Coronavirus LIVE Update: India's Cases Rise To 59,92,532; 94,503 Dead

Vaccine And Drug Development

The CSIR has decided to conduct randomized control trials to test for the effectiveness of a drug and had also called for applications for vaccine development under the national biopharma mission. 

The CSIR received 500 applications of which 16 applications have proceeded to the next stage. 

Singapore Extends Lockdown

The city-state of Singapore announced that it is extending its COVID-19 lockdown until June 1, announced Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The lockdown, initially announced on April 7, was supposed to last through May 4. 

India's Recovery Rate Is 17.48%

On April 20, 2020, 705 people recovered and were discharged taking the total number of recovered people in the country to 3252 individuals in the country. 

The country's recovery rate increased from 14% to 17.5%

Do Not Use Rapid Kits For Two Days: ICMR

The ICMR has received complaints and revoked antibody testing kits from three states after they were found to be defective. The tests provided variations. The ICMR is now sending field teams to the states which will validate the testing kits outside laboratories in batches. 

The ICMR has requested states to not use the testing kits for the next two days.

COVID Warriors In The Country

The Ministry has created empowered groups to tackle COVID-19 of which group number 4 has the responsibility of augmenting human resources and capacity building. The group has formulated a list of COVID warriors including medical, paramedical, and field level staff whpse details can be availed from the portal. Around 1.24 crore professionals and volunteers have been enlisted for this endeavour to tackle Coronavirus. 

The list includes 20 main categories and 49 sub categories with the number of professionals and hospitals available for this endeavour. 

Defective Kits In WB

National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, the ICMR's nodal agency in West Bengal, withdraws consignment of defective COVID-19 testing kits from some of govt-run labs in the state

Karnataka To Test People Aged 55+ With Any Discomfort

If you are aged 55-plus, have co-morbid conditions and now experiencing even slightest health discomfort, its time for coronavirus screening in Karnataka as the government is keen on pushing pre-emptive measures to check its spread.

Medical Education Minister Sudhakar K, who is in-charge of all matters related to COVID-19, told PTI on Tuesday the government would take it seriously even if such people feel uneasiness, tiredness or slightest of discomfort.

Most Rapid Tests Invalid In Rajasthan

Rajasthan on Tuesday stopped using rapid test kits for coronavirus after receiving invalid and incorrect results for a large number of samples.

Health Minister Raghu Sharma said the kits were giving mere five percent correct or valid results and a report has been forwarded to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in this regard.

One Of The COVID-19 Treatment Drugs Could Be Ready By July

Spanish pharmaceutical company Grifols said on Tuesday the hyperimmune immunoglobins it is developing as a treatment against SARS-COV-2 could be ready in mid-July.

Journalists Test Positive In Mumbai

Fifty three journalists tested positive for COVID-19 in Mumbai after an initiative by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to test journalists in the city. 

Delhi is all set to follow Mumbai's example while reporters in Karnataka have requested for the same.