Coronavirus India Updates: Tally Crosses 29 Lakh As Fresh Cases Spike
Track all Covid-19 related news and updates in India, here.
The Covid-19 infection rate shows no signs of abating as the highly contagious pathogen spreads rapidly in the world’s second-most populous nation after it eased containment measures to revive the economy.
India added nearly 69,000 new cases in the last 24 hours, taking the total tally to over 29 lakh in the Asia's third-largest economy, according to the Health Ministry’s update as of 8:00 am on Aug. 21. This includes nearly 55,000 deaths and over 21.5 lakh patients who have recovered.
The world's third-worst infected nation has more than 6.9 lakh active cases—a curve that seems to be flattening.
Key figures:
- Total number of confirmed coronavirus cases: 29,05,823
- Active cases: 6,92,028
- Cured/discharged/migrated: 21,58,946
- Deaths: 54,849
- Fresh cases in 24 hours: 68,898
- One-day recoveries: 62,282
- One-day deaths: 983
Fresh infections, although still very high, dropped marginally from Thursday’s record of 69,652 cases.
India’s Weekly Case Additions Highest In The World
India on an average added 63,519 new Covid-19 cases daily over the last one week, ahead of U.S. which added 47,487 new cases, and Brazil which added 41,695 new cases.
Global Update
A flareup of cases in Japan may be peaking, a government adviser said. South Korea’s latest wave of infections has spread almost nationwide. Argentina reported record daily cases.
In the U.S., the outbreak in southern states is slowing and deaths should start to fall next week, said the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pfizer Inc.’s vaccine is on track for a regulatory review as soon as October and 1.3 billion doses could be produced by the end of 2021.
Italy reported the most new cases since mid-May and infections in England rose by more than a quarter in a week.
Globally, cases exceed 22.5 million with over 790,000 dead.
Track all Covid-19 related news and updates in India, here.
Study To Find Effectiveness Of BCG Vaccine In Elders
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
Pranab Mukherjee Haemodynamically Stable, On Ventilator: Hospital
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
Institutional Isolation Must For Patients Aged 50 And Above
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