New low-cost test can diagnose Covid-19 in just 20 minutes

Melbourne: Scientists have developed a new low-cost nasal swab test which can accurately diagnose the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 in just 20 minutes. The findings, published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology, show the test called N1-STOP-LAMP, is 100 per cent accurate in diagnosing samples containing SARS-CoV-2 at high loads. The rapid molecular test is highly accurate and easy to use, making it a prime candidate for use in settings with limited testing capabilities, according to the researchers. The method involves using a small portable machine, which can reliably detect SARS-CoV-2 from just one nasal swab, they said. ....read more

COVID-19 and Children

Children are not the face of this pandemic, but how to keep them completely safe? To know more on COVID 19 and children, join us today at 7:00 PM on MEDtalks with Dr K K Aggarwal.Just click on www.facebook.com/drkkaggarwal or https://perfecthealthmela.com/vevent/general-webinar.php

CMAAO Coronavirus Facts and Myth Buster: Steroid and Diabetes

With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev1048: New guidance from the UK National Diabetes COVID-19 Response Group [AUGUST 2 IN DIABETIC MEDICINE] Address the triple insult of dexamethasone-induced impaired glucose metabolism, COVID-19-induced insulin resistance, and COVID-19 impaired insulin production. Randomised Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) trial revealed that dexamethasone led to reduction in deaths in patients with COVID-19 on ventilators or receiving oxygen therapy. The dose used in the trial was 6 mg daily for 10 days, which is 5 to 6 times greater than the therapeutic glucocorticoid replacement dose. ....read more

World COVID Meter 13th August: Acute immuno-inflammatory manageable virus disease with significant post viral phase, 213 countries affected

Cases: 1M April 2, 2M April 15, 3M April 27, 4M May 8, 5M May 20, 6M May 30, 7M June 7, 8M June 15, 9M June 22, 10M June 29th, 11M July 4, 12M July 8, 13M July 13, 14M July 17, 15M July 23, 16M July 25, 17M July 29, 18M August 1, 19M August 6, 20M August 10 Ground Zero: Wuhan - in live animal market or cafeteria for animal pathogens: 10th January; Total cases are based on RT-PCR, 67% sensitivity Coronavirus Cases: 20,803,706,Deaths: 752,584,Recovered: 13,701,570,ACTIVE CASES 6,349,552 ,Currently Infected Patients 6,284,949 (99%) in Mild Condition ....read more

Spiritual Prescriptions: Satsang

Satsang is a common household word and is often organized in residential colonies. Traditionally, Satsang means the regular meeting of a group of elderly or women of an area with a common intention of attaining inner happiness or peace through Bhajans or devotional songs for a particular God or Gods. In Satsang, people realize that it is the Self, communing with Self. The Sanskrit word ‘Satsang’ literally means gathering together for guidance, mutual support or in search of truth. It may involve talking together, eating together, working together, listening together or praying together. Most scriptures describe Sat and Asat. They state that this world is Maya (Asat) and God is Divine. They further state that Maya is not yours; Divine is yours. ....read more

Healthcare News Monitor

India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre launches ‘Innovation Challenge’

Express Pharma

India-Sweden Healthcare Innovation Centre, a collaboration between Swedish Trade Commissioner’s Office, AIIMS Delhi and AIIMS Jodhpur, has virtually launched its first healthcare innovation challenge and website. The website and the Innovation Challenge for the centre were launched by Chief Guest, Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India and Special Guest Prof (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Secretary – DHR & DG-ICMR, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. The innovation challenge is an opportunity for start-ups to collaborate with partners on the Innovation Centre platform to help solve some of the problems in the healthcare delivery landscape of India. The Innovation Centre is built under strategic guidance from Government of India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Government of Sweden’s Ministry of Health and Social Affairs and Embassy of Sweden in India. It also has a strong network of ecosystem partners – Atal Innovation Mission, Invest India, AGNII, Startup India, and, knowledge partners – AstraZeneca, NASSCOM and VINNOVA. The challenge would focus on innovative Digital Tools/Platforms – Med-Tech, Tele-Medicine, Artificial Intelligence backed solutions that support new ways of working and improve the efficiencies of healthcare systems as they manage the pandemic.

Zydus Cadila Launches "Most Affordable" COVID-19 Drug Remdesivir In India

NDTV

New Delhi: Drug firm Zydus Cadila on Thursday said it has launched Remdesivir under the brand name Remdac, used to treat patients suffering from severe symptoms of COVID-19, in the Indian market. Priced at ₹ 2,800 per 100 mg vial, Remdac is the most economical Remdesivir brand in India, Zydus Cadila said in a regulatory filing. The company said the drug will be made available across India through the groups strong distribution chain reaching out to government and private hospitals treating COVID-19 patients.

Last doctor standing: Covid-19 pandemic pushes Indian hospital to brink

hindustantimes

Guards armed with rifles escort Dr. Kumar Gaurav as he makes the rounds at his hospital on the banks of the Ganges River. The guards are there to protect him from the relatives of patients, including those suffering from Covid-19. The relatives keep barging into the wards, even the ICU, to stroke and feed their loved ones, often without wearing even the flimsiest of masks as barriers against the novel coronavirus. “If we stop them, they get angry,” he says. “They want to give homemade meals to their patients, and some even want to massage their patients. And they are taking the infections from our ICUs to the other people in the society.”

Children at risk if schools re-open, say doctors

livemint

With the number of covid-19 cases continuing to rise in India even as the government considers re-opening educational institutions starting 1 September, doctors have warned against hasty decisions as children may not be spared of the virus. Though the number of children affected by the virus across India and the world is in the range of 2% to 5%, doctors say children are vulnerable when exposed to any virus. Right now, children have been sequestered at home, keeping them relatively safe. Most studies have found that children have mild to moderate symptoms if they contract the virus, but that does not mean they are safe from it.