Tag: Dr. Shashank Joshi

Third COVID-19 wave has started; asymptomatic omicron cases can recover at home, says Dr Shashank Joshi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India continues to see a spike in new COVID-19 cases with daily infections doubling in five days, crossing the 30,000 mark for the first time since 19th September.

Mumbai is one of the major cities besides Delhi to witness a surge in COVID cases. The city recorded over 8,000 fresh infections of which 89 percent were asymptomatic— only 503 cases needed hospitalisation of which only 56 cases needed oxygenated beds. According to the BMC commissioner, 90 percent of hospital beds in the city are still vacant.

Read Here: India’s Omicron tally rises to 1700; Delhi, Maharashtra, 21 other states report cases of new COVID-19 variant

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Dr. Shashank Joshi, Endocrinologist Specialist at Lilavati Hospital said, “Number one, we are in the third wave. Number two, the rate is doubling every day. This suggests that this is omicron, and it is continuing the same global trend of recording mild case. So most of our hospital beds, more than 90 percent are vacant, oxygen beds are very less, ventilators are almost non-existent.”

He added, “The only challenge is if this number continues to explore, and exponentially grow at the rate at which it is growing and if we are not able to contain it, we will have a serious problem on our hands.”

For full interview, watch accompanying video…

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Explained: Who should get monoclonal antibody therapy?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Talking about the monochlonal antibody cocktail therapy, Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of Maharashtra COVID Task Force on Thursday said that it is working against Delta variant of the COVID-19, but its data on Omicron is poor. He added that it has to be given to the most severe cases which are in the vulnerable groups.

“The monoclonal antibodies is working against Delta. Its data on Omicron is poor and it has to be given into the most severe cases which are in the vulnerable groups,” Dr Joshi told CNBC-TV18.

For starters, a monoclonal antibody cocktail can be given for the treatment of mild-to-moderate Covid-19 in adults and children above 12 years who are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19 infection and/or hospitalisation. It is approved at a combined dose of 1200 mg (600 mg of each drug) administered by intravenous infusion or subcutaneous route.

“People who are morbidly obese, diabetic, who have chronic kidney disease, who have organ transplants, survivors of bone marrow transplants or solid organ transplants, who have severe immune-compromised states, only those individuals, and it is a very small group, are eligible for monoclonal antibodies, and person is symptomatic. So unless and until one doesn’t fall into the category, it should not be given to everybody. If you are symptomatic, it definitely gives you relief. And remember, this works only on the Delta strain; the data on Omicron strain is poor,” Dr Joshi added.

Also Read: Third wave has started in Mumbai; hospitalisation rate low: Maha COVID task force member

“We are now in development of newer monoclonal lytic cocktail of antibodies from various companies, both from India and abroad, which will be available in the near future, which may have an impact on Omicron. So currently, as far as Omicron is concerned, probably, most people will recover whether you treat them or not, but we still need to be vigilant and maybe at an early age, antiviral may work but again as I said, it may work, we need to see that and test it if Delta strain is there,” he said.

On Molnupiravir, Dr Joshi said, “With the availability of Molnupiravir in Delta population, there might be a role if it is used in the first 48-72 hours because clearly there is a 30 percent drop in mortality and hospitalisation. I am certain that the Ritonavir-boosted therapy also may be available by various generic Indian companies very soon. So, those will be the options that will be far more effective again in the vulnerable population. So, remember monoclonal antibodies is, if your medical doctor feels that you are in a vulnerable group or comorbid group or in a severe group and you are likely to progress, then it is offered. So obviously there is no need to rush if your doctor feels you are reasonably okay, you can monitor yourself well at home and most omicron cases will recover on their own.”

Watch the accompanying video for more details

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Third wave has started in Mumbai; hospitalisation rate low: Maha COVID task force member

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Maharashtra COVID-19 task force member Dr Shashank Joshi on Thursday said that the third wave has already started in Mumbai. However, very few hospitalisations can be seen, Joshi said.

“We are reasonably certain that most of the Mumbai cases are Omicron due to mild and fast spreading nature. The double doubling pattern in Mumbai also suggests that the strain is Omicron. Although we can see that it is a mild disease and there is low hospitalisation,” he said

“Most people are being treated at home,” he added.

Joshi, however, asked people not to panic and only be cautious. He advised people to avoid congregation of people and events such as weddings and parties.

“We can see that outbreaks take place in gatherings,” Joshi said.

On genome testing, he said that every sample is not being sent for it as it is time consuming and expensive.

On booster programme, Joshi said that once it starts, people should get it on time.

“Simple medical strategies are needed to micro contain outbreak. Here is a concern that pediatric pool may be affected. So, we need to sensitize people to be cautious within pediatric group, especially those with co-morbidities,” Joshi further mentioned.

“Explosive rise can be seen in cases in future,” he added.

Meanwhile, the number of people detected with the Omicron variant of COVID-19 increased by 33 in Mumbai to reach 118 on Wednesday, a civic official was quoted as saying in PTI report.

The reports from the National Institute of Virology arrived during the day, and of the 33 cases, 31 were detected at the airport and two through surveillance activity, a Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation statement informed.

A total of 19 Omicron patients in Mumbai have no travel history, comprising two from A ward, two from D ward, one from G-North ward, two from G-South ward, two from H-East ward, two from M-West, two from N ward, one from R-North, three from S-Ward, and two from T-ward, it said. Of these 19, three have mild symptoms, and 16 are asymptomatic, it said, adding that eight are fully vaccinated.

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KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

New COVID variant B.1.1.529 appears to be more transmissible: Dr Shashank Joshi

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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COVID-19 concerns are on the rise, globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) has flagged a new COVID variant – B.1.1.529 – indicating a large number of mutations in the new variant, which will require further study. This new variant has also triggered an alert in India with the government calling for rigorous screening and testing of international travellers coming from and transiting through South Africa and Hong Kong. In an interview with CNBC-TV18, Dr Shashank Joshi, Member, Maharashtra COVID Task Force, discussed what could be the implications for India.

“B.1.1.529 variant is a very rapidly transmissible strain,” he said

“This variant has a particular cluster of mutations near the cleavage site called furin, which makes the virus more transmissible,” he added.

Also Read: Australia investigates new COVID-19 variant found in South Africa

This is a super mutation. It has more than 30 mutations and these mutations are at multiple sites and are basically likely to have resistance to various antibodies, he noted.

So far, 77 cases from South Africa, 4 from Botswana and 2 from Hong Kong have been reported.

WHO is convening a meeting of the TAG-VE to better understand the timeline for studies that are underway and to determine if this variant should be designated as a variant of interest or a variant of concern.

“This variant is likely to be named today in the WHO meeting – either as variant of interest or variant of concern because of its fast transmissibility,” he added.

Also Read: WHO calls special meeting as new COVID-19 variant in South Africa raises concerns

Globally, still the dominant variant is Delta and in India, there is Delta derivative which is getting lesser. In Japan, Delta has become extinct and has self-destructed itself.

“Whether you are single vaccinated or double vaccinated, whether you had COVID or no, you must follow two things – one is double mask or single mask whenever you are out. If you are having a cloth mask, it is not sufficient because it is an air-borne droplet virus, at least have surgical three-ply mask or wear an N-95 mask. Second – it is air-borne droplet virus, so ensure that you are in an airy environment. We need to continue with our COVID-appropriate behaviour; it is very much around. There is an active virus in circulation even in India,” he advised.

With pollution settling in, with smog settling in, with cold winter settling in, one should not be complacent at all, he noted.

“Get yourself vaccinated, get yourself masked independent of your vaccination status and be cautious and careful. Don’t be complacent,” he said.

Also Read: Centre issues fresh advisory to states, UTs over new COVID variant

The stronger strain of virus is a ‘variant of concern’ and the less stronger strain is a ‘variant of interest’.

“Currently, it is classified as neither because we don’t know the clinical implications, the severity or the mortality outcome of it. So once that data is available in public domain, only then the WHO will be able to classify it as a variant of interest or concern. But from a virology standpoint, it appears to be a variant of interest at least if not concern,” Dr Joshi explained.

The data from India and availability are the two factors which will determine the guidance on booster shot, which is likely to come very soon.

“People who are moderately to severely immunocompromised, healthcare workers, frontline workers, senior citizens as well as the complete population at large – after six months if they had two vaccine shots but no COVID – are likely to get eligibility for booster in times to come. If you had COVID and you have taken two shots, the COVID itself becomes like a natural booster,” he said.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow