On Monday night, politician-turned-actress Kirron Kher disclosed that she had tested positive for COVID-19. The 70-year-old shared her diagnosis on Twitter and urged everybody who came into contact with her to get checked as well. She penned, “For COVID, my test results are positive. Thus, I urge everybody who has interacted with me to get checked.”
In 2021, Kirron Kher, who is an MP from Chandigarh seat was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer. But she set a brave example by bouncing back to work after her cancer recovery. In March, of the same year, Kirron received her COVID jab at Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai as part of India’s largest vaccination campaign.

Who is at risk?

People who are above the age of 60, have an underlying lung, kidney or heart issue or are immunocompromised or obese, are at a serious risk of COVID reinfection. Cancer, especially blood cancer also poses a greater COVID risk.
How to stay safe?

Vaccination as we already know is important in preventing a COVID infection from leading to severe illness. In India, anyone above the age of 12 is eligible to get a COVID shot.

It’s also very important to avoid crowded places and ensure that you are not stuck in a cramped up space with too many people. Wear a mask in case you use public transport. Even for shopping, pick timings where you can avoid big crowds.

If you are vulnerable, or are visiting someone whose health is vulnerable, then remember to take COVID precautions – maintaining distance and wearing a mask. Make sure you follow good hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene. Avoid being around people who show respiratory symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, sore throat or nasal cold.

Surge in H3N2 influenza cases

Not only COVID, there is a surge in H3N2 influenza cases too. Experts are recommending COVID measures to prevent the infection. Dr. Rajkumar, Sr. Consultant- Internal Medicine, Indian Spinal Injuries Centre explains the surge in influenza viral infections, “This time people are getting affected by H3N2 virus. This may be more severe because of the fact, in the last three years, people were using masks extensively and this H3N2 could not enter the body. Hence there was a lack of adequate antibodies to fight against this. With reduced or no masks now, this virus is entering the now and with already compromised immunity against it, people are facing the long-lasting effects of the virus. This compromised immune system may be the reason and is postulated that it probably is making people more vulnerable towards viral infection. This is especially witnessed during the changing season, which can further affect the immune system thus resulting in infections being more aggressive and long-lasting. Furthermore, changes in temperature and humidity can also affect the survival and transmission of viruses, making them more aggressive.”

Persistent coughing can be triggered by pollution, with Particulate Matter, irritating gases, and mixed pollutants all having been linked to an increase in coughing and wheezing. In addition, changes in the weather can often lead to the production of mucus. If the cough is caused by a viral infection, rest and hydration can provide relief. However, if the cough persists for over a week or is accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, it is crucial to seek medical attention. Pollution can exacerbate asthma, and the use of high-quality inhalers can aid in managing it. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding acidic or spicy foods and taking antacid medication if required can also assist in addressing acid reflux-related coughs.

Tennis great Rafael Nadal‘s record stay inside the top 10 of the ATP rankings ended on Monday after he was forced to skip the Indian Wells tournament in California.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion Nadal slipped out of the top 10 for the first time since 2005, ending his record 912-week stay inside the top 10, which began when current number one Carlos Alcaraz was not even two years old.
Nadal was forced to skip the Masters 1000 event, where he reached the final last year, as he continues his recovery from a hip issue that ended his Australian Open title defence in the second round in January.
Unable to defend the 600 points from Indian Wells resulted in Nadal dropping four places to 13th in the rankings.

The Spaniard will still be the “man to beat” at the French Open if he can get back to full fitness.
However, with Nadal preparing to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters next month ahead of the French Open, which he has won 14 times in his career, his time outside the top 10 might be short.
World number four Casper Ruud, who lost to Nadal in the Roland Garros final last year, said he would not be shocked to see the 36-year-old lift the trophy once again.
“It wouldn’t surprise me because he’ll probably use these weeks and these months, as he’s preparing for exactly Roland Garros,” Ruud told Eurosport as part of the ‘Ruud Talk’ series.
“It doesn’t matter if he loses in Monte Carlo or Rome or Madrid. The only thing that’s probably on his mind these days is just to be fit, be healthy and be ready for Roland Garros.”
Tennis lost two of its greats when Serena Williams and Roger Federer bowed out of the sport last year, but Nadal and rival Novak Djokovic are still soldiering on.
Djokovic, who turns 36 in May, has shown few signs of slowing down and drew level with Nadal on 22 Grand Slams by winning the Australian Open.
“For the whole tennis world it would be nice to see one last showdown at Roland Garros,” former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem said, adding that Djokovic would be favourite to win the remaining Grand Slams this year.
“The only tournament is Roland Garros: if Rafa is fit there, it’s exactly the opposite. He’s the man to beat when he won the tournament 14 times, it’s crazy.”
(With inputs from Reuters)

Hina Khan is off for her first Umrah right before the holy month of Ramadan. The actress expressed her gratitude in Instagram stories.
Hina shared a photo in which she looks serene in a white suit with dupatta on her head. She wrote, “So looking forward to my very first Umrah. So grateful.”

She then posted a video of her ride to Mecca Sharif and informed fans that they are on their way. She also showed the swanky black car in which they travelled from Jeddah to Mecca.
The actress is staying at a luxury hotel and posted a photo of that as well.

Hina recently completed 14 years in showbiz. She started with Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai where she played the role of Akshara. Several years later, she has done several successful parts in TV and web shows.

Not just that, she has also made some glamorous appearances at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and other international events.

Talking about her career, Hina told BT last month, “Everything that happened to me was God’s will. For someone like me who came here without a godfather, every opportunity is a highlight and I am grateful for everything.”

The actress also added that she is grateful to the industry for giving her a lot. She shared. “I am someone who likes to learn and I always accept my shortcomings. It is important to see where you lack and improve on that. It makes me a better performer and a decent human being.”

“Siruthuli, Peruvellam” or pennies make a pound. That was the approach finance minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan adopted in achieving consolidation of Tamil Nadu’s finances. The state has managed to reduce the fiscal deficit by almost ₹16,000 crore as per the revised estimates for 2022-23 to 3% of GSDP from 3. 38% in 2021-22.
“Owing to the unprecedented and difficult reforms undertaken, we have reduced the annual revenue deficit of around ₹62,000 crore, which we inherited on assuming office (May 2021), to around ₹30,000 crore in the revised estimates of the current year (a reduction of ₹32,000 crore in two years).

This is approximately ₹5,000 crore lower than the level of the pre-Covid year of 2019-20,” Thiaga Rajan said in his opening remarks, while presenting the budget in the state assembly.
“The fiscal consolidation was achieved through revenue augmentation and curbing of unwanted expenditures, besides claiming pending bills from the Centre. We opted for the ‘Siruthuli, Peruvellam’ approach,” a senior state government official told TOI.
Consistent efforts on revenue augmentation resulted in 15-20% growth. By curbing the tendency of departments to build buildings, unwanted expenditure was reduced. High-cost contracts in civil supplies were revisited. Focus was also on data purity and data cleansing.
“Revisiting the civil supplies transport contracts for paddy and others, fixed by the previous government in 2020 at two to three times higher cost, resulted in a saving of ₹3,000 crore,” the official said.
“The chief secretary stepped in and drastically improved the system of getting the ‘utilisation and audit certificates’ to submit bills that remained unclaimed from the Centre for almost five years. While ₹6,000 crore was found pending in CRM subsidy for food from the Centre, we have claimed ₹3,000 crore so far. ESI reimbursement claims helped gain ₹300 crore,” the official added.
In addition, several smaller amounts were claimed from the Union home ministry for administrative expenditure incurred for security services as well as for railway police.
“Since the year 2015-16, when the revenue deficit of the state breached the 1% GSDP mark for the first time, the finances have deteriorated continuously with revenue deficit touching 3. 28%in 2020-21.
This government, through reforms of unprecedented scale and scope, has not only managed to arrest, but actually reverse the declining trend by bringing down revenue deficit by record levels to 1. 23% of GSDP, close to the 2015-16 ratio,” Thiaga Rajan said.