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Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Mizoram issues advisory after 2 new Covid cases detected
1 2 Aizawl: The Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) of Mizoram health & family welfare department issued an advisory on Friday after two new cases of Covid-19 were detected in the state on Thursday. The advisory issued by the IDSP appealed to the people not to panic as the two Covid-19 infected persons recently detected are being treated at the Zoram Medical College & Hospital (ZMC&H) in Falkawn near Aizawl. They are not serious. It also said most of those infected across the country are mainly being treated in their respective homes while the IDSP and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) are closely monitoring the situation through the national surveillance system. The Covid-19 detected in the country are JN.1, XFG and LF.7.9 variants and those infected are having only mild symptoms, the advisory said, advising people to wash their hands frequently and to use hand sanitiser while advising people having cough to wear masks. During the Covid-19 pandemic years (March 2020-Oct 2024), 734 people died in Mizoram out of 2,39,637 people infected. During last year, 73 people infected with Covid-19 were found while no positive cases were found after Oct last year. At least 11 samples have so far been tested in Mizoram with two positive cases detected during this year after the resurgence of Covid-19 in some countries and India.
The Print
3 days ago
- Health
- The Print
COVID-19 cases rise in India. But here's why no one needs a booster shot just yet
As of 26 May, India had 1,010 active COVID-19 cases—up by 753 compared to last week, when active cases stood at 257, according to statistics provided by the health ministry. However, the minor spurt in cases, epidemiologically and clinically, is not significant, say most experts, including those guiding government health policies. There is no need for booster shots against the virus for any population group so far, they say. New Delhi: COVID-19 cases in India have spiked over the last few days, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron sub-lineages, which appear highly transmissible, driving the trend. Asian countries, such as Singapore, Thailand, and China, among others, are also seeing an uptick in cases. In one week, the country has also recorded six COVID-19 deaths, with further reconciliation of mortality figures ongoing in states like Kerala. The government has not yet shared any data on patients hospitalised with COVID-19, but it has stated that most cases are mild, requiring only home-based care. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have reported most of the new cases, according to the government. The Centre has maintained that its pan-India system for surveillance of respiratory illnesses has, so far, not flagged any signs worth worrying about. This surveillance also includes the pan-India respiratory virus sentinel surveillance network under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Also Read: Gut health probiotics now among top selling drugs in India, but doctors advise caution against hype Only Omicron sub-lineages in circulation The genomic sequencing carried out in the western and southern states to identify virus strains in circulation has found all Omicron sub-variants. Besides LF.7, XFG, and JN.1, Omicron sub-lineage NB.1.8.1 has also cropped up in a few cases. 'All these variants are not causing severe disease in other countries, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) database,' said ICMR Director-General Dr Rajiv Bahl, sharing a statement by the ministry, in an interview with a government-run news channel. In India, most reported cases are also mild, involving the upper respiratory tract only and showing severe symptoms only in a few who have a history of several pre-existing comorbidities, Bahl added. Omicron, the SARS-CoV-2 virus strain that triggered the last significant COVID-19 wave between late 2021 and early 2022, though more transmissible than the Delta strain, the lineage that caused an earlier devastating phase, was known to cause mild disease in most infected persons. Public health specialists and clinicians who ThePrint spoke to underlined that since 2022, there have only been various Omicron sub-lineages in circulation, and no virus strain has, since then, been called a 'Variant of Concern' or 'VoC'—a possible warning sign—by the WHO. Senior biologist Dr Anurag Agrawal, associated with Ashoka University, said that at this point, specific Omicron lineages do not matter much since they are clinically very similar. 'That is why there is no new name. The genomic lineage names are just for surveillance so we can track spread,' he said. Even though the COVID-19 pandemic is over, the virus is now a part of the community, experts maintain. 'And like other respiratory viruses, it will keep causing seasonal spikes due to mutation,' said public health expert Dr Chandrakant Lahariya. 'In the case of SARS-CoV-2, the seasonality, however, has not been established yet, unlike for other influenza viruses, and hence, we are seeing an erratic and somewhat unpredictable spike in cases every few months,' he stressed. Also Read: IIT-Bombay researchers find PCOS slows down speed of response by 56%, accuracy by 10% Arsenal of vaccines, none against current strains As of now, most people with COVID-19 are reporting mild symptoms involving the upper respiratory tract. Some patients are experiencing abdominal pain or diarrhoea along with fever—symptoms similar to the common flu, said Dr Ujjwal Parakh, a senior consultant of chest medicine at Sir Gangaram Hospital in the Capital. Experts say that considering the likelihood of previous infections with related variants, some level of partial immunity naturally conferred or induced by vaccines—particularly more recently—will likely protect most of the previously infected. Most of the population in India—nearly 1 billion—remain covered by two of the most-used COVID-19 vaccines, Covishield and Covaxin. Out of them, 22.7 crore had also taken booster or precautionary shots. In addition, there are five other vaccines approved against the infectious disease, including Sputnik V, Corbevax, Covovax, iNCOVACC and GEMCOVAC-OM. Yet none of these vaccines work against JN.1, which has been circulating the last year and a half, or other Omicron sub-lineages causing the current cases. Insisting that there is no need for any population group to receive additional booster doses, Bahl said, if required, India could quickly develop and produce an effective vaccine. 'In my understanding, there is no need for it (booster dose) at this time … we have developed and made many types of vaccines, and we have made them on many platforms,' said the ICMR DG. 'If God wants us to use a vaccine in the future, India can make that vaccine, and we can make it fast,' he said. Since most symptoms in patients are mild, with vaccination guidelines against the variants in circulation currently kept fluid, there are no clear indications for the need to administer booster doses to the general population, Parakh said. Some patients with immunocompromised states or comorbidities, however, might be considered for a booster dose, but the current guidelines do not mandate it, he pointed out. Lahariya said that most COVID-19 vaccines protect from disease severity, not the infection itself. As such, there is no benefit from additional boosters for anyone, he said, explaining that any respiratory virus is capable of causing disease in those with compromised immunity. They could instead benefit from the common flu vaccine, which ensures the body does not have to fight multiple infections in cases where several viruses infect such patients simultaneously. Gautam Menon, professor of biology and physics at Ashoka University, said that older adults, like before, should be more careful and wear masks, and that would be a good idea if, at any time, cases rise steeply. Such precautionary measures might be more workable than new vaccines for the moment, he said. But some, such as the small fraction of cancer patients on chemotherapy post-transplant, might benefit from the recent, updated boosters, Agrawal opined. As specific COVID-19 vaccines for this small group are unavailable, Agrawal called for their procurement from other countries. He said that though India could make such a vaccine, the demand remains too low for such a project. (Edited by Madhurita Goswami) Also Read: Experimental drug promising to bring down bad cholesterol by up to 69% completes early stage trial
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Haryana issues Covid advisory amid rise in weekly cases
Following a rise in Covid-19 cases across Haryana, the state health department has issued a fresh advisory directing all district health officials, surveillance teams, and hospitals to enhance preparedness and remain on alert. The advisory, issued under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP), follows the detection of 15 new Covid-19 cases in the past week—eight from Gurugram, five from Faridabad, and one each from Yamunanagar and Karnal. Officials have been asked to ensure hospitals establish dedicated flu corners and maintain adequate isolation beds, oxygen supplies, PPE kits, N-95 masks, antibiotics, and testing kits. 'Hospitals must strictly follow infection prevention and control protocols, particularly in OPDs and emergency wards, where healthcare workers should wear masks,' said a senior health department official. The department has also called for refresher training sessions for medical staff to update them on Covid symptoms, case management, and state protocols. Civil surgeons and district surveillance officers have been instructed to resume monitoring influenza-like illness (ILI) and severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) trends. According to the revised testing strategy, 100% of SARI cases and 5% of ILI cases must undergo Covid-19 testing. 'All public and private facilities must upload daily data on the IDSP-IHIP portal,' the advisory states. It also asks districts to coordinate with the Indian Medical Association (IMA) to ensure preparedness. In Gurugram, where the highest number of new cases have been reported, 10 beds have been set aside at the Civil Hospital in Sector 10 for possible admissions, although no hospitalisation has been required yet. 'The district administration has intensified surveillance. Early detection and timely isolation are key,' said Dr Jai Prakash, Covid-19 nodal officer. Health officials have urged citizens to wear masks in crowded places, maintain hand hygiene, avoid public spitting, and stay home if symptomatic. 'So far, most patients are showing mild symptoms similar to the common cold,' said Dr Alka Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Gurugram. However, the exact positivity rate or number of tests conducted over the past week has not been disclosed. 'The district administration has intensified surveillance efforts. We are tracing the travel history of both individuals and identifying people they may have come in contact with recently. Early detection and timely isolation are key in preventing further transmission,' said Dr Jai Prakash, Nodal Officer for Covid-19. The health department has also issued an advisory urging citizens to seek medical testing if they develop symptoms such as a cold, cough, fever, body ache, or fatigue. Special focus has been placed on international and inter-state travellers, with district surveillance officers instructed to follow up with such individuals.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
IIT-BHU develops breakthrough tool to track and predict drug-resistant viruses
VARANASI: Scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology ( BHU ), Varanasi, developed a new framework that helps understand how viruses evolve to evade drugs and treatments. While the technology primarily focuses on the coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), it can also be applied to other pathogens and infectious diseases. The study, led by Aditya Kumar Padhi, Assistant Professor at the School of Biochemical Engineering, was published in the renowned Biophysical Journal. This "integrated multiscale computational framework" combines several advanced computer-based methods. These include protein design, machine learning, hybrid QM/MM, and multiscale simulations to study how viruses evolve. It helps identify mutations or changes in the viral proteins that may reduce the effectiveness of drugs. This discovery comes at a time when COVID-19 cases are once again rising in India and across the globe due to the emergence of new viral variants. As the virus continues to mutate rapidly, this framework can help anticipate how it might resist treatments in the future. While the current study focuses on resistance to sotrovimab, a monoclonal antibody used against SARS-CoV-2, the framework is also applicable to other diseases, including cancer and urinary tract infections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Doutora: 'Um hábito simples antes de dormir me fez perder 1kg a cada 7 dias!' Revista Saúde Saiba Mais Undo The team members of the Laboratory for Computational Biology & Biomolecular Design (LCBD) also significantly contributed to understanding resistance mechanisms against several other antiviral drugs and monoclonal antibodies against SARS-CoV-2. Padhi said that there are plans to make this framework freely available to scientists and doctors worldwide to support the global fight against drug resistance. This will especially benefit regions with limited resources by giving them access to cutting-edge predictive tools. The research also aligns with India's national health initiatives, such as the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) and the National Programme on Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), both of which aim to strengthen the country's pandemic preparedness. 'We developed this framework to address complex healthcare problems like antimicrobial resistance using integrated computational methods. Its modular design makes it suitable for a wide range of biomedical and healthcare challenges,' said Padhi. Prof. Amit Patra, Director of IIT (BHU), said, 'Such advanced technologies reflect the scientific leadership of Indian institutions like IIT (BHU) Varanasi in research and innovation, particularly in tackling infectious diseases and major public health challenges. This also significantly contributes to the objectives of the key programme of the government of India.'
Time of India
3 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
No reliable data on heat stroke and heat deaths in India: Experts
New Delhi: There is no reliable data on heatstroke and heat deaths as data-reporting systems are not uniformly strong across the country, experts said on Tuesday. Talking about the impact of extreme heat at the India Heat Summit 2025, organised by research group Climate Trends, Health Ministry Advisor Soumya Swaminathan said deaths are just the tip of the iceberg. "We do not fully count all the deaths attributable to climate hazards or to heat as reporting systems are not uniformly strong across the country," she said. There is a need to strengthen death-reporting systems "because that is the best source for the government, for the policymakers to know ... what people die of is what should inform your policy and that keeps changing from time to time", Swaminathan said. She had earlier told PTI in an interview that India is "most likely" undercounting heat-related deaths due to a lack of robust data. The former chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said data has been sitting in silos and called for the establishment of an environmental health hub , where the ministries of health, environment and earth sciences come together, share data and translate information into action. Swaminathan, however, warned against focusing only on deaths. "It is not just the mortality we need to be fixated on.... (We need to ascertain) the impact on health and productivity. Ultimately, health determines your productivity and impact on the GDP," she said. Chandni Singh, a researcher at the Indian Institute of Human Settlements, said there are challenges in how India records heat deaths and there is no good dataset to refer to. "Currently, there is no nationally representative data on heatstroke and heat-related deaths. One can, however, draw inferences from the existing datasets," she said. The health ministry's National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has been collecting and reporting heatstroke and heat-death data under the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme (IDSP) since 2015. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) also maintains data related to heat deaths, sourced from media reports. Apart from this, Union Earth Sciences Minister Jitendra Singh has cited the National Crime Records Bureau's (NCRB) data on heat deaths in parliamentary replies. All three datasets report different figures for heat-related deaths. For example, according to the NCDC, a total of 3,775 heat-related deaths were reported between 2015 and 2019. During the same period, the NCRB recorded 6,537 heat-related deaths. Swaminathan also said that though the number of heat action plans is increasing, these are developed by a group of experts sitting together, there is very little community consultation that has gone into these and there is very little ground truthing and very little feedback collected. Krishna Vatsa, member, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), said the country lacks a "very well established academic or technical centre.... A group of people who could help districts prepare heat action plans". "We do not have one designated, proper centre of excellence for dissemination of all the knowledge and expertise," he said. Vatsa said if it were left just to officers to write heat action plans, it would not be very successful and more handholding and technical training were needed.
