New Delhi: The ongoing spike in COVID cases and its resurgence suggest the possible role of the asymptomatic persons in its transmission, said the latest report compiled by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
"If strong supportive evidence becomes available, it may advocate continued use of masks and the use of other public health measures. During the early phase of Covid-19 pandemic, it was presumed to be a non-relapsing disease. New studies suggest the possibility of repeated virologically confirmed infections," ICMR, India's apex medical research institute said.
The ICMR findings assume significance following the fact that India on an average has been witnessing a spike of more than 80,000 news cases daily.
The ICMR said that confirmation of reactivation or reinfection and their epidemiological importance are awaited.
Referring to the sero-surveillance study, the ICMR said that it is generally a sensitive tool to determine the extent of infection and immunity in the general population.
"Only a few field-based studies have generated sero-surveillance data but with the inconclusive inferences," the ICMR said.
A recent sero-surveillance study showed the most of the population of Geneva, Switzerland, remained uninfected during thisnwave of the pandemic, despite the high prevalence of Covid19 in the region.
"Such studies raise red flag on continuous susceptibility of the population to Covid19 and inability of the virus to produce widespread immunity. It may contribute to a 'second wave' of cases. The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave as a community engagement wanes, requires further investigation," the ICMR report said.
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The ICMR report said that SARS-CoV-2 virus shows evolutionary divergence similar to other RNA viruses. "Mutations are a natural unstoppable phenomenon in this virus leading to the emergence of several clades with geographical propensity. The role of quasispecies resulting from these mutations remains unclear and needs further elucidation," said ICMR.
The report said that no new drug has been found to have specific efficacy in treating cases with Covid19.
Several drugs are being repurposed. Remdesivir, Favipirnavir, lopinavir-ritonavir either alone or in combination with ribavirin, hydroxy-chloroquine plus azithromycin, dexamethasone, teicoplanin, ivermectin, interferon and monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies have been approved by the regulatory authorities for prophylactic or emergency therapeutic use.
The ICMR has said that global procurement and distribution of vaccine to ensure its universal access has been planned by the WHO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
"India has also developed a blueprint for efficient deployment of the vaccine, supported by IT based vaccine tracker," the ICMR further said.
