Coronavirus March 30 Updates: Is coronavirus pandemic ending soon? Has the contagion entered the new phase? Have we adapted to living with the virus? As the human population around the globe thinks about these issues, a bunch of researchers in the US are on a hunting spree – they are looking for the viral mutants in the wildlife. An Associated Press report on Wednesday gave a detailed account of the study that may give us an insight into the spread of the novel coronavirus in the animals and a possible spill-over in the human population. Why is this research so important and what’s latest on coronavirus? Read on to find top updates:
1: Scientists in the US are studying the spread of the virus in the wild animals. The researchers feel that it is important to look at transmission among the wild animals because the future of the pandemic largely depends on not just vaccination and mask discipline among humans but zero spill-over from the animals.
2: The report says that though the origins of novel coronavirus may not be clear even now, we surely know that the virus jumped from bats to humans, whatever be the method – lab accident or seafood markets of Wuhan. To not repeat that disaster, scientists are looking for the viral mutants, which may be already present among animals. In case that spills over to humans, this may become ‘Pi’ – the next variant of novel coronavirus whenever it emerges.
3: The AP report says that in the US, out of 50 states, 24 have confirmed the presence of coronavirus among animals. In fact, it also says that several researchers believe that the Omicron variant of coronavirus came from an animal.
4: While India is reporting around 1,000 new Covid cases every day, a Reuters report says that Asia is witnessing resurgence of the viral infections. The Reuters report says that Asia has passed the grim milestone of 100 million infections.
5: The current trend shows that Asia is reporting around 1 million new Covid-19 infections in two days.
6: China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Vietnam are reporting high number of cases. In terms of global numbers, Asia account for 21 per cent of all coronavirus infections.
7: India on Wednesday reported 1,233 new coronavirus infections. The numbers were tad lower than the Tuesday’s tally. Covid deaths dropped to 31 on Wednesday, the health ministry data says. Despite fresh surge across Asia, India remains in the green zone with some experts suggesting that the country may see the endemic phase of the pandemic.
8: Among the European nations, France is reporting extremely sharp spike. Latest data says that the country detected 2,17,480 new Covid-19 infections. This kind of surge has not been since the first week of February.
9: Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration in the US has approved the second booster dose of Covid-19 vaccine for those aged 50 and older.
10: In China, local administration has started imposing lockdown in Shanghai’s western region. The curbs have been introduced ahead of the schedule. This comes as new coronavirus cases in China’s financial hub jumped by a third, a Reuters report said.
