New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that 1,035 people have been cured of coronavirus disease till date in India, with as many as 178 COVID-19 positive patients being cured in last 24 hours.
The ministry further said that there are still 8,988 active COVID-19 cases in India while 339 people have died.
"If we talk about the victims who died due to COVID-19, many of them have been suffering from previous health ailments. A majority of them were above 60 years of age and were suffering from comorbidity," said a senior health ministry official.
Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (NIRRH) have jointly issued a report for the management of pregnant women amid COVID-19 pandemic.
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As per the report, pregnancy itself alters the body's immune system and response to viral infections in general.
It said that pregnant women with heart disease are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
Talking on the transmission from mother to baby, the report, quoting emerging evidence suggested that vertical transmission is probable, although the proportion of pregnancies affected is yet to be determined.
The report said that even if a pregnant woman is infected with COVID-19, she is unlikely to show symptoms.
"If a woman develops more severe symptoms or recovery is delayed, this may be a sign that the woman is developing a more significant chest infection that requires enhanced care," the report said.
The report further said that it is still unknown whether the newborns with COVID-19 are at increased risk for severe complications.
"Transmission after birth via contact with infectious respiratory secretions is a concern. Facilities should consider temporarily separating (e.g. separate rooms) the mother who has confirmed COVID-19 or is a PUI, from her baby until the mother's transmission-based precautions are discontinued," the report said.
