News Analysis India

Tag: covid-19

  • Centre issues fresh advisory on Covid-19: Mock drills on April 10, 11 to check hospital readiness

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Saturday issued a fresh advisory to states and union territories and asked them to step up testing as there is a “sustained increase” in Covid-19 cases in the country.

    In a joint advisory issued by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, said the government plans to hold a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to check the Covid-19 readiness of all hospitals across the country.

    Health facilities, both public and private, from all districts are expected to participate in the exercise.

    The exact details of the mock drill will be communicated to the states in the virtual meeting scheduled on March 27. 

    The advisory said that a “gradual but sustained increase in the trajectory of Covid-19 cases in the country is being witnessed since mid-February 2023.”

    The letter said that most of the active cases in the country are largely being reported by states like Kerala (26.4 percent), Maharashtra (21.7 percent), and Gujarat (13.9 percent), Karnataka (8.6 percent) and Tamil Nadu (6.3 percent).

    While the rates of hospitalisation and death due to the disease remain low, largely because of the significant coverage achieved in terms of Covid-19 vaccination rates by all states and UTs, this gradual rise in cases needs reinvigorated public health actions to contain the surge, it said.

    The advisory said that in the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO i.e 140 tests/million.

    The letter also asked states and UTs to keep a close watch on the evolving etiologies (causes of diseases) of Influenza like Illness (ILI), especially H1N1 and H3N2, and severe active respiratory illness (SARI) cases.

    The states were also directed to take stock of hospital preparedness including drugs, beds, including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resource on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage.

    On Covid-19 testing, the advisory said, “Testing at the level of districts and blocks also varies, with some states heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests.”

    “Hence it is critical to maintain optimum testing for Covid-19, equitably distributed (with suitable modifications to address the emergence of a new cluster of Covid cases) across the States. This is especially important to identify any emerging hotspots & take pre-emptive steps to curb virus transmission,” the letter said.

    The states were cautioned that both Covid-19 and Influenza share a number of similarities in terms of mode of transmission, high-risk population, clinical signs and symptoms.

    “While this may present a clinical dilemma for the attending doctors in terms of diagnosis, this also renders both these diseases easily preventable by following simple public health measures like avoiding overcrowding and poorly ventilated settings, using handkerchiefs/tissue while sneezing or coughing, wearing mask in crowded and closed settings, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding spitting in public places etc.

    On March 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a high-level meeting to review Covid-19 and Influenza situation as cases soared. He had directed officials to conduct mock drills to ensure that hospitals are prepared for all emergencies.

    A total of 1,161 cases of H3N2 have been reported from January 1 to March 20, 2023, the parliament was informed.

    The maximum cases were reported in Delhi at 370, followed by Rajasthan (180) and Karnataka (134). 

    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Saturday issued a fresh advisory to states and union territories and asked them to step up testing as there is a “sustained increase” in Covid-19 cases in the country.

    In a joint advisory issued by Dr Rajiv Bahl, Secretary, Department of Health Research and DG Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary, said the government plans to hold a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to check the Covid-19 readiness of all hospitals across the country.

    Health facilities, both public and private, from all districts are expected to participate in the exercise.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The exact details of the mock drill will be communicated to the states in the virtual meeting scheduled on March 27. 

    The advisory said that a “gradual but sustained increase in the trajectory of Covid-19 cases in the country is being witnessed since mid-February 2023.”

    The letter said that most of the active cases in the country are largely being reported by states like Kerala (26.4 percent), Maharashtra (21.7 percent), and Gujarat (13.9 percent), Karnataka (8.6 percent) and Tamil Nadu (6.3 percent).

    While the rates of hospitalisation and death due to the disease remain low, largely because of the significant coverage achieved in terms of Covid-19 vaccination rates by all states and UTs, this gradual rise in cases needs reinvigorated public health actions to contain the surge, it said.

    The advisory said that in the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO i.e 140 tests/million.

    The letter also asked states and UTs to keep a close watch on the evolving etiologies (causes of diseases) of Influenza like Illness (ILI), especially H1N1 and H3N2, and severe active respiratory illness (SARI) cases.

    The states were also directed to take stock of hospital preparedness including drugs, beds, including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resource on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage.

    On Covid-19 testing, the advisory said, “Testing at the level of districts and blocks also varies, with some states heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests.”

    “Hence it is critical to maintain optimum testing for Covid-19, equitably distributed (with suitable modifications to address the emergence of a new cluster of Covid cases) across the States. This is especially important to identify any emerging hotspots & take pre-emptive steps to curb virus transmission,” the letter said.

    The states were cautioned that both Covid-19 and Influenza share a number of similarities in terms of mode of transmission, high-risk population, clinical signs and symptoms.

    “While this may present a clinical dilemma for the attending doctors in terms of diagnosis, this also renders both these diseases easily preventable by following simple public health measures like avoiding overcrowding and poorly ventilated settings, using handkerchiefs/tissue while sneezing or coughing, wearing mask in crowded and closed settings, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding spitting in public places etc.

    On March 22, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had held a high-level meeting to review Covid-19 and Influenza situation as cases soared. He had directed officials to conduct mock drills to ensure that hospitals are prepared for all emergencies.

    A total of 1,161 cases of H3N2 have been reported from January 1 to March 20, 2023, the parliament was informed.

    The maximum cases were reported in Delhi at 370, followed by Rajasthan (180) and Karnataka (134).
     

  • Rise in Covid cases: Government planning nationwide drill to take stock of hospital preparedness

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Amid rising cases of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, the government is planning a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to take stock of hospital preparedness.

    According to a joint advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday, both public and private health facilities in all districts are expected to participate in the exercise aimed at taking stock of the availability of medicines, hospital beds, medical equipment and medical oxygen.

    The exact details of the mock drill shall be communicated to the states in the virtual meeting scheduled on March 27, the advisory stated.

    The joint advisory highlighted that in the past several weeks, COVID-19 testing has declined in some states and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), i.e 140 tests per million.

    ALSO READ | India reports 1,590 new COVID cases in last 24 hours

    Testing at the levels of districts and blocks also varies, with some states heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests.

    “Hence it is critical to maintain optimum testing for COVID-19, equitably distributed (with suitable modifications to address emergence of a new cluster of Covid cases) across the states.

    This is especially important to identify any emerging hotspots and take pre-emptive steps to curb virus transmission,” it stated.

    The joint advisory is in continuation of the Union Health Ministry’s earlier communications dated March 10 and 16 on the issue of seasonal circulation of pan-respiratory pathogens in the country as well as public health response to COVID-19 in states and Union territories.

    The advisory signed by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Director General of ICMR Dr Rajiv Bahl stated that a gradual but sustained increase in the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in the country is being witnessed since mid-February.

    As on date, most of the active COVID-19 cases in the country are largely being reported by a few states like Kerala (26.4 per cent), Maharashtra (21.7 per cent), Gujarat (13.9 per cent), Karnataka (8.6 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (6.3 per cent).

    “While the rates of hospitalization and death due to the disease remain low, largely because of the significant coverage achieved in terms of COVID-19 vaccination rates by all states and UTS, this gradual rise in cases needs reinvigorated public health actions to contain the surge,” the advisory said.

    The states and UTs have been asked too keep a close watch on the evolving etiologies (causes of diseases) of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, adding India usually sees a seasonal rise in Influenza cases from January to March and again from August to October.

    Currently, the most prominent subtypes of Influenza in circulation in the country seem to be Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza A (H3N2).

    ALSO READ | No increase in hospitalisation rate or death amid spike in Covid cases: Health Ministry

    “As you may be aware, COVID-19 and Influenza share a number of similarities in terms of mode of transmission, high risk population, clinical signs and symptoms.”

    “While this may present a clinical dilemma for the attending doctors in terms of diagnosis, this also renders both these diseases easily preventable by following simple public health measures like avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, using handkerchief/tissue while sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask in crowded and closed settings, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding spitting in public places, etc,” the advisory mentioned.

    The Union Ministry of Health has already issued detailed guidelines for the management of co-infection of COVID-19 with other seasonal epidemic-prone diseases.

    All states and UTs have been advised to disseminate these guidelines to all health facilities and healthcare workers within the state to help in clinical case management.

    “Under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), states and District IDSP units need to closely follow the trend of ILI/SARI, monitor the proportion of SARI cases among all ILI and SARI cases, and refer a sufficient number of samples for testing for Influenza and SARS-CoV-2,” the joint advisory stated.

    It would also be helpful for all states and UTS to undertake a re-orientation of frontline health workers on epidemiological case definitions to help with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

    The advisory stated in order to limit transmission of these diseases, it is important to raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene particularly, avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, particularly by co-morbid, wearing of masks by doctors, paramedics and other healthcare works as well as patients and their attendants within health care facilities.

    “It would also be useful to take stock of hospital preparedness including drugs, beds including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resources on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage.

    To this effect, a nationwide mock drill is being planned on 10th and 11th April 2023, wherein health facilities (both public and private) from all districts are expected to participate,” the joint advisory read.

    NEW DELHI: Amid rising cases of COVID-19 and seasonal influenza, the government is planning a nationwide mock drill on April 10 and 11 to take stock of hospital preparedness.

    According to a joint advisory issued by the Union Health Ministry and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Saturday, both public and private health facilities in all districts are expected to participate in the exercise aimed at taking stock of the availability of medicines, hospital beds, medical equipment and medical oxygen.

    The exact details of the mock drill shall be communicated to the states in the virtual meeting scheduled on March 27, the advisory stated.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The joint advisory highlighted that in the past several weeks, COVID-19 testing has declined in some states and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by the World Health Organization (WHO), i.e 140 tests per million.

    ALSO READ | India reports 1,590 new COVID cases in last 24 hours

    Testing at the levels of districts and blocks also varies, with some states heavily relying on the less sensitive rapid antigen tests.

    “Hence it is critical to maintain optimum testing for COVID-19, equitably distributed (with suitable modifications to address emergence of a new cluster of Covid cases) across the states.

    This is especially important to identify any emerging hotspots and take pre-emptive steps to curb virus transmission,” it stated.

    The joint advisory is in continuation of the Union Health Ministry’s earlier communications dated March 10 and 16 on the issue of seasonal circulation of pan-respiratory pathogens in the country as well as public health response to COVID-19 in states and Union territories.

    The advisory signed by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and Director General of ICMR Dr Rajiv Bahl stated that a gradual but sustained increase in the trajectory of COVID-19 cases in the country is being witnessed since mid-February.

    As on date, most of the active COVID-19 cases in the country are largely being reported by a few states like Kerala (26.4 per cent), Maharashtra (21.7 per cent), Gujarat (13.9 per cent), Karnataka (8.6 per cent) and Tamil Nadu (6.3 per cent).

    “While the rates of hospitalization and death due to the disease remain low, largely because of the significant coverage achieved in terms of COVID-19 vaccination rates by all states and UTS, this gradual rise in cases needs reinvigorated public health actions to contain the surge,” the advisory said.

    The states and UTs have been asked too keep a close watch on the evolving etiologies (causes of diseases) of Influenza Like Illness (ILI) and Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) cases, adding India usually sees a seasonal rise in Influenza cases from January to March and again from August to October.

    Currently, the most prominent subtypes of Influenza in circulation in the country seem to be Influenza A (H1N1) and Influenza A (H3N2).

    ALSO READ | No increase in hospitalisation rate or death amid spike in Covid cases: Health Ministry

    “As you may be aware, COVID-19 and Influenza share a number of similarities in terms of mode of transmission, high risk population, clinical signs and symptoms.”

    “While this may present a clinical dilemma for the attending doctors in terms of diagnosis, this also renders both these diseases easily preventable by following simple public health measures like avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, using handkerchief/tissue while sneezing or coughing, wearing a mask in crowded and closed settings, maintaining hand hygiene, avoiding spitting in public places, etc,” the advisory mentioned.

    The Union Ministry of Health has already issued detailed guidelines for the management of co-infection of COVID-19 with other seasonal epidemic-prone diseases.

    All states and UTs have been advised to disseminate these guidelines to all health facilities and healthcare workers within the state to help in clinical case management.

    “Under Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), states and District IDSP units need to closely follow the trend of ILI/SARI, monitor the proportion of SARI cases among all ILI and SARI cases, and refer a sufficient number of samples for testing for Influenza and SARS-CoV-2,” the joint advisory stated.

    It would also be helpful for all states and UTS to undertake a re-orientation of frontline health workers on epidemiological case definitions to help with early diagnosis and prompt treatment.

    The advisory stated in order to limit transmission of these diseases, it is important to raise community awareness regarding adherence to respiratory and hand hygiene particularly, avoiding overcrowded and poorly ventilated settings, particularly by co-morbid, wearing of masks by doctors, paramedics and other healthcare works as well as patients and their attendants within health care facilities.

    “It would also be useful to take stock of hospital preparedness including drugs, beds including ICU beds, medical equipment, medical oxygen, capacity building of human resources on existing guidelines as well as vaccination coverage.

    To this effect, a nationwide mock drill is being planned on 10th and 11th April 2023, wherein health facilities (both public and private) from all districts are expected to participate,” the joint advisory read.

  • Delhi reports 83 new Covid-19 cases, one more death

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Delhi logged 83 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 5.83 per cent on Tuesday along with one more fatality, according to data shared by the Health department.

    The city has seen an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days, amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country. The national capital on Monday recorded 34 cases with a positivity rate of 6.98 per cent.

    Delhi logged 72 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 3.95 per cent on Sunday. The capital had on Saturday recorded 58 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 3.52 per cent.

    The city registered 38 cases with a positivity rate of 3.13 per cent on Friday and 32 cases with a positivity rate of 2.25 per cent on Thursday.

    The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the pandemic began ravaging countries.

    With the fresh cases, the national capital’s COVID-19 case tally has risen to 20,08,087 while the death toll stands at 26,524. A total of 1,423 tests were conducted the previous day.

    Only 17 of the 7,984 beds are occupied in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals while 179 patients are in home isolation.

    The number of active cases in the national capital currently stands at 209, the data showed.

    Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had on Friday said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.

    Maha logs 280 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality

    Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 280 new cases of coronavirus and one fatality due to the infection, taking the tally to 81,40,145 and the toll to 1,48,429, an official from the state health department said.

    The daily count of cases has more than doubled since Monday when it reported 128 new cases.

    According to an official report, with 7,845 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted across the state rose to 8,65,57,062.

    Of the latest cases, Pune circle reported the highest 133 infections, followed by 101 from Mumbai, 14 from Nashik, 10 from Kolhapur, nine from Nagpur, seven cases from Akola and six from Aurangabad.

    The only casualty of the day was reported from Latur circle, the report said.

    Mumbai has reported 61 new cases that raised its tally of infections to 11,54,999, which includes 19,747 fatalities.

    The count of recoveries rose to 79,90,227 after 154 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, the report said.

    With this, the state now has 1,489 active cases, of which the highest number of 466 cases was from Pune district, followed by 321 from Mumbai and 265 from Thane district.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent, while the fatality rate is at 1.82 per cent, it stated.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases : 81,40,145; fresh cases: 280; death toll 1,48,429; recoveries 79,90,227; active cases 1,489; total tests: 8,65,57,062.

    NEW DELHI: Delhi logged 83 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 5.83 per cent on Tuesday along with one more fatality, according to data shared by the Health department.

    The city has seen an increase in the number of fresh Covid cases over the last few days, amid a sharp rise in H3N2 influenza cases in the country. The national capital on Monday recorded 34 cases with a positivity rate of 6.98 per cent.

    Delhi logged 72 COVID-19 cases with a positivity rate of 3.95 per cent on Sunday. The capital had on Saturday recorded 58 Covid cases with a positivity rate of 3.52 per cent.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The city registered 38 cases with a positivity rate of 3.13 per cent on Friday and 32 cases with a positivity rate of 2.25 per cent on Thursday.

    The number of fresh cases had dropped to zero on January 16, the first time since the pandemic began ravaging countries.

    With the fresh cases, the national capital’s COVID-19 case tally has risen to 20,08,087 while the death toll stands at 26,524. A total of 1,423 tests were conducted the previous day.

    Only 17 of the 7,984 beds are occupied in dedicated COVID-19 hospitals while 179 patients are in home isolation.

    The number of active cases in the national capital currently stands at 209, the data showed.

    Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj had on Friday said there are not many influenza cases in Delhi hospitals and the situation is being monitored closely.

    The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has said that the rise in influenza cases is due to the Influenza A subtype H3N2 virus. The H3N2 virus is leading to more hospitalisations than other subtypes. The symptoms include a runny nose, persistent cough and fever.

    Maha logs 280 new COVID-19 cases, one fatality

    Maharashtra on Tuesday recorded 280 new cases of coronavirus and one fatality due to the infection, taking the tally to 81,40,145 and the toll to 1,48,429, an official from the state health department said.

    The daily count of cases has more than doubled since Monday when it reported 128 new cases.

    According to an official report, with 7,845 swab samples tested in the last 24 hours, the total number of tests conducted across the state rose to 8,65,57,062.

    Of the latest cases, Pune circle reported the highest 133 infections, followed by 101 from Mumbai, 14 from Nashik, 10 from Kolhapur, nine from Nagpur, seven cases from Akola and six from Aurangabad.

    The only casualty of the day was reported from Latur circle, the report said.

    Mumbai has reported 61 new cases that raised its tally of infections to 11,54,999, which includes 19,747 fatalities.

    The count of recoveries rose to 79,90,227 after 154 patients recovered from the infection in the last 24 hours, the report said.

    With this, the state now has 1,489 active cases, of which the highest number of 466 cases was from Pune district, followed by 321 from Mumbai and 265 from Thane district.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent, while the fatality rate is at 1.82 per cent, it stated.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases : 81,40,145; fresh cases: 280; death toll 1,48,429; recoveries 79,90,227; active cases 1,489; total tests: 8,65,57,062.

  • Avoid antibiotics unless in case of bacterial infection: ICMR’s revised Covid-19 guidelines  

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country.

    “@ICMRDELHI COVID19 National Task Force, @aiims_newdelhi & Dte.GHS revised clinical guidance for management of adult #COVID19 patients. Guideline does not advice use of Lopinavir-ritonavir, HCQ, Ivermectin, Convalescent plasma, Molnupiravir, Favipiravir, Azithromycin, Doxycycline,” Dr Lokesh Sharma, Heath informatics researcher, ICMR tweeted.

    “Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

    As per the revised Ccovid-19 guidelines, maintain “Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, anti-pyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with treating physician.

    “Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

    Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.

    Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday wrote to the State governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in Covid-19 cases.

    India has observed a significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases during the past few months. However, in the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8, 2023, which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15, said the Union Home Ministry’s letter.

    There are few States which are reporting a higher number of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infection and there is a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic, said the Union Health Ministry.

    Gujarat has reported an increase in weekly cases from 105 in the week ending March 8, 2023, to 279 in the week ending March 15. Further, the State reported a positivity rate of 1.11 per cent in the week ending March 15 which is higher than India’s positivity rate of 0.61 per cent during the same period, the letter said. 

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country.

    “@ICMRDELHI COVID19 National Task Force, @aiims_newdelhi & Dte.GHS revised clinical guidance for management of adult #COVID19 patients. Guideline does not advice use of Lopinavir-ritonavir, HCQ, Ivermectin, Convalescent plasma, Molnupiravir, Favipiravir, Azithromycin, Doxycycline,” Dr Lokesh Sharma, Heath informatics researcher, ICMR tweeted.

    “Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    As per the revised Ccovid-19 guidelines, maintain “Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, anti-pyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with treating physician.

    “Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

    Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.

    Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry on Thursday wrote to the State governments of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka to follow a five-fold strategy of test, track, treat and vaccinations as these states witness a rise in Covid-19 cases.

    India has observed a significant decline in the number of Covid-19 cases during the past few months. However, in the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8, 2023, which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15, said the Union Home Ministry’s letter.

    There are few States which are reporting a higher number of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infection and there is a need to follow a risk assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic, said the Union Health Ministry.

    Gujarat has reported an increase in weekly cases from 105 in the week ending March 8, 2023, to 279 in the week ending March 15. Further, the State reported a positivity rate of 1.11 per cent in the week ending March 15 which is higher than India’s positivity rate of 0.61 per cent during the same period, the letter said. 

  • Maharashtra reports 249 Covid-19 cases, one death; active cases rise to 1,164   

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Saturday recorded 249 new coronavirus infections and one pandemic-related death.

    The number of active patients rose to 1,164, the health department said in a release. The state’s COVID-19 case tally rose to 81,39,501 and death toll to 1,48, 428. 

    On Friday, Maharashtra had recorded 197 new cases and one fatality. The latest fatality was recorded in Thane city. The case fatality rate in the state stands at 1.82 per cent.

    As many as 113 patients recovered from coronavirus infection since previous evening, taking the cumulative recoveries to 79,89,909.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent.

    As many as 7,472 tests were conducted since Friday evening, which took the total of tests conducted in the state to 8,65,42,885.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra: Fresh cases: 249; New deaths: 1, Active cases: 1,164; New tests: 7,472.

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Saturday recorded 249 new coronavirus infections and one pandemic-related death.

    The number of active patients rose to 1,164, the health department said in a release. The state’s COVID-19 case tally rose to 81,39,501 and death toll to 1,48, 428. 

    On Friday, Maharashtra had recorded 197 new cases and one fatality. The latest fatality was recorded in Thane city. The case fatality rate in the state stands at 1.82 per cent.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    As many as 113 patients recovered from coronavirus infection since previous evening, taking the cumulative recoveries to 79,89,909.

    The recovery rate in the state is 98.16 per cent.

    As many as 7,472 tests were conducted since Friday evening, which took the total of tests conducted in the state to 8,65,42,885.

    Coronavirus figures of Maharashtra: Fresh cases: 249; New deaths: 1, Active cases: 1,164; New tests: 7,472.

  • Amid uptick in Covid-19 cases, Centre writes to six states to take pre-emptive action

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As Covid-19 cases are seeing an uptick, the Centre on Thursday wrote to six states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana, to maintain a strict watch and to take pre-emptive action to control the emerging spread of the virus.

    The union health ministry directed the six states, which also included Gujarat and Maharashtra, to carry out testing, monitor new and emerging clusters of new Covid-19 cases and to monitor Influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection, which is also rapidly surging across India.

    In a letter, union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India has observed a significant decline in the number of Covod-19 cases during the past few months.

    “However, since the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8 which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15.”

    He said these states are reporting higher numbers of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infection.

    The health secretary said there is a need to follow a risk-assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic.

    He asked all six states to examine the Covid-19 situation at the micro-level – districts and sub-districts – and maintain focus on implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid-19.

    Bhushan also said that the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and following Covid appropriate behaviour should be followed and asked the states to focus on genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of international passengers, and collection of samples from sentinel sites.

    “It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control the emerging spread of infection,” the letter said.

    Seven districts in Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai and Thane, are recording a high number of Covid-19 cases. Similarly, in Gujarat, seven districts, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, are reporting an increase in the cases in the past few weeks.

    The ministry said analysis of Telangana showed that most of the cases are being reported from Hyderabad district.

    In Tamil Nadu, four districts – Salem, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Tiruchirappali – are reporting an increase in Covid-19 cases, while Kerala has reported an increase in Covid-19 cases from six districts, including Ernakulam, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad.

    Four districts in Karnataka – Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Uttara Kannada – are reporting increased weekly cases, the ministry said.

    Meanwhile, the first case of H3N2 infection was reported in Bhopal. The patient has been kept in home isolation, a report quoting Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister, Vishwas Sarang, said.

    NEW DELHI: As Covid-19 cases are seeing an uptick, the Centre on Thursday wrote to six states, including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Telangana, to maintain a strict watch and to take pre-emptive action to control the emerging spread of the virus.

    The union health ministry directed the six states, which also included Gujarat and Maharashtra, to carry out testing, monitor new and emerging clusters of new Covid-19 cases and to monitor Influenza-like illness and severe acute respiratory infection, which is also rapidly surging across India.

    In a letter, union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said India has observed a significant decline in the number of Covod-19 cases during the past few months.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “However, since the past few weeks a rise in cases has been noted specifically in certain parts of the country with a total of 2,082 cases reported in the week ending March 8 which rose to 3,264 cases in the week ending March 15.”

    He said these states are reporting higher numbers of cases indicating the possible localized spread of infection.

    The health secretary said there is a need to follow a risk-assessment-based approach to prevent and contain the infection, without losing the gains made so far in the fight against the pandemic.

    He asked all six states to examine the Covid-19 situation at the micro-level – districts and sub-districts – and maintain focus on implementation of necessary measures for prompt and effective management of Covid-19.

    Bhushan also said that the five-fold strategy of test-track-treat-vaccination and following Covid appropriate behaviour should be followed and asked the states to focus on genomic sequencing for prescribed samples of international passengers, and collection of samples from sentinel sites.

    “It is essential that the state must maintain a strict watch and take pre-emptive action if required in any areas of concern to control the emerging spread of infection,” the letter said.

    Seven districts in Maharashtra, including Pune, Mumbai and Thane, are recording a high number of Covid-19 cases. Similarly, in Gujarat, seven districts, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Surat, are reporting an increase in the cases in the past few weeks.

    The ministry said analysis of Telangana showed that most of the cases are being reported from Hyderabad district.

    In Tamil Nadu, four districts – Salem, the Nilgiris, Tiruppur and Tiruchirappali – are reporting an increase in Covid-19 cases, while Kerala has reported an increase in Covid-19 cases from six districts, including Ernakulam, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Thrissur and Palakkad.

    Four districts in Karnataka – Shivamogga, Kalaburagi, Mysuru and Uttara Kannada – are reporting increased weekly cases, the ministry said.

    Meanwhile, the first case of H3N2 infection was reported in Bhopal. The patient has been kept in home isolation, a report quoting Madhya Pradesh Medical Education Minister, Vishwas Sarang, said.

  • India consistently trying to minimise dependence on foreign countries in health sector: PM Modi 

    Addressing a post-budget webinar on 'Health and Medical Research', Modi said India's health sector was marred by a lack of integrated approach and long-term vision for decades.

  • Stellar healthcare professionals helped India defeat COVID-19: Mandaviya 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and stellar healthcare professionals across the country helped India conquer “unsurmountable challenges” during the pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

    He said India set an exemplary pro-vaccination Covid management model when other countries were struggling with vaccine hesitancy.

    Mandaviya was speaking at the release of a book — titled ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story-From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’ — authored by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry, at Pragati Maidan here.

    आज विश्व पुस्तक मेले में वित्त मंत्रालय के अतिरिक्त सचिव @Sajjan95 जी की पुस्तक ‘भारत की वैक्सीन विकास – गाथा’ का विमोचन किया।यह पुस्तक पीएम @NarendraModi जी के सशक्त नेतृत्व और हमारे वैज्ञानिकों की कड़ी मेहनत से निर्मित हुई वैक्सीन की गाथा का ग्रंथ है। pic.twitter.com/HAEkvtXyq3
    — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 4, 2023
    “The combination of Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and the stellar healthcare professionals across the country led India to conquer unsurmountable challenges to achieve a feat no country has before, catering not just to its own nation, but supplying life-saving vaccines worldwide, all in due time,” the health minister said.

    Lauding the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals, Mandaviya said, “India administered 2.2 billion doses as a part of the world’s largest Covid vaccination drive without any shortages across the nation resulting in saving 3.4 million lives.”

    He also encouraged writers to inculcate research-based documentation that would lend a voice to India’s treasure of traditions and heritage that lay dormant and forgotten.

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and stellar healthcare professionals across the country helped India conquer “unsurmountable challenges” during the pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Saturday.

    He said India set an exemplary pro-vaccination Covid management model when other countries were struggling with vaccine hesitancy.

    Mandaviya was speaking at the release of a book — titled ‘India’s Vaccine Growth Story-From Cowpox to Vaccine Maitri’ — authored by Sajjan Singh Yadav, Additional Secretary, Department of Expenditure in the Finance Ministry, at Pragati Maidan here.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    आज विश्व पुस्तक मेले में वित्त मंत्रालय के अतिरिक्त सचिव @Sajjan95 जी की पुस्तक ‘भारत की वैक्सीन विकास – गाथा’ का विमोचन किया।
    यह पुस्तक पीएम @NarendraModi जी के सशक्त नेतृत्व और हमारे वैज्ञानिकों की कड़ी मेहनत से निर्मित हुई वैक्सीन की गाथा का ग्रंथ है। pic.twitter.com/HAEkvtXyq3
    — Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) March 4, 2023
    “The combination of Narendra Modi’s faith in the Indian scientific community and the stellar healthcare professionals across the country led India to conquer unsurmountable challenges to achieve a feat no country has before, catering not just to its own nation, but supplying life-saving vaccines worldwide, all in due time,” the health minister said.

    Lauding the unwavering dedication of healthcare professionals, Mandaviya said, “India administered 2.2 billion doses as a part of the world’s largest Covid vaccination drive without any shortages across the nation resulting in saving 3.4 million lives.”

    He also encouraged writers to inculcate research-based documentation that would lend a voice to India’s treasure of traditions and heritage that lay dormant and forgotten.

  • Pandemic sees rise in online consultations; users mostly women, young adults

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Covid pandemic saw a rapid rise in online consultations in India, mostly among women, with over 65 per cent of them opting for this quick and easy way to meet their urgent medical needs, a new survey has said.

    After women, it was young adults, below 25, who wanted guidance about their sexual-related health problems, said the survey, which was conducted from data collated from 111 million interactions that happened between users and doctors on the Lybrate platform, a healthcare digital platform, in 2022.

    The survey conducted by HealthScape Advisors, a management consulting firm working in the areas of health, also found that online consultations have jumped by 87 per cent in tier-II and tier-III cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow, while metro cities witnessed a 75 per cent increase in the same period.

    “The last two years have seen a rapid increase in online doctor consultations. Telemedicine has given patients more accessible access to primary health care,” the study said

    Online appointments by women grew over 65 per cent in 2022 as compared to 2021, the study said, adding that most women consulted specialities including gastroenterologists and ENT, which grew by over 150 per cent

    This was followed by dermatologists and internal medicine, which grew by 125 per cent, psychiatry and paediatrics by 110 per cent each and gynaecology consultations grew by 100 per cent in 2022, the study said.

    The study said young adults under 25 are more curious about sexual health-related guidance and many of them posted queries on the platform, including on masturbation addiction, STDs, pregnancy and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that affects hormones, and causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and infertility.

    The data also showed that people between the ages of 25-45 majorly booked consultations for their kids or for issues related to sexual or mental health. Those above 45 years primarily seek consultations on chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, post-Covid-19 complications and thyroid-related ailments.

    Some of the highest searched keywords among men across age groups were masturbation addiction, penile enlargement and erectile dysfunction, the study added.

    Meanwhile, PCOS, healthy pregnancy and irregular periods were the highest searched keywords among women across India.

    Harsimarbir Singh, co-founder of Pristyn Care, said, “The pandemic has brought a massive shift in patient behaviour, especially most of them seeking medical consultations and communicating with doctors online and offline.”

    “We are not only witnessing a great demand for online consultations, but offline consultations have also jumped and have shown two times growth over the past year. It is encouraging to see that Indians are becoming more and more health conscious,” he said. 

    NEW DELHI: The Covid pandemic saw a rapid rise in online consultations in India, mostly among women, with over 65 per cent of them opting for this quick and easy way to meet their urgent medical needs, a new survey has said.

    After women, it was young adults, below 25, who wanted guidance about their sexual-related health problems, said the survey, which was conducted from data collated from 111 million interactions that happened between users and doctors on the Lybrate platform, a healthcare digital platform, in 2022.

    The survey conducted by HealthScape Advisors, a management consulting firm working in the areas of health, also found that online consultations have jumped by 87 per cent in tier-II and tier-III cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow, while metro cities witnessed a 75 per cent increase in the same period.

    “The last two years have seen a rapid increase in online doctor consultations. Telemedicine has given patients more accessible access to primary health care,” the study said

    Online appointments by women grew over 65 per cent in 2022 as compared to 2021, the study said, adding that most women consulted specialities including gastroenterologists and ENT, which grew by over 150 per cent

    This was followed by dermatologists and internal medicine, which grew by 125 per cent, psychiatry and paediatrics by 110 per cent each and gynaecology consultations grew by 100 per cent in 2022, the study said.

    The study said young adults under 25 are more curious about sexual health-related guidance and many of them posted queries on the platform, including on masturbation addiction, STDs, pregnancy and Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a common condition that affects hormones, and causes irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, acne and infertility.

    The data also showed that people between the ages of 25-45 majorly booked consultations for their kids or for issues related to sexual or mental health. Those above 45 years primarily seek consultations on chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, post-Covid-19 complications and thyroid-related ailments.

    Some of the highest searched keywords among men across age groups were masturbation addiction, penile enlargement and erectile dysfunction, the study added.

    Meanwhile, PCOS, healthy pregnancy and irregular periods were the highest searched keywords among women across India.

    Harsimarbir Singh, co-founder of Pristyn Care, said, “The pandemic has brought a massive shift in patient behaviour, especially most of them seeking medical consultations and communicating with doctors online and offline.”

    “We are not only witnessing a great demand for online consultations, but offline consultations have also jumped and have shown two times growth over the past year. It is encouraging to see that Indians are becoming more and more health conscious,” he said. 

  • Bharat Biotech sends three lakh nasal shots to private hospitals

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  Bharat Biotech has delivered three lakh doses of its nasal Covid-19 vaccine to private hospitals across India, the Hyderabad-based pharma company’s executive chairman Krishna Ella said on Sunday.

    iNCOVACC, world’s first intranasal Covid-19 vaccine, was launched on January 26. The vaccine is now on sale CoWIN and priced at I800 for private markets and I325 for the state and Central government.“We dispatched three lakh doses of the nasal vaccine to some hospitals two days ago. Let us see the response. Some countries have approached us for (exporting) nasal vaccines.

    We can’t reveal the names. International agencies are looking at it very critically,” Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, said on the sidelines of an event in which an MoU was signed between the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Global Health Institute (GHI) and the Ella Foundation for the establishment of the first-ever UW-Madison One Health Centre in Bengaluru.

    He also batted for merging all state drug regulatory bodies with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to ensure “one quality, one standard” for Indian drugs. His remarks came in the backdrop of a third incident of India-made drugs being linked with reported deaths abroad since last October.  

    On Friday, Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its eye drops linked to vision loss and death in the US following US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricting its imports. The pharma company has also been asked to stop all its productions under the category of ophthalmic preparation.

    NEW DELHI:  Bharat Biotech has delivered three lakh doses of its nasal Covid-19 vaccine to private hospitals across India, the Hyderabad-based pharma company’s executive chairman Krishna Ella said on Sunday.

    iNCOVACC, world’s first intranasal Covid-19 vaccine, was launched on January 26. The vaccine is now on sale CoWIN and priced at I800 for private markets and I325 for the state and Central government.
    “We dispatched three lakh doses of the nasal vaccine to some hospitals two days ago. Let us see the response. Some countries have approached us for (exporting) nasal vaccines.

    We can’t reveal the names. International agencies are looking at it very critically,” Ella, executive chairman of Bharat Biotech, said on the sidelines of an event in which an MoU was signed between the University of Wisconsin (UW)-Madison Global Health Institute (GHI) and the Ella Foundation for the establishment of the first-ever UW-Madison One Health Centre in Bengaluru.

    He also batted for merging all state drug regulatory bodies with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to ensure “one quality, one standard” for Indian drugs. His remarks came in the backdrop of a third incident of India-made drugs being linked with reported deaths abroad since last October.  

    On Friday, Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its eye drops linked to vision loss and death in the US following US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) restricting its imports. The pharma company has also been asked to stop all its productions under the category of ophthalmic preparation.