Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

Experts of the <keyword id="6364396" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="Orion">ICMR</keyword>'s National Task Force on COVID-19 for the fourth time have unanimously rejected the inclusion of <keyword id="9385138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-viral-drug" source="Orion">anti-viral drug</keyword> <keyword id="10880838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Molnupiravir" source="Orion">Molnupiravir</keyword> in the coronavirus treatment guidelines saying its "known and unknown harms far outweigh its claimed benefit". Responding to a question over Molnupiravir's inclusion in the treatment guidelines amid doctors prescribing it, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said experts have had extensive debate and discussions and reviewed the data available from three trials on the drug on Monday. "We had extensive deliberation and the final conclusion was that Molnupiravir has certain risks that warrant caution in its use. Experts present in the meeting opined that there is a rampant and irrational use of Molnupiravir. Efforts should be made to restrict its use as known and unknown harms far outweigh its claimed benefit," he said on Wednesday. "The currently available synthesised evidence was reviewed and the members unanimously agreed that it does not merit the inclusion of Molnupuravir in the national treatment guidelines for COVID-19," Bhargava said. The emerging evidence will constantly be reviewed, he added. "And lastly it was further highlighted the current clinical window of application appears extremely narrow for Molnupiravir with relevance only to the following --elderly, unvaccinated, with other comorbidities. "There was no evidence of benefit in diabetes and those who were previously infected with COVID-19 or were vaccinated," he said. India's drug regulator on December 28 had approved the anti-Covid pill for restricted use in emergency situations. Molnupiravir is an antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by viral mutagenesis, the health ministry earlier had said in a statement. The UK MHRA on December 4 granted approval for Molnupiravir under special condition for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive SARS-COV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. The USFDA on December 23 granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Molnupiravir for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation or death, and for whom alternative <keyword id="8918466" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-treatment" source="Orion">COVID-19 treatment</keyword> options authorised by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/study-shows-booster-dose-of-covaxin-has-neutralising-effect-on-omicron-delta-variants-says-bharat-biotech/articleshow/88867266.cms">Study shows booster dose of Covaxin has neutralising effect on Omicron, Delta variants, says Bharat Biotech</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/tcs-vs-infosys-vs-wipro-how-indias-three-it-giants-stack-up-against-each-other/slidelist/88860676.cms">TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro Q3 results – here’s how India’s three IT giants stack up against each other</a>

ICMR experts reject inclusion of Molnupiravir in COVID-19 treatment guidelines for fourth time citing safety concerns

<ul><li>In some states, the central government expresses concern over rising Covid-19 positivity rates and H3N2 influenza cases.</li><li>Maharashtra records a spike in Covid-19 cases and deaths, along with several other states.</li><li>Health experts clarify that the H3N2 influenza outbreak in India is normal but more aggressive and long-lasting than usual.</li></ul>The centre government expressed concern about a gradual increase in Covid-19 positivity rates in some states, coinciding with a rise in cases of the seasonal influenza subtype H3N2. According to the <keyword id="83655" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="union-health-ministry" source="Orion">Union Health Ministry</keyword>'s report on Tuesday, 402 new coronavirus cases were increased in India, while the number of active cases rose to 3,903. The ministry's data, updated at 8 am, also indicated two fresh deaths from the virus, with one each reported in Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh. The overall death toll due to Covid-19 in the country now stands at 5,30,784. The health department has reported that Maharashtra recorded 155 new Covid-19 cases on Tuesday, more than double the number of cases detected the previous day, bringing the total totality to 81,38,653. Two patients also succumbed to the infection in the state. Maharashtra, Kerala, Delhi, Telangana, and Gujarat are among the states that have reported more coronavirus cases than others. Despite the country's overall Covid-19 test positivity rate remaining at 0.5%, there has been a rise in the positivity rate in some districts and states. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Is H3N2 influenza another Covid-19?" comment="subhead" text="Is H3N2 influenza another Covid-19?">Is H3N2 influenza another Covid-19?</cmsannotation> At the same time, cases of H3N2 influenza continue to rise in the country, there are concerns that it could be mistaken for Covid-19. However, doctors and health experts clarified that this outbreak is normal. They have explained that the Covid-induced lockdowns over the past two years have led to no influenza exposure to children. Doctors have noted that the influenza surge in India is more aggressive and long-lasting than usual, with symptoms such as cough and congestion lasting up to three weeks, as opposed to the typical five to seven days for seasonal fever and cough. At least three deaths related to H3N2 have been reported in India this season. H3N2 has been responsible for some of the worst flu seasons in recent times, characterized by longer and more severe illnesses resulting in increased hospitalizations and deaths. Of the last five severe influenza seasons, H3N2 has been the cause of three, including the current outbreak in India. According to the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project, India has recorded nearly 600 influenza cases, with 451 classified as H3N2. Haryana, Karnataka, and Gujarat have reported associated deaths, including an 82-year-old with comorbidities and a 52-year-old with liver cancer. As per Indian Council of Medical Research (<keyword id="6364396" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="icmr" source="Orion">ICMR</keyword>) data, 6% of hospitalized patients exhibited clinical signs of pneumonia and seizures, while 7% developed severe diseases requiring Intensive Care Unit attention, and 10% needed supplemental oxygen. Details on the most recent death recorded in Gujarat on March 14, 2023, are yet to be disclosed. To combat the situation, the Centre requested all states and union territories to adhere to operational guidelines for the integrated surveillance of respiratory pathogens that present as cases of influenza-like illness (ILI) or severe acute respiratory infection (SARI). Additionally, the centre requested that states take stock of their hospital preparedness, including the availability of drugs and medical oxygen, and assess vaccination coverage against Covid-19 and influenza. (With agency inputs)

Rise in Covid-19 and H3N2 cases raise concern in India, Centre urges heightened vigilance

<ul><li>The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have issued new guidelines for the treatment of patients with COVID-19.</li><li>Patients with moderate COVID-19, those with respiratory distress, should be put under hospital care until their oxygen saturation levels are at reasonable levels.</li><li>Here is the full list of guidelines by AIIMS and ICMR for moderate COVID-19 patients — simplified. </li></ul>The All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have jointly issued new guidelines for the treatment of COVID-19 patients depending on the severity of a case — mild, moderate, or severe. And, in the case of moderate infections, India’s apex hospital has recommended that the concerned patient should be admitted into a hospital ward. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="How to identify a patient with moderate COVID-19 infection?" comment="subhead" text="How to identify a patient with moderate COVID-19 infection?">How to identify a patient with moderate COVID-19 infection?</cmsannotation> According to AIIMS, a patient is classified as having a moderate case of COVID-19 if their respiratory rate is more than 24 breaths per minute and their SpO2 levels — level of oxygen saturation — are between 90% to 93% on room air. This means the patient is likely to be experiencing breathlessness and needs to be in hospital care. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Recommendations to help with oxygen support" comment="subhead" text="Recommendations to help with oxygen support">Recommendations to help with oxygen support</cmsannotation> The targeted levels of oxygen saturation, or SpO2, should be between 92% to 96%. For patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), the recommended SpO2 level is between 88% to 92%. AIIMS and ICMR recommend a non-rebreathing face mask for oxygenation. All patients that require supplemental oxygen therapy should also be awake proning. This is when healthcare workers have patients lie on their stomachs to help with the oxygenation process. According to the guidelines, a patient’s position shoud be changed approximately every two hours. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy" comment="subhead" text="Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy">Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy</cmsannotation> Immunomodulatory therapy treats diseases targeting the immune system and anti-inflammatory therapy reduces internal swelling. AIIMS and ICMR recommend giving 0.5 to 1 mg/kg of methylprednisolone, which is usually used to treat <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601157.html">severe allergic reactions</a>, divided over two doses — or an equivalent dose of dexamethasone, also used to treat severe allergic reactions — for five to 10 days as injections. Patients can be switched over to oral medication once they show improvement or are stable. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Anticoagulation" comment="subhead" text="Anticoagulation">Anticoagulation</cmsannotation> Anticoagulants, also known as blood thinners, are used to prevent blood clots in COVID-19 patients. The guidelines recommend that moderate COVID-19 cases should be given the conventional dose of prophylactic unfractionated heparin, normally used to treat deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis — blood clots, usually in the legs. They can also be given Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), like 0.5 mg/kg of enoxaparin every day. But anticoagulants should only be used for patients with no contraindication or high risk of bleeding. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Things to monitor with moderate COVID-19 patients" comment="subhead" text="Things to monitor with moderate COVID-19 patients">Things to monitor with moderate COVID-19 patients</cmsannotation> <ol><li>Work of breathing — the number of breaths per minute</li><li>Hemodynamic instability — changes in the flow of blood</li><li>Change in oxygen requirement — or oxygen saturation</li><li>Regular X-Rays, HRCT chest scans should only be done if the patient’s condition worsens</li><li>CRP and D-dimer tests to be conducted every 48 hours to 72 hours.</li></ol>SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/clinical-guidance-and-treatment-for-severe-covid-19-patient-as-per-aiims/icmr/articleshow/82210693.cms">Here’s the clinical guidance one needs to follow for a 'severe' COVID-19 patient as per AIIMS/ICMR</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/mild-covid-19-symptoms-and-treatment-as-per-aiims-new-guidelines/articleshow/82210494.cms">What you can do if you have 'mild' COVID-19 symptoms, according to new AIIMS/ICMR guidelines</a>

Simplified: AIIMS, ICMR new guidelines for treatment of patients with ‘moderate’ case of COVID-19

New Delhi, May 4 () Indian Council of Medical Research has deployed IBM's artificial intelligence tool Watson Assistant to expedite and simplify responses from testing to provide accurate and updated data on COVID-19, the IT company said on Monday.The virtual chat assistant will give responses based on the final guidelines issued by ICMR and also filter old rules that remain valid for handling tests, sample collection, diagnostics, data entry etc related to coronavirus cases.ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said that it is critical to remain focused on testing, diagnosis and treatment of coronavirus patients in order to lower the growth curve.He said with the number of on-field testing teams expanding across the nation as part of India's COVID-19 measures, collaboration with IBM will help automate responses from the field and facilitate access to accurate and updated data on the coronavirus diagnostics and reporting."This will help augment our teams' response time and allow them to concentrate on priorities like developing and updating testing and treatment protocols and guidance for COVID-19," Bhargava said.Coronavirus cases in the country have increased to 42,533 till date and killed 1,373 people."Technology continues to play a significant role in India's fight against COVID-19, and it is crucial to evaluate and leverage the most effective solutions to support these initiatives. The deployment of IBM's chatbot AI platform is aimed to help ICMR effectively manage the process of capturing data relating to COVID-19," Ministry of Electronics and IT Additional Secretary Gopalakrishnan S said.The virtual agent has been deployed on protected pages of the ICMR website that can be accessed only by authorized personnel who are involved with sample collection and testing in hospitals and diagnostic labs, the statement said."As India rises to meet the challenge of COVID-19, it is crucial to enable government bodies such as ICMR to utilize data and capabilities effectively for rapid detection and treatment," IBM general manager for India and South Asia, Sandip Patel said.Watson virtual agent will handle text based queries in Hindi and English language."Queries will be categorized under various headings such as governance, logistics, data entry and sharing, staff training and testing and for complex questions, pre-defined contact information of ICMR is made available. The virtual agent is also expected to help in on-boarding new data entry operators and staff of diagnostic centres, as the COVID-19 test network expands across the country," the statement said. PRS BAL

You Searched For "ICMR guidelines on testing" and got 4 results

ICMR experts reject inclusion of Molnupiravir in COVID-19 treatment guidelines for fourth time citing safety concerns

PTI

Rise in Covid-19 and H3N2 cases raise concern in India, Centre urges heightened vigilance

Rahul Verma

Simplified: AIIMS, ICMR new guidelines for treatment of patients with ‘moderate’ case of COVID-19

Prabhjote Gill

COVID-19: ICMR deploys IBM's Watson to expedite responses from testing

PTI

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides