Rohit Shishodia
Air pollution is contributing to Covid mortality. This has been established by studies in Europe and the US, said Dr Balaram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research, while addressing the media in Delhi.

Dr Bhagava said, 'There have been studies from Europe and US, where they have looked at polluted areas and have compared mortality during lockdown and  correlation with pollution. They found clearly that pollution is contributing to mortality in COVID. That's well established by studies."

On vaccine development, Dr Bhargava said that there are 3 vaccine candidates in different stages of clinical testing. "Covaxin has got approval for phase III trials, Cadila is also progressing with phase-II trials and Serum is completing phase 2b trial and has an ongoing trial in Brazil, South Africa & US," he informed.