Health Care

THE PUNE-BASED FIM COMES UP WITH 3D-PRINTED

MASKS COATED WITH ANTI-VIRAL AGENTS

Integration of 3D printing and pharmaceuticals has resulted in a novel type of mask that attacks the virus when viral particles come in contact with it. Developed by Pune-based start-up firm Thincr Technologies India Private Limited, these masks are coated with anti-viral agents known otherwise as virucides. The filters of these reusable masks have also been developed using 3D printing. The masks have been found to have bacterial filtration efficiency higher than 95%.

-Vijay Shankar

ICMR TO START 4TH NATIONAL SERO SURVEY

Sero survey is used to determine the prevalence of coronavirus antibodies in the community.

This will be the fourth serosurvey conducted by the ICMR in the country.

It would begin in 70 districts across the country and will also include children aged six years and above.

In a serosurvey, blood samples are tested for the presence of IgG (immunoglobulin G) antibodies that determine a past infection due to the coronavirus.

- Vijay Shankar

INDIA REPORTS THE LOWEST DAILY COVID-19 CASES

India reports the lowest daily COVID-19 cases in 75 days as 60,471 tests positive India has reported 60,471 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest one-day rise in the number of cases in the last 75 days.

The country also reported 2,726 deaths in the last 24 hours. With this, the total number of cases has reached 2,95,70,881, while the death toll has surged to 3,77,031. Active cases declined to 9,13,378.

-Pavith

GOVERNMENT PANEL CONFIRMS FIRST DEATH DUE TO COVID-19

Govt panel confirms 1st death due to COVID-19 vaccination side effect The government panel studying Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) data has confirmed first death directly related to COVID-19 vaccination side effect. A 68-year-old man died on March 8 due to anaphylaxis (an acute allergic reaction) after being administered the COVID-19 vaccine, the panel said. Two other people developed anaphylaxis after vaccination but recuperated after treatment, it added.

-Pavith

FREE AMBULANCE SERVICE - ZERODHA

No amount of effort is sufficient in this battle against #COVID19. In the first phase, Zerodha starting with 5 ambulances & today 50 fully equipped Advanced Life Support ambulances in Bangalore & Mumbai.

They are also setting up a Step-Down hospital at Pobbathi Maternity Center at Sajjan Rao Circle, Bangalore to serve as a transit point for Oxygen delivery.

Each ambulance is equipped with a ventilator, critical care equipment & medication, a nurse, and a paramedic.

Half of them will have a doctor on board and the other half will have remote doctors. Five ambulances are equipped with freezing capabilities.

They are also supporting other organizations working on various COVID related issues such as ACT Grants, Feeding India, Surya Foundation among others: https://zerodha.com/covid

-Bobler

INDIA PASSES 20 MILLION CASES AMID OXYGEN SHORTAGE

India has recorded more than 20 million Covid infections, but the government says that cases are "slowing down".

The country added more than 355,000 cases on Tuesday, down from more than 400,000 daily cases on 30 April. But testing numbers have dipped as well, sparking fears that India's true caseload is far higher.

The country has so far reported more than 222,000 deaths due to the virus. But experts say India's Covid death toll is vastly under-reported as official tallies don't appear to match what people are witnessing on the ground - long lines at crematoriums, mass funeral pyres, and cities running out of space to bury or cremate the dead.

Many states have introduced restrictions, from full lockdowns to night curfews. The northern state of Bihar, which has been adding about 13,000 daily cases in recent days, is the latest to announce a full lockdown -only essential services, such as government offices, groceries, and hospitals, will be open.

-Bobler

PAYTM, INFOSYS SEEKS COVID-19 VACCINE BOOKINGS

Around 15 state agencies and companies have sought the government's approval to provide online COVID-19 vaccine bookings, RS Sharma, who chairs the government panel overseeing COWIN, told Reuters. They include companies such as Paytm, Infosys, MakeMyTrip, healthcare firms Apollo and Max, and e-pharmacy 1mg, Sharma said.

"The union of all entities is better than one individual platform," he added.

-Jyothi S Talawar

DELTA COVID-19 VARIANT 1st FOUND IN INDIA

The WHO's Europe director warned that the highly transmissible COVID-19 variant first identified in India is "poised to take hold in the region."

WHO's Dr. Hans Kluge said the Delta variant has shown signs of being able to evade some vaccines and warned that many vulnerable populations remain unprotected.

He called for vaccination to be stepped up across the continent.

-Jyothi S Talawar

SIX DOSES OF COVID VACCINE AT ONE TIME

The question which is common across the world is 2 doses of vaccination is enough? Two different companies' doses can be mixed? Can't we have one single dose of effective vaccination? But Italian women perfect candidate answer for the vaccination.

23 years old Italian women have received six doses But an Italian woman may have become the perfect candidate to answer all vaccine questions henceforth. A 23-year-old Italian lady recently made headlines in the country for receiving six doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine of vaccination.

A nurse mistakenly injected one whole vial of the vaccine instead of the dose to the women which is equivalent to six doses of the vaccine.

Fortunately, the woman did not face any adverse side effects. Soon after the vaccination fluids and paracetamol were used to ensure her well-being.

-Jyothi S Talawar

COW DUNG AGAINST COVID-19

In India, some people of practicing using cow dung applying over the body and also drinking cow urine to get high immunity power to fight against Corona doctors are warning against these practices by saying there is no scientific evidence and report for its effectiveness in over-treating covid-19 and they inform the risks of spreading other diseases. Some believers have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung and urine in the hope it will boost their immunity against, or help them recover from, the coronavirus most in Gujarat in western India. This can lead to a false sense of safety and causes other health complications.

"There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief," said Dr. JA Jayalal, national president at the Indian Medical Association.

-Jyothi S Talawar

GEETA BASRA REVEALS HOW YOGA GOT HER THROUGH PREGNANCY

Geeta Basra, who is currently expecting her second child with cricketer Harbhajan Singh, recently took to Instagram to share how yoga has been a savior for her. She stressed the importance of exercise during pregnancy and how unsafe it is for expecting mothers like her to go to gyms during the pandemic.

Yoga has helped her cope with backaches and provided her relief, says Geeta Basra. “So during COVID times when there’s very little to no physical activity.. you can’t go anywhere, unsafe to go to gyms, etc especially for expecting mothers, the one thing that has got me through this pregnancy is YOGA. It was something I practiced with my guru rohitflowyoga even before being pregnant daily but during pregnancy with constant backaches and cramps yoga has surely given me relief in many ways. So for many expectant mothers out there looking for some form of exercise, this is something I truly recommend even to those who are not pregnant. But please note any form of training and practice should only be done under the supervision of a professional,” read her Instagram post.

In Covid times, and with the second wave of the pandemic upon us, going out is fraught with risks. Yoga might just be the solution you need. Geeta Basra will second that.

-Aishwarya Sridhar

THIS ONE COMMUNITY HAS ALWAYS BEEN AT THE FRONT GLOBALLY

The world may be seen various situations of crisis, disaster, natural calamities, war, and more and through the same, there’s just one community that has gone out there to serve everyone in need.

These GOD sent Sikhs have been serving mankind for years and even while #India battles its struggles through this second phase and medical supplies being a challenge, this community is sending out machines for generating oxygen and continually transporting the same across the country and all without any money: Oxygen Langars literally.

Working day and night this brilliant initiative through Evox is helping save thousands of lives ensuring that this supply of air can benefit.

And while it’s an auspicious weekend of Teg Bahadur this community lives to its might serving the nation putting their own lives at risk too to ensure the supplies don’t stop.

Not to mention that through these worst times the langars continue to feed thousands, while many help families with their cremations-burials.

Huge thanks; words are unable to express to these soldiers of GOD with hearts of GOLD!

-Bobler

KERALA: 100% VACCINATED ZONES

All popular holiday destinations in Kerala may soon be declared as complete vaccinated zones as the state government is mulling to provide COVID-19 jab to everyone in the tourism sector. The government has already started providing vaccines to those working in the industry after including them in the prioritized list considering them as frontline COVID-19 fighters, Tourism minister PA Mohammed Riyas said.

"We are mulling to make famous tourist destinations in the state 100 percent vaccinated zones by July 15 with the support of the health department," Riyas told the State Assembly during the question hour. The minister also said the state tourism sector had incurred losses to the tune of Rs. 33,675 crore due to the COVID-19 situation.

-Jyothi S Talawar

MENSTRUAL HYGIENE

In developing countries, womens' choices of menstrual hygiene materials are often limited by the costs, availability, and social norms.

Adequate sanitation facilities and access to feminine hygiene products are one part of the solution.

Creating a culture that welcomes discussion and makes adequate education for women and girls is of equal importance.

Research has found that not having access to menstrual hygiene management products can keep girls home from school during their period each month.

-Jyothi S Talawar

BLACK FUNGUS: IS DIABETES BEHIND INDIA'S HIGH NUMBER OF CASES

About 12,000 cases of a condition known as "black fungus" have been reported in India, mostly in patients recovering from Covid-19. This severe infection is normally very rare and has a mortality rate of about 50%.

Some medical experts have suggested India has seen cases growing because of the high prevalence of diabetes. But are other factors at work and what is happening in other countries?

Which countries have got black fungus?

Prior to the Covid pandemic, at least 38 countries around the world had reported cases of mucormycosis, more commonly known as a black fungus.

India and Pakistan had the highest rates with around 140 cases per million annually, according to Leading International Fungal Education.

-Bobler

MUCORMYCOSIS: THE 'BLACK FUNGUS' MAIMING COVID PATIENTS IN INDIA

Dr. Akshay Nair, a Mumbai-based eye surgeon, was waiting to operate on a 25-year-old woman who had recovered from a bout of Covid-19 three weeks ago.

Inside the surgery, an ear, nose, and throat specialist was already at work on the patient, a diabetic.

He had inserted a tube in her nose and was removing tissues infected with mucormycosis, a rare but dangerous fungal infection.

This aggressive infection affects the nose, eye, and sometimes the brain. After his colleague finished, Dr. Nair would carry out a three-hour procedure to remove the patient's eye.

"I will be removing her eye to save her life. That's how this disease works," Dr. Nair told me.

Even as a deadly second wave of Covid-19 ravages India, doctors are now reporting a rash of cases involving a rare infection - also called the "black fungus" - among recovering and recovered Covid-19 patients.

-Bobler

REINFECT RECOVERED COVID-19 PATIENTS

People who have fought off the Covid-19 virus will be deliberately reinfected in a first-of-its-kind trial at the University of Oxford that may shed light on how to develop more effective vaccines against the pathogen.

Researchers are looking for previously Covid-infected volunteers from 18 to 30 years old to be studied under control, the U.K. university said. Participants will be infected with the original strain from Wuhan, China and followed for a year.

Helping vaccine developers look at levels and types of immunity needed to prevent reinfection and how long protection persists and allow scientists to scrutinize the details of how the body confronts the virus.

-Jyothi S Talawar

WHO STEPS UP AID TO COVID SURGE

The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday it was stepping up efforts to help India as hospitals there struggled to cope with a huge surge in coronavirus cases, including bringing in oxygen and other essential supplies.

WHO spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said the crisis had worsened due to mass gatherings of people, more contagious variants and low vaccination rates.

We are working with the government to bring in essential supplies like oxygen and alleviate the immediate situation, The WHO was providing 4,000 oxygen concentrators.

-Jyothi S Talawar

SOLI SORABJEE PASSES AWAY DUE TO COVID AT THE AGE OF 91!

The former attorney general of India, Soli Jehangir Sorabji passed away today in a private hospital in Delhi due to covid 19 disease.

Mr. Sorabji was the Attorney General of India first from1989 to 1990 and then later from1998 to 2004.

He has been awarded Padma Vibhushan for his defense of the freedom of expression and the protection of human rights.

His notable books include The emergency, censorship and the press in India, Law, and justice, the laws of censorship in India, etc.

-Sujay B M

SELF HELP IS THE BEST HELP

Oxygen unit built by 72 hours and its assist over 30 patients per day! It was developed by engineers of Banas dairy, Gujarat set up a mini oxygen unit in a record of 72 hours which can serve 35-40 patients /day. Its main concern is to help medical colleges and the district-level hospital. The oxygen plant generates 680kg /day and it is equivalent to 70 jumbo oxygen cylinders.

How do plants work? This technology extracts oxygen from the air, which has 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen, and other gases. I wish it becomes self-reliant in oxygen supplies and grew more oxygen plants in the district.

-Bobler

RAILWAYS FOR OXYGEN

The Railways has delivered more than 20,770 metric tonnes (MT) of Liquid Medical Oxygen in more than 1,237 tankers to various states across the country. According to the Ministry of Railways, 305 Expresses have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various states, while six loaded Expresses were on run with more than 420 MT of LMO in 26 tankers.

-Jyothi S Talawar

WE ARE WITH YOU INDIA - Czech Republic

Czech Firefighters in Ostrava loaded 500 oxygen cylinders from Vítkovice Cylinders which the Czech Republic is donating to India due to the serious epidemic situation there.

The gift was approved by the Czech government on Thursday.

-Bobler

A STRUGGLE FOR OXYGEN

Delhi's government has said it wants the army to run Covid care facilities and intensive care units.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has repeatedly said that the city is not getting enough oxygen from the federal government, which allocates oxygen quotas to states.

But federal officials deny there are shortages, saying the challenge has come from transportation.

India produces thousands of tonnes of oxygen a day, but some experts say the supply crunch comes from a lack of investment in distribution networks.

Delhi hospitals have resorted to sending SOS messages on social media to secure supplies. For residents, hours spent in queues to top up portable canisters have become part of daily life.

Officials have also been urged to find more sites for cremations as the city's morgues and crematoriums are overwhelmed by masses of Covid deaths.

-Bobler

UK’S SECOND BIGGEST BABY WEIGHING 5.8 KG

Amber Cumberland, 21, had an unusually large bump when she was pregnant with her daughter Emilia. The size of the bump came as surprise to the doctors, who believed she was carrying twins.

The average weight of a newborn girl is approximately 7.5 pounds (3.4 kg). This, of course, comes with a standard deviation of about 0.6 pounds. That's because a mum has given birth to a child that is believed to be the second biggest baby girl in the UK, weighing 12 pounds and 14 ounces (5.8 kg) just 2 pounds less than the heaviest baby born in 2012.

According to reports, the baby had reached the size of a 36-week baby by just her 32nd week.

A little extra weight at birth might not pose any health threats. But when the number is much higher than expected, it surely raises a lot of eyebrows.

-Jyothi S Talawar

SEEKING VOLUNTEERS IN BENGALURU

Looking for Ways to Help With COVID-19? These Groups Are Seeking Volunteers in Bengaluru

If the pandemic seems interminable and you’re at a loose end wishing there was something you could do to help, there are organizations - including the federal government - looking for volunteers during COVID-19. They will match you with people in need or activities suited to your skills, including some that don’t even require you to leave your house (unless you want to, of course).

Here are some groups you might want to contact: Zerodha, Suriya Foundation, Mantra Social Services.

-Sushma H D

GROUP OF MINISTERS TO STUDY SOLUTIONS FOR COVID ESSENTIALS

The finance ministry on Saturday constituted a group of ministers (GOB) to enquire and study the possibilities of potential waivers of GST levies on essential Covid-19 relief material, including vaccines, as industries have expressed concerns about the delay over a critical decision amid the second wave of the pandemic.

Meghalaya CM, has been tasked with implementing its recommendations to the GST council on June 8th.

-Sujay BM

GOVERNMENT WARNS AGAINST FAKE COVID-19 REGISTRATION LINKS ONLINE

The third phase of Covid 19 vaccination in India has started on May 1 all over the country. Many states have yet not received vaccines as they are still waiting to get fresh stocks from the vaccine manufacturers.

Taking advantage of this situation, fraudsters are ensuring covid vaccines. They are sending fraud and malicious Covid 19 vaccine registration links to users over different social media sites.

Warning against these links, Minister of State for Education, Communications, Electronics and IT, Government of India, Sanjay Dhotre has shared a post on Twitter. ''BEWARE! There are many web links being shared on social media claiming to ensure #CovidVaccine. Please do not click on any such links from unauthorized sources!'', he wrote on Twitter. Registration for the coronavirus vaccine in the country can be done via official government sources.

-Meghna Ghosh

JUNIOR DOCTORS IN INDIA'S COVID CRISIS

"We've had to grow up a lot in one month... as fresh interns, we've been thrown into a crisis-like situation."

It's often said that jumping in at the deep end is the best way to start a new job.

And as Covid cripples India's healthcare system, it's sink or swims for junior doctors fresh out of university.

On 26 February, 22-year-old Dr. Pankti Pandya had just finished her final year of undergraduate study in her home state of Gujarat, on India's west coast. There were 424 Covid cases that day in Gujarat.

That daily number had risen to 1,580 by 22 March, when Pankti started her internship - the final phase of medical training before officially graduating - at Shree Krishna Hospital, in the district of Anand.

And by the time she had finished her first month of work, Gujarat's daily cases had soared to more than 12,500.

-Sushma H D

WAIT FOR THE VACCINATION TO THOSE AGED 18-45

COVID-19 vaccination for the age group of 18-45 will not begin from May 1 in Bengaluru and the rest of Karnataka as earlier announced, Health Minister Dr. Sudhakar confirmed on April 30.

He asked those aged between 18 to 45 to register on the Co-Win portal and wait for the government to inform them once new stocks arrive. This comes in wake of massive vaccine shortages reported in the state.

The Karnataka government said that the vaccination drive for the 18-45 age group will take place only in a phased manner. “So far the Government of India has supplied 99.40 lakh doses of vaccine to the state and 93.50 lakh doses have been administered. Around 5.9 lakh doses are available,” and “The state government is procuring 1 crore doses of vaccine. A work order has been placed to procure one crore additional doses of vaccine.

The fourth phase of vaccination drive will be taken up in stages,” Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said in a statement on April 29 evening.

-Jyothi S Talawar

SEA OF PLASTIC

Caroline Power through her pictures have shown us that every person commonly discards goods that can be easily recycled, refurbished, or reused.

Through her picture, she urges us to change this state of mind immediately to restore the natural ecology. Her photos are helping daily consumers and people to rethink and bring small changes in their attitudes and habits.

The photos that have come across from the Caribbean are absolutely shocking. Unhealthy habits are killing wildlife and destroying the ecosystem.

Power’s photos reveal the extent of the plastic waste issue.

Power had posted the photos on social media and requested people to come together and help. A strong plea has been made stating that this plastic pollution needs to stop.

People must think about their daily life and food habits must be evaluated in a crucial way to restrict plastic waste.

-Meghna Ghosh