Efforts impacting COVID Mitigation

CORBEVAXTM receives DCGI approval for emergency use authorisation for 12-18 year age group

India’s first indigenously developed Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) protein sub-unit vaccine for COVID-19, CORBEVAXTM, developed by Biological E Limited, has received approval for emergency use authorisation from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for 12-18 year age group. It is approved to be administered in humans including children and adults 12 years and above.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), have supported Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate from pre-clinical stage through Phase III clinical studies. The vaccine candidate was provided financial support under COVID-19 Research Consortium, through the National Biopharma Mission, for pre-clinical studies and phase I/II clinical trials. Additional support was provided through Mission COVID Suraksha for further clinical development. CORBEVAXTM is a two-dose vaccine administered intramuscularly and can be stored at 2ºC to 8ºC.

The recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine developed from the RBD of the spike protein on the viral surface is adjuvanted with CpG 1018 and alum. The DCGI has already approved CORBEVAXTM, for restricted use in emergency situation among adults on 28 December 2021. Based on interim results of the ongoing phase II/III clinical study, Biological E has received approval for restricted use in an emergency situation in adolescents of 12 to 18 year age group. The available safety and immunogenicity results of the ongoing phase II/III clinical study indicated that the vaccine is safe and immunogenic. The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an Autonomous Institute of DBT, provided immunogenicity data for the phase II/ III studies.

Government invites applications for joint collaboration for development of vaccine against the omicron variant of COVID-19

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) invites Expressions of Interest (EOI) from experienced vaccine manufacturer/ pharma companies/ R&D Institutions, etc. for undertaking R&D activities using SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant for development of vaccine against COVID-19 and its manufacturing/commercialisation, etc. The objective of this EOI is to make resources available for undertaking R&D as well as manufacturing activities for SARSCoV-2 Omicron variant by using characterised variants for the development of vaccine against COVID-19. The EOI document contains the details of qualification criteria, submission details,and evaluation criteria, etc. Considering the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic situation, the EOI may be submitted through e-mail. Deadline: 4th April 2022

Contact info:
jitendra.narayan@gov.in

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/EoI_COVID19_Omicron_Strain.pdf

MoHFW releases India’s vaccine development story against COVID-19, in collaboration with Institute for Competitiveness

A report titled ‘COVID-19 India’s Vaccine Development Story’ was published by the Institute for Competitiveness in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India. The report documents India’s vaccination programme that captures the process, beginning from the initial stages of developing vaccines, the role of each stakeholder, including engaging the state governments and departments, the hurdles faced in the journey, and measures taken to tackle those hurdles and get prepared for the rollout. The report highlights the developmental story of the Government of India, which chalked out the detailed plan to combat the pandemic involving deep scrutiny of the possible ifs and buts that would arise in the execution of the project and how to overcome those. The report was prepared on the request of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Contact info:
info@competitiveness.in

Website link:
https://competitiveness.in/covid-19-indias-vaccine-development-story/

Institute for Competitiveness, in collaboration with MoHFW, released report on COVID-19: Vaccine Administration Journey

A report titled ‘India’s COVID-19 Vaccination Administration Journey’ was published by the Institute for Competitiveness in collaboration with MoHFW. The report highlights the crucial aspect influencing the success of India’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution project that included the creation and subsequent implementation of procedures and processes responsible for the safe administration of vaccinations. The document highlights significant challenges faced by the Indian government, like delivering and administering vaccines to over 1.3 billion people of India, ensuring free and equitable distribution, and the prevalence of vaccine eagerness coupled with pockets of vaccine hesitancy. The immense size and heterogeneity further complicated the vaccine delivery in the whole country. The government chose to carry out the vaccination programme in stages, with recipients sorted into priority sectors for hassle-free immunisation.

Institute for Competitiveness is the Indian knot in the global network of the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness at Harvard Business School. Institute for Competitiveness is an international initiative based in India, dedicated to enlarging and purposeful disseminating of the body of research and knowledge on competition and strategy.

Contact info:
info@competitiveness.in

Website link:
https://competitiveness.in/covid-19-vaccine-administration-journey/

ICMR invites Expression of Interest (EoI) for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

ICMR invites applications for validation of rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19 from all manufacturers who have developed Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) kits. Requirements for validations are based on various categories, like first-time validation, revalidation, and validation with alternate sample types. The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid point of care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private health care settings and made available for mass testing. Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info:
guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

MoHFW releases revised guidelines for international arrivals

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released guidelines for international arrivals in supersession of all guidelines issued on the subject on and after 20 January 2022. This document provides protocols to be complied by international travellers as well as those to be followed by airlines and all points of entry (airports, seaports and land border). This standard operating procedure is effective from 14 February 2022 till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document shall be reviewed from time to time.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsupdatedon10thFebruary2022.pdf

Revised clinical guidance for management of adult COVID-19 patients released jointly by ICME and AIIMS Delhi

All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have jointly issued new guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 patients depending on the severity of a case — mild, moderate, or severe. It explained in details the treatment for mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 cases, which includes method of identification, recommendations, required oxygen support, use of medication or drugs, dos and don’ts, supportive measures and monitoring of health parameters, etc. Also mentioned specifically, if cough persists for more than 2-3 weeks, investigate for tuberculosis and other conditions.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ClinicalGuidanceforManagementofAdultCovid19Patientsupdatedason17thJanuary2022.pdf

NDMA in collaboration with TISS released a report on psychosocial support for individuals diagnosed with COVID-19

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a major health crisis, which has affected millions of people worldwide since its outbreak. The disruption caused by the pandemic, like the enormity of living in isolation, changes in daily life, job loss, financial hardship and grief over the death of loved ones has the capacity to affect the mental health and well-being of many. Stigma and discrimination against person(s) who have tested positive for COVID-19 is another major cause of distress, in addition to the already existing physical and mental health issues.

National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) collaborated with Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) to provide training and supervision for the counsellors delivering their service to people diagnosed with COVID-19.

The present report provides a firsthand insight into the range of psychosocial concerns that people experienced during the pandemic, as conveyed to the counsellors. It aims to shed light on the reality of the immense emotional impact caused by the pandemic and the psychosocial interventions that have been implemented successfully. The outcomes of the report can generate a deep understanding about policy recommendations and strategies to tackle the mental health impact of disasters of this scale.

Website link:
https://ndma.gov.in/sites/default/files/PDF/covid/Psychosocial-Support-for-Individuals-Diagnosed-with-Covid-19.pdf

ICMR guides management of diabetes through tele-consultation during endemic

Indian Council of Medical Research-National Centre of Disease Informatics and Research (ICMR-NCDIR), Bengaluru steered the development of a framework for telemedicine use in the management of cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and stroke in India, which explains practices to be followed by primary healthcare providers in adopting and using telemedicine effectively for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) care.

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to increased use of telemedicine in healthcare delivery. Telemedicine facilitates long-term clinical care for monitoring and prevention of complications of diabetes mellitus. In this, precise indications for teleconsultation, clinical care services, which can be provided, and good clinical practices to be followed during teleconsultation are explained. Guidance on risk assessment and health education for diabetes risk factors, counselling for blood glucose monitoring, treatment compliance, and prevention of complications are described. The guidelines will help physicians in adopting teleconsultation for the management of diabetes mellitus, facilitate access to diabetes care and improve health outcomes.

Contact info:
sukanya@ncdirindia.org, dramritaghosh@outlook.com

Website link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8349457/pdf/main.pdf

Success stories of community health workers providing maternal and child health services during COVID-19 pandemic

Community health workers (CHW) faced increased challenges in delivering maternal and child health (MCH) services during the current COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to routine services, they were also engaged in pandemic management. In view of a dearth of evidence, the current study explores the challenges faced by CHWs while rendering maternal and child health services. A qualitative study through in-depth interviews (IDI) and focus group discussions (FGD) in six districts of Odisha were conducted from February to April 2021 by the researchers of ICMR-Regional Medical Research Centre, Bhubaneswar. Data were analysed using MAXQDA software. Personal-level challenges, like lack of family support, stress, and fear of contracting COVID-19; facility-level challenges, like transportation problems and inadequate personal protective measures; and community-level challenges, like stigma, resistance, and lack of community support were major hindrances in provisioning routine MCH services.

Prevailing myths and misconceptions concerning COVID-19 were factors behind the stigma and resistance. Sharing experiences with family, practicing yoga and pranayam, engaging ambulance bikes, financial assistance to mothers, counselling people, and involving community leaders were some effective strategies to address these challenges. Development and implementation of appropriate strategy guidelines for addressing the challenges of frontline warriors will improve their work performance and achieve uninterrupted MCH services during pandemics or similar health emergencies.

Contact info:
yak.mishra@icmr.gov.in, anta.kanungo@icmr.gov.in, alinie.patel@gmail.com

Website link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8775981/pdf/healthcare-10-00088.pdf

Revised comprehensive guidelines for management of COVID-19 in children and adolescents (below 18 years) released by MoHFW

MoHFW, Government of India has reviewed the comprehensive guidelines for management of COVID-19 in children and adolescents (below 18 years) in view of the current surge mainly attributed to the Omicron variant of concern. The available data from other countries suggests that disease caused by the Omicron variant is less severe. However, there is a need for careful watch, as the current wave evolves. These guidelines are dynamic and will be reviewed and updated, on the availability of new evidence. In these revised guidelines, a new section on postCOVID-19 care has also been added, which was not included in the previously issued guidelines.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedComprehensiveGuidelinesforManagementofCOVID19inChildrenandAdolescentsbelow18years.pdf

ICMR reaches out to unreached regions through i-DRONE for delivery of vaccines and medical supplies

Project i-DRONE – ICMR’s Drone Response and Outreach for North East – assessed the feasibility of using drones to deliver vaccines and medical supplies. This was carried out in difficult geographical terrains including land, island, foothills, and across the hills. Collaborations with the State Health Mission of Manipur and Nagaland were key to such assessment. All necessary regulatory approvals from the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airport Authority of India (AAI), and the state health authorities of Nagaland and Manipur were obtained prior to implementation of this initiative. Eighty drone sorties were undertaken in three districts of Manipur namely Imphal West, Bishnupur, and Churachandpur, and two districts of Nagaland-Mokokchung and Tuensang. The aforementioned operations connected the district hospitals to the community and primary health care centres in the study districts.

The medical supplies delivered under i-Drone project included COVID-19 vaccines, vaccines used in routine immunisation programmes, antenatal care medicines, multi-vitamins, syringes, and gloves. The drone delivery system focussed on an end-to-end ecosystem for drone-based logistic transportation within the states and was the first successful example of delivering vaccines through drones from land to islands in South Asia. The longest drone flight under this project carried 3525 units of medical supplies from Mokokchung to the district Tuensang in Nagaland (approximately 40 km). A total of 17,275 units of medical supplies were delivered through drones in the states of Manipur and Nagaland.

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/idrone.html

ICMR invites Expression of Interest (EoI) for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

ICMR invites applications for validation of rapid antigen detection tests for COVID-19 from all manufacturers who have developed rapid antigen test (RAT) kits. Requirements for validations are based on various categories, like first-time validation, revalidation, and validation with alternate sample types. The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid point of care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private health care settings and made available for mass testing.

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info:
guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

CSIR releases guidelines on disinfection technologies for mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission

The Ministry of Science & Technology through CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation) has developed a totally effective technology for mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This will also remain relevant in post-COVID-19 era. The technology has been successfully tried in Railways, AC buses and even the Parliament House and is now open for general roll-out for use by the common masses.

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said the technology has been developed to deactivate SARS-CoV-2 virus. Contained in an aerosol with necessary ventilation measures, necessary safety and user guidelines and tested bio-safety standards, etc., UV-C deactivates viruses, bacteria, fungus and other bio-aerosols, etc. with appropriate dosages using 254nm UV light.

However, he cautioned that even after the installation of the technology, people are advised to strictly follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour, including the use of face masks, maintaining social distancing, avoiding crowds, etc.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1790527

CDSCO approves emergency use authorization for Covovax to strengthen immunization efforts in India

Strengthening India’s fight against COVID-19, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has approved the COVOVAX vaccine. This takes the number of vaccines given restricted use in an emergency in India to eight.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Novavax’s recombinant nanoparticle protein-based Covid-19 vaccine with Matrix-M adjuvant. The vaccine will be manufactured and marketed in India by Serum Institute of India (SII) under the brand name Covovax for 18 years old and above.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1786925

ICMR approves RT-PCR kits to detect Omicron COVID-19 variant

On 15 January 2022, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) approved two testing kits for detecting the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The kits are manufactured by Tata Medical & Diagnostics and Kriya Medical Technologies and will be an enhancement for the detection of the Omicron variant.

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/kits/RT_PCR_kits_for_OMICRON_ VOC_15012022.pdf

CORBEVAXTM receives DCGI approval for emergency use authorisation

India’s first indigenously developed Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) protein sub-unit vaccine for COVID-19, CORBEVAXTM, developed by Biological E Limited, has received the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) approval for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its public sector undertaking (PSU) - Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), have supported Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate from pre-clinical stage through Phase III clinical studies. The vaccine candidate was provided financial support under COVID-19 research consortium, through the National Biopharma Mission, for pre-clinical toxicology studies. Later, support was provided under Mission COVID Suraksha for clinical development. CORBEVAXTM is a two-dose vaccine administered intramuscularly and can be stored at 2ºC to 8ºC.

The recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine developed from the RBD of the spike protein on the viral surface is adjuvanted with Dynavax’s CpG 1018 and alum. Comprehensive Phase III clinical trials involving more than 3000 subjects between the ages of 18 and 80 at 33 study sites across India, demonstrated the vaccine to be safe, well tolerated and highly immunogenic. The Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of DBT, provided key immunogenicity data for the Phase II & III studies.

Dr Rajesh Gokhale, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Government of India said, "The EUA to CORBEVAXTM is yet another example of successful academia-industry collaboration. This vaccine will sharpen the country’s efforts in ending the pandemic. The development of indigenous vaccines to fight the pandemic will also inspire the country’s scientists and manufacturers to resolve the problems of the country."

Ms. Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. Limited, said, "We would like to take the opportunity to specially thank our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi for making vaccination a national mission. His vision and the advance commitments we received towards CORBEVAXTM were instrumental in our ability to scale-up and manufacture at such huge capacities. While COVID Suraksha Program’s endeavour to accelerate vaccine development played a crucial role in the initial development, the mechanism that was setup with the support of Department of Biotechnology and DBT-Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) allowed us to scale up to a capacity of about 1.2 billion doses per annum making the dream of accessibility – affordability and supply – a reality."

Website link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1786152

Ministry of AYUSH releases scientific resource of published research articles related to COVID-19

COVID-19 cases are still increasing day-by-day worldwide. The spreading of SARS-CoV-2 infection is very fast and different from other SARS-CoV infections possibly due to structural differences. In the current scenario of the ongoing pandemic, when there seems to be less immediate solution to the existing crisis, the only remedy available to the humankind is prevention. The most precise prevention is boosting of immunity. India is famous worldwide for its traditional medical wisdom and in treating diseases through medicinal plants.

Ministry of AYUSH is responsible for ensuring a time-bound research programme on identified diseases for which these systems have an effective treatment and to evolve pharmacopoeia standards for Indian systems of medicine and homoeopathy drugs.

Ministry of AYUSH has published 20 peer-reviewed original articles, three case reports, three study protocols, and two editorials so far to address challenges arising out of COVID-19 pandemic. The full and free-to-download articles can be accessed at the below provided website link.

Website link:
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/Published%20Articles%20and%20Preprints.pdf

Flowchart of guidelines for international arrivals in the wake of Omicron variant transmission of COVID-19 pandemic

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released guidelines for international arrivals in supersession of all guidelines issued on the subject on and after 30 November 2021. The guidelines are for COVID-19 symptomatic and asymptomatic cases. The flowchart has been prepared for easy comprehension.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Algorithmforrevisedguidelinesforinternationalarrivals7thJanuary2022.pdf

MoHFW released revised guidelines for international arrivals

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has released guidelines for international arrivals in supersession of all guidelines issued on the subject on and after 30 November 2021. This document provides protocols to be complied by international travellers as well as those to be followed by airlines and all points of entry (airports, seaports and land border). This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is valid with effect from 11 January 2022 till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document will be reviewed from time to time.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedGuidelinesforInternationalArrivalsdated7thJanuary2022.pdf

Ministry of AYUSH releases clinical guidelines for holistic care during COVID-19

The Ministry of AYUSH, Government of India, recently issued an ‘AYUSH-based holistic care during COVID-19’ in India to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

While antiviral drugs and vaccines are being developed, the traditional systems focus more on developing the body’s immunity and providing a holistic solution for the well-being of an individual as a coordinated strategy.AYUSH-based holistic care has the advantage of lesser side effects and of being cost effective. Along with modern medicine, these systems can also be explored as potential treatment/prevention for COVID-19.

Self-care immunity boosting measures for COVID-19 by the Ministry of AYUSH are:

Drink warm water throughout the day
Once a day inhale steam infused with mint leaves or caraway seeds (ajwain)
Practice yoga, pranayam and meditation
Include spices like turmeric, coriander, cumin and garlic in daily diet
Once or twice a day drink herbal tea/kadha made using basil (tulsi), cinnamon (dalchini), black pepper, dry ginger, munakka (raisin), and jaggery, or lemon juice
Drink milk with turmeric powder (half teaspoon in 150 ml hot milk) once or twice a day
Take one table spoon of sesame seed or coconut oil and swish in the mouth for two to three minutes, spit it out and rinse the mouth with warm water

Website link:
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/Ayush-general-guidelines-for-COVID-19.pdf

Government issues revised discharge policy for COVID-19

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has come out with a revised discharge policy for COVID-19 cases.According to the guidelines, mild cases admitted to a COVID-19 care facility or under home isolation will undergo regular health monitoring. The patient will be discharged after at least seven days from testing positive and with no fever for three successive days. There is no need for testing prior to discharge.

Moderate cases admitted to dedicated COVID-19 health centre: Patients, whose signs and symptoms resolve and maintain saturation above 93 per cent for three successive days (without oxygen support), and stable comorbidities, if any, will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical officer. There is no need for testing prior to discharge. Patients on oxygen whose signs and symptoms do not resolve, and demand of oxygen therapy continues, such patients will be discharged as per the advice of the treating medical office.

Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on clinical recovery at the discretion of the treating medical officer.

The revised discharge policy is aligned with the COVID-19 clinical management protocol.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedDischargePolicyforCOVID19updatedon9thJanuary2022.pdf

Omicron: Assam plans setting up genome sequencing lab in Guwahati

Amid the threat posed by the variant of concern, Omicron, the Assam government is contemplating setting up a genomic sequencing laboratory at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in a bid to boost the testing and tracking infrastructure in the state.

In mid-2020, a COVID-19 testing laboratory was established in the Jorhat campus of the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST). It may be mentioned that the institute’s Biotechnology Division has been playing a pivotal role in carrying out RT-PCR based COVID-19 tests.

The Health Minister of Assam met CSIR-NEIST Director, Dr G Narahari Shastry, in the presence of the Managing Director of the National Health Mission Assam and deliberated on enhancing the state’s medical infrastructure, including setting up a COVID-19 testing laboratory in Guwahati, and other facilities for better diagnosis.

The deliberations have been prompted by the growing need and importance of SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing in the Northeast, keeping the Omicron scare in context. The minister and virologists also visited the advanced molecular laboratory of NEIST. Genome sequencing helps researchers identify variants that spread to new regions. Scientists have been using genome sequencing to track SARS-CoV-2 almost in real-time since the onset of the pandemic.

Website link:
https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/26%20To%2031%20December%20%202021_0.pdf

Revised advisory released for managing healthcare workers (HCWs) working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas of the healthcare facilities

The health workforce is a valuable resource for the country. The healthcare personnel working in hospitals are at increased risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease if there is a breach of personal protection while managing patients. It is important to ensure proper advisory to protect healthcare workers (HCWs) particularly in the context of safety from healthcare associated infections (HAIs) while managing COVID-19.

In view of this, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) issued a revised advisory for managing HCWs working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas of healthcare facilities. The purpose of the document is to provide guidance on the following: a) Prevention measures to be observed at the institution/facility level, b) testing and isolation measures for healthcare functionaries.

Website link:
https://bit.ly/reviseadvisoryHCWs

Revised guidelines issued for home isolation of mild and asymptomatic COVID-19 cases

Over the past two years, it has been seen globally as well as in India that majority of cases of COVID-19 are either asymptomatic or have very mild symptoms. Such cases usually recover with minimal interventions and accordingly may be managed at home under proper medical guidance and monitoring.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW) has thus issued and updated guidelines for home isolation from time to time to clarify selection criteria, precautions that need to be followed by such patients and their families, signs that require monitoring and prompt reporting to health facilities.

The present guidelines are applicable to COVID-19 patients who have been clinically assessed and assigned as mild /asymptomatic cases of COVID-19.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/RevisedIllustratedGuidelinesforHomeIsolationofMildAsymptomaticCOVID19Cases.pdf

Ministry of AYUSH releases Ayurveda preventive measures for selfcare during COVID-19 pandemic

The world is currently going through a health crisis due to COVID-19 with emergence of newer variants. Enhancing the body’s natural defense is the most important tool for maintenance of an optimal state of health.

The Ministry of AYUSH has collaborated with premier research and medical institutions to generate considerable evidence on Ayush interventions for improving immunity and prophylaxis against COVID-19. The self-care guidelines recommended by the Ministry of AYUSH have been modified as per the evidence emerged out of research studies undertaken by the ministry for COVID-19 prophylaxis.

Website link:
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/Ayurveda-Preventive-Measures-for-self-careduring%20-Covid-19-Pandemic.pdf

Ministry of AYUSH issues Unani medicine-based COVID-19 guidelines for self- care during COVID-19 pandemic

In the wake of the current spike in COVID-19 cases, enhancing the body’s natural defense system (immunity) is important in maintaining optimum health. The CCRUM, Ministry of AYUSH recommends the following self-care guidelines modified as per the available evidence for improving immunity.

The main focus of the guidelines is on self-care and home management of COVID-19, as the vast majority of COVID-19-affected families in the country are forced to negotiate the pandemic out of hospitals.

Website link:
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/Unani%20Medicine%20Advocacies%20for%20Self%20Care%20during%20Covid%20-%2019%20Pandemic.pdf

ICMR issued advisory on purposive testing strategy for COVID-19 in India

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) issued an advisory on purposive testing strategy for COVID-19 in India. This advisory is for:

Early detection of symptomatic cases for quick isolation and care.
Early detection of infections in elderly (>60 year-old) and individuals with co-morbidities (diabetes, hypertension, chronic lung or kidney disease, malignancy, obesity, etc.) for quick care.

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/strategy/Advisory_COVID_Testing_10012022.pdf

COVID-19 management guidance for adults issued by MoHFW

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India has recently re-published COVID-19 management guidance for adults. These guidelines are given in a algorithmn form so that it is easy for the public to understand. The guidelines gives the information about the symptoms to the patients after getting COVID-19. This can be in three levels viz, mild, moderate and severe disease. It talks about what to do and what not to do in these three levels of the disease. It also informs about the medicine that should be taken at the time of COVID-19.

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/COVID_Management_Algorithm_23092021.pdf

Strategy for COVID-19 vaccination of children between 15-18 years and precaution dose to HCWs, FLWs and 60+ year-old population with co-morbidities

The CoWIN platform provides every citizen the facility of conveniently and safely prebooking vaccination appointments. All government and private vaccination centres also provide onsite registration facility, available both for individuals as well as groups of individuals, for which a detailed procedure has been finalised and published by States/UTs, to minimise any inconvenience to citizens.

Keeping in view the recent global surge of COVID-19 cases and detection of Omicron variant, which has been categorised as a variant of concern (VOC), MoHFW issued guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination for different category persons. They are as follows :

COVID-19 vaccination is given to the children in the age group of 15-18 years. For such beneficiaries, vaccination option would be 'Covaxin' only.
As a matter of abundant precaution, for those HCWs and front line workers (FLWs) who have received two doses, another dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be provided. The prioritisation and sequencing of this precaution dose will be based on the completion of nine months, that is, 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.
All persons aged 60 years and above with comorbidities who have received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, will on Doctor’s advice, be provided with a precaution dose. The prioritisation and sequencing of this precaution dose will be based on the completion of nine months, that is, 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.

Website link:
https://bit.ly/vaccination15to18yearsand60above

ICMR releases guidelines on how to use a pulse oximeter at home

ICMR has pictorially depicted basic but essential information about 'How to use a pulse oximeter at home' and explained them step by step. In this picture, who should use this oximeter, how to position it and, the correct way of using it has been shown. It has also explained on which finger it should be used and how to clean the oximeter perfectly after using it. It is very helpful for COVID-19 patients.

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/oximeter.pdf

Ministry of AYUSH releases yoga advisory for COVID-19 patients in home isolation

Yoga, as we know it, is a tried and tested method of promoting good health and building resistance against diseases. Generations after generations have practiced this form of physical activity and received tremendous benefits. In today’s situation, this time-tested tradition has proved to be supremely beneficial. Daily practice of yoga promotes good health, builds immunity against diseases and ailments, promotes sound mental health, and helps maintain a fit physique, and energy level.

Yoga and pranayam greatly add on to one’s immunity. Ministry of AYUSH in collaboration with yoga experts of Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) has released a yoga advisory for home isolated COVID-19 patients.

Website link:
https://www.ayush.gov.in/docs/Yoga-Advisory-for-Home-Isolated-COVID-19-patients.pdf

Sports Authority of India issues fresh SOPs to combat rising COVID-19 cases

The Sports Authority of India (SAI) has come up with fresh Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to deal with the drastic rise in COVID-19 cases, mostly owing to the Omicron variant. These measures will be strictly implemented at the various National Centres of Excellence (NCOEs) as well as the ongoing national coaching camps.

Upon arrival to the training centres, all athletes will undergo mandatory Rapid Antigen Test (RAT). If the test comes negative, they will train and dine separately until the sixth day of joining. A repeat of the RAT will take place on the fifth day. The ones who get a positive result will undergo a RTPCR test and be treated in isolation, while the athletes testing negative will continue normal training.

Proper isolation facilities are being earmarked for COVID-19 positive or symptomatic athletes across the camps and the facilities will be sanitized twice a day. There will also be a micro biobubble, where the athletes will be divided into small groups for training and dining. The athletes have also been strictly asked to avoid interacting with other groups.

There will also be random testing of athletes, coaches, support staff and non-residential staff in the NCOE, once every 15 days. It has also been recommended that athletes would be participating in only those competitions recommended by the respective National Sports Federations (NSFs) and the SAI HQ officials. For invitational tournaments and non-Olympic qualifying events, recommendations will be made by the respective Regional Directors (RDs) of the NCOEs.

Website link:
https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1787995

C-CAMP sequences SARS-CoV-2 Omicron primers by using negative selection method

Centre for Cellular and Molecular Platforms (C-CAMP) has designed primer sequences for the Omicron variant to assist diagnostics. The primer sequences designed by Bionivid specifically target a 9bp deletion in the N gene of the SARS–CoV-2 Omicron variant (B1.1.529). This deletion has been observed in most (> 98%) of the 700 Omicron sequences (Source: GISAID) analysed at Bionivid. The design of the primers is based on two selection methods – positive selection and negative selection method.

In the negative selection method, the primers will bind to all SARS-CoV-2 variants but not to Omicron sequences. So, a positive signal will be received for all SARS-CoV-2 variants except Omicron.

Contact info:
covid@bionivid.com, indx-support@ccamp.res.in

Website link:
https://www.ccamp.res.in/sites/default/files/default_images/Omicron_Primer_sequences.pdf

Ministry of Health provides answers to frequently asked questions on SARS-CoV-2 variant Omicron for public convenience

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) has issued a document mentioning FAQs on SARS-CoV-2 variant, Omicron. In this document, the public will get answers to various questions about Omicron. What is Omicron? What are its diagnostics methods? How concerned should we be about the new VoC? What precautions should be taken? Will there be a third wave? Will the existing vaccines work against Omicron? How is India responding to the Omicron variant? Why do variants occur? All these questions and answers are given in a detailed and simple manner in this document.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/FAQsonOmicron.pdf

IIT Delhi develops RT-PCR-based assay for diagnosis of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2

Kusuma School of Biological Sciences at IIT Delhi has developed an RT-PCR-based assay for the specific detection of the Omicron (B.1.1.529.1) variant of SARS-CoV-2. The assay is based on detecting specific mutations, which are present in the Omicron variant and absent in other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2. Primer sets targeting these unique mutations in the S gene were designed for the specific amplification of either the Omicron variant or other currently circulating variants of SARS-CoV-2 and tested using RT-PCR. Using synthetic DNA fragments, the assays were optimised to distinguish the wild type from the Omicron variant in a dynamic range from 10 million to < 100 copies /reaction.

Contact info:
bioschool@iitd.ac.in

Website link:
https://home.iitd.ac.in/show.php?id=15&in_sections=Research

Government releases guidelines for international arrivals, in view of the surge in spread of Omicron variant of COVID-19

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), on 30 November 2021, released guidelines for international arrivals in supersession of all guidelines issued so far. This information document provides protocols to be complied with by international travellers as well those to be followed by the airlines and points of entry (airports, seaports, and land borders) for risk profiling of passengers. This standard operating procedure (SOP) is valid effective 1 December 2021 till further orders. Based on the risk assessment, this document will be reviewed from time to time. These guidelines for international travel are also given in algorithm form so that it will be easy for people to understand them and follow them.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalarrivalsdated30thNovember2021.pdf

IIT Hyderabad creates COVID-19 tracker for Coronavirus updates in 10 Indian languages

IIT Hyderabad has created a COVID-19 tracker for coronavirus updates in 10 Indian languages. The tracker is built using the public code base of the covid19india.org website. The website launched in 2020, and was discontinued in October 2021. Knowing how crucial this information is to Indians in all walks of life (researchers, students, and the public), the Director of IIT Hyderabad authorised a team of developers at the institute to carry on the work. The portal will display daily updates on case numbers, vaccinations, and tests for each state of India. These updates are available in 10 Indian languages.

Contact info:
covid.tracker@iith.ac.in, pro@iith.ac.in

Website link:
https://pcr.iith.ac.in/files/pressrelease/covid19tracker.in%20by%20IITH.pdf

MoHFW releases list of ‘At-Risk’ countries in view of COVID-19 new variant Omicron

To contain the spread of the new COVID-19 variant, the Government has, on 9 December 2021, released new travel guidelines to be followed by States and Union Territories. The list of countries from where travellers will need to follow additional measures on arrival in India include the United Kingdom, South Africa, Brazil, Bangladesh, Botswana, China, Mauritius, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Singapore, Hong Kong and Israel.

Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ListofCountriestobereferredtoincontextofGuidelinesforinternationalarrivalsdated28thNovember2021updatedon30112021.pdf

Measures taken by Government to minimise threat of any resurgence of COVID-19 pandemic

The Government of India continues to keep a close watch over COVID-19 situation in the country by strict observance of a five-fold strategy of test-track-treat, COVID-19 appropriate behaviour and vaccination against the pandemic to prevent and mitigate the impact of any resurgence of COVID-19 trajectory in the country. The Government of India has also established an Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Surveillance Consortium (INSACOG) for genomic sequencing and tracking the evolution of variant strains of SARS-CoV-2.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is supporting the implementation of two key programmes, the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) and the Ind-CEPI Mission, which have enabled the strengthening of the national vaccine development ecosystem, so as to effectively respond to pandemics. Furthermore, ‘Mission COVID Suraksha – the Indian COVID-19 Vaccine Development Mission’, was launched as part of the third stimulus package, Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, for promoting research and development of India COVID-19 vaccines. The mission, led by DBT, is implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

Support is provided to States/UTs to enhance preparedness and response capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies. Various initiatives have been taken by the Government to provide technical guidance and further strengthen health infrastructure, availability of essential logistics, including drugs and medical oxygen supply to manage COVID-19.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1778832

Ministry of Health undertook several steps for the well-being of COVID-19 warriors including life insurance benefits

The MoHFW has taken a number of steps to improve the well-being of healthcare workers managing COVID-19. Few of the actions taken in this regard include:

• With the launch of COVID-19 vaccination initiative on 16 January 2021, healthcare workers were identified as one of the first priority group. State Governments/UT administrations have been repeatedly urged to ensure that the medical professionals engaged in COVID-19 related work are suitably vaccinated.

• The MoHFW provided guidelines on infection prevention and control practices to the State Governments to minimise the risk of infection to healthcare workers

• For high-risk exposures, healthcare workers are provided with a quarantine period initially for one week and thereafter taking the profile of the health worker a decision to be taken for a further period of one week. An advisory to this effect for managing healthcare workers working in COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas of the hospital was issued by the MoHFW on 18 June 2020.

• The MoHFW, on 18 June 2020, as per directions issued by the Supreme Court in a batch of writ petitions and in exercise of powers delegated under Section 10(2) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, directed States/UTs to ensure that salaries of doctors and healthcare workers during COVID-19 related duties shall be released on time.

• The MoHFW, in consultation with the Department of Personnel Training, has also directed State Governments to consider quarantine period of healthcare workers as ‘on duty’.

• The Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has also issued directions to the Chief Secretary of the States/Union Territories on provision for accommodation facilities for quarantine of healthcare workers. States/UTs were also advised to explore various rostering options.

• In the context of COVID-19, the Epidemic Diseases (Amendment) Ordinance, 2020 was promulgated on 22 April 2020. Further, this ordinance, brought before the Parliament, has been passed and notified on 29 September 2020. The amendment provides for safety and security of healthcare service personnel (HSPs) from acts of violence.

• Life insurance benefits (Rs 50 lakh to Rs 22.12 lakh to healthcare providers) are provided under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package (PMGKP): Insurance Scheme for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19. The benefits under the said scheme have been extended w.e.f. 21 October 2021 for a further period of 180 days.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1780152

Government sanctions 1,563 PSA oxygen generation plants for improving public health facilities

The Government has sanctioned 1,563 pressure swing adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plants of which 1,463 have been commissioned. These include 1,225 PSA plants, which have been installed and commissioned under PMCARES Fund in every district of the country. Additionally, 338 PSA plants have been set up by PSUs of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, etc. till date. The States have also been asked to install PSA plants in public health facilities and facilitate installation of such plants in private health facilities.

The empowered group constituted by the Government on Emergency Management Plan and Strategy recommended that for calculation of oxygen demand, the required rates of oxygen flow in non-ICU and ICU setting are 10 and 24 litres per minute per day per case, respectively.

Based on the above, these plants can support more than 1,00,000 beds/day.

The PSA plants under PMCARES have been supplied and commissioned by the Central Government. States provided for space, three-phase power supply, DG set for uninterrupted power supply and availability of medical gas pipeline system (MGPS) for interconnection with PSA plant.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1780145

PM-ABHIM launched to strengthen pandemic research

A new scheme, ‘Prime Minister Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM- ABHIM)’, has been approved with an outlay of Rs 1,347.00 crore for the Department of Health Research/ Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) towards bio-security preparedness and strengthening pandemic research and multi-sector national institutions and platform for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26 to fill the gaps in the healthcare system during the COVID-19 pandemic

Major activities approved under the initiative include setting up of nine BSL-3 labs; regional research platform of the South East Asia Region Countries; four zonal National Institutes of Virology (NIVs); division for research on disease elimination sciences & health at National AIDS Research Institute (NARI), Pune; strengthening already functional Viral Research & Diagnostic Laboratories (VRDLs) and support for various other research institutes/centres to strengthen research on the pandemic.

Besides, the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has taken several steps to strengthen research on the pandemic. These initiatives include:

• A special call on scientifically identifying relevant yoga and meditation practices for immunity boosting, respiratory toning and stress reduction.

• Formation and support to a group across several IITs and artificial intelligence (AI) startups to find artificial intelligence solutions to COVID-19 diagnostics and predictions

• Linked with technology industry such as International Business Machines Corporation (IBM), NVIDIA, etc., which have agreed to provide resources, such as supercomputing time and software stacks pro bono for COVID-19 research.

• Activation of relevant DST autonomous institutions in providing solutions. A particularly successful institute has been Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Science and Technology, which has already come up with over 10 effective products, several of which are of a breakthrough nature and are being commercialised rapidly

• Centre for Augmenting War with COVID-19 Health Crisis (CAWACH) programme of DST for supporting COVID-19 start-up solutions from all over the country.

• A total of 94 projects with total outlay of Rs 20.56 crore were sanctioned by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB).

Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is also implementing two kinds of projects for the purpose. Under the New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) schemes, a special call for COVID-19 projects, six projects are being implemented. CSIR had given special call to CSIR labs inviting projects related to Coronavirus. In this category, 47 projects were supported. An amount of Rs 7,299.244 lakh has been allocated for these projects.

DBT is supporting the implementation of two key programmes, the National Biopharma Mission (NBM) and the Ind-CEPI Mission, which have enabled the strengthening of the national vaccine development ecosystem, so as to effectively respond to pandemics.

Furthermore, Mission COVID Suraksha, the Indian COVID-19 vaccine development mission, was launched as part of the third stimulus package, Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, for promoting research and development of India COVID-19 vaccines. The mission is led by DBT and is implemented by Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), at a total cost of Rs 900 crore.

INSACOG, a multi-agency inter-ministerial consortium from DBT, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), CSIR, and MoHFW, has been established for genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1777641

Air Suvidha portal assisting international passengers with all COVID-19 related guidelines

To ensure the smooth movement of international travellers arriving in India, Ministry of Civil Aviation and Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have mandated contactless self-declaration at Air Suvidha portal. International passengers coming to India can now experience a smooth and hassle-free arrival process, by applying online to fill self-reporting forms. There is no quarantine applicable to passengers arriving with negative RT-PCR report.

Air Suvidha is the first of its kind digital portal for easing international passenger arrival in India. This portal developed by MOCA aids passengers in providing details of their travel and final stay along with RT-PCR, vaccination status, etc. In today’s time, this helps state officials in contact tracing. The implementation of Air Suvidha intends to provide hassle-free, queue-free, and convenient air travel to all international passengers arriving in India.

To ensure necessary prevention of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, the exemption forms from the Air Suvidha portal have been discontinued, and filling of the details have been made compulsory for all international passengers arriving in India. All international passengers arriving in India are mandated to declare their current health status prior to boarding, on the Air Suvidha portal along with the required documents: copy of passport, PCR negative certificate from a test conducted within 72 hours of departure and vaccination certificate.

Website link:
https://www.newdelhiairport.in/airsuvidha/apho-registration

CFTRI lab to handle bulk of RT-PCR tests

With COVID-19 testing target in Mysuru increasing from 3,000 to 5,000 a day amid Omicron scare, the bulk of RT-PCR tests are now being handled by the lab at the CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI). The Microbiology Department’s Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) facility on the premises of KR Hospital is shut for restoration.

The VRDL facility, which has been in the forefront of COVID-19 testing since April 2020, has not been in operation for the last few days over a short-circuit incident and the structure housing the lab requires immediate repairs due to leakage from the roof.

The MMCRI Testing Centre (Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory) and the CSIR-CFTRI testing centre are the two public institutions that have been providing services to the public free of cost since the outbreak. The CSIR-CFTRI came forward to support the district administration in the fight against the pandemic by setting up the testing centre and carrying out RT-PCR tests since testing was key for containing the spread of the disease.

VRDL is a part of a network of labs established across the country by the Department of Health Research, Government of India. The rise in the number of viral outbreaks and the resultant mortality from them had been cited as key reasons for the launch of a network of such hi-tech labs. The National Institute of Virology, Pune and the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi will be the top laboratories for the network while the National Institute of Epidemiology, Chennai will be supervising the data generated by the network of labs.

Website link:
https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/01%20To%2005%20December%20%202021.pdf

ICMR invites Expression of Interest (EoI) for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Contact info:
guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

Merck’s anti-COVID-19 pill Molnupiravir is likely to get approval from DCGI

With data on over 700 patients submitted, American pharmaceutical giant Merck’ s antiCOVID-19 pill Molnupiravir is likely to be given emergency-use approval soon, said the chief of the COVID Strategy Group at the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is currently reviewing clinical data of Molnupiravir for the treatment of COVID-19 in adults in India.

Hailed as a ‘game-changer’, Merck has entered into voluntary licensing agreements with at least eight Indian drug makers, including Cipla, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Sun Pharma, Hetero, Aurobindo Pharma, for oral medication. Some of these drug makers have finished conducting the late-stage clinical trials and submitted the data to the country’s apex drug regulator for a marketing nod.

Molnupiravir is the first oral antiviral approved by the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults. It is under review by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA).

Dr Ram Vishwakarma, chairman of the COVID Strategy Group, CSIR, said Molnupiravir was one of the 24 molecules selected by the institute for repurposing against COVID-19. “Three CSIR institutes have already developed the processes and technologies, which we are ready to share with as Indian pharma companies to add to the capacity of their manufacturing in India,” he said.

The antiviral medication is for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. The risk factors include obesity, old age (above 60 years), diabetes mellitus and heart disease.

Website link:
https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/11%20To%2015%20November%202021.pdf,
https://sunpharma.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Press-Release-Sun-Pharma-gearing-up-to-introduce-molnupiravir-under-the-brand-name-Molxvir%C2%AE-in-India.pdf

DBT sequenced one lakh genome so far in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that so far one lakh genome and DNA sequencing has been done for COVID-19 by the Department of Bio-Technology (DBT) and five COVID-19 biorepositories while 57,000 samples were made available to academia and industry for R&D and product development.

The Minister was presiding over a high-level meeting to review the current status of COVID-19 research, development of vaccines and other protocols as well as the contribution made in this direction by each of the autonomous institutions of the Department of Biotechnology located in different parts of the country.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1771252

Multi-copter DRONE designed and developed by NAL delivers COVID-19 vaccines at remote locations on the outskirts of Bengaluru

National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), a constituent of CSIR, India has developed an indigenous, medium class BVLOS multi-copter UAV. The UAV is made out of light weight carbon fibre foldable structure for ease of transportation and has unique features like autonomous guidance through dual redundant MEMS-based digital autopilot with advanced flight instrumentation systems.

NAL’s octacopter can carry a payload of 15 kg with hovering endurance of 40 minutes. It can fly at an operational altitude of 500 m AGL and at maximum flying speed of 36 kmph. Its regulatory compliance includes DGCA-NPNT, geo-fencing and digital sky with 360 degree collision avoidance, making it one of the best UAVs in its class. Octacopter can be used for a variety of BVLOS applications for last mile delivery like medicines, vaccines, food, postal packets, human organs, etc. It is integrated with powerful onboard embedded computer and latest generation sensors for versatile applications like agricultural pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, mining survey, and magnetic geosurvey mapping, etc.

CSIR-NAL has teamed with the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka, for aerial delivery of COVID-19 vaccines in remote areas. The octacopter has successfully delivered 50 vials of COVID-19 vaccines along with syringes in a special container from Chandapura PHC to Haragadde PHC on 13th November 2021. The entire mission has covered a distance of about 14 km in 20 minutes, including delivery of vaccines. Medical Officer Dr Manisha said it usually takes about 30-40 minutes to deliver vaccines to Haragadde from 1 Chandapura by road. The doctors at PHCs were delighted to witness the demonstration of fast and safe aerial delivery of vaccines.

Website link:
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1771470

IIT Roorkee launches website to help people find plasma donors

IIT Roorkee, in response to the current situation of COVID-19, has made a website covid19help, an initiative launched by National Service Scheme (NSS), to provide people in need with verified information on plasma donors and help them to connect besides helping citizens of the country find verified leads on plasma donors.

There are two options available on the website: one is for requesting plasma and the other for donating plasma. The interested donors can register on the portal. The COVID-19 recovered patients are encouraged to come forward and donate their plasma for the recovery of infected patients. The portal will also serve as an all-in-one place for the COVID-19 resources. It provides access to myths and truths, along with verified leads across various cities.

Contact info: covid19help@iitr.ac.in

Website link: https://covid19help.iitr.ac.in/

IIT Kanpur makes self-help group to tackle COVID-19

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur has made a self-help group to tackle COVID -19 emergencies in the institute. The aim of this group is to respond to medical emergencies of everyone related to IITK and their families. People can find out about different initiatives launched by this group like information about hospital/doctors/beds available, quick-response team, online resources and information, and medicine support. People can also consult a doctor through this initiative. Along with that, the public can get other assistance like support groups for people in home isolation, oximeter library, financial assistance, vaccination, and mental health, etc.

Website link: https://sites.google.com/view/iitk-self-help/home

ICMR invites Expression of Interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

Government launches Har-Ghar-Dastak campaign to maximise the reach of vaccine

With India having already achieved the milestone of one billion vaccinations last month and surging ahead at a greater pace, we cannot afford to be lackadaisical in our fight against coronavirus. Despite a majority of population participating in the vaccination drive, there are many who are on the fringes. In the backdrop of this scenario, the Government has launched a month-long ‘Har-Ghar-Dastak’ campaign to cover those who have not taken their first dose or have missed the second one.

According to the empirical data, 77 per cent of the eligible population in India has been vaccinated with the first dose against COVID-19 while 32 per cent have received both the doses. According to the Prime Minister’s Office, 45 districts in India still lag in vaccination coverage as they are yet to administer even a single shot to more than half of the adult population when the national average is at least 78 per cent.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1769187

COVID-19 vaccination for children: Eligibility expansion to the 5-11 year age group

The international community is committed to ensuring that children from five through 11 years of age have access to COVID-19 vaccines. Scientists have conducted clinical trials with about 3,000 children, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has determined that the PfizerBioNTech COVID-19 vaccine has met the safety and efficacy standards for administration in children between five and 11 years. The safety of COVID-19 vaccines continues to be monitored.

The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children between five and 11 years of age is administered as a two-dose primary series, three weeks apart.

Vaccine administration

The pediatric vaccine is already being shipped around the country. Vaccine providers must use the pediatric vaccine formulation with orange caps and labels. Children aged 5-11 years will be vaccinated with two 10-microgram doses administered 21 days apart. The dosage is one-third of the adolescent and adult dose.

Dosages are determined by age, not a child’s size or weight. Some children may be 11 years old when they get their first dose and 12 at the time of their second dose. They should receive a dose based on their age on the day of vaccination, according to the CDC.

The COVID-19 vaccine can be given at the same time as other routine vaccines but should be done in a different injection site. CDC and AAP also recommend that children with prior COVID-19 infection get vaccinated. This includes children who have a history of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) if they meet several criteria including clinical recovery; if at least 90 days have passed since their diagnosis; if onset of MIS-C occurred before COVID-19 vaccination; and if they are in an area of high or substantial community transmission or otherwise have increased risk for exposure to the virus. Even if they don’t meet all the criteria post-MIS-C, the CDC said vaccination may be considered.

Contact info: PfizerMediaRelations@pfizer.com

Website link: https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-biontech-receive-first-us-fda-emergency-use-0

Government releases fresh guidelines for international arrivals

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), in supersession of all guidelines issued on the subject on and after 17 February 2021 issued new guidelines for international arrivals in the form of algorithm. This document provides protocols to be complied with by international travellers as well those to be followed by airlines, points of entry (airports, seaports, and land borders) for risk profiling of passengers in easy step format so that people can understand this easily. This standard operating procedure is valid effective 25 October 2021.

Website link: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/GuidelinesforInternationalArrival20thOctober2021.pdf

Ministry of Health releases comprehensive guideline for Management of Post-COVID Sequelae for Doctors for better disease management

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) guidelines for Management of Post-COVID Sequelae for Doctors. The purpose of this document is to guide doctors on managing post-COVID-19 complications affecting cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, nephrological, neurological and respiratory systems. This is the first such series of seven modules released in India, providing extensive guidelines for the medical fraternity. This includes a module for healthcare providers to deal with mental health, which is of utmost importance.

Website link: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/NationalComprehensiveGuidelinesforManagementofPostCovidSequelae.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_%20validation_13082021.pdf

India touched the milestone of 100 crore vaccination

India achieved the landmark milestone of 100 crore vaccinations on 21 October 2021. It took 85 days to touch the 10-crore vaccination mark. The government rolled out the COVID-19 vaccination drive on 16 January 2021, with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. From 1 March people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with co-morbid conditions were allowed to get vaccinated. The government expanded its vaccination drive by allowing all above 18 to be vaccinated from 1 May.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to doctors, nurses and all those who worked to achieve this feat. The Prime Minister said India’s entire vaccination program is born in the womb of science, has grown on scientific grounds and has reached all the nooks and corners of India through scientific methods. It is a matter of pride for the nation that the entire vaccination program of India has been Science born, Science driven and Science-based. The challenge was also a need to scale up the production. After that, distribution to different states and timely delivery of vaccines to far-flung areas. But, with scientific methods and new innovations, the country has found solutions to these challenges. Resources were increased with extraordinary speed.

CoWIN played a huge role in enabling the 100-crore vaccination landmark. This digital platform assisted programme managers across national, state, and district levels while conducting vaccination sessions. It helped them track beneficiary coverage, beneficiary dropouts, sessions planned v/s sessions held and vaccine utilisation. The top five states which have administered the highest number of doses are Uttar Pradesh followed by Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh.

Website link:
https://www.mygov.in/campaigns/india-journey-of-100-crore-vaccinations/?target=webview&type=campaign&nid=0
https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1765665

Post COVID, the Department of Biotechnology launched ‘One Health’, the country’s first consortium

COVID-19 pandemic showed the relevance of the principles of ‘one health’ in the governance of infectious diseases, special efforts to prevent and contain zoonotic diseases throughout the world. The risk of infectious agents capable of crossing the barriers of species is increasing, mainly because of the potential of the novel infectious agents to spread rapidly around the globe due to increased travel, food habits, and trade across borders. Such diseases have devastating impacts on animals, humans, health systems, and economies, requiring years of social and economic recovery. Sensing this urgent need, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, supported a mega consortium on ‘One Health’.

Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, DBT, Government of India, launched the country’s first consortium, ‘One Health’, a programme to carry out surveillance of important bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections of zoonotic as well as transboundary pathogens in India. The use of existing diagnostic tests and the development of additional methodologies, when required, are mandated for the surveillance and for understanding the spread of emerging diseases.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1763772

Ministry of AYUSH distribute prophylactic medicines to fight COVID-19

Under Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the Ministry of Ayush on 2 September 2021 launched a campaign to distribute Ayush prophylactic medicines and written guidelines on diet and lifestyle. The drive was jointly initiated by the Minister of Ayush and Port, Shipping & Waterways, Shri Sarbananda Sonowal, and Minister of State for Ayush and Women and Child Development, Dr Munjpara Mahendrabhai. The cabinet minister also launched the campaign at the National Institute of Ayurveda (NIA), Jaipur.

The kit of Ayurveda prophylactic medicines for COVID-19 contains Sanshamani Vati, also known as Guduchi or Giloy Ghan Vati, and Ashwagandha Ghan Vati. The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Medicines (CCRAS) prepared the kit and the guidelines. The CCRAS is planning and implementing a campaign for the elderly population.

Website link: https://cdn.ayush.gov.in/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Ayush_newsletter_OCT-10.8.2021-1.pdf

CCMB seeks emergency approval for horse-based antibody therapy for COVID-19 treatment

The Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) – an autonomous institute under the aegis of CSIR – is planning to seek emergency-use approval for its horsebased antibody therapy for COVID-19 treatment.

Known as fragment-based therapeutic antibody treatment, these antibodies are raised in horses using inactivated coronavirus, which are fractionated and purified to produce antibody fragments for neutralising the virus in patients for recovery. CCMB in collaboration with VINS Bioproducts has developed the therapy. This is equine-based immunoglobulins, which is in the advanced stages of phase I/II trials. According to experts, therapeutic antibody treatment could prove more effective and feasible than plasma therapy.

COVID-19 mRNA vaccine in development: The CCMB, this year, had set up an exclusive ‘RNA platform’, a facility to develop mRNA (messenger RNA) technology to be used in COVID-19 vaccines – the same platform used in Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna’s vaccine. The research institute is in advanced stages of developing an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19.

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/06%20To%2010%20October%202021.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_%20validation_13082021.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest (EOI) for participation in ‘Indian Clinical Trial & Education Network (INTENT)’

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) calls for expression of interest (EOI) for participation in ‘Indian Clinical Trial & Education Network (INTENT)’. All government medical colleges/ institutes, private medical colleges/institutes, hospitals with experience of conducting RCTs and ICMR institutes can apply for advanced centre for clinical trial.

INTENT envisages providing evidence-based, cost effective, scientifically sound, and culturally appropriate solutions to diseases and health issues of national and/or regional importance. It will provide a single platform to conduct a range of randomised clinical trials (RCT) that will enable harmonisation of trial methods, pooling of results and timely completion of the projects, along with an inclusive representation of the diverse Indian communities. Additionally, this network will be at the forefront for capacity building of a pool of health researchers across the country. The trainees will acquire requisite skills to plan and conduct RCTs and to analyse and disseminate the results that could inform policy and practice.

Last date to apply: 15 October 2021

Contact info: Dr Aparna Mukherjee(intent.icmr@gmail.com)

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/EoI_INTENT.pdf

THSTI, Faridabad collaborates with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Vietnam, for developing a new vaccine against COVID-19

After helping Indian companies for clinical trials/development of vaccines for COVID-19 including Dr Reddy’s (Sputnik), Zydus Cadilla (DNA vaccine), and Biological E, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), Department of Biotechnology, M/o Science & Technology, Government of India has entered into a research collaboration with Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a Vietnamese pharmaceutical company, which is developing a new vaccine for COVID-19. His Excellency Pham Sanh Chau, the Ambassador of Vietnam to India, led a team that visited THSTI on 23 September 2021, to sign MoU between THSTI and the Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC. THSTI has been at the forefront of research for COVID-19 vaccines.

Dr Renu Swarup, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology congratulated THSTI for leveraging its expertise and facilities not only for India but also globally. She applauded the scientists and appreciated their efforts in developing vaccines and therapeutics.

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/translational-health-science-and-technology-institute-thsti-do-biotechnology-mo-science

CIAB utilises Agri-biomass in fighting COVID-19

Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), an autonomous institute of the Department of Biotechnology, is working towards antiviral efficacy. However, faculties at CIAB have taken up this challenge to address this pandemic via converting agriproducts into therapeutics. The following research activities have been initiated, which apply multiple research expertise including chemistry, chemical engineering, biotechnology, molecular biology, and nanotechnology available at DBT-CIAB.

Research activity 1 - Polypyrrollic photosensitisers and their nanoformulations for antiviral photodynamic therapy

Research activity 2 - Natural garlic essential oil as an ACE2 protein inhibitor for preventing SARS-CoV-2 invasion

Products of the proposed research outcome are expected to be biocompatible, low cost and scalable. Most importantly, the research objectives proposed have deliverables planned to be completed in less than a year’s time. The potential antiviral molecules which are identified in this work will be tested for their ability to act against SARS-CoV-2 in collaboration with the Regional Centre for Biotechnology, Faridabad.

Contact info: ceo@ciab.res.in

Website link: http://www.ciab.res.in/Documents/Misc/COVID19CIABactivity24.pdf

CCMB study detects gene suppression in COVID-19 patients as the reason for loss of taste and sense of smell

Researchers from the Hyderabad-based Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) have unlocked the mystery behind the loss of sense of smell and taste, the two-key symptoms that went a long way in identifying the tell-tale signs of COVID-19 positive patients’ status.

At the height of both waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, health care workers and scientists were keenly looking at two key clinical symptoms: a loss of the olfactory (smell) and gustation (taste) receptors. The loss of both receptors, and their associated pathways, were a major correlate of the COVID-19 infection.

The researchers have indicated that genes associated with the olfactory and gustation functions become suppressed, causing COVID-19 positive patients to lose their ability to smell and taste. The study found that genes associated with crucial body functions, including those of the respiratory system, the heart, the endocrine system and the nervous system, were also suppressed or lowered.

The CCMB study revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 virus tended to react with genes leading to ‘downregulation’ or ‘upregulation’ of some of them. While downregulation is the process by which a cell decreases the quantity of a cellular component, such as RNA or protein, in response to an external stimulus, upregulation is an increase in these components. Both downregulation and upregulation disrupt the functioning of the body. The study revealed that while upregulation was found in the immune response genes and resulted in an increase in the amount of inflammation, downregulation was witnessed in genes responsible for neurotransmission, neurological, cardiovascular, and muscular contraction.

The study involved investigating the genetic changes in 36 COVID-19 patients, ranging from those needing critical and intensive care intervention to those treated at the ward-level, during the pandemic’s first wave. Five COVID-19 negative samples were also analysed. Researchers said that studies such as theirs were useful for scientists to not only compare host responses in the current and subsequent waves of the pandemic but also to come up with therapeutic solutions.

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/26%20To%2030%20September%202021.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

Saline gargle RT-PCR innovation by CSIR can be licensed to all eligible parties, for mass production

In a notable step forward in India’s fight against COVID-19, Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has transferred the know-how of indigenously developed saline gargle RT-PCR technique, used for testing COVID-19 samples. The saline gargle RT-PCR technology is simple, fast, costeffective, patient-friendly and comfortable. It also provides instant test results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given its minimal infrastructure requirements.

CSIR-NEERI stated that the innovation developed by the institute has been ‘dedicated to the nation’ to serve the society. The know-how has been transferred to the Union Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), on a non-exclusive basis. This would enable the innovation to be commercialised and licensed to all capable parties, including private, government and various rural development schemes and departments.

The licensees are expected to set up manufacturing facilities for commercial production in the form of easily usable compact kits. In the light of the prevailing pandemic situation and probable third wave of COVID-19, CSIR-NEERI fast-tracked the know-how transfer process to potential licensees for its wider dissemination across the nation.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1754297

Umifenovir drug proves successful in clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment

The Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI) claimed that the clinical trials of antiviral drug, Umifenovir, in the treatment of COVID-19 have been successful. The trial of Umifenovir on 132 COVID-19 patients showed that, if proper dose is given twice daily for five days, the drug can effectively reduce viral load to zero in mild or moderate symptomatic and asymptomatic patients by checking multiplication of the virus.

Titled phase III, randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial of efficacy, safety and tolerability of antiviral drug Umifenovir vs standard care of therapy in non-severe COVID-19 patients, the clinical trial was conducted at three institutions – King George’s Medical University (KGMU), Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) and Era’s Lucknow Medical College and Hospital (ELMCH).

In a study, double-blind mode improves reliability of results by preventing bias when doctors evaluate a patient’s outcome. The results showed that viral load in mild, moderate or asymptomatic patients after being given two doses of Umifenovir (800mg) twice a day became zero in an average of five days. Patients did not experience any side-effects and their symptoms also did not turn severe.

Studies by CDRI in collaboration with CSIR-IMTECH, Chandigarh, also showed that Umifenovir exhibits good cell culture inhibition of SARS-Cov2, which suggests that the drug inhibits the entry of SARS-CoV-2 virus into human cells, Prof Kundu said.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has evaluated the clinical trials report and in view of the highly encouraging results, and has asked the team to continue the studies on more mild, asymptomatic patients for grant of emergency approval of the drug.

A team of CDRI chemists, Ajay K Srivastava, Chandra Bhushan Tripathi, Nayan Ghosh and Nilanjana Majumdar, and their students, synthesised the drug and developed the process technology – chemical processing used to refine raw material into finished product – in record time. Finally, after securing ethical approvals and completing stability studies of the drug at CDRI, the team of researchers took the consent of patients and roped them in for the study.

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/11%20To%2015%20September%202021.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

CoviHawkes: An AI tool for COVID-19

In the last one and a half years, more than 17 crore cases and 37 lakh deaths have been reported worldwide due to COVID-19. This has been a devastating time for everyone. The sudden rise of cases in India, the second wave of infections, prompted strict lockdowns across the country. While these lockdowns effectively curb the spread of the virus, they often come with severe emotional and financial consequences that tend to outlast the lockdown itself. Science-based and data-driven policies for enacting lockdowns at local levels are the need of the hour. The tool can help policymakers identify local regions that must go into lockdown mode to control the infection rate. Arguably, such local lockdowns would offer a sounder alternative to state-wide or nationwide lockdowns.

This tool is powered by powerful machine learning techniques. They collect data at three levels: country, state, and districts. This data is used to forecast the daily case counts at each of these levels in the future. The tool combines the observed patterns in the case counts from the past with additional factors like demographics (population density) and mobility (decrease in the percentage of people travelling for work due to lockdown) of the region. These forecasts can be used by policymakers to strategically enact lockdowns in those places that are deemed vulnerable in the near future.

Contact info: mtechoffice.ai@iisc.ac.in

Website link: https://sml.csa.iisc.ac.in/covihawkes/

Third COVID-19 wave likely to peak around late October; experts submit report to PMO

A committee of experts constituted under the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has warned of a third COVID-19 wave that could peak around late October. The committee was set up under the direction of the Home Ministry, which had sought better preparedness for children who might be at high risk.

The study titled ‘Third Wave Preparedness: Children Vulnerability and Recovery’ has details about the possibility of COVID-19 affecting children and the required strategies to deal with the pandemic. The report has underlined that the “paediatric facilities like doctors, staff, equipment viz. ventilators, ambulances, etc are nowhere close to what may be required in case, a large number of children become infected.”

The report has called for prioritising vaccination among children with co-morbidities and a special focus on those with disabilities. Even with ‘strict interventions’, the peak of the third wave is expected to arrive by late October, and the experts have concurred with earlier assessments of different institutions. Several studies have spoken of the likelihood of a third wave but these are estimates.

The report has categorically underlined two important points – children are vulnerable because they haven’t been vaccinated and are more prone to severe infections though they can pass the virus to others. However, the other estimates have said the third wave may prove to be less severe than the second.

The committee has suggested “a holistic home care model, immediate increase in paediatric medical capacities and prioritising mental health issues among children.” It has mooted structuring of COVID-19 wards in a way that allows children’s attendants or parents to safely stay with them through their recovery.

The report has called for “a scientific approach coupled with focused public spending” to deal with pandemic management.

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/21%20To%2025%20August%202021.pdf

Agilent donates AriaMx Real-Time qPCR instruments to five hospitals for COVID-19 research

Agilent Technologies announced the contribution of Agilent AriaMx Real-Time qPCR instruments to five research hospitals in India to support their COVID-19 initiatives and help them serve the community at large. As part of this effort, Agilent India partnered with Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai; Tata Medical Center Kolkata; Gujarat Technological University; Science Communication and Dissemination Directorate (SCDD); Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR), Anusandhan Bhawan, New Delhi; CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology Delhi (CSIR-IGIB); and Kidwai Memorial Institute of Oncology, Bengaluru.

“It’s an honour for Agilent to partner with these eminent institutes and hospitals in their pursuit of fostering innovation, supporting scientific development and furthering research initiatives in these trying times,” said Bharat Bhardwaj, Country GM, Agilent India. Dr Mohammed Faruq, Principal Scientist, CSIR-IGIB, thanked Agilent and their entire team for extending their support in furthering our COVID-19 research initiatives at IGIB. Since the onset of the pandemic in India, the team at IGIB has been offering various researchbased genome sequencing services to numerous government health centres and academia. Dr Faruq further added, “Currently, IGIB is supporting the Government of India in RT-PCR tests daily. This instrument from Agilent will make our set-up more efficient and help increase the number of tests done every day. We also hope that it would prove its utility in various research exercises that IGIB is undertaking, including high throughput molecular surveillance, vaccine breakthrough genome sequencing, and reinfections sequencing of SARS-CoV-2.”

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/21%20To%2025%20August%202021.pdf

Of the fully vaccinated health care workers at a Delhi hospital 25 per cent got infected, but no hospitalisation

In an indicator of the diminishing role of vaccines in preventing transmission of the coronavirus, a little over 25 per cent of the fully vaccinated health care workers of a Delhi hospital contracted a fresh or ‘breakthrough’ infection. None of the nearly 600 vaccine recipients, however, reportedly required hospitalisation. While previous reports of similar infections have been reported in other studies in India, this is the first time that such a high percentage has been reported as part of a single study.

The study involved health care workers at the Max group of hospitals in Delhi and Gurugram and was led by scientists at CSIR-IGIB. It appears as a pre-print and is yet to be peer-reviewed. The timing between the first and second dose varied, but 482 received the second dose within 42 days of the first dose. About half the recipients had been previously infected with SARSCoV-2.

Levels of antibodies: To confirm a reinfection, the researchers relied on levels of antibodies that were directed towards the nucleocapsid region of the coronavirus, which is different from the region (spike protein) that vaccine-generated antibodies normally target. Currently, all the vaccines are designed to produce antibodies against the spike-protein and so high levels of antibodies against the nucleocapsid region were taken to be markers of a fresh coronavirus infection. A breakthrough infection is one where someone tests positive at least two weeks after their second dose.

Shantanu Sengupta of the CSIR-IGIB and one of the scientists who led the study said that 25 per cent was a ‘conservative estimate’ as many of the infections were likely asymptomatic and only a subset of them who manifested symptoms were likely to get themselves tested.

The data indicates an “urgency to explore routes towards more effective use of vaccines”, the authors say. Because a single dose of ChAdOx1-nCoV19 to previously infected subjects induces humoral immunity comparable or better than two doses in naïve subjects, a single dose could be optimally directed to populations with high seropositivity.

Website link: https://www.csir.res.in/sites/default/files/26%20To%2031%20August%202021.pdf

Indian scientist partners with BRICS group to set-up network of genomic surveillance and study the overlap of SARS-CoV-2 with tuberculosis

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India in collaboration with BRICS countries is implementing SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium and a multi-centric programme to study the impact of severe COVID-19 conditions on TB patients.

The SARS-CoV-2 NGS-BRICS consortium is an interdisciplinary collaboration to advance COVID-19 health-relevant knowledge and to contribute to improvements in health outcomes. The consortium will accelerate the translation of genomic data leading to clinical and public health research and interventions from clinical and surveillance samples by utilising the high-end genomic technologies, and epidemiologic and bioinformatics tools for future use in diagnostic assays and tracking transmission dynamics of COVID-19 and other viruses. The Indian team of Professor Arindam Maitra, Professor Saumitra Das, and Dr Nidhan K Biswas from National Institute of Biomedical Genomics; Dr Ashwin Dalal from Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics; and Dr Mohit K Jolly from Indian Institute of Science along with Dr Ana Tereza Ribeiro de Vasconcelos from National Laboratory for Scientific Computation - LNCC/MCTI, Brazil; Professor Georgii Bazykin from Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology, Russia; Professor Mingkun Li from Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China; and Professor Tulio de Oliveira from University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa will participate in this consortium.

The second multi-centric programme consists of an interdisciplinary team of researchers from India, Brazil and South Africa who would investigate the impact of severe COVID-19 on transient peripheral immunosuppression and lung hyperinflammation conditions in TB patients for epidemiology and comorbidity. This team consists of Dr Subash Babu, Dr Anuradha Rajamanickam, Dr Banurekha Velayutham and Dr Dina Nair from National Institute of Research in Tuberculosis, India; Dr Valeria Cavalcanti Rolla from Lapclin-Tb/ Inifiocruz; (Dr Bruno de Bezerril Andrade from IMU, LIB, MONSTER/ IGMFIOCRUZ; Dr Adriano Gomes da Silva from LAPCLIN-TB/ INIFIOCRUZ; Dr. Maria Cristina Lourenço from LBB/ INI-FIOCRUZ, Brazil; and Dr Bavesh Kana, Dr Bhavna Gordhan, Dr Neil Martinson and Dr Ziyaad Waja from University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.

This collaborative study is expected to provide valuable co-morbidity data pertaining to pulmonary TB patients with or without COVID-19 co-infection that is expected to be generated for better disease management.

Contact info: am1@nibmg.ac.in

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/indian-scientist-partners-brics-group-setup-network-genomic-surveillance-and-study

DBT-BIRAC supported ZyCoV-D developed by Zydus Cadila receives emergency use authorisation

Zydus Cadila received approval for emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) for ZyCoV-D on 20 August 2021. This is the world’s first and India’s indigenously developed DNA-based vaccine for COVID-19, which is to be administered in humans including children and adults 12 years and above. Developed in partnership with DBT under the ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ and implemented by BIRAC, ZyCoV-D has been supported under COVID-19 Research Consortia through National Biopharma Mission for pre-clinical studies, phase I and phase II clinical trials and under the Mission COVID Suraksha for phase III clinical trial. This three-dose vaccine, which when injected produces the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and elicits an immune response, plays a vital role in protection from the disease as well as viral clearance. The plug-and-play technology on which the plasmid DNA platform is based can be easily adapted to deal with mutations in the virus, such as those already occurring.

Interim results from phase III clinical trials, in over 28,000 volunteers, showed primary efficacy of 66.6 per cent for symptomatic RTPCR positive cases. This has been the largest vaccine trial so far in India for COVID-19. This vaccine had already exhibited robust immunogenicity, tolerability and safety profile in the adaptive phase I/II clinical trials carried out earlier. Both the phases I/II and III clinical trials have been monitored by an independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB).

Vaccine Technology Centre (VTC), a vaccine research centre of the Zydus group, Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI), an autonomous institute of DBT, Interactive Research School for Health Affairs (IRSHA), Pune, and GCLP lab set-up under DBT-National Biopharma Mission (NBM) also played a vital role in this success story.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1747669

DBT-BIRAC supported nation’s first mRNA-based vaccine found to be safe gets a nod from DCGI to move into phase II/III tria

Gennova Biopharmaceuticals Ltd., the Pune-based biotechnology company, working on the nation’s first mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine, submitted an interim clinical data of the phase I study to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the Government of India’s National Regulatory Authority (NRA).

The Vaccine Subject Expert Committee (SEC) reviewed the interim phase I data and found that HGCO19 was safe, tolerable, and immunogenic in the participants of the study.

Gennova submitted the proposed phase II and phase III study titled ‘A Prospective, Multicentre, Randomized, Active-controlled, Observer-blind, Phase II Study Seamlessly Followed by a Phase III Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Immunogenicity of the Candidate HGCO19 (COVID-19 Vaccine) in Healthy Subjects’, which was approved by the office of the DCGI, CDSCO.

The study will be conducted in India at approximately 10-15 sites in phase II and 22-27 sites in phase III. Gennova plans to use the DBT-ICMR clinical trial network sites for this study.

Gennova’s mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine development programme was partly funded by DBT under Ind CEPI in June 2020. Later on, the DBT further supported the programme under the Mission COVID Suraksha, the Indian COVID-19 vaccine development mission, implemented by BIRAC.

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/dbt-birac-supported-nation%E2%80%99s-first-mrna-based-vaccine-found-be-safe-gets-nod-drugs

National Institute of Animal Biotechnology, Hyderabad notified as Central Drugs Laboratory for testing and batch release of vaccines

In public interest, it is necessary to establish more facilities to regulate the testing of COVID-19 vaccines for quick release of vaccine batches for prevention and treatment of COVID-19 infection. For this, the Government of India has identified two autonomous institutes of DBT, viz., National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad and National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune, for upgradation as Central Drug Laboratories (CDLs). The funding support for the same was provided under the PM-CARES funds.

DBT continues its support to scale up vaccine development and manufacturing ecosystem. The setting up of facilities for vaccine testing at NCCS, Pune and NIAB, Hyderabad, is a step in this direction.

The two facilities are expected to test approximately 60 batches of vaccines per month. Considering that the facilities are located in proximity to the vaccine manufacturing hubs of the nation, logistics for vaccine manufacturing and supply are expected to ease up. The generous support through PM-CARES fund and the relentless efforts of the two institutes have enabled the rapid upgradation and setting up of the state-of-the-art, modern GLP compliant vaccine testing facilities and contribute to the national requirement. This would further strengthen the vaccine supply chain and boost the massive vaccination drive in India.

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/national-institute-animal-biotechnology-hyderabad-notified-central-drugs-laboratory

Mission Sagar INS Airavat arrives at Thailand with COVID-19 relief supplies

As part of the ongoing Mission SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), INS Airavat arrived at Sattahip, Thailand with COVID-19 relief material on 3 September 2021. The ship is delivering 300 oxygen concentrators based on the requirement projected by the Government of Thailand in its fight against the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

INS Airavat has been deployed to deliver COVID-19 relief to friendly foreign nations in South East Asia who are battling the COVID-19 pandemic under the aegis of Mission SAGAR initiated by the Government of India.

In the current deployment, the ship has delivered COVID-19 relief material to Indonesia, Vietnam prior to arriving in Thailand.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1751779

DBT’s ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ supported Biological E Limited’s novel COVID-19 vaccine candidate, CORBEVAX receives DCGI approval for two clinical trials

DBT has taken myriads of initiatives to increase investments in research and development (R&D) and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines. ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’ is one such endeavour for COVID-19 vaccine development to reinforce and streamline available resources towards accelerated vaccine development, to bring in safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible COVID-19 vaccine for the citizens at the earliest under the aegis of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The DBT and its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) have supported Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine candidate from the pre-clinical stage to phase III clinical studies. In addition to receiving financial assistance under ‘Mission COVID Suraksha’, this vaccine candidate has also obtained financial support under COVID-19 research consortia through National Biopharma Mission, BIRAC.

Biological E. has received DCGI approval for conducting phase III comparator safety and immunogenicity trial in adults after Subject Expert Committee’s (SEC) review of phase I and II clinical trials data. Additionally, Biological E. also received approval on 1 September 2021 to initiate phase II/III study to evaluate safety, reactogenicity, tolerability and immunogenicity of CORBEVAX™ vaccine in children and adolescents. The candidate is a RBD protein sub-unit vaccine.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1751664

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_13082021.pdf

Genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in India: Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG)

DBT along with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW), ICMR, and CSIR, has issued updated guidelines and SOPs on genomic surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in India – Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG). INSACOG has been launched and coordinated by different departments and organisations. The strategy and roadmap of INSACOG have also been prepared. The overall aim of INSACOG is to monitor genomic variations in SARS-CoV-2 on a regular basis through a multi-laboratory network. The mandate of INSACOG has evolved with time and the focus has shifted from primarily tracking variants among international passengers to early detection of variants that may emerge within the country. In the present scenario, genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 has the following objectives:

1. Early detection of genomic variants of public health implication through sentinel surveillance

2. To determine the genomic variants in unusual events/trends (vaccine breakthrough, super spreader events, high mortality/morbidity trend areas, etc.)

3. To correlate the genome surveillance data with epidemiological data

4. To suggest public health actions based on the analysis of genomic and epidemiological surveillance data.

Website link: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/INSACOGGuidanceDocumentdated15July2021final.pdf

Guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ship/bus inter-state travel) by MoH&FW

There is a declining trajectory of cases across the country after a peak in reported cases during mid-May as part of the second wave. With a view to facilitating inter-state travel, while observing required precautions, MoH&FW issued guidelines for domestic travel (flight/train/ ship/bus inter-state travel) are revised so as to have a uniform protocol for domestic travel across the country.

These guidelines are applicable to all states/UTs so as to facilitate inter-state travel. Based on the evolving scenario of COVID-19, including evidence of mutant variants within India or outside, the guidelines may warrant a suitable revision to institute appropriate public health measures also.

Website link: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/Guidelinesfordomestictravelflighttrainshipbusinterstatetravel.pdf

SOP for involvement of private sector laboratories for genome sequencing

The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomic Consortia (INSACOG) established for genomic surveillance in the country was set-up in January 2021 with initial participation of 10 national research laboratories. These laboratories have carried out genome sequencing of 60,000 positive cases from different states of India. Sometime later, 18 more research laboratories were included in the network for enhancing sequencing effort in the country. These 28 laboratories operate on a hub and spoke model where the 10 RGSLs provide handholding for the new laboratories and act as hubs.

A need was felt to further increase sequencing efforts and target sequencing about 80,000 samples in a month to identify variants of concern (VoC) and variants of interest (VoI) in the Indian samples, so as to advice the policy makers for effective management of COVID-19. To enhance the sequencing efforts, involvement of private sectors was considered as one of the options.

Based on the proven expertise and experience of the private sector laboratories it was thought prudent to involve private sector laboratories for genome sequencing of COVID-19 virus. It was also decided to have a standard operating procedure for involvement of private sector laboratories.

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/sites/default/files/INSACOG_Approved%20Guidelines%20for%20Public%20and%20Private%20Labs.pdf

National Health Authority and Indian Institute of Technology Delhi join hands to scale high-potential health care innovations

Recognising the role of innovations to strengthen India’s response to the COVID-19 crisis and preparedness for emerging health care needs, National Health Authority (NHA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi). Through this partnership, NHA and IIT Delhi will support innovative solutions to address the needs and priorities of the AB PM-JAY ecosystem. This collaboration will be crucial to support the rapid scaling and absorption of health innovations across more than 23,000 PM-JAY empanelled hospitals. The innovations supported through the SAMRIDH facility will improve the health infrastructure, build the capacity of health care providers, and build effective COVID-19 mitigation 0150 all in the pursuit to achieve ‘health for all’ in India. SAMRIDH’s initiative is addressing the challenges of the pandemic and bringing health care services to those who need them most. Their combined network and expertise will help ensure that high impact market-based solutions are available to address the COVID-19 pandemic and future health crises.

Website link: https://home.iitd.ac.in/show.php?id=38&in_sections=Press

An easy method for developing fusion enabled SARS-CoV-2 virus fusion mimic (SCFM), by bypassing the need for biosafety level facility

NIAB is working on the highly infective nature of SARS-CoV-2 that restricts experimentation with the virus to biosafety level (BSL3) facilities only. Fusion-enabled, non-replicating, nonbiohazardous mimics of SARS-CoV-2 virus fusion were generated, where viral S or S&M protein is expressed on mammalian cells. They can be used as a valuable substitute for studying viral fusion (with lung cells) for testing the efficacy of various inhibitors/therapeutics.

The tools and assays thereof can reduce the time of screening new antiviral agents. Assays can be developed to evaluate the extent of responses elicited by vaccinated or immune individuals, helping do such analyses without the need for cumbersome BSL3 facilities.

Contact info: Subeer S Majumdar (subeer@niab.org.in), Nirmalya Ganguli (ganguli@niab.org.in)

A peptide derived synthetic scaffold protein, being developed by instem, to target SARS-CoV-2 entry into host cells

Preventing the interaction between viral surface proteins and receptors at the host cell membrane is an attractive therapeutic target, that is, spike protein interaction with the ACE2 receptor in SARS-CoV-2. Identifying protein binders or nano-bodies against spike protein and characterising them will be a significant step in stopping infection.

A peptide derived synthetic scaffold protein with a strong affinity binder/nano-body will potentially neutralise the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thus potentially aiding in prophylactic measures. The research has the potential to produce critical molecules in our fight against SARS-CoV-2. The initiative is implemented at Institute for Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology (DBT)

Contact info: Minhaj Sirajuddin (minhaj@instem.res.in)

CIAB studying natural garlic essential oil as potential inhibitors of relevant proteins for treatment of COVID-19

A full investigation of garlic essential oil with respect to its qualitative compositional analysis and biological activity (in vitro and in vivo assays) against the ACE2 protein and the main protease PDB6LU7 of SARS-CoV-2 were carried out by researchers from CIAB.

Characterisation of garlic essential oil, including its component, refractive index, viscosity and density is essential for a conclusive study. End-use related studies are also essential for its educative use/consumption in the management of COVID-19 patients. This study may open the door to using essential garlic oil to discover and treat SARS-CoV-2 to prevent the current pandemic. The initiative is implemented at Center of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB), an autonomous institute of Department of Biotechnology (DBT).

Contact info: Dr Bhuwan Bhushan Mishra (bhuwan@ciab.res.in)

RGCB, Thiruvananthapuram considering a rapid approach to generate immortalised B cells for monoclonal antibody generation from SARS-CoV-2 recovered and vaccinated people

Studies done at RGCB have demonstrated that ectopically expressed BCL6 and Bcl-xL synergise with CD40L and IL-21 to increase the proliferative lifespan of B cells in vitro. This approach has been envisioned as an alternate for generating monoclonal antibody-producing cells like fusion with immortalised cells and Epstein Bar Virus infections approach. It is proposed to identify a subset of COVID-19 recovered patients and immunised volunteers with high titer neutralising antibodies for the in vitro B cell immortalisation for neutralising antibody generation.

Contact info: Dr TR Santhosh Kumar (trsanthosh@rgcb.res.in)

NCCS is developing therapeutics using machine learning for COVID-19

National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) is studying computational prediction for COVID-19 mitigation using machine learning (ML) methods that can expedite and facilitate potential prospects with therapeutic effects. Machine learning algorithms were used to select diverse viral sequences of COVID-19 reported from India and other countries. Four peptides were identified, showing binding affinity against the main protease of SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro). Simulation studies suggest that the peptides are stable. If found effective, these peptides may help develop therapeutics for COVID-19.

Contact info: Dr Shailza Singh (singhs@nccs.res.in)

Identification of therapeutic potential of natural plant products for the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 by NIPGR

Researchers from National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR) are working on Glucosinolate derived isothiocyanates (ITC) from cruciferous vegetables, which have been studied extensively in cells and animals for their preventive and therapeutic effects. Sulforaphane (SFN), the significant ITC present in Broccoli, has been well-recognised as an antioxidant, antitumour compound and potent immune modulator against the attack of microbes. There are also indications that glucosinolate-derived ITCs have antiviral activity. The research, being done at NIPGR aims to test the efficacy of one particular glucosinolate derived isothiocyanate as an antiviral against COVID-19 and produce it cheaply from plants

Contact info: Dr Naveen C Bisht (ncbisht@nipgr.ac.in)

NII working on a novel vaccine evaluation platform to support SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development in resource-limiting settings

Researchers from NII attempt to develop a platform for vaccine evaluation in resource-limiting settings. Here, the advanced knowledge from vaccine immunology will be applied to develop an animal model for vaccine evaluation. For antibody neutralisation assays and challenge experiments in the routine BSL-2 facilities, SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus system is being developed against both the parental strain and variants of concerns.

The major outcome of this research will be the knowledge on an animal model for pre-clinical vaccine evaluation and the tools for vaccine efficacy assessment like SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus and Tfh-tetramer. The research outcome will be highly beneficial by proving the animal model and research tools for vaccine efficacy assessment in the BSL-2 settings. The research initiative is being supported by DBT-BIRAC COVID-19 research consortium.

Contact info: Dr Nimesh Gupta (nimesh.gupta@nii.ac.in)

An open label prospective interventional study to assess the prophylactic effect of Guduchi Ghan Vati in COVID-19: A community-based study by Ministry of AYUSH

Guduchi Ghan Vati/Sudarshan Ghan Vati was administered as a prophylactic measure among highrisk populations (healthcare workers/containment zone population) in 19 cities through 15 CCRAS institutes across the country. The total participants were 20,000 in the trial group and 10,000 in the control group. A criterion for assessment was the Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) score.

Considering that COVID-19 requires a structured approach covering preventive care – management at home in the early stages of the confirmed disease as well as hospital care for moderately and critically ill patients – the capacity of the AYUSH sector must be harnessed to ensure optimal use of the scarce healthcare resources available in the country.

The study depicted the better immune status of the participants in the Ayurveda intervention group and has generated evidence-based data for preventive measure in COVID-19.

Contact info: mkchagamreddy@gmail.com, sandiprbaheti@gmail.com

Study on the effect of Chyavanprash Lehyam as a prophylactic measure among high risk population exposed to COVID-19

COVID-19 occurs after exposure to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARSCoV-2). For persons at high risk of exposure, the standard of care is personal protection from getting infected.

An open label randomised controlled trial was conducted among 500 high risk populations (healthcare workers/containment zone population) exposed to COVID-19 in Hyderabad, where Chyavanprash Lehyam was administered as a prophylactic measure. Immune Status Questionnaire (ISQ) and WHO quality of life scale were used as criteria for assessment.

The positivity rate of COVID-19 was less in the Ayurveda intervention group. Good improvement was recorded in immune status and quality of life in the Ayurveda intervention group.

Contact info: prasadpeyyala@yahoo.co.in

Impact of Ayurvedic intervention (Guduchi Ghan Vati) in prevention of COVID-19 infection in containment areas of Himachal Pradesh: A community-based study

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 is Janapadoddhwamsa Vikara (epidemic disease) in Ayurveda, where rasayana drugs (immunomodulators or rejuvenating therapy) have been advocated for controlling the diseases. Therefore, Guduchi Ghan Vati, a plant containing the drug Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia), is selected to prevent COVID-19 and to learn of the efficacy and safety of Ayurvedic intervention, i.e. Guduchi Ghan Vati, in preventing COVID-19 infection among the community of containment areas.

It is an open label, prospective, non-randomised, community-based interventional study, carried out by the Ministry of AYUSH, from 6 May to 23 June 2020, in a containment zone of Bijhari area, district Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh. Guduchi Ghan Vati was provided to the community in 500 mg twice a day with lukewarm water on an empty stomach for 30 days. The demographic and health-related data and follow up of the same subjects was done on the 30th day through telephonic interviews using the e-format.

A total of 1165 participants’ data were analysed to assess the efficacy and safety of Guduchi Ghan Vati. In the sample, 97.6 per cent participants had no systemic disorders till the 30 days of follow up. None of the COVID-19 positive patients were admitted to the hospital or required ventilation or had any serious complications.

Ayurvedic intervention (Guduchi Ghan Vati) was safe and effective as a prophylactic measure for COVID-19 infection. This intervention helped improve physical and psychological well-being with minimal adverse drug reaction/adverse effects.

Contact info: drvineetanegi@gmail.com

The efficacy of Siddha medicine, Kabasura Kudineer (KSK) compared to Vitamin C and zinc (CZ) supplement in the management of asymptomatic COVID-19 cases: A structured study protocol for a randomised controlled trial

A team of researchers led by Dr K Kanakavalli from the Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS), Ministry of AYUSH has determined the efficacy of Siddha medicine, Kabasura Kudineer, in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral load and reducing the onset of symptoms in asymptomatic COVID-19 when compared to Vitamin C and zinc (CZ) supplement. In addition, the trial examines the changes in the immunological markers of the Siddha medicine against control. The trial evaluates the safety of the Siddha medicine and documents the clinical profile of asymptomatic COVID-19 as per the principles of the Siddha system of medicine.

The study shows that there was a significant reduction of viral load (ct value): 66.7 per cent of negative conversion in the study group (Kabasura Kudineer) compared to the control (vitamin C and zinc). There was no incidence of symptoms like fever, cough and breathlessness in both groups during the study period. No adverse events were reported in both the groups

Contact info: dgccrs@gmail.com

Website link: https://rdcu.be/b9jr8

In silico computational screening of Kabasura Kudineer, official Siddha formulation and JACOM, against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

Siddha medicine is a valuable therapeutic choice classically used for treating viral respiratory infections. This principle of medicine is proven to contain antiviral compounds. The study aims to execute the in silico computational studies of phytoconstituents of Siddha official formulation Kabasura Kudineer and novel herbal preparation, JACOM, which are commonly used in treating viral fever respiratory infectious diseases and could be effective against the ongoing pandemic novel coronavirus disease, SARS-CoV-2.

Molecular docking studies for phytoconstituents of Siddha official formulation Kabasura Kudineer are used in treating viral fever and respiratory diseases and a novel herbal preparation, JACOM, against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. Further, we also conducted prediction studies on the pharmacokinetics (ADME) properties and the safety profile to identify the best drug candidates using pkCSM and SwissADME web servers.

The nine phytoconstituents have the highest binding affinity with spike protein. This bitter tasting herbal formula increases pittam and expels kapham for their immunomodulation properties, expectorant and antipyretic.

Contact info: ms.shreedevi@gov.in

Website link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947620300243

First nasal vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech supported by DBTBIRAC gets nod of regulator for phase-2 trial

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and its PSU, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC), have been at the forefront in the fight against the prevailing global crisis. They together have strategised to fast-track R&D efforts especially for vaccine development, diagnostics, drug repurposing, therapeutics and testing. The development of vaccines has been the top priority of DBT.

This Mission COVID Suraksha was launched to reinforce and accelerate COVID-19 vaccine development efforts as part of the third stimulus package, Atmanirbhar 3.0. The focus of the mission is to consolidate and streamline available resources towards accelerated vaccine development to bring safe, efficacious, affordable and accessible COVID-19 vaccine to the citizens at the earliest with a focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Bharat Biotech’s intranasal vaccine is the first nasal vaccine that has received the regulatory approval for phase-2 trials. This is the first of its kind COVID-19 jab to undergo human clinical trials in India. BBV154 is an intranasal replication-deficient chimpanzee adenovirus SARSCoV-2 vectored vaccine. BBIL has in-licensed technology from Washington University in St Louis, USA.

Phase-1 clinical trial has been completed in age groups ranging ≥18 to ≤60 years. The company reports that the doses of the vaccine administered to healthy volunteers in the phase-1 clinical trial, has been well tolerated. No serious adverse events have been reported. Previously, the vaccine was found to be safe, immunogenic and well tolerated in the preclinical toxicity studies. The vaccine was able to elicit high level of neutralising antibodies in animal studies.

The regulatory approval has been received for conducting ‘a phase-2 randomised, multi-centric, clinical trial of heterologous prime-boost combination of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines to evaluate the immunogenicity and safety of BBV152 (COVAXIN®) with BBV154 (adenoviral intranasal COVID-19 vaccine) in healthy volunteers’.

Website link: https://dbtindia.gov.in/pressrelease/first-nasal-vaccine-developed-bharat-biotech-supported-dbt-birac-gets-nod-regulator

Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa to study the intersection of COVID-19 and tuberculosis pandemics

A consortium of doctors and researchers from India, Brazil, Russia, and South Africa have, partnered to conduct a study on the epidemiological impact and intersection of COVID-19 and tuberculosis pandemics in these countries.

Under this joint research, the teams from these countries will explore the negative impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiological characteristics of TB infection and search for mechanisms responsible for the interaction of these two processes. They will also search for strategies to mitigate the negative consequences of the pandemic and develop individual recommendations for each participating country, which can help overcome the impact of the epidemic of respiratory viral diseases on the epidemic of tuberculosis.

Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa currently rank second to fifth in the number of cases of COVID-19 and belong to 24 countries recognised by World Health Organization (WHO) with the highest burden of tuberculosis in the world. Moreover, BRICS countries have the largest number of cases of drug-resistant tuberculosis. Hence, the research will be conducted in these four BRICS countries where one of the highest-burden rates of both COVID-19 and tuberculosis has been recorded simultaneously.

This research supported by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) is being led by Prof Urvashi B Singh from All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, along with Dr KS Sachdeva, Regional Director, South East Asia, International Union Against TB and Lung Diseases, Dr Mandal, Deputy Director-General, and Dr Sanjay Mattoo from National TB Elimination Program, India and Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS, New Delhi among others from the Indian side. The leaders from the other countries include Dr Anete Trajman, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Social Medicine Institute, Brazil, Dr Irina G Felker, Novosibirsk Tuberculosis Research Institute, Department of the Tuberculosis Epidemiology, Novosibirsk, Russia, and Prof Anneke Hesseling, Desmond Tutu TB Centre Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Website link: https://dst.gov.in/brazil-russia-india-and-south-africa-study-intersection-covid-19-and-tuberculosis-pandemics

Ministry of Education releases guidelines for out of school children and mitigation of loss of learning

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented public health emergency, affecting almost all countries and territories globally. The pandemic has led to severe disruptions in normal life, including closure of schools.

To mitigate the impact of the pandemic, schools will not only have to remodel and reimagine the way teaching and learning have happened so far, but will also need to introduce a suitable method of delivering quality education through a healthy mix of schooling at home and at school.

The department has taken several initiatives in 2020-21 to ensure that the schoolgoing students don’t lag behind in their studies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Website link: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/Covid_Action_Plan.pdf

Ministry of Education issues guidelines for parent participation in home-based learning during school closure and beyond

The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE) has released ‘Guidelines for Parent Participation in Home-based Learning during School Closure and Beyond’.

The guidelines on home-based learning emphasise on the need for parents to create a safe, engaging and a positive learning environment, have realistic expectations from the child, take care of health and eat healthy, while also having fun with children. These guidelines are not only meant for parents but also for caregivers, other family members, grandparents, community members, and older siblings who are all engaged in promoting the welfare of children.

The guidelines provide many simple tips for parents and others to make home-based learning easy for children. These suggestive activities are in accordance with the various stages of school education as per National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Age-appropriate art activities have been categorised on the basis of 5+3+3+4 system via Foundation Stage (3-8 years); Preparatory Stage (8-11 years); Middle Stage (11-14 years); and Secondary Stage (adolescent to adult 14- 18 years). The activities are simple and suggestive, which can be adapted and adopted to local needs and contexts. The guidelines appreciate the role of art as a therapy for children under stress or trauma.

NOLOGY EFFORTS IN INDIA The guidelines lays significance on improving children’s learning by monitoring and addressing their learning gaps. Collaboration of parents with teachers in documenting and reflecting on the progress that children are making in their learning is important for both teachers and parents.

The guidelines also advise the schools to involve parents by providing information and ideas on how to help students at home with homework and other curriculum-related activities, decisions, and planning, and involve them in school decisions. Resources like sending newsletters, emails, memos, etc. may be provided to parents.

Resources have been made available to children with special needs, which may be explored by the parents. In this regard, they can approach the teachers for guidance. There are other agencies and organisations that provide information about such avenues that could be sought from SMCs/gram panchayat, school administrators, etc.

A separate chapter has been included in the guidelines for supporting parents with low/no literacy. Schools, teachers and volunteers may take suggestive steps to provide support to such parents.

Website link: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/MoE_Home_Learning_Guidelines.pdf

Ministry of Education releases guidelines for the development of e-content for children with disabilities

For the first time, an attempt has been made to prepare guidelines for children with disabilities (CwD), also referred to as Children with Special Needs (CWSN), so that the goal of inclusive education is fulfilled. A Committee of the Ministry of Education (MoE) submitted a report titled ‘Guidelines for the Development of e-Content for Children with Disabilities’ comprising 11 sections and two appendices.

The salient highlights of the guidelines in the report are:

e-Content for CwDs should be developed based on four principles: perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.
e-Content including text, tables, diagrams, visuals, audios, videos, etc. should comply with accessibility standards: national standards (GIGW 2.0) and international standards (WCAG 2.1, E-Pub, DAISY, etc).
Distribution platforms, on which content is uploaded (e.g. DIKSHA), and reading platforms / devices on which content is accessed and interacted (e.g. e-pathshala), must comply with technical standards.
Reasonable pedagogical accommodations have been recommended to meet the specific needs of CwDs.
The technical standards and guidelines have been detailed in Section 4 of the report.

The Committee has also recommended that textbooks may be adapted into accessible digital textbooks (ADTs), in a phased manner. The content of ADTs should be provided in multiple formats (text, audio, video, sign language, etc) with turn-on and turn-off features. Further ADTs should provide flexibility to CwDs to respond to its content / exercises in multiple ways. The detailed guidelines for developing ADTs along with existing international and national experience, in the development of prototypes, including NCERT’s ‘Barkha: A Reading Series for All’ (in print and digital forms), ‘Accessible Textbooks for All’ and UNICEF’s ‘Accessible Digital Textbooks using Universal Design for Learning’ (for learners with and without disabilities), have been presented in Section 5 of the report.

In addition to ADTs, in Sections 6 to 9 the Committee has recommended specific guidelines for the development of supplementary e-content as per 21 disabilities specified in the RPWD Act 2016 for students having intellectual and developmental disabilities, multiple disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, specific learning disabilities, blindness, low vision, deafness and hard of hearing and others.
A summary of the recommendations has been presented in Section 10 of the report for sharing widely with content creators, content designers, developers, publishers.
The implementation roadmap along with the suggestions to strengthen compliance to the accessibility guidelines have been presented in Section 11 of the report.
Comprehensive guidelines and technical standards for the production of sign language videos have been provided at Appendix-1 of the report.
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines for content development and pedagogical accommodations are given in Appendix 2 of the report.

These guidelines will initiate the creation of high quality content for digital education to children with special needs. They are dynamic in nature, and should be improved based on experience and advent of better technology

Website link: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/CWSN_E-Content_guidelines.pdf

PRAGYATA: Guidelines on digital education announced by HRD Ministry

The Human Resource and Development (HRD) Ministry has announced guidelines for online classes, operationalised by schools amid the COVID pandemic.

PRAGYATA guidelines have been developed from the perspective of learners, with a focus on online, digital education for students who are presently at home due to lockdown. These guidelines on digital education provide a roadmap to carry forward online education to enhance the quality of education.

The guidelines will be relevant and useful for a diverse set of stakeholders including school heads, teachers, parents, and teacher educators. They will also stress upon the use of the alternative academic calendar of NCERT, for both, learners having access to digital devices and learners having limited or no access.

The PRAGYATA guidelines include eight steps of digital learning – Plan, Review, Arrange, Guide, Yak (talk), Assign, Track, and Appreciate. These steps guide the planning and implementation of digital education step-by-step with examples. The guidelines also emphasise the need to unify all efforts related to digital, online education, benefitting schoolgoing children across the country.

Website link: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/pragyata-guidelines_0.pdf

SAFAL: Structured assessment for analyzing learning

Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning (SAFAL) levels, is an assessment that ensures the progress of students throughout the school years. It provides diagnostic information about students’ learning to schools and thus, supports school education to move towards competency-based education. The results of this assessment are largely used to provide development feedback to schools and not for the promotion of students to the next grade. The CBSE board is working towards it and invites all schools to participate in SAFAL in 2021-22.

SAFAL results will provide diagnostic data and insights to each school for promoting development of students.

SAFAL establishes a formal protocol to collect valid and reliable data to chart students’ performance on competencies at and below the grade level and monitor progress. It can report schoollevel performance on key competencies and proficiency levels, and be used to measure effectiveness of a system through systematic monitoring and reporting of learning levels. School management and school systems (e.g. Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, state government schools affiliated to CBSE board, etc.) can use this data to target academic support and data-based management. SAFAL will provide a reliable and comparable ‘absolute’ measure of learning for parents, schools and state officials to assess school performance on core concepts.

Website link: http://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/Manuals/Safal_handbook.pdf

Ministry of Education releases guidelines for health and safety protocols for reopening of schools and learning with physical and social distancing

The DoSEL, MoE has issued standard operating procedures (SOPs)/guidelines for reopening of schools in a graded manner, for which the state/UT governments may take a decision in consultation with the respective school/institution management, based on their assessment of the situation and subject to the following conditions:

a. Online/distance learning will continue to be the preferred mode of teaching and will be encouraged.
b. If schools are conducting online classes, and some students prefer to attend them rather than physically attend school, they may be permitted to do so.
c. Students can attend schools/institutions only with the written consent of parents.
d. Attendance must not be enforced, and must depend entirely on parental consent.
e. States/UTs will prepare their own SOPs regarding health and safety precautions for reopening of schools/institutions based on SOPs to be issued by DoSEL), MoE, Government of India, keeping local requirements in view.
f. Schools that are allowed to open will have to mandatorily follow the SOPs issued by education departments of states/UTs prepared as above.

Website link: https://www.education.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/SOP_Guidelines_for_reopening_schools.pdf

ICMR practices the principles of access to COVID-19 data

ICMR hosts the data entry portal of COVID-19 testing. This data entry portal is used for disease trend analysis, policymaking, resource planning, clinical decision making, etc.

MoHFW captures hospital capacity, clinical or mortality-related information. All ICMR testing data is accessible to various central and state government agencies. ICMR data are linked with limited personal identifiers of patients. In the interest of patient confidentiality, anonymised data access is used. Request for data access is reviewed through a well laid out and systematic process.

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/covid/techdoc/Data_Sharing_Principles_Practices_v

ICMR develops a web portal for locations of COVID-19 testing labs

ICMR has established various COVID-19 testing labs in India to check blood samples for COVID-19 virus. ICMR has developed a website to depict these labs. On this website, information about various government and private labs has been given along with their locations.

Website link: https://covid.icmr.org.in/map/map.html

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid pointofcare antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private healthcare settings and made available for mass testing.

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info: guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link: https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_28062021.pdf

Scientists join hands to synthesise compounds to inhibit maturation and propagation of COVID-19 virus, in coordination with DST

Scientists from India, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa will work together to repurpose, validate and synthesise lead compounds against main protease and RNA replicas, the enzyme that catalyses the replication of RNA, of SARS-CoV-2. The approach, which could inhibit both maturation and propagation of viruses during the infection in the host cells can help produce new COVID-19 medicines with improved production methods.

The area of multistage targeted inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 has emerged a few months back after WHO announced COVID-19 as a global emergency. The multistage process involves viral genome replication, and transcription and maturation are the multistage processes, which are interlinked in the viral machinery and promote viral propagation. They are regulated by the enzymes protease and RNA replicase. Inhibiting these effects would be crucial to complete the dream of millions of people on this earth to develop/repurpose a drug molecule against COVID-19.

A consortium consisting of Dr Dhruv Kumar, Professor from Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Dr Brijesh Rathi, Assistant Professor, Hansraj College, the University of Delhi from India, Dr Lindomar José Pena, Virologia e Terapia Experimental (LAVITE) from Brazil, Av. Professor Moraes Rego, s/n – Campusda UFPE – Cidade Universitária, Brasil, Russia, Dr Vladimir Potemkin, South Ural State University, Russia, and Dr Anil Chuturgoon, University of KwaZulu-Natal South Africa will identify and synthesise phytochemicals against main protease and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARSCoV-2. They will also conduct biochemical assays, including cytotoxicity lead compounds against main protease and RNA dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2, and conduct target validation of lead compounds through molecular dynamics simulation and biochemical methods.

While efforts have been made to selectively inhibit a single target enzyme of SARS-CoV-2, effective potential inhibitors against both replication and maturation machinery of SARS-CoV-2 is yet to be found.

Contact info:

Professor Dhruv Kumar, Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research

dkumar13@amity.edu

Website link:

https://dst.gov.in/scientists-join-hands-targeting-synthesize-compounds-inhibit-maturation-propagation-covid-19-virus

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1739145

COVID-19 analytics portal for setting up the rationale developed and maintained by ICMR

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has made a COVID-19 analytics portal for the use of the general public. Different private and government labs that are testing COVID-19 samples will upload the data on this portal, which includes all information about COVID-19 patients. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), uses the data to formulate its dynamic testing strategy for states. This portal is managed by ISRM division of ICMR.

Contact info:

support.dmu@bmi.icmr.org.in

Website link:

https://cvanalytics.icmr.org.in/

IISc develops an AI tool – CoviHawkes – for district-wise forecasting and monitoring of COVID-19 infections in India

In the last one and a half years, more than 17 crore cases and 37 lakh deaths have been reported worldwide due to COVID-19. This has been a devastating time for everyone. Recently, the sudden rise in cases in India, and the second wave of infections prompted strict lockdowns across the country. While these lockdowns effectively curb the spread of the virus, they often come with severe emotional and financial consequences that tend to outlast the lockdown itself.

Science-based and data-driven policies for enacting lockdowns at the local levels are the need of the hour. CoviHawkes can help policymakers identify local regions that must go into lockdown mode to control the infection rate. Arguably, such local lockdowns would offer a sounder alternative to state-wide or nationwide lockdowns. This tool combines the observed patterns in the case counts from the past with additional factors like demographics (population density) and mobility (decrease in the percentage of people travelling for work due to lockdown) of the region.

Website link:

https://sml.csa.iisc.ac.in/covihawkes/

ICMR develops COVID-19 sample collection management system for rapid antigen, antibody and RT-PCR tests

Timely collection of correct data is very important during these tough times. Data relating to COVID-19 RT-PCR, rapid antibody, and rapid antibody tests are being collected by the government with the help of authorised collection centres spread throughout the country. This COVID-19 sample collection management system portal is primarily to transfer RT-PCR, rapid antigen, and rapid antibody tests data to the ICMR portal for probable positive and negative cases, through mobile phones. Only authorised government officials will be able to use this portal.

Website link:

https://covid19cc.nic.in/ICMR/Login.aspx

COVID BEEP is India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology, Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences, MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh said the government is taking steps to undertake the production of COVID BEEP on a large scale. In a statement laid on the table of the Lok Sabha in reply to a question, the Minister said that COVID BEEP is India’s first indigenous, cost effective, wireless physiological parameters monitoring system for COVID-19 patients, developed by ESIC Medical College Hyderabad in collaboration with Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL) and the Department of Atomic Energy.

Website link:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1739880

Research on AYUSH medicine system for treatment of COVID-19

Under various research organisations and national research institutes, 126 studies have been initiated in 152 centres in the country, to identify effective medicine for managing patients with symptoms of COVID-19. It includes 42 prophylactic studies, 40 interventional studies, 11 observational studies, 22 pre-clinical/experimental studies, one systematic review, eight survey studies and two monographs preparation. The system-wise research studies include 66 from Ayurveda, 26 from Homoeopathy, 13 from Siddha, eight from Unani and 13 from Yoga and Naturopathy. A total of 90 studies have been completed and 10 manuscripts have been published.

The Ministry of AYUSH has formed an inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D task force having representation from Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and AYUSH Institutions. The Inter-disciplinary AYUSH R&D Task Force has formulated and designed clinical research protocols for prophylactic studies and add-on interventions in COVID-19 positive cases for studying four different interventions viz. Ashwagandha, Yashtimadhu, Guduchi + Pippali and a poly herbal formulation (AYUSH-64).

Through robust clinical trials conducted by the Ministry in collaboration with CSIR and Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and national institutes under the Ministry, AYUSH 64, a poly herbal formulation has been scientifically found to be useful in the treatment of asymptomatic and mild cases as standalone and for the management of mild and moderate COVID-19 infection as an adjunct to standard care. AYUSH 64 is also recommended in ‘national clinical management protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga for management of COVID-19’ prepared by the national task force in consensus with various expert committees.

Further, the Ministry had invited research proposals under the Modified Extra Mural Research Scheme for SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 disease from 21 April 2020 to 10 May 2020. Twenty one such research projects on Ayurveda medicine have been funded under the scheme, of which eight are by private institutions and 13 by government institutions.

Website link:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1741914

Approval of COVID-19 related medicines under AYUSH

AYUSH-64 and Kabasur Kudineer have been identified for COVID-19 treatment. Kabasur Kudineer, a siddha preparation was subjected to clinical trials for studying the efficacy in COVID-19 patients by CCRS under the Ministry of AYUSH. It is also found useful in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection.

To provide maximum benefit of AYUSH systems of medicine, a nationwide campaign has been undertaken for distribution of AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer through the research councils and the national institutes under the Ministry of AYUSH across the country.

The Ministry has issued orders to all the state AYUSH Licensing Authorities/Drug Controllers and Expert Committees there under to allow the licensed manufacturers for AYUSH-64 under their jurisdiction to include new indication of AYUSH-64 for repurposing as an intervention for the management of asymptomatic, mild to moderate COVID-19 in addition to existing indication(s) and to expedite the process of the licensing/approval of such applications for the manufacturing of AYUSH-64 medicine, provided the prescribed standards and relevant provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Rules, 1945, are fulfilled. So far, 37 manufacturing units of 11 states have been transferred AYUSH-64 technology by CCRAS through National Research Development Corporation (NRDC).

The Ministry has constituted an Interdisciplinary Technical Review Committee (ITRC) for COVID-19 for the examination of the applications/claims on patent and proprietary (P&P) ASU&H medicines/ classical ASU& H medicines with new indication or re-purposing of licensed P&P, ASU&H medicines for COVID-19, forwarded by the State Licensing Authorities/Individuals referred by the Drug Policy Section of Ministry of AYUSH. So far, the following applications have been approved in the ITRC with respect to COVID-19 claims:

a. Divya Coronil tablet of Patanjali Research Foundation Trust, Haridwar, Uttarakhandrecommended as supporting measure in the management of COVID-19 without claiming cure.
b. Clevira Tablet of M/s Apex Laboratories Private Ltd., Tamil Nadu has been recommended as a supporting measure for mild to moderate condition of COVID-19.
c. Kabasura Kudineer of Sri Sri Tattva, Sriveda Sattva Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore has been recommended as an intervention for prevention and mild to moderate symptoms of COVID-19.

Website link:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1741911

Scientists from four BRICS countries, in coordination with DST, carrying out genomic sequencing and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic

Indian scientists, in partnership with scientists from China, Russia and Brazil, will carry out genomic sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 and studies on the epidemiology and mathematical modelling of the COVID-19 pandemic. This will help trace genetic mutations, recombinations as well as distribution of the virus and also make projections about the future of its spread.

A whole-genome sequencing is required for identification of genetic mutations and recombinations of the virus, while epidemiological studies can help assess its distribution. Mathematical modelling is required to assess its future spread.

Keeping this in mind, a research plan has been made by including expertise of scientists and engineers from diverse backgrounds. A consortium consisting of Dr. Ch. Sasikala, Professor, Centre for Environment, Institute of Science and Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, YuhuaXin, Professorate Senior Engineer Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, Ivan Sobolev, Senior Researcher, Federal Research Center of Fundamental and Translational Medicine, Timakova, Russia, Dr Marilda Mendonça Siqueira, Respiratory Viruses and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Fiocruz., Rio de Janeiro, Brazil will carry out different arms of this BRICS-Multilateral Research and Development Project

Under this research supported by the Department of Science and Technology, India and Brazil will assess distribution of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental samples through metagenome analysis for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) surveillance. Chinese and Russian scientists will carry out the RT-PCR detection of SARS-CoV-2 in biological material (nasopharyngeal swabs) from patients with symptoms of respiratory diseases and investigate the genomic variability, comparative genomics and phylogenetic analysis. The genomic, metagenomic and epidemiological data from India, China, Russia and Brazil will be integrated to develop mathematical models for mutations analysis, population genetics, phylogenetic relationship, recombination analysis and risk evaluation to reveal spread network and dynamics of the virus. This can help trace spread routes and dynamics of the virus. The database developed by the different groups will also compare the distribution and survival of the virus in the different regions and establish the surveillance of the relevant early warning system.

The collaborative research plan has been developed considering the strengths of international collaborators from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences of China, Federal Research Centre of Fundamental and Translational Medicine of Russia and Respiratory Virus and Measles Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute of Brazil. The study will provide a common platform to share and analyse the data of four different countries and understand the spread routes and transmission dynamics of virus.

Contact info:

Dr. Ch. Sasikala

sasi449@jntuh.ac.in

Website link:

https://dst.gov.in/scientists-four-brics-countries-carry-out-genomic-sequencing-and-mathematical-modelling-covid-19

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid point of-care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private healthcare settings and made available for mass testing.

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact info:

guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:

https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_28062021.pdf

Government establishes a network of COVID-19 biorepositories

In the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, while it is of paramount importance to provide early diagnosis and treatment to all infected individuals, it is also critical to promote research and development for larger public health benefits. For the development and validation of new diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines, access to different kinds of clinical samples from infected patients is an essential requirement. Currently, there is no structured mechanism for collecting and storing these valuable clinical samples. So, it is important to create designated biorepositories for collecting, storing, and maintaining clinical samples (oropharyngeal/nasopharyngeal swabs, bronchoalveolar lavage, sputum, blood, urine, and stool) of COVID-19 patients. The samples will be used to develop validated diagnostics, therapeutics, vaccines, etc. The samples will also be a valuable resource for research and development-related activities to understand the early predictors of disease severity, the immunopathogenesis of the disease, etc. In this context, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released a document on COVID-19 biorepositories. This document lays down the brief processes and operational mechanisms for establishing COVID-19 biorepositories in the country. The objectives of this document are:

1. To establish organised and dedicated biorepositories of well-characterised clinical samples of COVID-19 patients.

2. To judiciously use these samples to promote research and development towards indigenous diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines in line with the Make in India initiative.

3. To promote Indian academia, industry and commercial entities for developing novel solutions for COVID-19 prevention, control and treatment.

4. To conduct research, to better understand COVID-19 disease in the Indian scenario

Website link:https://www.icmr.gov.in/cbiorn.html

IIT Mandi develops an antibacterial self-cleaning material for face masks and PPE

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Mandi has developed a virus-filtering, self-cleaning and antibacterial material that can be used to make face masks and other PPE equipment. This path-breaking development by Dr Amit Jaiswal, Assistant Professor, School of Basic Sciences, IIT Mandi, along with his research scholars, Mr Praveen Kumar, Mr Shounak Roy, and Ms Ankita Sarkar comes at a time when it is imperative to develop techniques to stop the repetitive waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Considering the urgency of the pandemic situation and cost-effectiveness, IIT Mandi has developed a strategy to repurpose existing PPEs, especially face masks, by providing an antimicrobial coating to these protective clothing/textiles. For this, nanomaterials were used to confer antimicrobial properties to polycotton fabric. Dr Jaiswal and his team incorporated nanometre sized sheets of molybdenum disulphide, MoS2, the sharp edges and corners of which act as tiny knives that pierce bacterial and viral membranes, thus killing them. “The ‘nanoknife’-modified fabrics demonstrated excellent antibacterial activity even after 60 cycles of washing,” said the lead researcher. All this makes it an excellent way to reuse masks and reduce biological waste generation.

Contact Info:j.amit@iitmandi.ac.in

Website link:http://www.iitmandi.ac.in/news/articles/files/Facemask_Apr2021.pdf

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid pointof-care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private healthcare settings and made available for mass testing.

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact Info:guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_28062021.pdf

Serum Institute of India gets DCGI’s nod to manufacture Sputnik V in India for test and analysis

The DCGI has granted permission to the Serum Institute of India (SII) to manufacture the Sputnik COVID-19 vaccine in India for examination, test and analysis with certain conditions, official sources said.

The Pune-based firm has collaborated with Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, Moscow in Russia to develop Sputnik V at its licensed Hadapsar facility.

According to the four conditions set by the DCGI, the Serum Institute will have to submit a copy of the agreement between SII and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology for transfer of cell bank and virus stock and a copy of agreement for technology transfer with Gamaleya. The SII has to submit a copy of the RCGM permission to import cell bank and virus stock and a copy of the RCGM permission to initiate research and development of viral vector vaccine Sputnik V

The RCGM has raised some queries over SII’s application and has sought a copy of material transfer agreement between the Pune-based firm and the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology. Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine is currently being manufactured by Dr Reddy’s Laboratories in India.

The SII plans to seek restricted emergency use permission of the vaccine in India.

Website link:https://ableindia.in/news/details/1135

ESIC felicitates donors to ESIC hospitals during COVID-19 pandemic

Union Minister for Labour & Employment and Environment, Forests and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav felicitated the donors who made generous donations of different equipment and material to ESIC hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 33 ESIC hospitals with around 4000 dedicated COVID beds having 400 ventilators provided exclusive COVID-19 medical services to the infected patients and the general public of the area as either dedicated COVID-19 hospital or as a hospital with dedicated COVID-19 beds, as per the requirement of the local administration. From April 2020 till date, more than 50,000 COVID-19 patients have been provided in-patient treatment services through ESIC hospitals across the country. Plasma therapy, which is shown to save the lives of serious COVID-19 patients was also started in ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Faridabad (Haryana) and ESIC Medical College & Hospital, Sanath Nagar (Telangana).

ESIC made alternate provisions for providing routine medical services to ESI beneficiaries through tie-up hospitals, in case an ESIC hospital was declared as a dedicated COVID-19 hospital. In such cases, ESI beneficiaries could be referred to tie-up hospitals for prescribed secondary / SST consultation / admission / investigation. ESI beneficiaries were also allowed to seek emergency/non-emergency medical treatment from tie-up hospitals directly without referral letter, in accordance with his/her entitlement.

In addition to the existing cash benefits under ESI Act, a COVID-19 relief scheme has been launched, in which periodic payment @ 90 per cent of average wages of the deceased insured worker is paid to the eligible dependents. Till date, the periodic payment was payable only against the death of the insured worker caused by employment injury. Now death caused by COVID-19 has also been included. Against the abstention of insured worker being infected with COVID-19, sickness benefit @ 70 per cent of average daily wages for 91 days for the period of abstention can be claimed. In case of insured worker being rendered unemployed, he/she can avail relief under Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) @ 50 per cent of average per day earning for a maximum 90 days. For availing this relief, the insured worker can submit the claim online at www.esic.in.

The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation is a pioneer social security organisation providing comprehensive social security benefits like reasonable medical care and a range of cash benefits in times of need such as employment injury, sickness, death, etc. It covers about 3.4 crore of family units of workers and provides matchless cash benefits and reasonable medical care to its 13.24 crore beneficiaries. Today, its infrastructure has increased manifold with 1502 dispensaries (including mobile dispensaries) / 308 ISM units and 159 ESI hospitals, 744 branch/pay offices and 64 regional and sub-regional offices. The ESI scheme today stands implemented in 566 districts in 34 states and union territories of the country.

Website link:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1735901

DBT-BIRAC supports setting up of a viral BSL-3 facility and COVID-19 vaccine testing centre at IISc

The Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT-BIRAC) has funded the establishment of a COVID-19 vaccine testing centre at the viral bio safety level-3 (BSL-3) facility in the Centre for Infectious Diseases Research (CIDR) at the IISc.

At this centre, solutions to tackle COVID-19 – vaccines, antivirals, materials and equipment – from academic and industry partners will be tested via a fee-for-service model.

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the Division of Biological Sciences at IISc headed by Umesh Varshney, Professor in the Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology (MCB) had commissioned the establishment of a dedicated viral BSL-3 facility at CIDR with funding from DBT-IISc partnership, to support research on highly pathogenic human viruses. The construction of the facility was completed in October 2020. It became operational in January 2021 with all the necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs), under the guidance of Usha Vijayraghavan, Dean, Division of Biological Sciences. Shashank Tripathi, Assistant Professor in MCB, was designated the nodal person in charge of the facility. It was made available to academic labs (within and outside IISc) and industry, for training personnel and carrying out antiviral research.

By February 2021, Tripathi’s lab – which studies emerging viral pathogens – began working on establishing cell culture and animal models to study SARS-CoV-2 in the viral BSL-3 facility on priority. This included isolation, growth and characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 viruses from COVID-19 patient samples, and the establishment of a Syrian hamster model for evaluating COVID-19 vaccines and antivirals.

These reagents and models were used to identify SARS-CoV-2 antivirals, and evaluate the COVID-19 thermostable sub-unit vaccine candidate being developed by a team led by Raghavan Varadarajan, Professor at the Molecular Biophysics Unit, IISc, in collaboration with IISc-incubated start-up Mynvax. In addition, Tripathi’s lab has been helping industry partners GeNext Genomics in evaluating COVID-19 antibodies, Biomoneta in testing sterilisation technologies, and Glycovax in evaluating a COVID-19 peptide conjugate vaccine in animal models.

To expand these operations, Tripathi and KN Balaji (Convenor, CIDR and Professor at MCB), applied for and received funding under the DBT-BIRAC’s Mission COVID Suraksha, which aimed to support labs with well-established models to study SARS-CoV-2.

The DBT-BIRAC support will allow the augmentation of the existing facility with high-end equipment and initial support for personnel operating the facility. Research will also be conducted to develop high-throughput assays for evaluating antivirals and vaccines against SARS-CoV-2.

In addition to SARS-CoV-2, this facility will also support the development of antivirals and vaccines against other viral pathogens responsible for diseases like influenza, dengue, chikungunya and HIV, through similar fee-for-service collaborations with academic and industry partners.

Contact info:shashankt@iisc.ac.in

Website link:https://www.iisc.ac.in/events/viral-bsl-3-facility-and-dbt-birac-covid-19-vaccinetesting-centre-at-iisc/

OxyJani, developed by JNCASR, aims to cater to acute and chronic oxygen needs at the grass roots level

Indian researchers have designed a robust, mobile group oxygen concentrator that can be used in rural settings and also be rapidly deployed in emergencies in any location. The second wave of COVID-19 led to an acute shortage of medical oxygen. While the crisis in the bigger cities was more about rapidly responding by overcoming supply chain limitations, in smaller cities and villages, the crisis exposed the chronic lack of medical oxygen infrastructure in the country

Overcoming the crisis required two solutions – 5 to 10 lpm personalised O2 concentrators for home use and 500 lpm pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants for large hospitals. While the 500 lpm plants for hospitals were robust, they lacked the portability required for deployment on resource-poor settings. The personal concentrators were too fragile to be used on a sustained basis in a hospital setting. This created a need for a robust technology with necessary portability

A team from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, developed a new solution called ‘OxyJani’ to address these novel challenges in adsorption science and engineering. It was developed during the second wave of COVID-19, addressing the several novel design challenges posed for the sourcing of materials and the need in hospitals of different capacities.

OxyJani is based on the principles of PSA technology. The team replaced lithium zeolites (LiX), which is usually used in oxygen concentrators, with sodium zeolites, which does not generate toxic solid waste and can be manufactured in India. Although the science behind it is well understood, yet developing an engineering solution that can work with sodium in a portable device and fill this specific market gap when there are severe sourcing problems, posed engineering challenges. Obstacles had to be overcome at each stage of the cycle, from working with the available zeolites to effective ways of dehumidifying and designing the right adsorptionpressure cycle.

The concentrator is modular and capable of delivering a range of solutions, conversion of medical air to medical oxygen, and is an entirely off-grid solution including all modules that can facilitate deployment in rural areas. Moreover, the waste from the 13X zeolite plant can potentially be a good agricultural input material.

In this multi-group initiative, Dr SV Diwakar, Dr Meher Prakash, Prof Santosh Ansumali from JNCASR, and collaborators, Prof Arvind Rajendran from the University of Alberta and Mr Arun Kumar (Eiwave Digitech) executed the OxyJani developmental efforts with the help of Mr Ritwik Das (MS student). Technical advice was provided by Prof M Eswaramoorthy, Prof Tapas Maji, and Prof Sridhar Rajaraman. Prof GU Kulkarni, President, JNCASR and Prof Amitabha Bandyophyay of IIT Kanpur mentored the developmental efforts. The financial assistance for the prototype was provided through JNCASR and the Nidhi Prayaas scheme of IIT Kanpur. The zeolite material was obtained through a generous donation from Honeywell UOP, Italy.

This new class of technology called ‘group concentrators’ has the robustness of large PSA plants, portability similar to the personal concentrators, and is affordable too. The device is in the range of 30-40 lpm, which is useful in ICU too.

Contact Info:diwakar@jncasr.ac.in

Website link:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1731966

IIT Delhi develops rapid antigen test kit for COVID-19

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has developed a rapid antigen test kit for COVID-19, in the research leadership of Dr Harpal Singh, Prof, at the Institute’s Centre for Biomedical Engineering.

The salient features of the technology, as certified by the ICMR are as follows:

This kit is used for in vitro qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen.
The SARS-CoV-2 Ag rapid test is a colloidal gold enhanced double antibody sandwich immunoassay for the qualitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in human nasal swabs, throat swabs and deep sputum samples. It is suitable for general population screening and diagnosis of COVID-19.
The invention is directed towards an in vitro diagnostic kit for qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus antigens in nasopharyngeal swab, using the rapid immune chromatographic method.
The identification is based on the monoclonal antibodies specific for the coronavirus antigen.
The results obtained are qualitative based and can be inferred visually with naked eye.
A SARS-CoV-2 positive specimen produces a distinct colour band in the test region, formed by the specific antibody antigen coloured conjugate complex ‘(Au-SARS-CoV2-Ab)-(SARS-CoV-2-Ag)-(SARS-CoV-2-Ab)’. The absence of this coloured band in the test region suggests a negative result.
A coloured band always appears in the control region serving as procedural control regardless whether the specimen contains SARS-CoV-2 or not.
The test is found to be suitable for early Ct values (Ct values ranging 14-32) with sensitivity – 90 per cent, specificity – 100 per cent and accuracy – 98.99 per cent. It is certified by ICMR. These are one of the best available validation values for any such test kits.
The technology and its manufacturing are 100 per cent indigenous.

Contact Info:harpal@cbme.iitd.ac.in

Website link:https://home.iitd.ac.in/show.php?id=22&in_sections=Press

Government readies two more central drug laboratories in Pune and Hyderabad for COVID-19 vaccine testing

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and considering the enhanced production of COVID-19 vaccines, the Government proactively took the decision to set up additional laboratories to facilitate expedited testing / pre-release certification of the vaccines. Currently, the nation has a Central Drugs Laboratory (CDL) at Kasauli, which is the National Control Laboratory for testing and prerelease certification of immunobiologicals vaccines and antisera) meant for human use in India.

The Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India has set up two vaccine testing facilities in its autonomous research institutes, National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS), Pune and National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad as Central Drug Laboratory (CDL), for batch testing and quality control of vaccines. Accordingly with funding support provided by the PM-CARES Funds trust, two new vaccine testing facilities have been set up as central drug laboratories at DBT-NCCS and DBT-NIAB.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, Department of Biotechnology has been in the forefront contributing to various COVID-19 related activities including vaccine development, diagnostics and testing, bio-banking and genomic surveillance, in addition to fundamental research and also building a strong ecosystem for translational research. DBT-NCCS and DBT-NIAB have been the pillars for many aspects of infectious disease related work in India and have contributed to the advancement of cutting-edge research output in frontier areas of biotechnology relevant to human health and disease.

The facility at NCCS, Pune, has now been notified as a central drugs laboratory for testing and lot release of COVID-19 vaccines vide Gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare on 28 June 2021.The facility at NIAB, Hyderabad is likely to receive necessary notification shortly.

With generous support from PM CARES Fund trust, in a very short span of time, both the institutions through relentless efforts have set up state-of-the-art modern facilities for this purpose. The facilities are expected to test approximately 60 batches of vaccines per month. The facilities are geared up to test the existing COVID-19 vaccines and other newer COVID-19 vaccines as per the demand of the nation. This will not only expedite the vaccine manufacture and supply but also be logistically convenient considering that both Pune and Hyderabad are the two vaccine manufacturing hubs.

Website link:https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=1732660

IIT Delhi develops novel antifungal strategy for fungal eye infection

An IIT Delhi scientist led research team has developed a novel antifungal strategy for fungal eye infection (fungal keratitis). The team has successfully developed a novel peptide-based antifungal strategy for enhanced Natamycin penetration. The developed peptide-drug conjugate showed an appreciable antifungal effect in the lab. These peptides are known to have the ability to carry molecules with them in the cells. Therefore, when poorly permeable Natamycin was attached to the peptide, the formed complex showed better antifungal effect.

In their research, the scientists found that conjugate drug penetration was five-fold higher than Natamycin in rabbits, thus enabling lowering of the dosage frequency. Further, 44 per cent of the mice showed complete resolution of fungal infection with the novel conjugate as compared to 13 percent that were treated with Natamycin suspension only.

Contact Info:achugh@bioschool.iitd.ac.in

Website link:https://home.iitd.ac.in/show.php?id=25&in_sections=Press

ICMR invites expression of interest for validation of rapid antigen detection assays for COVID-19

The gold standard RT-PCR diagnostic test for COVID-19 has limitations in terms of widespread availability. In view of this, there is urgent requirement for reliable and convenient rapid pointof-care antigen detection assays with high sensitivity and specificity. Such assays could be used as potential diagnostic tests in all possible public and private healthcare settings and made available for mass testing.

Deadline: Open till next announcement

Contact Info:guptanivedita.hq@icmr.gov.in, drneetu.vijay@icmr.gov.in

Website link:https://www.icmr.gov.in/pdf/tender/Revised_EOI_for_Ag_kit_validation_28062021.pdf

Extension Hospitals: A COVID-19 project facilitated by Office of the PSA

As COVID-19 cases surged in different parts of the country, infrastructure in hospitals was under immense pressure. Innovative modular hospitals came as a huge relief amidst this. Modular hospitals are an extension of hospital infrastructure and can be built adjacent to an existing hospital building. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), Government of India invited private sector companies, donor organizations, and individuals to support various projects of national importance. Project Extension Hospitals is one such initiative. The office of the PSA identified requirements of close to 50 hospitals in states where the highest number of COVID-19 cases was reported.

Modulus Housing, a start-up incubated at Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) developed the MediCAB hospitals. This enables building a 100-bedded extension facility in 3-weeks’ time. MediCAB hospitals are designed with a dedicated zone of Intensive Care Units (ICUs) that can accommodate various life-support equipment and medical devices. These negative-pressure portable hospitals have durability of around 25 years, and they can also be shifted in the future for any disaster response in less than a week. These rapidly deployable hospitals will plug a major health infrastructure gap in India’s fight against COVID-19, especially in rural areas and smaller towns. The office of the PSA has been actively working towards securing CSR support to implement these projects in different areas across the nation.

Modulus Housing has started deploying MediCAB extension hospitals with the help of the American Indian Foundation (AIF). Mastercard, Texas Instruments, Zscaler, PNB Housing, Goldman Sachs, Lenovo, and NASSCOM Foundation have also extended CSR support. The first batch of 100-bedded hospitals are being commissioned at Bilaspur (Chhattisgarh); Amravati, Pune, and Jalna (Maharastra); Mohali (Punjab), and a 20-bed hospital at Raipur (Chhattisgarh). Bengaluru (Karnataka) will have one each of 20-, 50-, and 100-beds hospitals in the first phase.

The office of the PSA has also collaborated with Tata Projects Ltd to deploy modular hospitals at multiple sites in Punjab and Chhattisgarh. They have initiated work on 48-bedded modular hospitals in Gurdaspur and Faridkot (Punjab). Expansion of ICU at multiple hospitals in Chhattisgarh including Raipur, Jashpur, Bemetara, Kanker, and Gaurella is also underway.

Contact Info: industry-engagement@psa.gov.in

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1726726

ICMR launches National Registry of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 in India

PregCovid (National Registry of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 in India) is a study of pregnant women and women in post-partum period with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study is a joint collaboration between ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH), Medical Education & Drugs Department (MEDD), Government of Maharashtra and Topiwala National Medical College & B.Y.L. Nair Charitable Hospital, Mumbai. This study is being done by Medical Education & Drugs Department (MEDD), Government of Maharashtra, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and other government agencies to formulate the strategies for effective management of COVID-19 and pregnancy.

Contact Info: contact@pregcovid.com

Website link: https://pregcovid.com/

DST-supported Foundation For Innovations In Health, Kolkata designs software to identify patients likely to equire ventilator support thus detecting emergency & ICU needs early

A software can now identify patients likely to require ventilator support in an ICU and referral in time and make necessary arrangements before emergency sets in. The software, called Covid Severity Score (CSS) Software, consists of an algorithm that measures a set of parameters. It scores each against a pre-set dynamic algorithm multiple times for each patient and allocates a CSS, mapping it in a graphical trend.

The technology is being used in three community Covid Care Centres at Kolkata and suburbs including a 100-bed government-mandated Covid Care Centre at Barrackpore, Kolkata.

Sudden ICU and other emergency requirements during the pandemic have been a challenge for hospitals to manage. Timely information about such situations would help manage the health crisis better.

The Foundation For Innovations In Health, Kolkata, with support from the Science for Equity, Empowerment and Development (SEED) division of the Department of Science & Technology, in collaboration with IIT Guwahati, Dr Kevin Dhaliwal, University of Edinburgh and Dr Sayantan Bandopadhyay, formerly WHO (SE Asia Regional Office), have developed an algorithm that measures symptoms, signs, vital parameters, test reports and comorbidities of the COVIDpositive patient and scores each against a pre-set dynamic algorithm thus allocating a Covid Severity Score (CSS). This technology has been made available at primary care e-Health clinics in resource-poor settings through SEED Project support.

Frontline health workers trained in National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF)-aligned model and certified by National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Government of India are trained to record all these parameters in a tablet computer which has the software loaded in it.

The CSS is regularly monitored multiple times by ‘remote’ specialist doctors thus reducing the doctor’s consultation time per patient and reducing their travel requirement. It can help early identification of patients likely to require ventilator support in an ICU and referral, reduce hospital referral for those unlikely to require critical care support, thus releasing more hospital beds in circulation. It will also help in providing monitored medical support to those patients who cannot afford treatment or cannot isolate at home due to poor housing conditions. The facility can be a huge support for ‘Covid Care Centres’ with beds and oxygen support only but no facility for invasive ventilation

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1728424

CSIR-IICT licenses process knowhow for synthesis of 2-Deoxy-DGlucose to Lee Pharma Ltd

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, (IICT), a constituent laboratory of CSIR and Lee Pharma, an integrated pharmaceutical company, based in Hyderabad have entered into a nonexclusive licensing agreement for synthesis of 2-Deoxy-D-Glucose (2-DG). Recently, 2-DG, developed by DRDO and Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has received approval for use in COVID-19 patients. It has been found to help speed up recovery and reduce oxygen dependence and Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories has launched the drug in the form of sachets.

Lee Pharma informed that they would file the application for getting the approval from DCGI, New Delhi. They will manufacture and commercialize the 2-DG sachets from their formulation facility located at SEZ, Duvvada, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh which has the accreditations by global regulatory agencies.

Dr Srivari Chandrashekar, Director CSIR-IICT highlighted that “There is role of CSIR in development of 2-DG, as CSIR-CCMB tested the drug on SARS-CoV-2 viral cultures. CSIR has been engaged in development of drugs for treatment of COVID-19 and has undertaken many clinical trials for repurposed drugs. Additionally, this agreement with Lee Pharma Ltd. is towards increasing affordable therapeutic options for treatment of COVID-19.” Raghumitra Alla, Director, Lee Pharma said, “This collaboration with CSIR-IICT for 2-DG, API is part of our broader strategy for enhancing COVID-19 treatment options. Further, CSIR-IICT, Hyderabad is well-known for its high quality research & development of various new molecules and we feel proud to be associated with them.”

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1725576

IIT Ropar develops power-free device ‘JivanVayu’ as a substitute for CPAP machine

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Ropar has developed a power-free device ‘JivanVayu’, which can be used as a substitute for a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) machine. The device functions without electricity and is adapted to both kinds of oxygen generation units like oxygen cylinders and oxygen pipelines in hospitals. The device is designed to maintain a fraction of inspired oxygen of above 40 per cent with a positive end-expiratory pressure of 5-20 cm H2 O. Additionally, the device houses a viral filter at the air entrainment end having a viral capture efficacy of 99.99 per cent. The device has been manufactured using 3D printing and has been tested mechanically. The device is designed for a 22-mm CPAP closed circuit and can also be customized. Medical testing of the device would be conducted and the team is currently seeking industrial collaboration for its commercialization.

Website link: https://fisd.in/NEWS/alerts-archives/ISSUE%2063/FISD%20News%20Alert%2063.html

Web-based portal iNoveCOP developed by ICMR for synergy among frontline COVID institutions

IICMR has been receiving several novel claims like drug molecules, AYUSH formulations, disinfectants, devices, and tools and technologies to facilitate evaluation and validation for COVID-19. Therefore, a web-based portal called iNoveCOP has been developed by ICMR, to guide applicants on various claims related to COVID-19. Applicants may submit their claim through this portal for guidance and/or evaluation of their innovation from independent agencies. Steps to fill the claim have also been provided as a Manual in the website.

Website link: https://inovecop.icmr.org.in/

COVIRAP: Nucleic acid-based Point-of-Care Diagnostic Device for COVID-19 and beyond – developed by IIT Kharagpur

IIT Kharagpur has successfully commercialized its flagship healthcare product – COVIRAP – the novel diagnostic technology for infectious diseases including COVID-19 and beyond. The product developed by lead researchers Professor Suman Chakraborty, Dr Arindam Mondal and their research group has been licensed for commercialization to the Rapid Diagnostic Group of Companies, India and Bramerton Holdings LLC, USA.

The research team has developed a more advanced version of COVIRAP using a step-wise isothermal nucleic acid testing technology for the rapid diagnostics of pathogenic infections including SARS-CoV-2 in individuals. The COVID-19 diagnostic test can be conducted directly from human swab samples in the portable device developed by the team, without requiring any separate facility for RNA extraction. The results can be made available within 45 minutes of obtaining the patient sample. The kit has also been also supplemented with a free smartphone app to facilitate unambiguous results interpretation and automated dissemination to the patients.

Recognizing the impact of the COVIRAP technology in meeting the long-standing demands of high-quality community-level testing, IIT Kharagpur has further initiated the procedure of deploying this product for on-campus use to detect possible novel coronavirus infection.

The envisaged trade-off between the high scientific standards of advanced molecular diagnostics with the elegance of common rapid tests appears to be the future of infectious disease detection and management. A platform technology capable to be inclusive of all such disease detections where nucleic acid-based tests may be deployed, COVIRAP is not just a one-time solution targeted specifically to COVID-19 but will remain imperative in global disease management in years to come.

Contact Info: suman@mech.iitkgp.ac.in; info@VeenaNxt.com

Website link: https://kgpchronicle.iitkgp.ac.in/global-launch-of-covirap-nucleic-acid-based-point-of-care-diagnostic-device-by-iit-kharagpur-for-covid-19-and-beyond/

Indian Immunologicals Limited to start production of drug substance for Covaxin under Mission COVID Suraksha

In a bid to augment the vaccine production, the Government has decided to support some public sector companies with grants under the Mission COVID Suraksha. One such company is the Hyderabad-based Indian Immunological limited (IIL), a facility under the PSU, National Dairy Development Board.

A technical collaboration agreement has been reached between IIL and Bharat Biotech for IIL to supply of the drug substance required for manufacturing Covaxin Vaccine to Bharat Biotech. The Managing Director of Indian Immunological Limited, Dr K Anand Kumar said that IIL is planning to start the production of drug substance for Covaxin from June 15 and send out the first batch to Bharat Biotech Limited by July.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722478

Innovative patient-friendly saline gargle RT-PCR testing method developed by NEERI

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, India has been making multiple strides in augmenting its testing infrastructure and capacity. Scientists of Nagpur-based National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), under Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have achieved another milestone in this journey with the development of a ‘Saline Gargle RT-PCR Method’ for testing COVID-19 samples.

A Method with Numerous Benefits: The Saline Gargle method offers a bunch of attractive benefits, all rolled into one. It is simple, fast, cost-effective, patient-friendly and comfortable. It also offers instant results and is well-suited for rural and tribal areas, given minimal infrastructure requirements. Speaking to PIB, Dr Krishna Khairnar, Senior Scientist, Environmental Virology Cell, NEERI says, “Swab collection method requires time. Moreover, since it is an invasive technique, it is a bit uncomfortable for patients. Some time is lost also in the transport of the sample to the collection centre. On the other hand, the Saline Gargle RTPCR method is instant, comfortable and patient-friendly. Sampling is done instantly and results will be generated within 3 hours.”

Patients themselves can collect the Sample: The method is non-invasive and so simple that the patients can collect the sample themselves, explains Dr Khairnar. “Collection methods like nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal swab collection require technical expertise; they are also time-consuming. In contrast, the Saline Gargle RT-PCR method uses a simple collection tube filled with saline solution. The patient gargles the solution and rinses it inside the tube. This sample in the collection tube is taken to the laboratory where it is kept at room temperature, in a special buffer solution prepared by NEERI. An RNA template is produced when this solution is heated, which is further processed for Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). This particular method of collecting and processing the sample enables us to save on the otherwise costly infrastructural requirement of RNA extraction. People can also test themselves, since this method allows self-sampling.” The method is environment-friendly as well, since waste generation is minimized.

A Boon for Testing in Rural and Tribal Areas: The scientist expects that this innovative testing technique will be especially beneficial for rural and tribal areas where infrastructure requirements can be a constraint. The non-technique has received the approval of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). NEERI has further been asked to train other testing labs to help scale up its adoption across the country.

Nagpur Municipal Corporation has given permission to go ahead with the method, following which testing has begun at NEERI, as per approved testing protocol.

Need to Implement Pan India: Scientists, researchers, and lab-technicians of the Environmental Virology Cell at NEERI have taken painstaking efforts to develop this patient-friendly technique amid surging COVID-19 infections in the Vidarbha region. Dr Khairnar and his team hopes that the method is implemented at the national level, resulting in faster and more citizen-friendly testing thereby strengthening our battle against the pandemic.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1722373

Shri Kiren Rijiju launches ACCR Portal to aggregate information about clinical outcomes achieved

Ayush Ministry marked yet another milestone by launching its Ayush Clinical Case Repository (ACCR) portal (https://accr.ayush.gov.in/) that will serve as a platform to support both Ayush practitioners and general public. In a virtual event Minister of State (IC) for Youth Affairs and Sports and Ayush, Shri Kiren Rijiju launched the portal as well as the new version of Sanjivani app. The portal aims to aggregate information about clinical outcomes achieved by Ayush practitioners on a large scale. It will facilitate not just dissemination of information but also further analysis and research. It is expected to document the strengths of Ayush systems for treatment of various disease conditions.

The portal will not only benefit the practitioner community and the public but will also help widen the solid scientific base of all streams of Ayush. One notable feature of the ACCR portal is the dedicated section for reporting and publishing details of COVID-19 cases treated through Ayush Systems.

Website link: https://ayushnext.ayush.gov.in/detail/news/ayush-minister-launches-accr-portal-and-3rd-version-of-ayush-sanjivani-app

Updated version of AYUSH Sanjivani App launched for interdisciplinary studies involving Ayush interventions for COVID-19

The ‘AYUSH Sanjivani’ mobile app has been launched to generate data on acceptance and usage of AYUSH advocacies and measures among the population and its impact on the prevention of COVID-19.

The Ayush Sanjivani App (Third Version) is now published on Google Play Store and iOS. This version facilitates a significant study/documentation regarding the efficacy of selected Ayush interventions, including Ayush-64 and Kabasura Kudineer in the management of asymptomatic and mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. It is worthwhile to note that a national distribution campaign is on through which the Ayush Ministry is providing these two very effective Ayush formulations free to COVID-19 patients who are in home isolation.

Website link: https://ayushnext.ayush.gov.in/detail/news/ayush-minister-launches-accr-portal-and-3rd-version-of-ayush-sanjivani-app

Anti COVID-19 drug 2-DG developed by DRDO

Minister of Defence, Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan jointly launched the new COVID-19 drug 2-DG at DRDO Bhawan. The antiCOVID-19 therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) has been developed by Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), along with Dr Reddy’s Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad. Speaking at the launch Dr Harsh Vardhan remarked that today is a historic day in our fight against COVID-19 and congratulated the scientific community and DRDO for their patience and perseverance for developing first indigenous medicine. He said that the drug has the potential to become a game changer in our response against the pandemic as it reduces the dependence of patients on oxygen administration and has the potential of getting absorbed differentially and in a selected manner. In the COVID-infected cells, it inhibits virus synthesis and energy production for the process. Dr Harsh Vardhan further stated that around thirty hospitals were involved in the clinical trials of this drug. He said that the drug will go to the selective cells and prevent synthesis of virus and reduce recovery time.

Expressing his gratitude towards the Defence Minister, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that due to the efforts of the Defence Ministry and DRDO, several PSA plants have been successfully installed in Delhi and across the country. Dr Harsh Vardhan also cautioned against complacency and said that we will win over the war against COVID-19 by collective efforts and by following COVID-appropriate behaviour. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy expressed confidence that the anti-COVID drug will help the patients recover from the deadly virus, hoping that DRL, Hyderabad will take it forward and soon make the drug available for the patients. Joining the event virtually, Chairman, DRL, Shri Kallam Satish Reddy said, “Dr. Reddy’s is glad to have partnered with DRDO and INMAS in the development of 2-DG. This is a re-affirmation of our company’s efforts to address COVID through a host of therapeutics and vaccine.”

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719393

DST-supported ventilation system to bring relief to health workers sweating in PPE suits for long hours

Health workers may soon be relieved of sweating out long hours in heavy suffocating PPE kits to meet their busy duty schedules. A compact, economical ventilation system for PPE kits developed by a Pune-based start-up can prevent excessive sweating while wearing such kits. The ventilation system, when attached with the conventional PPE kits with one simple modification, keeps the health workers well ventilated preventing not only bodily discomforts but also possible fungal diseases in the body. Nihaal Singh Adarsh, an engineering student from Mumbai along with his start-up called Watt Technovations developed the technology called ‘Cov-Tech Ventilation System’, at RIIDL (Research Innovation Incubation Design Laboratory) supported by the National Science & Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB), Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, in Somaiya Vidyavihar University.

Adarsh, a student of K J Somaiya College of Engineering and the founder of Watt Technovations, received NIDHI’s PRomoting and Accelerating Young and ASpiring technology entrepreneurs (PRAYAS) grant of Rs. 10,00,000 from Department of Science and Technology, Government of India for prototype development and product innovation. The start-up also received Rs. 5,00,000 as support from new venture investment programme jointly conducted by RIIDL and K J Somaiya Institute of Management. The ‘Cov-Tech Ventilation System’ can be fastened over the waist just like a simple belt over which the traditional PPE is worn and can provide comfort to the doctors and medical practitioners working in the hospitals to treat COVID-infected patients. The design of the ventilation system ensures a complete air seal from the PPE kit. It provides a breeze of fresh air to the user in a gap of just 100 seconds. The product developed at a state-of-the-art prototyping facility at Dassault Systèmes in Pune was finalised as per the medical experts' advice. “A team of mentors and experts from RIIDL supported the start-up and helped them at every stage providing a conducive environment to help the innovator give the best output,” said Gaurang Shetty, Chief Innovation Catalyst at RIIDL. The result was a compact, portable, and user-friendly device to provide a ventilation system for PPE suits. The Covtech Ventilation system is being used in Sai Sneh Hospital, Pune and Lotus Multi- Specialty Hospital, Pune and the company plans to scale up the uses by May/June.

Contact Info: covtech.contact@gmail.com

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719353

https://www.watttechnovations.com/

Ex-Defence doctors providing online consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD

Ex-Defence doctors will now provide online consultation on e-Sanjeevani OPD to all citizens of the country. Veterans have come forward to answer the call of the nation and offered their services to help the people needing medical care. Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Director General of Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) Surgeon Vice Admiral Rajat Datta addressed the veterans who have come forward to offer their services, through video conferencing on May 7, 2021. This service can be availed by any civilian on the website https://esanjeevaniopd.in/. The e-Sanjeevani OPD is a flagship telemedicine platform of the Government, developed by the Centre for Development of Advance Computing (C-DAC), Mohali under the aegis of Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW). It provides free consultations to Indian citizens and is functioning extremely well. However, due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, the demand for doctors is up while the supply has reduced as doctors are being pulled out for COVID ward duties. This is where the defence veterans are stepping in to help.

The Medical Branch of HQ Integrated Defence Staff (IDS) is providing telemedicine service for the serving and retired defence personnel and has coordinated with MoHFW and NIC to roll out this Ex-Defence OPD for civilian patients. Deputy Chief IDS (Medical) Lt Gen Madhuri Kanitkar has urged the fraternity of retired AFMS doctors to join this platform and provide valuable consultation to the citizens when the country is going through a difficult time.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1716822

https://esanjeevaniopd.in/

Children impacted by COVID-19 pandemic provided telecounselling through SAMVEDNA

With an objective of providing psychological first-aid and emotional support to children affected during COVID-19 pandemic, National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) is providing tele-counselling to children through SAMVEDNA (Sensitizing Action on Mental Health Vulnerability through Emotional Development and Necessary Acceptance) - a toll-free helpline launched to provide psycho-social mental support to children affected during COVID-19 pandemic. Tele-counselling is being provided through a network of qualified Experts/Counsellors/Psychologists trained under the guidance of Dr Shekhar Seshadri, Professor, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and his team from NIMHANS, on various psychosocial issues in reference to COVID-19, using different telecounselling strategies.

SAMVEDNA is for psychological support to children to address their stress, anxiety, fear and other issues during the pandemic. This service is available on a toll-free No: 1800-121-2830 from Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. This service is exclusively for children who are willing to talk and are in need of counselling. When a child/caretaker/ parent dials SAMVEDNA1800-121-2830, they get to speak to a professional counsellor in a safe environment. Tele counselling is provided to the children under three categories:

1. Children who are in Quarantine/isolation/COVID Care centres. 2. Children who have COVID-positive parents or family members and near ones. 3. Children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19 pandemic.

This toll-free tele-counselling cater to the children from all over India in various regional languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Oriya, Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali etc. This service was launched in September, 2020 and continuing to support children in the difficult times of COVID-19 pandemic.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719426

SCTIMST develops new multiplex RT-PCR kit with novel gene targets to facilitate detection across various mutant strains of COVID-19

A newly developed multiplex RT-PCR kit has a higher accuracy of detecting COVID-19 across the various mutant strains of the virus responsible for the global pandemic. As we are going through a second wave of the pandemic with multiple variants of the virus, the selection of target genes in multiplex RT-PCR assay is becoming critical for accurate detection of the virus. Even though coronaviruses make far fewer errors than other RNA viruses, the mutations in S, R, and N genes often interfere with RT-PCR assay. For example, the “variant of concern” B1.1.7 (also known as the UK variant) has a 69-70del, due to deletion of 6 bases in the RNA, which resulted in S gene drop out from RT-PCR assay.

The new multiplex RT-PCR kit developed by Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST), Department of Science and Technology, Government of India targets two SARS CoV-2 genes: RdRp and ORFb-nsp14, and the human RNAse P gene as the internal control to help detect a range of mutant strains. Various studies have shown that RdRp and ORF1b-nsp14 genes are more sensitive in detecting COVID-19. In order to target the multiple variants in the second wave, using two highly accurate confirmatory genes like RdRp and ORF-nsp14 can give precise results. The ORFb-nsp14 is one of the least mutated genes in COVID-19, and currently there are no kits in the market with ORF-nsp14 as the target.

The new kit is based on multiplex Taqman chemistry, amplifying all three genes in a single reaction. The amplification time for the assay is 45 minutes, apart from the time required for the RNA isolation from nasopharyngeal swab samples. Multiplexing two confirmatory genes will help shortlist possible new variants if one of the genes fails to amplify and can be marked for sequence analysis. ICMR has validated this kit at the National Institute of Virology, Pune and found that it has 97.3% sensitivity and 100% specificity in COVID-19 detection. SCTIMST has signed a non-exclusive license MoU with Huwel Lifesciences, Hyderabad on 14 May 2021 to commercialize the kit. “This unique RT-PCR kit will be a significant weapon in our fight against COVID-19 by a facile detection of SARS-CoV-2 mutations which are becoming increasingly important,” said Secretary, DST, Prof. Ashutosh Sharma.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719628

TIFAC suggests integrated COVID-19 Command Centre

A COVID-19 Command Centre should be established in each district, equipped with necessary infrastructure and manpower to ensure both-way information flow between COVID-19 Command Centre and villages. This can help optimum use of available resources and also usage of data for other scientific purposes. It has been suggested by Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, a technology think tank. COVID-19 surge has become more serious than predicted, spreading faster, particularly during second wave and penetrating in the rural areas as well. As the pandemic spreads in the villages of India in varying intensity, accurate information about infection rate, recovery rate, death rate, supply of medicines, availability of medical infrastructures like hospital beds and oxygen need to be available to the administration on a click of a mouse to facilitate efficient management of resources towards containment of COVID-19 spread across India.

According to TIFAC, all the district COVID-19 Command Centres should be connected with the State COVID-19 Command Centre, which will be the repository of information of the entire state. Similarly, all State COVID-19 Command Centres will be connected digitally with the Central COVID-19 Command Centre so that information of all states and villages of India will be available centrally. The entire information should be transferred and stored digitally so that time-series data are available at Central COVID-19 Command Centre for the whole of India and at States COVID-19 Command Centre for the entire states.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719928

Mega make-shift COVID centre set up at Kochi Refinery premises

A 100-bed make-shift COVID treatment centre opened on 14 May at Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited’s (BPCL) Kochi Refinery-operated school, adjacent to its premises, in Ambalamugal, Kerala. BPCL, a ‘Maharatna’ PSU under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India, will provide free oxygen, power and water to the Centre. The oxygen will be supplied through a dedicated stainless steel pipeline. The medical facility will have 100 beds in the first phase, which will be later expanded to accommodate 1,500 beds, in the same premises. BPCL has been at the forefront in supporting the healthcare system, by upgrading its facilities at Mumbai and Bina Refineries for supply of 600 MT free gaseous oxygen per month to government hospitals and medical centres, besides supplying 100 MT liquid oxygen from Kochi Refinery every month.

BPCL is also setting up PSA Oxygen Plants in two government hospitals in Maharashtra, three hospitals in Kerala and five hospitals in Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, bottling compressor is also being put up at the refinery, which will help in oxygen supply through cylinders.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718630

AIIMS doctors provide guidance on medication and care for mild COVID-19 patients

The commonly observed symptoms among COVID-19 patients are fever, dry cough, tiredness and loss of taste or smell. Irritation in throat, headache, body ache, diarrhoea, rash on skin and redness in eyes are also observed in rare cases. If you observe any of these symptoms, you should immediately isolate yourself from others. This was informed by Dr Neeraj Nishchal of AIIMS, Delhi, during a webinar on “Medication and Care in Home Isolation”, for patients who are tested positive for COVID-19. The webinar was organized by The Centre of Excellence of the Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718783

POWERGRID takes initiatives to fight COVID-19

Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a ‘Maharatna’ Company under Ministry of Power, Government of India has actively taken up various initiatives for extending timely help to its employees in all its offices across the country. Vaccination is the most crucial weapon to fight this pandemic. In this line, POWERGRID is organizing vaccination camps for its employees and their family members across all its establishments in India, including the Corporate Centre in Gurugram, all offices including Regional Headquarters and the Sub-stations located in remote parts of the country. The cost for vaccinating the staff and their families is being borne by the Company. The vaccine camps are being organized for both age groups 18-45 and more than 45 years regularly for providing the first and second doses of vaccines. This facility has been extended by the POWERGRID to its superannuated employees, contractual employees and their families also. Besides, the vaccination camps were also organized for employees from Ministry of Power, Power PSUs. The vaccination drives are receiving an overwhelming response.

POWERGRID is providing complimentary meal service to all the affected employees and their families. The same practice is also being followed at the Regional Headquarters and other establishments of POWERGRID. POWERGRID has increased the capacity of its isolation centre in Sector 46, Gurugram which it had set up amidst the pandemic in 2020. A new isolation centre in Manesar has also been set up which is available to the superannuated employees and their families. The isolation centre in Manesar has a capacity of 50 beds and separate facility of beds for those who require to be quarantined. Under its CSR, POWERGRID had handed over nine ICU Ventilators to the tune of Rs. 1,14,30,000 to the Dean, Government Medical College, Chandrapur. These ICU ventilators are being used to treat the patients during the on-going pandemic. Further, masks and sanitizers are being distributed to the administration in various states including Odisha where 5000 masks and 500 bottles of hand sanitizers were handed over to ADM, Angul for protection and prevention of COVID-19. Understanding the importance of ambulances in the present pandemic, POWERGRID handed over an ambulance to Vadodara Municipal Corporation to take care of COVID-19-affected patients.

Dedicated teams have been constituted by the Human Resource Departments across the regions for helping the staff and their families who are unfortunately suffering from the pandemic. The team is working 24x7 for helping the staff and their family in getting hospital admission and arranging oxygen and medicines etc. The details of these services are being provided to the employees through the centralized helpline numbers which have been shared on the intranet of all regional headquarters and the intranet websites of all other establishments. The Corporate Communications Department is working towards making the employees and common masses aware about COVID-19 protocols and appropriate behaviour. Government of India initiatives are also being highlighted through creative video, templates and other motivational contents. These are helping in creating awareness.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718817

NTPC augments COVID Care Facilities across the country

NTPC Ltd, India’s largest integrated energy company under Ministry of Power has added more than 500 beds with oxygen support and more than 1100 isolation beds across plants in various states to provide support to the critical COVID Care. In NCR region, the Company has set up COVID care centres with facility of 200 oxygensupported beds and 140 isolation beds in Badarpur, Noida and Dadri. Further, the Company has set up a 500-bed COVID health centre at Sundargarh in Odisha where 20 ventilators have been provided. Going further, the company has already placed orders for 11 oxygen generation plants in NCR. Besides, two large oxygen generation plants having bottling facility are being set up. Further, the company is also setting up oxygen generation plants at 8 different locations in other states. In addition, the Company has extended support for installation of oxygen generation plants at different Government hospitals in other states. NTPC has also started vaccinating those who are eligible in the 18-44-year-old category at many of its plant locations. Vaccination drives have been undertaken across NTPC stations in coordination with respective State administrations.

India’s largest integrated energy player is running 24X7 Control Rooms across plants for better coordination for patients across sites which are coordinated by a special task force. The task force also helps in coordination for hospital beds and other treatment facilities across various empanelled and non-empaneled hospitals. The 24X7 control rooms also coordinated for procurement of medicines, hospital equipment, services along with daily reporting and MIS. Further, NTPC is in coordination with hospitals and its medical team to ensure that all COVID-19 patients are rendered the best healthcare support. NTPC has also collaborated with the Ministry of Power and Ministry of Health to facilitate the availability of necessary but scarce medicines and other essentials like oxygen.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1718789

CCMB initiates training on faster, low-cost COVID-19 testing

CSIR-CCMB has shown that biological samples from dry swabs can be directly used for COVID-19 testing without RNA isolation. This will bring down the costs of COVID-19 tests. No Viral Transport Medium is needed and sample handling is easier. CSIR-CCMB are training ICMR-testing centres to adopt the protocol.

Website link: https://www.ccmb.res.in/

CDRI offers screening of compounds against selected SARS-CoV-2 targets

CSIR-CDRI offers screening of compounds and selected extracts for companies, start-ups and other institutes against selected SARS-CoV-2 targets on payment or collaborative basis as per the needs of the particular entity.

a) An attractive drug target among coronaviruses is the main protease (Mpro, also called 3CLpro) because of its essential role in processing the polyproteins that are translated from the viral RNA. CSIR-CDRI can screen compounds against the target and also will carry out cocrystallization studies based on the particular requirements.

b) The papain-like protease (PLpro) of SARS-CoV-2 plays essential roles in virus replication and immune evasion and represents an attractive drug target. CSIR-CDRI can screen compounds and carry out co-crystallisation studies against this target based on the particular project needs.

Website link: https://cdri.res.in/covid19Screening.aspx

Various stakeholders partner to provide insights into the genetic epidemiology of COVID-19 in Kerala

COVID-19 Genetic Epidemiology Kerala is a unique partnership between the Department of Health & Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, National Health Mission, Govt. of Kerala, CSIR Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology (CSIR-IGIB) and various clinical and public health centres in Kerala aimed at providing insights into the genetic epidemiology of COVID-19 in Kerala. The initiative aims to combine genomic and epidemiological information to guide public health interventions and policies. The initiative would also enable the understanding of transmission patterns, outbreaks apart from enabling evidence-based policies for testing, intervention. It is also expected that the initiative would also serve as a framework for evaluating policies.

Website link: https://genescov2.genomes.in/home

INSACOG to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2

INSACOG, the consortium of 10 national laboratories, is jointly established by the MoHFW and DBT to monitor the genomic variations in the SARS-CoV-2 for genomic, epidemiological and clinical correlation to assist public health response. The Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics (INSACOG) is since then carrying out genomic sequencing and analysis of circulating COVID-19 viruses and correlating epidemiological trends with genomic variants. Genomic variants of various viruses are a natural phenomenon and are found in almost all countries.

Website link: http://dbtindia.gov.in/insacog

Ayush Ministry launched nationwide distribution campaign of AYUSH-64 & Kabasura Kudineer

In a concerted response to the second surge of COVID-19 infection in the country, Ministry of Ayush has launched a massive nationwide campaign today to distribute its proven poly herbal Ayurvadic drugs AYUSH-64 and Sidha drug Kabasura Kudineer for the benefit of the vast majority of out-of-hospital COVID patients. The efficacy of these drugs has been proved through robust multi-centre clinical trials. The multi stakeholder campaign being launched by Shri Kiren Rijiju, Minister of State (independent charge) for Youth Affairs and Sports and Minister of Ayush (additional charge) will ensure that medicines reach the needy in a transparent and efficient manner. The main collaborator in the campaign is Sewa Bharati. A comprehensive strategy of distribution has been chalked out and the role out will unfold in a phased manner, utilising the wide network of various institutions working under the aegis of the ministry and this will be supported by the countrywide network of Sewa Bharati. It is worthwhile to note that since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the country, the Ministry of Ayush has taken several initiatives toward control and mitigation of it, while also working in close collaboration with Ministry of Health & Family Welfare in the fight against the disease. With the latest initiative of the Ministry to launch a nationwide campaign for distribution of AYUSH-64 and Kabasura Kudineer, India aims to strengthen its position in fight against COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ministry has taken several initiatives and setup an Interdisciplinary AYUSH Research and Development Task Force involving experts from diverse fields to formulate and develop strategies for control and mitigation of COVID-19. Many clinical and observational studies have been undertaken to understand the role of AYUSH interventions in mitigation and management of COVID-19 whereas various studies were carried out on AYUSH-64, an Ayurvedic formulation developed by the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS)and Kabasura Kudineer, a classical Siddha formulation. The Ministry of Ayush-Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) collaboration has recently completed a robust multi-centre clinical trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of AYUSH-64 in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 patients. Kabasura was also subjected to clinical trials for studying the efficacy in COVID-19 patients by Central Council for Research in Siddha (CCRS) under Ministry of Ayush and is also found useful in the treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 infection. AYUSH-64 is recommended in National Clinical Management Protocol based on Ayurveda and Yoga which is vetted by National Task Force on COVID Management of ICMR and Guidelines for Ayurveda Practitioners for COVID-19 Patients in Home Isolation. Kabasura Kudineer is included in Guidelines for Siddha Practitioners for COVID-19, Ministry of Ayush, Govt. of India.

Website link: https://pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1716729

DRDO develops COVID-19 antibody detection kit

Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has developed an antibody detection-based kit 'DIPCOVAN', the DIPAS-VDx COVID-19 IgG Antibody Microwell ELISA for sero-surveillance. The DIPCOVAN kit can detect both spike as well as nucleocapsid (S&N) proteins of SARSCoV-2 virus with a high sensitivity of 97 per cent and specificity of 99 per cent. The kit has been developed in association with Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt Ltd, a development and manufacturing diagnostics company based at New Delhi. The DIPCOVAN kit was developed indigenously by the scientists, followed by extensive validation on more than 1,000 patient samples at various COVID designated hospitals in Delhi. Three batches of the product were validated during last one year. The antibody detection kit is approved by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in April 2021. DIPCOVAN is intended for the qualitative detection of IgG antibodies in human serum or plasma, targeting SARS-CoV-2 related antigens. It offers a significantly faster turn-around-time as it requires just 75 minutes to conduct the test without any cross reactivity with other diseases. The kit has a shelf life of 18 months.

Industry partner Vanguard Diagnostics Pvt. Ltd will commercially launch the product during the first week of June 2021. Readily available stock at the time of launch will be 100 kits (approx. 10,000 tests) with a production capacity of 500 kits/month after the launch. It is expected to be available at about Rs 75 per test. The kit will be very useful for understanding COVID-19 epidemiology and assessing an individual's previous SARS-CoV-2 exposure.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1720604

CSIR-CSIO transfers the UV Disinfection technology to combat SARS-CoV-2 to 27 indigenous manufacturers

There has been increasing evidence for airborne route of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols which is now considered to be important by international agencies WHO, REHVA, ASHRAE and by health authorities in several countries. The airborne transmission is a major risk in indoor settings. Significantly, research carried out by CSIR constituent labs, Centre for VIGYAN PRASAR 39 Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB) and CSIR-Institute of Microbial Technology (CSIR-IMTECH) in September 2020 had demonstrated experimentally that SARS-CoV-2 viral particles could be detected in air even after 2 hours of exit of infected persons from a room and at distances much greater than a few meters as well (S C. Moharir et al., 2020) strengthening evidence of airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2.

The product developed by the CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO) is tested for more than 99% disinfection and could be used as a retrofit solution to Air Handling Units (AHUs) of buildings, transport vehicles and other spin off applications. The UV-C Air Duct Disinfection System is energy efficient. It improves airflow through coils, enhances indoor air quality, requires less maintenance, easy to retrofit with any existing system having AHU ducts, and has low initial setup cost. The system comes with commercialized standards and certifications. CSIR-CSIO has transferred the technology to 27 companies, for scaling up the manufacturing.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1720933

https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2020.12.30.20248890v1

Countrywide AYUSH COVID -19 Counselling Helpline operationalized

A dedicated community support helpline has been operationalized by the Union Ministry of Ayush to provide AYUSH-based approaches and solutions for the challenges raised by COVID-19. The toll-free number is 14443. The helpline is operational pan-India from 6 am to 12 midnight, all seven days of a week. Through the helpline 14443, experts from different streams of Ayush, namely Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani and Siddha would be available to address queries of the general masses. These experts would not only be providing counselling and feasible remedies to the patients but would also guide them about the availability of nearby Ayush facilities. The experts would also be suggesting post COVID-19 rehabilitation and management approaches to the patients. The helpline is IVR (Interactive Voice Response) equipped and currently available in Hindi and English. Other languages will be added in due course of time. The helpline will initially take 100 calls simultaneously and the capacity would be increased in future, as per requirements. Through the helpline, the Ministry of Ayush aims to contribute to VIGYAN PRASAR 40 the community-wide effort to limit the spread of COVID-19. The effort is supported by the NGO, Project StepOne.

Notably, the AYUSH systems are among the oldest living medical systems used for health and wellbeing and are formally recognised in the country. The use of these systems has increased during the current pandemic due to their unique approaches for strengthening host defence. These are found useful as effective, safer, conveniently accessible, and affordable prophylaxis in the management of COVID-19. In addition, the therapeutic potentials have also been explored and two potential Polyherbal formulations namely AYUSH-64, an Ayurvedic formulation developed by CCRAS and Kabasura Kudineer of Siddha system has been found effective in the management of mild to moderate COVID-19 conditions. The Ministry of AYUSH is promoting these medicines extensively for the benefit of common people.

Website link: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1720519

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