An aviation firm has carried out the first tests in India of longer-range drone deliveries, as hopes grow that they could deliver medicines as well as COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas.

Greater use of drones could be a game-changer for medical services in the South Asian nation's hard-to-reach rural areas where healthcare is limited and roads often poor, experts say.

Throttle Aerospace Systems is among 20 organisations granted permits by the government since May to conduct experimental flights beyond the current limit of 450 metres (1,475 feet).

Two drones -- one that can carry up to one kilogramme (2.2 pounds) for 20 kilometres (12 miles) or nearly an hour, and another that can lift two kilos for 15 kilometres -- were tested on Monday in the southern state of Karnataka.

"Medicines was the payload here and... 2.5 kilometres were covered in seven minutes and it delivered the medicines at the designated point and the drone returned," Throttle's co-founder, Sebastian Anto, told AFP at the test site in the southern state of Karnataka.

The government this month also invited bids from drone operators to help set up a pilot project for the delivery of medical supplies as it seeks to bolster its coronavirus vaccination drive.

The closing date for expressions of interest was Tuesday, although the government has yet to announce when such projects would become operational.&nbsp;

The epidemiology chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Samiran Panda, told The Hindu daily newspaper that the technology could help vaccinate priority groups in hard-to-reach places.

"We need smart vaccination instead of mass vaccination to stem an epidemic," Panda told the newspaper last week.

India lags behind many other nations when it comes to drones -- or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles -- both in terms of their uses and the regulatory framework.

Under current regulations, they have to be flown in full view, or within 450 metres, of their operators on the ground.

In Germany, researchers are reportedly testing drone prototypes that can track down disaster victims by their screams.

In Australia, drones using artificial intelligence algorithms are being used to spot crocodiles and count koalas in rugged terrain.

India, home to 1.3 billion people spread across some 3.2 million square kilometres (1.15 million square miles), is the world's seventh-largest country by landmass.

"Drone technology would have a huge impact in those areas where emergency medicines and vaccines could be supplied," co-founder of lobby group the Drone Federation of India, Vipul Singh, told AFP.

"Where it takes a few hours to travel 20-30 kilometres by road, whereas a drone can actually travel that distance in 10 to 15 minutes," said Singh, also the co-founder of Bangalore-based Aarav Unmanned Systems.

An aviation firm has carried out the first tests in India of longer-range drone deliveries, as hopes grow that they could deliver medicines as well as COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas.

An aviation firm has carried out the first tests in India of longer-range drone deliveries, as hopes grow that they could deliver medicines as well as COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas. Greater use of drones could be a game-changer for medical services in the South Asian nation's hard-to-reach rural areas where healthcare is limited and roads often poor, experts say. Throttle Aerospace Systems is among 20 organisations granted permits by the government since May to conduct experimental flights beyond the current limit of 450 metres (1,475 feet). Two drones -- one that can carry up to one kilogramme (2.2 pounds) for 20 kilometres (12 miles) or nearly an hour, and another that can lift two kilos for 15 kilometres -- were tested on Monday in the southern state of Karnataka. "Medicines was the payload here and... 2.5 kilometres were covered in seven minutes and it delivered the medicines at the designated point and the drone returned," Throttle's co-founder, Sebastian Anto, told AFP at the test site in the southern state of Karnataka. The government this month also invited bids from drone operators to help set up a pilot project for the delivery of medical supplies as it seeks to bolster its coronavirus vaccination drive. The closing date for expressions of interest was Tuesday, although the government has yet to announce when such projects would become operational. The epidemiology chief of the Indian Council of Medical Research, Samiran Panda, told The Hindu daily newspaper that the technology could help vaccinate priority groups in hard-to-reach places. "We need smart vaccination instead of mass vaccination to stem an epidemic," Panda told the newspaper last week. India lags behind many other nations when it comes to drones -- or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles -- both in terms of their uses and the regulatory framework. Under current regulations, they have to be flown in full view, or within 450 metres, of their operators on the ground. In Germany, researchers are reportedly testing drone prototypes that can track down disaster victims by their screams. In Australia, drones using artificial intelligence algorithms are being used to spot crocodiles and count koalas in rugged terrain. India, home to 1.3 billion people spread across some 3.2 million square kilometres (1.15 million square miles), is the world's seventh-largest country by landmass. "Drone technology would have a huge impact in those areas where emergency medicines and vaccines could be supplied," co-founder of lobby group the Drone Federation of India, Vipul Singh, told AFP. "Where it takes a few hours to travel 20-30 kilometres by road, whereas a drone can actually travel that distance in 10 to 15 minutes," said Singh, also the co-founder of Bangalore-based Aarav Unmanned Systems.

India eyes long-range drones for coronavirus vaccine delivery

India's health ministry said on Wednesday that if an individual is infected after the first dose of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-indian-army-establishes-covid-hospital-near-line-of-control-in-uri-385976">coronavirus</a> vaccine then the "second dose should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from the virus."

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/top-indian-hospital-remdesivir-may-be-dropped-386049/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"An individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative if suffering from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-india-records-highest-single-day-coronavirus-in-the-world-385958">COVID-19</a>," the ministry added.

India's&nbsp;health ministry officials recommended vaccination for lactating women while adding that there was no need for screening of vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test prior to vaccination.

The new recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) have been communicated to various states and Union Territories in India.

Meanwhile, the virus second wave continues with Kerala reporting 32,762 new coronavirus cases including 112 deaths in the last 24 hours. The death toll due to the virus in the state has now risen to 6,724 along with the 18,94,518, according to the state government.

India's national capital reported 3,846 new virus cases including 235 deaths on Wednesday amid the lockdown. The death toll due to the virus since last year has climbed to 22,346 in Delhi with 14,06,719 reported COVID-19 cases.

Meanwhile, &nbsp;Karnataka deputy chief minister Ashwathnarayan said that 2 crore <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-civil-rights-leader-to-ask-biden-to-give-india-60-million-covid-19-vaccine-doses-385928">vaccine </a>doses have been placed with the Serum Institute of India(SII) and 1 crore with Bharat Biotech.&nbsp;

"We are requesting them to scale up the supply," Karnataka deputy chief minister said, adding, "by August, we will have huge vaccine availability. Probably by end of December, we can expect the entire population to have at least a single dose."

Ashwathnarayan said that testing has also been ramped up with results coming in &nbsp;24 hours at most of the places instead of &nbsp;5-7 days earlier.

According to the government, a total of 5,86,29,000 doses will be provided free of cost from May 1 to June 15 with a total of 4,87,55,000 doses to be made available till end of June for direct procurement by states and Union Territories.

India's health ministry said on Wednesday that if an individual is infected after the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine then the "second dose should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from the virus.

India's health ministry said on Wednesday that if an individual is infected after the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine then the "second dose should be deferred by three months after clinical recovery from the virus." Watch: "An individual can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving vaccine or testing RT-PCR negative if suffering from COVID-19," the ministry added. India's health ministry officials recommended vaccination for lactating women while adding that there was no need for screening of vaccine recipients by rapid antigen test prior to vaccination. The new recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) have been communicated to various states and Union Territories in India. Meanwhile, the virus second wave continues with Kerala reporting 32,762 new coronavirus cases including 112 deaths in the last 24 hours. The death toll due to the virus in the state has now risen to 6,724 along with the 18,94,518, according to the state government. India's national capital reported 3,846 new virus cases including 235 deaths on Wednesday amid the lockdown. The death toll due to the virus since last year has climbed to 22,346 in Delhi with 14,06,719 reported COVID-19 cases. Meanwhile, Karnataka deputy chief minister Ashwathnarayan said that 2 crore vaccine doses have been placed with the Serum Institute of India(SII) and 1 crore with Bharat Biotech. "We are requesting them to scale up the supply," Karnataka deputy chief minister said, adding, "by August, we will have huge vaccine availability. Probably by end of December, we can expect the entire population to have at least a single dose." Ashwathnarayan said that testing has also been ramped up with results coming in 24 hours at most of the places instead of 5-7 days earlier. According to the government, a total of 5,86,29,000 doses will be provided free of cost from May 1 to June 15 with a total of 4,87,55,000 doses to be made available till end of June for direct procurement by states and Union Territories.

Second dose to be deferred by three months after recovery from virus: India health ministry

India's Cadila Healthcare Ltd has received restricted emergency use approval from local regulators to use a Hepatitis C drug as a treatment for moderate COVID-19 in adults, the drugmaker said on Friday.

The approval follows promising results from a late-stage study of the drug and comes in the middle of a massive wave of COVID-19 cases in India, which has overwhelmed its health system and left many hospitals short of critical oxygen supplies.

Cadila said patients given its therapy in clinical trials had shown a lesser need for supplemental oxygen, which is given to seriously ill COVID-19 patients to increase its supply in the blood and lungs.

About 91 per cent of patients treated with the drug, branded Virafin, tested negative for COVID-19 in standard RT-PCR tests by day seven, compared to nearly 79 per cent who were given the standard of care, the company said earlier this month.

"The fact that we are able to offer a therapy which significantly reduces the viral load when given early on can help in better disease management," Cadila Managing Director Sharvil Patel said. "It comes at a much-needed time for patients."

India reported the world's highest daily tally of coronavirus infections for a second day on Friday, surpassing 330,000 new cases.

Cadila's drug, known as Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b, was originally approved for liver disease Hepatitis C and launched in India 10 years ago. It is being repurposed to treat COVID-19.

The company's shares reversed course following the news and were last up 3.2 per cent at 570 rupees in afternoon trading on the National Stock Exchange.

India's Cadila Healthcare Ltd has received restricted emergency use approval from local regulators to use a Hepatitis C drug as a treatment for moderate COVID-19 in adults, the drugmaker said on Friday.

India's Cadila Healthcare Ltd has received restricted emergency use approval from local regulators to use a Hepatitis C drug as a treatment for moderate COVID-19 in adults, the drugmaker said on Friday. The approval follows promising results from a late-stage study of the drug and comes in the middle of a massive wave of COVID-19 cases in India, which has overwhelmed its health system and left many hospitals short of critical oxygen supplies. Cadila said patients given its therapy in clinical trials had shown a lesser need for supplemental oxygen, which is given to seriously ill COVID-19 patients to increase its supply in the blood and lungs. About 91 per cent of patients treated with the drug, branded Virafin, tested negative for COVID-19 in standard RT-PCR tests by day seven, compared to nearly 79 per cent who were given the standard of care, the company said earlier this month. "The fact that we are able to offer a therapy which significantly reduces the viral load when given early on can help in better disease management," Cadila Managing Director Sharvil Patel said. "It comes at a much-needed time for patients." India reported the world's highest daily tally of coronavirus infections for a second day on Friday, surpassing 330,000 new cases. Cadila's drug, known as Pegylated Interferon alpha-2b, was originally approved for liver disease Hepatitis C and launched in India 10 years ago. It is being repurposed to treat COVID-19. The company's shares reversed course following the news and were last up 3.2 per cent at 570 rupees in afternoon trading on the National Stock Exchange.

Cadila gets approval to repurpose Hepatitis C drug for COVID-19 treatment

The second phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive in India, covering 10 crore people across the country will start from Monday. Watch this video to know more.

India to start second phase of COVID-19 vaccination from March 1

India on Thursday reported 12,881 new coronavirus cases along with 101 fatalities in the last 24 hours taking the total number of deaths to 1,56,014.&nbsp;

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-saarc-virtual-meet-india-invites-pakistan-for-wuhan-virus-workshop-364390/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

According to the government, the number of active cases has now reached 1,37,342 with India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-91-lakh-people-vaccinated-till-now-indias-health-ministry-364351">vaccination</a> drive reaching 94,22,228 people. India's national capital reported no coronavirus deaths while recording 134 new coronavirus cases.

The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has reached &nbsp;6,37,315 with the death toll reaching 10,894. There are 1,078 active cases in India's capital currently.

Karnataka reported 378 new coronavirus cases along with three deaths in the last 24 hours. The total death toll in the state has now reached 12,276.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the government said it has plans to involve private sector healthcare facilities in a significant way in the ongoing coronavirus<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-approves-1-million-doses-of-covid-19-vaccines-for-canada-364387"> vaccination</a> drive. India's health ministry informed that the total vaccination carried out had reached 91,86,756 beneficiaries.

Maharashtra which is the worst-hit state due to the virus reported 4,787 new coronavirus cases along with 40 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health department.

The death toll in Maharashtra due to the virus has now reached 51,631 with the number of active cases going up to 38,013. In Tamil Nadu, 454 coronavirus cases were detected along with six deaths taking the total number of cases to &nbsp;8,46,480 with the death toll rising to 12,438.

India on Thursday reported 12,881 new coronavirus cases along with 101 fatalities in the last 24 hours taking the total number of deaths to 1,56,014. Watch: According to the government, the number of active cases has now reached 1,37,342 with India's vaccination drive reaching 94,22,228 people.

India on Thursday reported 12,881 new coronavirus cases along with 101 fatalities in the last 24 hours taking the total number of deaths to 1,56,014. Watch: According to the government, the number of active cases has now reached 1,37,342 with India's vaccination drive reaching 94,22,228 people. India's national capital reported no coronavirus deaths while recording 134 new coronavirus cases. The total number of coronavirus cases in Delhi has reached 6,37,315 with the death toll reaching 10,894. There are 1,078 active cases in India's capital currently. Karnataka reported 378 new coronavirus cases along with three deaths in the last 24 hours. The total death toll in the state has now reached 12,276. Meanwhile, the government said it has plans to involve private sector healthcare facilities in a significant way in the ongoing coronavirus vaccination drive. India's health ministry informed that the total vaccination carried out had reached 91,86,756 beneficiaries. Maharashtra which is the worst-hit state due to the virus reported 4,787 new coronavirus cases along with 40 deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health department. The death toll in Maharashtra due to the virus has now reached 51,631 with the number of active cases going up to 38,013. In Tamil Nadu, 454 coronavirus cases were detected along with six deaths taking the total number of cases to 8,46,480 with the death toll rising to 12,438.

India reports over 12,000 COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, 101 fatalities

Around 3000 foreign diplomats and&nbsp;their eligible family members&nbsp;based out of India have sent names for New Delhi's offer for vaccination against COVID. India had offered vaccination using India-manufactured covid vaccine to diplomats based in the country--both in the national capital Delhi and various consulates across the country.&nbsp;Around 115 missions and 39 international organizations responded to the Indian offer and a final call will be soon taken on when the vaccination starts.

Many of the envoys and diplomats based out of India welcomed the initiative.&nbsp;Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane told WION, "The Government of India has offered all diplomats and their dependents to be included in India’s vaccination schedule. Great &nbsp; Initiative. Personally, I am very keen not to jump any Queue".

Lauding the initiative,&nbsp;Ambassador of Italy to India&nbsp;Vincenzo de Luca speaking to WION said,&nbsp;“We believe that it is a commendable initiative which is also in line with a similar programme launched by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the foreign diplomatic community accredited in Italy. These programmes confirm that the purpose of countering the Corona-19 pandemic is better served through global solidarity and effective international cooperation”

India began its mega vaccination drive on January 16 and so far,&nbsp;62.6 lakh&nbsp;healthcare workers have been vaccinated against COVID.&nbsp;

Kazakhstan's envoy to India Yerlan Alimbayev said, "We welcome the gesture of goodwill and solidarity offered by the Indian Government in terms of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign diplomats based in New Delhi. So far our staff and their family members are considering this option. Just like in Kazakhstan, I believe, this is a voluntary decision for people in India as well."

He explained, in response to WION's question, "As you probably know, a vaccination in Kazakhstan kicked off recently, on 1st February. Like in India, a priority also is given to medical and frontline workers. Kazakhstan uses the “Sputnik V” vaccine and our own vaccine is under the last phase of trials. We have to check with our capital whether Indian vaccine is registered in Kazakhstan and will decide accordingly."

Indonesian Cd'A Ferdy Nico Yohannes Piay also appreciated&nbsp;the "Government of India's efforts in running the biggest COVID-19 vaccination drive in the world, and welcomes its policy to also include foreign service officers based in India in its program."

Elaborating Piay said, "India’s strong commitment to provide its self-made vaccines to the neighbouring countries and beyond will surely place India at leading role and the forefront of this war against the pandemic"

India has been reaching out to foreign diplomats on its action plan on how to deal with a covid pandemic. Last year, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla briefed 190 heads of diplomatic missions on a covid action plan. It was followed by the visit of over 50 foreign envoys based out of Delhi going to Hyderabad to showcase the country's vaccine production centres at 2 biotechnology companies - Bharat Biotech and Biological E.

India produces 60 per cent&nbsp;of global vaccines, and so far supplied covid vaccines to 18 countries both as gifts and commercially. Vaccines have been sent to countries in the neighbourhood and beyond--these countries are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, South Africa, and Afghanistan. It has gifted 56 lakh doses and commercially supplied 100 lakh doses.

Around 3000 foreign diplomats and their eligible family members based out of India have sent names for New Delhi's offer for vaccination against COVID. India had offered vaccination using India-manufactured covid vaccine to diplomats based in the country--both in the national capital Delhi and various consulates across the country.

Around 3000 foreign diplomats and their eligible family members based out of India have sent names for New Delhi's offer for vaccination against COVID. India had offered vaccination using India-manufactured covid vaccine to diplomats based in the country--both in the national capital Delhi and various consulates across the country. Around 115 missions and 39 international organizations responded to the Indian offer and a final call will be soon taken on when the vaccination starts. Many of the envoys and diplomats based out of India welcomed the initiative. Denmark's Ambassador to India Freddy Svane told WION, "The Government of India has offered all diplomats and their dependents to be included in India’s vaccination schedule. Great Initiative. Personally, I am very keen not to jump any Queue". Lauding the initiative, Ambassador of Italy to India Vincenzo de Luca speaking to WION said, “We believe that it is a commendable initiative which is also in line with a similar programme launched by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the foreign diplomatic community accredited in Italy. These programmes confirm that the purpose of countering the Corona-19 pandemic is better served through global solidarity and effective international cooperation” India began its mega vaccination drive on January 16 and so far, 62.6 lakh healthcare workers have been vaccinated against COVID. Kazakhstan's envoy to India Yerlan Alimbayev said, "We welcome the gesture of goodwill and solidarity offered by the Indian Government in terms of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign diplomats based in New Delhi. So far our staff and their family members are considering this option. Just like in Kazakhstan, I believe, this is a voluntary decision for people in India as well." He explained, in response to WION's question, "As you probably know, a vaccination in Kazakhstan kicked off recently, on 1st February. Like in India, a priority also is given to medical and frontline workers. Kazakhstan uses the “Sputnik V” vaccine and our own vaccine is under the last phase of trials. We have to check with our capital whether Indian vaccine is registered in Kazakhstan and will decide accordingly." Indonesian Cd'A Ferdy Nico Yohannes Piay also appreciated the "Government of India's efforts in running the biggest COVID-19 vaccination drive in the world, and welcomes its policy to also include foreign service officers based in India in its program." Elaborating Piay said, "India’s strong commitment to provide its self-made vaccines to the neighbouring countries and beyond will surely place India at leading role and the forefront of this war against the pandemic" India has been reaching out to foreign diplomats on its action plan on how to deal with a covid pandemic. Last year, foreign secretary Harsh Shringla briefed 190 heads of diplomatic missions on a covid action plan. It was followed by the visit of over 50 foreign envoys based out of Delhi going to Hyderabad to showcase the country's vaccine production centres at 2 biotechnology companies - Bharat Biotech and Biological E. India produces 60 per cent of global vaccines, and so far supplied covid vaccines to 18 countries both as gifts and commercially. Vaccines have been sent to countries in the neighbourhood and beyond--these countries are Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, the UAE, Brazil, Morocco, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, Algeria, Kuwait, South Africa, and Afghanistan. It has gifted 56 lakh doses and commercially supplied 100 lakh doses.

115 foreign missions send 3000 names for India's COVID vaccination drive