Coronavirus live updates: DCGI gives nod to Serum Institute to restart phase 2,3 trials for COVID-19 vaccine

Bill Gates: 3 of 6 vaccines in trials may work

A vaccine for Covid-19 is expected early next year and of the six leading ones which are undergoing trials probably three of them will work, billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates has said asserting that India has a huge role to play in scaling up manufacturing for these.

Adverse reaction in some to plasma therapy: ICMR

The study conducted on 464 patients across 39 hospitals in 25 districts spread over 14 states and UTs was still under peer review and full publication of the results was awaited, ICMR director general Balram Bhargava said.

Centre asks Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Delhi to ramp up testing

The DCGI, however, put certain conditions like taking extra care during screening, providing additional information in informed consent and close monitoring for adverse events during follow-up of the study which have to be "scrupulously" followed by Serum Institute of India (SII).

DCGI gives nod to Serum Institute to restart phase 2,3 trials for COVID-19 vaccine, reports ANI

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has allowed Serum Institute of India (SII) to restart its phase two and three clinical trials for Covid-19 vaccine after the pharma major submitted the recommendations of the Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), UK and DSMB India and requested permission to restart enrollment in the subject clinical trial of the vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University.

Nancy Pelosi: House to stay in session until Covid-19 rescue pact

Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Tuesday the House will remain in session until lawmakers deliver another round of COVID-19 relief, a move that came as Democrats from swing districts signaled discontent with a standoff that could force them to face voters without delivering more aid.

We've capped cost for Covid-19 test in private hospitals at Rs 1,500: Banna Gupta, Jharkhand health minister

West Bengal reports 3,227 new Covid cases, taking total cases to 2,09,146, reports ANI.

Assam reported 2,409 Covid cases today, taking total cases to 1,46,575, reports ANI.

Virus cost global tourism $460 billion in January-June: UN (AFP)

Read: Insurance scheme for frontline health workers fighting Covid-19 extended for 6 months

The Rs 50-lakh insurance cover to frontline health workers fighting Covid-19 has been extended for six months and till date, 61 claims have been processed and payments made, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. "The 'Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting Covid-19' was announced on March 30 for 90 days. The scheme has now been extended for another 180 days ie six months," the health ministry said in a statement.

Read: National Task Force, JMG will decide on continuing plasma therapy for treatment of Covid patients, says ICMR

ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava said a randomised controlled trial, including 464 patients in 39 hospitals in 25 districts across 14 states and UTs, has shown that plasma therapy does not reduce mortality or prevent progression from moderate to severe disease. He said that plasma therapy has been used for more than 100 years now in some form or the other for various virus infections.

Punjab records 2,481 new Covid cases, taking the total number of cases to 84,482, reports ANI.

Madhya Pradesh reports 2,323 new Covid cases, state's tally rises to 93,053, reports ANI.

20,482 new Covid cases reported in Maharashtra, taking state's tally to 10,97,856.

‘Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting Covid’ extended for another 6 months.

Read: Three Covid-19 vaccines at clinical trial stage in India, says ICMR DG

17 people test Covid positive at Delhi BJP office, reports PTI.

20 pairs of clone trains to start from 21st September on specific routes. These services will be in addition to Sharmik Special and Special trains: Ministry of Railways

Arunachal Pradesh CM Pema Khandu says he tested positive for Covid; currently in home isolation in New Delhi, reports PTI.