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Context: Recently, the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the government issued a detailed manual on how to make home-made masks and recommended it to everyone, especially those living in densely populated areas, to protect themselves from novel coronavirus disease. Should everyone wear a mask? India: The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare had earlier said that everyone “need not” wear masks. World Health Organisation: non-in... .
Updated on 4 April, 2020
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Context: Amid the rising cases of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), states have started to look at “rapid tests” — serological or blood tests — as an alternative to the longer, swab-based tests routinely being used. About the two tests: Serological Test Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) Definition These are blood-based tests that can be used to identify whethe... .
Updated on 3 April, 2020
Context: The government has tested an application that triggers e-mails and SMS alerts to an authorised government agency if a person has jumped quarantine or escaped from isolation, based on the person’s mobile phone’s cell tower location. More about the App: COVID-19 Quarantine Alert System (CQAS) Recently, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) shared a standard operating procedure (SOP) with all telecom service providers regard... .
Updated on 3 April, 2020
Context: A study, which argues that countries that have deployed the BCG-tuberculosis vaccine in their immunisation programmes have seen fewer deaths from COVID-19, has been looked at by Indian Doctors and Scientists with suspicion. Purpose of study: The BCG vaccine is known to confer a strong immune response that had protective effects beyond just treating a tuberculosis infection. Those countries where the elderly were likely to have had a BCG... .
Updated on 3 April, 2020
Context: At a time when the coronavirus epidemic is spreading across the world, many things about Novel Coronavirus are spreading rapidly through social media, WhatsApp and the Internet. Some of these could be true, but many of those informations are baseless. Therefore,it is important to know about some facts related to this deadly virus. Infection: The virus infects the epithelial cells in the throat and lungs. SARS-CoV-2... .
Updated on 2 April, 2020
Context: Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) has developed a one-step curable anti-microbial coating which, when coated on different surfaces such as textile, plastic and so on could kill a range of virus types including COVID 19. About the research: The recent outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has created an unprecedented stir in global public health. Like influenza, Coronavirus is also an enveloped virus. JNCASR has develo... .
Updated on 2 April, 2020
