Thackeray said, “Remdesivir, Tozilizumac, we are using all these drugs. But we need permission from the Centre's health department. Since May, we have been following up on the availability of Remdesivir, favipiravir. We have now got permission last week. We will get adequate supplies soon. We are planning to make it available free of cost."
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It is pertinent to note that the version of Remdesivir, sold under the brand name Covifor, has been priced at Rs 5,400 per 100-milligram vial and Maharashtra was among the 5 states to receive the 1st batch of the drug a few days ago. Glenmark's Covid-19 drug Favipiravir rs 103 per tablet.
Maharashtra's 'chase the virus' plan
Uddhav Thackeray said: "Number of coronavirus cases are increasing and so have we increased testing. We have started a new program called 'Chase the virus'." It was launched on May 27.
He said that the 'Chase the Virus' initiative received good results in worst-hit Mumbai will now be expanded to other parts of the state to combat the coronavirus outbreak.
As part of the campaign, 15 close contacts of a Covid-19 patient will compulsorily be kept in institutional quarantine, while community leaders will tell people about comorbidities, meals, and other facilities available at institutional quarantine facilities, etc, clinic timings, etc.
"We have received good results of Chase the Virus campaign in Mumbai and we have now decided to implement it across the state," tUddhav Thackeray said in a televised address.
On Plasma therapy
Uddhav Thackeray said: "Dexamethasone is being already used by our doctors. Plasma therapy is also showing results. June 29 onwards, we are starting a dedicated plasma therapy facility and we may become the state to have the biggest plasma therapy facility. I appeal to people who are cured to come forward and donate plasma."
CM Uddhav Thackeray also said that due to the daily surge in coronavirus cases Mahasrhtra will not be lifting the lockdown post June 30.
Maharashtra which has been the worst-hit state with maximum Coronavirus cases and deaths has recorded over 1.5 lakh infections so far. Of the tally, more than 74,000 cases are in Mumbai and over 7000 people have lost their lives in the state.