Italy overtakes China’s coronavirus death toll

Italy, with a population of 60 million, recorded at least 3,405 deaths, or roughly 150 more than in China—a country with a population over 20 times larger.

ET: The death toll in Italy from the coronavirus overtook China’s on Thursday in a stark illustration of how the outbreak has pivoted toward Europe and the US.

Italy, with a population of 60 million, recorded at least 3,405 deaths, or roughly 150 more than in China—a country with a population over 20 times larger....read more

CMAAO IMA HCFI Corona Myth Busters

1.Lopinavir–Ritonavir are the drug of choice in COVID 19

No, they are not the first line therapy, but still may be continued and given to hospitalised patients. In a study published in hospitalized adult patients with severe Covid-19, no benefit was observed with lopinavir–ritonavir treatment beyond standard care. However, research is required in patients with severe conditions to decide upon the potential clinical benefit of the treatment.....read more

Should the discharge policy of COVID-19 cases be changed?

The current discharge policy states that, “In case the laboratory results are positive for SARS CO 19 virus, the case shall be managed as per the confirmed case management protocol. The case shall be discharged only after evidence of chest radiographic clearance and viral clearance in respiratory samples after two specimens test negative for virus within a period of 24 hours.”....read more

In phase 2 airports and in phase 3 hospitals are the hot spots for infection?

In phase 2, airports are the hotspots 1.As on 19th March, UAE has only 113 cases. However, 15 people who entered Maharashtra from Dubai have been tested positive. According to them, they were not infected in Dubai, aircraft, Indian Immigration....read more

COVID 19 symptomatic cases testing or asymptomatic cases testing

Symptomatic cases testing 1.To keep community transmission under check about 1000 sample checks will be done per week 2.Sampling in private labs has been made available. 3.72 functional labs of the apex medical body conducting tests and another 49 private NABL-accredited labs will soon be operational....read more

Ganesha, the Stress Management Guru

If Lord Krishna was the first counselor who taught the principles of counseling, Lord Ganesha taught us the principles of stress management. We should worship Lord Ganesha and become like him whenever we face any difficulty or are stressed out. The elephant head of Lord Ganesha symbolizes that when in difficulty, use your wisdom, intelligence and think differently. It can be equated to the Third Eye of Lord Shiva. Elephant is supposed to be the most intelligent animal in the kingdom. Here, wisdom means to think before speaking. Lord Buddha also said that don’t speak unless it is necessary and is truthful and kind....read more

How Corona Aware Are You

Health Sutras By Dr K K Aggarwal

Always ask for a bill after buying any medicine.

Healthcare News Monitor

Virus hits pharma imports but India says it has enough 

Hindustan Times- Rhythma Kaul

China is seeking to restore normalcy in supplies to trading partners after the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) outbreak disrupted factory production in the world’s second largest economy, but it will be still some time before India can resume importing raw material for drugs and diagnostics from its main source. Even so, drug manufacturers in India say they have enough stocks to last a couple of months. India sources about 70% of its raw material for drugs — Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) — from China. “The stock situation currently will help us stay afloat till June at least. There is nothing to worry as of now,” said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, an association that represents Indian drugmakers. The department of pharmaceuticals formed an expert committee last month that is constantly monitoring the drugs and the diagnostics situation in the country, and to devise measures that can prevent any possible shortages. To ensure adequate domestic supplies, the government also restricted exports of certain anti-fever drugs, antibiotics, essential vitamins and hormones that have significant demand within the country.

Five ways, how pharma companies are using data analytics 

Express Computer 

The global pharmaceutical companies market has been growing at a rate of 5.8% since 2017 and by 2021, it should reach a size of $1,170 billion. Much of this growth has relied on empirical data, which has presented significant challenges over the last decade. The utilization of data analytics to comb through available big data can offer valuable insight to pharma companies regarding the necessities, use, contraindications, market trends and sales performance. Here are five ways in which leading pharma companies are already using data analytics – Using patient data for personal chronic disease management :Although India does not have a unified electronic health record (EHR) infrastructure, the increasing use of wearable technology that monitors vital stats and people’s preference for syncing data from their devices to the cloud can facilitate the development of programmes for tailored chronic disease management. Chronic diseases can range from diabetes to heart problems, which are becoming more common in India by the day. Pharma companies can use data from patient healthcare records to offer tailored management solutions and healthcare tips to the registered patients regularly. However, the lack of a dedicated HER system currently makes it extremely challenging for healthcare professionals as well as pharmaceutical companies to gain access to patient history, case studies and healthcare references. Using big data to design targeted medications for patients, doctors, researchers and reviewers: Today, several Indian start-ups use AI and ML-based technology to assess huge volumes of data on healthcare, clinical trials and drug reviews from multiple sources. For example, companies havededicated cloud databases that collates data from major patent offices, regulatory bodies, clinical trials and several other authentic sources. Pharma companies can access verified data on diagnosis, medication, treatment and prognosis for making informed decisions within shorter periods.

Coronavirus in Delhi: Hospitals may pool resources for ICU needs 

The Times of India 

NEW DELHI: Covid-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, causes mild symptoms in 80% of the patients. But 20% of them suffer from complications, mainly respiratory distress, which may require ICU support. Does Delhi have enough ICU support, especially ventilators, to save them? “It depends on the number of cases that can’t be predicted. However, we are fully prepared to deal with any situation,” said Dr Randeep Guleria, the director of AIIMS, which has more than 200 ICU beds at its main hospital. “All hospitals have been advised to postpone non-emergency or routine surgeries so that the current strength of ICU beds can be utilised to meet increased demand, if needed,” he added. In addition, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Jhajjar, also run by AIIMS, and the Trauma Centre have earmarked 125 and 20 beds, respectively, for acute management. Of this, 45 are ICU beds with ventilator facilities. “The number of ICU beds can be scaled up further by pooling in critical-care beds from other departments. We have a plan in place,” Dr Guleria said. The Safdarjung and Ram Manohar Lohia hospitals, two other central government-run facilities, have also been asked to be ready to deal with any emergency situation. Together, they have more than 200 ICU beds. Delhi government runs 33 tertiary-care hospitals with a total bed capacity of 10,059, out of which 3.5% have ventilator facilities. Recently, the government told the high court that 63 ventilators were being procured at 15 hospitals, and it would be completed in six months. Mechanical ventilators help patients breathe, or breathe for them. They are critical in the management of severe Covid-19 cases because the infection, once it reaches the lower respiratory tract, damages the lungs. “In severe cases, complications can be limited to symptoms such as shortness of breath and low-oxygen saturation. But if this continues despite treatment, the patient may start getting restless and fall unconscious due to less oxygen in the brain,” explained Dr Arup Basu, senior pulmonology consultant at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital. “It can also affect the heart, kidneys and other body parts, leading to multiorgan failure.”

No price cap yet for treatment of COVID-19 at private hospitals 

The New Indian Express - Oishani Mojumder

Private hospitals in the city have started providing advice over phone to anyone showing symptoms of Coronavirus and is looking to get their fears quelled with expert advise. The service is provided free of cost. However, the Telangana government has still not announced its plan to put a cap on the price charged by private hospitals that treat Covid patients. Additionally, the private hospitals would also have to abide by a stringent set of rules and regulations as outlined by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). On the other hand, while many have started approaching private hospitals for isolation and quarantine facilities after Health Minister Eatala Rajender said they would allow them to treat Covid patients, private hospitals are unable to admit patients citing protocols put in place by the State. The guideline by the ICMR reads, “It shall be mandatory for all hospitals (government and private), medical officers in government health institutions and registered private medical practitioners, including AYUSH practitioners, to notify such person(s) with Covid to concerned district surveillance units. All practitioners shall also get the self-declaration forms who, within their knowledge, are having travel history to Covid-affected countries as per the extant guidelines and are falling under the case definition of Covid (suspect/case). In case the person has any such history in the last 14 days and is symptomatic as per the case definition of Covid, the person must be isolated in the hospital and will be tested for Covid as per protocol. Information of all such cases should be given to the State helpline number.”