Write to Centre for new anti-Covid drug: Yogi

: Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday asked officials to immediately write to the central government for supply of DRDO’s new anti-Covid drug to Uttar Pradesh.

Hours earlier, defence minister Rajnath Singh and Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan released the first batch of the anti-Covid drug 2-DG developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in New Delhi.

On May 8, the defence ministry said the clinical trials of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) showed that it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.

Reviewing the Covid-19 situation in the state, the chief minister on Monday asked Team-9 to complete all necessary formalities with the central government for ensuring the drug supply to the state.

“New steps and research are happening in the direction of Covid treatment. Keep abreast of all such developments. Emergency use approval has been granted to the new drug developed by DRDO. Initially, the central government will distribute the drug, so write a necessary requisition letter to the central government and ensure its supply to the state.”

Yogi Adityanath also said Covid vaccination for the 18-44 age group had been launched in five more districts of the state on Monday, taking the total number of districts to 23 where

vaccination was on for this age group.

“So far, a total of 4.14 lakh persons in the age group of 18-44 years have been vaccinated in 18 districts where vaccination was already going on,” he said.

He once again said no bodies should be immersed in rivers in the state.

“The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) should regularly patrol the rivers for the prevention of such a practice. Ask religious leaders to spread the word that it is not proper to immerse bodies in rivers or bury them along the rivers,” he said to members of Team-9.