Hyderabad: The Serum Institute of India (SII), which was conducting the India trials for the coronavirus vaccine being developed by Oxford University, on Thursday paused the clinical trials of the vaccine in India.
The declaration by the Pune-based vaccine manufacturer came a day after the Drug Control General of India (DCGI), V.G. Somani, issued a show-cause notice to them asking for an explanation as to why the institute decided to go ahead with the clinical trial of Covid-19 vaccine candidate while doubts about patient safety are yet unclear.
The notice was issued in the wake of an advert incident where one of the participants in the UK reported a suspected severe adverse reaction when administered a booster dose of Covishield, a vaccine candidate developed jointly by pharma giant AstraZeneca and University of Oxford, on Tuesday.
The DGCI further asked the institute why the authority does not suspend the permission given to the SII for the clinical trials of Covishield.
Maharashtra
As many as 23,446 new COVID19 cases and 448 deaths reported in Maharashtra today. According to the health bulletin, at least 14,253 patients discharged. The total cases in the state rise to 9,90,795, including 28,282 deaths and 7,00,715 patients discharged whereas active cases rose to 2,61,432.
Tamil Nadu
While the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has been endeavouring a safe, COVID-free environment across the country, Chennai International Airport has resumed safe operations amid the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the airport officials, with relaxation in movement norms, there has been an increase in Chennai based flight operations. The airport is focussing on its re-equipped entry protocols with touchless points, hand hygiene and thorough disinfection of travellers luggage. Authorities have also set up isolation rooms with emergency facilities within the premises.
Punjab
The Punjab Police on Wednesday blocked 38 Facebook, 49 Twitter and 21 YouTube accounts/links for allegedly spreading vicious propaganda on COVID-19. A total of 151 accounts/links of Facebook, 100 of Twitter, four of Instagram and 37 of YouTube have been reported to the concerned Facebook, Twitter and Google authorities, with 121 FIRs registered so far at various police stations across Punjab.
Uttarakhand
BJP MLA from Khanpur, Kunwar Pranav Singh Champion, who had recently joined the party on in August, also tested positive. Champion is admitted in Dehradun and was in self-isolation after he met a party worker who earlier tested positive. Champion is the fourth BJP MLA to be infected with the virus. Prior to him, party president and MLA from Kaladhungi Bansidhar Bhagat had also tested positive. Cabinet minister Madan Kaushik and Vinod Chamoli too have tested positive for novel coronavirus.
Jharkhand
A free Covid-19 screening camp has been organised in the Red Cross Society for players, coaches and sports officials residing in day boarding centers. Under Unlock 4, the state government has given exemption in various areas. At the same time, the first sporting event in Jharkhand is being organized by the Jharkhand State Cricket Association at the JSCA Stadium from September 15. Meanwhile, COVID-19 tally rose to 56,897 on Thursday as 1,601 more people tested positive for the infection, while nine fresh fatalities pushed the state''s coronavirus death toll to 512.
Himachal Pradesh
Temples opened across Himachal Pradesh after five months on Thursday but the Covid-19 scare was evident as few devotees turned up to offer prayers. According to the guidelines, a maximum of 500 pilgrims a day will be allowed at Chintpurni Temple in Una and at the shrines of Kangra and Hamirpur districts, while 1,000 devotees will be allowed to offer prayers Naina Devi Temple in Bilaspur daily.
Odisha
Odisha recorded its highest single-day spike of 3,991 new Covid-19 cases, taking the state's infection tally to 1,39,121, the state health department said on Thursday.
As many as 11 more persons died due to Covid-19 infection in the last 24 hours, pushing the state's total fatalities to 591. Two deaths each were reported from Khurdha, Cuttack and Puri districts while one each was reported from Bhadrak, Ganjam, Koraput, Nayagarh and Rayagada.
