immunized. Ramping up the second dose is "an important priority," V K Paul, the head of the country's COVID-19 taskforce, said at a briefing last week.


"We would like to see this number go up. Complete coverage is absolutely critical," Paul said.

India had earlier said it aimed to vaccinate all eligible adults by the end of the year, but experts say the current pace of the vaccination drive will need to increase to meet this goal.

Officials plan to mark the milestone on Thursday at vaccination centers and hospitals where frontline and health care workers will be celebrated. The health minister will also launch a song and film to commemorate the achievement and an Indian flag will be hoisted at the historic Red Fort in the capital New Delhi, local media reported.

India, an important supplier of vaccines globally, halted exports in April as cases at home surged and only resumed exports earlier this month. The government is now optimistic that the country's vaccine supply, which has seen a rise, will be enough to cover its international and domestic commitments. Both of the two main suppliers have ramped up production, with the Serum Institute now producing around 220 million jabs a month and some 30 million from Bharat Biotech, Paul said.

Experts say the vaccine situation on the ground will need constant review. "There can be no written in stone rule — if infections rise drastically, they can again stop exports until there's enough doses," said K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India.

On Wednesday, India confirmed over 14,000 new cases of infection. Its active cases make up less than 1% of its total caseload, now more than 34 million, including over 450,000 deaths, according to the health ministry.

Serological surveys done in June and July showed that over 60% of the population had antibodies to the virus that causes COVID-19, reducing the likelihood of another massive surge in the coming months, according to some experts.

Even states where infections were swelling a few weeks ago, such as Kerala along the tropical Malabar coast, have seen a sustained decline.

"There is a sense of comfort that India has suffered the worst of the delta variant, but this must be accompanied with a feeling of caution," said Reddy. "Even if cases go up, we are unlikely to see the scale of the surge earlier — if that does happen, it would be fairly unexpected," he added.

In recent months, life in India has swung back to normal. Markets are buzzing with activity, tourists can enter the country after a 19-month hiatus and the country is gearing up to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

But there are fears this could be a lull before the storm. Even though India may have borne the brunt of the delta variant already, things could escalate quickly if a new variant emerges — either from within the country or outside.

"If the virus becomes different or mutates, it changes the dynamics. This could change everything," said Paul.

https://www.npr.org/2021/10/21/1047...-milestone-of-1-billion-covid-19-vaccinations

 

[RogerB08]

Is this normal for viruses to mutate like this?

It is when the virus isn't suppressed by having overwhelming numbers of vaccinated people and it gets to keep circulating.

 

[Arkain2K]

India to pay $674 compensation for every COVID death​

India's top court has approved the government's decision to pay 50,000 rupees ($674; £498) as compensation for every death due to Covid-19.

The Supreme Court's order followed a petition by lawyers seeking compensation under India's disaster management laws.

India has officially recorded more than 447,000 Covid-19 deaths so far.

However, experts believe that up to 10 times more people could have died in the pandemic.

They have arrived at different estimates after examining excess deaths - a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected compared to the previous few years.

On Monday Justice MR Shah said the "next of kith and kin of the deceased person" shall be paid this compensation. This would be "over and above the amounts paid by the centre and state under various benevolent schemes", he said.

The court added that the compensation should be paid within 30 days after a family submits an application.

In June, petitioners sought the court's intervention in paying compensation to the families of Covid-19 victims.

They said since Covid-19 was "specially" notified as a disaster under India's National Disaster Management Act, compensation should be paid to the victims.

The 2005 law was enacted for efficient management of disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building and compensation for lost lives, injuries and damaged properties.

The law says monetary assistance of 400,000 rupees should be paid to family of people who have lost their lives in a disaster.

"We know the government has spent a lot of money in managing the pandemic. But we still think the government should have paid 400,000 rupees compensation to every affected family according to the law. Or they could have given a higher amount to the poor families and less to the well-to do. They could have bettered it," Gaurav Kumar Bansal, one of the petitioners, told the BBC.

According to the federal government, the compensation will be paid "to the next of kin of the deceased due to Covid-19, subject to cause of death being certified as Covid-19" as per the guidelines. The funds for this compensation will be provided by the states.

At least two states - Kerala and Rajasthan - have said the compensation payouts would put pressure on their exchequers, and that the funds should be provided by the federal government.

"You give funds for hailstorm, floods, etc, so you should now add Covid-19 too. It's not that only one state has been affected by it, it's a pandemic," Govind Singh Dotasara, a minister in Rajasthan, told The Indian Express newspaper.

It is not clear yet how much the governments will have to spend on the payout.

In August, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) - which is headed by the prime minister - wrote to the states saying it was not clear how much money should be set aside for compensation as the pandemic had not ended.

It also said that "financial prudence demands that we plan in a manner that assistance can be provided to larger number of people should the number of deaths rise".

Some states like Karnataka have already announced a higher compensation of 100,000 rupees to the families of underprivileged people who died of Covid-19. Sixteen families have already been paid so far, according to a report.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58731158

 

[Arkain2K]

India's staggering COVID-19 death toll could be 6 million
That would be by far the highest COVID death toll in the world - greater than the U.S. at more than 811,000.
By Somayeh Malekian | December 22, 2021

New research suggests that India’s COVID-19 death toll during its first and second waves might have been significantly undercounted, with the actual number potentially 12 times higher than the official stats -- over 6 million people.

That would be by far the highest COVID death toll in the world -- greater than the U.S. at more than 811,000.

India was devastated by a crushing wave of the delta variant in April and May, with supply shortages, makeshift clinics and images of funeral pyres burning nonstop.

There was a sense at the time that the number of deaths was an undercount and a study in July indicated that deaths could be 10 times the official toll, although that research had limitations.

The new study, by researchers in the U.S. and India from the Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy, a public health research institute in Washington, D.C., indicates that the “reported COVID-19 deaths greatly underestimated pandemic-associated mortality” and was particularly acute among older and poorer people.

According to government statistics, India logged 478,007 COVID-19 deaths from the beginning of the pandemic, marked at Jan. 3, 2020 to Dec. 21, 2021, and nearly 35 million cases during that time.

The study -- which is focused on the Chennai District on the country's southeast coast -- indicates the number is likely much higher, finding that that the death rate there was 5.2 per 1,000, "a 41% increase over typical mortality levels in the city.”

The study uses data on "all-cause mortality" within the district, i.e. the death rate from all causes of death for the population in the given time period are considered.

“On the nationwide figures, the 5.2 deaths per 1000 resident would indicate over 6 million deaths nationwide if the results could be extrapolated to the entire country,” Professor Ramanan Laxminarayan, an economist and epidemiologist and the study's lead author, told ABC News. He is the founder of the University of Washington's Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics and Policy in DC, which contributed to the project.

Deaths were substantially higher in older age groups.

Greater increases in mortality were observed in communities with lower socioeconomic status during the second wave of infections from March 1-June 30, 2021, but not during the first.

Laxminarayan said that there were limitations to the study -- Chennai, as an urban area, might have been more affected than many parts of the country which were rural.

“But by the same token, Chennai has some of the best public health and healthcare facilities in the country and so the mortality rates in Chennai were likely lower than in other parts of the country,” he added.

The study notes that the true burden of disease is still “uncertain” due to restrictions in disease surveillance and a lack of official death records.

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/i...19-death-toll-million-study/story?id=81897534

 

[Arkain2K]

Over 60% of India's population fully vaccinated against Covid-19: Health Ministry
Dec 23, 2021​

Over 60 per cent of the eligible population in India is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, according to the Union Health Ministry. The cumulative doses administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive has exceeded 139.70 crore, the Ministry said.

Besides, around 89 per cent of India's adults have been administered the first dose. Last week, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said that the government wishes that 100 per cent vaccination be achieved at the earliest.

"Accomplishing more new feats! Congratulations India. Aided by public participation & dedicated efforts of our health workers, over 60% of the eligible population are fully vaccinated now," the Ministry tweeted.

https://www.indiatvnews.com/news/in...nated-against-covid-19-health-ministry-750821

 

[scoopj]

India's staggering COVID-19 death toll could be 6 million
That would be by far the highest COVID death toll in the world - greater than the U.S. at more than 811,000.
By Somayeh Malekian | December 22, 2021

https://abcnews.go.com/amp/Health/i...19-death-toll-million-study/story?id=81897534

I worry another wave in India could be worse than the last.

 

[The_Renaissance]

I worry another wave in India could be worse than the last.

I don't, it's fucking Omicron. They'd struggle more with the common cold.

 

[Arkain2K]

I worry another wave in India could be worse than the last.

Consider that the millions of Indians who could have died already been killed by Delta, and most of the population that survived already got their 2 shots now, I think their third wave wouldn't be anything like the devastation we have witnessed earlier this year.

 

[scoopj]

Consider that the millions of Indians who could have died already been killed by Delta, and most of the population that survived already got their 2 shots now, I think their third wave wouldn't be anything like the devastation we have witnessed earlier this year.

I haven’t been paying attention to their vaccination progress but looks like only 41% fully vaccinated and with non-mRNA. That and the fact that Omicron spreads so easily despite being less lethal could overwhelm the medical infrastructure and/or, God forbid, lead to a new variant.

 

[mjfan23]

India to pay $674 compensation for every COVID death​

India's top court has approved the government's decision to pay 50,000 rupees ($674; £498) as compensation for every death due to Covid-19.

The Supreme Court's order followed a petition by lawyers seeking compensation under India's disaster management laws.

India has officially recorded more than 447,000 Covid-19 deaths so far.

However, experts believe that up to 10 times more people could have died in the pandemic.

They have arrived at different estimates after examining excess deaths - a measure of how many more people are dying than would be expected compared to the previous few years.

On Monday Justice MR Shah said the "next of kith and kin of the deceased person" shall be paid this compensation. This would be "over and above the amounts paid by the centre and state under various benevolent schemes", he said.

The court added that the compensation should be paid within 30 days after a family submits an application.

In June, petitioners sought the court's intervention in paying compensation to the families of Covid-19 victims.

They said since Covid-19 was "specially" notified as a disaster under India's National Disaster Management Act, compensation should be paid to the victims.

The 2005 law was enacted for efficient management of disasters, including preparation of mitigation strategies, capacity-building and compensation for lost lives, injuries and damaged properties.

The law says monetary assistance of 400,000 rupees should be paid to family of people who have lost their lives in a disaster.

"We know the government has spent a lot of money in managing the pandemic. But we still think the government should have paid 400,000 rupees compensation to every affected family according to the law. Or they could have given a higher amount to the poor families and less to the well-to do. They could have bettered it," Gaurav Kumar Bansal, one of the petitioners, told the BBC.

According to the federal government, the compensation will be paid "to the next of kin of the deceased due to Covid-19, subject to cause of death being certified as Covid-19" as per the guidelines. The funds for this compensation will be provided by the states.

At least two states - Kerala and Rajasthan - have said the compensation payouts would put pressure on their exchequers, and that the funds should be provided by the federal government.

"You give funds for hailstorm, floods, etc, so you should now add Covid-19 too. It's not that only one state has been affected by it, it's a pandemic," Govind Singh Dotasara, a minister in Rajasthan, told The Indian Express newspaper.

It is not clear yet how much the governments will have to spend on the payout.

In August, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) - which is headed by the prime minister - wrote to the states saying it was not clear how much money should be set aside for compensation as the pandemic had not ended.

It also said that "financial prudence demands that we plan in a manner that assistance can be provided to larger number of people should the number of deaths rise".

Some states like Karnataka have already announced a higher compensation of 100,000 rupees to the families of underprivileged people who died of Covid-19. Sixteen families have already been paid so far, according to a report.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58731158

No need to buy life insurance in India