News Analysis India

Tag: fighting covid

  • Minuscule risk of blood clots with Covishield, no clots yet with Covaxin: Expert panel

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: A very minuscule but definitive risk of thromboembolic (blood clot) events — 0.61 cases per million vaccinations — has been seen among those administered the Covishield vaccine in India, the National Adverse Events Following Immunisation (AEFI) committee has said in a report to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    The data is based on an in-depth case review of 498 out of 700 serious and severe events following the administration of over 7.5 crore Covid vaccine doses in India till April 3, by the national adverse event following immunisation committee.

    The report by the AEFI panel showed that a total of 26 thromboembolic events were found out of the 498 cases, from the total 700 serious and severe adverse events, that have been examined in detail so far. 

    The committee has submitted its report to the Union Ministry of Health. “AEFI data in India showed that there is a very minuscule but definitive risk of thromboembolic events (formation of a clot in a blood vessel that might also break loose and carried by the blood stream to plug another vessel),” said the  ministry in a statement.  

    It, however, did not reveal how many people had died due to this complication in India.

    The reporting rate of these events in India is around 0.61 per million doses, which is much lower than the 4 cases per million reported by the UK’s regulator Medical and Health Regulatory Authority while Germany has reported 10 events per million doses, the government said.

    There were no potential thromboembolic events reported following administration of Covaxin vaccine, the analysis by the AEFI committee has shown.

    Till April 3, 75,435,381 vaccine doses had been administered in India — 68,650,819 doses of Covishield and 6,784,562 doses of Covaxin.

    Of these, 65,944,106 were first doses and 9,491,275 second doses. Since the Covid vaccination drive was initiated, more than 23,000 adverse events were reported through the CoWIN platform reported from 684 of the 753 districts of the country.

    Of these, only 700 cases or 9.3 cases  per million doses administered were reported to be of a serious and severe nature, according to the AEFI committee.

    ALSO READ | Senior virologist Shahid Jameel quits as Chief Advisor to Centre’s Covid genome surveillance project

    The panel has underscored that thromboembolic events keep occurring in the general population as background and scientific literature suggests that this risk is almost 70% less in persons of South and South East Asian descent in comparison to those from European descent.

    The government, however, insisted that Covishield continues to have a definite positive benefit risk profile with tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce Covid deaths.

    The Health Ministry, it said, is continuously monitoring the safety of all Covid vaccines and is promoting reporting of suspected adverse events.

    Following the findings of the committee, separate advisories will be issued to healthcare workers and vaccine beneficiaries to make them aware of suspected thromboembolic symptoms occurring within 20 days after receiving any vaccine, mainly particularly Covishield, and report preferably to the health facility where the vaccine was administered.

    The development comes following persistent demands by public health experts and activists to release data on serious adverse events since Covid vaccination drive was started in the country in mid-January.

    Signs and symptoms that may suggest possible blood clot event following vaccination:

    Breathlessness
    Pain in chest
    Pain in limbs or pain on pressing limbs or swelling in limbs,
    Multiple, pinhead size red spots or bruising of skin in an area beyond the injection site,
    Persistent abdominal pain with or without vomiting,
    Seizures in the absence of previous history of seizures with or without vomiting,
    Severe and persistent headache with or without vomiting (in the absence of previous history of migraine or chronic headache),
    Weakness or paralysis of limbs or any particular side or part of the body including face,
    Persistent vomiting without any obvious reason,
    Blurred vision or pain in eyes or having double vision,
    Change in mental status or having confusion or depressed level of consciousness,
    Any other symptom or health condition which is of concern to the recipient or the family.

  • TNIE impact: Rajasthan government helps children orphaned during Covid-19 pandemic

    Express News Service
    JAIPUR: As Covid-19 devastates countless families in the country, the plight of children who have lost both parents to the disease has been particularly heart-wrenching. 

    The New Indian Express has been reflecting many of these stories and now the Rajasthan government has come forward to help these children who are facing a harsh future.

    The state Health Minister Dr Raghu Sharma has instructed district collectors, principals of medical colleges and health officers to take initiatives to ensure the well-being of these children. 

    The health department has asked the chief medical officer of each district to take help of doctors and medical institutions in this regard.

    ALSO READ | Kids silenced into gloom as Covid struck home

    Additional Chief Secretary of the Department, Akhil Arora informed that nominated doctors in medical institutions will immediately communicate about the orphaned children to child helpline number 1098 or the officials concerned.

    There are reports that children who have become orphans due to Covid are spread across many districts. Many of the parents died in hospitals. Number of deaths in rural areas has also increased. According to officials, 40 per cent cases and deaths are coming from villages and identifying orphaned children has become a challenge.

    ALSO READ | These Kota sisters live in a void, face harsh future

    In a series of such painful stories covered by The New Indian Express, three are from Rajasthan. This included two sisters from Kota, Urvi (12) and Krati (5), who lost their parents in span of two days.

    ​Among the countless orphans of Covid-19 are Supriya (16) and Bindiya (13) who lost their father and mother in a gap of just three days last month. In another incident, Poorvi and Riya had lost their parents Shyam and Mahima Maheshwari.

    Sangeeta Beniwal, the chairperson of State Child Rights Commission, said, “This is a terrible tragedy. We will try our best to help these children. I will personally ensure that they are linked to the ‘Palanhaar Yojna’ under which we give Rs 1,000 a month for all orphans. The CM had also announced “Panna Dhay” in the state budget this year to help the children in need. I will also recommend this case for special assistance from the CM Relief Fund.”

  • Armed forces rope in Battlefield Nursing Assistants to help in COVID-19 care

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The armed forces have roped in Battlefield Nursing Assistants (BFNA) to help fight the second wave of COVID-19 and have suggested that a similar model can be followed by state governments and hospitals, according to senior officials.

    Lt General Madhuri Kanitkar, the Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Medical), believes BFNAs can also train young volunteers to help relieve trained nurses of administration duties so that they can be gainfully utilised for more important duties in the fight against the pandemic.

    The armed forces are pulling out all available resources to augment its ‘Ops CO-JEET’, a joint effort of the Army, the Indian Air Force and the Navy against the pandemic, and have deployed BFNAs at COVID-19 care centres.

    BFNAs are generally trained in providing basic health care facilities in combat situation which include administering injections and helping in breathing exercise, Lt Gen Kanitkar said.

    The armed forces are even helping the state administrations by putting to use their personnel and military resources to provide succour to the needy, but more is required to be done in these testing times and, therefore, volunteers from the society are needed to assist the state governments, she said.

    Lt Gen Kanitkar also said a large number of Battlefield Nursing Assistants who are trained in basic medical care have been brought in for COVID-19 management.

    “We have created a mechanism where we are trying for a dedicated buddy for 25 patients,” the Lt General said.

    Already the fresh COVID-19 wave has been treated as a war and the armed forces have launched the operation “CO-JEET” which encompasses psychological measures to allay fears and panic and augmentation of medical facilities to combat the disease.

    Carrying on with the belief of ‘conviction theory’ that “in times of stress, if you have someone to talk to, it makes a huge difference”, Lt Gen Kanitkar said the nursing assistants from the Army, the IAF and the Navy would reassure COVID-19 patients that everything will be fine soon.

    “In case of need, these soldiers who are already trained in providing basic nursing aid during combat operations would help in respiratory issues by making the patients do breathing exercise,” she said.

    The “Co-JEET” operation has engaged the personnel of the three wings of the armed forces — the Army, Indian Air Force and the Navy — to help restore the oxygen supply chain, setting up of COVID-19 beds and providing help to civilian administration in their fight to control the pandemic.

    The Department of Defence created a COVID crisis Management Committee.

    The CO-JEET stands for Co-workers of all the three services who will finally have ‘Jeet’ (victory) over COVID.

    Having vaccinated close to 98 per cent of the workforce, the services are pitching in every field of national effort towards COVID-19 relief while maintaining seamless coordination with government machinery to ensure optimisation of medical efforts.

    This move is part of the concerted efforts to upgrade the facilities of armed forces’ hospitals which are being run beyond their capacity by the depleted medical manpower, she added.

  • IIT comes up with green tech to reduce firewood for cremating the dead

    Express News Service
    CHANDIGARH:  IIT-Ropar has developed a technology that involves smokeless cremation of the body.

    At a time when corpses are piling up at crematoriums across the country, this innovation might come in handy, as this ecofriendly traditional method requires less wood.

    This concept is based on a wick stove, in which the wick glows yellow when lighted and is converted into smokeless blue flame through an air combustion system. The cart has wheels and can be transported without a lot of effort. There are stainless steel trays on both sides for easy ash removal.

    After extensive use, it has a cooling-off period that takes 12 hours, while in normal machines this takes 48 hours. The technology could be helpful as crematoriums across the country struggle due to a surge in Covid fatalities. Harpreet Singh, Dean ICSR & II, IIT Ropar, said: “Usually wood costs about Rs 2,500 for disposing one body. Also, a formal Hindu cremation needs more than 400 kg of wood. This is reduced at least by half with the help of eco-friendly cart.”

    IIT Ropar collaborated with Cheema Boilers Limited to develop this. Harjinder Singh Cheema, MD of Cheema Boilers Limited, said: “We are providing the simplest and cheapest way of cremation, which can be performed with half the wood required today. It can reduce carbon footprint by half. This can also be used on LPG but changing mindset is an uphill task.”

  • Why this Chandigarh doctor chose Mysuru for Covid duty

    Express News Service
    MYSURU:  When words come up short to express gratitude to health workers who are busy saving lives, actions speak.

    A young doctor, who flew down from Chandigarh, has now volunteered to work for free at the Mysuru district Covid-19 hospital where his mother, who was in a very critical state, was saved.

    Dr Harsha, who hails from a family of agriculturists in Mandya district, is pursuing his MD in Radiodiagnosis at PGIMER, Chandigarh.

    The gesture has come in for much praise at a time when most hospitals are grappling with an acute shortage of staff and repeated recruitment drives have yielded no results.

    It all started after Dr Harsha’s mother’s vitals started fluctuating when she was under treatment for Covid at a hospital in Maddur, Mandya district, and was in urgent need of an ICU bed.

    While many hospitals denied 48-year-old Rajalakshmi a bed saying she was too critical to be saved, the Covid-19 hospital in Mysuru agreed to take her.

    “Many had written off her case, but it was the Mysuru district hospital and Dr Rajeshwari H R, the District Surgeon, who gave us with hope and shifted her to the ICU. After 10 days of care, she is now finally out of the ICU and recuperating well,” said a relieved Dr Harsha.

    Inspired by the efforts of the staff in saving his mother, Dr Harsha has been voluntarily treating patients at the hospital ever since. 

    “The hospital has sufficient infrastructure and facilities. But since the ICU beds are full, and with a shortage of manpower, it is challenging for the existing staff since the patients are in critical condition and each one of them needs constant attention,” he said. Harsha has now extended his leave to continue his work at the Mysuru hospital. 

  • Odisha to vaccinate vulnerable people without identify proof

    By Express News Service
    BHUBANESWAR: The Odisha government has decided to conduct a special drive for inoculation of vulnerable people who don’t have any approved identity documents.

    As per the decision, separate vaccination sites will be set up in districts and towns for the people eligible for Covid-19 vaccination but do not possess any one of the seven approved identify documents such as Aadhaar card, voter card, passport, driving licence, PAN card, pension card with photo, and NPR smart card.

    The move came after the government found that some vulnerable groups of citizens do not possess any of the prescribed identity proofs required for registration of beneficiaries in the CoWIN portal as mandated by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

    People to be made part of the special vaccination drive included nomads, sadhus and saints, prisoners, inmates of mental health institutions, and rehabilitation centres/camps, residents of old age homes, roadside beggars, and any other identified eligible persons aged 18 years or more.

    ALSO READ | Odisha to float global tender for Covid vaccines

    Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, and CDMOs have been directed to prepare a list of such persons and set up separate session sites for timely vaccination of the vulnerable people without identity proof.

    Additional Chief Secretary of Health department PK Mohapatra said such vulnerable persons should not be denied Covid-19 vaccination only because they don’thave any identity proof.

    “As these beneficiaries are also at risk of exposure to coronavirus infection, there is a need to provide special consideration for their vaccination. The CoWIN portal will provide the facility for the creation of special vaccination sessions for this purpose. Districts have been asked to expedite the process,” headded.

  • Asthmatic driver wants to help gasping COVID patients in Kashmir

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Despite asthma, Manzoor Ahmad, who is on 24×7 oxygen support for the last three years and drives a load carrier, is willing to transport oxygen cylinders for Covid patients.

    “I know the importance of oxygen as I have been on oxygen support for the last three years after suffering an asthma attack,” Manzoor, 50, said.

    He carries a portable oxygen cylinder in his load carrier and the oxygen pipe remains connected to his nose 24×7. “Had there been no oxygen support, I would not have survived.” Manzoor drives his load carrier for livelihood.

    “I am satisfied that I am providing decent livelihood to my family despite my health status. I have got three kids — two sons and a daughter. My elder son is a school dropout while my younger son and daughter are studying and I want to make them a good human being,” the driver said.

    Manzoor said in view of the Covid emergency, he wants to do his bit to serve the Covid patient.

    “I am more than willing to assist the government in transporting oxygen cylinders for Covid patients in the Valley. We have been seeing in the media that people are dying due to oxygen deficiency all over the country and I want to save people here by ferrying oxygen to them,” he said.

    “If I am able to deliver oxygen to any Covid patient and save life, it will be a joy. I want to serve humanity and there is no better service than providing oxygen to Covid patients, who are in need of it, and saving their lives,” said Manzoor

  • Jharkhand ropes in 2 lakh MGNREGA workers, 25 lakh SHG women to spread Covid awareness

    Express News Service
    RANCHI: Over 2 lakh MGNREGA workers in Jharkhand are being trained by the Rural Development Department to make villagers aware of Covid-appropriate behaviour and its early detection.

    According to officials, besides making villagers aware about keeping social distancing, wearing masks and cleanliness, they will go door-to-door to make people aware of Covid-appropriate behaviour and its early detection to prevent casualties.

    “As many as 80 village resource persons (VRPs) have already been trained, who will further go to their areas and train about 2 lakh MGNREGA workers,” said RD Secretary Aradhana Patnaik. After getting trained, these labourers will make the door-to-door visit and create awareness among the villagers about appropriate behaviour and early detection of Covid, she added.

    “Since every life is precious, we have to make all efforts to save them. In the second wave, people are not able to differentiate between common cold, cough, diarrhoea or typhoid with Covid due to lack of awareness,” said the RD Secretary.

    ALSO READ | Vaccinated people can be infected with highly infectious Indian mutant but without severe disease: Study

    People will be asked to contact the nearest health centre immediately in case they have a common cold and cough, she added. In addition to that, the official said, 2.5 lakh Self-Help Groups (SHGs) all over the State are also being trained to make a task force of over 25 lakh women in rural areas who will reach out to every household in their villages and create awareness among the people.

    “SHG members are constantly being trained to spread awareness regarding the coronavirus in rural areas. The objective is to spread awareness and convince people to follow corona guidelines strictly which will eventually break the chain of infection,” said Patnaik. In all, members of 2.5 lakh SHGs are being trained, she added.

    Notably, Jharkhand State Livelihood and Promotion Society have been providing online and offline training to SHG women on appropriate behaviour of Covid and the advantages of vaccination. So far, over 23 lakh women have already been trained on this, who are now effectively been working in their villages.

    “These women from rural parts of the state are playing a pivotal role in breaking the chain of infection by providing timely information related to Covid and vaccination to their families and other villagers,” said a JSLPS official.

  • Sofosbuvir with Ledipasvir and Daclatasvir: Scientists recommend better alternative to Remdesivir

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: At a time when the country is facing a shortage of Remdesivir, scientists have investigated 61 antiviral drugs and found a combination that has superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.

    A team of scientists from the Biochemical Sciences Division, CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, India Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, and INTOX Private Limited, Pune worked on the efficacy of drug repurposing for treating Covid-19.

    “Our analysis suggested Sofosbuvir in combination with Ledipasvir and Daclatasvir as potential therapeutic agents for SARS-CoV-2. The combined score suggests that these combinations have superior anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential than Remdesivir and other investigational drugs,” they said in a paper published in Current Science.

    They said the present work provides a rationale-based approach to select drugs with possible anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity for further clinical evaluation. With the shortage of Remdesivir, the combination can be used to save the lives of severe Covid-19 patients. 

    ALSO READ | COVID-19: Experts caution against ‘irrational and non-scientific use’ of convalescent plasma

    “Drug repurposing has been utilized as the most preferred therapeutic intervention for COVID-19 mitigation due to its necessity and feasibility. To prioritize therapeutic regime against COVID-19, we used 61 antiviral drugs and their combinations,” said the paper.

    Selected molecules were subjected to virtual screening against — human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor-binding domain (hACE-2) which serves as an anchor for virus attachment and entry, SARS-CoV-2 RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) responsible for viral RNA replication, and SARS-CoV-2 main protease (MPro) needed for viral polyprotein slab proteolytic processing.

    “Based on docking score, pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic parameters, combinations of Daclatasvir, Elbasvir, Indinavir, Ledipasvir, Paritaprevir, and Rilpivirine were analysed further. Our analysis suggested Sofosbuvir in combination with Ledipasvir and Daclatasvir as potential therapeutic agents for SARS-CoV-2,” it added.

    The team said that the findings provide a scientific rationale for applying Ledipasvir and Daclatasvir in combination with Sofosbuvir for COVID-19 management.

    “Recent initial clinical trial data from Iran with Ledipasvir and Daclatasvir in combination with Sofosbuvir against COVID-19 are encouraging. Based on our analysis and available preclinical and clinical data, we recommend prioritization and aggressive perusal of clinical evaluation of these drug combinations,” it further said. 

  • India fights Covid: Srinagar’s Dal Lake gets floating ambulance service

    By ANI
    SRINAGAR: The boat ambulance service, equipped with healthcare facilities, has started on Dal Lake in the Jammu and Kashmir Valley.

    The service, which is expected to benefit thousands of people in the landlocked region, is the brainchild of Tariq Ahmad Patloo.

    A houseboat owner in Srinagar, Patloo came up with the idea of floating ambulance last year after he was tested positive for Coronavirus.

    “Considering the situation at hospitals and homes due to rising cases, I have set up this facility for people. I got a number of phone calls for assistance and I provided them proper help as per their requirement. Presently the ambulance is full with main equipment including first aid, stretcher, wheelchair, BP set, and PPE kits,” Patloo told ANI.

    With Telangana deciding to impose #lockdown from May 12, here’s the updated list of states that have implemented complete to partial lockdown to curb #COVID19. @gsvasu_TNIE pic.twitter.com/WpY7dV2HXN
    — The New Indian Express (@NewIndianXpress) May 11, 2021

    As the second wave of Covid-19 gained momentum, huge tourist inflow during the spring season caused a spurt in the Covid cases in Srinagar and around.

    On March 25, when Srinagar’s Tulip Garden was thrown open to public, the Valley registered 131 fresh cases.

    The Union Territory, on Friday, clocked in its biggest single-day jump of 5,443 Covid-19 cases, pushing its infection tally to 2,06,954, officials said.

    Patloo said people have apprehensions in coming forward to rush the virus patients to hospitals. He said nobody was ready to escort him from his houseboat when he was infected. But with the arrival of floating ambulance, even if a small drop in the ocean, the situation is expected to improve.

    “This ambulance has siren and speaker facilities which are being used for announcements aimed to make people aware regarding wearing masks and other important things. I tried my best to make this ambulance friendly for people and within two to three days oxygen facility will also be available,” Patloo added.

    The District Disaster Management Authority recently established a Covid care in Srinagar’s Bemina area. The 100 oxygenated bed facility came up in the city’s Hajj House to treat patients requiring isolation and treatment of moderate symptoms.

    Residents believe that more such ambulances are required to cover the need for medical services in the area.

    “The step taken by Tariq is very good, it should have happened 10-15 years ago. I believe there should be more such ambulance services at other lakes also. There is Nigeen Lake and other lakes too where such service is required,” Muhammed Yaseen tild ANI.

    The Dal Lake ambulance could prove to be a game-changer if equipped with medical practitioners.

    “It is my request to the government to kindly provide me a doctor facility so that I will treat patients properly during any emergency,” Patloo urged.

    He said he heard so many stories where people living around the lake have suffered due to lack of medical facilities.

    Though the region has medical facilities but the topography often causes impediment in reaching emergency aid to the population- especially in the far flung areas, which are arduous to be reached.

    “The ambulance service is a must, not only at Dal Lake but at other lakes as well. We need a minimum of 10 such more ambulances as Kashmir has been affected by the second wave of coronavius in the country,” opined Manzoor Ahmad, a Shikara owner.