COVID-19 outbreak: ICMR to conduct study in India to check for community transmission

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is all set to start a study in about 75 districts of country that have maximum number of COVID-19 cases to check wher community transmission in India has started. This study was planned to be conducted through rapid antibody test kits. However, it was postponed when se kits showed variations in results. w, it has been planned to conduct this study through ELISA (enzyme-linked immusorbent assay) test kits.

According to a senior scientist at ICMR, "Residents from red, green and orange zones would randomly be tested for COVID-19 to see wher y have developed antibodies against disease or t."

Ar scientist from ICMR, requesting anymity, told ANI: "We had planned to conduct a study through rapid antibody test. Since se rapid test kits failed, we postponed our plan. w, we are likely to use ELISA kit to do study. This will let us kw wher individual has developed antibodies against virus." He furr said that by next week ICMR will be able to give full details of this particular study.

READ: Coronavirus Live Updates: India's cases rise to 56,342, with 16,539 recoveries, 1,886 dead

Earlier in day, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has received approval from Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) for its two clinical trial drugs - 'favipiravir' and 'phytopharmaceutical'.  Favipiravir is a drug which is commonly used in Japan, China and some or countries, to treat influenza that has a very broad spectrum of RNA polymerase.

CSIR is exploring a native herb as a biological medicine or phytopharmaceutical, which is already being tested as medicine for dengue for its efficacy to combat COVID-19. CSIR Director General Shekhar Mande said that y will start clinical trial within a week.

" CSIR is working with multiple rewned pharmaceutical companies and trying to see wher we can bring a certain solution to market as an intervention against COVID-19. In this regard, few clinical trials have already been initiated in partnership with certain companies last night. DCGI has given us approval for clinical trials of two drugs so we will soon begin with it," he said.

READ: India's COVID count at 56,342 from 14.4 lakh tests, with 1,886 deaths & 16,540 recoveries

India's COVID Count At 56,342 From 14.4 Lakh Tests

country has seen 3,390 new cases and 103 new deaths in last 24 hours. Along with it, 1,273 people have recovered. According to latest update from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, number of total Coronavirus cases in country has climbed to 56,342, including 37,916 active cases. While 1,886 deaths have been reported overall, around 16,540 people have been cured/discharged/migrated. Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Gujarat have highest number of cases in country with 17,974 and 7,012 cases respectively. 

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(With Inputs from ANI)