Health
Is Omicron or Delta behind the third COVID wave in India? | Health News
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New Delhi: While the recent surge in Covid cases seen in India is largely due to Omicron, it does not mean that Delta has weakened, experts contend. India on Tuesday (January 11) recorded 1,68,063 new Covid cases, taking the total tally to 8,21,446. Although the fresh infections were 6.4 percent less than Monday when the country logged 1,79,723, the weekly positivity rate has climbed to 8.85 percent and the daily positivity rate has declined to 10.64 percent. On the other hand, 4,461 Omicron cases were recorded from 28 states.
So can we say this is an Omicron wave?
While it is relatively easy to test for Covid-19 through an RT-PCR or RAT test, figuring out which variant is responsible requires genome sequencing.
Data sent to the open access GISAID genomic surveillance showed that more than 30 percent of the sequenced samples from India were Omicron during the month of December.
Health experts noted that going by the trend, the majority of the positive cases are likely to be Omicron but confirmation is pending.
“Currently we can sequence only a small fraction of daily cases, so the question is what percentage of those viruses that are sequenced turn out to be Omicron. That’s how we know that we are in an Omicron wave, since most of the sequences have turned out to be those of Omicron,” Gautam I. Menon, Professor at Departments of Physics and Biology, Ashoka University, told IANS.
Global surge in Omicron Cases
Global data, particularly from South Africa, the UK and the US show that over time as new variants emerge, the one which has better transmissibility and immune evasion takes over the preceding variant.
“The same happened with Omicron which is now causing more than 90 percent of new cases in the US and the UK, India is soon set to follow suit,” Dr Dipu T.S., Associate Professor, Division of Infectious Diseases Amrita Hospital, Kochi, told IANS.
“This just means that there is a variant with a better survival advantage and immune evasion ability compared to the previous variant i.e. Delta. But it doesn’t mean that Delta has become weak, rather it gave way to a better-evolved variant in time,” he said.
However, Menon disagreed, saying: “Because Omicron is much more transmissible than Delta, it has effectively displaced Delta while spreading. Delta was largely on the decline in the country anyway, so this was not a surprise.”
Risk of reinfection with Omicron is 5.4 times greater than Delta
Further, the health experts said the surge in cases may also be reinfections, or breakthrough infections as seen in other countries. A recent study showed that the risk of reinfection with Omicron is 5.4 times greater than Delta. So far, nearly all reinfections have been among people who originally caught another strain of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and there is no evidence yet been found of anyone being infected twice by Omicron itself.
It was “too early” for people infected with Omicron to have cleared the virus and then caught it again, Kingston Mills, Professor of Experimental Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, was quoted as saying to Financial Times. It may be clear in six months’ time, he said.
Vaccines prevent hospitalization but not infection from Omicron
Moreover, the Omicron variant is also known to be able to evade prior immunity. While vaccines can effectively prevent hospitalisation and death due to Covid, they are less effective in preventing infections.
“With luck, the severity of this wave will be less than that of the previous wave, mainly because vaccination levels are high and many were infected in the previous Delta wave. But whether there will be a surge in cases which the health system cannot cope with remains to be seen and this is the main worry at the moment,” Menon said.
Several modelling studies, including from IIT-Kanpur, show that India will soon see a peak in Covid cases by the end of January.
“We believe that the peak in cases in the metros of India should come between January 20 and February 10. The rest of India may see later peaks, but it is unlikely that we will continue to see substantial numbers of cases by March. That will mean an end to this wave, but there may be more surprises in store for us,” Menon said.
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Sweets
How to Make 3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake
This simple apple dump cake is the perfect dessert for fall. You’ll need a box of cake mix, apple pie filling and butter—that’s it!
I see dump cake recipe ideas all over TikTok because this dessert is so simple. The name, “dump cake,” refers to the way the ingredients are literally dumped into a baking dish—no mixing is required. A dump cake comes together in minutes and, after it’s baked, the flavor and textures are amazing. There are several types of dump cakes including peach cake, cherry pineapple cake and, of course, the ever-popular popular apple dump cake!
3-Ingredient Apple Dump Cake Recipe
This easy apple dump cake uses cake mix and apple pie filling. Serve it on its own or topped with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Ingredients
1 package yellow cake mix (regular size)
2 (20 ounce) cans apple pie filling
1 cup melted butter
Optional: 2 teaspoons cinnamon sugar
You can also add vanilla extract, cinnamon or nutmeg to round out the flavors.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Then coat a 13×9-in. baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Step 2: Layer the pie filling and cake mix
Pour the canned apple pie filling over the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar, if desired. (I definitely did.)
Next, sprinkle the yellow cake mix over the canned apple pie filling.
Editor’s Tip: Be sure to spread the cake mix evenly. This will ensure the cake bakes evenly.
Step 3: Add the butter
Now it’s time for the melted butter! Pour evenly over the layers of apple pie filling and cake mix. Sprinkle with more cinnamon and sugar, if desired.
Step 4: Bake
Bake for 45 to 50 minutes, or until golden brown on the top and bubbling around the edges of the baking dish.
Keep a close eye on the cake while it’s baking. Once you start to see bubbling around the edges, this usually means the filling has thickened in the middle and the cake is ready.
Let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes, to give the filling a chance to thicken a little more. Then it’s ready to serve!
Tips for Making Apple Dump Cake
Can you use fresh apples instead of apple pie filling?
You can certainly use fresh apples, but the apple dump cake will need to bake longer. If using fresh apples, peel the apples first, and be sure to add some extra cinnamon sugar to give the apples more flavor and balance out any tartness. Here are the best apples for apple bakes.
Does apple dump cake need to be refrigerated?
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.
Can an apple dump cake be frozen?
Baked apple dump cake can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 3 months. To thaw, place the frozen dump cake in the refrigerator overnight, then bake at 350° for about 20 minutes or until heated through. You can also microwave smaller servings for about 45 seconds or until warmed through.
Weight loss
Curd For Weight Loss: Does curd help in weight loss?
Yogurt is high in calcium. It helps in controlling BMI levels. The probiotics present in yogurt regulate the digestive system, thus facilitating the weight loss process.
Yogurt is something that we all include in our diet. It is rich in nutrients. Acts as a digestive stimulant. Yogurt is a probiotic dairy product. It is a very healthy food to add to your diet.
Yogurt is high in calcium. It helps in controlling BMI levels. The probiotics present in yogurt regulate the digestive system, thus facilitating the weight loss process.
It contains live bacteria known as Lactobacillus bulgaricus. This bacterium has been shown to alleviate dyspepsia.
Protein is an important nutrient for weight loss. Yogurt is high in protein. The bacterial content in curd helps in improving the functions of the intestines thereby resulting in proper digestion.
1 ounce of yogurt contains 12 grams of protein. Being a protein-rich food, yogurt keeps your stomach full for longer which keeps your hunger under control. It reduces excess fat.
Being a nutritious dairy product, yogurt is rich in calcium, which helps in improving bone strength. Yogurt helps improve the thermogenesis process in your body, which increases the metabolic rate.
Yogurt contains important nutrients like calcium, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-2, potassium and magnesium which are essential for the overall development and growth of the body. These essential nutrients are extracted from the milk while making yogurt. However, yogurt is digested faster than milk.
Health
Bad Breath is no more, try these methods
Bad breath is a major problem facing many people today. Bad breath can be caused by anything from food waste to the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Here are some home remedies to get rid of bad breath
Although it may seem trivial, there are many among us who suffer from bad breath. Many people are unable to even speak in a group due to bad breath. Lack of confidence even to open mouth. Bad breath can be caused by the accumulation of food debris in the mouth and germs in the mouth. Dental and gum diseases are other common causes of bad breath.
Why, even digestive problems lead to bad breath. We do not have to worry about this problem anymore as we have some natural mouth fresheners at our fingertips that help to remove bad breath.
Cloves
Cloves are another common ingredient that is always found in our kitchen. Its anti-bacterial properties reduce the number of bacteria in the mouth and reduce the risk of other dental problems such as bleeding and tooth decay. You can put a few cloves in your mouth and chew it to get rid of bad breath.
Water
Drinking very little water a day can also cause bad breath in your mouth. Water helps to expel bacteria from the mouth and prevent them from multiplying in the mouth. This will help keep your breath fresh. So, if you feel that your breath is stinking, drink plenty of water every day. You can also squeeze half a slice of lemon into your water to refresh your breath.
Honey and cinnamon
Honey and cinnamon have strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties that can help reduce the growth of bacteria in your mouth and maintain gum health. Regular application of honey and cinnamon on the teeth and gums can reduce the risk of tooth decay, gum bleeding and bad breath. Both ingredients are perfectly safe and can always be easily found in the kitchen.
Cinnamon, like cloves, has antibacterial properties that reduce the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. Just put a small piece of cinnamon in your mouth for a few minutes and then spit it out.
Salt Water
Rinsing the mouth with lukewarm salt water will prevent the growth of bad bacteria in the mouth and make your breath refreshing. Brine prevents the bacteria that cause bad breath from multiplying in the mouth and expelling them. Before going out, you need to mix 1/4 to 1/2 tsp of salt in a glass of water and rinse your mouth with that water.