Paper-based device to detect Covid-19 in wastewater of communities: Study

The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, noted that rapid testing kits using paper-based devices could be used on-site at wastewater treatment plants.

Researchers are working on a test to detect the novel coronavirus in the wastewater of communities infected with the virus, a development that can help curtail COVID-19 spread via contaminated water sources.According to the scientists, including those from the Cranfield Water Science Institute in the UK, this approach may provide an effective way to predict the potential spread of the virus by picking up signatures of it in faeces and urine from disease carriers that enter water systems.The study, published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology, noted that rapid testing kits using paper-based devices could be used on-site at wastewater treatment plants.It said such kits can be applied to trace sources and determine whether there are potential Covid-19 carriers in local areas.

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In the case of asymptomatic infections in the community or when people are not sure whether they are infected or not, real-time community sewage detection through paper analytical devices could determine whether there are COVID-19 carriers in an area to enable rapid screening, quarantine, and prevention,” said Zhugen Yang, study co-author from the Cranfield Water Science Institute.According to the scientists, the wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) approach can help monitor COVID-19 at an early stage in communities, enabling public health authorities to take effective intervention as early as possible to restrict the movements of that local population..Read More

Covid-19: Telangana govt announces up to 75% salary cuts for its employees

The meeting was held at Pragathi Bhavan in view of the State’s economic situation which has been affected adversely due to the coronavirus scare.

In a high-level review meeting conducted in the wake of State’s financial situation amid coronavirus outbreak, the Telangna government on Monday decided a huge pay cut for its employees ranging from 10 per cent to 75 per cent. The meeting was held at Pragathi Bhavan in view of the State’s economic situation which has been affected adversely due to the coronavirus scare. It was decided that there will be a 75 per cent cut in the salaries of the Chief Minister, State cabinet, MLCs, MLAs, State Corporation Chairpersons and Local Bodies representatives.

Whereas, there will be a 60 per cent salary cut of IAS, IPS IFS and other such Central Services Officer and for all other category of employees, there will be 50 per cent salary cut. For the Class IV, outsourcing and contract employees, there will be 10 per cent cut in the salary while for all category of pensioners there will be 50 per cent cut.

There will be a 10 per cent cut in the calary for the Class IV retired employees and for all the Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), Institutions that are receiving the government grants employees, like the government employees and retirees, there will be cut in their salaries as well. There are 71 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the State, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday.Meanwhile, the death toll due to COVID-19 has risen to 32 and the number of total coronavirus cases reached 1,251 on Monday. There are 1,117 active cases in the country, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare…Read More

Coronavirus outbreak: US teen charged for ‘prank’ coughing on groceries

The incident took place at a time when confirmed cases of novel coronavirus are on the rise in Houston area. As of Sunday noon, COVID-19 cases in the area have climbed to 928.

A 14-year-old boy was charged over a prank in which he allegedly coughed on produce at a grocery store in northwest Harris County, amid the coronavirus scare in the US, officials said on Sunday. The grocer called 911 and reported a disturbance, following which the deputies arrived the store, they said. In a Facebook post, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said the deputies responded to the disturbance call at the Food City. He said the teen “intentionally coughed on produce”.

“Apparently it was a prank,” wrote Gonzalez. “Not a very funny one. The teen was charged with Tampering with Consumer Products.” The incident took place at a time when confirmed cases of novel coronavirus are on the rise in Houston area. As of Sunday noon, COVID-19 cases in the area have climbed to 928. An estimated 58 people in the area who have tested positive for the virus have recovered, according to reports from a number of health officials. Meanwhile, Governor Greg Abbott is tightening travel to Texas by ordering some motorists from Louisiana to self-quarantine for two weeks.

The new travel restrictions come as Louisiana’s status as a novel coronavirus hotspot grew Sunday to more than 3,500 positive cases statewide. Abbott said drivers with commercial, medical, emergency response, military or critical infrastructure purposes for entering Texas would be exempted.State troopers will enforce the order at checkpoints at major roadways along the border. Those asked to quarantine will be required to provide an address for where they plan to hold up in Texas, either for two weeks or until their return to Louisiana, whichever comes first.

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New York state’s coronavirus death toll surpasses 1,000 in 16 days

The virus and the disease it causes, coronavirus, has torn through New York with frightening speed.

New York state’s death toll from the coronavirus outbreak climbed Sunday above 1,000, less than a month after the first known infection in the state. Most of those deaths have come in just the past few days. New York City reported in the evening that its toll had risen to 776. The total number of statewide deaths isn’t expected to be released until Monday, but with at least 250 additional deaths recorded outside the city as of Sunday morning, the state’s total fatalities was at least 1,026.

The virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, has torn through New York with frightening speed. The first known infection in the state was discovered March 1 in a health care worker who recently returned from Iran. Two days later, the state got its second case, a lawyer from the suburb of New Rochelle.

March 10, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had declared a containment area in New Rochelle that shuttered area schools and houses of worship. That same day, the metropolitan area saw its first fatality: a man who worked at a harness track in Yonkers and lived in New Jersey. By March 12, the state had banned all gatherings of more than 500 people, darkening Broadway theaters and sports arenas. A day later, the first New York resident died, an 82-year-old woman with emphysema...

Delhi police detects fake UPI ID created to cheat PM CARES donors; blocked

Anyesh Roy, DCP (cybercrime) said in a tweet that the fake UPI was created with the ID pmcare@sbi, which is similar to the correct ID pmcares@sbi.

Delhi police’s cybercrime unit has detected a fake Unified Payments Interface (UPI) ID created with a motive to cheat the donors of the newly launched PM CARES Fund to fight the coronavirus outbreak, a senior official said on Sunday. Anyesh Roy, DCP (cybercrime) said in a tweet that the fake UPI was created with the ID pmcare@sbi, which is similar to the correct ID pmcares@sbi.

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The State Bank of India has also been briefed about the fake ID and the bank has blocked it, another official said. The matter is under investigation and efforts are being made to identify the accused, he added. PM Narendra Modi announced the constitution of the PM’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations (PM-CARES) fund last week. The fund is dedicated for dealing with any kind of emergency or distress situation, like the coronavirus pandemic. He also urged people to donate in the fund to fight the battle against coronavirus. The pandemic has claimed at least 21 lives in India and over 1000 people has been tested positive so far.