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 race to defuse the COVID-19 bomb

COVID-19
 		Active Cases
 		Recovered
 		Casualties 
 
India513,7507,868,968126,261
World13,271,29035,580,021
1,256,991

Poor indoor ventilation mounts aerosol transmission risk
 

The coronavirus spreads through air especially in indoor spaces. At present, scientists have recognized three modes of transmission: through small droplets which are released when coughing or speaking, through fomites and through aerosols. Without ventilation the aerosols become dense, thus increasing the risk of transmission. Shouting or singing in enclosed spaces also enhances virus transmission. The virus outbreaks even in bars and restaurants and account for a large number of cases. Improper ventilation of classrooms is also a risky scenario. However, even if there is ventilation, it would be impossible to diffuse the aerosols if the two people were close together.|EL PAIS

Effect of COVID-19 on heart

Doctors believe that the novel Coronavirus can directly infect heart muscle and cause heart damage. The virus can also invade blood vessels or cause inflammation within them, leading to blood clots that can cause heart attacks. One small study found evidence of the virus in the hearts of COVID-19 patients who died from pneumonia. As COVID-19 decreases lung function, it may deprive the heart of adequate oxygen, say experts. It is still uncertain whether the virus can cause a normal heart to become dysfunctional. |Times of India

 Are Indians More Immune to COVID-19?

Millions of Indians have limited access to clean water, consume unhygienic food, breathe foul air, and live in densely packed surroundings which makes them susceptible to a host of non-communicable illnesses and even for COVID-19. But India confers only 2 percent of the global fatal rate due to COVID-19. Research says people with high incomes have low immunity when compared to people with low incomes. The poor people who fail to maintain hygiene will face more pathogens which in later years would boost their immunity. However, the reason that people with low income are immunized is said to be a mere hypothesis rather than scientific fact as there could be a variety of reasons behind the low fatality rate in India.| BBC

Antibody therapy may lower hospitalizations and emergency visits

COVID-19 patients who were administered the antiviral drug had fewer symptoms and needed less hospitalization. The monoclonal antibodies help in developing natural immunity thus lowering the severity. This enables the people to develop their own immunity. According to studies over 300 patients treated approximately 150 patients  received placebo. The researchers said that the reduction of hospitalizations was to be found in all demographic groups. Antibody treatments like this will be highly beneficial for high risk people. |Times of India

T-cell COVID immunity present in adults six months after first infection

Cellular (T-cell) immunity against the virus that causes COVID-19 is likely to be present within most adults six months after primary infection, with levels considerably higher in patients with symptoms, a study suggests. Once the virus enters the body, it is greeted by a cavalry of cells that mount a counterattack that is swift, broad and generic. This so-called innate immune system is meant to arrest the infection in its tracks. If that mission is foiled, it buys time until the “experts” which constitute the T-cells and B-cells. Overall, the results offer evidence that T-cell immunity may last longer than antibodies. But at the moment, there is little evidence to suggest that there is widespread cell-mediated immunity without an antibody response. |The Guardian

Weather alone has no significant effect on COVID-19

A research led by The University of Texas at Austin has added clarity on the weather’s role in COVID-19 infection, with a new study finding that temperature and humidity do not play a significant role in coronavirus spread. This means whether it’s hot or cold outside, the transmission of COVID-19 from one person to the next depends almost entirely on human behavior. Taking trips and spending time away from home were the top two contributing factors to COVID-19 growth, with a relative importance of about 34% and 26% respectively. |Live Mint

Extensive lung damage may shed light on “Long COVID”

In most cases, the lungs of people who have died from COVID-19 were found to be extensively damaged. Scientists leading the research said they also found some unique characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, which might explain the reason behind this persistent damage. The research team analysed samples of tissue from the lungs, heart, liver and kidneys of 41 patients who died of COVID-19 at Italy’s University Hospital of Trieste between February and April 2020. Although the research team found no overt signs of viral infection or prolonged inflammation in other organs, they discovered a really vast destruction of the architecture of the lungs, with healthy tissue almost completely substituted by scar tissue.| Deccan Herald

New breath test detects virus in seconds

A new breath analysis equipment might be able to distinguish COVID-19 from other chest infections. A quick sample can be taken and because it is non-invasive, a specialised person need not collect those samples. In a few minutes, a result is obtained. In 80% of cases, they were able to accurately predict if the patient had COVID-19 – distinguishing the illness from other breathing problems such as asthma or bacterial pneumonia. If shown to be reliable this approach might allow rapid diagnosis of COVID-19 in the coming endemic flu seasons and would improve the safety of health care workers.|BBC

Mutations in COVID-19

The novel coronavirus is accumulating genetic mutations, one of which may have made it more contagious, reported a US study. The researchers noted that the mutation, called D614G, is located in the spike protein that pries open our cells for viral entry. According to the researchers, during the initial wave of the pandemic, 71 per cent of COVID-19 identified  patients had this mutation. When the second wave of the outbreak hit, this variant had leaped to 99.9 per cent prevalence. The spike protein is also continuing to accumulate additional mutations of unknown significance. Although it is not clear yet whether that translates into it also being more easily transmitted between individuals, said the research. |Deccan Chronicle

The global spread of coronavirus : Europe takes central stage

The SARS-CoV-2 which has been responsible for the current worldwide COVID-19 pandemic, has put Europe in the centre-stage calling it the main source of the spread. Research  suggests that travel restrictions across Britain and Europe seem to have been too little and too late and that the actual spread of virus to America and other parts of the world was largely via Europe, and not directly from China. The study focused on 27,000 virus genomes, sampled from all around the world. The researchers usually work on tracking ancient human migrations using mitochondrial DNA, and they capitalised on the fact that the virus genome is similar in crucial respects.|Science Daily

7 different forms of mild COVID-19

A research led by immunologist Winfried F Pickl and allergologist Rudolf Valenta, Medical University of Vienna, Austria gathered 109 convalescents and 98 healthy individuals. In the study, they discovered seven different ‘forms of diseases’ in mild COVID-19 patients. The group of symptoms included: Flu-like symptoms with fever, chills, fatigue and cough; Common cold-like symptoms; Joint and muscle pain; Eye and mucosal inflammation; Gastrointestinal problems; Loss of sense of smell and taste and other symptoms; Lung problems with pneumonia and finally shortness of breath. The study also found that COVID-19 leaves behind long detectable changes in the blood of convalescents, very similar to a fingerprint. |Times of India

Asymptomatic COVID-19 sufferers lose antibodies sooner

Asymptomatic Coronavirus sufferers appear to lose detectable antibodies sooner than people who have exhibited COVID-19 symptoms, reveals studies.  Research indicates that people’s immune response to COVID-19 reduces over time following infection. It remains unclear what level of immunity antibodies provide, or for how long this immunity lasts. The risk of reinfection from Coronavirus is still uncertain. The scientists also add that people’s long term antibody response to the virus still remains unknown. |Times of India 

Where can we get authentic information about Coronavirus?

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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

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