WHO lauds India’s tough and timely anti-corona actions
   Date :15-Apr-2020

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NEW DELHI :
 
THE World Health Organisation on Tuesday lauded “India’s tough and timely actions” against the coronavirus spread as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the extension of current lockdown till May 3. “It may be early to talk about results in numbers, but a six-week nationwide lockdown to facilitate effective physical distancing, coupled with the expansion of core public health measures such as detection, isolation and tracing contact of coronavirus positive people, would go a long way in arresting the virus spread,” said WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Director, Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh. “Despite huge and multiple challenges, India has been demonstrating unwavering commitment in its fight against the pandemic,” she said.
 
“In these testing times, the action lies as much with the communities as with the authorities and the health workforce,” she added. “It is indeed time for each and every one to contribute their best and together to beat the virus,” Dr Singh said. Modi on Tuesday said the implementation of the lockdown will be strictly ensured in coming days to ensure that the virus does not spread to new areas. The Prime Minister said that a detailed guideline on the implementation of the new lockdown will be announced on Wednesday. According the Union Health Ministry figures, a total of 339 people have died of COVID-19 till date in the country, while the number of infected cases has soared to 10,363 on Tuesday. A PTI tally of figures reported by various States as on Monday evening, however, showed at least 346 deaths. 
 
‘No evidence to show BCG vaccine can protect against virus’
 
GENEVA,
 
Apr 14 (IANS)
 
THERE is no evidence that the Bacille Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine, which is primarily used against tuberculosis, protects people against infection with the novel coronavirus, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said. The WHO therefore didn’t recommend BCG vaccination for the prevention of COVID-19 in the absence of evidence, according to its daily situation report on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported. Two clinical trials addressing the question are underway.