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

'We do not have any plans': The 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are completely unprepared to enforce them

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A Washington couple is suing their <keyword id="11914854" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="fertility" source="Orion">fertility</keyword> clinic for destroying their 7 embryos.</li><li>The clinic admitted an error in embryo storage, causing them to dry out and die. </li></ul>Kara Seldin-Howell and Kolton Howell always knew they wanted to have kids. But after they married and bought a house, they found conception was more difficult than expected.Their doctor told the Washington-based couple that undergoing <a href="https://www.insider.com/soulcycle-instructor-demands-fertility-benefits-after-miscarriage-2021-12">in vitro fertilization</a> would be their best bet for starting a family, so they sought consultations with fertility clinics around the country before settling on CNY Fertility Colorado. "In retrospect, we regret that decision," Seldin-Howell <a href="https://lostembryos.com/colorado-ivf-clinic-sued-over-laboratory-failure-that-destroyed-couples-7-viable-embryos/">said during a press conference Wednesday</a>. After the couple underwent the <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-failed-ivf-wants-people-know-it-doesnt-always-work-2022-2">emotionally and physically-draining process of IVF</a> — including invasive tests, hormone injections, and a surgical procedure to remove Seldin-Howell's eggs before they were mixed in a lab with Howell's sperm — they were elated to learn they'd created seven viable embryos. But just two days later — the day before Mother's Day 2021 — their fertility doctor Dr. Paul Magarelli called to say the embryos had been destroyed. After investigating why, Magarelli told the couple he learned the clinic's lab professionals hadn't put the required oil in the Petri dish, causing the embryos to dry out and die. "Within a span of 48 hours, we went from being overjoyed that our dream of starting a family was finally coming true, to having that dream ripped away from us," Howell said. "Even after almost a year, I'm still struggling to process what happened."<div type="image" title="Kara Seldin-Howell and Kolton Howell skiing." height="960" width="1280" msid="90966611" hostid="261"></div>The couple, represented by Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane &amp; Conway, is <a href="https://lostembryos.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Seldin-Howell-Complaint.pdf">suing CNY Fertility Colorado</a> and its parent company CNY Fertility, which operates other fertility clinics in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Georgia, and Canada. They claim negligence, breach of contract, lack of informed consent, and other allegations. CNY Fertility Colorado did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. <h2>The couple still wants children </h2>During the press conference, Seldin-Howell said she and her husband would still like to start a family, but they haven't yet been able to move forward. "This experience has definitely derailed our journey to becoming parents," she said, noting that they've lost valuable time both undergoing <keyword id="12197404" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="ivf" source="Orion">IVF</keyword> and recovering from what happened. While another round of IVF isn't off the table, "I can't say we aren't afraid of something similar happening," Seldin-Howell said. "We're traumatized by this experience." She said the only consolation Magarelli gave them was that it wasn't their fault, and that they'll require staffers to "double-check" embryo storage protocols in the future. According to their lawyers, any potential compensation offered wasn't sufficient to avoid a <keyword id="11921506" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="lawsuit" source="Orion">lawsuit</keyword>. <div type="image" title="Kara Seldin-Howell and Kolton Howell at the beach." height="961" width="1280" msid="90966613" hostid="261"></div>"These embryos were our future babies until CNY fertility carelessly destroyed them," Seldin-Howell said. "I feel robbed of our time, our resources, and the blood, sweat, and tears we invested in this process, and most importantly, robbed of our future and our dream of starting a family." <h2>The case is one of many illustrating what the law firm says is a poorly regulated industry </h2>Peiffer Wolf Carr Kane &amp; Conway says it's handled hundreds of cases of fertility center misconduct.In 2021, <a href="https://www.insider.com/couples-unknowingly-carried-began-raising-each-others-kids-lawsuit-2021-11">a LA couple sued their fertility clinic</a> after an embryo mixup led them to get pregnant with another couple's child while that couple got pregnant with and began raising theirs. That year another family claimed their now-adult daughter was conceived after a fertility doctor <a href="https://www.insider.com/dna-test-doctor-used-own-sperm-ivf-without-consent-lawsuit-2021-5">used his own sperm in a treatment</a> without consent.Earlier this year, <a href="https://www.insider.com/dna-test-woman-isnt-genetically-related-to-dad-sperm-mixup-2022-2"></a> <a href="https://www.insider.com/dna-test-women-switched-at-birth-57-years-ago-lawsuit-2022-2">two women alleged</a> they were switched at birth 57 years ago, a discovery made via DNA test.In 2019, Peiffer Wolf firm pushed for <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2019/09/06/regulate-fertility-centers-spare-families-trauma-and-lawsuits-column/2054961001/">national legislation</a> for better oversight of IVF and fertility clinics, which it says are less regulated than barbershops and hair salons.There's no one government agency that oversees the <a href="https://www.insider.com/cha-fertility-center-under-fire-industry-may-be-at-fault-2019-7">fertility industry</a>, which includes close to 500 clinics and centers. That means no one is managing how fertility centers label tissue such as embryos or disciplining centers that don't comply with professional guidelines, NBC News <a href="https://www.today.com/health/lack-oversight-regulations-may-lead-ivf-mishaps-t157872">reported</a>.While a measure of self-regulation comes from the <a href="https://www.sart.org/patients/start-with-sart/">Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology</a> — a nonprofit whose member organizations are required to advertise truthfully, accurately report outcomes, and to work with nationally accredited labs — errors still happen far too often, Adam Wolf, a partner at Peiffer Wolf, said.<a href="https://eb2.3lift.com/pass?tl_clickthrough=true&amp;redir=https%3A%2F%2Fdts.innovid.com%2Fclktru%2Faction%2Fvclk%3Fproject_hash%3D1h64hs%26client_id%3D836%26video_id%3D697510%26channel_id%3D2291863%26publisher_id%3D6657%26placement_tag_id%3D0%26project_state%3D2%26r%3D1619810076313%26placement_hash%3D1k8dta%26action%3Dclktru%26click%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fad.doubleclick.net%252Fddm%252Ftrackclk%252FN3753.3958515PMPRECISIONTHETRADE%252FB25583440.300846519%253Bdc_trk_aid%253D493002293%253Bdc_trk_cid%253D105093869%253Bdc_lat%253D%253Bdc_rdid%253D%253Btag_for_child_directed_treatment%253D%253Btfua%253D%253Bgdpr%253D%2524%257BGDPR%257D%253Bgdpr_consent%253D%2524%257BGDPR_CONSENT_755%257D%253Bltd%253D&amp;bc=5.25&amp;pr=2.559&amp;brid=75&amp;bmid=3658&amp;clid=7153174&amp;biid=3658&amp;aid=42552847683455635840&amp;did=28366&amp;tid=7551588&amp;bcud=5250&amp;sid=16281&amp;ts=1621969636&amp;cb=29277" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a>"I'm still baffled by this preventable tragedy," he said Wednesday. "CNY Fertility's response of 'Whoops. We'll try harder next time,' should disturb all of us."

A couple is suing their fertility clinic for destroying all 7 of their embryos after a storage error

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A gunman shot his doctor and several others in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on June 1 after an operation. </li><li>The gunman blamed the doctor for his pain. <keyword id="11894375" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="doctors" source="Orion">Doctors</keyword> told Insider that the shooting "hit home."</li></ul>Doctors across the country were saddened but not shocked when a disgruntled patient walked into a Tulsa clinic and shot his surgeon and three other people. "It's scary, but it's not unfamiliar," Dr. Hasan Gokal, a Houston-area emergency room doctor, told Insider. Physicians told Insider that patients often start threatening <keyword id="11897506" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="healthcare" source="Orion">healthcare</keyword> workers if they're not being prescribed the medication they want, or in situations where a family member is in a critical condition — especially in places like the emergency room.<h2>Pain management is the biggest fuel for threats </h2>On June 1, a gunman killed Dr. Preston Phillips and wounded several others inside a medical building at <a href="https://www.insider.com/live-updates-tulsa-hospital-mass-shooting-killed-injured-2022-6#the-tulsa-hospital-gunman-who-killed-4-people-was-targeting-a-doctor-whom-he-blamed-for-pain-after-a-recent-surgery-police-say">St. Francis Hospital.</a> The gunman blamed Phillips for post-surgical pain after an operation. Gokal told Insider that similar to the Tulsa case, the most common reason for a threat is someone upset about a pain management plan. Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kevin Torres at Yale New Haven <keyword id="11894571" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="health" source="Orion">Health</keyword> told Insider that it's not uncommon for patients to be upset when he won't prescribe them their medications of choice or feel they weren't helped. "There's always a bad apple, but no physician or nurse gets out of bed and says, 'I think I'm going to hurt somebody today. You know, I think I'm not going to help them today.' I mean, that's why we went into what we do — to help people," Torres said. "It is a grind in the sense of you can't help everybody."Gokal said there's a familiar pattern to these threats and attacks. He explained, for instance, that has it become harder for patients looking for opiate medications to get them because of stricter policies to control prescription drug abuse."But for those legitimate patients who require these pain meds, suddenly this was incredibly difficult. And that's the big problem that we run into," he said. "Often physicians have to figure out whether this is a legitimate source of pain, or if this is completely fictitious. It's not very obvious often and often they get it wrong. And it's not surprising that you get such violent reactions to this sometimes."<h2>Threats and violence are not a surprise for healthcare workers</h2>Torres said the <keyword id="14091792" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="tulsa-shooting" source="Orion">Tulsa shooting</keyword> "hit home" for himself and other doctors."We deal with people at their worst, unfortunately, and they're in pain, they may have psychiatric issues," Torres told Insider. "So you're at your absolute worst, you're scared, you're nervous, you're physically uncomfortable a lot of the time and so, yeah, people do get upset."<a href="https://www.who.int/activities/preventing-violence-against-health-workers">The World Health Organization</a> estimates that somewhere between 8% and 38% of health workers worldwide suffer physical violence at some point in their careers, and significantly more deal with verbal threats and aggressions. "Violence against health workers is unacceptable. It has not only a negative impact on the psychological and physical well-being of healthcare staff but also affects their job motivation. As a consequence, this violence compromises the quality of care and puts health-care provision at risk," the agency said. Torres said in one instance, he had a patient jump off a stretcher and lunged at him. "Luckily, EMS, the ambulance guys were right there and caught him. I mean, it was just a matter of time. So yeah, I mean, there's no question about it. It happens and it does lead to unfortunate burnout and everything else," Torres said. Gokal told Insider this has been an ongoing issue for decades but has gotten worse during the pandemic — especially as patients got upset over COVID-19 protocols. In one instance, he said a patient got angry, stormed out of the ER, and threatened Gokal after he suggested he take a COVID-19 test. The patient believed the virus was a hoax and lashed out at Gokal. "The nature of the threats has taken more of a political overtone over the last two years. I don't know if that's going to simply dissipate as COVID goes away or whether it's going to take some other form," Gokal said. <h2>Very limited safety protocols in hospitals</h2>Torres and Gokal both said that most hospitals don't have any security and a physician would have to call 911 if they felt a threat was serious. "You have to really think that the threat is very real to have to call 911, otherwise you would be calling on a very regular basis," Gokal said, adding that there were many instances where the ER had to go on lockdown because of a threat. He also said, in his experience, he has seen an individual make a threat to shoot up the hospital only to come back days later into the ER with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Torres explained that some hospitals — mostly in urban settings — may have metal detectors at their entrances but for the most part, many don't. <h2>Easy access to firearms and limited mental health services play a role, experts say</h2>Both Gokal and Torres added that access to firearms was a part of the conversation, but said their unsure what protocols need to be in place to balance "culture" and safety. "We live in Texas, guns are part of the culture here," Gokal said. "And without changing anybody's culture, how can we find ways to make everything safer?"Torres said expanding mental health care is also necessary so people who need help don't get discharged without receiving it in addition to a stricter screening process for people seeking to acquire firearms. However, Torres said while there may be efforts to discuss mass shootings after several, he says this isn't a problem that will simply go away. "We all know of patients that we would certainly be concerned about or interactions that we had. There's no question you used to hear about shootings and it was kind of a removed thing and (now) it seems to be hitting home," he said."Now you're talking about the grocery store. I've got kids in schools, and now in the hospital – your work. It just doesn't seem to have any limits. It's really incredible."

Doctors say Tulsa clinic shooting 'hit home' but were not surprised as they increasingly face threats on the job from patients

<ul><li>India, on Friday, has reported over 3 lakh new COVID-19 cases for the second consecutive day.</li><li>A “severe” category patient is someone whose respiratory rate is more than 30 per minute and faces breathlessness, while the oxygen saturation level falls below 90% on room air.</li><li>If you or a loved one is a “severe” category patient, here’s the clinical guidance issued by the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).</li></ul>India has reported over 3 lakh new daily COVID-19 cases, on Friday, for the second consecutive day as the country continues to struggle under the second and a much more alarming wave of the pandemic. The second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with more and more cases of the mutant strain of the virus, has seen a rising number of “severe” category patients. A “severe” category patient is someone whose respiratory rate is more than 30 per minute and faces breathlessness, while the oxygen saturation level falls below 90% on room air. If you or a loved one is a severe category patient, here’s the clinical guidance combinedly issued by the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="A “severe” category patient has to be admitted in the hospital in the intensive care unit. Here’s what should be done for respiratory support:" comment="subhead" text="A “severe” category patient has to be admitted in the hospital in the intensive care unit. Here’s what should be done for respiratory support:">A “severe” category patient has to be admitted in the hospital in the intensive care unit. Here’s what should be done for respiratory support:</cmsannotation> – For patients whose breathing is low and there’s an increased need for oxygen, consider the use of Non-invasive Ventilation (NIV) (Helmet or face mask interface depending on availability). – Consider use of HFNC in patients with increasing oxygen requirements. HFNC stands for heat and humidified high flow nasal cannula or as most call it, Hi Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), which is basically a respiratory support method. – As per the guidelines, intubation should be prioritised in patients with high work of breathing, if NIV is not tolerated. – The new guidance has also recommended the use of conventional ARDSnet protocol for ventilatory management. ARDS stands for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s what should be done for anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy" comment="subhead" text="Here’s what should be done for anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy">Here’s what should be done for anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy</cmsannotation> – Inject Methylprednisolone 1 to 2mg/kg IV in 2 divided doses (or an equivalent dose of dexamethasone) usually for a duration 5 to 10 days. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="For anticoagulation or to prevent blood clotting, here’s what should be done" comment="subhead" text="For anticoagulation or to prevent blood clotting, here’s what should be done">For anticoagulation or to prevent blood clotting, here’s what should be done</cmsannotation> – Weight based intermediate dose prophylactic unfractionated heparin or Low Molecular Weight Heparin (e.g., Enoxaparin 0.5mg/kg per dose SC BD). There should be no contraindication or high risk of bleeding. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here are the further supportive measures to be taken for a severe category patient." comment="subhead" text="Here are the further supportive measures to be taken for a severe category patient.">Here are the further supportive measures to be taken for a severe category patient.</cmsannotation> – Maintain euvolemia (if available, use dynamic measures for assessing fluid responsiveness). Euvolemia refers to the presence of a proper amount of blood in the body. – If sepsis/septic shock: manage as per existing protocol and local antibiogram. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Here’s how you should continue to monitor the patient" comment="subhead" text="Here’s how you should continue to monitor the patient">Here’s how you should continue to monitor the patient</cmsannotation> – Conduct a HRCT chest scan only if the condition worsens. – Lab monitoring should be done with the following tests - CRP and D-dimer 24-48 hourly; CBC, KFT, LFT daily; IL-6 to be done if deteriorating (subject to availability). SEE ALSO: <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>

Here’s the clinical guidance one needs to follow for a 'severe' COVID-19 Here’s the clinical guidance one needs to follow for a “severe” COVID-19 patient as per AIIMS/ICMR

<ul><li>Altimmune fell as much as 10% on Thursday after the FDA issued a clinical hold on the company's new drug application for AdCOVID, an intranasal <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> candidate.</li><li>Despite the clinical hold, Altimmune said it does not anticipate a significant impact to its clinical development timeline for the vaccine candidate.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/?hprecirc-bullet?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingestgest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories</a>.</li></ul><a href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/stocks/alt-stock">Altimmune</a>, a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, fell as much as 10% on Thursday after the <a href="https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2020/12/23/2150256/0/en/Altimmune-Provides-an-Update-on-its-Investigational-New-Drug-Application-for-a-Phase-1-AdCOVID-Clinical-Trial.html">FDA issued a clinical hold</a> on the company's <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> vaccine candidate.AdCOVID is a single-dose intranasal COVID-19 vaccine candidate in early stages of development by Altimmune. The FDA has requested certain protocol modifications and submission of additional chemistry, manufacturing and controls data.Altimmune has responded to the FDA's clinical hold letter and at this point does not anticipate a significant impact to its overall development timeline for the vaccine candidate.Altimmune has surged 557% year-to-date as of Wednesday's close as investors bid up potential COVID-19 vaccine developers.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/investing-strategy-brexit-uk-equities-fund-managers-market-strategists-2020-12?utm_source=markets&amp;utm_medium=ingestgest" target="_blank" rel="noopener">From Wall Street heavyweights to boutique investment firms, we break down what 7 fund managers and market strategists think about Brexit as the 'midnight hour' approaches</a><div type="image" title="alt.JPG" height="689" width="841" msid="79943382" hostid="261"></div>

Clinical hold on COVID-19 vaccine candidate sends Altimmune down 10%

<ul><li>Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr V G Somani on Tuesday gave permission to Serum Institute of India to resume clinical trial of the <keyword id="46985" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oxford">Oxford</keyword> COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country</li><li>SII has also been asked to submit to the DCGI's office details of medication used in accordance with the protocol for management of adverse events. </li><li>The DCGI had on September 11 directed Serum Institute of India to suspend any new recruitment in the phase two and three clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate till further orders. </li></ul>Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) Dr V G Somani on Tuesday gave permission to Serum Institute of India to resume clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate in the country while revoking its earlier order of suspending any new recruitment for phase two and three trial. The DCGI, however, put certain conditions like taking extra care during screening, providing additional information in informed consent and close monitoring for adverse events during follow-up of the study which have to be "scrupulously" followed by Serum Institute of India (SII). SII has also been asked to submit to the DCGI's office details of medication used in accordance with the protocol for management of adverse events. The DCGI had on September 11 directed Serum Institute of India to suspend any new recruitment in the phase two and three clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine candidate till further orders in the backdrop of pharma giant AstraZeneca pausing the clinical trials in other countries because of ''an unexplained illness'' in a participant in the study. On Saturday, British-Swedish biopharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford said clinical trials for their coronavirus vaccine have resumed in the UK after the Medicines Health Regulatory Authority's (MHRA) confirmed that the trials were safe. SII, which has partnered with AstraZeneca for manufacturing the vaccine candidate for COVID-19, on Tuesday submitted the recommendations of the Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB), UK and DSMB, India, and requested for permission to restart enrolment in the clinical trial. According to Tuesday's order issued by DCGI, the DSMB, UK, recommended that the investigators recommence all immunization in their clinical trials subject to certain conditions. DSMB, India, also has recommended to continue the study and enroll the remaining participants in the clinical trial as per protocol subject to certain conditions. According to the order, SII has submitted revised participant information sheet, revised informed consent form and additional safety monitoring plan for the evolved participants. The Pune-based firm has also submitted a summary of safety follow up of seven days post first vaccination, stating that no serious adverse events were experienced by any of the subjects till the date of the reporting, and the reported adverse events were stated to be mild, resolved on their own and did not have any sequale. "In view of the above, I Dr V G Somani, Drugs Controller General of India, Central Licensing Authority, after careful examination of your reply and the recommendations of the DSMB in India and in UK revoke herewith the order dated September 11 issued under Rule 30 of the New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019. "You may recommence the clinical trial as recommended by DSMB, India, as per already approved protocol and the provisions laid down under the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019, subject to the conditions mentioned," the order said. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/bill-gates-says-the-pandemic-wiped-out-25-years-of-vaccine-progress-in-25-weeks/articleshow/78117898.cms">Bill Gates says the pandemic wiped out 25 years of vaccine progress in 25 weeks</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/uks-new-visa-rules-make-it-easier-for-international-students-to-study-and-work-now/articleshow/78127748.cms">UK’s new visa rules make it easier for international students to study and work now</a>

Serum Institute of India can resume clinical trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, says DCGI

New Delhi, May 12 () Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on Tuesday said it has initiated Phase 3 clinical trials on antiviral drug Favipiravir to check its efficacy on COVID-19 patients in India. The Mumbai-based company had received approval from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) last month to conduct clinical trials of Favipiravir antiviral tablets for the treatment of COVID-19 patients. Glenmark Pharmaceuticals is the first company in the country to initiate Phase 3 clinical trials on Favipiravir for COVID-19 patients in India, it said in a statement. Clinical trials have commenced and over ten leading government and private hospitals are being enrolled for the study, it added. Glenmark estimates study completion by July/August 2020, it said. As per the approved clinical trial protocol, 150 subjects with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms will be randomised in the study in a 1:1 ratio to Favipiravir with standard supportive care or standalone standard supportive care. Treatment duration is a maximum of 14 days and the total study duration will be a maximum of 28 days from randomisation. "Several health and medical experts, both in and outside of Glenmark are eager to see the effect that Favipiravir has on COVID-19 cases. We believe the study results will be significant as there is currently no effective treatment for the virus," Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Vice President &amp; Head Clinical Development, Global Specialty/Branded Portfolio Monika Tandon said. The data we get from these trials will point us in a clearer direction with regard to COVID-19 treatment and management, she added. The company said it aims to launch a treatment for COVID-19 patients as soon as possible and control the spread of the pandemic. Favipiravir, which is a generic version of Japan-based Fujifilm Toyama Chemical's Avigan, has demonstrated activity against influenza viruses and has been approved in Japan for the treatment of novel influenza virus infections. MSS DRRDRR

Glenmark initiates Phase 3 clinical trials on Favipiravir to check efficacy on COVID-19 patients

Hyderabad, June 29 () The country's 'first' indigenous COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN, developed by city-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and NIV, has got the nod for human clinical trials from the Drug Controller General of India, the company said on Monday. The Phase I and Phase II clinical trials of the vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, approved after pre-clinical studies demonstrated safety and immune response, would start across the country next month. The collaboration with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Institute of Virology (NIV) was instrumental in the development of the vaccine, the company said in a release. The indigenous and inactivated vaccine has been developed at Bharat Biotechs BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) high containment facility located in the Genome Valley here, a release said. The Drug Controller General of India CDSCO (The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation), Ministry of Health &amp; Family Welfare granted permission to initiate Phase I &amp; II Human clinical trials after the company submitted results generated from pre-clinical studies, demonstrating safety and immune response. Human clinical trials are scheduled to start across India in July 2020, the release said. Chairman and Managing Director of the company Dr. Krishna Ella said: We are proud to announce COVAXIN, Indias first indigenous vaccine against COVID-19. The collaboration with ICMR and NIV was instrumental in the development of this vaccine. "The proactive support and guidance from CDSCO has enabled approvals to this project. Our R&amp;D and Manufacturing teams worked tirelessly to deploy our proprietary technologies towards this platform," he said. Expedited through the national regulatory protocols, the company accelerated its objective in completing the comprehensive pre-clinical studies. Results from these studies have been promising and show extensive safety and effective immune responses, the released added. Besides Bharat Biotech, at least five other Indian companies are working on a vaccine for the deadly coronavirus while similar efforts are underway in different countries. GDK VS VS

India's first COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech gets DCGI nod for human clinical trials

When you buy through our links, we may earn money from our affiliate partners. <a href="https://www.insider-inc.com/commerce-on-insider-inc/">Learn more.</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/reviews/travel" target="_blank" rel="noopener"></a><ul class="summary-list"><li>As some Americans seek to return to <keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword>, many are eyeing regional domestic destinations for trips.</li><li>If you're planning to venture beyond a short drive and don't want to board a plane or sit behind the wheel for hours, traveling by train is still an option.</li><li>To find out if train travel is safe, and how to best protect yourself, we talked to experts including two doctors, a disaster recovery firm owner with a <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> arm, and a representative from Amtrak.</li></ul>Table of ContentsThe novel coronavirus continues to spread across the globe and the US. But as phased reopenings happen in some parts of the country, many Americans are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/popular-airbnb-trending-destinations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">returning to travel in some measure.</a> But rather than immediately return to previous habits, many people are looking for <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/safe-vacations-during-covid" target="_blank" rel="noopener">safe vacation alternatives during COVID</a> and eyeing <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-airbnbs-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">private Airbnbs (largely considered safe by experts)</a>, or <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-hotels-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">hotels</a> with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hotel-precautions-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">stringent new cleaning policies</a>.Similarly, it's likely that many will eschew air travel in favor of ground <keyword id="34991" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="transportation">transportation</keyword> to visit regional destinations that are close to home.Certainly, traveling by car — either the family vehicle or a car <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-car-rentals" target="_blank" rel="noopener">rental</a> — is one way of accomplishing such trips, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">medical professionals consider rented cars fairly low risk for virus transmission</a>.Trains offer another way to travel for both regional and long-distance routes. For travelers who prefer to stick closer to the ground and avoid planes, or for those who would rather nap, read, and take in the sights over managing navigation and traffic, trains offer an alternate option.And while you'll have more space to spread out than in an airplane, traveling by train still generally involves interfacing with many people — so, is train travel safe?For answers, we talked to experts including a pair of doctors, a cleaning company owner with a new coronavirus division, and a representative for Amtrak.Here's what they say about how to know if train travel is clean and safe, how to take extra precautions when you ride, and the level of potential risk exposure compared with other modes of travel.<h2>How do I know if the train is clean?</h2>The most important thing to keep in mind when traveling (or leaving the house at all) is to understand how the virus is generally transmitted, which is directly from person to person by way of respiratory droplets.Now apply that fact to various modes of getting around. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-flying-safe-right-now-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Airplanes and airports present plenty of opportunities for exposure</a> through in-person encounters. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rental cars</a> provide far fewer. But unlike renting a car, riding a train will indeed likely expose you to other travelers as well as staff during your journey."Remember that most of the transmission of the coronavirus is respiratory — it's not through inanimate objects," says Dr. Thomas Russo, chief of the division of infectious disease at the University at Buffalo, who also notes that much-discussed pre-clinical and asymptomatic possibilities for exposure. That means the bulk of the risk in train travel comes from fellow passengers and staff on the train and in the station.So, your chief concern if traveling by train should be minding your social distance, and also maintaining impeccable hand hygiene.<div type="image" title="Amtrak" height="1125" width="1500" msid="76591528" hostid="261"></div><h2>What are train operators doing to make travel safer in the pandemic?</h2>National railroad service <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amtrak</a> has rolled out a host of new safety measures meant to facilitate a safe travel experience. All travelers must wear masks, and Amtrak is limiting ticket sales on reserved services to allow for social distancing.And not just on the trains, Amtrak has also enhanced <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/coronavirus?intcmp=wsp_hp-hero_link_service-updates_frame1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">cleaning protocols</a> at the station, with added measures for social distancing. Signage at Amtrak's busiest stations indicates safe distances in high-traffic areas, and protective plastic barriers have been installed at customer counters. Staff and passengers must also wear masks in stations."As states have started relaxing their restrictions and we restored some services, we are seeing an increase in ridership," notes Roger Harris, Amtrak EVP, chief marketing and revenue officer. "With that, we are limiting bookings on most trains to allow for more physical distancing in seating areas. Individuals traveling alone may use the seat next to them for personal belongings, while friends and family members will easily find seats together."Harris notes that more travelers will likely choose the train, compared with air travel or other modes of public transportation as the pandemic continues, saying, "We expect that this summer ridership will continue to increase."<a href="https://www.khealth.ai/edo-paz-md" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dr. Edo Paz, VP of medical at the digital primary care provider K Health</a> notes that distancing measures will be key to a safer experience on a train. "Physical distancing plays a big part in keeping passengers safe. Combined with wearing protective gear like masks and gloves, these protocols suggested by the CDC and implemented by Amtrak can make traveling by train a safer experience."Do note, however, that a vacant seat next to a passenger still does not guarantee the CDC-recommended minimum distance of six feet from others elsewhere in the car.<a href="https://www.amtrak.com/home.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amtrak</a>, which serves more than 500 destinations in 46 states and three Canadian provinces, also offers a unique class of service that might especially appeal to travelers in the COVID-19 era: <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard-the-train-sleeping-accommodations" target="_blank" rel="noopener">private rooms</a>. While these are not new, Amtrak is re-branding them given circumstances surrounding the pandemic and has announced enhanced cleaning protocols for safety. The rooms are available on long-distance routes in a variety of sizes to accommodate solo travelers, couples, and groups of families or friends. A standard room features two seats that can be converted into beds, and comes with complimentary Wi-Fi, charging outlets, and an expansive window for taking in the views. It's not unlike a moving hotel, both in terms of amenities and also potential risk exposure. <div type="image" title="Amtrak sleeping" height="630" width="840" msid="76591537" hostid="261"></div>For an idea of sample pricing on a long-distance, popular route down the US West Coast, consider that from Seattle to Los Angeles on the Coast Starlight, one passenger in a Roomette could pay as low as $432; one passenger in a Bedroom would start at $807; and one passenger in a Family Room would go as low as $630.These prices apply for the full length of the route and not all passengers travel from the very beginning to the very end of the route. As a result, these prices can vary quite drastically. For example, if traveling only for a portion of the route from Seattle to LA, prices will be far lower than these sample fares.A regular seat on the same route starts under $100. But the sleeper options do come with meals, too.For cost comparison, you could expect to fly nonstop for about the same cost or less, with advanced notice and flexibility. Obviously, you'd arrive much faster, but for many people who travel the Coast Starlight route, known for its beauty, speed is not the goal.<a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/cafe-car.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cafe service</a> is available to both coach and sleeping car customers along select routes. When it is available, seating will be closed and offered as carryout only. Travelers may bring items back to their seats or private rooms.There are new markers and signage promoting physical distancing leading up to the cafe counter, and protective plastic barriers are being installed at cafe countertops. Amtrak is also temporarily offering <a href="https://www.amtrak.com/onboard/meals-dining/flexible-dining.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">flexible dining service</a> on long-distance routes and encouraging customers in private rooms to opt for room service. Amtrak does not currently, nor did it previously, offer bar cart service. However, customers in private rooms may make beverage orders via an Amtrak attendant.If you're considering a trip, <a href="https://media.amtrak.com/2019/10/buy-one-sleeping-accommodation-bring-a-companion-free-2/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">routes</a> include such destinations as Glacier National Park, the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands National Park, or Disney World. Of course, wherever you disembark, you're on your own to manage your own safety.<h2>What extra precautions should I take when riding a train during the pandemic?</h2>Dr. Russo — like most public health professionals — advises wearing a mask in any situation in which you might encounter other people, and certainly, that goes for a train environment. Again, direct person-to-person contact is the most typical way the virus is transmitted, and masks help mitigate risk.Compared with direct contact with people, your risk will be much lower through exposure to particles that may linger on surfaces within a train. "The virus on surfaces dies off over time — it's not that viable over time on inanimate objects," Dr. Russo says, noting that there is a "small but finite risk from inanimate objects."Therefore, you should regularly wash and disinfect your hands and surfaces where the virus could exist on the train, in the station, or elsewhere in the course of your travels."The virus is very susceptible to disinfectant," Dr. Russo says. "So if you want to afford yourself an extra level of protection, wipe any areas down with a disinfectant wipe that your hand touches."John Marroni, owner and president of the disaster recovery company National Restoration, which now has a <a href="http://www.nationalcovid19.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dedicated coronavirus arm</a>, agrees. "When boarding a train, you are going to be among people, so first and foremost, wear a mask," he says. "Secondly, always keep hand sanitizer on your person."In addition to frequently sanitizing and washing your hands on a train, "Do your very best to make sure you try not to make contact with high-touch areas," Marroni says. He notes that on a train, these areas might include, "doors, handrails, and seats especially — areas with the most frequent human contact."Whether or not cloth seats pose a particular danger is not yet fully clear. "According to the CDC, coronaviruses on surfaces and objects naturally die within hours to days. When it comes to any fabric or cloth items, the infectious droplets could penetrate deeper into the fabric due to its porous structure," Dr. Paz says in regards to trains' cloth seats, noting, "however, this is not very well studied."<h2>Is train travel safer than airplane travel?</h2>Comparing the overall safety of train travel to commercial airplane travel involves taking into account many factors.First, unlike trains, airplanes have advanced airflow and filtration systems that make the air much safer: flow rates are high, air supply is pure thanks to HEPA filters, and it's directed in a controlled manner, from ceiling to floor, to limit mixing.However, airplane cabins are also smaller enclosed spaces than trains, which can mean closer proximity to more travelers, and greater potential risk exposure. Dr. Paz says the safety of each of these two modes of travel is really going to vary depending on the specifics and the number of the particular travelers involved. <div type="image" title="Amtrak boarding" height="682" width="909" msid="76591544" hostid="261"></div>"When comparing a mode of transportation, whether train or airplane travel is safer is dictated largely by the passenger," Dr. Paz says. "By maintaining social distance from others, using face coverings, and frequent hand washing, you can drastically decrease your chances of contracting COVID."<h2>What if another train passenger has COVID-19?</h2>Let's consider a scenario in which someone else on the train is infected — whether symptomatic and actively coughing and spreading virus particles, or asymptomatic. You could become infected through direct and prolonged contact with that person. For instance, if you were sitting near each other in the same train car.However, Dr. Russo notes that the virus is known to settle out of the air relatively rapidly — about one to three hours under experimental conditions and perhaps much less in real-world scenarios — so the air quality is not likely to be a concern if an infected person was on the train, but disembarked, say, the day before.<h2>Would a health expert ride on a train?</h2>Given the level of exposure to risks through train travel, would our experts travel this way while the pandemic continues?"While not ideal, as the lesser of the evils, trains are a moderately safer method of travel during this pandemic," Marroni says, comparing train travel with other public modes of transportation, including the relatively riskier proposition of air travel. "And they are easier to disinfect because the turnover per person is not as frequent as other means of public transportation."In the end, his verdict is this: "Yes, all things considered, it's relatively safe — and safe enough that I would travel by train myself, as long as I felt disinfecting protocol was being properly enforced."For his part, Dr. Paz is less enthusiastic. "Ideally, the fewer people entering and leaving a train, the better," he says, nothing. "I still recommend that passengers hold on non-essential travel when possible."<h2 id="for-more-reporting-on-safe-travel,-click-a-link-below-to-jump-directly-to-related-coverage:">For more reporting on whether it's safe to travel right now, click a link below to jump directly to related coverage:</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/is-flying-safe-right-now-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is flying safe right now? Experts break down the risks associated with boarding a flight during COVID-19.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-hotels-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Is it safe to stay in a hotel right now? An infectious disease doctor, a cleaning expert, and hotel reps all share what you should know before you check-in.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-airbnbs-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are Airbnbs safe? We spoke to experts, a company representative, and an Airbnb host to share everything you should know before booking someone's home</a>.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/which-is-safer-airbnb-hotels-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Which is safer: Airbnb or hotels? Here's what doctors say</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/are-rental-cars-safe-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Are rental cars safe to drive right now? We talked to 3 leading experts to find out.</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/hotel-precautions-coronavirus" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Staying in a hotel will be very different post-pandemic — here are new safety and cleaning plans and precautions being implemented by every major hotel brand</a></li></ul>

You Searched For "clinical management protocols" and got 10 results

'We do not have any plans': The 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are completely unprepared to enforce them

Nicole Einbinder,Caroline Has…

'We do not have any plans': The 13 states with abortion-ban 'trigger laws' are completely unprepared to enforce them

Nicole Einbinder,Caroline Has…

A couple is suing their fertility clinic for destroying all 7 of their embryos after a storage error

Anna Medaris

Doctors say Tulsa clinic shooting 'hit home' but were not surprised as they increasingly face threats on the job from patients

Sarah Al-Arshani

Here’s the clinical guidance one needs to follow for a 'severe' COVID-19 Here’s the clinical guidance one needs to follow for a “severe” COVID-19 patient as per AIIMS/ICMR

BI India Bureau

Clinical hold on COVID-19 vaccine candidate sends Altimmune down 10%

Matthew Fox

Serum Institute of India can resume clinical trial of Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, says DCGI

PTI

Glenmark initiates Phase 3 clinical trials on Favipiravir to check efficacy on COVID-19 patients

PTI

India's first COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech gets DCGI nod for human clinical trials

PTI

Is it safe to travel by train during a pandemic? Doctors and cleaning experts weigh in, plus details on new protocols from Amtrak.

Alesandra Dubin

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides