In the 42 days since the first shipment of vaccines through the COVAX facility arrived in Ghana, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced in a statement that more than 100 countries have been reached. India, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its commitment to COVAX after it suspended exports amidst an ongoing surge in cases. The COVAX […]
COVID-19
Lack of testing risks mutant strains running rampant
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, India has established ten state-run laboratories in order to test samples to identify the presence of mutant strains. Despite the establishment of the laboratories, fewer than one percent of all samples have thus far been tested. India has only studied 11,064 of its samples according to the Union Ministry of Health […]
COVID-19 cases highest since start of pandemic
Just a few short weeks ago, experts and media outlets speculated as to whether a resurgence of COVID-19 was likely to take place in India. These fears were proven more than true as daily case counts have now reached their highest point since the start of the pandemic. A total of 103,790 new cases of […]
Double-mutant COVID-19 strain identified in India
A total of 771 mutant variants of COVID-19 have been detected in India with many being deemed a “double-mutant”. While fears of external strains entering the country have been of great concern in recent weeks, the new strain is thought to have originated in India. COVID-19 cases are currently surging in India. As Health Issues […]
“Long COVID” symptoms underlined by study
Research has shone a light on “long COVID” symptoms, identifying stroke, chest pain, and blood clot-related complications as among the most serious adverse effects patients experience after recovery. Review authors of the study, published in Nature Medicine, highlighted the plight of so-called ‘COVID long-haulers’. “We felt that a review of all these possible issues would […]
COVID-19 vaccines for all above 45 from April 1st, Govt. says
Every Indian aged 45 and above will be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as of April 1st, the Government has said. Government minister Prakash Javadekar briefed reporters on the development following a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Javadekar urged vaccine uptake, stating “I urge all above the age […]
COVID-19 resurgence fears prove true
India’s initial COVID-19 surge was a gradual process. Unlike many countries, India weathered the storm and officially remained free of the disease for a long period of time, before a gradual and sustained increase in cases saw it rise to one of the most highly affected. The spike that has occurred over the last few […]
AstraZeneca vaccine blood clots concerns addressed by Indian Government and WHO
Both the Indian government and the World Health Organization (WHO) have addressed recent concerns surrounding the Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine and blood clots. Recent days saw multiple nations in Europe suspend use of the vaccine in their inoculation programmes as a precautionary measure. France, Germany, Italy, and Spain are among the countries to have taken […]
Pharmacy of the world: Jaishankar touts India’s role in global medical supply
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, the Union Minister of External Affairs, has touted India’s role as ‘pharmacy of the world’. Jaishankar highlighted the country’s role in exporting vital medicines and equipment, amidst the country’s growing role as an exporter of vaccines against COVID-19. “India could meet the spiking requirements of hydroxychloroquine, paracetamol and other relevant drugs across the […]
COVID-19 cases rise once more
While just last week Health Issues India wrote of India’s progress against COVID-19 flatlining, more recent news would indicate that progress against the disease is now reversing. The developments have sparked fears of a second wave. In February, India was hitting its lowest case counts since the surge in September of last year that saw […]