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covid -19

High blood viscosity can indicate greater risk of death in COVID-19 hospitalised patients: Study

by Medically Speaking July 19, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Patients with COVID-19 who are hospitalised and have a high estimated blood viscosity are more likely to die from complications. Blood viscosity increases the danger of blood clots and limits blood flow to tiny arteries. This measurement of blood thickness can be used to predict mortality.

The American College of Cardiology Journal published this study. This is the first large-scale research of COVID-19 patients to look at blood viscosity as a predictor of death. A simple estimate of blood viscosity was more robust in identifying hospitalised patients at risk of dying from COVID-19 problems than conventional measurements of inflammation and the blood clotting biomarker D-dimer.

Also Read: Researchers discovered relationship between heart disease and soil pollution

Blood viscosity is not directly assessed in hospitalised patients, but doctors generally measure hematocrit and globulins (the difference between total protein and albumin) in all patients for diagnosis and monitoring therapy. Blood viscosity may be calculated using the hematocrit and globulins. The estimate of blood viscosity was shown to be more significantly linked with mortality in COVID-19 participants than other frequently used risk stratification variables in this study. This is a simple computation that might be added to electronic medical records or lab sheets to increase the probability of survival in COVID-19 hospitalised patients.

Acute phase reactants (fibrinogen, macroglobulins) associated with acute COVID-19 infections increase blood viscosity. Blood viscosity is a measure of both acute phase reactants and cellular components that can increase during infection. To decrease the severity of the acute phase reaction to COVID-19, clinicians may consider therapeutic heparin, hydration, or glucocorticoid escalation when blood viscosity is high.

“This study highlights the significance of assessing blood viscosity in COVID-19 patients early in their hospitalisation, which is easily obtainable through standard lab testing.” The findings, according to Dr. Rosenson, “may assist select the appropriate treatment plan for at-risk patients and help improve outcomes.” We are now researching the impact of therapeutic heparin on the likelihood of problems during acute COVID-19 infections, which may assist patients with high blood viscosity.”

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July 19, 2022 0 comment

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On Monday, Delhi reported 378 new COVID-19 cases and two fatalities

by Medically Speaking July 19, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

On Monday, Delhi reported 378 new COVID-19 cases and two fatalities in the previous day

The city of Delhi has 1886 active cases, and the daily positive rate is 6.06 percent, according to the Delhi government health bulletin. According to the news, 464 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours, bringing the total number of people who have recovered from the illness since the epidemic began to 19,16,213.

According to the warning, 3,9324423 coronavirus tests have already been performed.

In the past 24 hours, 15, 470 doses of the COVID vaccination were given out, of which 888 beneficiaries received their first dose and 2332 others their second.

July 19, 2022 0 comment

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Know how people curb negative thinking

by Medically Speaking July 18, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

People try to avoid bad ideas by rejecting and replacing them regularly, according to the findings of a research published in the journal PLOS Computational Biology. However, avoiding an association proactively becomes more effective in averting the continual loop of negative ideas.

The findings were reported by Isaac Fradkin and Eran Eldar of Israel’s Hebrew University. Most individuals have had the experience of trying to avoid thinking unpleasant repeating thoughts. A trigger can frequently elicit undesirable thoughts or recollections.

People must not only reject bad connections from their minds, but they must also ensure that these unwanted memories do not return in an unending cycle and get stronger and stronger over time.

The new study looked at how 80 English-speaking people made new connections with popular terms. All participants were shown terms on a screen and were required to type a corresponding word. People in one group were warned ahead of time that if they repeated associations, they would not earn monetary incentives, so they set out to suppress thoughts of prior phrases they had entered.

The researchers employed computational tools to analyse how people avoided recurring connections based on reaction times and how good participants were at forming fresh associations. They discovered that most people adopt reactive control, rejecting undesired connections after they have already occurred to them. “This form of reactive control can be especially troublesome,” the authors write, “since, as our data demonstrate, ideas are self-reinforcing: thinking a thought strengthens its memory and increases the likelihood that it will recur.” In other words, every time we react negatively to an unfavourable connection, it has the potential to get stronger. However, we discovered that people may somewhat anticipate this process if they wish to guarantee that this thinking occurs as infrequently as possible.”

Also Read: India reports 16,935 new COVID-19 cases, with 51 deaths

“While people cannot avoid unwelcome ideas, they can guarantee that contemplating an unwanted thought does not enhance the likelihood of it occurring again,” Fradkin says. “Whereas the current study concentrated on neutral connections, future research should investigate if our findings generalise to negative and personally relevant undesirable ideas.”

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July 18, 2022 0 comment

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India recorded 20,528 new COVID infections in last 24 hours

by Medically Speaking July 17, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to data released on Sunday by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India recorded 20,528 new COVID cases in the previous 24 hours.

On Saturday, 20,044 instances had been reported across the nation. Over 20,000 cases have been reported nationwide for the fourth day in a row. As a result, the number of active cases increased from 1,40,760 yesterday to 1,43,449 today.

In the past 24 hours, 17,790 COVID patients had full recoveries, bringing the overall number of recoveries to 4,30,81,441. At the moment, the recovery rate is 98.47%.

49 individuals reportedly passed away from the infection during this time, according to the Ministry. The nation has now experienced 5,25,709 fatalities.

Also Read: 491 new COVID-19 cases reported in Delhi

The nation examined 3,92,569 samples. The weekly positivity rate increased from 4.40% yesterday to 4.55% today, while the daily case positivity rate increased from 4.80% to 5.23% yesterday.

The number of beneficiaries who have received vaccinations as part of the COVID vaccination drive has increased, bringing the total number of doses of vaccine delivered in the nation to 1,99,98,89,097 during the course of the past 24 hours.

A total of 199.98 crore vaccine doses have been given, of which 92.60 crore have been given as a second dose and 5.64 crore as precautionary doses.

The goal of the 75-day “COVID Immunization Amrit Mahotsava” campaign, which began on Friday, is to increase the preventive dose of COVID vaccination among the eligible adult population.

At government COVID Vaccination Centers, this specific vaccination programme, which is a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav holiday, aims to provide free preventative injections to all people who are qualified (18 years of age or older) (CVCs).

In a virtual meeting with State/UT Health Secretaries and NHM MDs, which was presided over by Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, all eligible beneficiaries were urged to give a vigorous and ambitious push toward full COVID-19 vaccination coverage by getting immunised and getting covered with a precautionary dose.

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July 17, 2022 0 comment

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German health minister advises fourth COVID-19 dosage for everyone under age of 60

by Medically Speaking July 17, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

Germany’s Health Minister Karl Lauterbach suggested a fourth COVID-19 vaccination shot for those under the age of 60 on Friday, defying the opinion of a relevant national panel.

The German STIKO advises a second COVID-19 booster dose with an mRNA vaccine, such as the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna, exclusively to persons over the age of 70, residents in care homes, patients with immunodeficiency, and medical professionals. “If someone wants to enjoy the summer without becoming sick, I would propose immunisation even to younger individuals in collaboration with their family doctor,” Lauterbach told Spiegel magazine.

A vaccination customised to Omicron is anticipated to be released in late August or early September, but Lauterbach says those over 60 “should absolutely not wait for the new vaccine,” because the present doses protect them against major sickness or death.

Also Read: https: Holborn Wells India develops monkeypox real-time PCR detection kit

Around 85 percent of Germany’s 69.4 million individuals aged 18 and older are immunised against COVID-19. According to official estimates, over 72 percent have had one booster immunisation, while almost 9 percent have received two booster doses.

Despite being slammed by a COVID-19 summer wave, Germany’s immunisation programme remains sluggish.

“It must not be forgotten that the most essential and effective solution is and will continue to be vaccination,” said Ulrich Weigeldt, leader of the German Association of General Practitioners, who urged for a new vaccine campaign last week.

According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for Infectious Diseases, the country’s seven-day COVID-19 incidence rate was over 720 illnesses per 100,000 people on Friday, up from around 700 the previous week.

The number of cases has been continuously increasing since the beginning of June. “We’re going to have a really rough fall,” Lauterbach said.

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July 17, 2022 0 comment

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Greater efforts needed to get routine immunization back to pre-COVID-19 times: WHO

by Medically Speaking July 16, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

New Delhi, 16 July: The World Health Organization today called for greater efforts in the South-East Asia Region to revive routine immunization rates to pre-COVID-19 times, as despite concerted efforts by countries, challenges and gaps persist.

“Commendably the Region has administered 3 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to date, since January 2021 when the first dose of vaccine was administered in the South-East Asia Region. As we focus on further scaling up COVID-19 vaccination coverage, we must also do all we can to ensure no child is deprived of life-saving vaccines offered under routine immunization services,” *said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.*

“Many counties have demonstrated that routine immunization can be maintained or scaled up along with COVID-19 vaccination”, *she said.* “This speaks for a very committed health work force which has to manage both considerable challenges.”

*Bangladesh, Maldives, Sri Lanka and Thailand* maintained high vaccination rates over 95% DTP3 coverage throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. *Bhutan* witnessed a slight decline in 2020 but surpassed its pre-pandemic coverage of 97% to record 98% DTP3 coverage in 2021. Globally, DTP3 (third dose of vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis) in one-year old children, is a proxy indicator for immunization coverage. Nepal substantially revived routine immunization coverage for DTP3 from 84% in 2020 to 91% in 2021. These six countries have also achieved high COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

*Routine immunization coverage declines* witnessed in 2020 in India and Timor-Leste seem to have stabilized in 2021 indicating programme recoveries as well. In 2021 India provided close to 2 billion doses of COVID-19 and other childhood vaccines taken together, over 5 times more vaccines administered in the country during the year than in 2020.

All countries in the South-East Asia Region focused on routine immunization while prioritizing essential services during the pandemic and concerted efforts continue to be made to scale-up vaccination coverage, with a focus on identifying and vaccinating ‘missed children’.

Efforts for measles and rubella elimination, a flagship priority in the Region, continued during the pandemic. Nepal substantially increased the coverage for second dose of measles and rubella vaccine from *76% in 2019* to *87% in 2021.* Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, and Sri Lanka maintained their respective coverage rates throughout the pandemic.

To revitalize routine immunization coverage following the COVID-19 pandemic, WHO convened a South-East Asia Regional Working Group on Immunization in March this year focusing on programme intensification. Strengthening catch-up campaigns, tracking unvaccinated and under vaccinated children, combining COVID-19 vaccination with routine immunization, training of health workers and addressing concerns of communities, were stressed.

However, concerns and challenges remain. Routine immunization *coverage dropped in Myanmar* , also due to the political situation and in DPR Korea as the country closed its borders including for essential medicines and supplies.

“WHO is cognizant of the efforts and is supporting Member States improve routine immunization coverage. With stepped up efforts in recent months, we hope to see a speedy scale-up of DTP3 coverage to the pre-pandemic level of 91% in 2019 from 82% in 2021 and second dose measles and rubella vaccine coverage to beyond 83% in 2019 from 78% in 2021,” *the Regional Director said.*

*In Bangladesh* , WHO is supporting development of a National Immunization Strategy to sustain coverage and address sub-national gaps in immunization in urban and hard-to-reach populations. Routine immunization and surveillance for vaccine preventable diseases has been strengthened amongst the refugee populations in Cox’s Bazar.

*In India* , periodic intensification of routine immunization is carried out through ‘Mission Indradhanush’. WHO has supported detailed mapping and categorization of low coverage areas in states; guiding short and medium term plans to improve coverage in all such areas.

*Indonesia* is implementing a catch up immunization with all vaccines along with a national measles and rubella vaccination campaign in two phases – from May 2022 in 27 provinces and beginning August in the remaining seven provinces.

*Nepal* has extended catch-up vaccination for children up to the age of 5 years. Efforts are on to achieve ‘full immunization’ status at Pallikas (municipalities) level.

*Myanmar* conducted an evaluation of its routine immunization programme last month and has drawn up a plan to revive routine immunization coverage with support of WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, The Vaccine Alliance, and other partners and non-governmental organizations.

WHO is providing technical support to Timor-Leste to boost routine immunization and COVID-19 vaccine coverage in hard-to-reach areas, enhance management capacities, strengthen cold chain and data management systems at the sub-national level.

July 16, 2022 0 comment

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COVID-19 booster vaccination is useful for lupus patients: Study

by Medically Speaking July 13, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to a recent study, those with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who got a “booster” dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccination after obtaining the full quantity are roughly half as likely to suffer a future “breakthrough” COVID-19 infection.

On July 12, this study was published in the journal The Lancet Rheumatology. According to the researchers, the discovery should bring relief to the more than 200,000 Americans who suffer with SLE, an illness in which the body’s immune system erroneously assaults its own healthy tissues, mainly joints and skin. They are more vulnerable to infections, such as SARS-CoV-2, when they are on immune-suppressing drugs, such as steroids, which are necessary to treat the disease’s symptoms.

The present study, coordinated by clinicians from NYU Grossman School of Medicine, tracked 163 completely immunised men and women getting SLE therapy at NYU Grossman School of Medicine’s associated facilities in New York City. Given that more than half of the patients were using at least one immunosuppressive medication for their SLE, the researchers sought to know who caught the virus during a six-month period. Prior to June 2021, all had had some combination of Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson immunizations, but only 125 had received a booster or third dosage.

By the end of the monitoring period (April 24, 2022), 44 vaccinated SLE patients had developed breakthrough infections, with two of them requiring hospitalisation (but both surviving their infection).

28 of 125 (22%) of patients with breakthrough infections had had a booster, compared to 16 of 38 (42%) who had not. The majority of breakthrough infections (42 of 44) occurred after the city detected its first instance of the exceedingly infectious omicron strain on December 2, 2021, according to investigators.

Another notable research finding was among the 57 patients who agreed to have their blood antibody levels examined twice: once after the first immunisation and again after the booster dose.

However, a previous study found that increased antibody levels in fully immunised lupus patients reinforced critical indications of

However, a previous study found that greater antibody levels in fully immunised lupus patients enhanced critical indications of long-term immunity, which may help to explain why individuals with breakthrough infections do not have severe illness.

“Our study results provide patients with systemic lupus erythematosus clinical assurance that vaccines are exceedingly efficient at avoiding severe COVID-19, despite their higher risk of getting the illness,” says co-lead investigator and rheumatologist Amit Saxena, MD, MS.

COVID-19 vaccine boosters, or third doses, offered an additional, double layer of protection against a breakthrough infection, according to Saxena, an assistant professor in the department of medicine at NYU Langone Health. SARS-CoV-2 infection cases were often mild even among SLE patients who were adequately vaccinated.

“Our research also shows that most SLE patients who are adequately vaccinated and boosted developed strong responses despite being on immune suppression,” says co-senior investigator and rheumatologist Peter Izmirly, MD. Izmirly is an associate professor of medicine at NYU Langone Health.

Also Read: Theatre plays promote positive body image among youngsters: Study

Researchers recommend continued patient monitoring to see if there is an antibody “cutoff” level below which SLE patients are more vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

The researchers discovered that hospitalisation rates for SLE patients at NYU Langone during the first wave of the pandemic in spring 2020 were more than twice as high as those for people without the condition, despite the fact that fatality rates were the same.

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July 13, 2022 0 comment

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India records 16,906 new COVID cases, including 45 fatalities

by Medically Speaking July 13, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

According to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday, India has 16,906 new COVID infections in the previous 24 hours.

This is a 3,291 infection increase over the previous day. On Tuesday, the nation recorded 13,615 new COVID cases. The number of active cases in the country has risen to 1,32,457. They account for 0.30 percent of all cases in the country.

During this time, 45 individuals died as a result of the infection. The country’s death toll stands at 5,25,519 people.

Covid Recovery Rate

According to the Ministry, 15,447 COVID patients recovered in the previous 24 hours, bringing the country’s total number of recoveries since the outbreak to 4,30,11,8747.

The recovery rate is at 98.49%.

Also read: China had role in spread of four pandemics: Report

4,59,302 COVID tests were done in the previous 24 hours, out of the 86.77 crore COVID tests completed throughout the country so far.

The weekly positivity rate is 4.26 percent, with a daily positivity rate of 3.68 percent.

In the previous 24 hours, 11,15,068 COVID vaccinations were provided as part of the countrywide immunisation campaign. So far, a total of 1,99,12,79,010 vaccinations have been given.

In the next phase of the COVID immunisation programme, the Union Government would acquire and deliver (at no cost) to States and UTs 75% of the vaccines manufactured in the country by vaccine makers.

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July 13, 2022 0 comment

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Over 10.77 million doses of COVID vaccination are available from states and territories: Centre

by Medically Speaking July 7, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare notified the States and UTs on Thursday that around 10.77 crore balance and unutilized COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available for administration.

So date, more than 193.53 crore (1,93,53,58,865) vaccine doses have been distributed to states and UTs through the Government of India (free of cost channel) and the direct state purchase category. Over 10.77 crore (10,77,58,570) COVID vaccination doses are still available for administration with the states and UTs.

The Union Government is dedicated to speeding up and broadening the scope of COVID-19 immunisation across the country.

Also Read: WHO reports discovery of new Covid Omicron subvariant in India

The national COVID 19 immunisation campaign began on January 16, 2021.

Phases of Covid Vaccination

The next phase of COVID-19 vaccine universalization began on June 21, 2021. The immunisation campaign has been stepped up with the availability of more vaccinations, increased visibility of vaccine availability to states and UTs for better planning, and simplification of the vaccine supply chain.

As part of the countrywide immunisation campaign, the central government has been supplying free COVID vaccinations to states and UTs.

In the next phase of the COVID-19 immunisation programme, the Union Government would acquire and deliver (at no cost) to States and UTs 75% of the vaccines manufactured in the country by vaccine makers.

Meanwhile, India recorded 18,930 new infections in the last 24 hours, a 2,771 rise over the previous day, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.

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July 7, 2022 0 comment

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Delhi reported 600 new COVID-19 cases

by Medically Speaking July 7, 2022

written by Medically Speaking

In the previous 24 hours, Delhi recorded 600 new COVID-19 cases and one fatality.

According to the Delhi government health bulletin, there are 2,590 active cases in the city, with a daily positive rate of 3.27 percent. One patient died as a result of the virus, bringing the total number of deaths to 26,276.

According to the news, 516 people recovered in the previous 24 hours, bringing the overall number of recoveries from the pandemic to 19,09,782.

According to the alert, 3,91,58,159 coronavirus tests have been performed thus far, with 18,361 people tested in the previous 24 hours.

It said that 17,606 doses of COVID vaccinations were provided in the past 24 hours, with 1,384 recipients receiving their first dose and 4,280 receiving their second dose.

Also Read: Immune response triggered by COVID-19 may damage the brain

According to the report, 7,713 beneficiaries were vaccinated with a prophylactic dosage in the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 16,99,636.

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India recorded 16,159 new COVID cases in the last 24 hours, 3,073 more than the previous day. On Tuesday, the country reported 13,086 new infections.

POSITIVITY RATE OF COVID-19

The daily positivity rate increased from 2.90% yesterday to 3.56 % today, while the weekly positivity rate remains at 3.84 %.

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July 7, 2022 0 comment

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