Page 57 - Covid Special Issue
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diagnostics, therapeutics, or vaccines, access to different
kinds of clinical samples from infected patients was an
essential requirement. NITI Aayog issued guidelines for
sharing of biospecimens and data for research related to
COVID-19. This document, released by ICMR on 23rd
July 2020, laid down the brief processes and operational
mechanisms for establishing COVID-19 biorepositories
in the country. Till that time, there was no structured
mechanism for collecting and storing these valuable
clinical samples. In view of that, it was essential to
create designated biorepositories for collecting, storing,
and maintaining clinical samples (Oropharyngeal/
Nasopharyngeal swabs, Bronchoalveolar lavage, Sputum,
Blood, Urine and Stool) of COVID-19 patients. Such
samples were used to develop validated diagnostics,
therapeutics, vaccines, etc. Additionally, the samples acted
as a valuable resource for research and development-
related activities to understand the early predictors of disease severity, immune pathogenesis of the disease, etc.
Website link:
https://www.icmr.gov.in/cbiorn.html
Containment and surveillance manual for supervisors in
containment zones released by MoHFW
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) released a containment and surveillance manual for supervisors in containment zones. A supervisor is an intermediary between the field- level surveillance teams and the medical officer. The supervisor has a technical and managerial role and is responsible for overseeing the containment plan's execution within their jurisdiction area. The supervisor is selected from locally available resources. This could be Lady Health Visitors (LHV), booth level officials, AYUSH students, teachers, sanitary inspectors, male health workers, etc. trained as supervisors for containment operations. The document contained managerial and technical roles of supervisors along with necessary COVID-19 information.
Website link:
https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/ContainmentandSurveillanceManualforSupervisorsincontainmentzones.pdf
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