Assam youth offers himself for human trial of COVID-19 vaccine

At a time when panic gripped the entire country following the outbreak of COVID-19, still, there are a few tend to stand out as an inspiration to others. When the entire world is scrambling for three-layered masks and sanitizers to ward off the lethal virus, a youth in Golaghat in Assam has offered himself to be used to help find a vaccine for the treatment of COVID-19.

Dhrubajyoti Saikia, 32, of Fallangani in Upper Assam’s Golaghat district has written to the state Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal volunteering to serve as a specimen for human trial for any vaccine to combat coronavirus. In this regard, Dhrubajyoti called on the deputy commissioner of the district on May 19.

Also read: Assam Records 49 Cases In A Single Day As Positives In India Cross 107,000

Saying that it is an opportunity to do something for mankind, Drubajyoti said, “I have volunteered to face human trial by any medical authority working to make a vaccine for Sars-CoV-2. As a new vaccine is possible only after passing through human trials, I am ready to be that first human. It can be tested on me wherever necessary.”

Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner, while hailing the youth’s step, said that he would take the matter to the state government soon.

It may be mentioned, on April 6, last, a 44-year-old Sikh in Uttar Pradesh also wrote to the health authorities volunteering to serve as a specimen for human trials for any vaccine.

Also read: Assam: 3 Corona Patients Caught After Escape From Guwahati Quarantine

COVID-19 scenario in NE

The novel coronavirus has infected a total of 157 people and claimed four lives so far in Assam. Of the 157 cases, 110 are active cases and 41 have been cured or discharged and two patients have been migrated.

Assam has witnessed a massive spike in confirmed coronavirus cases on May 19 as 49 fresh cases were reported across the state. Most of the patients have a travel history.

Also read: Manipur: Mocked as ‘corona’, 300 nurses leave Kolkata after facing racism

Meanwhile, Tripura has registered a total of 172 confirmed COVID-19 cases as four persons tested positive on May 19 while Meghalaya has lost its ‘COVID-19 free’ status in a day after a person in Garo Hills tested positive for the virus. It is the first case in Garo Hills. Earlier, the state had 13 cases after a reputed Shillong-based doctor tested COVID-19 positive and later died of the viral infection. He is the lone COVID-19 related fatality in the state. While 12 of the late doctor’s relatives, employees, and friends had contracted SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, from him. 

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast