The US has now lost over 6,00,000 mothers, fathers, children, siblings and friends to Covid-19 a painful reminder that death, sickness and grief continue even as the country begins to return to something resembling pre-pandemic normal. The US passed 600,000 Covid deaths on Monday, about 15% of the world's total coronavirus fatalities of around 4 million, a Reuters tally shows. The rate of severe illness and death has dropped dramatically as more Americans have become vaccinated, creating something of a psychological whiplash that plagues the millions whose lives have been touched by the disease. Many are eager to emerge from more than a year of sickness and lockdown, yet they still suffer, from grief, lingering symptoms, economic trauma or isolation of lockdown. National award winning Kannada film actor Sanchari Viajy 38 who sustained grievous injuries in a bike accident on saturday, was declared brain dead on monday at the Apollo Hospital here. Vijay was admitted to the hospital after the bike he was riding pillion met with an accident on saturday. The bike skidded and hit an electric pole. His friend naveen PS, 42, who was riding the bike, was also injuried. A report in NYT quotes Novax chief executive Stanley Erck acknowledging that the first approvals for the vaccine are likely to be accorded abroad and that the company has applied in UK, EU, Korea and India. India can take a cue from UK regulator but may procced itself on basis of strong interima data, Indian sources said. As per Indian government estimates, 20 crore Novax shots (five crore a month) can be available during September-December and number may rise. Novavax named Covax in India is in advanced stages of Phase 2/3. Observer-controlled bridging trials with SII enrolling 1,600 participants.
