Coronavirus Updates

With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

India

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New Delhi, June 25, 2023:

Covid-19 cases in India

In the last 24 hours, India recorded 72 new Covid infections. The number of active cases has now reduced to 1712. The total deaths due to Covid-19 are 531,902 with a current case fatality rate of 1.18%. The total number of people discharged are 4,44,60,203. According to the latest Union Health Ministry data, over 220.67 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far… (Source: MOHFW, June 23, 2023).

No change in ovarian reserve after Covid vaccination

The female ovarian reserve remained unchanged pre and post Covid-19 vaccination, regardless of the vaccine type, as indicated by the comparable levels of anti-Mullerian hormone and antral follicle count in women taking fertility treatment. Before taking the vaccine, the anti-Mullerian hormone levels were 3.83, while after vaccination, the levels were 3.86. The pre-vaccine antral follicle count was 18, whereas the post-vaccine antral follicle count was 20… (Source: JAMA Network Open, June 16, 2023).

Being physically active improves quality of life in Covid survivors

A 16-week home-based exercise training program was effective in enhancing health-related quality of life among people who survived severe Covid-19 in the domains of general health, vitality, myalgia, muscle weakness. An improvement in persistent symptoms and functional capacity was also seen… (Source: British Journal of Sports Medicine, May 10, 2023).

Outcomes of kidney transplant from deceased Covid-positive donors

Kidney transplant from deceased donors with active or resolved Covid-19 was not associated with a higher risk of adverse outcomes, graft failure or death, within 2 years of the transplant. Also, the likelihood of kidneys from Covid-positive donors being rejected diminished over time. Out of the 2165 kidneys from Covid-positive donors, nearly 71% were transplanted… (Source: Source: JAMA Network Open, May 1, 2023).

Treating anxiety in Covid patients may have a positive impact on other mental illnesses

Results of a network analysis suggest that treating anxiety in Covid patients may prevent adverse outcomes of other mental health illnesses. “Anxiety and depression showed high centrality in patients with COVID-19 and anxiety showed the highest bridge influence in the network” noted the authors… (Source: Journal of Affective Disorders, June 17, 2023).

Association of urea-to-albumin ratio with mortality risk in critically ill Covid patients

A urea-to-albumin ratio (UAR) greater than 12.17 was identified as the cut-off to define mortality risk in critically ill patients with Covid-19 in a retrospective study from Brazil involving patients in ICU. Those who had UAR ≥12.17 doubled their mortality risk. Factors associated with higher mortality included age, male sex, need of hemodialysis, lactate levels and inflammatory markers. Patients who died had UAR 23.7 vs 10.9 in those who survived… (Source: Clinical Nutrition ESPEN, August 2023).

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