Research institutes extend help to contain spread

LUCKNOW : In wake of the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the state capital, research institutes have extended support to the district administration in identifying hotspots, contact-tracing and in implementing measures to curtail the spread of the infection.

On Tuesday, 44 new cases were reported in Lucknow, while a person succumbed to complications caused by the infection. The spike in cases has come after continuous drop in cases for over a month.

Research experts are signalling caution over the spike in cases and came forward to suggest ways to nix the spread.

“Covid-19 cases are on the rise again and the situation has turned worse in many states. We must take this trend seriously and make efforts to minimise the spread,” said Tapas Kundu, director, Central Drug Research Institute.

“Last year, when Covid-19 was on the rise, we had very little know-how about the infection.

But we have learnt a lot about the virus in a year. We must use this knowledge to fight Cocid-19 better,” he added.

CDRI was one of the first research institutes that responded to the rise in Covid-19 cases last year and began testing. “We have continued our collaboration with the authorities in fighting the Covid-19 spread. We have reached out to the district administration to help them identify hotspots, their better management and in putting measures to prevent its spread,” said Kundu.

“Our experts, with help of doctors, have also devised a routine for people who test positive, on how to overcome the infection,” the director added.

Besides CDRI, Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) and Indian Institute of Toxicology Research have also volunteered to help the administration in checking the spread of Covid-19.