1 lakh kits of 3 virus drugs procured: CM

“State ordered 1,200 kits of Tocilizumab (400 mg), 42,500 kits of Remdesivir and one lakh kits of Enoxaparin (400 mg) injections to treat patients affected by COVID-19 infection. So far 1,000 kits of Tocilizumab, 1,100 kits of Remdesivir and all the one lakh kits of Enoxaparin were received,” said Chief Minister, in a tweet, who also added that the remaining kits will reach the state in another couple of days.

COVID-19 positive cases had witnessed a sharp hike in the state touching close to 4,000 cases per day. The exponential increase in the number of COVID-19 positive cases had prompted the state government to order large quantities of COVID-19 medicines and they have been sent to the districts across the state.

“Medicines that were received were sent to districts for treating COVID-19 positive patients. If need arises state will order even more medicines,” said Health Minister C Vijaya Baskar, in a statement.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister will hold a meeting with the 19-member medical expert team about the extension of lockdown. “As the fifth phase lockdown is scheduled to end on Tuesday, Chief Minister will meet the medical experts at Secretariat on Monday and decision to extend lockdown will be taken based on the recommendation from the medical experts,” said sources in the Secretariat.

Sources also said that as the COVID-19 positive cases have spiked drastically, medical experts are likely to recommend extension of complete lockdown to another few weeks. “There is also the possibility that they might recommend tightening the screws on lockdown,” added sources.