The Problems With One-Dose Covishield
If Covishield is administered as a single-dose vaccine, a small study found its efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 caused by the B.1.617.2 variant is only 33%.
Photo: Artem Podrez/Pexels
Health4 hours ago
On May 31, NDTV quoted unnamed sources in the Indian government saying it will be conducting a study to assess the feasibility of deploying the Covishield vaccine in a single-dose regimen instead of continuing the extant double-dose regimen.
At any other time, such a statement may have been sufficient to believe the government would organise and conduct a well-designed trial, publicise the findings and revise policy (or not) to stay in line with the findings, informed by socio-economic considerations. But the last 15 months have thrown up enough incidents of public-health malpractice on the state’s part to make such hope foolish. There is a nontrivial chance, especially if the vaccine shortage persists and the outbreaks on an upward tr
May 19, 2021
The orally administered drug is being tested for treating mild and moderate infection
Optimus Pharma has received the approval of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to conduct Phase III clinical trials of orally administered Molnupiravir capsules on patients with mild and moderate Covid-19 infection.
As per the clinical trial protocols approved, a total of 2,500 subjects in both mild and moderate Covid-19 will be randomised in the study in a 1:1 ratio to Molnupiravir with standard supportive care or standalone standard supportive care.
Treatment modes
The treatment duration is a maximum of five days and the total study duration will be maximum for 29 days from randomisation, the Hyderabad-based company said in a release on Wednesday.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. Photo: Twitter/@ArvindKejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on May 15 announced the setting up of Oxygen Concentrator Banks across the city to aid patients in home isolation as well as for recovery after being discharged from the hospital.
He also said that both the COVID-19 cases as well as the positivity rate were declining steadily across the city, but reiterated that citizens should not let their guard down.
“Around 6,000 COVID cases have emerged in the last 24 hours and the positivity rate has gone down to 11%, which is a sign that things are constantly improving,” Mr. Kejriwal said in a video message.
Coronavirus | Lockdown to become more intense in Kerala from May 17
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Four districts to be under triple lockdown
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Police personnel check vehicles at IMA junction in Palakkad, Kerala on May 15, 2021. | Photo Credit:
K.K. Mustafah
Four districts to be under triple lockdown
Kerala will move into a highly restrictive lockdown phase on May 17. The government will review the regulations again on May 23. A senior official said any relaxation is unlikely till the surge in COVID-19 infections abated to an acceptable level.
Chief Secretary V. P. Joy is chairing a series of meetings and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is likely to make an announcement around 6 p.m.