Hyro secures $30M for its AI-powered, healthcare-focused conversational platform - 8時間前  TechCrunch

Israel Krush and Rom Cohen first met in an AI course at Cornell Tech, where they bonded over a shared desire to apply AI voice technologies to the healthcare sector. Specifically, they sought to automate the routine messages and calls that often lead to administrative burnout, like calls about scheduling, prescription refills and searching through physician directories. Several years after graduating, Krush and Cohen productized their ideas with Hyro, which uses AI to facilitate text and voice conversations across the web, call centers and apps between healthcare organizations and their client...mores. Hyro today announced that it raised $20 million in a Series B round led by Liberty Mutual, Macquarie Capital and Black Opal, bringing the startup’s total raised to $35 million. Krush says that the new cash will be put toward expanding Hyro’s go-to-market teams and R&D. “When we searched for a domain that would benefit from transforming these technologies most, we discovered and validated that healthcare, with staffing shortages and antiquated processes, had the greatest need and pain points, and have continued to focus on this particular vertical,” Krush told TechCrunch in an email interview. To Krush’s point, the healthcare industry faces a major staffing shortfall, exacerbated by the logistical complications that arose during the pandemic. In a recent interview with Keona Health, Halee Fischer-Wright, CEO of Medical Group Management Association (MGMA), said that MGMA’s heard that 88% of medical practices have had difficulties recruiting front-of-office staff over the last year. By another estimates, the healthcare field has lost 20% of its workforce. Hyro doesn’t attempt to replace staffers. But it does inject automation into the equation. The platform is essentially a drop-in replacement for traditional IVR systems, handling calls and texts automatically using conversational AI. Hyro can answer common questions and handle tasks like booking or rescheduling an appointment, providing engagement and conversion metrics on the backend as it does so. Plenty of platforms do — or at least claim to. See RedRoute, a voice-based conversational AI startup that delivers an “Alexa-like” customer service experience over the phone. Elsewhere, there’s Omilia, which provides a conversational solution that works on all platforms (e.g. phone, web chat, social networks, SMS and more) and integrates with existing customer support systems. But Krush claims that Hyro is differentiated. For one, he says, it offers an AI-powered search feature that scrapes up-to-date information from a customer’s website — ostensibly preventing wrong answers to questions (a notorious problem with text-generating AI). Hyro also boasts “smart routing,” which enables it to “intelligently” decide whether to complete a task automatically, send a link to self-serve via SMS or route a request to the right department. A bot created using Hyro’s development tools. Image Credits: Hyro “Our AI assistants have been used by tens of millions of patients, automating conversations on various channels,” Krush said. “Hyro creates a feedback loop by identifying missing knowledge gaps, basically mimicking the operations of a call center agent. It also shows within a conversation exactly how the AI assistant deduced the correct response to a patient or customer query, meaning that if incorrect answers were given, an enterprise can understand exactly which piece of content or ...

Covid-19 Lab Leak Theory Should Not Be Ruled Out Says Former Head Of China’s CDC - 1日前  Forbes

The former head of China’s Centre for Disease Control (CDC) said the theory that the coronavirus may have leaked from a lab should not be ruled out, BBC News reported.

Zero healthy young adults died of Covid-19 – Israel - 2日前  RT

The Ministry of Health has promised to publish all coronavirus death data by vaccination status and age Not a single healthy person under age 50 died of Covid-19 in Israel, according to data released by the country’s ministry of health in response to a freedom of information request from lawyer Ori Xabi. “Why were all the extreme measures of school closures, vaccination of children, and lockdowns needed?” internal medicine specialist Yoav Yehezkelli, a prominent critic of Israel’s Covid-19 policies, asked the Epoch Times...more. In addition to requesting the number of Covid-19 deaths that had occurred in patients under 50 with no underlying health conditions, Xabi also asked the ministry to provide the average age of patients who died of the disease, segmented by vaccination status, as well as the annual number of cardiac arrest cases between 2018 and 2022. Read more Israel hit by ‘new Covid wave’ The average age of fatalities among those vaccinated against Covid-19 was 80.2 years, while the average for the unvaccinated was 77.4, according to the ministry. However, the MoH claimed to be unable to provide cardiac arrest information for the years 2021 and 2022, explaining that the information had not yet been transferred to them. A study published last year analyzing data from the Israel National Emergency Medical Services found a shocking 25% spike in emergency services calls due to cardiac arrests for patients aged 16 to 39 taking place from January to May 2021. However, Sharon Elroy-Pries, head of Public Health Services for the Ministry of Health, condemned efforts to draw a connection to the start of the Covid-19 vaccination program in December 2020 and denied that there had been an increase in cardiac arrests during that time, or any increase in deaths of young people. Cardiologist Retsef Levi, one of the authors of the study, pointed out that the ministry had claimed not to have information on cardiac arrests for 2021 and 2022, meaning one of the two claims had to be false. While the MoH insisted the data it provided to Xabi regarding patients aged 18 to 49 was limited to cases in which an epidemiological investigation had been completed, it is known to have access to a database that includes extensive data on all patients, including underlying conditions, irrespective of whether an epidemiological investigation was performed. Yehezkelli called the MoH’s response “a bit naive,” questioning why it had withheld the full data, but pointed out that the statistics vindicated government critics. “It was definitely a disease that actually only endangered the elderly,” he said, pointing out that the MoH’s numbers showed the average age of death from Covid-19 was 80. The MoH has promised to supply all-cause mortality data segmented by vaccination status and age by the end of the month, following more than two years of stonewalling in response to Xabi's freedom of information requests....

India logs 425 new Covid-19 cases, active infection tally down at 5,259 - 4日前  Business Standard

India saw a single day rise of 425 new coronavirus infections, while the number of active cases has decreased to 5,259, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Saturday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,859 with three fatalities, which includes one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The COVID-19 case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore. The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, according to the Health Ministry website. The number of people who have...more recuperated from the disease rose to 4,44,52,223 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Covid pill Paxlovid gets full FDA approval after a year of emergency use - 5日前  Business Standard

Pfizer received full approval on Thursday for its COVID-19 pill Paxlovid that's been the go-to treatment against the coronavirus. More than 11 million prescriptions for Paxlovid have been dispensed since the Food and Drug Administration allowed emergency use in late 2021. The emergency status was based on early studies and was intended to be temporary pending follow-up research. The FDA granted full approval for adults with COVID-19 who face high risks of severe disease, which can lead to hospitalization or death. That group typically includes older adults and those with common medical conditi...moreons like diabetes, asthma and obesity. The decision allows Pfizer's drug to remain on the market indefinitely and to be marketed similarly to other drugs. The pill is still available for children ages 12 to 17 under a separate emergency authorisation. The US government has stockpiled millions of doses of Paxlovid and patients will continue to receive it at no charge, the FDA said in a stateme

Magnolia tree bark compound inhibits Covid-19 reproduction: Study - 7日前  Business Standard

A compound found in the bark of magnolia tree inhibits reproduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, in several types of cells, and may be effective against future coronaviruses, according to a study. The researchers found that the compound called honokiol caused the production of infectious SARS-CoV-2 viral particles in treated cells to fall to around 1,000th of the previous level. The research, published in the journal Microbiology Spectrum, also shows that the compound inhibited replication of other highly pathogenic human coronaviruses, including Middle East respiratory syn...moredrome (MERS) and Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). "This suggests that it has a broad spectrum of activity and would likely also inhibit novel coronaviruses that might emerge in the future," said Martijn J. van Hemert, Associate Professor at Leiden University in The Netherlands. "If honokiol can be developed into a drug, possibly in combination with other compounds, stockpiling it woul

India logs 405 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 7,104 - 8日前  Business Standard

India has logged 405 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 7,104 from 7,623, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,843 with four deaths which includes one reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,87,339) The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged ...moreto 4,44,48,392 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

S. Korea’s new COVID-19 cases below 20,000 for 2nd day - 10日前  Intell Asia

Intellasia East Asia News South Korea’s new coronavirus cases stayed below 20,000 for the second consecutive day Saturday as the country has been preparing to return to pre-pandemic normalcy, with new infections plateauing in recent months. The country reported 18,106 cases, including 19 imported cases, bringing the total caseload to 31,524,477, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) […]

India records 865 new Covid-19 infections, cases in country dip to 9,092 - 12日前  Business Standard

India has recorded 865 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 9,092 from 10,179, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,818 with four deaths which includes one reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,84,923) The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged...more to 4,44,44,013 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India logs 801 new Covid-19 cases, active infections decline to 14,493 - 16日前  Business Standard

India has logged 801 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 14,493 from 15,515, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,778 with eight deaths which includes four reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,81,475). The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged ...moreto 4,44,35,204 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India records 310 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 4,222 - 17時間前  Business Standard

A single-day rise of 310 fresh coronavirus cases was reported in India while the active cases decreased to 4,222, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday. The country's COVID-19 death toll has increased to 5,31,870 with three latest fatalities, including one death reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The infection tally stands at 4.49 crore (4,49,90,588). The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.81 per cent, according to the health ministry website. The numbe...morer of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,54,496, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

India registers single-day rise of 224 Covid-19 cases, active cases down - 1日前  Business Standard

India saw a single-day rise of 224 fresh coronavirus cases while the active cases have decreased to 4,503, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,867 with one death, the data updated at 8 am stated. The total tally of Covid cases was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,90,278). The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total cases, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,53,908...more in the country, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

India logs 310 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 4,709 - 2日前  Business Standard

India has logged 310 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 4,709 from 4,972, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,866 with two deaths, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,90,054) The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,53,479 and the case fatality rate ...morewas recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Mumbai sees seven fresh Covid-19 cases, no death, active tally at 108 - 5日前  Business Standard

Mumbai on Friday reported seven COVID-19 cases, which took the tally to 11,63,735, while the death toll stood unchanged at 19,772, a civic official said. The addition to the tally was a drop from the 11 cases detected a day earlier, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation official added. The recovery count increased by 29 in the last 24 hours to touch 11,43,855, leaving the metropolis with an active caseload of 108, he said. As per a BMC report, the recover rate is 98.3 per cent and the overall growth rate of cases between May 19 and 25 is 0.0015 per cent. The caseload doubling time is 44,693 d...moreays and the overall number of coronavirus tests conducted is 1,88,72,177, including 786 in the last 24 hours.

India logs 535 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 6,168 - 6日前  Business Standard

India has recorded 535 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 6,168 from 6,591, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,854 with five deaths which includes three fatalities reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,88,426). The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, according to the health ministry website. The number of people who h...moreave recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,50,404 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India logs 552 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 6,591 - 7日前  Business Standard

India has recorded 552 new coronavirus infections while the active cases have decreased to 6,591 from 7,104, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Wednesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,849 with six deaths which includes three fatalities reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,87,891). The active cases now comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the dis...moreease surged to 4,44,49,451 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India logs 473 new Covid-19 infections, active cases decrease to 7,623 - 9日前  Business Standard

India recorded 473 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases dipped to 7,623, according to the Union health ministry data updated on Monday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,839 with seven deaths which include one fatality reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,86,934). The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 4,44,47,472 w...morehile the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

Active Covid cases reported in country decrease to 8,115 in last 24 hours - 10日前  Business Standard

India has recorded 756 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 8,115 from 8,675, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,832 with eight deaths which includes two deaths reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,86,461). The active cases now comprise 0.02 per cent of the total infections and the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.80 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surg...moreed to 4,44,46,514 while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India logs 656 new Covid-19 cases, active infections dip to 13,037 - 15日前  Business Standard

India has recorded 656 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have decreased to 13,037 from 14,493, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,790 with 12 deaths which includes three reconciled by Kerala, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,82,131) The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.79 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surg...moreed to 4,44,37,304 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.

India records 1,272 new Covid-19 infections, active cases dip to 15,515 - 17日前  Business Standard

India has logged 1,272 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have dipped to 15,515, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The death toll has increased to 5,31,770 with three deaths. While two deaths were reported from Punjab, one was from West Bengal, the data updated at 8 am stated. The Covid case tally was recorded at 4.49 crore (4,49,80,674) The active cases now comprise 0.03 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.78 per cent, the ministry said. The number of people who have recuperated from t...morehe disease surged to 4,44,33,389 and the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.18 per cent. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far under the nationwide vaccination drive.