Covid India updates: Adult immunisation - Myth vs reality

India is conducting 18-20 lakh tests for detection of COVID-19 per day, the ICMR chief said on Tuesday underlining that despite infection among laboratory staff, the test performance is still being maintained.

Read the full story

States like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, which were worst affected by the second wave, were among 18 states and union territories showing continued plateauing or decrease in daily new COVID-19 cases.

Read the full story

The Rajasthan government has decided to provide free ambulance service to Covid-19 patients for their admission in hospitals and for ferrying them to dedicated facilities in case of referrals, according to an official statement. Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot directed officials to ensure the availability of sufficient number of ambulances at all district level war rooms as well as Covid consultation and care centers set up at block level in the state, the statement said.

A day after Goa's Health Minister Vishwajit Rane recommended ivermectin to all above 18 to combat Covid in the state, the World Health Organisation on Tuesday has warned against its use.

"Safety and efficacy are important when using any drug for a new indication. @WHO recommends against the use of ivermectin for #COVID19 except within clinical trials," Soumya Swaminathan, the global health body's chief scientist, said in a tweet.

Read the full story

Delhi recorded as many as 12,481 fresh coronavirus cases on Tuesday. With this, the tally of COVID-19 cases in the national capital has reached over 13.48 lakh, while the death toll mounted to 20,010. As many as 347 fatalities have been recorded in the last 24 hours, according to the latest bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.

According to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government, 70,276 COVID-19 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. At 17.76 percent, the city's COVID-19 positivity rate is at its lowest since April 16, according to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government.

Adult immunisation myths prevail as a result of inadequate awareness, lack of an established body of official recommendations and vaccine hesitancy, which contribute to reduced vaccine coverage across India. It is important to stay informed and clear up common misconceptions around vaccines, so you can make the most of your immunisation conversation with your doctor! Here are five common vaccine myths, and the facts to know to address them.

The coronavirus variant B1617 first identified in India last year has been classified as a variant of global concern, with some preliminary studies showing that it spreads more easily, a senior World Health Organization (WHO) official informed on Monday. "B1617 virus variant that was first identified in India has been classified as a variant of interest by WHO," said Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, Technical lead COVID-19 at WHO. Dr Kerkhove added that WHO needs much more information about this B1617 variant and all of the sub-lineages.

"Our Epi teams and our lab teams internally, there is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility of B1617, as such we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level," she said. Over WHO's diagnostics methods, Dr Kerkhove said it does not have anything to suggest that our diagnostics or therapeutics and our vaccines don't work.

-ANI

India on Tuesday recorded 3,29,942 new cases of the novel coronavirus, along with 3,876 deaths due to the infection. According to the data shared by the Union Health Ministry, the country saw a total of 3,56,082 discharges in the last 24 hours, taking the total recovery toll to 1,90,27,304. The total cases of COVID-19 in India have now mounted to 2,26,62,575, with 37,15,221 active cases, the data showed. The total death toll in the country is now at 2,49,992. A total of 17,27,10,066 people have so far been vaccinated against COVID-19 in India.

As the second wave of COVID-19 turns out to be more alarming and devastating than the previous one, many are turning to strengthen their immune system using homegrown plants, 'kadhas', and a nutrient-rich and diverse diet. Here's what has been suggested to help you boost your immunity and complete your diet, so your body builds up the strength to put up a fight against coronavirus.

READ MORE

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), gives a message to individuals, "Every contact you have with someone outside your household is a risk. The level of risk from #COVID19 varies according to the type of contact, the duration of contact & the level of transmission where you live."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), gives hope for a better future. He tweets, "There'll come a time when we can all take off our masks, no longer have to keep physical distance, & go safely to concerts, sporting events, rallies & restaurants – as people in some countries are able to do now because they have no #COVID19 transmission. But we’re not there yet."

A large number of recovered patients from Covid-19 have encountered heart problems and even patients with existing heart problems have felt its affects. The virus can lead to heart injury, heart failure, stroke, and damage to your heart, say doctors.

"People with heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other co-morbidities fall into the high-risk category as they get sick from Covid. The virus not only affects the lungs and the brain but your heart as well. There is a steep rise in post-Covid patients with cardiac issues like breathing problems, chest tightness and pain, sudden palpitations, heart attack, myocarditis, swelling of the heart, low pumping capacity, heart failure, blood clotting and arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat). The reason behind heart damage can be attributed to high levels of inflammation in one's body. As the body's immune system tackles the virus, the inflammatory process damages some healthy tissues, including the heart," said Pramod Narkhede, Cardiologist, Apollo Clinic, Pune.

(IANS)