Covid India LIVE updates: Guidelines released for Ayurveda, Unani practitioners

Maharashtra on Tuesday reported as many as 895 coronavirus deaths in 24 hours, the biggest single-day spike in fatalities. The state, one of the worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, logged 66,358 fresh cases, taking the tally of infections to 44,10,085.

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As India continues to battle a massive second wave of Covid, several countries have come forward extending help. 

Read full story here: How the world has extended a helping hand to India amid Covid tsunami

The second wave of Covid-19 has turned more lethal, infecting more people and taking more lives. The feeling of being cooped up at home, distant from their loved ones, devoid of social support and fear about new variants is increasing mental illness, according to mental health experts.

Read the full story here: Covid-19: Indians suffer from mental stress as coronavirus cases resurge

The daily number of Covid-19 cases in Maharashtra dropped to 48,700, whereas 71,736 patients recovered from the virus. The state had reported the lowest number of infections in this month so far on April 1 (43,183 cases). 

Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS urges people to not panic and refrain themselves from hoarding oxygen and medicines. 

People with metabolic diseases like Type-2 diabetes and cancer as well as those exposed to organophosphate pesticides can be at an increased risk of Covid-19 infection, finds a new study performed in human lung airway cells. The study, led by Saurabh Chatterjee and team from the University of South Carolina in the US, identified a basic mechanism linked with inflammation that could increase susceptibility to Covid-19 infection among people exposed to organophosphates.

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Given the rising number of COVID 19 cases in the country, there has been a surging demand for a pulse oximeter. Pulse oximeters are medical devices that monitor the oxygen level of a patient's blood and can be beneficial in alerting the healthcare worker if oxygen levels drop below the safe levels. In many coronavirus pulse oximeter's reading has helped in allowing rapid intervention. These devices have become essential in such a setting of the pandemic where a patient's blood oxygen levels require frequent monitoring. SpO2 oximeters show the percentage of oxygen concentration in the patient's blood.

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Other than getting vaccinated, everyone should focus on boosting their immunity to prevent the infection. Vitamin C is important in the process of strengthening immunity. You should definitely include these foods rich in vitamin C in your diet. This will boost your immunity and prevent many dangerous diseases.

In case you've lost your smell during COVID, 'smell training' -- a process that involves sniffing at least four different odours twice a day for several months has been recommended in the paper detailed in the International Forum of Allergy and Rhinology.

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Using a type of antiseptic throat spray, and an oral drug used to treat malaria and arthritis, have been found effective in curbing the spread of coronavirus, according to a new study. The six-week long study, led by researchers from the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore, involved more than 3,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar living in Tuas South dormitory, the Channel News Asia reported.

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Using a type of antiseptic throat spray, and an oral drug used to treat malaria and arthritis, have been found effective in curbing the spread of coronavirus, according to a new study. The six-week long study, led by researchers from the National University Hospital (NUH) in Singapore, involved more than 3,000 migrant workers from India, Bangladesh, China and Myanmar living in Tuas South dormitory, the Channel News Asia reported.

The results showed that among those who used throat spray thrice a day, only 46 per cent contracted the disease. This is compared to 49 per cent among those who took hydroxychloroquine and 70 per cent who took vitamin C.

-IANS

Responding to the need for fresh guidelines amid the second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Ayush has released revised guidelines for Ayurveda and Unani practitioners for COVID-19 patients in home isolation and Ayurveda and Unani preventive measures for self-care. In a media release, the ministry said the main focus of the guidelines is on self-care and home management of COVID-19, as the vast majority of COVID-affected families in the country are forced to negotiate the pandemic out of hospitals.

"Notably, these guidelines and advisories were developed through an extensive consultative process by the Empowered Committee within the Interdisciplinary Ayush Research and Development Task Force set up by the Ministry of Ayush."

"The present guidelines and self-care measures provide clear guidance to Ayurveda and Unani practitioners regarding the treatment of COVID-19 patients in different conditions of infection. This brings in uniformity and consistency in the Ayush-based responses to the pandemic across the country. It also helps state and UT governments to plan and incorporate these solutions into the COVID-19 management activities being deployed on the ground. Furthermore, these measures and guidelines contribute to the mainstreaming of Ayush solutions for the management of COVID-19 and will be immensely beneficial to the public since these solutions are easily accessible and will help to alleviate the hardships brought in by the pandemic," it said.

"Considering the seasonal changes, patient's constitution it has been advised that Vasa (Malabar nut), Yashtimadhu (Liquorice root) and Guduchi (Giloy) may be added to the Kwatha as per requirement," the ministry said.

(ANI)

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare shares clinical guidance for management of adult COVID19 patients 

With World Immunizations Week going on, WHO says, "Vaccines can bring us closer to the future we all desire, one that is fair for all."