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Press Releases in March

March 03, 2021

1331. Phase 3 Clinical Trial of COVAXIN, developed by ICMR & Bharat Biotech, shows 81% efficacy - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Phase 3 results of the COVAXIN, developed by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)in partnership with Bharat BiotechInternational Limited (BBIL),has shown an interim vaccine efficacy of 81% in preventing Covid-19. The Phase 3 trial,jointly initiated by ICMR and BBIL in mid-November 2020,was conducted in a total of 25,800 individualsacross 21 sites. The interim efficacy trend of 81%, analyzed as per the protocol approved by the DCGI, putsit at par with other global front-runner vaccines. 6.30 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702293]. Click here for PDF.

1330. Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka continue to report an upsurge in Daily New Cases. More than 1.56 cr vaccine doses administered till 7 am today - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Karnataka continue to report a surge in the COVID daily new cases. Together, they account for 85.95% of the new cases reported in the past 24 hours. 14,989 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 7,863. It is followed by Kerala with 2,938 while Punjab reported 729 new cases. 12.03 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702138]. Click here for PDF.

1329. Policy Dialogue on COVID-19 Vaccine organized by CSIR-NISTADS and CSIR-NISCAIR - Ministry of Science & Technology

CSIR Institutions CSIR-NISTADS and CSIR-NISCAIR, New Delhi jointly organized a half-day session on “A Policy Dialogue on COVID-19 Vaccine from Self-Reliance to Global Leadership: Opportunities, Challenges, and Policy Imperatives in COVID Era” recently. This event was organised to celebrate the National Science Day and to have a policy discourse from eminent personalities on the journey of indigenous development of the COVID-19 vaccine in the midst of the pandemic. It focussed on the opportunities available, the challenges faced and the policy imperatives for a way forward to become a global leader not only in the COVID-19 vaccine but also in vaccines in general. 11.35 a.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702132]. Click here for PDF.

March 02, 2021

1328. FAQs for Healthcare Workers and Front line workers - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Which COVID-19 vaccines are licenced in India?

Two vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorization by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)in India are Covishield® (AstraZeneca's vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin® (manufactured by Bharat Biotech Limited). Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1327. COVID19 Vaccination-Day 46. More than 1.54 Cr COVID19 vaccine doses administered. 6.09 lakh vaccine doses given till 7pm today - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 1.54 Crore today. The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on 16 Jan 2021 and vaccination of the Frontline Workers (FLWs) started from 2 Feb 2021.The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from 1st March 2021 for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. 11.07 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702073]. Click here for PDF.

1326. Update on COVID19 Vaccination States/UTs urged to utilise 100% capacities of Private Hospitals functioning as COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Shri Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Secretary along with Dr. Ram S Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Group on Vaccine Administration (Co-WIN) and member, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration of COVID-19 (NEGVAC) chaired a high-level review meeting today with Addl. Chief Secretaries, Principal Secretaries and Secretaries (H&FW) of States and UTs through a video conference (VC) today. They reviewed the status and pace of the next phase of the country-wide COVID vaccination program which commenced from 1st March 2021. 7.56 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702038]. Click here for PDF.

1325. Change in Approach in Vaccination Drive – Demand-driven Approach from now on: Chairperson, EG, COVID Vaccination - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

“More than 1.48 Crore vaccine doses have been administered so far. These include more than 67 lakh Healthcare workers who got the first dose and around 26 lakh HCW who got the second dose.” Health Secretary, Shri Rajesh Bhushan presented the above update on COVID Vaccination during the weekly COVID briefing at National Media Centre in New Delhi today. 6.50 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1702009]. Click here for PDF.

1324. Dr. Harsh Vardhan takes his first dose of COVID-19 Vaccine - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Appealed all eligible to take the vaccine and negate any rumour related to vaccine. “Both these vaccines are safe, immunogenic and useful. Till now, around 1.5 crore people have been vaccinated. Only 0.0003% people have shown the minor AEFI effects till now”. “ Vaccine Appropriate Behaviour along with COVID appropriate behaviour key to fighting virus”. “Indian vaccines are in high demand in the world.This is good news for Vaccine Maitri”. 5.56 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701986]. Click here for PDF.

1323. Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Tamil Nadu & Gujarat witness an upsurge in Daily New Cases. Caution advised to States showing High Active Cases - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

India’s total Active Caseload stands at 1.68 lakh (1,68,358) today as the country added 12,286 new cases in the last 24 hours. The country’s present active caseload now consists of 1.51% of India’s total Positive Cases. 80.33% of the new cases are from 5 States. Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 6,397. It is followed by Kerala with 1,938 while Punjab reported 633 new cases. Two states, Maharashtra and Kerala alone account for 67.84% of total active cases. 12.06 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701884]. Click here for PDF.

March 01, 2021

1322. Guidelines on Preventive Measures to Contain Spread of COVID-19 in Yoga Institutes & Gymnasiums - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: While Yoga and physical activity being important for health & well-being, to prevent spread of COVID-19 infection, it is important that required physical distancing and other COVID appropriate measures are followed. Yoga Institutes and Gymnasiums shall adhere to protocols and prevention measures outlined in this document to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1321. SOP on preventive measures in Hotels and other Hospitality Units to contain spread of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: All hotels and other hospitality units must take suitable measures to restrict any further transmission of COVID-19 while providing accommodation and other tourist services. The SOP aims to minimize all possible physical contacts between Staff and Guests and maintain physical distancing and other preventive and safety measures against COVID-19. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1320. SOP on preventive measures in Restaurants to contain spread of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: Given the current COVID-19 outbreak in India, it is important that restaurants and other hospitality units take suitable measures to restrict any further transmission of the virus while providing restaurant services. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1319. SOP on preventive measures in shopping malls to contain spread of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: Shopping malls get frequented by large number of people for shopping, entertainment and food. To prevent spread of COVID-19 infection, it is important that required physical distancing and other preventive measures are followed. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1318. SOP on preventive measures to be followed in Entertainment Parks and similar places to contain spread of COVID-19 - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background Entertainment Parks and similar places are frequented by a large number of people for leisure and entertainment. To prevent spread of COVID-19 infection, it is important that required physical distancing and other preventive measures are followed in these places. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1317. SOP on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in religious places/places of worship - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: Religious places / places of worship get frequented by large number of people for spiritual solace. To prevent spread of COVID-19 infection, it is important that required social distancing and other preventive measures are followed in such premises. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1316. SOP on preventive measures to contain spread of COVID-19 in skill or entrepreneurship training institutions - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Background: Government of India is following a phase-wise unlocking of activities. In days to come, this would also involve resumption of activities in skill or entrepreneurship training institutions, higher educational institutions conducting doctoral courses and post graduate studies in technical & professional programs requiring laboratory /experimental work. Read more... [https://www.mohfw.gov.in]. Click here for PDF.

1315. Day 45- next Phase of COVID19 Vaccination commences - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

The cumulative number of COVID19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 1.47 Crore today. The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on 16 Jan 2021 and vaccination of the Frontline Workers (FLWs) started from 2 Feb 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from today for those who are over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. 9.45 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701807]. Click here for PDF.

1314. Kerala, Maharashtra, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat continue to report an upsurge in COVID Daily New Cases - Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Several States in the country continue to report an increased number of daily new cases. 6 States, Maharashtra, Kerala, Punjab, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, have shown a surge in new cases in the last 24 hours. 15,510 new cases were registered in the last 24 hours. Maharashtra continues to report the highest daily new cases at 8,293. It is followed by Kerala with 3,254 while Punjab has reported 579 new cases. 87.25% of the new cases are from these six States. 12.16 p.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701645]. Click here for PDF.

1313. PM takes first dose of COVID-19 vaccine - Prime Minister's Office

Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi took his first dose of the COVID-19  vaccine today,  at AIIMS New Delhi. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "Took my first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine at AIIMS. Remarkable how our doctors and scientists have worked in quick time to strengthen the global fight against COVID-19. I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine. Together, let us make India COVID-19 free!". 7.49 a.m. IST. Read more... [https://pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1701597]. Click here for PDF.

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