India today reported less than 20,000 cases (18,795) for the first time since March 1. This is also a sharp drop from the cases reported yesterday (26,041). The country also reported 179 deaths, a significant drop from the 276 deaths reported the day before.
With over 1 crore doses given on Monday, the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 86 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. The daily COVID-19 vaccinations in the country crossed 1 crore for the first time on August 27.
Sources say the Emergency Use Authority (EUA) for Covaxin, the Covid vaccine developed in India, has been further delayed as the World Health Organization (WHO) sent more technical queries to its maker Bharat Biotech. This delay is likely to adversely affect the international travel plans of Indians, especially students. Without the EUA, Covaxin would not be considered a vaccine approved by most countries around the world.
The apex medical body, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), has said that even if the third wave hits the country, its intensity will be less.
The ICMR said that the drugs Ivermectin and Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) have been removed from the revised clinical guidelines for the management of adult COVID-19 patients. However, the new guidelines mention the use of remdesivir and tocilizumab in specific circumstances.
.