India’s COVID-19 tally soars above 13lakh

India’s COVID-19 cases climbed to 13,36,361 on Saturday after recording 48,916 cases in the last 24 hours.

According to the Health Ministry, total coronavirus positive cases in India stands 13,36,861 including 4,56,071 active cases, 8,49,431 were cured and 31,358 deaths.

Maharashtra has reported 3,57,117 cases, Tamil Nadu 1,99,749 and Delhi 1,28,389 so far according to the Union Health Ministry Data.

Meanwhile, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is set to undertake a crucial research project to assess the immunological response to COVID-19 amid concerns that antibodies against SARS CoV-2 may not be long-lasting.

Through the research, scientists will also try to examine whether the population, at least, in high exposure areas, is any closer to herd immunity which will depend on the type of antibodies produced.

For the project, ICMR scientists will collaborate with researchers at the AIIMS-Delhi where a group of recovered COVID-19 patients will be studied over a period of time to assess their antibody levels and its role in the coming months.

Experts explained that immune memory appears critical for both herd immunity- whether from natural infections or through the vaccines.

A recent and first of its kind study on the immune response of over 90 patients and healthcare workers who had recovered from the disease was published from the United Kingdom, in which subjects are observed over a period of time without any intervention.

It was seen that antibodies that can destroy the virus peaked about three weeks after the onset of symptoms and then dropped rather swiftly. The blood test of the recovered patients also revealed that while 60 per cent of people showed very potent antibody response at the height of their battle with the virus, only 17 per cent retained the same strength three months later. Also, antibody levels declined as much as 23-fold over the period and in some cases, there were no detectable antibodies at all.