Centre on Thursday said it accepted the recommendation of the COVID Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks. The COVID Working Group chaired by Dr N K Arora has recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks. Based on the available real-life evidences, particularly from UK, the COVID-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of COVISHIELD vaccine. No change in interval of COVAXIN vaccine doses was recommended, said Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.
NEW DELHI: As the second wave of Covid-19 in India spreads to more states, the Centre urged states to return to the fundamentals of pandemic control test, track and treat amid concerns that test positivity rates are going alarmingly high in many parts in some states.
In a meeting with top officials from Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Delhi and Chandigarh, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan and V K Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog also asked them to increase the share of RT-PCR tests in districts dependent on high levels of rapid antigen testing.
These states, apart from eight others have in the recent past seen increased positivity and an increased number of daily positive cases.
Return to test, track and treat formula to curb rising Covid-19 cases: Centre to states newindianexpress.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from newindianexpress.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Maharashtra, Kerala account for 72% active Covid cases, election officials to be vaccinated: Centre
Maharashtra, Kerala account for 72% active Covid cases, election officials to be vaccinated: Centre
While directing states to ramp up vaccination, the government said on Tuesday that a total of 87.4 lakh people in India have been vaccinated against Covid-19.
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Centre s press briefing on Covid-19 in Delhi on Tuesday (Picture Courtesy: YouTube @PIBIndia)
HIGHLIGHTS
Maharashtra reported 3,365 new confirmed cases in last 24 hours
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Maharashtra reported more new confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the last 24 hours than Kerala, the government said on Tuesday. According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), India has 1,36,872 active cases of infection as of February 16.