20,903 new cases; ICMR bid to speed up Covaxin trials

The Indian Council of Medical Research has asked medical institutions and hospitals to fast-track clinical trial approvals for indigenous vaccine candidate Covaxin so that it can be launched by August 15.

Covaxin, developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and Pune’s National Institute of Virology, recently got the nod for human clinical trials from the drugs controller. Twelve clinical trial sites have been identified, and ICMR has asked medical institutions to ensure subject enrolment is started by July 7. ICMR directorgeneral Balram Bhargava told the principal investigators of the 12 sites that it was among the “top priority projects being monitored at the highest level of the government”.

India on Friday saw 20,903 new infections, taking the total count to 6,25,544, while the death toll rose to 18,213 with 379 new fatalities, health ministry data said. However, the recovery rate is now 60.73 per cent, after a sharp rise in recoveries, with 20,033 Covid-19 patients being cured in one day, taking the total to 3,79,891. At present, there are 2,27,439 active cases under medical supervision.