New Delhi/Mumbai, 5 January 2021

 

"The country is witnessing less than 2.5 lakh active COVID cases after six months. Among the total active cases, only 44% cases are in hospital whereas 56% cases are in home isolation as they are very mild/asymptomatic cases. This indicates that the overall burden on the health care structure in the country has declined appreciably." Union Health Secretary Shri Rajesh Bhushan mentioned this in a press briefing on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19, held at the National Media Centre in New Delhi today.
He also said that the daily number of COVID deaths is less than 300 for 11 consecutive days and the Daily Positivity Rate remains below 3%. While speaking about COVID conditions across the world he pointed out that there are more than 50 deaths per million in other countries during the last 7 days whereas it is only one in India. 

In the wake of Drugs Controller General of India's approval for two vaccines, Shri Bhushan spoke about the Co-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System in the country. He explained in detail about the existing logistics management involved and to be adopted in the vaccination chain. He mentioned that the vaccine is transported under refrigerated condition and digitally tracked during transit i.e.  Manufacturer → Primary Vaccine Store → State Vaccine Store → District Vaccine store → Primary Health Centre. 

"Manufacturers first transport the vaccines to the four Primary Vaccine Stores, at Karnal, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai; from there it is transported in bulk to the 37 State Vaccine Stores for further dissemination. There are temperature trackers inside all Primary Vaccine Stores, State Vaccine Stores & District Vaccine Stores and information is uploaded on a real-time basis about temperature inside the facility on to a central server," he added.

Once the vaccine reaches the Sub centre Session Site, there is a requirement for beneficiary registration, on the basis of which District Magistrate can allocate the session based on the requirements. Shri Bhushan also mentioned that, "There is no need for beneficiary registration of healthcare and frontline workers as their data will be taken from a bulk database that has been populated onto the CO-WIN Vaccine Delivery Management System."

It was also informed that the Session Allocation, details of vaccination to the beneficiary, information about the next dose will be captured and communicated digitally. "CO - WIN will also give permission to create a Unique Health ID. After both doses a QR code certificate will also be generated which can be stored on Government's DigiLocker app", he added.

He also stated that in case of any Adverse Effect Following Immunisation, there is a provision for real time reporting. Other features include SMS in 12 languages, 24X7 helpline, Chat Bot assistance etc. As of now more than 90,000 users have been trained in more than 700 districts. Shri Bhushan also mentioned that, "CO-WIN Vaccination Management System, which is made in India for the world, is a public health good. Government of India will proactively help the countries who may want to use it"

During the briefing, DG, ICMR Prof. (Dr.) Balram Bhargava said that, "Safety, efficacy, immunogenicity are required for approval of a vaccine in a non-emergency situation. Existing pandemic situations with high mortality, available science and a lack of definite treatment are considered by the SEC for accelerated approval. Immunogenicity data generated through Phase II trial serves as a surrogate for efficacy"

Member, Health, NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul said that, "the year 2021 has begun with optimism and hope. The number of new cases is declining which shows a positive trend". He also mentioned that a fourth vaccine is going to Phase III trials. While speaking about the mutant virus he stated that, "none of the mutations have challenged the existing vaccines."

Dr. Paul also pointed about the recognition from across the world including WHO, on India's vaccination programme. "The world has acknowledged the development in this country and has saluted the achievement of our scientists", he said.

Secretary, Department of Biotechnology, Renu Swarup spoke about the preparations in addressing the SARS-CoV-2 variant which has been identified in the UK. “The Consortium is sequencing RNA samples from all regions of India from November 2020 to screen for variants. Also it is analysed for the presence of UK-VOC mutations and other variants among the SARS-CoV-2 sequences done at 10 different centers across India”, she said.

The presentation made by the Health Secretary in today’s briefing can be accessed here.

The presentation made by DG, Indian Council of Medical Research in today’s briefing can be accessed here.  

The presentation made by the Secretary, Department of Biotechnology in today’s briefing can be accessed here.   

 

 

* * *

DJM/DL/DR

 

Follow us on social media: @PIBMumbai    /PIBMumbai    /pibmumbai  pibmumbai[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 1686350) Visitor Counter : 452