Delhi, 03 AUG 2020
DGI approves Phase II+III trials of Oxford University vaccine by Serum Institute, Pune; India’s Case Fatality Rate (CFR) further drops to 2.11%; Total Recoveries more than 11.8 lakh
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India. This will hasten the development of the COVID-19 vaccine. India continues to improve the Case Fatality Rate (CFR), and maintain its global position of having one of the lowest COVID fatalities rates. With a further fall, the current CFR touched 2.11% today. India has seen more than 40,574 patients recovered in the last 24 hours. This takes the total recoveries to 11,86,203 and Recovery Rate to 65.77% amongst COVID-19 patients. With improving daily recovery number, the gap between the recovered cases & the active cases has increased to more than 6 lakh. Presently, it is 6,06,846. This means the actual active case load is 5,79,357 and all are under medical supervision. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued Revised Guidelines for International Arrivals
India crosses a milestone, conducts more than 2 crore COVID tests; Tests Per Million increases to 14640
In a landmark achievement, India has tested 2,02,02,858 COVID-19 samples so far. With 3,81,027 samples tested in the last 24 hours, the number of Test Per Million (TPM) has increased to 14640. While the country’s TPM has demonstrated a steady upward trend indicating the growing testing network, 24 States and UTs have reported higher testing per million than the national average. The testing lab network in the country is continuously strengthened with 1348 labs in the country; 914 labs in the government sector and 434 private labs.
Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network has ensured essential immunization services during the COVID pandemic
Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN) is an innovative technological solution, aimed at strengthening immunization supply chain systems across the country. This is being implemented under National Health Mission by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. eVIN aims to provide real-time information on vaccine stocks and flows, and storage temperatures across all cold chain points in the country. This robust system has been used with the requisite customization during the COVID pandemic for ensuring continuation of the essential immunization services and protecting children and pregnant women against vaccine preventable diseases. eVIN combines state-of-the-art technology, a strong IT infrastructure and trained human resource to enable real time monitoring of stock and storage temperature of the vaccines kept in multiple locations across the country. eVIN has reached 32 States and Union Territories (UTs) and will soon be rolled-out in the remaining States and UTs. To support the Government of India’s efforts to combat COVID-19, eVIN India is helping the State/UT governments monitor the supply chain of COVID response material. Since April 2020, eight States (Tripura, Nagaland, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab and Maharashtra) are using the eVIN application with 100% adherence rate to track State specific COVID-19 material supplies, ensure availability and raise alerts in case of shortage of 81 essential drugs and equipment. This strong platform has the potential to be leveraged for any new vaccine including COVID-19 vaccine, as and when available.
Telephone conversation between PM and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan Dr Ashraf Ghani had a telephonic conversation today. Both leaders exchanged greetings on the joyous festival of Eid – ul – Adha. President Ghani thanked Prime Minister Modi for timely supply of food and medical assistance to meet Afghan requirement. Prime Minister reiterated India’s commitment to the people of Afghanistan in their quest for a peaceful, prosperous and inclusive Afghanistan.
INPUTS FROM FIELD
Punjab: To ensure the safety of pregnant women from the corona virus, the Health & Family Welfare Department has imparted special training to 70 Gynaecologist for providing tele-medicine consultations to pregnant women. Besides this, separate labour rooms have been set up in all district hospitals to conduct the deliveries of COVID19 positive pregnant women.
Maharashtra: Rural Maharashtra has been reporting a surge in Covid-19 cases on the back of easing of lockdown restrictions. The adjoining rural areas of Mumbai’s satellite cities – Thane, Raigad etc have also reported spike in cases. A similar trend has been recorded in other rural areas of districts such as Nashik, Aurangabad, Dhule, and Sangli. Maharashtra on Sunday recorded 9,509 new Covid cases, even as 9,926 patients were discharged from the hospitals after treatment. The number of active cases in the state is 1,48, 537. Due to improved recovery rate, many people are seen coming forward for COVID tests keeping the fear aside.
Gujarat: In Gujarat, 805 COVID-19 patients were discharged on Sunday and the recovery rate has further improved to 73.16 %. 46,587 patients have recovered in the state so far. 1101 new cases have been reported taking the total confirmed cases to 63,675. Maximum new cases reported from Surat (209) and Ahmedabad (143). Currently there are 14,601 active cases.
Rajasthan: Rajasthan recorded 12 COVID-19 deaths on Sunday, taking the total number of fatalities due to the disease to 706. The state also reported 565 fresh coronavirus cases this morning, pushing the total caseload to 44,975. Of them, 12,488 are active. A total of 29,697 people have recovered so far.
Madhya Pradesh: Total cases have gone up to 33,535 after the 921 new cases reported on Sunday. As per the state health bulletin, 581 coronavirus patients were discharged from the hospitals on Sunday taking the number of recovered cases in the state to 23, 550. There are now 9,099 active cases and 886 deaths so far. There are 3, 246 active containment zones in the state.
Chhattisgarh: The Chhattisgarh government has set up 157 COVID care centres with 18,598 beds in the state for treatment of coronavirus patients with no or mild symptoms. Arrangements are being made to increase the availability of beds for such patients to 25,000. The state has 2,482 active cases.
Goa: A record spike of 337 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday took the infection count in Goa to 6,530, while the death of 5 people increased the toll to 53. Meanwhile, the Goa Government has started the Convalescent Plasma therapy treatment of critical patients affected by Corona Virus.
Manipur: CM of Manipur Shri N Biren Singh today inaugurated and operationalised the new 300 bedded Covid Care Centre at Manipur Trade & Expo Centre, Lambikhongnangkhong. This facility can be further upgraded to a 1000 bedded Covid Care Centre if the need arises.
Mizoram: 8 recovered COVID-19 patients discharged in Mizoram today. Total cases in the state stands at 482. Out of them 216 are active cases and 266 discharged so far.
Nagaland: In Nagaland 194 new Covid 19 positive cases have been confirmed today. 136 from Dimapur, 36 from Zunheboto & 22 from Kohima. In Nagaland vigorous contact tracing have been activated and all primary contacts are under self isolation for the new Covid19 Cases.
Kerala: CM Pinarayi Vijayan said negligence and laxity has contributed to the spread of Covid-19 in the state. He pointed out that the present situation is the result of compromise in Covid protocols and careless behaviour. Inaugurating 102 Family Healthcare Centres through video conference, he also warned that stringent action will henceforth, be taken against those who violate the government’s norms. Three Covid deaths were reported today, taking the toll to 85. The number of Covid patients is increasing in the state. 1169 people were confirmed of the virus yesterday. 10,788 people contracted the disease in 11 days. 991 are contact patients and source of 56 is unknown. 11,342 patients are undergoing treatment for the virus infection and 1.45 lakh people are under observation across the state.
Tamil Nadu: Four more succumb to Covid-19 in Puducherry, 178 fresh cases reported; total cases increase to 3982, active cases to 1515 and deaths to 56. While the government Arts college faculties will be starting online classes to second and third year students from Monday, faculties have urged the higher education department to allocate fund to grade – II colleges similar to grade-I to execute online classes completely. A day after Nagappattinam MP from CPI M Selvarasu tested COVID-19 positive, another Lok Sabha MP Karti P Chidambaram, who represents Sivaganga constituency, has been tested positive for the virus on Monday. Number of cases continued to soar in Chennai’s neighbouring districts with Chengalpattu reporting 446 cases, Kancheepuram 393 and Tiruvallur 317. 5875 new cases & 98 deaths reported yesterday. Total cases reported: 2,57,613; Active cases: 56,998; Deaths: 4132.
Karnataka: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa has tested covid positive and admitted to hospital; he is ‘clinically stable’ as per hospital reports. While the occupancy of beds existing Covid Care Centres are around 60 to 65% over past 10 days, the ramping-up of such facilities has been temporarily put on hold. On Sunday the number of Covid patients discharged was more than the number of patients discharged in Bangalore city. 2331 patients discharged and 2105 were the new cases reported. 5532 new cases & 84 deaths reported yesterday; Total cases till now: 1,34,819; Active cases: 74,590; Deaths: 2496.
Andhra Pradesh: With Covid-19 cases in Krishna district crossing 7500 mark by Sunday, complete lockdown has been implemented in Machilipatnam from today for a week. After videos on social media being circulated highlighting the plight of patients in Visakha Institute of Medical Sciences (VIMS), the State designated Covid hospital, about severe staff crunch especially the nursing staff, Visakhapatnam district collector clarified that a total of 100 nurses were deployed to VIMS for all shifts, adding that recruitment of 213 nurses will be completed in a day. 8555 new cases and 67 deaths reported yesterday. Total cases: 1,58,764; Active cases: 74,404; Deaths: 1474.
Telangana: As per State bulletin there is no shortage of beds for Covid-19 patients in government, private teaching hospitals and corporate hospitals in Telangana. There are 14,571 vacant beds while there are 5936 beds vacant beds available in government hospitals. 983 new cases, 1019 recoveries & 11 deaths reported in the last 24 hours; out of 983 cases, 273 cases reported from GHMC. Total cases: 67,660; Active cases: 18,500; Deaths: 551; Discharges: 48,609.