Breakthrough infections found in 25 per cent health staff: Study

Severity of infection low, vaccination is crucial to avoid severe illnesses, says a researcher

A little over 25 per cent of healthcare workers were infected with Coronavirus despite getting fully vaccinated, a recent study has revealed, giving an insight on the breakthrough infections due to the Delta variant. The study, jointly conducted by the Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB) and Max hospitals in Delhi-NCR, found that vaccination breakthroughs were far more common during the Delta-outbreak in Delhi than previously reported.

However, the severity of the infection was low and vaccination is crucial to avoid severe illnesses, said Shantanu Sengupta, senior scientist with the IGIB and one of the lead researchers of the study. He also cautioned that of the 25.3 per cent who were infected, a large number were asymptomatic, so masking up is also crucial to arrest the spread of infection.

Health workers at a Covid care centre in New Delhi. File pic/AFP

Sengupta said nearly 95 healthcare workers were studied. They were assessed from 45-90 days after their inoculation.  Most infections were unrecognised. The Delta variant thus causes frequent unrecognised breakthrough infections in adequately immunised subjects, reducing any herd-effect of immunity, and requiring reinstatement of preventive measures like masking, the paper said.

Stampede at vax centre

At least 25 people were injured in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district on Tuesday after hundreds of locals tried to enter a vaccination centre together, leading to a stampede, police said. Six of them were critically injured.

Daily, active cases drop

The daily cases dropped, with the Centre on Tuesday confirming 30,941 fresh ones. Active cases declined, too, to 3,70,640, according to the data updated at 8 am. The death toll rose by 350.

Workers clean the area that has statues of various frontline workers, in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

Paid 2nd Covishield dose after 4 weeks? Kerala HC to decide on September 2

Can someone availing Covishield vaccine at their own expense be allowed to take the second dose after four weeks instead of waiting 84 days? The Kerala High Court, which was examining the issue, will pronounce its decision on Thursday. The issue came before the HC through a plea moved by Kitex Garments Ltd, seeking permission to administer the second dose of Covishield vaccine to its workers without having to wait for 84 days. In its plea, Kitex said it has already vaccinated over 5,000 of its workers with the first dose, and has arranged for the second dose at a cost of nearly Rs 93 lakh, but was unable to vaccinate them due to the prevailing curbs. Its counsel said the second dose can be taken after four weeks as well. The Centre has opposed the plea.

95
No. of participants in the study

350
No. of new COVID related deaths on Tuesday

3,27,68,880
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in india so far

4,38,560
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

3,70,640
Total no. of active cases in India

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