Coronavirus | India still far from herd immunity: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday cautioned that the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) COVID-19 first sero-survey shouldn’t create a way of complacency in individuals with regard to the virus.

Speaking in his social media interplay Sunday Samvaad-3, Mr. Vardhan mentioned indications from the up-coming second sero survey “are that India is far from having achieved any kind of herd immunity which necessitates that all of us should continue following COVID appropriate behaviour.”

Also Read | India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 60-lakh mark

The first sero-survey from May 2020 revealed a nationwide prevalence of novel coronavirus an infection of solely 0.73%.

In a reversal, the Minister mentioned the Health Ministry has suggested in opposition to the vast utilization of investigational therapies reminiscent of Remdesivir and plasma therapies. “Private hospitals have also been advised against routine use of these investigational therapies and doctors in the States/UTs have also been made aware of this,” he mentioned.

Stating that the pandemic can solely be fought when the federal government and society work in tandem, the Minister mentioned a panel of consultants had been learning the rising proof that COVID not solely impacts a affected person’s lungs however different organ techniques additionally.

Mr Vardhan added that States/UTs have now been directed to decrease the costs of COVID exams and mentioned the Ministry has requested them to have interaction non-public laboratories and arrive at a mutually agreeable decrease charges.

Speaking on the disparity of establishing AIIMS in numerous areas and just one for all the North-East, Dr. Vardhan mentioned the central Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY) scheme was aimed toward correcting the regional imbalances in healthcare.

Also Read | Maharashtra continues to steer the COVID-19 tally: Health Ministry

“Other than setting up new AIIMS, the scheme also aims to upgrade the existing medical infrastructure in the entire country in a phased manner. Under different phases of the Scheme, the Centre will establish new medical colleges attached with existing district and referral hospitals in Dhubri, Nagaon, North Lakhimpur, Diphu, Kokrajhar Districts in Assam, Churachandrapur in Manipur West Garo Hills District in Meghalaya, Falkawan District in Mizoram, & Kohima and Mon in Nagaland,” he mentioned.