Coronavirus Omicron March 1 Live Updates: Daily infections in India below 10,000 for second day in a row; Is it time to lower our guards yet?

Extract from the bark of the Neem tree may help treat and reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a study led by researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Kolkata. The Neem tree, indigenous to India, has been used for thousands of years for its anti-parasitic, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties, the researchers said. The bark extract has helped treat malaria, stomach and intestinal ulcers, skin diseases and many other diseases, they said. The latest study, published recently in the journal Virology, shows that components of Neem bark may target a wide range of viral proteins, suggesting its potential as an antiviral agent against emerging variants of coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2. (PTI)

Puducherry on Tuesday saw a steep fall in the number of new COVID-19 infections with the active cases now at 100. The Union Territory recorded only six cases in the last 24 hours taking the overall tally to 1,65,726. In a release, Director of Health G Sriramulu said Puducherry region registered three cases, while Yanam reported two and Karaikal one case. Mahe, an enclave of Puducherry in Kerala, did not see any new case, the Director said. (PTI)

California, Oregon and Washington will cease to require face coverings in schools after March 11 as the latest COVID-19 surge ebbs, but mask mandates will remain for higher-risk settings such as hospitals and prisons, governors of the three states said on Monday. The joint action, following similar moves announced recently by several East Coast states, including New York and New Jersey, comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday eased indoor masking guidelines for most of the nation. (Reuters)

Novavax Inc said on Monday it would pursue full approval of its COVID-19 vaccine in the second half of this year and forecast total revenue of between $4 billion and $5 billion for 2022. “We expect to gain additional authorizations where we have already filed, including in the U.S. We will pursue full approval of our vaccine including filing our BLA (biologics license application), in the second half of 2022,” Chief Executive Officer Stanley Erck said during a post-earnings call. Novavax late last month filed for emergency use authorization of the shot in U.S. adults, a much-awaited step following months of struggles with development and manufacturing problems. (Reuters)

Two doses of the Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE COVID-19 vaccine was protective against severe disease in children aged 5 to 11 during the recent Omicron variant surge, but quickly lost most of its ability to prevent infection in the age group, according to a study by New York State researchers. The vaccine's efficacy against infection among those children declined to 12% at the end of January from 68% in mid-December compared to kids who did not get vaccinated, according the study, which has not yet been peer reviewed.

The Delhi zoo reopened for visitors on Tuesday after remaining closed for around two months in view of a spike in coronavirus cases in the capital, officials said on Tuesday. The zoo was closed for the public on January 4 and the online ticket booking link on its website was disabled. An official said the link was reactivated last night and all 4,000 tickets were sold by 8:30 am when the zoo reopened. “The ticket counters outside the zoo have already been closed. So, people are requested to book tickets online only two to three days in advance to avoid any inconvenience,” he said. (PTI)

With the addition of 20 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 7,08,302, an official said on Tuesday. These new cases were reported on Monday, he said. The death toll remained unchanged at 11,875, he said, adding that the COVID-19 mortality rate in the district is 1.67 per cent. In neighbouring Palghar district, the COVID-19 case count has gone up to 1,63,385, while the death toll stands at 3,392, another official said. (PTI)

Nine COVID-19 patients are currently undergoing treatment in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, a health bulletin said on Tuesday. The Union territory's coronavirus tally remained unchanged at 10,017 as no fresh infection was recorded. A total of 9,879 people have recovered from the disease so far, including one in the last 24 hours, while 129 patients have succumbed to the infection to date, it said. The administration has thus far tested over 7 lakh samples for COVID-19, and fully vaccinated 3.02 lakh people. (PTI)

Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam called for calm on Tuesday after residents emptied supermarkets, stocking up on produce ahead of reports of compulsory mass COVID-19 testing and rumours of a city-wide lockdown. Local media reported compulsory COVID testing would start after March 17, sparking concerns many people will be forced to isolate and families with members testing positive would be separated. Lam appealed to the public “not to fall prey to rumours to avoid unnecessary fears being stirred,” with the supply of food and goods remaining normal, according to a statement on Tuesday. (Reuters)