Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Crosses 29 Lakh As Fresh Cases Spike

The ICMR is undertaking a study in Mumbai to evaluate whether the Bacille Calmette- Guerin vaccine, primarily used against tuberculosis, is effective in preventing Covid-19 in elderly population, the city civic body said on Friday.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said that Seth GS Medical College, civic-run KEM Hospital and the public health department of the BMC will jointly conduct the study for the Indian Council of Medical Research.

“The study will also look at degree of severity of the disease and development of immunity using immunological markers,” the BMC said.

The civic body said there is evidence to suggest that the BCG vaccine, normally given to children for immunity against tuberculosis, has protective effect against other respiratory tract infections, including viral diseases.

According to the BMC, the study will include elderly individuals between 60-75 years of age who have not suffered from Covid-19, do not have cancer and are not immunocompromised (having a weak immune system).

“Necessary approval for the trial has been obtained,” it said.

ICMR has undertaken similar studies in Covid-19 hotspots in multiple cities, including Chennai, Ahmedabad, Bhopal, Jodhpur and New Delhi.

Source: PTI

There was no change in the condition of former President Pranab Mukherjee and he remains haemodynamically stable and on ventilatory support, the hospital said Friday.

Doctors attending to him said his vital parameters are being maintained.

Mukherjee was admitted to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital in Delhi Cantonment on August 10 and was operated for removal of a clot in the brain. He was also tested positive for Covid-19. Thereafter, he developed a lung infection and is being treated for the same.

His health parameters are being closely monitored by a team of specialists at the hospital.

“The medical condition of Shri Pranab Mukherjee remains the same. He is being treated for lung infection and continues to be on ventilatory support. His vital parameters are being maintained and he is haemodynamically stable,” the hospital said in a statement.

Source: PTI

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has modified quarantine guidelines and made institutional isolation compulsory for all Covid-19 patients above 50 years of age from this week, in a bid to bring down morality rate.

According to the modified guidelines issued on August 19, all Covid-19 patients above 50 years, with or without co-morbidities should be admitted in Covid Care Centres, irrespective of symptoms.

"No home isolation should be allowed," reads the modified guidelines of the BMC.

According to the civic body, the decision has been taken to curb the high morality rate among Covid-19 patients in the city. An analysis of data shows that mortality rate in patients in the 50 to 60 age group is very high.

The BMC guidelines further stated that home isolation should be allowed only to those patients who are either asymptomatic or have mild symptoms, aged below 50 and are without any co-morbidity.

Source: PTI

More Than 29% Exposed to Covid-19 in India’s Capital New Delhi

Testing in India has steeply increased to more than 9 lakh tests per day. This is bolstered with all States/UTs testing more than 140 tests/day/million population as advised by WHO (World Health Organisation): Ministry of Health & Family Welfare pic.twitter.com/a2Y7OI7ESL

— ANI (@ANI) August 21, 2020

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