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Taking forward the legacy of Ayurveda, All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), the apex institute of Ayurveda in India, an Autonomous Institute under the Ministry of AYUSH hosted a walkthrough on Saturday for the “Working Group of C20 on Integrated Holistic Health.

A large group of over 400 delegates participated in the event and the institute showcased how an integrated approach to health care can be effectively implemented. AIIA signed an MoU with the University of Amrita Vishwa Vidhyapeetham for cooperation and collaboration in the field of Research and Academics in Ayurveda. The MoU was signed by Prof. Tanuja Nesari, Director, AIIA, Ministry of Ayush and Prem Kumar Vasudevan Nair, the Provost, Medical Sciences at Kochi campus of Amrita Vishwa Vidhyapeetham.

AIIA already has MoUs with the European Academy of Ayurveda, Bernstein, Germany; Western Sydney University, Australia; Graz Medical University, Austria; College of Medical, UK; London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, UK and Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

On this occasion, Prof Dr Tanuja Neasri, said “We are happy to co-host the C20 delegates at AIIA, a tertiary care set-up under the Ministry of Ayush. We are honoured to showcase AIIA as a model of integration and holistic healthcare in Ayurveda.”

“As it is envisioned as health for all, so through this message for holistic healthcare the strength of the Ayush system through MOA should be integrated into the mainstream of medicines for people-centric wellbeing,” she added.

AIIA launched the millet calendar at the hands of Anita Bhatia, Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and Deputy Executive Director of UN Women.

AIIA, the apex institute of Ayurveda in India is an Autonomous Institute under the Ministry of AYUSH which aims at bringing a synergy between the traditional wisdom of Ayurveda and modern tools and technology. The Institute has 25 speciality departments, 12 clinics with 8 inter-disciplinary research laboratories and an international collaborative centre for global promotion and research in Ayurveda. Ayurveda is a science of life with a holistic approach to health and personalized medicine that is gaining popularity globally.

Ayurveda is the oldest system of medicine and health science dating back more than 3,000 years. The cardinal aim of Ayurveda is to restore the induvial balance between body, mind and spirit. There is a great demand for the science of life not only in India but in other parts of the world.

Preparation for a healthy pregnancy is crucial for both the mother and the unborn child. According to the WHO, infertility, or the inability to conceive, is on the rise, with a global prevalence of 3.9% to 16.8%. There are lifestyle factors and habits that affect our reproductive health and well-being overall. To boost their likelihood of conceiving and having a healthy pregnancy, the couple should consider making numerous modifications to their daily lives and quitting certain infertility-causing behaviours.

1. A healthy weight is an essential factor to keep in mind. Whether a woman is underweight or overweight, hormonal abnormalities can inhibit ovulation and result in infertility. Consequently, it is essential to maintain a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9.

2. Obesity is associated with low sperm count and motility in men, leading to male infertility. Choosing nutritious foods is another crucial lifestyle change.

3. Fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains are recommended, whereas processed foods, high-fat foods, and sugary beverages should be avoided. A nourishing diet promotes reproductive system health and a healthy pregnancy.

4. According to studies, consuming processed foods with a high fat content not only contributes to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, but also has a negative impact on fertility by diminishing sperm quality in men and disrupting ovulation in women.

5. Caffeine consumption is a normal part of daily life. However, caffeine consumption in excess of 400 mg per day is associated with both infertility and an increased risk of miscarriage.

6. Smoking and tobacco use can have negative effects on reproductive health. It affects the quantity and quality of sperm in men. In women, it can harm eggs and increase the risk of ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage.

7. Both men and women are negatively affected by excessive alcohol consumption. Alcohol may inhibit ovulation, reduce the quality of sperm, and increase the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. During pregnancy and while trying to conceive, it is advised to abstain from tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.

8. Management of stress is also essential. Stress inhibits ovulation and reduces the probability of conception. Therefore, it is crucial to participate in stress-relieving activities such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing. Infertility has also been linked to poor sleep habits.

9. Frequent physical activity is recommended, but it is vital to avoid strenuous exercise and other activities that could cause injury or harm to the pregnancy. Moderate exercise helps maintain a healthy weight and promotes overall health.

10. Additionally, proper oral hygiene is crucial. Poor oral hygiene can cause periodontal disease, which has been linked to preterm birth and low birth weight. Consequently, it is recommended to regularly brush and floss teeth and visit the dentist for check-ups.

Finally, it is essential to receive regular screenings and examinations from a gynaecologist. Frequent examinations can help detect any underlying health conditions that may interfere with pregnancy and identify potential risk factors.

Preparing for a healthy pregnancy is essential for both the mother and the foetus. Significant lifestyle changes that can increase the likelihood of conception and promote a healthy pregnancy include maintaining a healthy weight, adopting a healthy diet, avoiding smoking, alcohol, and drugs, managing stress, engaging in regular exercise, maintaining good oral hygiene, and receiving regular check-ups with a gynaecologist.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said today on World Health Day that ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ is India’s history and that the government fulfilled its obligation by delivering medicines and vaccines to more than 180 countries during the COVID-19 epidemic.

“On the occasion of World Health Day, I wish for the health of the whole world. The concept of Vasudev Kutumbakam is our heritage and in this series, the country is fulfilling its responsibility for the world in the health sector under the leadership of Modi ji. During the Corona period, we had seen that there was a shortage of medicines all over the world, then our country made medicines available to more than 180 countries, and along with it vaccines were also made available,” the Health Minister told ANI. Mandaviya arrived at Delhi’s Vijay Chowk to take part in the walkathon on the occasion of the World Health Day. The medical staff and paramedical staff walk from Vijay Chowk to Nirman Bhawan.

India today recorded 6,050 new cases in 24 hours while the active case tally stood at 28,303.
Mandaviya has called a review meeting with the health ministers of all the states on Friday amid the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country. He would meet with health ministers of all the states through video conferencing. The health minister will discuss the upward trend in Covid cases in all states.

On Thursday, India reported 5,300 covid-19 cases with 13 deaths, which is the highest in 195 days, according to Union Health Ministry. The last time over 5,000 cases was recorded was in September last year. On September 23, 2022, a total of 5,383 cases were reported.

On Thursday, India reported 5,300 covid-19 cases with 13 deaths, according to Union Health Ministry.
Several states have witnessed an uptick in Covid-19 cases. Maharashtra reported a spike of 41 per cent in new infections in just 24 hours on Thursday.

While on Tuesday, active Covid-19 cases in Tamil Nadu crossed the four-digit mark with 1,086 patients, when 198 new Covid-19 cases were reported.
Delhi on Thursday reported 606 new Covid-19 cases and 340 recoveries in past 24 hours.

India has seen extraordinary growth in the pharma industry and has reached from Zero to 13 per cent of the global market. This impressive growth is an outcome of a series of sound legislation and economic environment, timely actions, and to a greater extent, the motive of welfare of the masses, Asian Lite reported.

The pharmaceutical industry in India has seen a massive expansion over the last few years. It is expected to reach about 13 per cent of the size of the global pharma market while enhancing its quality, affordability, and innovation. Performing as per its tag as the ‘pharmacy of the world’, India has been a global generic medicine supplier for over 200 countries from both developed and emerging markets.

Moreover, India has attained recent traction for being the largest producer of vaccines in the world, contributing 60 per cent to the world’s supply of vaccines, Asian Lite reported.
As per the report by McKinsey, a large presence of local players producing branded generics, along with lower price levels, has provided the Indian pharmaceutical industry with a unique opportunity.

The kind of growth the pharma industry has seen in India, from a non-existent to a global pharmacy, is undoubtedly extraordinary. This impressive growth is an outcome of a series of sound legislation and economic environment, timely actions, and to a greater extent, the motive of welfare to the masses, Asian Lite reported.
It all began with the introduction of the Patents Act of 1970, leading to process patents instead of product patents. This implied that patenting was focused on manufacturing and not product patents. It enabled Indian pharma companies in three main ways.

First, manufacturers engaged in manufacturing drugs without paying patent holders exorbitant royalties.
Second, it allowed India to reduce dependence on drug imports and development of self-reliant Indian pharmaceutical industry.

Third, the pharma industry boomed in India by developing affordable versions of patented drugs and gradually moved to the global market as a generic drug supplier, Asian Lite reported.
However, after the WTO’s establishment, India signed the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement and changed its patent norms. India then made a few amendments to its patent laws as the agreement required patents for pharmaceutical products and processes inventions. Despite the paradigm shift, India by that time experienced stellar progress in its pharma supply.

Cut to 2020, when the world grappled with the Covid-19 crisis, Indian pharma found an unprecedented window of opportunity. Combining expansion in the R-D ecosystem with favourable policies, India became a major vaccine supplier to the world, ensuring self-reliance in vaccine provisioning.
India administered free vaccine doses to its citizens, reaching one billion marks. Besides acquiring its role as an important international player, India provided COVID-19-related medical assistance to over 150 countries, Asian Lite reported.
Sticking to its motto of Vasudhaiva Kutumbhakam, India started a Vaccine Maitri Programme in January 2021, supplying 72.3 million doses of COVID vaccine to more than 94 countries by the end of 2021.

Many countries also preferred the Indian vaccine due to its low-cost vaccine development and ability to make large-scale export consignments, besides the effectiveness of vaccines. This was of special significance for low-income countries that could not compete with richer nations for vaccine procurement1 during the crisis.
According to an expert, Indian pharma has learned to respond to the crisis by producing large-scale drugs quickly at short notice compared to any other country.

It is important to note that the boom for Indian pharma is not sporadic. It continues to experience sustained and robust growth in the post-pandemic period as well. By the end of 2022, Indian pharma has turned from volume to value creator.
As per an expert, with a heightened sense of collaboration between the industry and the government, the industry’s focus has shifted to other diseases, the advancement of cell therapies, and policies for IP and government procurements. Cumulative FDI in the pharma sector was over USD 20 billion in September 2022.

India is the largest vaccine supplier, with the Serum Institute of India producing 1.5 billion vaccines a year for polio, diphtheria, measles, mumps, and rubella to be used by the immunisation programmes across 170 countries, Asian Lite reported.
Recently, the government of India extended support to pharma companies using the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme to ensure self-reliance through enhanced domestic manufacturing capacity for high-value products.
The PLI schemes are for bulk drugs and pharmaceutical manufacturing, together accounting for an outlay of around USD 2.7 billion. Another important aspect of the pharma landscape in India is the stress on the welfare of the masses using its legislative provisions.

Recently, the Indian Patent Office rejected the request for an extension of a patent by Johnson and Johnson for a TB drug on multiple grounds. This rejection is important in two respects.
First, Indian manufacturers can produce a generic version of this anti-TB drug since the patent period has expired. Second, it allows the availability of a cheaper version of the drug, thus, strengthening India’s muscle power in combat against TB.
India’s public interest-oriented stance on drug patents has been at crossroads with the big pharmaceutical companies of the West, especially the US. These companies seek to do away with various aspects of the Indian Patent Act, of the 1970s which they find a hurdle in establishing their monopoly and rent-seeking behaviour.

While the US pharma companies are against the Form 27 of IPA, 1970 which requires details on patent working in India, experts9 believe that information on the working of a patent is essential to enquire if the act is successful in promoting innovation as public health.
In its practice, India has refused to grant secondary and ever-greening patents on slight modifications of the extant drugs, or new uses of existing medicines, and combinations of existing substances, much to the annoyance of big pharmas10. Big pharma has often projected their monopoly interests as the acceptable international IP norms and continues to pressurise the US government to act against India11.

As per Brook Baker12, Professor at the North-eastern University, Indian patent laws focus on balancing producer as well as consumer interests. He has often called out the big pharmaceutical companies of the US for lobbying against India with their “disinformation campaigns” blaming India for discriminating against the US companies.
Contrary to the propaganda, according to Prof. Baker, India’s patent policies are in tandem with both domestic legislation and international norms laid by TRIPS, Asian Lite reported.

Interestingly, the pharma industry in India is operating in a self-sustained model setup, ensuring that demand for drugs meets its supply. To put into perspective, India is keen on the promotion of the production of generic drugs.
Now to ensure this supply meets the demand for generic drugs, the Indian government started PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), in which Janaudhadi kendras (shops) sell generic drugs at affordable prices to the masses. By the end of 2022, more than 8,500 kendras were functional nationwide.

Apart from reducing the out-of-pocket expenditure of the people, these kendras or medicine stores help create awareness about generic medicines, thus expanding the market for generic drug manufacturers and providing employment to entrepreneurs engaging in the establishment of kendras, Asian Lite reported.
With the current valuation of USD 50 billion, the congenial government policies and the robust R-D expansion in the pharma sector are expected to lead to the path of resilient growth not just in volume but in value as well.

The commitment of both the government and the pharma sector to ensure the abundant availability of quality medicines at reasonable prices provides India with an opportunity to play a leading role in the global market with a special concern for the welfare of the masses.

On the World Health Day this year, WHO celebrates 75 years of improving public health and well-being in the South-East Asia Region and globally, fully committed to achieving Health for All through universal health coverage (UHC) – when all people can access essential health services, without financial hardship.

For decades – and since even before the 1978 Declaration of Alma-Ata – high-level leaders and policy makers from across the Region have recognized the critical role that access for all to quality, affordable and comprehensive primary health care (PHC) can play in achieving UHC and therefore Health for All. This has been well reflected in the Region’s renewed, decade-long push to achieve UHC, which since 2014 has been one of eight Flagship Priorities of the Region.

Between 2010 and 2019, the Region increased its UHC service coverage index from 47 to 61. Between 2000 and 2017, the Region reduced the number of households impoverished or further impoverished from out-of-pocket spending on health from 30% to 6%. Since 2014, the density of doctors, nurses and midwives in the Region has improved by over 30% – a tremendous achievement.

Five countries of the Region have already achieved the Sustainable Development Goal targets for under-five and neonatal mortality. Between 2000 and 2020, the Region achieved a 34% decline in TB incidence rates, and by the end of 2020 had met each of the Global Technical Strategy for Malaria milestones for mortality and morbidity. Since 2016, six countries of the Region have eliminated at least one neglected tropical disease and all countries continue to strengthen PHC services to prevent, detect, control and treat noncommunicable diseases.

Impressively, the Region has maintained its polio-free status and continues to have eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus as a public health problem. Five countries of the Region have eliminated measles, two have eliminated rubella, and four have controlled hepatitis B through immunization.

The Region has many more mountains to climb. Today, in the shadow of the COVID-19 crisis, around 40% of people in the Region are unable to access essential health services. In 2017, around 299 million people in the Region faced catastrophic health spending, and an estimated 117 million people in the Region were pushed or further pushed below the purchasing power parity poverty line of US$ 1.90 a day – a figure that has since been exacerbated.

As highlighted by the Region’s 2021 Strategy for Primary Health Care, as well as the Region’s vision to build back better from the COVID-19 pandemic, whole-of-government, whole-of-society action is needed to drive rapid and sustained progress towards UHC and Health for All. We must all contribute.

*High-level leaders should maintain and strengthen political and financial commitments to achieve UHC, accelerating momentum ahead of the second UN General Assembly meeting on UHC in September this year. The COVID-19 crisis has shown that investments in UHC and health system resilience underpin not just health, but social and economic security, as well as the achievement of an array of Sustainable Development Goals.

Policy makers and programme managers must continue to implement the Region’s Strategy for PHC. Of specific focus should be strengthening public health infrastructure, workforce and financing, while at the same time increasing equity for those at risk of or who are already being left behind. Shared learning must continue to be a core priority, leveraging the full power of the Region’s new Forum for PHC-Oriented Health Systems.

People and communities must increasingly assert their voice and Right to Health, including by directly engaging in local health decision-making processes. As highlighted by the 2021 WHO handbook on social participation for UHC, as well as the Region’s recently adopted resolution on enhancing social participation in support of PHC and UHC, individuals and communities can play a key role in monitoring health service performance and holding health providers and policy makers to account.

Partners, donors and other stakeholders in the Region must go all in on UHC and Health for All, recognizing that the PHC approach is the most effective, efficient and equitable way to build national health systems that are unified, and which achieve healthier populations, health security and UHC. In all countries, policy makers must lead, and partners must support. Assistance must be fully aligned with national priorities, avoiding duplication and fragmentation.

On this, WHO’s 75th founding anniversary, let us unite in purpose and be driven by action to achieve UHC and Health for All, ensuring all people have good health for a fulfilling life in a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.

According to a recent UCLA Health study, pregnant women whose household tap water included higher levels of lithium had a slightly increased risk of their children being diagnosed with an autism spectrum disease. The study, which was published in JAMA Pediatrics on April 3rd, is thought to be the first to identify naturally occurring lithium in drinking water as a probable environmental risk factor for autism.

“Any drinking water contaminants that may affect the developing human brain deserve intense scrutiny,” said lead study author Beate Ritz, MD, PhD, professor of neurology in the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and professor of epidemiology and environmental health at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. “In the future, anthropogenic sources of lithium in water may become more widespread because of lithium battery use and disposal in landfills with the potential for groundwater contamination. The results of our study are based on high-quality Danish data but need to be replicated in other populations and areas of the world.”

Certain lithium compounds have long been utilized as a treatment for depression and bipolar disorders due to their mood-stabilizing properties. Nonetheless, there has been controversy regarding whether mothers can safely take lithium during pregnancy, despite mounting evidence that it is linked to an increased risk of miscarriage and heart abnormalities or malformations in babies.

Ritz, whose research focuses on how environmental exposures influence neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, said she decided to investigate the possible link between lithium and autism risk after discovering that there had been little human research on how lithium affects brain growth and development.

Yet, she discovered that some experimental data suggested that lithium, one of several naturally occurring metals contained in water, could influence a key biochemical process involved in neurodevelopment and autism.

According to Zeyan Liew, PhD, MPH, the study’s first author and an Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the Yale University School of Public Health, this study is important because previous research from Denmark using high-quality medical registry data has shown that ingestion of chronic and low-dose lithium from drinking can influence the occurrence of adult-onset neuropsychiatric disorders. Unfortunately, no research has been conducted to determine whether lithium in drinking water eaten by pregnant women impacts the neurodevelopment of their children.

Ritz and Liew collaborated with Danish researchers who examined lithium levels in 151 public waterworks in Denmark, which served approximately half of the country’s population. The researchers analyzed address information from Denmark’s comprehensive civil registry system to determine which waterworks serviced mothers’ houses at the time of their pregnancy.

Utilizing a countrywide database of individuals with psychiatric problems, the researchers selected children born between 1997 and 2013 and compared them to 63,681 youngsters who did not have an autism diagnosis. The researchers also took into account maternal features, socioeconomic factors, and exposure to air pollution, all of which have been related to an elevated risk of autism in offspring.

According to the researchers, as lithium levels rose, so did the risk of being diagnosed with autism. In comparison to the lowest quartile of observed lithium levels (the 25th percentile), lithium levels in the second and third quartiles were related to a 24-26% increased risk of autism. The risk was 46% higher in the top quartile than in the lowest.

When the data was broken down by autism subtypes, the researchers discovered a similar association between elevated lithium levels and a higher risk of autism diagnosis. They also discovered that the link between lithium levels and autism risk was slightly stronger in urban regions than in smaller cities and rural locations.

Aside from Denmark’s extensive civil databases, which have shown to be excellent tools for public health researchers, a number of other characteristics made Denmark an appropriate location for this study. Denmark’s bottled water use is among the lowest in Europe, implying that Danes primarily rely on tap water. The country also has a solid system in place for monitoring trace metals and other impurities in its water supply. When compared to other countries, lithium levels in Danish water are likely to be in the low to moderate range, according to Ritz.

According to union health ministry data, a total of 3,824 new Covid-19 infections were registered across the country in the last 24 hours, a small increase from Saturday’s tally of 2994 coronavirus cases. India currently has 18,389 active Covid-19 cases. The 3,824 new coronavirus cases reported on Sunday represent the largest single-day increase in nearly six months.

According to today’s health bulletin, the daily positivity rate was 2.87 percent and the weekly positivity rate was 2.24 percent. The total number of patients who have recovered from the sickness is 4,41,73,335.

In the last 24 hours, a total of 2,799 Covid vaccine doses were provided. According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of the Covid-19 vaccine have been distributed as part of the statewide vaccination campaign. In response to the recent spike in Covid-19 instances around the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has released amended instructions.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

“Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Furthermore, “consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)” in moderate or severe conditions at high risk of advancement, according to the guidelines.

A total of 2,994 new Covid-19 infections were reported in India on Saturday, a slight dip from Friday’s tally of 3095 coronavirus cases, according to Union heath ministry data.

India’s active Covid-19 caseload currently stands at 16,354. Yesterday’s tally of 3095 fresh coronavirus cases was the highest single-day rise in the last nearly six months.

The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.09 per cent and the weekly positivity at 2.03 per cent, according to the health bulletin today.

The number of people who have recovered from the disease was reported to be 4,41,71,551.
The death toll rose to 5,30,876 with nine deaths and the case fatality rate recorded at 1.19 per cent.

Two deaths each were reported from Delhi, Karnataka and Punjab, one from Gujarat, and two were reconciled by Kerala, according to data by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

A total of 9,981 Covid vaccination doses were administered in last 24 hours. According to the ministry’s website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far under the nationwide vaccination drive

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

“Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.

Amid the recent spike in COVID cases across the country, Dr Arvind Kumar, chairman of the Institute of Chest Surgery, Medanta Hospital has advised people to wear masks and get a COVID test done in case of symptoms.

Notably, COVID cases are increasing across the country, including in the national capital, so experts are warning people and advising them to wear masks. Talking to ANI, Dr Arvind said, “Now because the testing has increased, there is an increase in the cases as well. But the good thing here is that the cases which are coming up are not more serious cases which can be detected. They are recovering by staying at home”.

He said that during the second wave of COVID, there was a lack of oxygen in the country and the patients who were coming were in need of oxygen.

“But now the situation is not like this. This viral and new variant is not affecting our lungs much. Although the problem of dry cough is being seen in patients for a long time, the patients who are coming are not in need of oxygen. However, there can be a danger regarding this variant for a patient suffering from a serious illness. They need to be more careful,” he said.
However, Dr Arvind said that those already suffering from lung disease need to be very careful with this new variant and viral.

“It is necessary for them to at least come out of the house, do not go to crowded places, and if very necessary, leave the house only after wearing a mask,” he said.

He added, “XBB.1.16, right now this variant is mild. The patients suffering from it are not becoming more serious. They have very little need to go to the hospital. Most of the patients are getting cured by staying at home. But there is absolutely no need to be careless about it. Because nothing can be said when this virus will take a serious form. Along with this, there is also a good thing that at present about 95 per cent of people have hybrid immunity”.

At the same time, Dr Arvind Kumar strongly advised people to use masks.
“Whenever you are going out of the house or going to a crowded place like a hospital, wear a mask. Because it will not only save you from a viral infection but also from other diseases,” he added.

He further said that currently, he is getting most patients with viral infections in which fever, sore throat, runny nose, congestion, headache, body ache and cough are common in most of the patients.

“Dry cough is being seen and these symptoms are seen in people for 5 to 6 days. But the patients who are already suffering from some serious disease or are elderly, these symptoms remain for a long time. And the same people may be at greater risk. At present, there have been cases of death of some patients, including those who were corona infected and were already suffering from some serious illness or were elderly,” he said.

Dr Arvind Kumar also advised the patients having symptoms to get a COVID test done.
“Earlier all the patients who were coming with these symptoms were not being advised to get a corona test done, but now if any patient has a fever then we are advising him to get a corona test done. So that the correct infection can be detected through its symptoms,” he said.

Talking about Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, he said that the disease directly affects the lungs, but it has not been found in Delhi as of now.
“Earlier, we had seen that through this syndrome, the patient’s lungs were being directly affected, due to which there was a complete lack of oxygen in his body and he needed to be given oxygen from outside, or a ventilator was required, but as of now, this syndrome has not been found in Delhi. The new variant that has come does not have this syndrome which directly affects the lungs. The symptoms of this variant are still the same as fever, body pain etc,” Dr Arvind further said.

Meanwhile, India on Friday, continued to report over 3,000 COVID cases for the second day in a row with 3,095 new infections in the last 24 hours, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday.
The country recorded the highest one-day fresh infections in the last nearly six months.

The country had reported 3,016 cases on Thursday with a case positivity rate of 2.73 per cent which declined to 2.61 per cent today. The weekly positivity rate jumped to 1.91 per cent today from 1.71 per cent yesterday. As far as the testing in the country is concerned amid the rising COVID cases, 1,18,694 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

India continued to report over 3,000 COVID cases for the second day in a row with 3,095 new infections in the last 24 hours, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Friday. The country recorded the highest one-day fresh infections in the last nearly six months.

The country had reported 3,016 cases on Thursday with a case positivity rate of 2.73 per cent which declined to 2.61 per cent today. The weekly positivity rate jumped to 1.91 per cent today from 1.71 per cent yesterday. According to the Ministry, the active caseload in the country increased from 13,509 yesterday to 15,208 today which is 0.03 of the total number of cases.

As many as 1,390 patients recovered from the disease in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of recoveries to 4,41,69,711.

The recovery rate in the country currently is 98.78 per cent.
The Ministry informed that 220.65 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive, of which 95.20 crore are second doses and 22.86 crore are precaution doses. 6,553 COVID vaccine doses have been administered in last 24 hours, the Ministry said.

As far as the testing in the country is concerned amid the rising COVID cases, 1,18,694 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country.

“Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease,” revised guidelines said.

As per the revised Covid-19 guidelines, maintain “Physical distancing, indoor mask use, hand hygiene, Symptomatic management (hydration, antipyretics, antitussive) Monitor temperature and oxygen saturation (by applying a SpO probe to fingers) Stay in contact with the treating physician.

“Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features,” guidelines discussed and prepared in January said.

Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, “Consider Remdesivir for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)”.