Zoom News : May 31, 2021, 03:46 PM
New Delhi: There is no substantial proof to conclude that COVID-19 was artificially created, Dr Raman R Gangakhedkar, former Head Scientist of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said on Sunday."We must remember that if you look at the global data every year, close to about hundred accidents occur even in BSL-4 laboratories which are expected to hold these high risk pathogens and ensure that they are properly maintained in their cultures," he told news agency ANI. "We still do not have any evidence whether it is artificially created and then spilled out of the laboratory nor, there is any evidence that it came as a zoonotic infection. We need to wait for evidence to emerge to say conclusively about the origin of the virus."Speaking on the availability of vaccines, Dr Gangakhedkar said that India has opened up to purchasing from foreign manufactures and has invested in increasing indigenous manufacturing."Now that vaccine doses are not available, we have opened up the purchases from other foreign manufacturers for approved vaccines. We are open to buying these vaccines from other countries as well and we have also invested in increasing the capacity of the vaccines of indigenous vaccines manufacturers," Dr Gangakhedkar said.In the wake of a shortage of doses, focusing on inoculating people above 45 would be wise, he said, adding that the second wave of Covid-19 is on a decline."Given that it will take some time to get adequate doses, it would be prudent to first focus on the people who fall in the bracket of 45 years of age. We know that the second wave is on a decline. We should utilise this opportunity to reduce the challenge that a potential third wave can pose to healthcare infrastructure. If we can do that in a massive way I am sure we will be able to make a huge difference with respect to the challenges that will be thrown to the health infrastructure," he added.