The Hindu Editorial (Staying prepared) – Dec 28, 2022

Three years after strict enforcement of its Zero-COVID strategy, China abandoned it abruptly, leading to a jump in cases each day — an estimated 250 million people were infected in 20 days in December,… For further reading, visit “The Hindu”. Below is today’s word list-1 for The Hindu Editorial (Staying prepared) – Dec 28, 2022.

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The Hindu Editorial (Staying prepared) – Dec 28, 2022:

scale up (phrasal verb) – increase, step up, intensify, boost, escalate, expand, augment.
pace (noun) – speed, rate.
genome (noun) – the genetic material (a complete set of DNA, including all of its genes) of an organism. The sum total of the genetic material of a cell or an organism.
sequence (noun) – the complete order of compounds/building blocks (nucleotides) of nucleic acids, such as RNA or DNA.
genome sequence (noun) – a process that determines the order, or sequence, of the DNA (nucleotides i.e., A, C, G and U) in each of the genes present in the virus’s genome.
enforcement (noun) – imposition, implementation, application, execution, discharge; forcing, compelling, demanding.
strategy (noun) – plan of action (in order to achieve a more expansive set of political, economic, and security interests).
abruptly (adverb) – suddenly, unexpectedly.
lead to (verb) – result in, cause, bring on, bring about, give rise to.
jump (noun) – a sudden dramatic rise, increase; upsurge, upswing, escalation.
overwhelming (adjective) – crowded, swamped, overburdened, overloaded, flooded, inundated, clogged.
crematorium/crematoria (noun) – a place for the cremation of the dead (person). Cremation is a method of the final disposition of a dead body through burning.
deposit (verb) – place, settle (in a particular place).
BF.7 variant (noun) – BF.7 is a sub-lineage of the Omicron variant BA.5 and has the strongest infection ability. The BF.7 is the same as BA.5.2.1.7, which is a sub-lineage of the Omicron sub-lineage BA.5.
sub-lineage (noun) – a group of similar viruses within a lineage.
lineage/clade (noun) – a genetically closely related group of virus variants derived from a common ancestor.
Omicron variant (noun) – On 26 November 2021, WHO designated the (new coronavirus) variant B.1.1.529 a variant of concern, named Omicron, on the advice of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Virus Evolution (TAG-VE). The first known confirmed Omicron infection was from a specimen collected on November 9. In recent weeks, infections in South Africa have increased steeply, coinciding with the detection.
dominant (adjective) – most powerful.
variant (noun) – different form or version or mutant of something (virus); strain, variety, kind, type..
result in (phrasal verb) – cause, bring on, bring about.
transmissibility (noun) – probability of infection given contact between a susceptible and infected individual.
for instance (phrase) – as an example.
immune escape/evasion (noun) – it occurs when the immune system of a host, especially of a human being, is unable to respond to an infectious agent, or in other words that the host’s immune system is no longer able to recognize and eliminate a pathogen such as a virus.
mutation (noun) – a significant and basic “alteration/variation” in the DNA sequence.
severity (noun) – seriousness.
surge (noun) – sudden increase or rise of something.
proactive (adjective) – cautious, careful, foreseeing, wise.
measure (noun) – action, step, procedure.
eventuality (noun) – a possible outcome, possibility.
vaccinate (verb) – inoculate, administer, introduce (with a vaccine to provide immunity against a disease).
boost (verb) – inoculate, administer, introduce (with a booster dose).
booster dose (noun) – In medical terms, a booster dose is an extra administration of a vaccine after an earlier dose.
witness (verb) – see, observe, view.
slim (adjective) – small, slight, feeble, marginal, negligible.
in fact (phrase) – actually, in actuality, really, in reality.
given (preposition) – considering, taking into account, bearing in mind.
hybrid immunity (noun) – natural immunity from an infection combined with the immunity provided by the vaccine. The hybrid immunity offers stronger protection than just infection or full vaccination alone.
vaccination (noun) – treatment with a vaccine to protect against a particular disease; immunization.
hospitalisation (noun) – the act of taking (or) admitting someone to (or) in hospital for treatment.
it is not surprising that (phrase) – as expected.
urge (verb) – request, demand, call for, call on, appeal to.
ramp up (phrasal verb) – increase (in amount or number).
track (verb) – note the progress of something.
evolve (verb) – develop, progress, advance.
accumulate (adjective) – gather, collect, assemble, amass, garner.
dramatic (adjective) – considerable, substantial, large, significant.
slowdown (noun) – decline, reduction, decrease.
RT-PCR testing (noun) – Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) Testing; it is one of the most accurate laboratory methods for detecting, tracking, and studying the coronavirus. It is a nuclear-derived method for detecting the presence of specific genetic material from any pathogen, including a virus. (pathogen is a bacteria/virus that causes disease).
drill (noun) – training, instruction.
readiness (noun) – preparedness.
vaccine (noun) – a biological preparation that improves immunity to a particular disease.
intranasal (adjective) – relating to a vaccine that is administered by way of the nasal structures.
intranasal vaccine (noun) – a vaccine that is administered by way of the nasal structures.
platform (noun) – principles.
self-sufficient (adjective) – self-supporting, self-sustaining, self-reliant, independent (and so needing no outside assistance).
homologous vaccine booster (noun) – A homologous booster shot involves the administration of the same vaccine as previously administered.
heterologous vaccine booster (noun) – A heterologous vaccine booster shot involves the administration of of a different vaccine.
World Health Organization (WHO) (noun) – Founded in 1948, WHO is the United Nations agency that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.
generic (adjective) – unbranded, untrademarked, non-proprietary.
oral (adjective) – (of medicines) taken by the mouth.
antiviral drugs (noun) – a class of medication used specifically for treating viral infections.
Paxlovid (noun) – a treatment regimen (pill) developed by Pfizer Inc. for treating mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and children 12 years and older, who are likely to be at greater risk for severe infection.