Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], May 19: Bollywood actor Shilpa Shirodkar revealed on Monday that she has tested positive for COVID-19. Taking to Instagram, she urged fans to remain vigilant as new waves of the virus emerge across several countries.
“Hello people! I’ve been tested positive for COVID. Stay safe and wear your masks!” Shirodkar wrote, reminding followers to adhere to safety protocols amidst rising cases.
In a similar development from the sports world, Australian cricketer and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) opener Travis Head has also contracted COVID-19. SRH head coach Daniel Vettori confirmed the news during a pre-match press conference on Sunday, explaining Head’s absence from the team’s recent travel.
“He actually had COVID, so he could not travel. He will get in tomorrow (Monday) and we’ll assess how he is after that,” Vettori said, suggesting Head could return for SRH’s remaining IPL 2025 fixtures.
Meanwhile, in the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine for limited use. The authorization applies to individuals aged 65 and above, as well as those aged 12 and older with underlying health conditions that place them at higher risk for severe COVID-19.
“Market research and US CDC statistics indicate that older individuals and those with underlying conditions are the populations most likely to seek out COVID-19 vaccination seasonally,” said Novavax President and CEO John Jacobs in a statement, according to CNN.
Jacobs emphasized that the FDA’s approval marks a “significant milestone” in expanding access to Novavax’s protein-based vaccine, offering an alternative to mRNA-based options for vulnerable populations.