NEWS BULLETIN a Weekly Publication from NIRT Library

2021 | Vol.4 | Issue No.26 28 June 2021 | Vol.4 | #26

NEWS BULLETIN A weekly publication from NIRT Library

The last–and only–

foreign scientist in the No question of anyone being left out in Wuhan lab speaks out Covid vaccination due to digital divide: By: Bloomberg | June 28, 2021 12:29:15 pm Centre to SC An expert in bat-borne viruses, A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud had in its May Danielle Anderson is the only foreign 31 order observed that a vaccination policy exclusively relying scientist to have undertaken on digital portal Co-WIN for inoculating those aged between research at the Wuhan Institute of 18 to 44 years would be unable to meet its target of universal Virology’s BSL-4 lab, the first in immunisation due to "digital divide" and marginalised sections mainland China equipped to handle of society would bear the brunt of "accessibility barrier". the planet’s deadliest pathogens.

By: PTI | New Delhi | June 26, 2021 10:43:53 pm

Danielle Anderson was working in what has become the world’s most notorious laboratory just weeks before the first known cases of Covid-19 emerged in central China. (Bloomberg)

Danielle Anderson was working in what has become the world’s most notorious laboratory just weeks The affidavit said that on-site registrations, also known as walk-in before the first known cases of Covid- registration, and vaccinations have been permitted for all beneficiaries 19 emerged in central China. Yet, through a May 23 circular. (File photo) the.

Continued in page no.6 There is no question of anyone being left out in been registered in the onsite — walk-in or non- the COVID-19 vaccination drive due to “digital digital — mode, it said. divide” and the Co-WIN system is designed to provide required flexibilities to states and Union The affidavit said if a person having no access to Territories to overcome barriers to access, the either internet or digital devices or does not wish Centre told the Supreme Court on Saturday. to self-register wants to be vaccinated, he or she can visit the nearest vaccination centre where a In an affidavit filed in the apex court in the suo health worker would register him in the device of motu case on distribution of essential supplies the respective centre on the Co-WIN platform and the person would be vaccinated. and services during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centre said there is “no impediment” on It said that all the necessary features to ensure vaccination based on availability or otherwise of that every eligible individual has access to digital device or internet. vaccination, regardless of any of physical, digital or socio-economic barriers to access, have been Online registration, prior self-registration and incorporated in Co-WIN. booking of appointment on Co-WIN is also not mandatory to avail vaccination services, it The affidavit said that on-site registrations, also stated. known as walk-in registration, and vaccinations have been permitted for all beneficiaries A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud through a May 23 circular. had in its May 31 order observed that a vaccination policy exclusively relying on digital “Therefore, on and from May 23, 2021, any portal Co-WIN for inoculating those aged person above the age group of 18 years can visit between 18 to 44 years would be unable to meet any vaccination centre and get vaccinated its target of universal immunisation due to without himself/herself pre-registering on Co-WIN “digital divide” and marginalised sections of platform,” it said. society would bear the brunt of “accessibility barrier”. The affidavit said it is understandable that rural and tribal areas in the country have lower “It is submitted that the Co-WIN system is access to digital mediums and internet, and the inclusive and has been designed to provide the Centre is fully cognisant of the same. necessary features and the required flexibilities to states/UTs and their officials to overcome the The Centre, being aware of the situation, has challenges posed by various state specific adopted various other modes to provide citizens problems and barriers to access,” the with the vaccine in such areas, it said. government said in its affidavit. The affidavit said that “as reported by states on “There is no question of any person being left out Co-WIN, in the period from May 1, 2021 till June due to any digital divide. Thus, it may not be 23, 2021, out of the total 1,31,204 Covid correct to conclude that the technology or Vaccination Centres (CVCs) providing methodology adopted is resulting in exclusion of vaccination services, 33,342 are operated at some persons or any particular class,” it said. sub-health centres, 28,168 at the primary health centres and 9,932 at the community health It is submitted that, as on June 23, that of the centres, amounting to 54.45 per cent of the total 32.22 crore beneficiaries registered on Co-WIN, vaccination centres”. 19.13 crore (59 per cent) beneficiaries have “The CVCs at the sub-health centres, the primary health centres and the community health centres are in rural areas,” it said and also The affidavit said that several measures have mentioned that a feature for tagging already been taken to improve the access for vaccination centres as rural or urban has been those who are visually challenged. introduced in Co-WIN with effect from June 5. “Directions are given to all district level officers “Out of the total 1,24,969 vaccination centres so for providing assistance to differently abled far classified by state governments on Co-WIN as persons for matter related to COVID-19,” it said, rural centre or urban centre, 93,044 vaccination adding that “in addition, the Union Ministry of centres i.e. 74.45 per cent, are located in rural Health and Family Welfare has recently issued areas,” it said. directions to states/UTs to facilitate differently abled persons and senior citizens in Covid The affidavit said that according to data vaccination”. available on Co-WIN, as on June 23, out of the total 29.68 crore vaccine doses recorded on Co- WIN, 23.12 crore doses (nearly 78 per cent of all vaccine doses) have been administered through onsite or walk-in vaccination.

It said that as on June 23, 1,50,988 persons without identity cards have been vaccinated as per the prevailing system. Plea for 100% procurement by The affidavit said that “39,01,126 beneficiaries Centre have been vaccinated through the functionality of near-to-home vaccination sessions, NEW DELHI, JUNE 23, 2021 04:19 IST introduced recently”. “The policy is aimed at creating super profits It said that according to data available on Co- for hospitals and will lead to a massive vaccine WIN, as on June 23, vaccination per million inequality” population in tribal districts is better than the national average. An application has been filed in the Supreme Court challenging the Central government’s The government in its affidavit said that “97 out policy to allow 25% of the domestically of 176 tribal districts are performing better than manufactured COVID-19 vaccines to be all India vaccination coverage” and added that procured by private hospitals. “more walk-in vaccinations are happening in tribal districts as compared to the national The plea filed by John Brittas, CPI(M) Rajya average”. Sabha MP, and Professor R. Ramakumar of the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, said It said in order to further improve access for that the new policy will cause a reservation for citizens as well as field functionaries operating the rich and urban people. The application has the Co-WIN portal, multi-lingual citizen and user urged the top court to direct the Centre to take interfaces are now available in 12 languages on over 100% procurement Co-WIN, including Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Telugu, Oriya, Gurumukhi, Bengali and English.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 3 The plea has cited statistics from the past to be readmitted after developing the fungal vaccination drives, including tuberculosis, DPT3 infection. and polio, where contribution of the private sector was negligible. Already, the application Dr Ashutosh Dhanuka, (DM, Pulmonology and argues, there is a massive under-utilisation of Critical Care) practicing at Sacred Heart vaccines by the private hospitals. Hospital, Jalandhar informed that post discharge, the patient reported in the OPD with complaints of low-grade fever, cough and blood in sputum and was re-admitted on June 14.

Since, the patient was a follow up case of Severe Covid-19 infection, the possibility of a fungal infection was not ruled out and a series of

medical investigations like bronchoscopy, Second green fungus case in microbial cultures were performed. Punjab — at same Jalandhar As suspected by Dr Dhanuka, the fungal culture report came positive for Aspergillus Flavus (green hospital fungus) and the anti-fungal medications are being given to the patient and his condition is Previously, two cases of black fungus and one improving. case of green fungus involving lungs have been diagnosed at Sacred Heart Hospital. Dr Ashutosh has informed that multiple factors By: Express News Service | Jalandhar | such as diabetes, use of steroids and underlying June 23, 2021 3:19:50 am damaged lungs predispose patients to secondary infections and hence the cases of green fungus and black fungus are on rise in India.

Previously, two cases of black fungus and one case of green fungus involving lungs have been diagnosed at Sacred Heart Hospital.

If thorough screening is not done to finalise the diagnosis, the same could be misinterpreted as Tuberculosis, bacterial infections or even residual A 43-year-old resident of Jalandhar was diagnosed with lesions of Covid and this would be detrimental for the disease at district’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Maqsudan. (Representational) the patient and possibly fatal, said the doctor.

Another case of green fungus has been reported He said that the symptoms of green fungus could in Punjab. A 43-year-old resident of Jalandhar vary from patient to patient, however cough, was diagnosed with the disease at district’s fever, breathing difficulty, weight loss, blood in Sacred Heart Hospital in Maqsudan. sputum, weakness are the commonly found symptoms. The symptoms of fungal infections While he was discharged from the same hospital (green/ black), tuberculosis as well as bacterial after being cured of Covid-19 on June 3, he had infections are similar.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 4 The patients who require hospitalisation for Covid அகரித் வற. கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல் -19 should remain watchful of these symptoms 68,885 ேபர் ணமைடந் post recovery. They should also take good diet, ம்ள்ளாரக் ள். maintain good blood sugar control and avoid places which have possible high fungal loads like கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல் தாகத் ெதாற்க் rooms with inadequate ventilation, wet and ஆளானவரக் ைள டக் தலாக 14,816 ேபர் marshy areas in the parks and fields under ணமைடந்தனர். cultivation of paddy. இவைர ெமாத்தம் 2,90,63,740 ேபர் ேகாட்-19 ெதாற்ந் ணமைடந்ள்ளனர். இதன்ப ணமைடந்தவரக் ள் எண்ணிக்ைக

96.61 சததமாக அகரித்ள்ள.

கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல் 18,59,469 பரிேசாதைனகம், இந்யால் இவைர ெமாத்தம் 39,78,32,667 பரிேசாதைனகம் ேமற்ெகாள்ளப்பட்ள்ளன. இந்யால் ேகாட் தப்: 30 ேகாைய கடந்த வாராந்ர ெதாற் உ சததம் 3.04 Published : 24 Jun 2021 17:09 pm சததமாகம், னசரி ெதாற் உ தம் 2.91 சததமாகம் பவாள்ள. இந்யால் ெசத்தப்பட்ள்ள ேகாட் ெதாடரந் ் 17 நாடக் ளாக இந்த எண்ணிக்ைக 5 தப்களின் எண்ணிக்ைக 30 ேகா என்ற சததத்ற்ம் ைறவாக உள்ள. எண்ணிக்ைகைய கடந்ள்ள.

இன் காைல 7 மணி நிலவரப்ப, ெமாத்தம் 40,45,516 காம்களில் 30,16,26,028 தப்கள் ேபாடப்பட்ள்ளன. கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல்

64,89,599 தப் ேடாஸ்கள் ெசத்தப்பட்டன.

கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல் 54,069 ேபர் Vaccine drive stepped up at பாக்கப்பட்ள்ளனர். இைதயத், 17-வ housing societies, Pune hopeful நாளாக அன்றாட ய பாப்கள் ஒ லடச் த்ற்ம் ழ் பவாள்ள of reaching 50-lakh milestone in a week நம் நாட்ல் ெகாட் ெதாற்க் சை் சப் ெபேவாரின் எண்ணிக்ைக 6,27,057 ஆகக் Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | ைறந்ள்ள. இ, நாட்ன்ெமாத்த Updated: June 28, 2021 11:46:56 pm பாப்ல் ெவம் 2.08 சததமாம். Just like workplace vaccination, societies willing சை் ச ெபேவாரின் எண்ணிக்ைகல் to pay for the jabs will have to register and sign கடந்த 24 மணி ேநரத்ல் 16,137 சரிந்ள்ள a Memorandum of Understanding with the hospitals. ெதாடரந் ் 42-வ நாளாக, ய பாப்கைள ட னசரி ணமைடேவாரின் எண்ணிக்ைக

NIRT Library News Bulletin 5 go-ahead for paid vaccinations at housing societies. “Just like workplaces, societies willing to pay for the Covid jab will have to register and sign an MoU. Our ambulances with teams of doctors and nurses will then visit the societies and administer the vaccine dose,” Dr Natarajan said.

Noble Hospital executive director Dr HK Sale said the hospital had already commenced such drives and signed MoUs with 10 societies so far.

People queue up at Laparo Obeso Centre in Pune to get Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, Assistant Director vaccinated. (Express Photo: Arul Horizon) (Medical), Pune circle, which includes Pune,

Satara and Solapur, said that after a gap, Pune With almost a lakh Covid-19 jabs being is now able to administer almost a lakh jabs to its administered to residents daily in the last few residents daily. “The aim is to remain consistent days, authorities in Pune are hopeful that the and vaccinate as many as possible,” he said. district will achieve the milestone of 50 lakh According to the state health department data, vaccinations in a week’s time. a total of 19.14 lakh persons above the age of 45 While state capital Mumbai has already crossed have got their first vaccine dose while 5.59 lakh the 50-lakh mark, Pune has succeeded in persons in the age group have got both the jabs. administering 43.48 lakh vaccine doses to its Ever since the vaccination drive for 18-44 age citizens till date. group was made free-of-cost and availability In the city, Rubal Agarwal, Additional Municipal improved, there has been a steady increase in Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation the numbers, officials said. In Pune district, a total (PMC), told The Indian Express that 16 lakh Covid of 12.27 lakh persons in this age group have vaccinations have already taken place, adding been administered the first dose of the Covid-19 efforts were on to increase the numbers with the vaccine while 29,094 people have got both jabs. help of private hospitals and housing societies.

“We are increasing the private hospitals’ network and taking forward the aim of vaccinations at Continued from page no.1 society level,” Agarwal said.

As many as 121 housing societies have already The last–and only–foreign scientist in been given permission for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with private hospitals and the Wuhan lab speaks out those who can afford it, can go ahead with the immunisation drive, said Dr Vaishali Jadhav, ……The Australian virologist still wonders what Assistant Medical Officer (Health), PMC. she missed. The PMC area has been witnessing over 50,000 vaccinations a day since the last few days. An expert in bat-borne viruses, Anderson is the only foreign scientist to have undertaken Dr Vijay Natarajan, chief executive officer of research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s BSL- Symbiosis Hospital, said the PMC had given it the 4 lab, the first in mainland China equipped to

NIRT Library News Bulletin 6 handle the planet’s deadliest pathogens. Her Now at Melbourne’s Peter Doherty Institute for most recent stint ended in November 2019, Infection and Immunity, Anderson began giving Anderson an insider’s perspective on a collaborating with Wuhan researchers in 2016, place that’s become a flashpoint in the search when she was scientific director of the biosafety for what caused the worst pandemic in a lab at Singapore’s Duke-NUS Medical School. century. Her research—which focuses on why lethal viruses like Ebola and Nipah cause no disease in The emergence of the coronavirus in the same the bats in which they perpetually circulate— city where institute scientists, clad head-to-toe in complemented studies underway at the Chinese protective gear, study that exact family of viruses institute, which offered funding to encourage has stoked speculation that it might have leaked international collaboration. from the lab, possibly via an infected staffer or a contaminated object. China’s lack of A rising star in the virology community, Anderson, transparency since the earliest days of the 42, says her work on Ebola in Wuhan was the outbreak fueled those suspicions, which have realization of a life-long career goal. Her favorite been seized on by the U.S. That’s turned the movie is “Outbreak,” the 1995 film in which quest to uncover the origins of the virus, critical disease experts respond to a dangerous new for preventing future pandemics, into a virus—a job Anderson said she wanted to do. For geopolitical minefield. her, that meant working on Ebola in a high- containment laboratory. The work of the lab and the director of its emerging infectious diseases section—Shi Anderson’s career has taken her all over the Zhengli, a long-time colleague of Anderson’s world. After obtaining an undergraduate degree dubbed ‘Batwoman’ for her work hunting viruses from Deakin University in Geelong, Australia, she in caves—is now shrouded in controversy. The worked as a lab technician at the Dana- U.S. has questioned the lab’s safety and alleged Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, then returned its scientists were engaged in contentious gain of to Australia to complete a PhD under the function research that manipulated viruses in a supervision of eminent virologists John manner that could have made them more Mackenzie and Linfa Wang. She did post- dangerous. doctoral work in Montreal, before moving to Singapore and working again with Wang, who It’s a stark contrast to the place Anderson described Anderson as “very committed and described in an interview with Bloomberg News, dedicated,” and similar in personality to Shi. the first in which she’s shared details about working at the lab. “They’re both very blunt with such high moral standards,” Wang said by phone from Half-truths and distorted information have Singapore, where he’s the director of the obscured an accurate accounting of the lab’s emerging infectious diseases program at the functions and activities, which were more routine Duke-NUS Medical School. “I’m very proud of than how they’ve been portrayed in the media, what Danielle’s been able to do.” she said.

“It’s not that it was boring, but it was a regular On the Ground lab that worked in the same way as any other Anderson was on the ground in Wuhan when high-containment lab,” Anderson said. “What experts believe the virus, now known as SARS- people are saying is just not how it is.” CoV-2, was beginning to spread. Daily visits for a

NIRT Library News Bulletin 7 period in late 2019 put her in close proximity to connected via a headset to colleagues in the many others working at the 65-year-old research lab’s command center to enable constant center. She was part of a group that gathered communication and safety vigilance—steps each morning at the Chinese Academy of designed to ensure nothing went awry. Sciences to catch a bus that shuttled them to the institute about 20 miles away. However, the Trump administration’s focus in 2020 on the idea the virus escaped from the As the sole foreigner, Anderson stood out, and Wuhan facility suggested that something went she said the other researchers there looked out seriously wrong at the institute, the only one to for her. specialize in virology, viral pathology and virus technology of the some 20 biological and “We went to dinners together, lunches, we saw biomedical research institutes of the Chinese each other outside of the lab,” she said. Academy of Sciences.

From her first visit before it formally opened in Virologists and infectious disease experts initially 2018, Anderson was impressed with the institute’s dismissed the theory, noting that viruses jump maximum biocontainment lab. The concrete, from animals to humans with regularity. There bunker-style building has the highest biosafety was no clear evidence from within SARS-CoV-2’s designation, and requires air, water and waste to genome that it had been artificially be filtered and sterilized before it leaves the manipulated, or that the lab harbored facility. There were strict protocols and progenitor strains of the pandemic virus. Political requirements aimed at containing the observers suggested the allegations had a pathogens being studied, Anderson said, and strategic basis and were designed to put researchers underwent 45 hours of training to be pressure on Beijing. certified to work independently in the lab. And yet, China’s actions raised questions. The The induction process required scientists to government refused to allow international demonstrate their knowledge of containment scientists into Wuhan in early 2020 when the procedures and their competency in wearing outbreak was mushrooming, including experts air-pressured suits. “It’s very, very extensive,” from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Anderson said. Prevention, who were already in the region.

Entering and exiting the facility was a carefully Beijing stonewalled on allowing World Health choreographed endeavor, she said. Departures Organization experts into Wuhan for more than a were made especially intricate by a requirement year, and then provided only limited access. The to take both a chemical shower and a personal WHO team’s final report, written with and vetted shower—the timings of which were precisely by Chinese researchers, played down the planned. possibility of a lab leak. Instead, it said the virus probably spread via a bat through another Special Disinfectants animal, and gave some credence to a favored These rules are mandatory across BSL-4 labs, Chinese theory that it could have been though Anderson noted differences compared transferred via frozen food. with similar facilities in Europe, Singapore and Australia in which she’s worked. The Wuhan lab Never Sick uses a bespoke method to make and monitor its China’s obfuscation led outside researchers to disinfectants daily, a system Anderson was reconsider their stance. Last month, 18 scientists inspired to introduce in her own lab. She was writing in the journal Science called for an

NIRT Library News Bulletin 8 investigation into Covid-19’s origins that would now-famous bat-virus researcher, have give balanced consideration to the possibility of repeatedly denied that anyone from the facility a lab accident. Even the director-general of the contracted Covid-19. Anderson’s work at the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the facility, and her funding, ended after the lab theory hadn’t been studied extensively pandemic emerged and she focused on the enough. novel coronavirus.

But it’s U.S. President Joe Biden’s consideration of ‘I’m Not Naive’ the idea—previously dismissed by many as a Trumpist conspiracy theory—that has given it It’s not that it’s impossible the virus spilled from newfound legitimacy. Biden called on America’s there. Anderson, better than most people, intelligence agencies last month to redouble understands how a pathogen can escape from their efforts in rooting out the genesis of Covid-19 a laboratory. SARS, an earlier coronavirus that after an earlier report, disclosed by the Wall emerged in Asia in 2002 and killed more than 700 Street Journal, claimed three researchers from people, subsequently made its way out of secure the lab were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms facilities a handful of times, she said. in November 2019. If presented with evidence that such an What the World Wants China to Disclose in Wuhan accident spawned Covid-19, Anderson “could Lab Leak Probe foresee how things could maybe happen,” she said. “I’m not naive enough to say I absolutely Anderson said no one she knew at the Wuhan write this off.” institute was ill toward the end of 2019. Moreover, there is a procedure for reporting symptoms that And yet, she still believes it most likely came from correspond with the pathogens handled in high- a natural source. Since it took researchers almost risk containment labs. a decade to pin down where in nature the SARS pathogen emerged, Anderson says she’s not “If people were sick, I assume that I would have surprised they haven’t found the “smoking gun” been sick—and I wasn’t,” she said. “I was tested bat responsible for the latest outbreak yet. for coronavirus in Singapore before I was vaccinated, and had never had it.” The Wuhan Institute of Virology is large enough that Anderson said she didn’t know what Not only that, many of Anderson’s collaborators everyone was working on at the end of 2019. She in Wuhan came to Singapore at the end of is aware of published research from the lab that December for a gathering on Nipah virus. There involved testing viral components for their was no word of any illness sweeping the propensity to infect human cells. Anderson is laboratory, she said. convinced no virus was made intentionally to infect people and deliberately released—one of “There was no chatter,” Anderson said. the more disturbing theories to have emerged “Scientists are gossipy and excited. There was about the pandemic’s origins. nothing strange from my point of view going on at that point that would make you think Gain of Function something is going on here.” Anderson did concede that it would be theoretically possible for a scientist in the lab to The names of the scientists reported to have be working on a gain of function technique to been hospitalized haven’t been disclosed. The unknowingly infect themselves and to then Chinese government and Shi Zhengli, the lab’s unintentionally infect others in the community.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 9 But there’s no evidence that occurred and coronavirus scientists have experienced over the Anderson rated its likelihood as exceedingly slim. past 18 months have made them hesitant to speak out because of the risk that their words will Getting authorization to create a virus in this way be misconstrued. typically requires many layers of approval, and there are scientific best practices that put strict The elements known to trigger infectious limits on this kind of work. For example, a outbreaks—the mixing of humans and animals, moratorium was placed on research that could especially wildlife—were present in Wuhan, be done on the 1918 Spanish Flu virus after creating an environment conducive for the scientists isolated it decades later. spillover of a new zoonotic disease. In that respect, the emergence of Covid-19 follows a Even if such a gain of function effort got familiar pattern. What’s shocking to Anderson is clearance, it’s hard to achieve, Anderson said. the way it unfurled into a global contagion. The technique is called reverse genetics. “The pandemic is something no one could have “It’s exceedingly difficult to actually make it work imagined on this scale,” she said. Researchers when you want it to work,” she said. must study Covid’s calamitous path to determine what went wrong and how to stop the Anderson’s lab in Singapore was one of the first spread of future pathogens with pandemic to isolate SARS-CoV-2 from a Covid patient potential. outside China and then to grow the virus. It was complicated and challenging, even for a team “The virus was in the right place at the right time used to working with coronaviruses that knew its and everything lined up to cause this disaster.” biological characteristics, including which protein receptor it targets. These key facets wouldn’t be known by anyone trying to craft a new virus, she said. Even then, the material that researchers study—the virus’s basic building blocks and genetic fingerprint—aren’t initially infectious, so they would need to culture significant amounts to infect people. How to boost immunity for growing kids, especially during Despite this, Anderson does think an investigation is needed to nail down the virus’s the pandemic origin once and for all. She’s dumbfounded by the portrayal of the lab by some media outside A growing child does not need too many pills China, and the toxic attacks on scientists that and supplements to help increase his/her have ensued. immunity to fight off viruses.

One of a dozen experts appointed to an By: Parenting Desk | New Delhi | international taskforce in November to study the June 28, 2021 6:05:45 pm origins of the virus, Anderson hasn’t sought public By Dr Prashanth Gowda attention, especially since being targeted by U.S. extremists in early 2020 after she exposed A year ago, nobody could have imagined that false information about the pandemic posted anything like a pandemic could occur and that online. The vitriol that ensued prompted her to our worlds would turn upside down. COVID- file a police report. The threats of violence many

NIRT Library News Bulletin 10 19 has had an all-encompassing effect on our spiked by a huge percentage. Everyone was lives. Most of us are facing challenges; not only looking for ways to increase their health. They related to dealing with COVID but, financial turned towards synthetic supplements like the challenges, lack of food/shelter/ employment/ pills listed above. A huge population of India felt social interactions, etc. It is not easy dealing with like everyone in their home needed and something that has crept into every decision of increased immunity instantly and what better our lives – be it education, to food, to holidays or than supplements. Indians demanded immunity- even weddings. The second wave has impacted boosting products /supplements, the us even more since there is almost no one who pharmaceuticals, and the brands provided. has not lost a close friend or a loved one. With Many products were re-branded as immunity multiple variants in the country, we should look boosters while some were being launched. Many after each other. We must keep our immunity products portrayed that it had supplements high so that, god forbid, one contracts the virus- added in it which could really help one improve the body has the power to fight off the virus. their immunity. The markets and the online stock were filled with immunity-boosting milk /supplements, protein shakes, etc. which assured increased protection against the deadly virus. Supplements and products have been selling like hotcakes.

However, the real question is whether immunity boosters are beneficial or is all this just a hoax? The WHO (World Health Organization) denies the fact that vitamin supplements help people fight against COVID-19. Increased exercise (aerobics, jogging, cycling, or yoga may help) may keep the kid healthy. (Photo: Canva) Let us discuss Zinc supplements. The majority population in India is in some way persuaded Which immunity boosters are recommended? that taking Zinc supplements daily will guarantee Increasing immunity is the new obsession. To a boost in their immunity. But do you really know keep our immunity high, health specialists have how these Zinc tablets affect your child growing recommended different types of immunity up? These pills can have a drastic impact on the boosters for children and adults alike. Some of health of a growing-up child. Consuming too the immunity boosters that are suggested are: many zinc pills can:

 Vitamin C  Harm the nervous system  Vitamin D  Cause anaemia  Vitamin A  Result in copper deficiency  Vitamin E Some cases also show that the use of Zinc nasal  Zinc Supplements sprays can damage the sense of smell. Taking  Omega 3 fatty acids zinc pills more than required can heighten the Are immunity boosters helpful? chances of developing prostate cancer.

When the pandemic hit the world, and India in Another pill that the adults feel is good for their particular, the search for immunity boosters children is Vitamin C, whereas intake of all these vitamin supplements can be harmful to a child

NIRT Library News Bulletin 11 who is growing up. Giving too many pills for a long period of time to a child can:

 Impact the functioning of their organs  Cause premature arthritis Chennai artist designs auto-  Cause mouth ulcers rickshaw with syringes and vials  Cause muscle pain to create awareness about What can parents substitute for supplements? Covid-19 vaccination A growing child does not need too many pills and supplements to help increase his/her Gowtham, the founder of 'Art Kingdom' who had immunity to fight off viruses. What the child really earlier created a coronavirus-inspired helmet needs is: donned by a police inspector during the first wave of Covid, modified the auto-rickshaw in  A balanced diet collaboration with the Greater Chennai  Home-cooked meal Corporation.  Increased exercise (aerobics, jogging, cycling, or yoga may help) Written by Janardhan Koushik | Chennai | June 28, 2021 6:50:11 pm  A minimum of 8 hours of sleep  Increased intake of water A Chennai-based artist has modelled an auto-  Take all safety precautions rickshaw after vaccines in a bid to raise awareness  Keep the room/house effectively ventilated about Covid-19 vaccination. Large replicas of  Have a schedule for the child syringes and vaccine vials have been attached to  Get your child vaccinated as soon as it is the vehicle modified using pipes, plywood, available and advised by the health cardboard and painted in light blue colour specialists Gowtham, the founder of ‘Art Kingdom’ who had earlier created a coronavirus-inspired helmet To replace the supplements like Zinc and donned by a police inspector during the first wave Vitamins, feed them foods that are high in of …...Covid, modified the auto-rickshaw in vitamins/proteins/zinc, etc. Some foods rich in collaboration with the Greater Chennai zinc are nuts, beans, bananas, oysters, whole Corporation. grains, dairy foods like cheese, and many more. Food rich in vitamin C is- grapefruit, oranges, “I was working on creating the awareness around broccoli, potatoes, peppers, and many more. vaccination and I approached Greater Chennai When a child needs supplements his or her Corporation which was also planning to do doctor will themselves advise them to take the something similar. So together we came up with supplements and that too in a restricted manner. ‘vaccine auto’. The project was supposed to be materialised two months ago but unfortunately it

NIRT Library News Bulletin 12 got delayed as I was infected with Covid-19,” volunteers give out pamphlets related to vaccines Gowtham told indianexpress.com and encourage people to ask their queries about

vaccination.

“Despite so much effort put by GCC, many people in the city are still not aware of the vaccines. There is a fear factor as well. We explain to them how vaccines have eradicated diseases in the past. A woman came up to me and said she had no idea about vaccines. I told her to approach a nearby primary healthcare centre The auto is run by a person named Manikandan who carrying the required documents to get covers each zone of the corporation on a day-to-day vaccinated. Many people are unaware of the basis. (Photo: Art Kingdom) difference between Covishield and Covaxin and we were explaining them all these things in a

simple language,” he said. The auto is run by a person named Manikandan The auto is designed in such a way that there will who covers each zone of the corporation on a be no damage to it even if there is rain and it can day-to-day basis. Gowtham says the zonal travel at a speed up to 80 kmph, said Gowtham. medical officers would provide them with a list of areas where there is a lack of awareness about

vaccination. GCC zone supervisors will also be present during the drive. Gowtham and other

NIRT Library News Bulletin 13 Commission for Protection of Child Rights (ASCPCR) officials went to monitor the situation.

“Since several children across the state have tested positive, we have sent letters to all district Assam: More than 30,000 deputy commissioners and joint directors of children have tested positive health, asking them to take up the matter,” said ASCPCR member Rupa Hazarika. “We have during second wave of made a set of recommendations. They include pandemic paediatric ICUs, child-friendly wards for Covid- positive kids, along with arrangements for A release from the National Health Mission, mothers and caretakers as well separate delivery Assam on Monday said that out of the 2.8 lakh rooms,” she said. Covid-positive cases between April 1 and June Lakshmanan S, Assam’s Mission Director of the 26 this year, 34,606 fell in the under-18 age National Health Mission, said that children group. accounted for eight per cent of the total cases Written by Tora Agarwala | Guwahati | in the first wave. “This figure has gone up to 12 Updated: June 28, 2021 9:52:41 pm per cent this year. Earlier, a major portion of those in the below-10 age group was exempted As many as 34,606 children below the age of 18 from testing. This time, however, if an adult has have tested positive for Covid-19 during the tested positive and is under home isolation, we second wave of the pandemic in Assam, have tested the children as well. Therefore, there authorities have said. This accounts for 12 per has been an increase in the number of children cent of the total cases reported since April 1 this testing positive,” he said. year. He added that out of the 34,606 positive cases, A release from the National Health Mission, 34 have succumbed to the infection — 0.1 per Assam on Monday said that out of the 2.8 lakh cent of the total cases. “It is mostly because of Covid-positive cases between April 1 and June comorbidities such as congenital diseases 26 this year, 34,606 fell in the under-18 age group. affecting the heart, kidney, etc,” he said. While 5,755 children under five years of age tested positive, 28,851 infections were recorded The district with the highest number of cases in the six to 18 age group. among the under-18 age group is Kamrup (Metro), with 5,346 children infected. “To stop “Among the children affected, most of them are the spread of infections among kids, we prefer in the 10 to 18 age group,” Health Minister that parents should opt for institutional Keshab Mahanta told the media on Monday, quarantine,” he said, adding since there was no adding that the government has taken note of vaccine for children yet, the need to follow the development. “We are taking a number of Covid-appropriate behaviour was crucial. steps including activating paediatric ICUs in all medical colleges in the state, as well as district hospitals,” he said.

On Monday, 11 children in a special children’s home at Tezpur in Sonitpur district tested positive for the virus, following which the Assam State

NIRT Library News Bulletin 14 “There is a delay on the part of the suppliers. They have not shared any specific reason for it. I think it could be related to the supply of both the doses together,” he said. More delay in Covid vaccine ‘Sputnik V’ roll-out in Delhi-NCR Sputnik V uses two different viruses that cause the common cold (adenovirus) in humans. The two doses, given 21 days apart, are different and Indraprastha Apollo here had earlier said that it not interchangeable. would tentatively start administering the two- dose vaccine by June 25. Fortis Healthcare, which had said that it would

By: PTI | New Delhi | make Sputnik V available at its Gurgaon and Updated: June 27, 2021 1:28:45 pm Mohali hospitals, has also not started administering the Russian vaccine to people so The roll-out of Russian COVID-19 vaccine far. ‘Sputnik V’ at various private hospitals in the Delhi-NCR region has been delayed again, The Centre has fixed the price of the vaccine at officials said on Sunday. Rs 1,145 per dose. The maximum price of Covishield for private COVID-19 Vaccination “We do not have a clarity on the dates of the Centres (CVCs) has been fixed at RS 780 per vaccine roll-out,” a spokesman of Apollo dose, while that of Covaxin at Rs 1,410 per dose. Hospitals said. Russia’s Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology has developed the vaccine and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) is marketing it globally.

Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has been importing the shots from Russia. Over a period of time, the vaccine is also going to be manufactured in India.

According to Gamaleya and the RDIF, Sputnik V has demonstrated an efficacy rate of 92 per A spokesperson from Apollo also stated that there is no cent. update on the availability of the Sputnik V vaccine at the hospital. (Representational Photo/Reuters)

Indraprastha Apollo here had earlier said that it would tentatively start administering the two- dose vaccine by June 25.

An official of Madhukar Rainbow Children’s Hospital said the facility has also not received Foods that will help maximise Sputnik V doses so far from Hyderabad-based Dr the effect of Covid-19 vaccine Reddy’s Laboratories, the marketing partner for the vaccine in the country. "Besides including these food items, make sure to avoid eating processed foods and drink lots of

NIRT Library News Bulletin 15 water. If you experience any severe symptoms, buckwheat, oats, etc. also helps to promote contact your physician immediately," said energy levels and counter weakness in the body. Shweta Gupta, celebrity nutritionist and dietitian

By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | June 26, 2021 9:10:23 am

Consuming whole grains promote gut health and result in better immune responses. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock)

You can eat raw vegetables in salads or include them in Raw turmeric soups to increase the body’s metabolism and maintain overall good health (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) Known as the wonder spice, turmeric has anti- bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti- Many are looking forward to booking their slots fungal properties that help to promote the and get jabbed as soon as possible. However, growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. Curcumin some people are concerned about the side- is a bioactive compound present in turmeric, effects experienced after vaccine which modulates the immune system and works administration such as headache, mild fever, as an elixir to ward off cold, flu, or other body ache, weakness, and fatigue. Since infections. You can drink a glass of warm immunisation against the coronavirus is essential, turmeric milk or turmeric tea to achieve its one should not fear taking the jab, said Shweta immense health benefits and reduce the side Gupta, celebrity nutritionist and dietitian, effects of the jab. founder, New Beginnings. Green vegetables “Instead make little changes to your diet to minimise side effects and maximise the effects of Vegetables are packed with essential nutrients the COVID-19 vaccine. For a speedy recovery such as vitamins A, C, and K, potassium, folate, post-vaccine and to feel back to normal in no magnesium, and other minerals that help to time, add these food items to your diet,” she build immunity. You can eat raw vegetables in suggested. salads or include them in soups to increase the body’s metabolism and maintain overall good Whole-grain foods health. Cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, parsley, asparagus, brussel sprouts, beans are Consuming whole grains promote gut health some of the vegetables that can help to and result in better immune responses. High in accelerate recovery post-vaccination. fibre and polyphenols, whole grains provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits that Ginger help to reduce chronic inflammation. Intake of whole grain foods such as barley, brown rice, Ginger consists of more than 30 amino acids and 500 enzymes and coenzymes, which helps to

NIRT Library News Bulletin 16 provide immune-boosting properties to the Rich countries are opening up societies and body. Consuming ginger helps to combat vaccinating young people who are not at great inflammation and also lower down stress levels. risk from COVID-19, while the poorest countries You can either eat raw ginger, take ginger tea, cruelly lack doses, the World Health Organization or gingerols supplement to feel good after taking said on Friday, condemning a global failure. the jab. The situation in Africa, where new infections and “Besides including these food items, make sure deaths jumped by nearly 40% last week to avoid eating processed foods and drink lots of compared to the previous week, is “so water. If you experience any severe symptoms, dangerous” as the Delta variant spreads contact your physician immediately,” Dr Gupta. globally, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

“Our world is failing, as the global community we are failing,” he told a news conference.

Tedros, who is Ethiopian, chastised unnamed countries for reluctance to share doses with low- Just give us the vaccines, WHO income countries. He compared it to the pleads, as poor countries go HIV/AIDS crisis, when some argued that African nations were unable to use complicated wanting treatments.

The situation in Africa, where new infections and “I mean that attitude has to be a thing of the deaths jumped by nearly 40% last week past,” Tedros said. “The problem now is a supply compared to the previous week, is "so problem, just give us the vaccines.” dangerous" as the Delta variant spreads globally, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom “The difference is between the haves and the Ghebreyesus said. have nots which is now completely exposing the unfairness of our world – the injustice, the By: Reuters | Geneva | inequality, let’s face it,” he said. June 26, 2021 9:47:34 am Many developing countries are much better than industrialised countries in carrying out mass vaccination of their populations against infectious diseases from cholera to polio, WHO’s top emergency expert Mike Ryan said.

“The level of paternalism, the level of colonial mindset that say ‘we can’t give you something because we’re afraid you won’t use it’. I mean seriously, in the middle of a pandemic?” COVAX, run jointly by the GAVI vaccine alliance and the "Our world is failing, as the global community we are failing," WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom WHO, has delivered 90 million COVID-19 vaccine Ghebreyesus said. (Representational image/Pixabay) doses to 132 countries since February, but has faced major supply issues since India suspended vaccine exports.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 17 “We have through COVAX this month zero doses “Many elective surgeries were cancelled to of AstraZeneca vaccines, zero doses of SII redirect resources and healthcare staff to vaccines (Serum Institute of India), zero doses of manage the pandemic. But at the same time, it J & J (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine,” said Bruce has revolutionised clinical care by the Aylward, WHO senior adviser. introduction of telemedicine, artificial intelligence and digital healthcare services. It “The situation right now is dire.” was the need of the hour to shift to the digital medium so that continuous healthcare services

could be provided to the needy patients and curtail the spread of the virus so that patients can

avail the services within the comfort of their houses,” said Dr(Col) R Ranga Rao, chairman- Paras Cancer Center, Paras Hospitals, Covid-19 pandemic leads to Gurugram. 80% drop in routine cancer The pandemic led to a challenging and unprecedented situation for those who did not screening, limits research know that they were battling cancer. “Various studies have suggested that the pandemic led COVID-19 has left a negative impact on cancer to a roughly 80 per cent drop in routine screening care, disrupting the diagnosis and treatment in appointments that could diagnose new cancers most of the patients in India. in March and April. Since cancer screening can’t happen virtually, cases of breast, colon By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | June 26, 2021 9:40:07 pm and cervical cancer also increased. Most of the screenings require an in-person procedure like a colonoscopy (for colon cancer), mammogram (for breast cancer) or a pap smear (for cervical cancer),” he added.

Delays in cancer screenings and treatment are expected to lead to more than 10,000 additional deaths from breast and colorectal cancer over the next decade. (Source: Thinkstock Images)

The uncertainty has introduced new risks for cancer The coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent patients, disrupting the delivery of cancer treatment and lockdowns have impacted not only cancer care the continuity of cancer research. (Source: Getty but also the research in the field. The uncertainty Images) has introduced new risks for cancer patients, disrupting the delivery of cancer treatment and the continuity of research.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 18 The pandemic has taken a toll immunotherapies, but studies have not definitely shown that this is happening, a new report states. Studies show there has been a decline in the number of tests to screen for cervical, breast and Impact on cancer research colon cancer by 85 per cent or more after the first Covid-19 cases were diagnosed in India. To limit the spread of COVID-19, many laboratories have developed new policies so “Delays in cancer screenings and treatment are that limited number of lab workers can enter. This expected to lead to more than 10,000 additional also resulted in putting many studies on hold. deaths from breast and colorectal cancer over Many projects supported by private the next decade. However, as we are getting philanthropy groups faced funding issues. back to normal, many healthcare centres are “Drastically decreased donations to cancer- once again encouraging patients to come in for focused philanthropic organizations have also routine care. Many have implemented safety been witnessed. A report suggests that the protocols (like limitations on visitors, getting rid of American Cancer Society expects a USD 200 waiting rooms and mandatory COVID-19 testing million decrease in donations this year and has for certain patients and staff) that make it safe not been able to accept applications for for most patients to come in for screening tests. research grants for the Fall grant cycle. This is not Doctors are also asking outstation cancer all. Some cancer centers also put a hold on all patients, who are in the advanced stage, to get the enrollment on clinical trials entirely during the their chemotherapy done from their nearest height of the pandemic. A survey of dozens of hospital just in case travelling is an issue,” he clinical investigators in March found that nearly told indianexpress.com. 60 per cent of respondents had halted screening and/or enrollment in certain trials, and that half Covid-19 can be harsh on cancer patients of their institutions had ceased collection of blood and other tissue for research purposes. Covid-19 can lead to a dangerous Despite these challenges, investigators have consequence of having an overaggressive come up with a variety of ways to adapt to immune response known as a “cytokine storm,” challenging circumstances so that trials could which can damage lung and other tissues. continue. These include: leveraging telehealth, Patients with cancer, who are treated with e-signatures for trial documentation and immune-stimulating therapies such as immune shipping oral medications and allowing tests to checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor be done even outside the lab,” he shared. (CAR) T-cell therapies and bi-specific T-cell engagers (BiTEs), are at the risk for complications Lessons learnt from COVID if the immune response produced by these therapies results in an attack on normal, healthy Learn to live with uncertainty tissue. Cancer patients and caregivers, by necessity, Patients treated with CAR T-cell therapies and have to become adept at living in limbo. Will BiTEs, in particular, can develop a side effect cancer come back? We don’t know. Will we be known as cytokine release syndrome, which is alive in two years? Again, undetermined. It’s similar to the cytokine storm in patients with maddening. It’s also a way of life. Covid-19. Researchers have theorised that the virus could aggravate cytokine release Be prepared, not panicky syndrome in patients treated with certain

NIRT Library News Bulletin 19 It’s good to educate yourself, but you want to find the right resources and avoid stories that feed into the panic. The more informed you are, the more you’ll feel in control of what’s happening.

Stay connected with others — and yourself

No matter what happens, it’s essential that one always remains connected to oneself and the loved ones. It’s easy to become isolated and People queue up at Laparo Obeso Centre in Pune to get lonely. But that makes you weak, both mentally vaccinated. (Express Photo: Arul Horizon) and physically. We can’t control what’s While state capital Mumbai has already crossed happening right now, but we can control how the 50-lakh mark, Pune has succeeded in we respond to it. Things may seem to go haywire administering 43.48 lakh vaccine doses to its but every day there’s something to be thankful citizens till date. for. Find what makes you happy and focus on that. In the city, Rubal Agarwal, Additional Municipal Commissioner, Pune Municipal Corporation

(PMC), told The Indian Express that 16 lakh Covid vaccinations have already taken place, adding efforts were on to increase the numbers with the help of private hospitals and housing societies. “We are increasing the private hospitals’ network and taking forward the aim of vaccinations at society level,” Agarwal said. Vaccine drive stepped up at As many as 121 housing societies have already housing societies, Pune hopeful been given permission for a Memorandum of of reaching 50-lakh milestone in Understanding (MoU) with private hospitals and those who can afford it, can go ahead with the a week immunisation drive, said Dr Vaishali Jadhav, Assistant Medical Officer (Health), PMC. Just like workplace vaccination, societies willing The PMC area has been witnessing over 50,000 to pay for the jabs will have to register and sign vaccinations a day since the last few days. a Memorandum of Understanding with the hospitals. Dr Vijay Natarajan, chief executive officer of Symbiosis Hospital, said the PMC had given it the Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | go-ahead for paid vaccinations at housing Updated: June 28, 2021 11:46:56 pm societies. “Just like workplaces, societies willing With almost a lakh Covid-19 jabs being to pay for the Covid jab will have to register and administered to residents daily in the last few sign an MoU. Our ambulances with teams of days, authorities in Pune are hopeful that the doctors and nurses will then visit the societies and district will achieve the milestone of 50 lakh administer the vaccine dose,” Dr Natarajan said. vaccinations in a week’s time.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 20 Noble Hospital executive director Dr HK Sale said and a disciplined and the hospital had already commenced such effective pandemic response can help the drives and signed MoUs with 10 societies so far. country get away from any significant outbreak, Covid Task Force chief V K Paul said on Monday. Dr Sanjay Deshmukh, Assistant Director (Medical), Pune circle, which includes Pune, Amid rising concerns over the Delta plus variant Satara and Solapur, said that after a gap, Pune of the virus, Paul, who is also a Niti Aayog is now able to administer almost a lakh jabs to its Member, asserted that there is no scientific data residents daily. “The aim is to remain consistent so far to establish that the new variant is highly and vaccinate as many as possible,” he said. transmissible or reduces vaccine efficacy.

According to the state health department data, In an interview with PTI, Paul said that another a total of 19.14 lakh persons above the age of 45 wave of any size would be dependent upon have got their first vaccine dose while 5.59 lakh several factors, including overall discipline in persons in the age group have got both the jabs. terms of Covid-appropriate behaviour, testing and containment strategies, and vaccination Ever since the vaccination drive for 18-44 age rates. group was made free-of-cost and availability improved, there has been a steady increase in “And in addition, the unpredictable behaviour the numbers, officials said. In Pune district, a total of the virus can also change the pandemic of 12.27 lakh persons in this age group have dynamics. In such a scenario, their complex been administered the first dose of the Covid-19 factor will determine the chain of transmission vaccine while 29,094 people have got both jabs. and outbreak.

“Occurrence or non-occurrence of any wave, is in our own hands. To my mind, it is not fair to put any date for any wave,” he said.

Daily fresh cases of Covid have come down from four lakhs during the peak of the second Covid No scientific data so far to show wave to around 50,000 in the past few days and Delta plus variant adversely the unlock process or lifting of restrictions is underway in many parts of the country. impacts vaccine efficacy: Dr VK “If we are determined and disciplined and Paul marshal effective pandemic response, we should be in a position to get away from any Amid rising concerns over the Delta plus variant significant outbreak,” Paul said. of the virus, Paul, who is also a Niti Aayog Member, asserted that there is no scientific data Currently, three Covid vaccines — Covaxin by so far to establish that the new variant is highly Bharat Biotech, Covishield by Serum Institute of transmissible or reduces vaccine efficacy. India (SII) and Russia’s Sputnik V — are being used for inoculation in India. By: PTI | New Delhi | Updated: June 28, 2021 8:53:50 pm When asked about the Delta plus variant, Paul said scientific knowledge about it is still in the It will be unfair to put a date for any Covid wave early stage. as the behaviour of coronavirus is unpredictable

NIRT Library News Bulletin 21 “The so-called Delta plus variant exhibits an Indemnity is one of the issues that is still to be additional mutation in the Delta variant and sorted out between the authorities and the since this is a new variant, scientific knowledge is companies — Pfizer and Moderna — with still in the early stage. respect to approving their respective vaccines for use in India. “Whether this additional mutation in the Delta variant is associated with increased About the progress in Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin transmissibility or excess severity of disease, or application for getting Emergency Use Listing any adverse effect on vaccine efficacy is (EUL) certificate from the World Health currently not established and we should wait for Organisation (WHO), Paul said the process is this information to emerge. proceeding very well.

“And we should wait for these aspects to be “Additional documents were submitted by the studied systematically,” he pointed out. company last week. We would like to see an expedited review of the data and hope that the A new viral variant of the coronavirus, Delta Plus, decision will come very soon,” he noted. was identified on June 11, and was recently classified as a variant of concern. On whether the government was looking at reducing the gap between two Covishied doses, Regarding the effectiveness of Covaxin and the Niti Aayog member pointed out that the Covishield against the Delta variant of the country has taken the decision to increase the coronavirus, Paul said that based on the inter-dose interval for Covishield to three months scientific evaluation by the ICMR, both vaccines after careful evaluation of the scientific data. are effective against the coronavirus, including the Delta variant, which is presently the “The decisions such as this are taken by the predominant variant in the country. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), whose members include ICMR is the Indian Council of Medical Research. our top scientists. It is for this group to look at the additional data, additional scientific information When asked if India is close to giving indemnity and to take a decision based on scientific to foreign vaccine makers like Pfizer and principles,” he noted. Moderna, Paul said the issue has multiple dimensions and it is not wise to give a timeline for Last month, the government extended the gap such issues. between two doses of Covishield from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks. “The discussion for paving the way for internationally developed vaccines to India, is “As of now, their decision is to continue with the going on. The issue has multiple dimensions and present dose schedule,” Paul said. we are trying to find an agreed way forward at the earliest.

“We are trying to expedite the progress in every possible way,” he said.

However, he did not delve into the indemnity issues with respect to approving the vaccines made by foreign companies.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 22 beds or they don’t tell their parents when they want to go to the washroom,” she said.

Children who are neither young nor in their teens Children falling prey to are facing learning disabilities, throwing temper tantrums, showing aggressive behaviour and are psychological issues due to wary of socialising. Some of them have second Covid wave: Experts developed a social phobia and stranger anxiety, she said. The lockdown, severity of the second wave of “Children who come for treatment are scared to coronavirus and fear of infection are the major interact with us,” she said. reasons for the arrested development of children, experts said The lockdown, severity of the second wave

By: PTI | New Delhi | of coronavirus and fear of infection are the June 28, 2021 7:46:58 pm major reasons for the arrested development of children, experts said.

Dr Nameet Jerath, Senior Consultant, Pediatric Intensive Care, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, said there are instances of erratic behavior and temper tantrums among children due to the prolonged lockdown.

As both children and parents are forced to stay indoors, everyone is on a short fuse, he said.

Children are vulnerable to mental health conditions too. Corrobaroring Jerath’s views, Dr Jitendra (Source: Pixabay) Nagpal, Consultant, Child Psychology and Psychiatrist at Moolchand Hospital, said they are The second Covid wave has led to children seeing two-three such cases on a daily basis and across age groups falling prey to psychological teenagers, in particular, are having a tough issues due to increased screen time, no social time. interaction and parents not having time for them despite working from home, experts have said. The pandemic has brought a drastic change in the lives of teenagers and one of the most Dr Meena J, Paediatrician, Aakash Healthcare, concerning issues is the feeling of lost identity Dwarka, said anxiety and behavioural issues are among them. prevalent among older children while there are developmental delays among kids aged two to “Never were they so disconnected from school, three. their friends and inner circles. These avenues helped them make an identity for themselves. “Children usually start speaking by two to three Unfortunately, they are delusional about their years but we are seeing speech delays. They identity now,” he explained. have learned some activity but are not performing it. For instance, there were some kids “Besides, the physical distancing has ensued a who were toilet trained but they are wetting their feeling of complete desolation among children.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 23 The pleasure of social interaction has been queries from worried parents on how they can confined to homes only, which is triggering protect their wards from the virus, experts said. mental health issues among them,” Nagpal added. The unanimous answer to the queries is that the parents need to follow Covid-appropriate The carnage of the second wave, the behaviour for the safety of their children, they sensational reporting by TV media and the added. constant fear of contracting Covid by parents have turned children who were confident by nature, into insecure individuals, he lamented.

Sharing a case study, Dr Rahul Nagpal, Director,

Pediatrics, Fortis Hospital, Vasant Kunj, said the parents of a two-year-old child consulted him since he did not have any language Coronavirus India Highlights: development. Cases with variants of concern On probing, the doctor learnt the cause — rose from 10% in May to 51% till increased screen time. June 20, parliamentary panel “Whenever the child would cry, his parents told would put on a cartoon. He was irritable and used to hate food. There was no language Coronavirus (Covid-19) Cases in India Highlights: development. He was going into autistic India reported 46,148 new cases of Covid-19 on syndrome disorder,” he shared. Sunday, according to data from the Union Health Ministry. With 979 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Nagpal said he advised the parents to have daily count of deaths has dropped below 1,000 “zero screen time” for the kid and also to take for the first time since April 12. him out under proper supervision so that he could have social interaction. By: Express Web Desk | Bengaluru, Chennai, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, New Within six months, the child showed Delhi | Updated: June 30, 2021 8:31:35 am improvement, learnt some words, he said.

The senior doctor said in adolescents, they are seeing issues of obesity, addiction to screen and issues with parents.

“Teenagers anyway have issues with their parents. But now with everyone staying at home, the issues are mounting. There are body image issues also cropping up and if the parents talk about it, their children tell them not to body shame them,” he said. Beneficiaries between 18 years to 44 years of age get the Covid-19 vaccine at PMGP Colony in Mankhurd, With the fear of a potential third wave that might Mumbai on Friday. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty) be lethal for children, experts are also seeing

NIRT Library News Bulletin 24 Coronavirus India Highlights: Covid-19 cases This move has come as a big relief to those with variants of concern rose from 10.31 per cent Indians who need to furnish their vaccination of total infections in May to 51 per cent till June details before travelling abroad. 20, top government officials told a parliamentary panel on Monday. Officials stressed that both Covaxin and Covishield work against these strains albeit with slightly reduced potency, news agency PTI reported.

Meanwhile, Covid Task Force chief Dr V K Paul said that there is no scientific data so far to establish that Delta Plus variant of Covid- 19 adversely impacts vaccine efficacy. Speaking about the possibility of a third wave, he This move has come as a big relief to those Indians who said it will not be fair to put a date on any Covid need to furnish their vaccination details before travelling wave as virus behaviour is unpredictable. abroad.

India reported 46,148 new cases of Covid-19 on The Co-WIN portal has now introduced an option Sunday, according to data from the Union enabling users to link their vaccination Health Ministry. With 979 deaths in the last 24 certificates to their passport numbers. This move hours, the daily count of deaths has dropped has come as a big relief to those Indians who below 1,000 for the first time since April 12. need to furnish their vaccination details before Maharashtra, the only state to report more than travelling abroad. 100 deaths, recorded 411 fatalities. The overall death toll has touched 3,96,730. The total The official Twitter handle of the Aarogya Setu number of coronavirus cases in the country now App has shared a step-by-step guide to link stands at 3,02,79,331. There are 5,72,994 active passport details with vaccination certificates. cases at present and 2,93,09,607 people have recovered from the disease. Among states, Earlier this month, while issuing a standard Kerala was the topmost contributor with 10,905 operating procedure (SOP) for vaccination of new cases. Maharashtra had 9,974 cases. people undertaking international travel for educational or employment, or as part of the national contingent for Tokyo Olympics, the Union Health Ministry had stated that vaccination certificates should be linked with passport details.

Here are the steps: Going abroad? Here’s how you 1. Login to http://cowin.gov.in can add your passport number on vaccination certificate 2. Select ‘Raise a Issue’ 3. Select the passport option By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | Updated: June 26, 2021 6:59:55 pm 4. Select the person from the drop-down menu

NIRT Library News Bulletin 25 5. Enter the passport number Of the 1,00,53,358 people inoculated so far, 86,06,292 have received their first dose while 6. Submit. You will then receive the new 14,47,056 have been fully vaccinated. certificate in seconds. Director of Public Health Dr G Srinivasa Rao, In another tweet, the Aarogya Setu handle Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar and other stated that in case an individual’s name on the officials cut a cake to mark the occasion. passport does not match with that on the vaccine certificate, a correction can be made. Somesh Kumar said the state has the capacity to However, a user can request the correction only administer nearly 7 lakh vaccines a day, as once on the Co-WIN portal. “So please ensure against the 2 lakh being given now, if it received there are no mistakes in entering the details,” it sufficient supply. “We have followed a strict added. strategy to vaccinate people by creating priority groups. As of today, 26 lakh people belonging to different high-risk and high-exposure groups have been vaccinated in the state,” he added.

The department’s figures suggest that

Hyderabad has the highest number of vaccinated people. Of the 22,30,655 people Over 1 crore people given vaccinated in the state capital, 19,19,321 have Covid-19 vaccines in Telangana received their first dose. Narayanpet district, where only 8,752 people have been Of the 1,00,53,358 people inoculated so far, administered both doses, stands at the bottom 86,06,292 have received their first dose while of the list. 14,47,056 have been fully vaccinated. Rao said the health department will prioritize By: Express Web Desk | Hyderabad | people who are yet to receive their first jabs. June 26, 2021 10:23:14 am Around 40 lakh shots have been given in the 18- 44 age group, while 23 lakh jabs have been administered in the above-60 category. 36.97 lakh doses have been given to those between 45 and 60 years of age.

The state government has decided to launch a special vaccination drive for all teaching and non-teaching staff of government and private schools and colleges. The drive will also focus on vaccinating workers and employees at hostels under all welfare departments of the state A helth worker administers a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine government. Rao said they could walk into their in Hyderabad. (PTI) nearest government vaccination centre and get More than 1 crore people have been themselves inoculated without online administered a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in registration. Telangana till Friday, the health department On Friday, Telangana detected 1,061 new said. Covid-19 cases and reported 11 related deaths.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 26 At present, there are 15,524 active cases while our future generations below the age of 18”. the cumulative caseload stands at 6,18,837. The Trials are ongoing, he said. state has a recovery rate of 96.9 per cent. SII has already manufactured Covishield vaccine in technical collaboration with AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Poonawalla had also earlier tweeted that they hoped to launch Covovax by September this year. Earlier,

US-based biotechnology company Novavax had announced a license agreement with SII for Now, Serum to apply for DCGI the development and commercialisation of approval for clinical trial of NVX-COV2373, its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, in low and middle income countries and India. Covovax on children When contacted, SII authorities told The Indian Covovax is the second Covid-19 vaccine Express that initially they would apply for candidate, which is being developed and approval to conduct clinical trials of the manufactured at Pune-based SII. Covovax vaccine in the 12-18 age group and then in the age group below 12 years. Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | Updated: June 26, 2021 7:57:19 am Meanwhile, SII together with the ICMR, had planned the Phase-2/3 observer blind The Serum Institute of India facility in Pune, which randomised controlled study to determine the is developing Covovax, a Covid-19 vaccine by safety and immunogenicity of Covovax (SARS- Novavax. Pictured on the left is CEO Adar CoV2 recombinant spike protein nanoparticle Poonawalla. (Twitter/@SerumInstIndia) vaccine (SARS-CoV2rS) with Matrix-M1 adjuvant Even as the Phase-3 trials of Covovax, the Indian in Indian adults. version of US-based Novavax Inc-developed vaccine began on June 18, Serum Institute of India (SII) authorities said they will also apply for permission from the Drug Controller and General of India (DCGI) to conduct a clinical trial of the same among paediatric population. Shot with caution Covovax is the second Covid-19 vaccine candidate, which is being developed and Vaccination is necessary, but must not be manufactured at Pune-based SII. forced. State must use its power to include, not use strong arm as blunt instrument Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII, tweeted on Friday: “A new milestone has been reached. This week By: Editorial | we began our first batch of Covovax (a Covid- Updated: June 26, 2021 8:34:45 am 19 vaccine developed by Novavax). Excited to witness the first batch of Covovax being With the second wave of manufactured at our facility in Pune.” He added the pandemic abating, states have either that “this vaccine has great potential to protect relaxed the nearly-two-month long lockdown or

NIRT Library News Bulletin 27 information and informed consent. While the ECHR talks of incentives to marginalised groups, the Meghalaya court has asked all shops, business houses, and commercial vehicles to put on display the Covid-19 vaccination status of their employees at a “conspicuous” place.

Very often, vaccine hesitancy is a manifestation of the people’s lack of trust in the health system. Ensuring ease of access to the shots is one of the The safety imperative has led some authorities to make proven ways to overcome this challenge. During vaccination a prerequisite for the resumption of business the early days of the second wave, industry and operations. business associations had suggested their are framing guidelines to ease the restrictions. willingness to inoculate workers at the level of the The safety imperative has led some authorities to shop floor. Now that the shortage of vaccines make vaccination a prerequisite for the has been overcome to an extent, there is a case resumption of business operations. On Thursday, to take up this suggestion. Governments may still for instance, the Gujarat government issued an need to resort to disincentives. But the state’s ultimatum to “managers, owners and staff of main concern should be inclusiveness, not using business establishments” to either get its strong arm as a blunt instrument. vaccinated or pull down the shutters. Mandatory vaccination policies are also in place in some parts of UP and the Northeast. Rules such as these — implemented in other parts of the world as well — do militate against the earlier consensus on the primacy of personal choice in an inoculation project. But the pandemic — in which no one is safe till everyone is safe — is making experts look at ethical questions from a Israel brings back mask rules as different perspective. It’s arguably a difficult terrain, particularly given the unanimity on the variant spreads perils of excessive state power. Israel rolled out one of the most successful In April, the European Court of Human Rights vaccination campaigns in the world, inoculating (ECHR) held that “mandatory vaccination some 85% of its adult population. In recent interferes with a person’s right to integrity”. months, nearly all restrictions were lifted as the Nevertheless, it argued, “such interference may number of active cases plummeted. be justified if considered necessary to control the By: AP | Jerusalem | spread of infectious diseases”. On Thursday, the June 25, 2021 5:23:09 pm Meghalaya High Court evoked a different principle to rule against such vaccinations. Israel rolled out one of the most successful “Vaccination by force or being made vaccination campaigns in the world, inoculating mandatory … vitiates the fundamental purpose some 85% of its adult population. In recent of the welfare attached to it,” it said. Both months, nearly all restrictions were lifted as the verdicts speak the language of persuasion and number of active cases plummeted. reiterate the importance of accessible

NIRT Library News Bulletin 28

What is Covid-19 nasal vaccination?

Whether these vaccines provide a robust, long- standing immune response is yet to be seen, says A teen wears a mask as a measure of protection against a doctor the coronavirus, pulled down while using his mobile phone, on the light rail in Jerusalem, Friday, June 25, By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | 2021.(AP) Updated: June 25, 2021 4:38:23 pm

Israel, a world leader in vaccinations, is once again requiring people to wear masks in indoor public spaces amid a coronavirus outbreak driven by the arrival of a new variant.

But there has been a spike in recent days after weeks in which the number of new daily cases was in the single or low double digits. Dr. Nachman Ash, who is leading the coronavirus response, said 227 new cases were confirmed on Some experts believe nasal immunization will more Thursday, according to Israeli media. closely replicate natural immunity and reduce both transmission of virus as well as infection. (Representational image/Getty) The Health Ministry said masks must be worn indoors in public places starting midday Friday. In the pandemic, scientists and doctors have scrambled for long-term solutions to beat the The outbreak appears to be driven by the arrival virus. Amid the shortage of injectable vaccines, of the highly contagious delta variant, which they have looked for effective ways of vaccine spreads rapidly among unvaccinated delivery which ensures more people get individuals, including children. Vaccinated immunized. Israelis have reportedly been infected, but generally appear to have only minor symptoms. But, there have been recent developments in nasal or intranasal vaccine technology, which is Earlier this week, the government postponed the seen as a positive sign amid concerns over a planned reopening of the country to vaccinated third wave of the coronavirus infection, which is tourists until the beginning of August. It was said to affect more children than adults. originally set for July 1, and vaccinated tour groups have been permitted since May. How does it work?

Israel has reported 6,429 deaths since the start of Dr Anshu Punjabi, consultant-pulmonologist and the pandemic, in a population of 9.3 million. sleep medicine expert at Fortis Hospital, Mulund says intranasal vaccines are administered via the

NIRT Library News Bulletin 29 nose. “The vaccine targets the virus present in “IIT Delhi disrupted the RT-PCR market with a Rs the mucous in the nose, where the highest loads 399 probe-free RT PCR kit launched in July 2020. of the SARS-CoV-2 virus are also likely to be Over 8 million high quality PPE kits are supplied present. If the virus can be stopped from so far, using the technology developed at IIT entering at this point, it will not be able to get into Delhi,” IIT-D Director V Ramgopal Rao said in a the lungs. If an effective mucosal immune Facebook post. response is generated, it would possibly prevent the coronavirus infection from the outset and more effectively reduce transmission of the virus,” he says.

These vaccines will be easier to store, transport, and administer, says the doctor.

“Some experts believe nasal immunization will more closely replicate natural immunity and reduce both transmission of virus as well as infection.” Minister of State for Education Shri Sanjay Dhotre launched a Rapid Antigen Test kit for COVID-19 There is, however, a catch. developed by IIT Delhi today. (Photo: Twitter @IITDelhi)

Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre According to Dr Punjabi, intranasal vaccines are Friday launched an “affordable” and incapable of producing effective, long-lasting “accurate” Rapid Antigen Test kit for Covid immunity; “this may result in a faster waning of developed by The Indian Institute of Technology immunity”. (IIT) Delhi. Staying cautious The kit costs just Rs 50, and is hundred per cent “Whether these vaccines will provide a robust, indigenously developed and manufactured. The long-standing immune response is yet to be Antigen testing kit has been developed by IIT-D’s seen. Till then, more and more adults — Centre for Biomedical Engineering (CBME) led by especially teachers — need to be vaccinated Professor Harpal Singh. before schools reopen to lower the transmission “IIT Delhi disrupted the RT-PCR market with a Rs rate. Also, kids should be given regular flu shots 399 probe-free RT PCR kit launched in July 2020. to improve their immunity,” the doctor Over 8 million high quality PPE kits are supplied so concludes. far, using the technology developed at IIT Delhi,” IIT-D Director V Ramgopal Rao said in a Facebook post.

“A rapid diagnostic kit is now being launched by Covid test for Rs 50 launched by the institute costing Rs 50 (~70 cents) for Covid 19. Prof Harpal Singh and his team from CBME IIT Delhi have developed this technology. The technology has been patented by IIT Delhi,” he Written by Aranya Shankar | New Delhi | wrote. Updated: June 26, 2021 8:59:56 am

NIRT Library News Bulletin 30 At the launch Friday, Dhotre congratulated the “These are the one of the best available values institute for developing affordable technology. “I for any such test kits,” said Singh. am confident that this technology will revolutionise the Covid test availability in the “IIT Delhi has filed patent application for the country. I am glad to know that the kit has been developed technology and awarded license to developed entirely using the internal resources two companies in the country for its commercial at IIT Delhi,” he said. rollout. M/s Dia Sure Immunodiagnostic LLP, is now entering the market with this kit, fixing the He also complimented researchers Harpal Singh cost at Rs. 50/ per test,” the institute said in a and Dinesh Kumar and thanked IIT Delhi for statement. “helping the nation in becoming Atmanirbhar in fighting the pandemic using indigenously developed technologies and made in India products”.

Speaking on the occasion, Rao said, “With the launch of this Antigen-based rapid test kit, we hope to make the diagnostics easy and affordable for the rural areas.” Bihar nurse gives ’empty shot’ to Professor Harpal Singh said the kit will be used for man, video goes viral in vitro qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 antigen. According to reports the incident happened in Bihar's Chapra district earlier this week. The “SARS-CoV-2 Ag Rapid Test is a colloidal gold incident came to light after a friend of the man enhanced double antibody sandwich saw his vaccination video later. immunoassay for the qualitative determination of SARS-CoV-2 antigen in human nasal swabs, By: Trends Desk | New Delhi | throat swabs and deep sputum samples. It is Updated: June 26, 2021 1:15:43 pm suitable for general population screening and diagnosis of Covid-19,” he said.

“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 color band in the test region… Absence of this colored band in the test region suggests a negative result,” said Singh. The incident has raised concern about the He said the test was “found to be suitable for arrangements and safety surroundding Bihar's Covid vaccination process. early Ct values (Ct values between 14 to 32) with a Sensitivity- 90%, Specificity- 100% and As inoculation drive continues across the country Accuracy- 98.99%, and certified by the ICMR.” for people above 18 years old, a shocking video

NIRT Library News Bulletin 31 of a nurse administering an empty dose of Covid The incident has raised concern about the -19 vaccine in haste is going viral. arrangements and safety surrounding Bihar’s Covid vaccination process. The clip shows the nurse in question busy talking to people in the vaccination hall and taking out the disposable syringe from the wrapper and pushing it on the man’s arm. She is never seen filling the syringe from a vial of Covid-19 vaccine.

According to reports, the incident happened in Bihar’s Chapra district earlier this week. The Tamil Nadu: Expert panel incident came to light after a friend of the man formed to tackle possible third saw their vaccination video later. Coronavirus wave in children “I took the shot on June 21. Later that day I saw a video filmed by my friend Aman Khan who had The panel comprises mostly of Siddha accompanied me to the vaccination camp,” Kuzhanthai Maruthuvam paediatricians - to Azhar, who is in his early 20s told reporters, suggest the essential Siddha drugs, treatment according to The Telegraph. guidelines for combating covid in children and also to propose training module on Siddha “I was shocked to see that the nurse just tore Kuzhanthai maruthuvam to other practitioners of open the plastic packaging of a disposable the medicine system. syringe and injected me without filling it with the vaccine,” he said. By: PTI | Chennai | June 25, 2021 2:36:42 pm As the clip went viral, with many sharing and tagging many doctors and state’s health officials and ministers, the authorities intervened.

“The information about the video has come to me. Taking cognizance of the negligence, nurse Chanda Kumari has been removed from duty with immediate effect. Also, an explanation has also been sought from her within 48 hours,” District Immunization Officer (DIO) of Saran, Dr. Ajay Kumar told Lallantop. Covid-19 patients undergo treatment at Government However, the DIO also said that the nurse did not Kilpauk Medical College (GKMC) Hospital ,in Chennai. do this intentionally and it was a mistake adding (PTI) the vaccination centre is huge and the staff are With the likelihood of a possible third wave under a lot of pressure. According the report, the of Covid-19, the Directorate of Indian Medicine DIO said that the man “would be called again and Homoeopathy in Chennai has formed an and he would be given the first dose of the expert committee to guide the government in vaccine”. handling the crisis.

The five-member committee consists of Siddha experts who have a track record of treating

NIRT Library News Bulletin 32 infectious diseases, especially among the It lists diarrhea, vomiting, fever, cough, eye children. infection, vasculitis, along with fever and cough for children among the symptoms. According to a source in the directorate, the panel comprises Dr P Sathiyarajeswaran, Director “Children may be asymptomatic and remain in-charge of Siddha Central Research Institute super-spreaders. No studies have supported (SCRI), Chennai, Dr Meenakshi Sundaram, infection spreading via lactation and hence a Professor, National Institute of Siddha (NIS), feeding mother can proceed with feeding, but Tambaram, Dr. J Sriram, lecturer Grade II, always wear a mask and give the baby to be Government Siddha Medical College, Chennai, looked after by others after feeding,” the Dr S Joseph Maria Adaikalam, Assistant Professor, document further states. Department of Epidemiology, The Tamil Nadu Dr. MGR Medical University and Dr Parthiban, Autism The guidelines on intervention for asymptomatic specialist from Swabhimaan Trust, Chennai. children (1 to 12 years) includes administering Kabasura Kudineer (a herbal concoction) 5 ml to The committee was formed at a meeting 30 ml as per the advice of the physician for 14 convened on June 21 by the Directorate in days, Urai Mathirai/syrup one to two tablets daily Chennai to review the preparedness for the third as advised by the physician. wave of the contagion. Medicines for symptomatic approach in children The panel comprises mostly of Siddha Kuzhanthai include those for skin rashes, feeling unusually Maruthuvam paediatricians – to suggest the tired, fast heartbeat, rapid breathing, red essential Siddha drugs, treatment guidelines for eyes/redness or swelling of the lips and tongue, combating covid in children and also to propose redness or swelling of the hands or feet. training module on Siddha Kuzhanthai maruthuvam to other practitioners of the The dietary advice includes: Ensuring adequate medicine system. hydration and other medication like taking milk with turmeric and pepper, Karisalai Malt, According to Dr Sathiyarajeswaran, the Moringa powder and banana powder among committee has already submitted base data others. and come up with guidelines to treat the infected.

“The screening which is being followed now, especially the RT-PCR tests would continue. The emphasis will be on effectively using the therapeutic drugs and following a herbal diet regimen,” he told PTI. Micronutrients are essential for you; here’s why “Unlike the first wave which has reported very less number of children about 70,000 testing By: Lifestyle Desk | New Delhi | positive for the infection, the point to ponder is June 25, 2021 11:30:30 am majority of children were under mild infection and very rarely multi-systemic infection occurs in "One area of nutrition that has gained sudden the second wave,” says the document on interest and is relatively ambiguous to most guidelines. people is the role of micronutrients in our overall

NIRT Library News Bulletin 33 immune response and well-being," said Dr Manoj nutrients remains as Z, A, C, D – Zinc, vitamin A, Chadha C, and D.

“Before the pandemic, Zinc was one of the most underrated micronutrients. Doctors were sticking to prescribing the usual vitamin A, C, and D, and people were happy adding cod liver oil and oranges to the cart while they supposedly soaked up all the vitamin D from the sun! However, there is enough evidence to now suggest that zinc is also a critical element in building immunity. It is an important ingredient in anti-viral drugs and antibiotics. It is also known to While natural foods such as legumes, nuts, dairy, eggs, act as a preventive and therapeutic agency by meat and whole grains are accessible sources of Zinc, it is also advisable to ensure your body is getting the complementing the prescribed treatment necessary amounts with the support of added of Covid-19. It is possible that the deficiency of supplements. (Source: Getty Images/Thinkstock) zinc may be a potential added factor predisposing people to infection and Nutrients and supplements are the most detrimental progression of Covid-19,” she underrated terms when it comes to a healthy told indianexpress.com. diet. In the age of Instagram where flaunting everything you eat and alternating between the While natural foods such as legumes, nuts, dairy, latest diet fads is common, we tend to ignore the eggs, meat and whole grains are accessible true science of nutrition. “There is an endless pool sources of zinc, it is also advisable to ensure your of content available around this topic on the body is getting the necessary amounts with the internet. However, it is also the biggest reason for support of added supplements. the various myths and misconceptions people fall prey to. High cholesterol foods are unhealthy, Vitamins A, C, and D only people with high blood pressure should limit their sodium intake, supplements are a waste of money; these are just a few misleading statements that need to be rectified,” said Dr Manoj Chadha, consultant endocrinologist, Mumbai.

One area of nutrition that has gained sudden interest and is relatively ambiguous to most people is the role of micronutrients in our overall immune response and well-being. With Sun is the greatest source of Vitamin D. (Source : Getty the pandemic putting the spotlight on the need Images/Thinkstock) to build a strong immune system more than ever, it is important to truly understand the types of As per a study in the International Journal of micronutrients readily available and their impact Research and Orthopedics, out of 4,624 people on the body. For a long time now, the focus was surveyed in the country, almost 77 per cent on vitamins A, C, and D. However, today the showed vitamin D deficiency. Most people are order of importance to maintain these micro- known to have one or more of these

NIRT Library News Bulletin 34 deficiencies, some as severe as being Raw food, sweet, oily, spicy, cold, packaged undetectable in the system. So clearly our bodies foods, maida, leftovers should be avoided, said demand more quantities of these micronutrients Dr Dixa Bhavsar and the natural sources are not able to fulfill these requirements. Let’s start by briefly understanding why vitamins A, C, and D should be in our consideration set.

Vitamin A plays a major role in the regulation of innate immunity and its deficiency can result in increased susceptibility to various pathogens in the eye, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. Clinical studies have proven that vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, can decrease Favour light (easy to digest food) and also nourishing susceptibility to viral respiratory infections and foods like khichdi with spices. (Source: Getty pneumonia. The deficiency of vitamin D, which is Images/Thinkstock) present in miniscule amounts in foods such as dairy products, cereals, and oily fish, has been For many, Covid recovery is a long process. But associated with a higher incidence of acute even after that, it is necessary to maintain the respiratory infections. Distinct studies on the body’s immunity levels to keep other health effects of these micronutrients on the body have issues away. One of the best ways to do that is suggested that they can aid in the prevention through a good diet and nutrition plan. and treatment of Covid-19. As per Ayurveda, a diet rich in nutritious food and “In conclusion, what is important to note is that simple ingredients that is not oily, spicy, or nutrition is a very broad term and needs more extremely sweet can help. attention, now more than ever. The above micronutrients in no way are exhaustive and the Ayurvedic practitioner Dr Dixa only means to achieving good immunity. Bhavsar agreed. “It is equally important to take However, understanding the role they play in our care of your health (especially meals) post covid overall well-being and ensuring we supplement once you’ve tested negative in order to these in our diet, is a good place to start on this avoid/manage post-Covid complications,” she journey of healthy living,” Dr Chadha mentioned. concluded. What to keep in mind?

*Eat only home-cooked, fresh and warm foods.

*Don’t eat raw foods as they’re difficult to digest.

*Avoid sweet fruits. Favour sour over sweet and Superfoods you must include in make sure you eat fruits before 4 pm so you can your diet after Covid recovery to digest them well. avoid complications *Drink herbal teas between meals.

By: Lifestyle Desk |New Delhi| June 25, 202110:00:31 am

NIRT Library News Bulletin 35 *Favour light (easy to digest food) and also higher risk of stillbirth in women with Covid-19 in nourishing foods like khichdi with spices. the LMICs, the study has found with authors stating that pregnant women must be *Stay hydrated. considered as high priority for vaccines to reduce the adverse impact of Covid-19 in the *Start with slow walks, mild stretching and LMICs. continue with breathwork. Pranayamas are best to practice during and post covid. It helps improve immunity and keeps your oxygen levels optimum.

*Be grateful. Count your blessings.

“Don’t let the fear of post-covid complications get into your head,” said Dr Bhavsar.

To address the burden of Covid-19 on pregnant women

in India, the PregCovid registry was established by ICMR- NIRRH, along with the Medical Education and Drugs Department and Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. (Representative Image)

Scientists studied published articles on Covid-19 Higher risk of death, abortions and pregnant women from March 1-December 31, 2020. They analysed data of more than due to Covid among pregnant 10,582 women from across the world through 225 women in LMICs: Study research publications. The data from 35 countries were assembled systematically and The data highlights that women in the LMICs like compared between HICs, which included India will need special attention in the countries like the US, UK, Japan, Italy and pandemic. They will require more medical Sweden and LMICs, which included data from attention and the health system must gear up to Brazil, China, India, Iran and others. keep the maternal mortality rate in check. The study, “Differential Impact of Covid-19 in Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | Pregnant Women from High-Income Countries Updated: June 25, 2021 10:12:38 am and Low-to Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis”, was PREGNANT WOMEN and their newborns in low to published in “International Journal of middle-income countries (LMICs) are at a higher Gynecology and Obstetrics” on June 23. risk of adverse outcomes due to Covid-19 than their counterparts in high-income countries Dr Rahul Gajbhiye, lead author of the study, (HICs), a new study by scientists at Indian Council told The Indian Express that it was worrisome that of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute for women with Covid-19 in the LMICs had eight Research Reproductive Health has said. times higher risk of death than their counterparts from the HICs. Compared to high-income countries, there was a six-time higher risk of abortion and two-time

NIRT Library News Bulletin 36 “Thus, Covid-19 is likely to have an adverse pregnant women due to Covid-19 is nearly 1 per impact on maternal mortality rates (MMR) in the cent (data analysis up to January 31, 2021). LMICs,” Dr Geetanjali Sachdeva, director of ICMR-NIRRH. Of the 10,582 women from 35 “Further data analysis is on to address the countries, majority data – 24 per cent was from specific medical issue pregnant women might the US, 11 per cent from India, nine per cent from face in India due to the pandemic,” Dr Gajbhiye Brazil, seven per cent from China, Iran and Spain added. each, six per cent from France and five per cent from the UK.

The co-authors, including Dr Smita Mahale and Dr Deepak Modi, further found that this high risk of adverse outcomes is not because women in the LMICs had more symptoms. On the contrary, the authors found that women in the HICs Vaccination by force violates suffered from more severe Covid-19 related fundamental rights: Meghalaya symptoms than those from the LMICs. HC “There are many reasons for which women in the LMICs have worse pregnancy outcomes due to The high court further observed that it was the Covid-19. Poor access to healthcare services, responsibility of the state to disseminate and poor nutrition status and occurrence of other co- sensitise the citizens of the entire exercise of infections could be some factors. Also, many vaccination with its pros and cons. women in the LMICs suffer from anaemia and By: Express Web Desk | New Delhi | hypothyroidism, and these could also contribute Updated: June 24, 2021 10:47:23 pm to adverse outcomes of Covid-19,” authors said.

The data highlights that women in the LMICs like India will need special attention in the pandemic. They will require more medical attention and the health system must gear up to keep the maternal mortality rate in check.

Further, pregnant women must be considered a high priority for vaccines to reduce the adverse impact of Covid-19 in the LMICs, authors said. Meanwhile, the bench of Chief Justice Biswanath To address the burden of Covid-19 on pregnant Somadder and Justice HS Thangkhiew, also noted that women in India, the PregCovid registry was vaccination was the need of the hour and a necessary established by ICMR-NIRRH, along with the measure to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Medical Education and Drugs Department and (Express photo by Partha Paul) Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai. The Meghalaya High Court Thursday held that Dr Gajbhiye, the principal investigator of the forced vaccination violates fundamental rights PregCovid registry, said there is data on more as mandated under Article 19(1)(g) of the Indian than 5,600 pregnant women in the registry. Constitution, Bar and Bench reported. Authors find that the maternal mortality in

NIRT Library News Bulletin 37 The court observed that forcing shopkeepers, A division bench of the high court, headed by taxi drivers etc. to get vaccinated as a condition Chief Justice Biswanath Somadder, said in its for resuming their business or profession “vitiates order, “At the outset, it must be stated clearly the very fundamental purpose of the welfare and unequivocally that vaccination is need of attached to it.” the hour – nay, an absolute necessity – in order to overcome this global pandemic which is “However, vaccination by force or being made engulfing our world.” mandatory by adopting coercive methods, vitiates the very fundamental purpose of the It directed shops and business establishments to welfare attached to it. It impinges on the display “vaccinated” prominently at a fundamental right(s) as such, especially when it conspicuous place only if the employees have affects the right to means of livelihood which taken the jab. makes it possible for a person to live,” Bar and Bench quoted the HC judgment. Similarly, in the case of local taxis, auto- rickshaws, cabs and buses, the court asked the Meanwhile, the bench of Chief Justice owner to put up a sign with the vaccination Biswanath Somadder and Justice HS status of drivers, conductors or helpers. Thangkhiew, also noted that vaccination was the need of the hour and a necessary measure The suo moto PIL was filed after authorities in to curb the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. several areas asked shopkeepers, vendors, taxi drivers and others to get themselves vaccinated It, however, stressed that the state government before resuming business. cannot take any action that would violate the fundamental right to livelihood enshrined under In another similar case, the Gujarat High Court Article 19(1) of the Constitution. Wednesday granted temporary relief to a The high court further observed that it was the corporal with the Indian Air Force (IAF) posted in responsibility of the state to disseminate and Jamnagar who was served a show-cause notice sensitise the citizens of the entire exercise of by the IAF for not getting vaccinated for Covid- vaccination with its pros and cons. It added that 19. the burden also lies upon the state government The 28-year-old corporal, Yogendra Kumar, had to stop the spread of misinformation regarding moved the high court after the IAF served him the vaccination exercise. the notice on May 10, seeking an explanation on Meanwhile, in an order on Wednesday, the why he should not be terminated from service for Meghalaya High Court asked all shops, business his refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine. houses and commercial vehicles in the state to put on display the Covid-19 vaccination status of their employees at a “conspicuous” place to allow people make a conscious decision before using their services.

The court, which filed a suo moto PIL in the interest of common people, also warned of stern You’re vaccinated for COVID- action against anyone involved in spreading 19, and you just tested positive. misinformation on the vaccination drive. Now what?

NIRT Library News Bulletin 38 If you’re one of the small number of fully ‘Breakthrough’ cases are rare. vaccinated people who later test positive for COVID-19, what should you do? If you’re one of the small number of fully vaccinated people who later test positive for By: New York Times | COVID-19, what should you do? June 24, 2021 5:00:17 pm COVID vaccines have been highly effective in preventing COVID-19, especially hospitalisation and death, and are generally working as expected, doctors say. The vaccines also reduce the risk of spreading the virus.

Although the risk of vaccinated people becoming infected with the virus is low, it can still happen, experts said.

“Yes, this will happen, unusual but will happen,” Although the risk of vaccinated people becoming said Dr. Sandro Galea, dean of the Boston infected with the virus is low, it can still happen, experts University School of Public Health. said. (File)

Written by Johnny Diaz Those rare cases are called breakthrough infections and as of April 30, there were more Like millions of Americans, Kevin was vaccinated than 10,000 of these infections reported from 46 against COVID-19 in March to protect himself. American states and territories, according to the But the Tuesday after visiting bars with friends Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The over a rainy Memorial Day weekend in CDC has stopped recording such infections if Provincetown, Massachusetts, he had a running there are no severe symptoms, so the number for nose and some congestion. cases, including mild ones, is most likely higher.

“I thought it was typical springtime allergies in What to do if it happens to you? New England,” said Kevin, 42, who spoke on the A fully vaccinated person who experiences condition that his last name not be used. The symptoms consistent with COVID-19 should symptoms worsened to headaches, body aches and sleepless nights. His doctor told him that it isolate themselves from others, the CDC said. might be the flu but suggested “Broadly, someone who tests positive should a coronavirus test. The result was positive. isolate for 10 days,” Galea, noting CDC guidelines, said. “You don’t think it will be you,” said Kevin, who isolated in his Provincetown townhome for 10 Dr. Eric Cioe-Peña, director of Global Health at days. Northwell Health in New Hyde Park in New York, said the guidelines were not much different from “At the end of the day, the vaccination still those for someone who tested positive before worked,” he said. “I didn’t get as sick as people who got COVID prior to the vaccination being the vaccines were available. available.”

NIRT Library News Bulletin 39 “You still have to isolate,” he said. “You still have Residents should frequently disinfect touched to contact trace with the understanding that surfaces in the household if someone is sick or your peace of mind is a little bit better.” has tested positive for COVID-19.

People should also inform their health care It might be helpful to turn on fans and open provider of their positive result. If you leave home doors and windows for fresh ventilation in the to go to the doctor, wear a mask and residence. And do not share household items practice social distancing. such as utensils, cups and towels for the quarantine period, the CDC said. “Fundamentally, though, someone should isolate and then retest, with the latter probably How serious are breakthrough symptoms? in consultation with a provider,” Galea said. Cioe-Peña said an infected person who had But what about people in your home? been vaccinated might have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all. The infected person should stay in a separate “sick room” or area and use a separate “In the post-vaccine era, testing COVID-positive bathroom, if available. is a lot less scary,” he said. For “the vast majority of people — 99.9% of the time — I am going to “If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person be OK. I am going to have a mild case. I may not who is sick and other household members,” the even notice.” CDC said. The most serious symptoms include nasal This is important because an infected person — congestion and mild body aches, said Dr. Sunil even one without symptoms — could pass the Sood, a pediatric infectious disease specialist at virus to someone who is unvaccinated, including South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore in children under the age of 12 or people who New York. cannot get a vaccine because of immune- related or other health issues. “It would be the mildest of the end of the spectrum of COVID-19,” he said. “It may be just The center noted that the coronavirus spreads a mild common cold.” between people who are in close contact through respiratory droplets that are produced But this may be different in vaccinated when someone talks, coughs or sneezes. The individuals with weak immune systems like older virus also spreads through respiratory droplets adults and people with certain medical among people who share the same indoor conditions or those who take certain space. medications.

But, Cioe-Peña said, the level of virus in the nose There have been some high profile cases. and droplets are not as contagious in a vaccinated person. TV host Bill Maher was fully vaccinated when he tested positive last month during weekly staff “You probably aren’t going to pass this on,” he testing, prompting HBO to reschedule the taping said. of two of his shows. At the time, he said he felt “perfectly fine.”

NIRT Library News Bulletin 40 On June 10, two fully vaccinated passengers aboard a Celebrity cruise ship tested positive and had to isolate, according to the Royal Caribbean Group. The passengers were asymptomatic. TN reports first Delta plus variant

And in May, the New York Yankees’ two-time All- of Covid-19, a nurse from Star shortstop, Gleyber Torres, tested positive Chennai after vaccination, as did three coaches and four staff members. Tamil Nadu Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan, who has been handling the pandemic crisis, said While most infections are likely to produce mild there was no need for alarm. or no symptoms, many of these cases would not have been discovered without routine By: PTI | Chennai | June 24, 2021 10:04:39 am screening. Tamil Nadu has reported its first case of Delta Plus variant of Covid-19 from in Chennai, with a city-based nurse getting infected with it, a top Will this become more common? government official said on Wednesday.

“We are going to see people pop up and be positive, but it’s not meaningful because your chances of passing it to someone are much lower,” Cioe-Peña said. “Certainly, we will hear stories — my friend’s neighbor got vaccinated and tested positive. If we continue to get people vaccinated, we will hear these stories of one- offs.”

Still, doctors emphasize the effectiveness of the vaccines and encourage people to be fully The Delta Plus variant's properties, which are being vaccinated as supplies and appointments are investigated, is characterised by a mutation in the spike now widely available in the United States. This is protein, which helps the virus gain entry into human cells. particularly true as the new highly The state health department had sent 1,159 contagious Delta variant becomes more samples in May to INSACOG (Indian SARS-CoV-2 widespread during the summer travel season. Genomic Consortia), a consortium of 28 labs “It provides a solid degree of protection,” Sood tasked with genome sequencing of the virus said. “It provides the freedom to move around causing Covid and reports of 772 samples were and go on with your daily life and activities made available on Wednesday, Tamil Nadu almost before it was this pandemic.” Health Secretary Dr J Radhakrishnan said.

“Of the 772 samples, one has been reported as Delta Plus variant from Chennai. It pertained to a 32-year-old lady employed as a staff nurse at a hospital,” he told PTI.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 41 The senior IAS official, who has been handling depend on streamlining supply to the states and the pandemic crisis, said there was no need for availability of vaccines. alarm.

“We have seen the British variant and double mutant variant. There is no need to panic as of now,” Radhakrishnan said and emphasised upon the need to adhere to Covid-19 prevention measures like wearing face mask, avoiding crowds and getting vaccinated.

The Delta Plus variant’s properties, which are being investigated, is characterised by a mutation in the spike protein, which helps the A beneficiary getting vaccinated at a Municipal School virus gain entry into human cells. in Navi Mumbai. (Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty) In the run-up to this week’s record-breaking Neighbouring Kerala, Maharashtra and Madhya figure, the highest number of doses administered Pradesh have identified similar cases. weekly was 2.47 crore between April 3 to 9, when On Tuesday, Union Health Secretary Rajesh the impact of the second wave was beginning Bhushan had said the Delta variant is found in 80 to be felt on the healthcare system. As cases countries around the world, including India, and began to rise and new variants emerged, it is a variant of concern. vaccinations declined throughout April and for most of May, going below the 2 crore-mark. The lowest was for the period of May 15 to 21, when a little over 92 lakh doses were given.

India’s vaccination drive: A status check

In Madhya Pradesh, which administered 17.44 lakh doses on Monday, the numbers sharply fell to 4,842 the next day. The sharp decline was also seen in Haryana (5.45 lakh to 76,628) and Karnataka (11.59 lakh to 3.95 lakh).

Written by Leela Prasad | New Delhi | Updated: June 23, 2021 8:33:43 pm

While vaccinating one crore people everyday remains the target for the Central Government, and the record 90-lakh plus vaccinations on Monday was a push in that direction, sustaining the momentum going forward will largely

NIRT Library News Bulletin 42 The April-May months were also marked by fell to 4,842 the next day in the state. The sharp vaccine shortages and changes in the vaccine decline was also seen in Haryana (5.45 lakh to procurement policy, where states were allowed 76,628) and Karnataka (11.59 lakh to 3.95 lakh). to purchase 25 per cent of the total vaccine But Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Himachal production directly from manufacturers. Pradesh were some of the states where the However, the pace did pick up in the following doses administered were higher than the weeks and weekly vaccinations rose above the previous day. Overall, however, the vaccinations 2 core-mark in the second week of June, but the fell to 54.22 lakh on Tuesday. daily numbers never crossed 50 lakh; the previous daily record was 40.3 lakh on April 5.

The question of sustaining the pace stems from While there is no data available for states of the the fact that vaccination rates fell the day after percentage of population fully vaccinated, it is the start of the new vaccination phase, in which 3.8 per cent for the country as a whole, the Centre has taken over the role of according to Our World in Data. In sharp procurement and distribution. Take Madhya contrast, Brazil, also among the top 3 worst-hit Pradesh, for instance, which administered 17.44 countries like India, has vaccinated 11.7 per cent lakh doses on Monday but the numbers sharply of its population. India’s immediate neighbours also fare poorly but it is only because they largely depend on vaccine imports. Sri Lanka has vaccinated 3.9 per cent, Bangladesh 2.6, Myanmar 2.3, and Pakistan 1.6. China has fully vaccinated 22.3 crore but the percentage of the population vaccinated isn’t available.

Explained: Will food follow fuel

and become costlier?

NIRT Library News Bulletin 43 The global oil price hike has been passed on to period thereafter has seen a marked Indian consumers. Will that happen with food divergence. Global food inflation crashed after too? Currently, food inflation is relatively low in March 2020 when the India. A look at factors that could influence what novel coronavirus pandemic struck. Retail food you pay in coming months. inflation in India, on the other hand, hovered around double-digits till November. It eased Written by Harish Damodaran | New Delhi | after that, by which time, however, the recovery Updated: June 30, 2021 8:37:27 am in global food prices was gaining momentum.

Why the divergence

What explains the above divergent trends? For that, one needs to first understand the drivers of both global and domestic inflation.

The spike in international food prices from September-October has been due to demand returning with economies unlocking, even as restoration of supply chains is taking time. This has At a vegetable market in Chandigarh in May 2021. been further aided by Chinese stockpiling (for (Express Photo: Kamleshwar Singh) building strategic reserves, as well as in Brent crude prices crossed the $75-per-barrel anticipation of fresh corona outbreaks) and dry psychological level last week and closed at weather-induced production shortfalls in Brazil, $76.18 on Friday, the highest since October 29, Argentina, Ukraine, Thailand and even the US. 2018. While the increase in international oil prices – Brent was trading at just over $41/barrel a year India, by contrast, has had good monsoons in ago – is being fully passed on to Indian 2019 and 2020, making it the only agricultural consumers, it raises a related question: Will food powerhouse, apart from Australia and Canada, follow fuel? not to have faced serious weather-related issues. Not surprisingly, food inflation started falling from Trends: India and world December with a bumper post-monsoon kharif crop being harvested and arriving in the Table 1 shows global prices of major agricultural markets. commodities, too, now ruling way above than their levels a year ago. The UN Food and Table 2 gives a more detailed break-up of Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) world food domestic retail food prices. These have gone up price index (FPI) touched 127.1 points in May, its largely in edible oils and pulses, which are agri- highest value since September 2011. commodities that India significantly imports. The country imports 13-15 million tonnes (mt) of But unlike fuel, the increase in global food prices edible oils every year and produces just 7.5-8.5 is not getting reflected in what consumers in mt. In pulses, domestic output has risen from 15- India are paying. Annual consumer food price 16 mt to 22-23 mt in the last five years. Although index (CFPI) inflation in India, at 5% in May, was imports have also halved to 2.5-3 mt, they still far lower than the 39.7% year-on-year rise in the exert considerable influence on domestic prices. FAO-FPI for the same month (see chart). While In the case of edible oils and pulses, there has the CFPI and FAO-FPI inflation rates moved more been an automatic transmission of prices from or less in tandem till about February 2020, the the international to the domestic markets, similar

NIRT Library News Bulletin 44 to that in fuel. But the same hasn’t happened for has been impacted by many households cereals, sugar, milk and staple vegetables. experiencing job and income losses from

The relatively low domestic inflation in food items contraction in overall economic activity. other than edible oils and pulses is attributable to two main factors. The first is, of course, the What next: key factors munificent monsoons that have ensured no supply-side shortages in most crops that are Food inflation in India in the coming months is predominantly produced within the country. The likely to be influenced by four determinants. The second factor has to do with the collapse of first one is international prices, which, as already demand from successive Covid-triggered noted, matters for edible oil and pulses. It’s not lockdowns. With hotels, eateries, sweetmeat clear if the current surge is a result of temporary shops, hostels and canteens shut or operating at supply-side disruptions or the harbinger of a low capacity, besides no wedding receptions larger “commodity super-cycle” of the kind and other public functions, food demand has witnessed during 2007-2013. Table 1 shows that been confined mostly to households. Even that the recent peak in global prices of most agri- commodities was reached in May. The fall since

NIRT Library News Bulletin 45 then is especially noticeable in edible oils, which The final determinant is political. The NDA have been truly on fire. government was hawkish on food inflation in its first term. The annual rise in the CFPI averaged The second, probably more important, just 3.3% during June 2014 to May 2019. The same determinant is the monsoon’s progress. While the inflation has averaged 7.4% in its second term country received 74% surplus rainfall in May, the from June 2019 to May 2021. The protests against southwest monsoon season (June-September) its farm laws have forced the government to hike itself has recorded 18% above-average minimum support prices as well as procure precipitation so far. That should encourage record quantities of wheat and paddy. With plantings by farmers and, moreover, expand upcoming state elections in Uttar Pradesh, how acreages under oilseeds and pulses. Since much of sugar price increase would it allow, to production is a function of both area and yields, enable mills to pay more to cane growers, a great deal also rests on the rains during July- remains to be seen. August when the kharif crops are in the vegetative growth stage. A third successive good monsoon should effectively put a lid on food inflation.

The third determinant is the extent of fuel cost increases being pass-through to consumers. The scope for it is, perhaps, limited in today’s Telangana: ICMR-NIN begins 4th demand-constrained environment. Take milk, serosurvey; those in 6-9 age where dairies incur costs for its transport, first from the village collection centres to the processing group included plants in mini-trucks of 2,000-3,000-litre capacity. The pasteurised and packed milk is further The results of the third round of serosurvey had dispatched from the plants to the markets in suggested that 24.1 per cent of all samples bigger 10,000-15,000 litre tankers. Most dairies collected had tested positive for antibodies. This haven’t raised their pouch milk rates, despite meant one in every four people had already diesel prices soaring Rs 15-16/litre in the last one contracted Covid-19. year alone. What many have done, instead, is slash the prices paid to farmers. Procurement By: Express Web Desk | Hyderabad | June 22, 2021 9:25:48 am prices of milk containing 3.5% fat and 8.5% solids- not-fat in Maharashtra have come down from Rs The Hyderabad-based Indian Council of 31-32 per litre in February-March (pre-second Medical Research-National Institute of Nutrition wave) to Rs 21-25 now. Thus, the fuel cost pass- (ICMR-NIN) in collaboration with the Telangana through has taken place not by revised upwards government will begin the fourth round of the prices paid by consumers, but by lowering community-based sero-surveillance survey on the prices paid to producers. Tuesday in Jangaon, Kamareddy, and Nalgonda districts in the state. In the event of a general growth and demand revival – one does not know when that will While the number of Covid-19 cases in happen —there is likelihood of processors, Telangana has been under control, the study transporters and even farmers passing on the gains importance as experts have warned of a increase in fuel costs to consumers.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 46 antibody-based seropositivity indicates the extent of spread in the general population. This helps understand the trends of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the general population and frontline workers, thus forming the basis for strengthening control measures for the impending spike in numbers, if any, the experts said.

The results of the third round of serosurvey People visit a crowded market near the historic conducted by NIN in these three districts had Charminar after the Telangana government lifted Covid suggested that 24.1 per cent of all samples restrictions, in Hyderabad, Sunday, June 20, 2021. (PTI collected had tested positive for antibodies. This Photo) meant one in every four people had already third wave of infections in 6 to 8 weeks if Covid- contracted the virus. During the first round of appropriate behaviour is not followed. serosurvey in May 2020, the percentage of people infected was 0.33 per cent. The Three rounds of similar surveys were conducted percentage of prevalence rose to 12.5 per cent in these districts in May, August and December during the second round of the survey in August 2020. While the earlier surveys included 2020. adolescents in the age group of 10 to 17 years as well as adults and healthcare workers above 18 On Monday, Telangana reported 1,197 new years, the latest survey will include children in the infections and nine deaths. At present, there are age group 6 to 9 years. 17,246 active cases across the state. With 1,707 recoveries reported on Monday, the overall Dr A Laxmiah, the head of the Public Health recovery rate stands at 96.6 per cent. As many Division at ICMR-NIN and the coordinator of the as 1,19,537 samples were tested on Monday and survey, said this will be the fourth in the serial reports from 965 of them were awaited. The Test cross-sectional surveys, and about 400 subjects Positivity Rate for the day was 1 per cent. will be covered from 10 villages of each of the three districts. In addition, 100 healthcare workers from district hospitals and community health centers will be covered from each district.

The population-based sero-epidemiological studies will help determine the burden of Covid- 19 infection at the community level. “For this purpose, we are actively working in association Dual-antibody therapy effective with the Telangana government. We are happy the state health department and the district against Covid-19 variants in authorities have ensured smooth animal study operationalisation of this surveillance,” said Dr R

Hemalatha, Director, ICMR-NIN, in a statement. By: PTI | Washington | It will take three to four days for the collection of Updated: June 22, 2021 2:56:20 pm required data. The IgG (ImmunoglobulinG)

NIRT Library News Bulletin 47 The study, published on Monday in the journal therapy against variants even when in vitro Nature, suggests that many, but not all, therapies studies experiments conducted in a dish. made from combinations of two antibodies are effective against a wide range of variants of the “We knew how these antibodies were behaving virus in mice and hamsters. in vitro, but we don’t give people drugs based solely on cell culture data,” said study senior author Michael S Diamond, a professor of Medicine at Washington University.

“When we looked in animals, there were some surprises. Some of the combinations performed better than we thought they would, based on in vitro data. And there was no drug resistance to combinations whatsoever, across all of the different variants, Diamond said.

Monoclonal antibodies mimic natural antibodies The researchers said the effectiveness of generated by the body to fight off the virus that causes antibody therapy should be monitored as more Covid-19. (Representational) variants arise. However, they noted a combination therapy is likely needed for treating Covid-19 therapies made from a cocktail of two infections with this virus as more variants emerge. types of antibodies were found to be effective against a wide range of variants of Monoclonal antibodies mimic natural antibodies the Coronavirus in a study on mice and generated by the body to fight off the virus that hamsters, scientists say. causes Covid-19. Administration of antibody therapies bypasses the body’s slower and The researchers tested single and combination sometimes less effective process of making its antibody therapies authorised for emergency own antibodies. use by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or that are in late-stage clinical trials, against The researchers tested the antibodies against a emerging variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that panel of virus variants containing key mutations causes Covid-19. in their spike genes. The SARS-CoV-2 virus uses spike protein to invade cells. The study, published on Monday in the journal Nature, suggests that many, but not all, therapies All monoclonal antibody-based Covid-19 made from combinations of two antibodies are therapies work by interfering with the interaction effective against a wide range of variants of the between spike protein and cells. virus in mice and hamsters. The panel included mutations found in three of The researchers from the Washington University the four variants that have been designated School of Medicine in St. Louis in the US also “variants of concern” by the World Health found that combination therapies appear to Organization Alpha, Beta, Gamma as well as an prevent the emergence of drug resistance. emerging variant from India similar to the Delta strain. The findings suggest that Covid-19 drugs made of two antibodies often retain potency as a They also tested variants from New York and California in the US.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 48 The team used a mix of virus samples originally Only visit an IVF clinic that follows necessary obtained from people with Covid-19 and precautions against Covid-19 such as social laboratory strains genetically engineered to distancing, daily screening of their staff, and contain key mutations. hygienic environment.

They evaluated the antibodies in hamsters and By: Parenting Desk | New Delhi | two strains of mice. June 22, 2021 6:24:41 pm

The researchers first gave the animals antibodies Unlike normal pregnancy, an IVF pregnancy has singly or in the same combinations in which they its different steps of procedures. (Photo: Pixabay) are given to treat patients a day before infecting them with one of the virus variants. By Dr Kaberi Banerjee

They monitored the animals’ weight for six days Covid-19 has left our world upside down, and then measured the amount of virus in their especially for expecting mothers. Pregnancy is a noses, lungs and other parts of the body. phase of turbulent emotions while the body transitions and adapts to the needs of the foetus. Although some single antibodies showed In the case of an IVF pregnancy, the sense of reduced or no ability to neutralize virus variants uncertainty is even higher owing to the process in a dish, low doses of most of the antibody and treatment for planting fertilised eggs in the combinations protected against disease caused body before the beautiful new journey begins. by many of the variants. For you to have a healthy and happy IVF The researchers sequenced viral samples from pregnancy here are some very important things the animals and found no evidence of drug that you must know especially in these very resistance in viruses from any of the animals that testing times when we are amid the second had been treated with combination therapies. wave of Covid-19-

“Dual therapy seemed to prevent the 1. Those of you mothers who can be at a high risk emergence of resistant viruses,” said study co- of diabetes, hypertension, chronic pulmonary author Jacco Boon, an associate professor of transplant, or hepatic disease must timely and medicine. regularly most preferably through online methods of consultation rather than visiting a “Resistance arose with some of the clinic. Additionally, if you have undertaken a monotherapies, but never with combination transplant or are getting immunosuppressants or therapy,” Boon added. PTI various medical therapies, you should do so only under expert supervision and maintain a journal

for the same to keep a track of your progress.

2. Please know that it is always your personal decision to continue the treatment or postpone it. However, data shows that the threat of SARS- CoV-2 (Covid-19 virus) infection in women who Covid Care: 7 points to consider are of reproductive age seems low. Additionally, data suggests that the risk of transmission from a when planning an IVF baby mother to the baby is low. There is also no increased risk of miscarriage and congenital

NIRT Library News Bulletin 49 malformation. There is, however, a slight increase The new virulent strain seems to affect the in preterm delivery. respiratory system harder in some pregnant women. Strict precautions, vaccination and 3. If you are planning to start your journey timely medical care must be taken. of being a mother with IVF treatment, please know that you must fill the ART risk assessment On a closing note, one must always stay aware triage survey evaluation two weeks prior to and avoid fake news. It is only your doctor’s taking the treatment. If post-triage, your doctor advice that must be taken into consideration suspects any form of infection, do undergo an and one must not rely on every piece of RT-PCR test. information that is available on the internet. Please verify the source of information before 4. Only visit an IVF clinic that follows necessary you spread or believe the same. A healthy IVF precautions against Covid-19 such as social pregnancy comes from informed and healthful distancing, daily screening of their staff, and decisions. hygienic environment. (The writer is an IVF Specialist and Director of Advance Fertility and Gynaecology Centre, New Delhi) 5. To all the mothers who sometimes feel exhausted and tired and do not want to get up from their beds, please know that at least 45-60 mins of activity is extremely important for you and your baby. Take a small walk, practice yoga, or just perform some light daily chores to keep your body active. Being overweight or underweight can be problematic in the case of Covid-19. AstraZeneca Covid vaccine linked to rare neurological 6. Relieve yourself from the mental pressure with some light music or meditation. Remember it is disorder in India, UK only a healthy mind that fosters a healthy body. In Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), the body's 7. A pregnancy is for both the mother and the immune system mistakenly attacks part of its father and hence the partner/donor must take peripheral nervous system -- the network of tests to ensure that he is negative for COVID nerves located outside of the brain and spinal before taking the procedure. Here it is the cord. responsibility of both the mother and the father for the future of their baby. Only if the RTPCR tests By: PTI | New Delhi | negative for both the father and the mother can Updated: June 22, 2021 7:48:13 pm any IVF procedure be initiated. Eleven people who received the AstraZeneca- Oxford Covid-19 vaccine have developed a The above guidelines are some very important rare neurological disorder called Guillain-Barre steps to help you through this tough phase of syndrome, clinicians in India and England have transition. Unlike normal pregnancy, an IVF reported in two separate studies. pregnancy has its different steps of procedures and in the current scenario, it is necessary that you take every possible precaution.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 50 In this population, during the period from mid- March to mid-April 2021, the researchers from Aster Medcity, Kochi, and Indo-American Brain and Spine Center, Vaikom, Kerala, observed seven cases of GBS that occurred within two weeks of the first dose of vaccination.

All seven patients developed severe GBS, the researchers said.

While seven cases were reported from a medical centre The frequency of GBS was 1.4 to 10-fold higher in Kerala, where about 1.2 million people were than that expected in this period for a administered the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, population of this magnitude, they said. known as Covishield in India, four were reported from Nottingham, UK The frequency of facial weakness on both sides of the face, which typically occurs in less than 20 While seven cases were reported from a medical per cent of GBS cases, suggests a pattern centre in Kerala, where about 1.2 million people were administered the AstraZeneca Covid-19 associated with the vaccination, according to vaccine, known as Covishield in India, four were the research authors. reported from Nottingham, UK, in an area in “While SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are very safe, we which approximately 700,000 (7 lakh) people report four cases of the bifacial weakness with received the jab. paraesthesias variant of GBS occurring within All 11 had received the Covid preventive 10-22 three weeks of vaccination with the Oxford- AstraZeneca SARS-CoV-2 vaccine,” said the days earlier. authors of the UK study from Nottingham In Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), the body’s University Hospitals NHS Trust. immune system mistakenly attacks part of its peripheral nervous system –the network of nerves “We suggest vigilance for cases of bifacial weakness with paraesthesias variant GBS located outside of the brain and spinal cord. following vaccination for SARS-CoV-2 and that The two studies, published in the journal Annals post-vaccination surveillance programmes of Neurology on June 10, describe an unusual ensure robust data capture of this outcome, to variant of GBR characterised by prominent facial assess for causality,” they added. weakness. Although the benefits of vaccination The frequency of GBS from the areas where the substantially outweigh the risk of this relatively cases were reported was estimated to be up to rare outcome (5.8 per million), the researchers 10 times greater than expected, the authors of noted that clinicians should be alert to this the two studies said. possible adverse event.

As of April 22, 2021, around 1.5 million individuals in three districts of Kerala, had been vaccinated with COVID-19 vaccines, the researchers noted, adding that over 80 per cent of these individuals

(1.2 million) received the AstraZeneca preventive.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 51 wave, along with details of the date of hospitalisation and vaccination.

The data was used to estimate the incidence of One dose of Covid vaccine 82% deaths due to Covid-19 among vaccinated and unvaccinated police personnel, Dr Manoj effective in preventing death, 2 Murhekar, director of ICMR-NIE, told The Indian doses 95% effective: ICMR-NIE Express. study

Compared with unvaccinated individuals, the relative risk of Covid-19 deaths among those receiving one and two doses was 0.18 and 0.05 respectively, according to the study analysis.

Written by Anuradha Mascarenhas | Pune | Updated: June 23, 2021 9:42:28

A single dose of Covid 19 vaccine is effective in preventing deaths, according to a new analysis by the Indian Council of Medical Research-National Institute of Epidemiology. (File photo)

There are 117,524 police personnel working with the Department of Police in Tamil Nadu. Between February 1 and May 14 this year, 32,792 police personnel received one dose of Covid vaccine, 67,673 received two doses while 17,059 A beneficiary receives a dose of a Covid-19 vaccine in did not receive any vaccine dose. Pune. (Express Photo: Arul Horizon) Thirty-one Covid-19 deaths were reported A single dose of Covid 19 vaccine is effective in among these police personnel between April 13, preventing deaths, according to a new analysis 2021 and May 14, 2021 . Of these 31 deceased, by the Indian Council of Medical Research- four had taken two doses of the vaccine, seven National Institute of Epidemiology (ICMR- one dose and the remaining 20 were NIE).Vaccine effectiveness in preventing Covid- unvaccinated. The incidence of mortality 19 deaths with one and two doses was 82 per among vaccinated and unvaccinated cent and 95 per cent respectively. individuals was compared to calculate the relative risk of mortality associated with Covid-19 The study ‘Covid-19 vaccine effectiveness in vaccination, researchers said. preventing deaths among high-risk groups in Tamil Nadu, India’, was published in the Indian The incidence of Covid-19 deaths among the Journal of Medical Research on June 21. The vaccinated with zero, one and two doses was Tamil Nadu police department has been 1.17, 0.21 and 0.06 per 1,000 police personnel documenting vaccination of its workforce (as respectively. Compared to unvaccinated aggregate numbers with 0, 1 and 2 vaccine individuals, the relative risk of Covid-19 deaths doses), and Covid-19 deaths during the second

NIRT Library News Bulletin 52 among those receiving one and two doses was 0.18 and 0.05 respectively, according to the study analysis.

Dr Murhekar said the results of their analyses are consistent with published studies showing effectiveness against severe disease. Published results of phase-3 clinical trial of Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine indicated efficacy of 97.5 per cent against hospitalisation. Observational studies conducted in different countries also According to senior officials of Bharat Biotech, the results indicated high effectiveness of the vaccine in from the phase 3 trial of the vaccine will be made available in an international scientific journal “very preventing severe outcomes, Murhekar said. soon”. (File)

The analysis did not study the effectiveness Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine has shown the separately for each of the Covid 19 vaccines, he ability to bring down symptomatic Covid- added. Another study is underway across 11 sites 19 cases by 77.80 per cent, according to data to estimate vaccine effectiveness against severe from its much awaited phase 3 trials. disease. “It is necessary to increase coverage of Covid-19 The results of the phase 3 trials come a day vaccines, regardless of the type of vaccines, to before the Hyderabad company’s scheduled reduce mortality in current as well as future meeting with the World Health Organization waves of Covid-19 epidemic,” Dr Balram (WHO), where it is expected to submit its Bhargava, director general, ICMR, told The proposal for an Emergency Use Listing of the Indian Express. vaccine.

The EUL would make it easier for Covaxin — developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) — to receive recognition in other

countries where it has not received regulatory approvals. Covaxin Phase 3 data in: Efficacy 77.8% against On Tuesday, a Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control symptomatic Covid Organization (CDSCO), the country’s apex drug regulatory body, reviewed and accepted data The results of the phase 3 trials come a day from late-stage clinical trials of Covaxin, said before the Hyderabad company’s scheduled sources. meeting with the World Health Organization (WHO), where it is expected to submit its The data, collected from 25,800 participants, proposal for an Emergency Use Listing of the also included information related to the vaccine. vaccine’s efficacy “for all forms of the disease”. This translates to the vaccine’s ability to reduce Written by Prabha Raghavan | New Delhi | symptomatic Covid-19 cases compared with Updated: June 23, 2021 7:43:11 am those who have not been vaccinated.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 53 “Everything was looked at — the efficacy, safety, On June 9, Bharat Biotech’s Covid Vaccines lot-to-lot comparisons, etc,” said one of the Project Lead Dr Raches Ella tweeted that the last sources on condition of anonymity. volunteer in the phase 3 trial was vaccinated in mid-March. Data collected from all participants SEC’s review and acceptance of this data is had to undergo a mandatory safety follow-up expected to offer more credence to Covaxin’s over two months. By mid-May, the company had efficacy, which had become the subject matter “sufficient data for quality checks and analysis,” of controversy starting with when it was granted tweeted Ella. restricted-use permission without this information in January. According to another senior Bharat Biotech official, for its “pre-submission” meeting with the “This is the final data on efficacy…it is effective, WHO planned for June 23, the Hyderabad there is no doubt about it,” a source said. vaccine maker will submit data from phase 2 and 3 trials on Covaxin. It will also give WHO a However, SEC’s approval of this data does not “very detailed” presentation on its submission for mean that Covaxin will now be off restricted-use EUL. permission. “Although the company did want a complete authorisation… it was not agreed to,” Earlier this month, the US FDA had said the source. recommended that Covaxin makers apply for full authorisation instead of seeking Emergency The company is expected to submit follow-up Use Authorisation (EUA), thereby delaying a data on aspects like the safety of the vaccine for rollout of the vaccine in that country. at least a year’s time before it is considered for such a status, the source added. “No Covid vaccine in the world has (full) authorisation for market use.”

Queries to Bharat Biotech on Tuesday night, about whether it sought full authorisation, remained unanswered until press time. What can we do to avoid the

On March 3, Bharat Biotech and ICMR had third wave of Covid? announced that interim results from phase 3 trials of Covaxin showed that the vaccine has an Vijay Nehra writes: With constraints on vaccine efficacy of 80.60 per cent. On April 21, this figure supply, India needs to urgently adopt a targeted was revised downward to 78 per cent against vaccination strategy, prioritising high risk groups mild, moderate and severe Covid-19 disease. and potential super spreaders. The lack of transparency over the fine print Written by Vijay Nehra | related to the vaccine’s efficacy had been red Updated: June 23, 2021 8:36:12 am flagged by health experts. Faced with constraints on vaccine supply, India According to senior officials of Bharat Biotech, needs to urgently adopt a targeted vaccination the results from the phase 3 trial of the vaccine strategy to avoid a possible third wave of Covid- will be made available in an international 19 infections. There has already been a lot of scientific journal “very soon”. discussion on improving vaccine supply. However, there is a need to find ways to better

NIRT Library News Bulletin 54 utilise the existing supply. Faced with limited case there is a third wave. However, a major resources in any situation, optimal utilisation of policy gap is observed in inoculating the 18-45 the scarce resource has to be a key strategy. age group.

After the latest announcement by the Prime Minister, the procurement of vaccines has again been centralised. This was a much-needed course correction. In its subsequent advisory, the Union Health Ministry has explicitly authorised state governments to devise state-level prioritisation policies within the 18-45 age group. It is imperative that state governments urgently utilise this option. A policy that targets certain high-risk groups within the 18-45 age group is the At a vaccination camp in ESIS Hospital in Navi Mumbai need of the hour. (Express Photo/Amit Chakravarty)

At present, in most states, if not all, there is no Broadly speaking, the population in the 18-45 significant prioritisation of vaccination of persons age group can be divided into three categories. in the 18-45 age group. In the absence of any Category A comprises people who have already specific targeting or prioritisation, those with caught Covid-19 and have developed smartphones, better internet connectivity and antibodies. Category B includes those who have who are more perseverant in trying to book slots not yet been infected. Within this group, there is are getting priority. This is certainly neither an a small subset of high-risk groups and potential intended nor a desirable policy objective. It has super-spreaders which we can call Category C. created unintended inequity in the The third category includes street vendors, auto- administration of vaccines. The inequity has rickshaw drivers, milk and vegetable vendors, been further exacerbated by drive-through newspaper vendors, journalists, restaurant vaccination centres in some cities. Vehicle workers, fuel-pump attendants, delivery boys, owners being prioritised is, perhaps, the last thing shopkeepers and others. They are those who a public health specialist would recommend. interact with many on a daily basis. They are more likely to get infected than others, and are The primary goal of the vaccination programme also more likely to infect others. Priority should should be to tame the virus, control the spread also be given to persons with comorbidities of infection and save lives. Presently, the public within the 18-45 age group. This will further help discourse is centred mainly around the number in reducing the number of deaths. While a few of people vaccinated and the percentage of states have taken some initiatives in this aspect, population covered. There is an urgent need to it would be desirable that the central change this. How many people have been government issues a detailed advisory on this. vaccinated is important, but who those people are is equally important. The present vaccination strategy in several states, by design or default, is focused more on The 45-plus age group has been the target group urban centres, especially for the 18-45 age since April 1, and, rightly so, as there is credible group. Though the Government of India has evidence to show higher mortality in this group. advised that infected persons should defer This is an evidence-based policy decision which being vaccinated for three months after is likely to help significantly reduce deaths in recovery, implementation of this policy on the

NIRT Library News Bulletin 55 ground may not be happening to the desired policy as well as better venue selection for extent. Additionally, there is the issue of a large conducting the sessions. number of people, especially in big cities, who would have been infected by the virus, but are not aware about it. Thus, probably, a large percentage of jabs are going to people who already have antibodies.

From a public health perspective, a vaccine going to a Category A person is akin to a waste The delta variant of Covid-19: of vaccines at this juncture. A vaccine going to What scientists know a Category B person ahead of a Category C person leads to sub-optimal utilisation of a First identified in India, Delta is one of several scarce resource. “variants of concern,” as designated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and It makes eminent sense to target high-risk groups the World Health Organization. and potential super-spreaders for vaccination. This should not be delayed any longer on By: New York Times | account of perceived implementation Updated: June 23, 2021 5:53:55 pm challenges, which are certainly not insurmountable. Targeted vaccinations will also enable a faster resumption of economic activities and will reduce the stress on economically vulnerable groups.

The shortage of vaccines is a reality. We can argue endlessly whether things could have been done differently because everyone is wiser with the benefit of hindsight. However, that should not make us lose sight of the situation we are Delta is likely to infect “large numbers” of unvaccinated currently in. We should focus on choosing the people, Dr. Peter Hotez said. (Representational) best course of action from here on. If we have a third wave, in all likelihood, we would not have The supercontagious Delta variant of vaccinated enough people by then to achieve the coronavirus is responsible for about 1 in herd immunity. What will matter at that point of 5 COVID-19 cases in the United States, and its time is who did we vaccinate with the limited prevalence has doubled in the last two weeks, supply we had. A brute force method has to heath officials said Tuesday. make way for a policy which is more imaginative and intelligent — even if it is less popular. First identified in India, Delta is one of several “variants of concern,” as designated by the The central government has already permitted Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and on-the-spot registrations. State governments the World Health Organization. It has spread now need to take the initiative and plan for rapidly through India and Britain. targeted and prioritised vaccinations of high-risk groups and potential super-spreaders. This has to Its appearance in the United States is not be done through a combination of explicit surprising. And with vaccinations ticking up and

NIRT Library News Bulletin 56 COVID-19 case numbers falling, it’s unclear how Center for Infectious Disease Research and much of a problem Delta will cause here. Still, its Policy at the University of Minnesota. swift rise has prompted concerns that it might jeopardize the nation’s progress in beating back Where is it spreading? the pandemic. Delta has been reported in 80 countries. It is now “The Delta variant is currently the greatest threat the most common variant in India and Britain, in the U.S. to our attempt to eliminate COVID-19,” where it accounts for more than 90% of cases. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious Delta was first identified in the United States in disease expert, said at the briefing. The good March. Although Alpha remains the most news, he said, is that the vaccines authorized in prevalent variant here, Delta has spread quickly. the United States work against the variant. “We In early April, Delta represented just 0.1% of cases have the tools,” he said. “So let’s use them and in the United States, according to the CDC. By crush the outbreak.” early May, Delta accounted for 1.3% of cases, Here are answers to some common questions and by early June, that figure had jumped to about the Delta variant. 9.5%. A few days ago, the estimate reached 20.6%, Fauci said at the briefing. Why are people worried about the Delta variant? If I’m vaccinated, do I need to worry? Delta, formerly known as B.1.617.2, is believed to be the most transmissible variant yet, spreading The Delta variant is unlikely to pose much risk to more easily than both the original strain of the people who have been fully vaccinated, experts virus and the Alpha variant first identified in said. Britain. Public health officials there have said that “If you’re fully vaccinated, I would largely not Delta could be 50% more contagious than worry about it,” said Dr. Ashish K. Jha, dean of Alpha, although estimates of its infectiousness the Brown University School of Public Health. vary.

According to one recent study, the Pfizer- Other evidence suggests that the variant may BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective at partially evade the antibodies made by the protecting against symptomatic disease caused body after a coronavirus infection or by Delta, compared with its 93% effectiveness vaccination. And the variant may render certain against the Alpha variant. But a single dose of monoclonal antibody treatments less effective, the vaccine was just 33% effective against Delta, the CDC notes. the study found. Delta may also cause more severe illness. A “Fully immunized individuals should do well with recent Scottish study, for instance, found that this new phase of the epidemic,” said Dr. Peter people infected by the Delta variant were Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical roughly twice as likely to be hospitalized than Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. those infected with Alpha. But uncertainties “However, the protection offered by a single remain, scientists said. dose appears low, and of course if you are not “The severe disease piece I think is the one at all vaccinated, consider yourself at high risk.” question that really hasn’t been answered yet,” Delta is likely to infect “large numbers” of said Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the unvaccinated people, he said.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 57 Will it cause a new surge? “I encourage people who are vaccinated to trust in the vaccines but be cognizant that new The pandemic is waning in the United States, with variants will continue to occur where cases, hospitalizations and deaths declining. The transmission exists,” said Saskia Popescu, an seven-day case average, roughly 10,350 a day, infectious disease public health researcher at is the lowest since March 2020, Dr. Rochelle George Mason University. “So it’s really about Walensky, director of the CDC, said at the ensuring local, national and global briefing Tuesday. “These numbers demonstrate vaccination.” the extraordinary progress we’ve made against a formidable foe,” she said.

So while Delta may account for an increasing percentage of cases, it is not yet clear whether it will drive the total number of cases higher.

“I think we are not going to see another big, National Library to upload national surge in the United States, because we have enough vaccination to prevent that,” books on Indian culture on web Osterholm said. The National Library has decided to Still, vaccination rates have been highly uneven commemorate the 75th year of Independence and are lower in certain states and Day celebrations in August this year with all these demographic groups. Delta could fuel outbreaks outreach programmes that will enable it to reach in the South, where vaccinations lag, or among out to citizens through books, newspapers, rare young people, who are less likely to be documents, and digital resources. vaccinated than their elders. By: PTI | Kolkata | “In places where there’s still a lot of susceptibility June 23, 2021 7:00:56 pm to the virus, it opens a window for cases to start going up again,” said Justin Lessler, an infectious disease public health researcher at Johns Hopkins University. “But even in those states, and certainly nationally, we’re probably not getting back to the numbers we were seeing last winter.”

Still, he said, it could prolong our path out of the pandemic. “It continues the doldrums,” he said.

What can I do? National Library to upload books on Indian culture on web. (Photo Credit: Canva) Get vaccinated. If you’re already vaccinated, encourage your family, friends and neighbors to get vaccinated. Vaccination is likely to slow the As part of its outreach drive for young generation spread of all the variants and reduce the odds readers, the National Library plans to upload on that new, even more dangerous variants the web a select part of its voluminous emerge. collection, including books on Indian culture, a top official said Tuesday.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 58 Of the 20 lakh odd books in its possession, 5,000 “while the ones you referred have their software titles under the Indian Culture section will be developed years back, our information and uploaded on the web in the coming months, the communication technology network will be new officiating director the general told based on our Indian conditions, customised and reporters here. “In the era of information and developed by our experts”. communication technology, National Library strives to adopt world-class support and service He said, as part of the slew of initiatives to make for its users across the world to ensure access to the National Library more functional, the digital content,” the new officiating DG Prof contemporary, upgraded, and inclusive Ajay Pratap Singh said. reflecting the diversity of Indian culture, publications in eight Indian languages will be The website will be dynamic with the National included in the library along with its existing Mission on Libraries India, an initiative of the collection in 14 languages. Ministry of Culture under the Government of India, to take care of the funding part, Singh, “We are going to introduce eight new sections also the Director-General of Raja Rammohan for developing repositories in Sindhi, Konkani, Library Foundation said. Asked why the present Manipuri, Nepali, Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, and National Library website will not be used, he said, Santhali”, he said. the current site will not be able to support it. “The National Library of India has been For revamping the work of the National Library, maintaining repositories of 14 scheduled there are plans to open its closed city hub in the languages for long years under the Delivery of Esplanade area soon, with the best possible Books and Newspapers Act 1954 revised in 1956. information and communication The eighth schedule consists of 22 official technology support. The city hub, which was an languages. Keeping in view the stature of 22 extension of the main Library premises in the official languages we are going to introduce Alipore area, is closed since 2004. these eight new sections,” he said.

It used to have newspapers and periodicals for Singh said a lithographic exhibition, the first one people coming to the heart of the city. “This will in Kolkata, largely consisting of the collections of be a section of National Library boasting of the Ashutosh Mukherjee, representing pictures of the best possible state-of-the-art technology where old city will be put on display hopefully by next people, including young adults, will have month depending on the COVID-19 restrictions electronics-based services, a place where the or whenever the situation becomes conducive. traditional library services will be blended with The illustrated collections numbering around 140- the latest new-age technology,” Singh told a 150 include a picture of the official residence of press meet here. the Governor-General under British rule, the He said a committee of experts in library science, Garden Reach area, and a Hindu temple near technology experts, and from other fields was Strand Road. being formed to give more thrust to the project The library also aimed to strengthen the while NMLI would provide financial support. reprographic section by installing state of the art Asked about the highlight of the proposed self-automated ICT devices compatible with initiative since libraries like British Council Library electronic money transfer particularly to help and American Centre in nearby areas also research scholars, revise the delivery of books possess state of the art technology, Singh said act to make it mandatory for sending a copy of

NIRT Library News Bulletin 59 every publication in India and every India disposable masks, protection kits including specific publication in the world to the National cleaning supplies, alcohol-based sanitisers, as Library and revamp the existing section for well as the purchase and consumption of children, he said, To a question, Singh asserted canned and packaged food, has created many the plans will be implemented as soon as tonnes of additional waste, much of it possible. hazardous.

The National Library has decided to commemorate the 75th year of Independence Day celebrations in August this year with all these outreach programmes that will enable it to reach out to citizens through books, newspapers, rare documents, and digital resources. “Psychologically we will wish all our programmes be ready before that date. Let’s hope we will be able to execute them by that time. If that is not possible we will try to make Composting has immense potential to minimise extra things happen as soon as possible,” he added. waste. (Source: Getty Images)

But this also raises the need for our cities to have effective systems in place that are resource-

efficient, circular, and inclusive. By shifting to zero waste strategies, municipalities can immediately begin reducing the costs of their waste management and device steps that focus Reimagining cities towards zero on rethinking and reinventing waste management. waste: A roadmap to resource But how can cities adopt zero waste concepts? recovery To start with, make segregation mandatory not optional. As per the Solid Waste Management How can cities adopt zero waste concepts? To Rules, 2016, every generator needs to segregate start with make segregation mandatory not waste into wet (biodegradable), dry (non- optional. As per the Solid Waste Management biodegradable) and domestic hazardous waste. Rules, 2016, every generator needs to segregate waste into wet (biodegradable), dry (non- To mainstream segregation and focus on waste biodegradable) and domestic hazardous waste. reduction at source, price incentives can be explored as a key driver of behaviour. For New Delhi | instance, in countries such as Sweden, South Updated: June 22, 2021 5:54:06 pm Korea, excessive generation of waste is Written by Swati Singh Sambyal disincentivised as citizens pay more user-fee over those who generate less. Also, unique initiatives COVID-19 has not only burdened the health like the one being practiced in Mangaluru could infrastructure of our cities but the pandemic has be explored, wherein there is a 50 per cent further amplified the challenges of waste concession on property tax for households that management. Increased use of PPEs such as segregate and compost their waste, also mixed

NIRT Library News Bulletin 60 waste is not collected. These efforts must be resource recovery with a phase-out plan from complemented with continuous advocacy and being heavily dependent on disposal awareness such as by focusing on ward-level infrastructures such as landfills or incinerators. committees that monitor and supervise Create decentralised infrastructure, wherever segregation at source. Creating a segregation applicable to reduce costs on C&T. In the long incentive system will ensure maximum recovery term, over 50 per cent savings in C&T have been of wet and dry waste and ensuring that minimum observed in cities that have moved to goes to the landfills. decentralised systems for instance (eg: Alappuzha, Kerala, Ambikapur, Chattisgarh). Further, cities can encourage residents, bulk generators to treat wet waste at the source and may consider creating systems for subsidies and incentives for adoption of decentralised technologies such as biomethanisation, composting etc.

The pandemic has further amplified the challenges of waste management (Express Photo by Aditya Paul)

Secondly, setting up effective collection and transportation (C&T) systems to support segregation, end to end, right from collection, Creating a segregation incentive system will ensure processing to disposal. This will help in reducing maximum recovery of wet and dry waste and ensuring contamination of resources (especially dry that minimum goes to the landfills. (Representational) waste) and will further create systems so that Composting has a huge potential to reduce and resources could be reutilised and recycled. Also, upcycle waste into fertilisers that remains increasing collection efficiency in cities by route untapped. Compost as a service can be optimisation will also help in saving resources provided in cities. Going further, create market such as fuel. This has been explored in cities such linkages for compost. Arrange a system to as Surat (Gujarat), Indore, (Madhya Pradesh), procure compost and give coupons that can be and Nagpur (Maharashtra). Further, a robust used in all milk booths/grocery counters or similar Management Information System (MIS) to outlets. On a trial basis, this model can be run in enhance accountability and transparency and a few RWAs/societies in each local authority. to get data on percentage of waste Also, urban local bodies can provide a list of segregated, collected and processed, for local vendors and technologies available to instance in the case of Vijayawada in Andhra manage resources on their website so that Pradesh. information is easily accessible. Third, build systems for maximum resource Suchitwa Mission in Kerala, responsible for recovery in cities. Change the infrastructure in providing technical and managerial support to line with the new paradigm to support maximum the local self governments of the State has list of

NIRT Library News Bulletin 61 vendors shared on their website. For dry waste, Local resident/RWA committees can play a key ensure further sorting into fractions and setting role in ensuring citizen commitment towards up recovery infrastructure by integrating informal waste segregation. Also, educating waste sector. For instance Panaji, Goa launched the collectors is important to ensure they do not mix ‘Shop with your waste campaign’ wherein waste. households can barter their clean dry waste for grocery items from assigned shops, the Media can play an important role in creating shopkeeper further gets incentivised by the awareness by sharing success stories of recycler and the recycler gets a clean dry interventions. Lastly, integrating city-specific stream to process further- a win-win-win situation local sanitation and solid waste management for all. byelaws with zero-waste strategy incorporating various steps that will help in transforming the city Additionally, impose a landfill/incineration tax into a zero-waste city. per tonne of waste disposed/incinerated in order to reduce dependence on land, and dis- The regulations must be supported by evidence incentivise dumping and waste incineration. and local context. Cities need to undertake data inventorisation and waste characterisation Tipping fee shall not only be related to the studies to estimate the existing quantities of quantum of waste supplied to the waste that will help to prepare effective concessionaire/operator but also to the efficient implementable strategy on zero waste and regular collection of segregated waste. systems for a city. UN-Habitat has developed the Fourth, integrate informal sector as they are the Waste Wise Cities Tool (WaCT), based on SDG real resource managers in our cities. One option indicator 11.6.1 parameters, to support cities and could be to integrate waste pickers directly into countries in undertaking a comprehensive collecting waste at source, with a right over diagnostic of MSW to aid scientific and recyclables and a guarantee of regular access evidence-based development of projects and to waste also incorporating this in city SWM investments. In India, the tool has been applied byelaws. in Mangalore city to understand waste leakages and support the city in effective action plans Another, and better option would be to and planning for circular investments. associate with them as co-operatives or societies. Municipalities could also support 1. http://ccpgoa.com/index.php informal sector in establishing cooperatives or 2. https://unhabitat.org/waste-wise-cities SMEs (eg: Ambikapur model where a 440 women 3. https://unhabitat.org/wwc-tool led SHG manages resources in its 17 decentralised resource centres). Last, provide As per UNEP, the urban population, as a them with training to build their skills in upcycling proportion of the overall population, is expected interventions so that they can be integrated with to rise to 70 per cent by 2050, by which time the private run facilities. Fifth, awareness and social world’s cities will be generating 75 per cent of engineering have to be continuous, not global waste and greenhouse gas emissions. intermittent. Under the Swachh Bharat Mission About time, cities commit to becoming zero and state-led interventions, various campaigns waste, as this will also give urban local bodies an and programmes have been underway opportunity in showcasing their leadership and however, more outreach efforts are needed to willingness to tackle the existential threat that change behaviour at grassroots. climate change poses, by helping to support maximum resource recovery (over 80 per cent),

NIRT Library News Bulletin 62 empower livelihoods and make resource What are the symptoms of TB disease? management wealth-generating. What is the difference between latent TB The author is a Waste Management Specialist infection (LTBI) and TB disease? with UN-Habitat India. Should I get tested for TB?

What are the tests for TB infection?

What if I have a positive test for TB infection?

What if I have been vaccinated with bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)?

Questions and Answers About If I have latent TB infection (LTBI), how can I avoid developing TB disease? Tuberculosis What are the side effects of medicines to treat Questions and Answers About Tuberculosis latent TB infection (LTBI)? (TB) provides information on the diagnosis and treatment of TB infection and TB disease. Key What if I have HIV infection? audiences for this booklet are people with or at If I was exposed to someone with TB disease, can risk for TB; people who may have been exposed I give TB to others? to someone with TB; people who provide services for those at high risk for TB, such as correctional How is TB disease treated? officers, homeless shelter workers, and emergency responders; and people who want What are the side effects of TB disease to learn more about tuberculosis. medicines?

This publication is also being developed in Why do I need to take TB medicines for so long? Spanish and will be available in the coming months. What are multidrug-resistant TB (MDR TB) and extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR TB)? TABLE OF CONTENTS What is directly observed therapy (DOT)? What is TB? How can I remember to take my TB medicines if Why is TB still a problem in the United States? I am not on DOT?

How is TB spread? How can I keep from spreading TB?

Who is at risk for getting TB? Additional TB Resources

What is latent TB infection (LTBI)? Page last reviewed: June 29, 2021Content source: Division of Tuberculosis Elimination What is TB disease? So: https://www.cdc.gov/tb/publications/faqs/default.htm Who is at risk for TB disease?

NIRT Library News Bulletin 63 Both COVID19 and tuberculosis (TB) primarily target the same organ of the body — the lungs. Though COVID19 is caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV-2, TB is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Explained: Double burden of COVID19 and Tuberculosis

Is there a direct link between Coronavirus and tuberculosis? What are the long-term impacts of delay in TB diagnosis due the pandemic? What’s the integrated approach for prevention and care of COVID-19 and TB patients? Details here.

Gaon Connection | Updated: June 23rd, 2021

The higher numbers of TB cases can also be attributed to the disruption of the health services for the patients due to the havoc wreaked by the COVID19 pandemic.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), tuberculosis and COVID-19 are both infectious diseases that attack primarily the lungs. Both diseases have similar symptoms such as cough, fever and difficulty breathing. TB, however, has a longer incubation period with a slower onset of disease. Incubation period refers OVID19 is caused by a coronavirus known as SARS-CoV- to the time gap between contracting an 2 whereas TB is caused by a bacterium called infection and experiencing its symptoms. Mycobacterium tuberculosis. “While experience on COVID-19 infection in TB With COVID19 caseload bringing about an patients remains limited, it is anticipated that unprecedented stress on India’s health people ill with both TB and COVID-19 may have infrastructure, other deadly infectious diseases poorer treatment outcomes, especially if TB seem to have lost the attention they need. treatment is interrupted,” warns the WHO.

News reports indicate that there has been an Is there a direct link between COVID19 and increase in the cases of tuberculosis (TB) tuberculosis? infection ever since the COVID19 pandemic started in India in March, last year. But because An infection of a person’s lungs by COVID19 of the pandemic and the lockdown, TB doesn’t necessarily mean that tuberculosis notification in India has dropped by 46 per cent infection will soon take over but a decline in the between 2019 and 2020, as reflected in the data general immunity of the patient makes her/him from Nikshay portal, under the National vulnerable for other infections like TB. Tuberculosis Elimination Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The higher numbers of TB cases can also be attributed to the disruption of the health services

NIRT Library News Bulletin 64 for the patients due to the havoc wreaked by t also stated that history of active as well as the COVID19 pandemic. latent TB is an important risk factor for SARS-CoV- 2 infection. “This not only results in increased A September 2020 article published in BMJ susceptibility, but also rapid and severe symptom Journals states that there was a sharp decline in development and disease progression with poor the vaccination of children against TB in India as outcomes,” it stated. the medical infrastructure was hugely concentrated on containing and treating In its suggestion, the health ministry also stated COVID19. that there must be a ‘bidirectional screening’ of all the COVID and TB patients:

COVID screening for diagnosed TB patients: All newly diagnosed TB patients or those currently on treatment should be tested for COVID-19. Based on the result of COVID-19 test, further management would be undertaken as per the health ministry’s guidelines. Even upon diagnosis of COVID, treatment of TB should continue uninterrupted.

TB screening for COVID positive patients: All

Ajith Bhasker, a Kozhikode-based pulmonologist has COVID-19 cases should be screened for TB been quoted as saying in a news report that routine TB symptoms using the four-symptom complex detection had taken a back seat during the COVID19 (Cough for more than two weeks, persistent pandemic fever for more than two weeks, significant weight loss, night sweats), history of contact with TB cases, history of TB. Explained: Why Covaxin is not approved by WHO? Why USFDA rejected its emergency use? Potential impact of COVID19 on tuberculosis Will it affect international travel? The reputed medical journal The “In March 2020, over 260,000 fewer children [in Lancet, published a research paper on India] received the BCG vaccine that provides November 1, last year stating that the disruption protection against childhood TB than in January in the treatment of TB patients due to COVID19 2020. The decline in April was even sharper—just can have potentially long term effects. half as many children received the BCG vaccine in April 2020 as in January 2020,” the article “If lockdown-related disruptions cause a mentioned. temporary 50% reduction in TB transmission, we estimated that a 3-month suspension of TB How tuberculosis is especially dangerous for services, followed by 10 months to restore to COVID patients normal, would cause, over the next 5 years, an additional 1·19 million TB cases and 361,000 TB The Union Health Ministry, in September, 2020, deaths in India, 24,700 TB cases and 12,500 in its notes on the screening of COVID19 andTB, deaths in Kenya, and 4,350 cases and 1,340 mentioned that the prevalence of TB among deaths in Ukraine,” it estimated. COVID19 patients has been found to be 0.37 per cent to 4.47 per cent in different studies.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 65 From the finding of the research, it was cases that are emerging now are the ones that interpreted that lockdown-related disruptions were not detected during the COVID19 can cause long-lasting increases in TB burden. pandemic.

“But these negative effects can be mitigated Ajith Bhasker, a Kozhikode-based pulmonologist with rapid restoration of TB services, and has been quoted as saying in a news report that targeted interventions that are implemented as routine TB detection had taken a back seat soon as restrictions are lifted,” The Lancet noted. during the COVID19 pandemic.

“TB is a disease which progresses slowly and people may relate their symptoms such as cough and fever to be part of the seasonal illness and ignore it,” he said.

“When these people are hospitalised with COVID, the patches that show up in lung X-rays are assumed to be those due to COVID. Thus many of the TB cases which are now surfacing are cases which we failed to pick up earlier from the community,” Bhasker added. Both COVID19 and tuberculosis (TB) primarily target the same organ of the body — the lungs. Tuberculosis in India

Meanwhile, as per the Stop TB Partnership’s Before COVID19 became a global pandemic, media brief released in March this year, since India was already dealing with tuberculosis March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has (TB)—which affected 2.64 million Indians in 2019 severely disrupted TB responses in low- and and killed nearly 450 000 people in the country, middle-income countries, stalling and reversing as per the data published in the ‘India TB Report years of progress made against TB. In 2020, 2020’ by the Union Health Ministry. COVID-19 overtook TB globally as the most common cause of death from an infectious The data, in other words, mean that India disease, but in low- and middle-income witnessed over 1,000 TB deaths every single day, countries, TB deaths remain far higher than those well before COVID-19 entered the picture. from COVID-19. Integrated approach for prevention and care of As the number of people vaccinated against COVID-19 and TB patients: COVID-19 grows, the number of COVID-19 deaths decrease while TB will continue to kill Implement massive community and primary roughly 4000 people globally every day, warned health care level screening. People with a Stop TB Partnership. cough and fever should be tested for both TB and COVID19. Delay in diagnosis of tuberculosis leading to surge in cases Mobilise, create, develop and support networks of TB survivors and TB communities. Meanwhile, due to the disruption of the TB treatment and the prolonged incubation period of the infection, doctors claim that many of the

NIRT Library News Bulletin 66 Implement airborne infection prevention and Over 34% of the patients included in the control measures in all health care units and in assessment had one of the comorbidities. congregation settings. Over 23% had diabetes, 19% hypertension, 3.2% Implement real-time surveillance data with early heart disease, 0.8% kidney disorders and 1.1% warning systems for data-driven and agile asthma. public-health decision making. So: https://en.gaonconnection.com/covid19- The symptoms included coughing, tuberculosis-coronavirus-lungs-vaccination-deaths- breathlessness, tiredness and sleeplessness. cases-india-who/ Weight loss (9%), hair loss (7%), fatigue/tiredness (7%) and sleeplessness (5%) were the other

commonly reported symptoms.

Just 1.6% of the individuals reported persistent breathlessness, 0.8% reported joint pain, 0.7% loss of appetite and 0.5% reported loss of memory after the COVID-19 infection. Of the residents 24% of COVID-19-recovered who reported symptoms post-recovery, 57% were men and 43% were women. Persistent patients in Chennai reporting symptoms were higher among the age group of symptoms 45-59 years (40%), followed by 30-44 years (24%). Among those who remained asymptomatic CHENNAI, JUNE 24, 2021 23:29 ISI during the active phase of the infection, 4% Common issues include coughing, reported symptoms. breathlessness, tiredness and sleeplessness. Post-COVID-19 symptoms were significantly Around 24% of patients in the city, who were higher among those hospitalised than those in infected with SARS-CoV-2, continued having home isolation, and also higher among those symptoms long past the time they recovered who required oxygen therapy, officials said. from the initial phases of COVID-19, whereas 76% Persistent symptoms beyond 12 weeks of COVID- completely recovered from the infection. 19 have been reported from various zones. Corporation Commissioner Gagandeep Singh

Bedi said doctors had started offering tele- counselling services for helping such patients with “long-haul COVID-19”.

Rubeshkumar, consultant, Indian Council of Medical Research - National Institute of Epidemiology, said 48.2% of the respondents selected randomly for the rapid needs Delta plus India: Scientists say assessment for post COVID-19 symptoms were those who recovered after getting admitted to too early to tell risk of Covid-19 a hospital. Others were in home isolation. variant Soutik Biswas | India correspondent | 23 June

NIRT Library News Bulletin 67 The variant is related to the Delta, an existing variant of concern, which was first identified in India last year and is thought to have driven the deadly second wave of infections this summer in India.

The health ministry says the Delta plus variant, first found in India in April, has been detected in around 40 samples from six districts in three states - Maharashtra, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh. At least 16 of these samples were found in Maharashtra, one of the states hardest hit by the The Delta strain was said to be responsible for pandemic. the deadly second wave of infections Delta plus has also been found in nine other India has classified a new variant of the countries - USA, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, coronavirus first identified in Europe as a "variant of concern", but it's too early to tell whether it Poland, Nepal, Russia and China - compared to poses a significant threat. the original highly contagious Delta strain, which has now spread to 80 countries. India's health ministry says studies showed that the so-called Delta plus variant - also known as Viruses mutate all the time and most changes AY.1 - spreads more easily, binds more easily to are inconsequential. Some even harm the virus. But others can make the disease more infectious lung cells and is potentially resistant to or threatening - and these mutations tend to monoclonal antibody therapy, a potent dominate. intravenous infusion of antibodies to neutralise the virus.

NIRT Library News Bulletin 68 A mutation is elevated from a "variant of interest" to a "variant of concern" (VOC) when it shows evidence of fulfilling at least one of several criteria, including easy transmission, more severe illness, reduced neutralisation by antibodies or reduced effectiveness of treatment and vaccines.

But leading virologists have questioned the labelling of Delta plus as a variant of concern, saying there was no data yet to prove that the Hundreds of thousands of viral genomes have been variant was more infectious or led to more severe analysed across the world disease compared to other variants. respectively (Beta was linked to increased hospitalisation and deaths during South Africa's "There is no data yet to support the variant of first wave of infections, while Gamma was concern claim," said Dr Gagandeep Kang, a estimated to be highly transmissible). virologist and the first Indian woman to be elected Fellow of the Royal Society of London. Even with 166 examples of Delta plus shared on GISAID, a global open sharing database, "we Headache and runny nose linked to Delta variant don't have much reason to believe this is any What do we know about India's new vaccines? more dangerous than the original Delta," according to Dr Jeremy Kamil, a virologist at "You need biological and clinical information in Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center order to consider whether it is truly a variant of in Shreveport. concern." What is the India Covid variant? This means India needs more data to determine whether the variant is neutralised by antibodies Where is the Indian variant and how is it generated by available vaccines or infection by spreading? another variant of the coronavirus. "Delta plus might have a slight advantage at Also, extensive data is needed about the infecting and spreading between people who increase in transmissibility, diagnostic failures - were previously infected earlier during the routine tests not picking up the variant - and pandemic or who have weak or incomplete whether the variant is causing more severe vaccine immunity," Dr Kamil told me. disease. "I would keep calm. I don't think India or anyone "You need to study a few hundred patients who else in the world has released or accumulated are sick with this condition and variant and find enough data to distinguish the risk from the so- out whether they are at greater risk of greater called Delta plus as being more dangerous or disease than the ancestral variant," Dr Kang said. concerning than the original Delta variant."

The Delta plus variant contains an additional Dr Anurag Agarwal, director of the Delhi-based mutation called K417N on the coronavirus spike, CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative which has been found in the Beta and Gamma Biology (IGIB), one of the 28 Indian labs involved variants, first found in South Africa and Brazil in genome sequencing, said "all lineages of the

NIRT Library News Bulletin 69 Delta variant are variants of concern", so there was nothing unusual in labelling Delta plus as such.

"We do not have any indicators as of now to show that Delta plus should be causing any public health worry or panic. We are not seeing anything worrisome yet. We are tracking it carefully, and strengthening all public health measures," he said.

Dr Kamil said the government in India "would rather over-react now than seem flat-footed later, as was the case with the Delta variant".

Most scientists say India dropped the ball on sequencing enough samples for the variant which had fuelled a massive second surge in Covid infections in India in April and May.

"I am not overly worried. But it's fair to keep an eye on the variant."

So: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india- 57564560

NIRT Library News Bulletin 70