With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

Post-Covid case definition for children and adolescents

On Thursday, the WHO published a case definition of post-Covid-19 in children and adolescents. According to this definition, children with post-Covid usually experience symptoms such as fatigue, altered smell (anosmia) and anxiety within 3 months of the acute infection or they may be of new onset after recovery from the initial infection. These symptoms persist for at least 2 months and affect “everyday functioning”...(Source: WHO, Feb. 16, 2023).

India Covid-19 Update

In the last 24 hours, there were 126 new Covid cases, according to the Union Health Ministry. The active cases are now 1835 (0.01%). The daily positivity rate is 0.11% and the weekly positivity rate is 0.09%. A little over 1.15 lakh tests were performed in the last 24 hours. The recovery rate is 98.81%. So far, 220 Cr total vaccine doses have been administered; the number of second dose recipients has crossed 95 crore and 22.85 crore have taken the precaution dose…(Source: Press Information Bureau, Feb. 16, 2023).

Moderna to provide its Covid vaccine at no cost to US citizens

Moderna has announced that its Covid-19 vaccine will still be available to people free of cost once the government stops paying for the vaccine after May 11, 2023 when Covid would no longer be a public health emergency in the United States. “Everyone in the United States will have access to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine regardless of their ability to pay”, the company said… (Source: WebMD, Feb. 16, 2023).

NIH launches trial to investigate a new antiviral for Covid-19

An international trial is underway to test ensitrelvir (S-217622), an investigational antiviral drug, for the treatment of adult patients who have been hospitalized with Covid-19. It is developed by collaborative efforts of Hokkaido University and Shionogi & Co Ltd in Japan. Around 1500 participants will be selected for the trial. It is to be taken orally for 5 days in doses of 375 mg on day 1 followed by 125 mg daily for Days 2-5. Additionally, the participants will receive the standard Covid treatment as per local guidelines… (Source: NIH, Feb. 15, 2023).