India far away from 'herd immunity', says Health Min; cites importance of COVID protocols

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that  Indian population is still far from achieving herd immunity against COVID-19 as shown by Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) second Sero Survey and added that ICMR expert panel is examining reinfection cases.

" findings of second sero survey are going to be released soon. But second sero survey indications are that we are far from having achieved any kind of herd immunity which necessitates that all of us should continue following COVID appropriate behaviour. first sero-survey of May 2020 revealed that nationwide prevalence of vel coronavirus infection was only 0.73 per cent," said Dr. Harsh Vardhan.
 

Addressing Samvaad-3, Health Minister also said that ICMR is also actively investigating and researching reports of reinfection.

"ICMR is also actively investigating and researching reports of reinfection and although number of reinfection cases is negligible at this moment, government is fully seized of importance of matter," added health minister.

He also discourd wide us of investigational rapies such as remdesivir and plasma rapies. 

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India's Total Recoveries Close To 50 Lakhs

A total of 92,043 people have recuperated from COVID-19 in a span of 24 hours, taking India's total recoveries close to 50 lakhs and exceeding active cases of coronavirus infection by 39,85,225, Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.

single-day recoveries on an aver for last few days have been more than 90,000, ministry said underlining, "This high rate of daily recoveries has sustained India's leading global position as country with maximum number of recovered cases."

A total of 92,043 recoveries have been registered in a span of 24 hours in country, while 88,600 new infections were recorded during same period, according to data updated at 8 am.

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