In today’s updates, we shall see the steps our government and authorities are taking to prevent the spread of the virus. Additionally, we shall also learn about the government’s new programme called “Mission Covid Suraksha”.
REGULAR UPDATES
- New Cases = 2.61 L and National Positivity Rate = 13.54%. Cumulative Vaccine Doses = 12.26 Cr
- Maharashtra accounts for over 38% of the total active cases, followed by UP & Delhi. Thus, Maharashtra the received highest quantity of Oxygen.
- PM Modi appealed to keep Kumbh Mela symbolic. Additionally, all attendees need to stay 14 Days quarantine
- Furthermore, PM Modi directed to increase production of medical oxygen to meet growing demands
- Railways to impose fine up to Rs 500 for not wearing masks in trains and stations premises
- Health Minister reviewed availability of Oxygen, Ventilators, Manpower, Medicines, Hospital Beds with 11 States/UT.
- Govt. capped Remdesivir price. This is in addition to doubling the production & supply of Remdesivir.
- In Leh (Ladakh), all educational institutions will be closed till 30 Apr.
- Additionally, Railway to transport LMO and O2 cylinders.
- Green corridor being made..
- Furthermore, dedicated COVID facility by DRDO with no charges in Delhi.
- Finally, government created Task force to mitigate surging impact of Covid in West Bengal.
GoI will be providing Additional Ventilators to: –
- Maharashtra = 1121 ventilators
- Uttar Pradesh = 1700 ventilators
- Gujarat = 1600 ventilators
- Jharkhand = 1500 ventilators
- Chhattisgarh = 230 ventilators
- Madhya Pradesh = 152 ventilators
MISSION COVID SURAKSHA
On Wednesday, Government of India launched this mission “MISSION COVID SURAKSHA”. This is aimed towards faster development and deployment of vaccines into the market.
- The government will choose 5-6 vaccine candidates. It will help them at every step, right from R&D to getting a license for sale in the market.
- For Mission Covid Suraksha, the Department of Biotechnology will get a grant of Rs 900 crore
- The mission aims at providing end-to-end passage to vaccines — from pre-clinical stage to manufacturing.
- The Centre announced this package during the third stimulus.
- The aim of the project is to also establish clinical trial sites and strengthen the existing immunoassay laboratories, central laboratories.
- Additionally, this mission will also work towards finding suitable facilities for animal studies, production facilities and other test facilities to support Covid-19 vaccine development.
Furthermore, Five vaccines are under different phases of clinical trial in India, including the Russian Vaccine Sputnik-V.
- AstraZeneca: Serum Institute of India is conducting Phase-3 clinical trial of this.
- Bharat Biotech-ICMR vaccine: This has already started Phase-3 clinical trial.
- Zydus Cadila: It has completed Phase-2 Clinical trials in India
- Sputnik V: Dr Reddy’s Laboratories will soon start combined Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine in India.
- Biological E. Ltd: Early Phase 1 and 2 of human trials started.
When asked to comment on the mission, PM Narendra Modi highlighted that there are still no final decisions on aspects like Price and Number of Doses
We don’t have answers to such questions right now as there are different people in the world making it. The corporate world is involved, there is competition among them, countries have their diplomatic interests, have to wait for WHO also
PM Narendra Modi