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Coronavirus News LIVE Updates: India registered 4,529 deaths, the highest number ever in 24 hours, and 2.67 lakh fresh infections as a deadly second wave continues to affect lakhs every day in the country. A recent govt data revealed that only 2 percent of the entire Indian population has been struck by Covid-19 leaving the remaining 98 percent still vulnerable. At a media briefing on Tuesday, the health ministry made this revelation emphasizing that, unlike other countries where the share of Covid affected population is much higher, India has been able to keep it low by springing into action its containment measures.
Ganga Ram hospital Chairperson Dr DS Rana has said that Remdesivir is also being considered to be dropped from Covid-19 treatment soon as there is no evidence of its effectiveness in treating patients. This move comes after, the use of convalescent plasma has been dropped from the recommended treatment protocols for Covid-19, according to advisory from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Dr DS Rana said, “In plasma therapy, we give a pre-forwarded antibody to someone who has been infected before, so that the antibody can fight with the virus. Antibodies usually form when the coronavirus attacks. We have seen in the last one year that giving plasma does not make any difference in the condition of the patient and other people. Also, it is not easily available. Plasma therapy was started on a scientific basis and has been discontinued on the basis of evidence.”
“If we talk about other medicines which we use in COVID treatment, there is no such evidence regarding Remdesivir that works in Covid-19 treatment. Medicines that do not have any activity to work, will have to be discontinued”, said Dr Rana. “All the experimental medicines, be plasma therapy (which is now discontinued) or Remdesivir, all of them may be dropped soon as there is no such evidence of its functioning. Right now only three medicines are working”, Dr Rana said.
As the second wave of Covid batters India, the leather market in Mumbai's Dharavi is struggling to keep itself afloat.
Covid Update: Delhi High Court issues notice to Centre, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) and others on a PIL challenging DCGI nod to Phase 2-3 clinical trials of Covaxin for children between 2-18 years of age.
West Bengal's former CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya tests positive for #COVID19. He is under home isolation.
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
(File photo) pic.twitter.com/XJ6NbzuAW5
Covid Update: Due to electricity failure and network issues today there will be no Covid-19 vaccination in the entire district, notified Palghar District Collector
Lessons from Past: DU Setting up Oxygen Plants in North, South Campus, Prepares for 3rd Covid-19 Wave
Delhi University (DU) has said it will set up oxygen plants in the North and South campuses, as well as provide oxygen concentrators and oximeters to colleges, hostels and departments, in an effort to prepare for the third wave of covid-19.
They were already above 70. Some of them had heart diseases, some others had diabetes. Some of them were battling other diseases. Some of them died due to fever We surveyed today, team was sent. It went from door to door & also met the village head: CHC Superintendent, Chhaprauli pic.twitter.com/59mHvuQKoE
— ANI UP (@ANINewsUP) May 19, 2021
US pharmaceutical company Johnson and Johnson has joined hands with Telangana-based Biological E Limited for the manufacturing of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Villages in Sakra Block of Muzaffarpur wears a deserted look as people avoid going out on streets amid Covid-19 pandemic. Sarpanch says that 36 deaths have occurred in 27 days here due to cough and cold.
Ahead of Covid Third Wave, UP CM Instructs to Make 100 bed PICU for Children in Every Medical College | As the experts are describing children as more vulnerable to a possible third wave of coronavirus, the Uttar Pradesh government has already started preparations on a war footing to save the children from any such possible wave under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. Recently, the Mumbai High Court had also praised these preparations.
From June, Govt Expects Covid Deaths to Go Down, Jab Numbers to Go Up as Vaccine Supplies Increase
The government is expecting the daily number of deaths due to Covid-19 to come down from June and the daily vaccination numbers to also improve from next month with increasing supplies from the two vaccine manufacturers and loosening of lockdown by the states.
"Our families have been doing COVID relief work, so we got inspired from them. It feels good to help. Risk is there but sitting idle is even worse," said Nicole Furtado and her cousin Tina Cherian, who work as volunteers for burying COVID bodies in Bengaluru pic.twitter.com/wGGF2VDcUT
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
READ | Delhi Reported More Covid Cases, Deaths in April-May than Since Beginning of Pandemic
Till December 31, 2020, Delhi reported 6.25 lakh coronavirus infections and 10,557 deaths. As of date, the total cases stand at 14.02 lakh and 22,111 deaths, the Health Department data issued on Tuesday shows.
Spain Approves Pfizer Shots for Under-60s Who got AstraZeneca First Dose
Spain's public health commission has approved a proposal by the health ministry that Spaniards under 60 who have received the first dose of AstraZeneca's vaccine get a second shot of the coronavirus vaccine produced by Pfizer Inc. The proposal will affect about 1.5 million Spaniards who received the AstraZeneca shot before the government banned it for those aged under 60 due to blood clot concerns.
Uttarakhand govt releases SOP to issue anti-fungal drug, Amphotericin B, used for Mucormycosis (black fungus) treatment. "Medicine to only be issued to medical colleges & institutions of state, and no other private or individual prescription will be entertained," the order reads
Covid Update: Johnson & Johnson is working with Biological E. Limited (Telangana-based pharmaceutical company) on manufacturing of Johnson COVID vaccine. We're working around clock to develop & broadly activate manufacturing capabilities to supply vaccine worldwide: Johnson & Johnson statement
No Truth Behind It: Singapore Embassy Reacts to Kejriwal's Remark on New Coronavirus Strain
“There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore," the embassy said in a tweet.
Murthaza Junaid & Muteeb Zoheb, brothers from Karnataka's Bengaluru, who are bikers, volunteer as ambulance drivers, in view of COVID
— ANI (@ANI) May 18, 2021
"We're trained in evacuation. It's time to help & not complain. People are running from pillar to post, we just want to help," they said(18.05) pic.twitter.com/oILku8TSTU
'Anything Beyond 6 Months is Risky': Doctors on Taking Covid Jab 9 Months After Recovery | As the government panel on Tuesday suggested covid-recovered patients to defer the vaccine by nine months, experts have weighed in saying that anything beyond six months could be risky owing to chances of reinfection. Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Dr Priya Sampathkumar and Dr Rahul Pandit said the antibodies against covid-19 last upto six months and any delay in getting a vaccine after that would mean higher chances of getting the infection again.
2 girls from Bengaluru join a volunteer group for burying Covid-19 patients. "Our families have been doing COVID relief work, so we got inspired from them. It feels good to help in some way. Risk is everywhere but sitting idle at home is even worse," they said
Taj Sats, in collaboration with World Central Kitchen provides meals to healthcare workers in 9 major cities
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
"We provide 17,000-18,000 meals a day to medical staff&govt departments. We're trying to cater to small areas as well, have begun with Varanasi," Taj Sats CEO said(18.05) pic.twitter.com/486uw0TyDh
Vaccine for Kids Soon? Govt Says Covaxin Trials to Begin in 10-12 Days | The government said on Tuesday trials on Covaxin’s efficacy against coronavirus on children between 2-18 years of age to begin in 10-12 days. Addressing a Health Ministry briefing, Niti Aayog member VK Paul said Covaxin has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for phase II and III clinical trials in the age group of 2 to 18 years. “I have been told that trials will begin in the next 10-12 days," Dr Paul said.
Covid Update: Remdesivir may be dropped soon as there is no proof of its effectiveness in treating Covid-19 patients: Dr Rana
Mumbai Reports Less Than 1,000 Covid-19 Cases after Two and Half Months | Mumbai reported 953 new coronavirus infections and 44 fatalities on Tuesday, taking its tally of cases to 6,90,889 and death toll to 14,352, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said. For the first time since March 2 the city reported less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases, though the number of tests also dropped.
Greater Chennai Corporation Warns of Consequences if People are Found Violating Covid Protocols
Those under home quarantine will be fined Rs 2000 if found violating the protocols. In case of repeated violation of home isolation norms, concerned person/people will be taken to Covid care centres, warns Greater Chennai Corporation
Covid-19 Live Updates: Agartala Municipal Corporation uses graffiti to convey awareness on Covid-19. "As part of city beautification project, we are refurbishing old walls with social messages. Our latest paintings highlight COVID appropriate behaviour," says Municipal Commissioner.
