Kumaraguru Action for Relief and Empowerment (KARE), was founded in Nov, 2015 during the Chennai floods. KARE supports the victims of natural disasters such as floods, cyclone and other calamities and has supported during Kerala floods & Gaja Cyclone. This is a volunteer movement of Kumaraguru Institutions where many join hands when the need arises.

KARE COVID 19 Response Bulletin is an effort by a group of Kumaraguru alumni, students & informed citizens alike to clear the clutter around COVID 19 by providing informative, insightful news, articles & data around the world under various tags such as Research, Technology, Education, Economy & Insights with a short summary for each.

 COVID19 Basic Info & Previous Bulletin Link: tinyurl.com/blog-KARE

STATISTICS

India vs the World – Global fight against a virus

COVID-19
 		Active Cases
 		Recovered
 		Casualties 
 
India583,5747,487,093122,135
World11,630,16233,418,034
1,198,268

The above graph depicts the average growth rate in active cases in the last 7 days across the country. It is observed from the graph that the active cases are declining in India at -2.4%. |Prof. Shamika Ravi

The above graph depicts the active cases in countries with 500,000+ confirmed cases. According to the data in the graph it is observed that, USA is still leading in the terms of active cases. Some of the European countries like UK, France, Italy are witnessing massive resurgence in infection. The cases in India are decreasing significantly.| Prof. Shamika Ravi

VACCINE & TESTING

AstraZeneca, Oxford Uni buoyed by vaccine response

The Oxford vaccine is one of the most promising and advanced vaccines in the world to combat the global pandemic, which has now claimed the lives of nearly 1.1 million people. The UK vaccine producing firm, AstraZeneca has stated that the Coronavirus vaccine being developed by the University of Oxford produces an immune response in both old and young adults. “It is encouraging to see that immunogenicity responses were similar between older and younger adults and that reactogenicity was lower in older adults, in whom the COVID-19 disease severity is higher,” an AstraZeneca sportsperson added. The firm has also clarified that a study participant’s unknown illness in the trial was not apparently linked to the vaccine. | Times of India 

Coronavirus updates for the week 

So far,  our country has been witnessing a significant drop in the COVID-19 cases. At 46,790, the country recorded fewer daily infections than the US. India’s death toll currently stands at 115,163. While Maharashtra has been recognized as the worst-hit state in the country, west Bengal has also been adding over 3000 cases everyday.  Globally,  the COVID-19 cases stands at 40,462,338. The WHO has cautioned against any relaxation of response action following the slight decline in COVID-19 cases in the Southeast Asian region highlighting that the COVID-19 response needs to be strengthened further to curtail virus transmission. |Business Standard 

Polio networks to play crucial role in COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous State in the country, used polio micro-plans twice in the last three months to help identify over two lakh people with COVID-19 symptoms. These persons were then followed-up and tested for COVID-19, said Poonam Khetrapal Singh, regional director WHO South-East Asia, while citing U.P. as an example of applying strategies from polio eradication programmes, to help contain the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also stated that the polio networks, with their vast knowledge on vaccination and tools and strategies tailored to reach the unreached and the most vulnerable, could play a critical role for COVID-19 vaccination roll out.| The Hindu

RESEARCH

Continued care for COVID-19 patients

Even after leaving the hospital, some COVID-19 patients might need community-based care and monitoring. A recent study showcased data of 247 middle-aged and older COVID-19 patients and confirmed that COVID-19 disproportionately affects people of colour. According to researchers, the numbers could be due to various factors including low income or serving as essential workers during the pandemic. Also, many patients required supplemental oxygen, tube feeding or other treatments and a large proportion of hospitalized patients required intensive care. The findings highlighted the importance of public health efforts for the prevention of COVID-19 among the most vulnerable. |NIH Director’s blog 

COVID-19 world updates

Two of Europe’s largest economies (France & Germany ) are introducing new, 4-week lockdowns this week to stem “spiraling” coronavirus numbers. Meanwhile, India has now become the second country in the world to pass the 8 million case mark, second only to the United States. A study in the European Heart Journal- Acute cardiovascular care shows that the risk of in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients with cardiac injury can be predicted by the peak levels of hs-troponin-I during hospitalization and was significantly associated with oxygen supply – demand mismatch, inflammation, and coagulation. Air pollution may be worsening mortality related to COVID-19, according to an analysis. The World Health Organization (WHO) warned against giving up on efforts to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2.| TCTMD 

Excess deaths associated with COVID-19

Based on NVSS (National Vital Statistics System) data, excess deaths have occurred every week in the United States since March 2020. A recent analysis of excess deaths from March through July reported very similar findings, but that study did not include more recent data through September. The report described the trends and demographic patterns in excess deaths during January 26–October 3, 2020.  Specifically, deaths from circulatory diseases, Alzheimer disease and dementia, and respiratory diseases have increased in 2020 relative to past years, and it is unclear to what extent these represent misclassified COVID-19 deaths or deaths indirectly related to the pandemic. |CDC 

BUSINESS

Effects of COVID-19 on Indian Textile industry

Just as the lockdown was extended, people started facing heat from all sides- rents, general expenses etc. as incoming funds suddenly stopped. Textile sector is a major contributor for Export in India. They once projected to grow approx. CAGR 10-12%, to reach USD 220 Billion in 2025-26 but now things are not certain as the industry has shrunk 30% domestically in the first quarter. However, the industry will be benefited with a new opportunity as PPE kits, masks, disposable towels, disposable bed sheets etc. are new areas where Indian manufacturers can take the lead. Government has allowed 100% FDI by automatic route in this sector, which is supposed to attract USD 140 Billion foreign investment, since India has potential to reach USD 70 Billion in export by 2024 and will have much more global share. |Financial Express

ECONOMY

Four ways to rescue the economy from the pandemic

In France,  UK and Spain it appears as though the second wave of COVID-19 is already here. In order to rescue the economy from the pandemic, the government must first prioritise on public investments, particularly those aimed at boosting research and put money into greening the economy. The second strategy is to restore economic confidence wherein governments must focus on protecting employment. The third step is to look at whether COVID-19 test and trace can be improved even at the cost of increased investment as there is no trade off between health and economy. The final strategy is to focus support on the labour market for whom the unemployment will be most serious. In other words, more targeted support is essential to craft a comprehensive economic response. |World Economic Forum

EDUCATION

Maldives joins UNESCO Declaration to protect education

Heads of State and Government, ministers from over 70 countries and international partners met online and adopted a Declaration expressing strong commitment to protect education financing and outlining measures. Over 65 ministers of education from five continents shared measures to counter the impact of the pandemic. Releasing a joint White Paper, the Save Our Future campaign—a movement of the biggest education multilaterals in partnership with over 600 civil society organizations, research organizations, foundations, media, youth and influencers—set out an evidence. Taking every measure to reopen schools, supporting all teachers as frontline workers, investing in skill development from the socio-emotional dimension etc. were some of the priority actions defined by the declaration.| India Education Diary 

The gender equality challenge

Increase in gender-based violence during the period families spend at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, potential rise in teenage pregnancies or early marriages, possibility of a section of girls dropping out of schools or colleges, girls being at a disadvantage due to shift to online learning and increased responsibilities of household chores, are among the several implications pointed out by UNESCO in the report. The UNESCO report has raised a red flag about the potential increase in early pregnancy likely to be a result of increased early marriages, a consequence of households being plunged deeper into poverty due to the pandemic. The World Bank said that girls aged 12 to 17 are more at risk than boys of not returning to school in low and lower-middle-income countries.| Economic Times 

ENTERTAINMENT

Will COVID-19 kill theatre business?

The  disastrous re-opening  of  movie theatres  across the country has put a huge question mark on the future of movie theatres in India. All the new films have been released on OTT platforms and they are not ready to sell them to theatre owners, thus the owners stare at empty chairs. Bengal’s top director Srijit Mukherjee admits ,“I think it’s the fear of psychosis. The attendance at movie theatres won’t get better until a COVID-19 vaccine comes out.” The slow return to theatres is to be expected, a combination of lingering fears and movie reruns may reduce the audience draw. Theatre owners are thus left with a hope of slow return in audiences.| National Herald India 

CULTURE

UNESCO advocates new model to support culture sector

UNESCO has hosted a high-level ResiliArt debate, “Celebrating 15 years of Diversity and Creativity” which commemorates three milestones: 10th anniversary of the International Fund for Cultural Diversity (IFCD), the 15th anniversary of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions and 40th anniversary of the UNESCO Recommending and concerning the status of the artist. Through these, UNESCO has also provided knowledge-sharing and training opportunities to partners in order to support emerging cultural sectors in the global South. This high-level event is part of the UNESCO ResiliArt movement that raises awareness of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the cultural and creative industries.| UNESCO 

PUBLIC HEALTH

Ban on public events can bring down COVID-19 transmission rate

According to data from 131 countries collected in a research, individual measures including closure of schools and workplaces, ban on public events and gatherings of more than ten people, requ

irements to stay at home, and internal movement limits, are associated with a reduction in transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This study can inform decisions on which measures to introduce or lift, and when to expect to see their effects, but this will also depend on the local context and combining different measures showed the greatest effect on reducing the transmission of COVID-19. |Times of India

MENTAL HEALTH

Mental well-being of children during the pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that being mentally healthy is as important as being physically fit. Parents also have become more upfront about the mental illnesses that their kids might be going through during this pandemic. Owing to this, even schools have begun formulating measures to keep the students’ mental health as their top priority. Therapists noticed that adopting digital health solutions and online therapy appeared as a confidential and a personalized option for the students going through mental health challenges. Hence, the pandemic has sparked the need for technological investment in health care. |India Today

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KARE COVID-19 Response

KARE is now supporting the front-line workers through local government by providing Food, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) & sanitizers made in-house at the Kumaraguru Institutions. KARE is also connecting the farmers with communities who would required vegetables in bulk.


KARE COVID-19 Response So Far 

  • 43038 Cooked meals
  • 2259 Volunteering hours clocked
  • 10 Tons of Vegetables transacted so far
  • 28+ Number of Farmers impacted so far
  • 500 kg Rice
  • 1300 Liquid sanitizer packs
  • 2500 Masks
  • ₹ 4,95,141 Funds Raised
  • ₹ 6,50,000 Funds Spent
  • 57000+  Lives Impacted
  • 555 Helpline Calls
  • Mentoring 20+ school children

Impact areas: 

Chinnavedampatti, Saravanampatty, Vellaikinar, Sathyamangalam, Sulthanpet, Paapampatti, Sulur, Thondamuthur, Narasipuram, Kangayam, Coimbatore & Pollachi.

TO MAKE A DONATION

KARE Bank Account Details

Account name: KCT KARE
Account number: 1245155000078376
Bank: Karur Vysya Bank
Branch: KCT Extension Counter
IFSC: KVBL0001245
Bank address: Kumaraguru College of Technology, Chinnavedampatti,Coimbatore – 641036