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Background: Medical students play an important role in the prevention and control of COVID-19 by way of disseminating knowledge regarding COVID-19 among the people. It is affected by their knowledge, attitude and practices about the disease. Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 in undergraduate medical students. Methodology: A quick online survey was carried out among 316 participants with a self-designed, structured questionnaire in the form of goggle form. Cronbach’s alpha of the study instrument was 0.71. Statistical Analysis: Data were analyzed by SPSS, version 25. Chi-square test, Student’s t-test, ANOVA and post hoc analysis were done. Results: A total of 316 participants completed the survey questionnaire. The mean COVID-19 knowledge scorewas 18.82±2.27 and overall 90% had correct knowledge. Knowledge scores significantly (p<0.05) differed across age-groups and semesters. In post hoc analysis, mean knowledge score in 2nd semester students (18.11±2.55) was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of 8th semester (19.56±1.66). Seventy percent respondents agreed that COVID-19 will finally be controlled,77.2% had confidence that India will win the battle against COVID-19, and 90% of the respondents agreed that hand washing with soap water will prevent them from getting the infection. 96.2% participants avoid crowded places, 95.2% participants wore face masks while going outside home and 97.5%frequently washed hands with soap and water. Conclusion: In this study majority undergraduate students had good knowledge, showed optimistic attitude and appropriate practice towards COVID-19. However, there is need and scope for improving knowledge and practices so that every student adopts preventive and promotive measures against COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Countries globally are evaluating the concept of herd immunity and its critical role in the control of pandemic. The current paper attempts to conduct a critical interpretative synthesis (CIS) on the role of herd immunity in current COVID‑19 pandemic. Methods: CIS is tool for developing theoretical framework using interpretation drawn from relevant empirical and non‑empirical sources. This review is done by formulating review question for literature search. Purposive sampling of literature was done followed by reciprocal translational analysis of extracted data. Results: Herd immunity is indirect protection from a contagious infectious disease when a population is immune either through vaccination or natural immunity developed through previous infection. The reproduction number for COVID‑19 in India was found to be 2.56 and herd immunity threshold as 61%. Discussion: Exposing 71% young population in India to the SARS‑CoV‑2 infection can achieve herd immunity but with high morbidity as well as mortality. Vaccine are under process. Feco‑oral transmission and reinfection of COVID 19 are major factors to develop or break the circle of herd immunity in community. “Immunity passport” can give false sense of security. Surveillance and seroprevalence studies assess immunity status, gradual exposure of infection to younger population and collaborative partnerships on organizations are few strategies to acquire herd immunity. Conclusion: Herd immunity is a measure for prevention and control of COVID‑19 pandemic against the backdrop of mortality and morbidity. Vaccine can be boon but if herd immunity is to be acquired by natural infection then preparedness is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]