Pokhriyal launches world's most affordable Covid-19 diagnostic kit by IIT-D

HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal virtually launched the world’s most affordable RT-PCR-based Covid-19 diagnostic kit ‘Corosure’ developed by IIT Delhi, and approved by the ICMR and DCGI

Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal on Wednesday virtually launched the world’s most affordable RT-PCR based COVID-19 diagnostic kit “Corosure” developed by IIT Delhi, and approved by the ICMR and DCGI.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that “Corosure”– COVID-19 Diagnostic Kit developed by IIT Delhi is a step towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a self-reliant India, read a release. He said that the country requires cheap and reliable testing which can help to control the pandemic.

“The Corosure Kit has been developed indigenously and is much cheaper than other kits. Our Prime Minister has always been encouraging the youth of the country to come forward and ensure a healthier India especially in the times of COVID 19 pandemic with their innovative research. The kit has received ICMR approval with the highest score and DCGI approved with a very high sensitivity and specificity,” Pokhriyal said…Read More

Human trials for Covid-19 vaccine may begin in 6 months: ICMR Official

“The virus strain isolated at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) laboratory in Pune will be used to develop the vaccine”

As India ranked 10th in the global infection list, overtaking Iran, which was an early hotspot of coronavirus, India’s top medical body has said the human trials of Covid-19 vaccine may begin at least in six months. Speaking to IANS, Dr. Rajni Kant, Director Regional Medical Research Centre and Head at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said, “The virus strain isolated at the National Institute of Virology (NIV) laboratory in Pune will be used to develop the vaccine, and this strain has been successfully transferred to the Bharat Biotech International Ltd. (BBIL). It is expected that the human trials of the vaccine will begin in at least six months.”

Queried on the focus areas as India inches closer to 140,000 Covid-19 cases, Kant said we should not get anxious about the rapid increase in numbers, especially in the past week, which saw 5,000 Covid-19 cases daily, instead focus on protecting the most vulnerable group “We should not fear from increasing Covid-19 cases. The elderly and people with comorbidities need protection. This is the highly vulnerable group, and we need to deploy resources and develop strategies to keep the mortality rate as low as possible in this group,” said Kant.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India cases at 145,456; global tally nears 5.6 million

Queried on the focus areas as India inches closer to 140,000 Covid-19 cases, Kant said we should not get anxious about the rapid increase in numbers, especially in the past week, which saw 5,000 Covid-19 cases daily, instead focus on protecting the most vulnerable group “We should not fear from increasing Covid-19 cases. The elderly and people with comorbidities need protection. This is the highly vulnerable group, and we need to deploy resources and develop strategies to keep the mortality rate as low as possible in this group,” said Kant.

India coronavirus dispatch: How to spot misinformation around Covid-19

From social media infodemic, to trends shaping post-Covid-19 world, and why the need for labour reforms must not be conflated with complete deregulation – read these and more in today’s India dispatch

Here is a round-up of important articles from across Indian publications on Covid-19. From social media infodemic, to trends shaping post-Covid-19 world, and why the need for labour reforms must not be conflated with complete deregulation – read these and more in today’s India dispatch.

Expert Speak

How paediatricians, obstetricians are dealing with Covid-19 cases and fears: The city of Mumbai has been seeing increased cases of Covid-19, and some hospitals and doctors are reporting more cases of pregnant women and children who have contracted the virus. Read this interview with Ravindra Chittal, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at Hinduja Hospital and Lilavati Hospital, and Kiran Coelho, head of department, obstetrics and gynaecology, at Lilavati Hospital, to find out how this affects the overall problem in terms of capacity to respond and attend to these cases, and the treatment path that is being followed.

Long Reads

The need for labour reforms must not be conflated with complete deregulation: While some easing of rigid labour laws has long been overdue, a note of caution must be sounded on the proposed ordinance of the Uttar Pradesh government. There can be little doubt that many of the labour law provisions in India are excessively intrusive, and have strengthened licence-inspector-raj and rent-seeking. Rationalisation of existing laws is imperative, for the sake of both labour flexibility for employers, and universal legal protection for workers. However, there is a need for more clear-sighted thinking on some of the lazy assumptions and sweeping generalisations that have been part of the case for labour reforms.Read more here.

Clinical trial begins to assess plasma efficacy to limit Covid-19: ICMR

Convalescent plasma is one of several emerging therapies. However, there is no robust evidence to support it for routine therapy

The Indian Council of Medical Research has started a multi-centre clinical trial to assess the safety of the convalescent plasma to limit any coronavirus related complications. “ICMR has initiated a multi-centre clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma to limit Covid-19 associated complications in moderate disease,” read an official statement by the ICMR. The trial has been titled as “A Phase II, Open Label, Randomized Controlled Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma to Limit Covid-19 Associated Complications in Moderate Disease.”

ALSO READ: Coronavirus LIVE: India cases rise to 52,987; Maharashtra tally at 16,758

On April 28, the ICMR had said that currently there are no approved, definitive therapies for Covid-19. Convalescent plasma is one of several emerging therapies. However, there is no robust evidence to support it for routine therapy, the research body said. Meanwhile, the total number of coronavirus cases in the country has reached 49,391, including 14,183 recovered/migrated and 1,694 deaths, as per the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare…

Coronavirus outbreak: India cancels Chinese rapid antibody test kit orders

ICMR cancels Wondfo’s test kits; row on prices and efficacy erupts

By the middle of May, more clarity is expected on ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test that has better sensitivity and is expected to have 95 per cent accuracy as opposed to 60 per cent accuracy of the rapid antibody tests. Another test, using chemiluminescence technology, is also under consideration. The accuracy is expected to be higher, in the range of 99 per cent.

The controversy around the efficacy and pricing of the rapid tests may change the way India now tests for the novel coronavirus. Sources say once the final results on these tests are out, India is likely to include these in the testing protocol for coronavirus disease (Covid-19). An industry source revealed that discussions are on with the government to consider these tests. “Once, the final outcomes on these tests come, in around a month or so, we can start importing these kits if the government approves,” said the source.

By the middle of May, more clarity is expected on ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) test that has better sensitivity and is expected to have 95 per cent accuracy as opposed to 60 per cent accuracy of the rapid antibody tests. Another test, using chemiluminescence technology, is also under consideration. The accuracy is expected to be higher, in the range of 99 per cent.

“ELISA is highly sensitive and specific and is able to detect HIV-1/ HIV-2 and variants. It requires sophisticated equipment, a constant supply of electricity, and skilled technicians. It is not suitable for small laboratories, but for testing large numbers of samples per day, as well as in blood banks or for surveillance studies. The simple or rapid tests are better for emergency testing, and in smaller laboratories with low numbers of tests per day,” the World Health Organization has said on its website…Read More

Over 400,000 samples tested, 17,615 Indians Covid-19 positive: ICMR

ICMR said that by the end of May it would achieve the testing capacity of 100,000 per day

The number of total coronavirus (Covid-19) positive cases in India has risen to 17,615 according to the latest data released by the Indian Centre for Medical Research (ICMR). The release said “Today, on 19 April 2020, till 9 pm, 27,824 samples have been reported. Of these, 1,135 were positive for SARS-CoV-2.”

According to ICMR a “total of 4,01,586 samples from 3,83,985 individuals have been tested as on 19 April 2020, till 9 PM. 17,615 individuals have been confirmed positive among suspected cases and contacts of known.” The ICMR will conduct a study to identify the effectiveness of Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine against Covid-19, as per the Union Health Ministry officials. It may be noted that it is administered against tuberculosis immediately after the birth of an infant.

ICMR also said that soon it will reach the testing capacity of 100,000. “The daily Covid-19 testing capacity at various laboratories in the country is being increased and is expected to reach to 1 lakh test per day by May 31,” it said. Accordingly, a total of 16 regional depots are being set up and are modelled into self-contained units by strengthening manpower, resources and infrastructure. Besides these, depots at the National Institute of Malaria Research here and the National Institute of Virology in Pune would also function as central depots…Read More