ICMR allows tuberculosis testing machine to screen for COVID-19 as cases soar to 6412

After Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), on Friday, almost completed framing protocol for plasma rapy for Coronavirus (COVID-19) clinical trials, Indian body okayed using TrueNat  - a tuberculosis testing machine for COVID-19 screening tests. This development greatly speeds up COVID-19 screening as TrueNat TB test diagses TB within one hour, along with testing for resistance to drug rifampicin. India's current COVID-19 tally stands at 6412 with 199 deaths.

PM Modi to interact with CMs on Saturday; Covid lockdown extension on nda

ICMR frames protocol for plasma rapy clinical trials

Earlier in day, ICMR stated it is in final sts of framing a protocol for conducting a clinical trial for convalescent plasma rapy. This rapy uses antibodies from blood of cured patients, to treat severely-ill COVID-19 patients and Kerala will be first state to commence this treatment. ICMR is waiting for approval from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) before embarking on any clinical trial. This trial is currently in progress in several severely hit countries like China, US, Iran etc.

ICMR revises COVID-19 testing strategy to include 'testing clusters using anti-body tests'

ICMR revises COVID-19 testing strategy

On Thursday, ICMR revised its testing strategy as  India's focus shifted to 'Cluster containment' and testing. new strategy which has been released by ICMR also includes testing in 'hotspots/cluster' for all symptomatic cases - within 7 days (rRT- PCR method) and after 7 days (antibody test). This comes after ICMR has also allowed use of rapid anti-body testing, ordering 7 lakh test kits - which will arrive shortly.

BIG: ICMR confirms India in final st of framing protocol for Covid plasma rapy trial

What is Cluster containment?

cluster containment strategy would be to contain disease within a defined geographic area by early detection of cases, breaking chain of transmission and thus preventing its spread to new areas. India would be following a strategic approach for possible scenarios - travel-related cases reported in India, local transmission of COVID-19, large outbreaks amenable to containment, widespread community transmission of COVID-19 disease. With geographic quarantine, social distancing measures enhanced active surveillance, testing all suspected cases, isolation of cases, authorities will do extensive contact tracing and active search for cases in containment zone maintaining 100% lockdown.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Assam reports first COVID death, nationwide toll reaches 6412