India has reported 22.66 million cases and 246,116 deaths from COVID-19 so far as citizens have been struggling for hospital beds, oxygen, and other medical treatments for the disease.
Now in the state of Gujarat in western India, some people have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung and urine to ward off or treat symptoms of the disease. Hindus have used cow dung to clean their homes and for prayer rituals for centuries, believing it has therapeutic and antiseptic properties.
Even some doctors have been believing the practice improves their immunity, allowing them to safely treat their own patients.
“There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief,” said Dr JA Jayalal, national president at the Indian Medical Association.
There are also risks of spreading other diseases from animals to humans, and the act of gathering in crowds to practice the ritual is likely spreading the coronavirus.
The Indian B.1.617 variant has been classified by the World Health Organization as a variant of concern, with studies showing increased transmissability. Gene sequencing data on the coronavirus in India is sparse, and many cases are also being driven by the UK and South African variants.
The good news, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci, is that preliminary evidence from lab studies suggest Covaxin, a vaccine developed in India, appears capable of neutralizing the variant, which does not appear to cause more severe disease.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been criticised for allowing massive political rallies and religious festivals which have been super-spreader events in recent weeks.
Source info from Reuters.
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