Covaxin Clinical Trials For Children Between 2-18 Age Group To Begin In Next 10-12 Days: Govt

The Niti Aayog Member (Health) further said the Covid-19 pandemic curve is stabilizing in many states, which is a result of “comprehensive efforts, containment, restriction and testing”.

New Delhi: Niti Aayog Member (Health) Dr V.K. Paul on Tuesday said covaxin has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for phase two and three clinical trials in the age group of 2 to 18 years, adding the trials will begin in the next 10 to 12 days.

Commenting on ‘anti-Covid drug 2DG’ developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Dr Paul said: “We will examine the drug in Covid-19 National Task Force for adding it to the treatment protocol. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted permission for emergency use.”

The Niti Aayog Member (Health) further said the Covid-19 pandemic curve is stabilizing in many states, which is a result of “comprehensive efforts, containment, restriction and testing”.

Meanwhile, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said India has witnessed a consistent upward trend in weekly tests since mid-February with average daily tests more than 2.5 times in last 14 weeks.

“Despite the high number of cases reported so far, we have been able to contain the spread to under 2% of the population. We cannot let our guards down, hence continued focus on containment is critical,” he added.

The Joint Secretary, who was addressing a media briefing on the Covid-19 situation, said the country reported over 2,63,000 daily cases in the last 24 hours.

“There has been a decrease of 27% from the highest peak of single-day cases India noted on May 7 (4,14,000),” he added.

Agarwal said 1.8% of total population of India has been affected by the disease so far.

“We have been able to contain the spread of the infection to under 2% of the population…199 districts in the country showing continued decline in cases and positivity since last 3 weeks,” he added.

The Joint Secretary said the recovery rate on May 3 was 81.7%, which has increased to 85.6% now.

“4,22,436 recoveries were reported in the last 24 hours, the highest-ever for the country. A clear positive trend can be observed in the Covid-19 recoveries,” he added.

Aggarwal further said the case positivity rate in the country is at 14.10% today.

“22 States with more than 15% positivity. 13 States between 5%- 15% positivity. 1 State with less than 5% positivity,” he added.

Asserting that intensive efforts should continue in states with high number of cases, the Joint Secretary said there are eight states with more than one lakh active cases, 10 states with more than 50,000 -1,00,00 active cases and 18 states with less than 50,000 active cases.