Asia – Link Punjabi

Everyone thought Ravindra Jadeja’s absence would weaken India but Axar Patel was outstanding: Andrew McDonald

Editor — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:42:55 +0000

HYDERABAD: Ravindra Jadeja’s absence from the T20 series was expected to weaken India but the hosts found an able replacement in “outstanding” Axar Patel, said Australia coach Andrew McDonald.
Left-arm spinner Axar, who was shoed in as a like-for-like replacement for the injured Jadeja, impressed everyone with his bowling, ending as the leading wicket-taker in the three-match series.
“Axar, in particular, had an outstanding series. With Jaddu out everyone thought that it might become a bit of a weakness for India, but they’ve found another one again, which tends to happen,” McDonald said at the post-match press conference after India clinched the series.
The Australian bowling attack, comprising the pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, was taken to the cleaners by the Indian batters.

Asked if it’s a concern heading to the World Cup, McDonald said: “Across the series the run rate was high, it was entertaining cricket from the get-go. Bat dominated the ball, so there was really no place to hide for bowling units, in particular death.
“We worked our way through some plans. We saw some good results with some of the plans that we implemented that might be able to transition to the World Cup.”
McDonald added that Australia will have reinforcements in the form of Mitchell Starc when they begin the defense of their World Cup title at home next month.

“The connection between here (India) and Australia might be slightly different, a little bit more bounce, different tactics. Mitchell Starc comes back into the picture being one of our best death bowlers. So, we feel like we’ll get reinforcements there.”
McDonald feels most of the bowling attack is “under the pump” due to the skills of the batters.
“The conversations always going to be can you get better at your death bowling? The answer to that is yes.
“We encourage our guys to make good decisions and execute them. Sometimes the batter out-executes you and we’ve seen that with Hardik (Pandya) across the series.
“Suryakumar Yadav was outstanding today and he’s gonna be dangerous in the World Cup but he showed what he can do.”
Australia were without a few of their World Cup-bound players due to injuries but the head coach feels the defending champions have enough depth to overcome the situation.
“It’s fortuitous that some of the guys got the opportunity here. We got a couple of injuries which are concerning leading into a World Cup. You don’t like to see some of your mainstay players out of the team leading in but we feel as though we’ve got some good options in depth.”
In the absence of David Warner, who was rested, Cameron Green “embraced the challenge of opening”.
The all-rounder amassed 118 runs, including two belligerent half-centuries to give Australia great starts.
“I’ve asked him to show great intent on top of the order and everything that we’re seeing so far shows that he’s doing that.
“It’s probably opportunistic the way that he’s come into the opening position with obviously David Warner not being here and a couple of other players from our World Cup 15.
“And that’s all you can do, given an opportunity… Before we came over here we thought he had the skill sets to be able to succeed there, and he’s taken on some of the best bowlers in world cricket.”

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Bharat Jodo Yatra enters Palakkad district

Editor — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:41:53 +0000

PALAKKAD: The Congress party’s Bharat Jodo Yatra resumed its journey on Monday from Shornur in Kerala’s Palakkad district with hundreds of party workers accompanying Rahul Gandhi in the walk.
The morning leg of the march, which entered its 19th day, will cover 12.3 km and halt at Pattambi.
The Congress party tweeted that the yatra entered Palakkad district with “excitement and hope”.
“…And we can’t wait to start this journey with you,” it said in the tweet.

Hello Palakkad,#BharatJodoYatra comes to you with excitement and hope. And we can’t wait to start this journey wi… https://t.co/U4B0Yk68Ve

— Congress (@INCIndia) 1664152200000

Senior Congress leader K Muraleedharan and Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan joined Gandhi in the morning session of the yatra.
Hundreds of people waited on both sides of the road to meet Gandhi. A group of young girls presented the Congress leader with a framed drawing of himself.
“Couldn’t have asked for a better start to the Padyatra. The young minds are coming out in large numbers to bless @RahulGandhi Ji and all the Padtyatris. We owe them a brighter future. Towards achieving our goal. #BharatJodoYatra,” the party said in a tweet along with a photo of the young girls holding Gandhi’s drawing.
The Congress leader will garland a Mahatma Gandhi statue on the way to Pattambi, the party said. The yatra will resume at 5 pm and conclude at Koppam, it said.
The Congress party’s 3,570 km and 150-day long foot march started from Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu on September 7 and will conclude in Jammu and Kashmir.
The yatra, which entered Kerala on the evening of September 10, will go through the state covering 450 km, touching seven districts in 19 days before entering Karnataka on October 1.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan pens a gratitude note for all the warmth and love for Ponniyin Selvan:

Editor — Mon, 26 Sep 2022 07:26:09 +0000

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is currently awaiting the release of her next film ‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ The actress will be essaying a dual role in this period drama. Post a grand Mumbai event for the film, Aishwarya penned a gratitude note thanking her fans and well-wishers.

Sharing a selfie, Aishwarya wrote, “Thank you all for your love, warmest wishes and blessings… Lots of love always”.

With PS-I, Aishwarya has reunited with her guru. Speaking about the same, Aishwarya had earlier shared, “I worked in my first film with Mani garu, who is my guru. I regard myself blessed that I got the opportunity to start my journey as an actor working with him. He’s the perfect school and the perfect guru.”

Aishwarya also revealed that her daughter Aradhya got a chance to be on the sets and how mesmerised she was.

The 48-year-old actress shared, “Seeing a period drama is always exciting and she did get the opportunity to visit me on set. It’s mesmerising, I could see that in her eyes. She already knows my admiration for working with him. She respects him, and she is awe of him too. Sir too made her feel warm and his affection is so sweet”.

She further revealed, “I think, one thing which really excited her the most was there was this one day when she was on the sets, Mani Ratnam Sir gave her the opportunity to say ‘Action’, and she couldn’t get over that. I think none of us have got that opportunity yet. We were really surprised as much as she was. It’s a really precious and cherished moment for her”.

‘Ponniyin Selvan: I’ is adapted from Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel by the same name. It will hit the screens on September 30 and will be released in Tamil along with the dubbed versions in Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

SC cites Hindus’ religious assets rights to counter Waqf Act critics

Editor — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:49:44 +0000

NEW DELHI: As BJP leader and advocate Ashwini Upadhyay challenged various provision of Waqf Act and alleged that why only Muslims be allowed to manage properties when there was no law for other religious community, the Supreme Court on Monday reminded him that there are Hindu Endowments Act framed by many states on as per which only Hindus can manage and administer religious places and their assets.
The apex court was hearing a plea filed by Upadhyay contending that the Waqf Act was totally against the secularism, unity and integrity of the nation as the law was made to administer the properties of Muslims but there were no similar laws for followers of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jain-ism, Sikhism, Judaism, Bahaism, Zoroastrianism and Christianity.
As the petition also raised questions on the impartiality of the judicial officer who is part of the tribunal set up under law, Justice Joseph said that such contention was shocking as a judicial officer decides the case on the basis of law and asked senior advocate Ranjit Kumar, appearing for the petitioner, whether he also believed so.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Imran Khan claims Shehbaz Sharif felt intimidated in Putin’s presence

Editor — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:48:35 +0000

ISLAMABAD: Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan mocked his successor Shehbaz Sharif, saying that the latter felt intimidated in the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin at the recently-concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Uzbekistan.
Addressing a public gathering in Chakwal on Monday, Khan took a jibe at the premier claiming that his legs were trembling in the presence of Putin during their bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 22nd SCO Summit, Geo News reported.
Khan criticised Sharif for his recent foreign trips following flood devastations in the country and said: “Look at Shehbaz’s insensitivity. He is visiting (countries) abroad during such conditions. What battle is he going to win aboard while the country has been flooded?”
Nitpicking the premier for his conversation with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the PTI Chairman said: “I have not seen any prime minister talk like the way Shehbaz did with the UN Secretary-General. He was asking him for money.”
He further revealed that Guterres knows that 60 per cent of Sharif’s cabinet is released on bail.
“On what basis would he (Secretary-Ggeneral) give you money as he knows that corruption cases are registered against the premier?” Khan queried.
The former premier also pointed his guns at Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari denouncing him for leaving the country during a time of crisis.
“Bilawal also went abroad. They have been imposed (on us) because he will listen to their orders,” Khan added.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Smriti Mandhana rises to career-best 2nd position in T20Is, ranked 7th in ODIs

Editor — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:47:12 +0000

DUBAI: Star India opener Smriti Mandhana on Tuesday achieved a career-best world number two rank in T20Is and climbed to the seventh spot in ODIs in the latest ICC Women’s Player Rankings, riding on her stupendous show against England.
The left-handed batter had aggregated 111 runs in the three-match T20I series against England. The performance helped her jump two places.
Mandhana, a former top-ranked batter in ODIs, also jumped three slots to number seven after a match-winning 91 in the first ODI against England.
Among other Indians, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur has zoomed four spots to ninth place in ODIs, all-rounder Deepti Sharma gained one place to reach 32nd position and wicketkeeper Yastika Bhatia jumped eight places to 37th following India’s seven-wicket win in Hove on Saturday.
Deepti also climbed six places to 12th in bowlers’ list.
For England, Emma Lamb and Sophie Ecclestone have gained three slots each and are 64th and 72nd among batters, respectively, while Charlie Dean is up to 86th in the list.
Dean is also up four places to 20th among bowlers, while Kate Cross is in the top 10 after grabbing two wickets with her seam bowling.
In the T20I rankings, Kaur (up one place to 14th among batters), new-ball bowler Renuka Singh (up three places to 10th among bowlers) and spinner Radha Yadav (up four places to 14th among bowlers) made notable gains.
All-rounders Sneha Rana and Pooja Vastrakar are in joint-41st position.
England’s Sophia Dunkley jumped 12 spots to 32nd after leading the run-aggregate with 115 runs in the T20I series, while Alice Capsey is now 20th among batters.
Zimbabwe players Sharne Mayers (up 28 places to 39th among batters), captain Mary-Anne Musonda (up 10 places to 50th among batters) and Precious Marange (up 24 places to 34th among bowlers), who are featuring in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, have also moved up the rankings.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

One farmer dying every hour in BJP rule: Congress

Editor — Tue, 20 Sep 2022 12:46:06 +0000

NEW DELHI: The Congress on Tuesday held the policies of the ruling BJP dispensation responsible for farmers’ suicides in the country, claiming that one farmer died by suicide every hour.
Addressing a press conference in the wake of a September 17 suicide of Pune-based Dashrath Lakshman Kedari, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said the farmer, in his suicide note, held “the BJP government’s policies responsible for his death and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was concerned only with himself”.
“Dashrath Lakshman Kedari in his suicide note said he did not have any money to pay back his loans and was ending his life due to helplessness. He sought reasonable MSP (Minimum Support Price) for farm produce as a farmers’ right and blamed the policies of the incumbent government for his decision to end life,” Shrinate said.
She said as many as 10,881 people involved in agriculture died by suicide in 2021, which was 6.6 per cent of 1,64,033 suicide deaths last year.
“This means, every day 30 farmers are dying by suicide and every hour more than one farmer is dying,” she said.
Citing the National Crimes Record Bureau data, she said more than 53,881 farmers killed themselves between 2014 and 2021, which translates to 21 deaths daily.
Shrinate said it was ironic that 2022, the year by which the government had promised to double the income of farmers, was actually witnessing “barely Rs 27 average income” for them.
“Who is responsible for the dire straits of Indian farmers? The policies of this government,” the Congress leader said.
She also recalled the death of over 700 farmers during the year-long farmers agitation against the three agricultural reforms laws to allege the “government’s apathy towards farmers and the farm sector”.
Further, she said the government’s remarks before the Supreme Court that payment of MSP over and above 50 per cent of the cost to farmers would distort the market, and that the Centre’s decision not to procure the produce if state governments bought them above the MSP clearly went against the farmers.
The Congress leader said the government had “looted the farmers” by increasing diesel prices, imposing a range of GST on farm products — five per cent on fertiliser; 18 per cent on insecticides, 12 per cent on farm equipment, and 18 per cent on tractors, “pushing the production cost to Rs 25,000 per hectare.”
Quoting data from the National Sample Service Organisation, Shrinate said the average daily earnings of farmers now stood at Rs 12 as against the average loan of Rs 74,000.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Asia Cup: Suryakumar, Kohli star as India beat Hong Kong by 40 runs to seal Super Four spot

Editor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:14:05 +0000

DUBAI: In the 26 balls he faced against Hong Kong on Wednesday, Suryakumar Yadav demonstrated all the right things about his T20 batting while exposing everything that is not quite right with India’s top-three. Surya walked out to bat at the end of the 13th over with the scoreboard reading 94/2 after KL Rahul went for a 39-ball 35 and Virat Kohli still striking just about run-a-ball.
When he walked off unbeaten with 68 runs to his name and Virat Kohli by his side with a 59 off 44, he had propelled India to 192/2. In doing so, Surya had put the game well beyond the spirited Hong Kong team who finished with 152/5 having cashed in on India’s two inexperienced bowlers Arshdeep Singh (1/44) and Avesh Khan (1/53). India’s head coach Rahul Dravid, wearing a particularly unamused look in the dugout, will go into the Super 4s with the same set of unresolved issues.
The pitch and Hong Kong’s inexperienced bowling looked non-conducive to the modern-day slam-bang T20 batting till the time Surya took strike. Captain Rohit Sharma’s dismissal for 21 off 13 earlier in the innings at mid-on was indicative of a double-paced pitch.
It was one of those days when the scoreboard belied the intent of the Indian batters, barringSurya. The first two balls he faced, he swept left-arm spinner Yasim Murtaza for boundaries on either side of long-leg. All of a sudden, the pitch started looking different while he was on strike.
This match was always about oiling the machinery. Virat Kohli did get to spend enough time in the middle and got the runs under his belt. But if his arduous partnership with Rahul is anything to go by, there was a heavy layer of rust on the top order.
It was bizarre till the time Rahul and Kohli batted together. The match was reduced to having a knock in the nets to get a feel of the ball. It seemed spending time in the middle was a greater priority than getting a move on. Perhaps, knowing the batting credentials of Hong Kong gave them that liberty.
The duo waited for balls to land absolutely in their zone to go for the big shots. Credit to Hong Kong bowlers, they offered very few. In his 44-ball knock, Kohli found the fence only four times. Three of those times he cleared the deep mid-wicket stand. That’s evidence of being cautious.
Surya’s innings showed it was neither the bowling nor the pitch. It was about the intent and confidence in his skills that shredded the inexperienced team.
For teams like India, matches like these are meant to flex their muscles to the extent where it looks like they are bullying the newbies. For 13 overs, Hong Kong must have believed they got away. Surya moved around the crease on his nimble foot, targeted all parts of the ground and ended up bullying them smashing four out of his six sixes in the last over medium-pacer Haroon Arshad even as Kohli looked content knocking the ball down the ground with a straight bat.
Hopefully, the time spent in the middle has shaken off the rust for Kohli and Rahul. The big teams won’t offer so much time to ease into an innings.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Govt to give states 15L tonne of chana

Editor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:09:39 +0000

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday decided to dispose of 15 lakh tonne of chana procured under its schemes to states at a discounted rate, incurring a cost of Rs 1,200 crore. It also raised the procurement ceiling for tur, urad and masur from current 25% to 40% under the price stabilisation scheme.
While the first measure will help states utilise the subsidised chana for various welfare schemes and free up space for stocking pulses which will be procured during the rabi crop season, the second decision has been taken considering the rise in prices of the three other pulses. There are indications of the area under tur cultivation being reduced this year and that has also caused prices to rise.
The Centre will offer 15 lakh tonne chana to states at a discount of Rs 8 per kg over the issue price of sourcing state on first-come-first-serve basis. “This will be one-time dispensation for 12 months or till complete disposal of 15 lakh tonnes stock of chana, whichever is earlier.” it said.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Isro’s aim: 10% share in global space economy | Bengaluru News – Times of India

Editor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:06:27 +0000

New Isro chief S Somanath (Photo: Union minister Jitendra Singh/Twitter)

BENGALURU: Isro chairman S Somanath said in Bengaluru on Monday that the agency has its eyes set on increasing India’s share in the global space economy from about 2% to a two-digit number.
Speaking at the 75th Independence Day celebrations at Isro headquarters, he said: “…What lies ahead is more important than what we’ve accomplished.” Expressing various institutes’ desired growth path for the next 25 years, he said the department of space’s vision was: “To see our share of space economy (grow) from less than 2% of the global economy to a higher value of typically 10%.
” For this to be achieved in the next few years, he believed drastic structural changes are needed in the way the department works.Somnath saw tremendous growth in business opportunities in the space sector and said there is a need to work towards it by enabling people with the right aptitude and capability.
“While Isro and DoS continue to make great strides in technology development…we will look at the private ecosystem for making the business transactions in space sector grow,” he said.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

PM Modi pays tributes to Puli Thevar

Editor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 15:04:11 +0000

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday paid tributes to Puli Thevar, an 18th century Tamil warrior who fought against the British, on his birth anniversary.

His valour and determination give inspiration to countless people, the prime minister said.
Modi tweeted, “I pay homage to the brave Puli Thevar on his birth anniversary. His valour and determination give inspiration to countless people. He was at the forefront of resisting imperialism. He always fought for the people.”

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Jharkhand crisis: Selective leaks from governor’s office creating chaos, say UPA MLAs

Editor — Thu, 01 Sep 2022 14:17:14 +0000

[ad_1]

NEW DELHI: A delegation of JMM and Congress MLAs met Jharkhand governor Ramesh Bais on Thursday amid uncertainty over chief minister Hemant Soren‘s political future in the state.
The meeting comes days after the Election Commission recommended Soren’s disqualification in a letter to the governor over an office-for-profit case.
The group of MLAs requested the governor to declare his opinion on the matter, saying that speculations on Soren’s fate has encouraged the destablisation of a democratically-elected government.
The legislators also expressed “shock” over the “selective leaks” from the governor’s office on Soren’s disqualification as a legislator.
The delegation, in its representation to Bais, said such leaks created “chaos, confusion and uncertainty”.
It asserted that disqualification of the CM as MLA will not affect the government, as the ruling JMM-Congress-RJD coalition enjoys an absolute majority in the 81-member House.
In the Jharkhand assembly, the ruling alliance has 30 MLAs of JMM, 18 MLAs of Congress and one MLA of RJD.
Following a petition by the BJP seeking Soren’s disqualification from the assembly, the Election Commission sent its decision to Bais on August 25.
Though the EC’s decision is not yet made official, there was a buzz that the poll panel has recommended the chief minister’s disqualification as an MLA.
The Raj Bhavan is yet to announce anything on this matter. This has led to growing uncertainty among the ruling coalition about Soren’s future.
(With inputs from agencies)

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Congress president’s election mired in controversy as leaders question voters’ list

Editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 14:58:00 +0000

[ad_1]

NEW DELHI: The election to the Congress president’s post is getting mired in one controversy or the other with each passing day. In the latest row, senior party leaders have questioned the constitutionality of the voters’ list.
After veteran Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad’s resignation on August 26 and the continuous frontal attack on party leader Rahul Gandhi since then, a couple of senior leaders of the organisation have raised questions over the very veracity of the electoral roll for the president’s election scheduled to be held on October 17.
Two Congress Lok Sabha MPs – Manish Tewari from Sri Anandpur Sahib in Punjab and Karti Chidambaram from Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu – on Wednesday alleged that the party’s presidential election could not be held in a free and fair manner without a transparent and well-defined electoral roll.
In a series of four tweets, Tewari, a grassroots leader, asked a few questions from Madhusudan Mistry, the chairperson of Congress’s central election authority (CEA) which is overseeing the election of party president.
Tewari said, “With great respect @MD_Mistry ji, how can there be a fair and free election without a publicly available electoral roll? Essence of a fair and free process is (that) names and addresses of electors must be published on @INCIndia website in a transparent manner. You are quoted as saying, ‘the list is not made public but if a member of our party wants to check, they can check at the PCC office. And, of course, it will be given to the candidates once they file their nomination papers’.”
Tewari told Mistry that the party’s highest decision-making body Congress Working Committee (CWC) has announced the schedule of party president’s election, not to 28 pradesh Congress committees (PCCs) and 8 territorial Congress committees (TCCs).
He asked, “Why should someone have to go to every PCC office in the country to find out who the electors are? This does not happen in a club election also with great respect.”
The former Union minister appealed to Mistry to make the voters’ list public. “In the interests of fairness and transparency, I urge your good self to publish the entire list of electors on @INCIndia website. How can someone consider running if he/ she does not know who electors are? If someone has to file his/ her nomination and gets it proposed by 10 Congresspersons, as is the requirement, CEA can reject it (by) saying they are not valid electors,” Tewari added.
Tewari is a member of G-23, a group of 23 Congress leaders who had written a letter to Sonia Gandhi in 2020 demanding internal reforms in the party. He has been demanding transparency, accessibility and an overhaul of the manner in which the party’s top leadership functions.
Karti Chidambaram, son of former Union finance minister P Chidambaram, also questioned the validity of the voters’ list.
In a tweet, Karti said, “Every election needs a well-defined and clear electoral college. The process of forming the electoral college must also be clear, well defined and transparent. An ad hoc electoral college is no electoral college.”
In another tweet, he said, “Reformists are not Rebels.”

Reformists are not Rebels.

— Karti P Chidambaram (@KartiPC) 1661923321000

Replying to other tweets, Karti said, “Can anyone tell the world who are all eligible to vote and on what basis they became eligible?… Absolutely we must have primaries in every constituency, but for that we need a defined and transparent members list. Today we claim we have membership numbers which no one has ever verified.”
Tewari agreed with Karti. Tagging the latter’s tweet, he said, “My colleague in Parliament @KartiPC is spot on. For any election to be kosher, the electoral college must be constitutionally constituted. I read in the papers @AnandSharmaINC had articulated this widely shared concern in the CWC and he even publicly confirmed that he had raised it.”

MyColleague in Parliament @KartiPC is spot on. For any election to be kosher the electoral college must be constitu… https://t.co/EXb7ASslli

— Manish Tewari (@ManishTewari) 1661925098000

With questions being raised about the constitutionality of the voters’ list, the election of the president may itself become controversial.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Long way to go before India reverses pre-Covid ‘Modi slowdown’: Congress

Editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 07:35:00 +0000

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the release of GDP numbers for the April-June quarter, the Congress on Wednesday said the figure could show a jump and turn out to be a headline grabber but the real growth is lower than in 2018.
Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said there is still a long way to go before India reverses the pre-Covid “Modi slowdown”.
“Jumla Alert: Apr-Jun 2022 quarterly GDP figure later today could show a jump from a year ago. This headline-grabbing number will be due to low-base effect,” the Congress general secretary said on Twitter.
“Real GDP in Apr-Jun 2021 was lower than in Apr-Jun 2018! A long way to go before we reverse the pre-Covid Modi slowdown,” Ramesh also said.
The GDP numbers for the April-June quarter of 2022-23 are likely to be released on Wednesday by the government.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

‘38% of suicides in 2021 were by daily-wagers, self-employed’

Editor — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 01:33:15 +0000

[ad_1]

NEW DELHI: Daily wagers and the self-employed constituted nearly 38% of persons who died by suicide in 2021, according to NCRB. The share of these two categories of people in total number of suicide deaths has consistently increased since 2018 — from 32% to 35%, and from 36% to 38% — and even the actual number of such fatalities has gone up during these four years from 43,276 to 62,215.
The comparative study of the suicide data of 2018-2021 period shows there was a spike in the number of daily wage workers taking their own lives by 39% during this period — from 30,127 to 42,004. In the last two years, one in every four suicide victims was a daily wage earner. Data shows suicide by daily wage workers was maximum in Tamil Nadu and the three other states that reported high number of such fatalities were Maharashtra, MP and Telangana. If the data of suicide of daily wage workers is compared between 2014 and 2021, then the number of such deaths has more than doubled during these eight years.
So far as the suicide of self-employed persons were concerned, the comparison of the figures show that such fatalities have gone up from 13,149 in 2018 to 20,213 during 2021, an increase of nearly 54%. The category of self-employed persons include vendors and tradesmenAs per reports, the number of vendors dying by suicide has increased by nearly 40%, from 3,230 in 2018 to 4,532 during the last year. Similarly, the number of tradesmen (small businessmen) dying by suicide went up from 2,615 in 2018 to 3,699 in 2021. The main reasons for suicide across all categories across these years have been family problems, illness, love affairs and marriage-related issues.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Amit Shah’s 1st Bihar visit since break with Nitish

Editor — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 04:39:40 +0000

[ad_1]

Union home minister Amit Shah will visit the Seemanchal region during his two-day visit to Bihar next month, his first after CM Nitish Kumar dumped BJP to form the grand alliance government with the support of RJD, Congress and others.
Aimed at rejuvenating BJP in the state, the Union minister’s visit will combine both official and political agenda. State BJP spokesman Prem Ranjan Patel said Shah will address a rally of party workers and BJP supporters from 11 districts of Seemanchal at Purnia on September 23.
The next day, he will hold an official meeting at Kishanganj concerning the Seemanchal districts. While seven districts of Purnia and Kosi divisions along or close to the Indo-Nepal border are strategically very sensitive from the point of national security, the four districts of Purnia, Katihar, Araria and Kishanganj have a significant chunk of Muslim population. These have been on the BJP’s political map for long owing to infiltration from Bangladesh. Recently, fears have also surfaced on the likely formation of sleeper cells of militant groups in the area.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Now, Nitin Gadkari’s ‘use-and-throw’ remark stirs talk of barb at BJP

Editor — Tue, 30 Aug 2022 02:21:59 +0000

[ad_1]

NAGPUR: Union minister Nitin Gadkari‘s remark at an event in Nagpur last weekend about the importance of not adopting a “use-and-throw attitude” to relationships had the political grapevine linking it to his omission from BJP‘s top decision-making bodies.
“Human relationships constitute the biggest strength of a business, social work or politics…In your good or bad days, once you hold the hand of a friend, you should never let go of it,” he told a gathering of entrepreneurs at the Young Presidents Organisation’s newest South Asia chapter in Vidarbha.
The speech, a video of which has since been widely circulated, was punctuated with Gadkari’s trademark homilies. “Being successful and happy individually has no meaning. But being successful as a team is truly meaningful, because your co-workers of all ranks are a happier lot because of the collective success,” he said. While reminiscing about the old days with his friend and former Congress functionary Shrikant Jichkar, Gadkari said he had been offered an opportunity to join the party when he was a student leader, to which he responded by saying he would “rather jump into a well”.

News Courtesy: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

WHO could have sounded COVID-19 alarm ‘sooner’, says independent global panel report

Editor — Sat, 27 Aug 2022 07:25:06 +0000

Geneva: The catastrophic scale of the COVID-19 pandemic could have been prevented, an independent global panel concluded Wednesday, but a “toxic cocktail” of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs went unheeded.

The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) said a series of bad decisions meant COVID-19 went on to kill at least 3.3 million people so far and devastate the global economy.

Institutions “failed to protect people” and science-denying leaders eroded public trust in health interventions, the IPPPR said in its long-awaited final report.

Early responses to the outbreak detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019 “lacked urgency”, with February 2020 a costly “lost month” as countries failed to heed the alarm, said the panel.

To tackle the current pandemic, it called on the richest countries to donate a billion vaccine doses to the poorest. And the panel also called on the world’s wealthiest nations to fund new organisations dedicated to preparing for the next pandemic.

‘Delay, hesitation and denial’

The report was requested by World Health Organization (WHO) member states last May. The panel was jointly chaired by former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a 2011 Nobel Peace Prize laureate.

The report, “COVID-19: Make it the Last Pandemic”, argued that the global alarm system needed overhauling to prevent a similar catastrophe.

“The situation we find ourselves in today could have been prevented,” Sirleaf told reporters. “It is due to a myriad of failures, gaps and delays in preparedness and response.”

The report said the emergence of COVID-19 was characterised by a mixture of “some early and rapid action, but also by delay, hesitation, and denial.

“Poor strategic choices, unwillingness to tackle inequalities and an uncoordinated system created a toxic cocktail which allowed the pandemic to turn into a catastrophic human crisis.”

The threat of a pandemic had been overlooked and countries were woefully unprepared to deal with one, the report found.

Vaccine ultimatum

The panel did not spare the WHO, saying it could have declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) – its highest level of alarm – on 22 January, 2020. Instead, it waited eight more days before doing so.

Nevertheless, given countries’ relative inaction, “we might still have ended up in the same place”, said Clark.

It was only in March after the WHO described it as a pandemic – a term that is not officially part of its alert system – that countries were jolted into action.

As for the initial outbreak, “there were clearly delays in China – but there were delays everywhere”, she added.

Without the lag between the first identification in Wuhan and the PHEIC declaration — and then the “lost month” of February 2020 — “we believe we wouldn’t be looking at an accelerating pandemic, as we have for the last 15 or 16 months or so. As simple as that”, said Clark.

The panel made several recommendations on how to address the current pandemic.

Rich, well-vaccinated countries should provide the 92 poorest territories in the Covax scheme with at least one billion vaccine doses by 1 September, and more than two billion by mid-2022, it said.

The G7 industrialised nations should pay 60 percent of the $19 billion required to fund vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics via the WHO’s Access to Covid Tools Accelerator programme in 2021, it added.

Fellow G20 nations and others should provide the rest.

The WHO and the World Trade Organization should also get major vaccine-producing countries and manufacturers to agree on voluntary licensing and technology transfers for COVID-19 vaccines, the panel said.

“If actions do not occur within three months, a waiver of… intellectual property rights should come into force immediately.”

Invest billions, save trillions

To tackle future outbreaks and pandemics, the panel called for a Global Health Threats Council made up of world leaders, plus a pandemic convention.

The G20 should also create an International Pandemic Financing Facility, able to spend $5-10 billion a year on preparedness, with $50 to $100 billion ready to roll in the event of a crisis.

“Ultimately, investing billions in preparedness now will save trillions in the future, as the current pandemic has so clearly illustrated,” Clark told reporters.

The panel also proposed an overhaul of the WHO to give it greater control over its funding and more authority for its leadership.

Its alert system needed to be faster and it should have the authority to send expert missions to countries immediately without waiting for their green light, it added.

The panel believes their recommendations would have stopped COVID-19 from becoming a pandemic, had they been in place before the outbreak.

Health

COVID-19 Latest News and Updates: Maharashtra’s daily COVID growth rate is half of national average, says health minister

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:34 +0000

23:58 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Mumbai suspends vaccination for 18-44 age group

The COVID-19 inoculation drive for the 18-44 years age group in Mumbai has been suspended until further orders, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced on Wednesday evening.

The announcement followed the Maharashtra government’s decision to suspend inoculation for this category and divert the vaccine stock for the above 45 years age group due to paucity of doses.

The BMC earlier in the day also issued revised guidelines allowingwalk-in vaccination in Mumbai for certain categories for three days.

23:50 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Jharkhand extends lockdown-like restrictions till 27 May

The Jharkhand government on Wednesday extended the lockdown-like restrictions with stricter provisions, including 7 days mandatory quarantine for people visiting the state, till May 27 amid a surge in COVID- 19 cases, officials said.

The cap on people attending weddings has been fixed at 11, lower from earlier 50 persons with a provision that marriages can be conducted either at homes or at courts. The restrictions, first imposed on 22 April were enlarged till 13 May and now stand further extended till 27 May with harsh provisions.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

23:40 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra’s daily COVID-19 growth rate is half of national average: Tope

Maharashtra’s per day COVID-19 growth rate is 0.8 percent, which is half of the country’s average of 1.4 percent, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday. He said that out of 36 states, Maharashtra is at the 30th position in terms of the growth of coronavirus infection.

“Maharashtra’s COVID-19 growth rate is merely half of the country’s daily growth rate. The state’s per day growth rate is 0.8 percent as against the country’s rate of 1.4 percent. The state is carrying out around two lakh tests on a daily basis while per million testings is around 2.50 lakh. It is a very good sign for us,” he said.

Tope, however, cautioned by saying, “The strict measures under the ‘Break the Chain’ directives introduced by the Maharashtra government have definitely brought down the number of COVID-19 cases, but the curve is not stable yet.

23:26 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Rajasthan to issue global tender for COVID-19 vaccines

The Rajasthan government will purchase vaccines from abroad to speed up the coronavirus vaccination process in the state and a global tender will be issued for the same.

Along with this, the government has also approved direct purchase of coronavirus treatment drugs and equipment from the companies.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the state council of ministers held through video conference on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot.

In the meeting, important decisions were made for speedy procurement of vaccines, medicines, oxygen concentrators and other necessary resources to deal with the surge in coronavirus infections in the state.

23:13 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Vaccination for journalists: Not enough vaccine stock, says Maharashtra govt

The Maharashtra government said on Wednesday that journalists can be extended the facility of inoculation on priority only when the state gets a sufficient stock of vaccine doses. Earlier in the day, BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis supported the demand that journalists be considered frontline workers and vaccinated on priority.

“We are being told that over one crore Covishield vials would be available from May 20 onwards. If we get vials in such a large quantity, we can discuss the proposal of vaccinating journalists under the frontline workers category,” he told reporters.

22:52 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

With vaccine shortage hitting the state, Karnataka suspends vaccine for 18-44 yrs group

The Karnataka government on Wednesday decided to import vaccines, as a shortage of dosages hit the state and the demand went up substantially with an alarming rise in COVID cases. The state government also decided to suspend the vaccination for people between 18-44 years age group, which had started symbolically on May 1, till further orders.

“Today the state government has decided that the vaccine procured directly by the state for vaccination of persons between 18 and 44 years will be utilised for vaccination of beneficiaries who are due for second dose,” a notification issued by the government said.

“We have to purchase vaccines for people between the age group of 18-44 years. We have already paid money to the two vaccine manufacturers in the country for three crore doses. Out of three crore doses, we have received seven lakh,” Karnataka Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar told reporters here.

He said the government will administer vaccines as and when the stocks arrive. “Since we are not getting adequate vaccines because there are just two manufacturers, we are going to issue orders to import (vaccine),” Ravi Kumar said. He added that the Government of India has approved only one vaccine outside India.

22:42 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

India’s total COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 17.70 cr doses

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has gone past 17.70 crore, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.

It said 4,17,321 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine and cumulatively 34,66,895 across 30 states and union territories since the start of the third phase of the vaccination drive.

“The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 17,70,85,371 as per the 8 pm provisional report,” the ministry said.

The total of 17,70,85,371 include 95,98,626 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 65,68,343 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,42,26,185 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose, 80,25,849 FLWs who have taken the second dose and 34,66,895 beneficiaries in the 18-44 years of age group who have taken the first dose.

22:31 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Crematorium workers to be considered as frontline warriors, says Gujarat govt

Those working at crematoriums will be considered as COVID-19 frontline workers and will get all related benefits, the Gujarat government said on Wednesday.
The benefits include Rs 25 lakh for the family if a worker dies due to the virus infection.

“At the meeting of the state core committee headed by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani it was decided that staff of crematoriums throughout the state should be considered as frontline workers,” an official release said. They will be eligible for benefits retrospectively, from April 1, 2020, when the outbreak began.

The decision was taken as a compassionate measure considering that crematorium workers are overburdened, the release added.

22:23 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

PM reviews availability, supply of oxygen and medicines

The supply of oxygen is now more than three times of what it was during the peak of the first COVID-19 wave, the Prime Minister’s Office said on Wednesday, noting that production of all drugs, including Remdesivir, has been ramped up significantly in the last few weeks as India battles the nationwide surge in infections.

At a high-level meeting which Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines, it was noted that states are being provided medicines in good quantities with the Centre in regular touch with the manufacturers to enhance their production and extend all help needed.

The central government is actively monitoring the supply of drugs being used in the management of COVID as well mucormycosis, a rare fungal infection being reported at some places

21:51 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Madhya Pradesh logs 8,970 new cases, 84 deaths

Madhya Pradesh on Wednesday reported 8,970 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 84 fatalities, taking its infection tally to 7,00,202 and death toll to 6,679, the state health department said. A total of 10,324 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, which pushed the state’s recovery count to 5,83,595, it said.

With 1,597 new cases, Indore’s caseload went up to 1,31,707, while that of Bhopal rose to 1,08,546 with 1,304 new cases. Indore reported seven deaths, taking the toll to 1,227, while the number of fatalities in Bhopal rose to 817 after five people succumbed to the virus, the officials said. Indore is now left with 17,514 active cases while Bhopal has 15,664 such cases.

21:41 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu reports highest single-day rise

Tamil Nadu recorded 30,355 new COVID-19 cases in the single biggest day spike so far on Wednesday, pushing the caseload to 14,68,864 while 293 deaths in the last 24 hours took the toll to 16,471

21:28 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra reports 46,781 new COVID-19 cases, 816 deaths

Maharashtra reported 46,781 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, an uptick from 40,956 a day ago, and 816 deaths, the health department said.
The caseload increased to 52,26,710, while toll reached 78,007, it said. On Tuesday Maharashtra had reported 40,956 COVID-19 cases, 793 deaths and 71,966 recoveries.

Of 816 fatalities, 387 had occurred in the past 48 hours, 193 last week and the rest even before that but were added to the tally on Wednesday. As many as 58,805 patients were discharged from hospitals taking the total of recoveries to 46,00,196. Maharashtra now has 5,46,129 active cases.

21:22 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

111 mucormycosis patients undergoing treatment in Mumbai

As many as 111 patients, all COVID-19 survivors, are undergoing treatment for the fungal infection `mucormycosis’ in Mumbai hospitals, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed on Wednesday.

Prabhakar Shinde, the BJP’s group leader in the BMC said the information was provided to the civic body’s standing committee upon his query.

Additional municipal commissioner Suresh Kakani told the committee that 38 mucormycosis patients are being treated at the civic-run BY Nair Hospital, 34 at KEM Hospital, 32 at Sion Hospital and seven at Cooper Hospital, he said. Most of these patients are from outside Mumbai, according to the BMC.

Shinde also said that the civic body has set up a medical experts’ panel to decide the line of treatment for the disease, and all hospitals have been informed about the precautionary measures to avoid its spread.

-PTI

21:14 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Parliamentary panel had asked Centre to ramp up production in March

A parliamentary standing committee had in March suggested ramping up of production capacity of the two COVID vaccines manufactured in India for ensuring their availability to a wider population as soon as possible after it was informed that there could be a “shortage” if the inoculation is opened beyond the priority groups.

The recommendation was made by the 31-member committee on Science and Technology, Environment, Forests and Climate Change, chaired by senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, in its report on Demand for Grants for Department of Biotechnology that was tabled in Parliament on 8 March.

The panel has as many as 14 members from the ruling BJP.

READ FULL REPORT HERE

21:05 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Shift vaccine centres to avoid crowding, says Madras HC

The Madras High Court on Wednesday suggested to the Tamil Nadu government to relocate Covid-19 vaccination centres from hospitals elsewhere in order to prevent crowding. The state government also submitted a status report on various aspects including availability of beds, oxygen and vaccine stocks.

The first bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy, said that “to reduce the fear, stress and crowding among the people, we are asking to shift the vaccination centers from the hospital and set up at other places of public convenience.”

The court was hearing a case taken up on its own on issues, including shortage of beds and ventillators, besides diversion of oxygen.

20:49 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Uttarakhand import 20 lakh doses of Sputnik V

Uttarakhand will import 20 lakh doses of Sputnik V vaccine over the next two months, officials said on Wednesday. Giving the information at a press conference , Chief Secretary Om Prakash said a five-member committee has been constituted for the purpose and the required funds have been arranged.

The state government has also requested the country’s leading vaccine manufacturing companies to supply doses of the vaccine to Uttarakhand, he said. He said the state government is constantly in talks with the Centre also as vaccine doses received so far are not adequate. “We will get 8 lakh doses this month and 9 lakh doses next on the condition that the second dose is administered to people who have already got the first dose,” he said.

PTI

20:44 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

269 IIT-Jodhpur students test COVID positive since 2 Feb

A total of 269 IIT-Jodhpur students returning to the campus have tested COVID-19 positive since 2 February, university officials said on Wednesday. With students arriving at the campus for their practical sessions, 3,000 RT-PCR tests were conducted till May 10 to curb the spread of the infection.

Of the 269 students who have tested COVID positive, 240 have fully recovered while the remaining 29 are in the process of recovery and are in isolation, Deputy Registrar Amardeep Sharma said.

PTI

20:36 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Allahabad HC asks UP govt to respond to allegations of mismanagement of oxygen, beds

The Allahabad High Court on Wednesday directed the Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh to respond to the allegations of mismanagement in availability of oxygen, beds and medcines required for the treatment of serious Covid-19 patients. Justices Ritu Raj Awasthi and Manish Mathur of the Lucknow Bench of the High Court was dealing with the PIL which also said that audit of the oxygen and supply of medicines in the State was required to be done so that they are properly utilised. We direct the counsel for the opposite parties to seek instructions in the matter, said the bench which declined the submission of the state government not to entertain the PIL as the High Court at Allahabad was already seized of the same issues in a suo motu matter.

PTI

20:16 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

SII, Bharat Biotech submit production plan for the next four months

Amid multiple states reporting a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech have submitted to the Centre their production plan for the next four months, informing they can ramp it up to 10 crore and 7.8 crore doses respectively by August, official sources said on Wednesday

The sources said the Union Health Ministry and the office of Drugs Controller General of India had sought from both the firms their production plan for June, July, August and September.

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s indigenously developed Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca”s Covishield, being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India, are currently being used in India”s inoculation drive against coronavirus.

20:11 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

No politician should hold physical functions amid lockdown, says HC

Expressing its displeasure with politicians for not following COVID-19 lockdown curbs imposed in Maharashtra, the Aurangabad bench of the Bombay High Court on Wednesday said no leader or minister should conduct physical ceremonies or functions.

While hearing a suo motu (on its own) on COVID-19- related issues, a division bench of Justices R V Ghuge and B U Debadwar said no politician or minister shall conduct physical ceremonies or functions.

The bench was informed by an advocate that Shiv Sena leader and state cabinet minister Sandipan Bhumre had participated in inauguration functions where people had gathered in large numbers.

19:51 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Ministers propose extending Maharashtra lockdown, CM to take final call

“At the Cabinet meeting, the health department and ministers proposed extending the lockdown for 15 days. The chief minister will take a final decision on this matter,” ANI quotes Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope as saying.

At the Cabinet meeting, the health department & ministers proposed to extend the lockdown for 15 days. The chief minister will take a final decision on this matter: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope pic.twitter.com/tjIEQZ8YLg

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021

19:39 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra halts vaccinations for 18-44 age group

The Maharashtra govt has temporarily suspended the vaccination programme for those in the 18 to 44 age group, due to a shortage of vaccine, say reports. According to news agency ANI, state health minister Rajesh Tope said all vaccine doses will be diverted to those above the age of 45.

“Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla has promised the chief minister to deliver 1.5 crore doses of Covishield to Maharashtra after 20 May. We will start the vaccination for 18-44 age group after we receive the vaccines,” ANI quotes Tope as saying.

Vaccination for 18-44 age group has been suspended for the time being due to shortage of vaccines. All the doses purchased by the state government for the age group will now be diverted for the 45+ category: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope after state Cabinet meeting pic.twitter.com/hZIoJqqevP

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021

19:33 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Delhi receives 2.67 lakh more doses of Covishield, runs out of Covaxin stock: Atishi

AAP leader Atishi on Wednesday said Delhi received 2.67 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine on May 11, but it has completely run out of Covaxin. She said some Covaxin centres for the 18-44 age group have been temporarily shut from Wednesday. “Around 16,000 Covaxin doses, which were available in the morning, were administered at 44 centres. These centres will also be shut after Wednesday evening,” the AAP MLA said.

Atishi hoped that the Central government would intervene and make Covaxin doses available for the 18-44 age category. “Soon it will be time to give the second dose of Covaxin to beneficiaries in this category,” she added.

PTI

18:58 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Twelve Opposition leaders write to Modi, suggest nine measures to fight pandemic

Leaders of 12 Opposition parties in a joint letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the government should implement nine measures, including procuring vaccines from all available sources centrally and immediately starting a universal and free mass vaccination programme, on a war footing. Other measures suggested by the Opposition leaders include spending Rs 35,000 crore budgetary allocation for the vaccines and releasing all money in the ” unaccounted private trust fund” PM CARES for the purchase of more vaccines, oxygen, and medical equipment. The signatories include Sonia Gandhi (Congress), Mamata Banerjee (TMC), MK Stalin (DMK), Hemant Soren (JMM), Sitaram Yechury (CPM), among others.

Without going into all the acts of commission and omission by the Central govt that have brought the country to such a tragic pass, we are of the firm opinion that the following measures be undertaken on a war footing.

– Joint Letter by Major Opposition Parties to PM Modi pic.twitter.com/YJ283g4arV

— Congress (@INCIndia) May 12, 2021

18:43 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Karnataka puts off CET exam to August-end

The Karnataka government on Wednesday announced postponing the Common Entrance Test- 2021 following the postponement of the second pre-university

exam this year. The exam will now take place from 28 to 30 August, the government said. “Due to the postponement of the 2021 annual PUC second year examinations and the surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, Common Entrance Test-2021 has been postponed,” Deputy Chief Minister Dr C N Ashwath Narayan, who also holds the higher education portfolio, said in a statement.

PTI

18:37 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

SC judge Justice DY Chandrachud tests positive

Supreme Court judge Justice DY Chandrachud has tested positive for COVID-19, said reports. Justice Chandrachud is currently heading the bench which is hearing the suo motu case concerning COVID-19 issues. According to Bar&Bench, the case will not be heard on Thursday .

18:17 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Railways has delivered over 6,000 tonnes of LMO on 100 Oxygen Express

The Railways has delivered nearly 6,260 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) onboard 100 Oxygen Express’ trains since April 19 when it started its first such service, an official statement said on Wednesday. The Railways delivered 800 tonnes of LMO to the nation on Tuesday, it said.

“One hundred Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various states. It is the Indian Railways’ endeavour to deliver as much LMO as possible in the shortest time possible to the requesting states. So far, nearly 6,260 tonnes of of LMO has been delivered in 396 tankers,” the statement said.

Till now, 407 tonnes of oxygen has been offloaded in Maharashtra, nearly 1,680 tonnes in Uttar Pradesh, 360 tonnes in Madhya Pradesh, 939 tonnes in Haryana, 123 tonnes in Telangana, 40 tonnes in Rajasthan, 120 tonnes in Karnataka, and more than 2,404 tonnes in Delhi, it said.

PTI

17:57 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Mamata Banerjee proposes franchise mode for bulk production of COVID-19 vaccines

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a liberal, pro-active import of COVID-19 vaccines. In her letter, Banerjee says that the production and hence supply and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine seems to be extremely inadequate and insignificant when compared to the massive needs of the people. Banerjee also asked the prime minister to consider encouraging global and national manufacturers to set up franchise operations in the country. the Bengal govt is ready to provide land and support in this regard, she says in the letter.

West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Narendra Modi, urging to ‘speedily import vaccines’ from global manufacturers

She suggests PM Modi to ‘encourage world & national players (vaccine manufacturers) to open up franchise operations’. pic.twitter.com/Ss2sQLX2xi

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021

17:48 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Azam Khan’s condition stable, but next 72 hours critical: Hospital

The condition of senior Samajwadi Party leader and Rampur MP Mohammad Azam Khan, admitted to a private facility here, is stable but the next 72 hours will be “critical”, the hospital treating him said on Wednesday. Azam Khan and his son Abdullah were shifted from the Sitapur jail to Medanta hospital in Lucknow for coronavirus treatment, officials said.

“Azam Khan was admitted here on 9 May. He has COVID pneumonia. Due to high oxygen demand, he was shifted to the ICU. As compared to Tuesday, his oxygen requirement has come down. He is conscious and taking food. His condition is stable and the next 72 hours will be critical,” Medanta Medical Director Rakesh Kapoor said. “Our entire team is taking care of him in accordance with the severe infection disease protocol. The condition of Abdullah is satisfactory and he is also under observation,” Kapoor added.

PTI

17:31 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Could have saved many lives with door-to-door vaccination, says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday said if the Union government had started door-to- door vaccination programme for senior citizens a few months

back, then lives of many of them, including prominent persons, could have been saved. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni asked the Union government why not pro-actively start this programme when the lives of senior citizens, who are unable to go to vaccination centres to get inoculated, are concerned.

The bench was hearing a public interest litigation filed by two lawyers Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari seeking door-to-door vaccination facility for senior citizens above the age of 75, specially-abled persons and those who are bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound.

PTI

17:27 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu to invite global tenders for vaccines

The Tamil Nadu government decided to invite short-term global tenders for procuring COVID-19 vaccines for the 18-45 age group, said reports. According to The New Indian Express, Chief Minister MK Stalin also ordered establishing additional oxygen production units in the state to meet the rising demand.

17:17 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Over 84% vaccine doses sent abroad due to commercial, licensing liabilities: BJP

The ruling BJP accused the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday of spreading misinformation on India’s vaccination programme and said over 84 percent of the vaccine doses sent abroad were part of the commercial and licensing liabilities of the two Indian manufacturers. Addressing a virtual press conference, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Sambit Patra said 1.07 crore vaccine doses sent abroad were India’s aid to different countries and noted that of those, 78.5 lakh were dispatched to seven neighbouring countries. More than two lakh doses were given to the UN peace-keeping force, in which over 6,600 Indian soldiers are deployed, Patra said.

PTI

17:11 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Black fungus scare: Govt engaging with drug makers to ramp up production of anti-fungal drug

The government is engaging with the drug manufacturers to ramp up the production of an antifungal drug used for the treatment of mucormycosis, the Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry said, as a rash of cases of rare black fungus infection have been reported among people either recovered or recovering from COVID-19. With a spike in the cases of COVID-19 in the country, doctors have been reporting a rare infection mucormycosis, also called as black fungus, among people recovered from COVID-19. The infection is caused by exposure to mucor mould and it affects the sinuses, the brain and the lungs and can be life-threatening.

“A sudden increase in demand has been observed in some states for Amphotericin B which is being actively prescribed by the physicians to patients suffering from mucormycosis, a post-COVID complication,” the ministry said in a statement. The government is therefore engaging with the manufacturers to ramp up production of the drug. The supply position is expected to improve with extra imports of this drug and increase in its production domestically, it added.

PTI

17:09 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Order on Navneet Kalra’s anticipatory bail plea tomorrow

Delhi Court reserves order in anticipatory bail application moved by Navneet Kalra in case filed in connection with seizure of oxygen concentrators from his restaurants. The order will be pronounced on Thursday at 10 am, reports Bar&Bench.

16:57 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Follow Centre’s SoP on vaccinating prison inmates, Bombay HC tells Maharashtra

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government to follow the Union government’s SoP on vaccinating prison inmates, including those inmates who do not have an Aadhaar card. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni also directed the state to fill up vacancies for

doctors and other medical staff in prisons and correctional homes across the state.

The bench was hearing a bunch of public interest litigations (PILs), including one taken up suo motu (on its own), on containing the spread of COVID-19 in prisons across Maharashtra.

PTI

16:45 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Delhi records 13,287 new cases, 300 deaths

The National Capital reported 13,287 new coronavirus cases and 300 more fatalities on Wednesday, while the positivity rate came down to 17 percent, the lowest in nearly a month, according to the health department. The 13,287 new cases came from 78,035 tests, including 63315 RTPCR/CBNAAT/True Nat tests, conducted on Tuesday.

As many as 14,071 people recovered from the infection during the period, the health bulletin said. Now there are 82,725 active cases, down from 83,809 the previous day and 49,974 of them are in home isolation, it said. The number of cumulative cases stands at 13,61,986 and the toll at 20,310.

PTI

16:34 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

HC pulls up Delhi govt for not fully operationalising Indira Gandhi Hospital

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday pulled up the Delhi government for not yet fully operationalising its 1,241 bedded Indira Gandhi Hospital, which presently has only 80 beds available that too for non-serious COVID patients, saying the state should learn from the “bitter experience” of the people during the present onslaught of the second wave of the pandemic. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said that had the Delhi government taken up the completion of the hospital as a pressing issue, it would have been up and running by now.

“If a third wave comes, as many experts are warning it might, and your facility is not up and running (to full capacity), then again we would be back to this situation,” it said after senior advocate Rahul Mehra said completion of the hospital was not a pressing issue as around 4,500 beds were available in the National Capital at present.

PTI

16:11 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Make action plan for possible third wave, Karnataka HC tells state govt

The Karnataka HC directs the state government to prepare an action plan and vision statement outlining its preparedness for dealing with possible third wave of COVID-19, reports LiveLaw. “Though during last few days we have dealt with immediate measures enormous challenge posed by Covid-19 it is high time that state starts preparation for dealing with third wave by projecting estimate for drugs, oxygen personnel etc,” Live Law quotes the court as saying. The court asked the Karnataka government to place before it the plan within two weeks

HC: By projecting estimate for drugs, oxygen personnel etc. We direct state to prepare an action plan and vision statement dealing with state of preparedness for dealing with third possible wave of Covid-19. Necessary vision plan to be placed on record within two weeks from tdy.

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 12, 2021

15:59 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Rajasthan to conduct rapid antigen tests in rural areas, says health minister

With the coronavirus infection spreading rapidly in rural areas of Rajasthan, the state government has decided to conduct rapid antigen tests to detect COVID-19 cases at an early stage. Health Minister Raghu Sharma said on Wednesday that the rapid antigen test will be conducted in community health centres and other hospitals to check the spread of the virus in rural areas.

COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in rural areas and is a cause of concern for the state government, he said, adding the decision to conduct rapid antigen tests was taken after taking into account the situation in rural areas. “The report of the antigen test is received within half an hour. Those who are found positive will be isolated and treatment will be started while RTPCR test will be conducted for those who are negative in antigen test but have symptoms, Sharma said.

PTI

15:56 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

World could have prevented COVID catastrophe: expert panel

The catastrophic scale of the COVID-19 pandemic could have been prevented, an independent global panel concluded Wednesday, but a “toxic cocktail” of dithering and poor coordination meant the warning signs went unheeded. The Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) said a series of bad decisions meant Covid-19 went on to kill at least 3.3 million people so far and devastate the global economy. Institutions “failed to protect people” and science-denying leaders eroded public trust in health interventions, the IPPPR said in its long-awaited final report.

Early responses to the outbreak detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019 “lacked urgency”, with February 2020 a costly “lost month” as countries failed to heed the alarm, said the panel. The panel did not spare the WHO, saying it could have declared the situation a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) —its highest level of alarm —on 22 January , 2020. Instead, it waited eight more days before doing so. Nevertheless, given countries’ relative inaction, “we might still have ended up in the same place”, said former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark.

AFP

15:43 (IST)

Karnataka HC seeks district-wise data of beds

During a hearing on a batch of petition on the management of COVID-19 in the state, the Karnataka HC said going by estimates there is a shortage of beds and told the state to be prepared as experts have warned of a third wave, reports LiveLaw. “Perhaps nobody anticipated about future requirement during the first wave and thus now you (State) should be more prepared. Disaster Management Act says about preparedness. Address us on this next week,” LiveLaw quotes Chief Justice Abhay Oka as saying. The court said it wanted district wise data of beds, as increase only in one area it may not serve the purpose.

The court also said that the suggestion made by the KSLSA Committee in the report on the Chamarajanagar incident should be considered by the state government immediately.

HC: Vehicles carrying LMO should be installed by GPS. It is observed that one bottling plaint in Mysuru city is non functional. State will take immediate steps to revive the functioning.

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 12, 2021

15:35 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

WHO has not associated term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 strain, says health ministry

Taking umbrage against the B.1.617 mutant of the novel coronavirus being termed an “Indian variant”, the Union Health Ministry on Wednesday said the WHO has not used the word “Indian” for this strain in its document. The ministry dismissed as “without any basis and unfounded” media reports that have used the term “Indian variant” for the B.1.617 mutant strain, which the WHO recently said was a “variant of global concern”.

“Several media reports have covered the news of World Health Organisation (WHO) classifying B.1.617 as variant of global concern. Some of these reports have termed the B.1.617 variant of the coronavirus as an ‘Indian Variant’,” the ministry said in a statement. “These media reports are without any basis, and unfounded,” it said.

This is to clarify that the WHO has not associated the term “Indian Variant” with the B.1.617 strain of the coronavirus in its 32 page document, it said. In fact, the word “Indian” has not been used in its report on the matter, the ministry added.

PTI

15:20 (IST)

Tamil Nadu to give Rs 25L ex-gratia to families of 43 doctors who died in COVID-19 fight

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK. Stalin on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of 43 doctors who died while performing their duty in the COVID-19 pandemic, said reports. According to The Hindu, Stalin also announced incentives to doctors, nurses, sanitary workers, people working in labs, operating CT scan equipment and those involved in operating ambulances during the second wave of COVID-19, for the months of April, May and June this year. According to the report, doctors, nurses, trained and qualified health workers and other medical staff will be given an incentive of Rs 30,000, Rs 20,000, Rs 15,000 and Rs 10,000 respectively for these three months.

15:07 (IST)

Oxygen allocation to TN increased, Centre tells Madras HC

Appearing for the Union government, ASG R Sankaranarayanan says that the oxygen allocation to Tamil Nadu has been increased to 519 MT, reports Bar&Bench. Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee thanks the Centre and informs that the state estimates the requirement for oxygen to go up to 800 MT. The ASG tells the court that DRDO has informed that they are setting up (PSA plants) under the PMCARES. After the ASG says states can write to PMCARES , the chief justice suggests that the state should immediately write to PM CARES for release of funds for DRDO to set up the PSA plants.

CJ suggests to State: Mr Adv … immediately write to PMCARES for release of funds for DRDO to set up the PSA plants.. at least four or five places if you can do that, it would be much better. #MadrasHighCourt #COVID19India

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 12, 2021

14:54 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Procurement of 1.50 lakh units of oxycare system developed by DRDO approved under PM-CARES fund: DRDO

PM CARES Fund has approved procurement of 1,50,000 units of Oxycare System developed by the DRDO at a cost of Rs 322.5 crore,news agency ANI quotes DRDO as saying.” It’s a SpO2 based Oxygen Supply System, that regulates oxygen being administered to patients based on sensed SpO2 levels,” DRDO adds.

PM CARES Fund has approved procurement of 1,50,000 units of Oxycare System developed by DRDO at a cost of Rs 322.5 Cr. It’s a SpO2 based Oxygen Supply System, that regulates oxygen being administered to patients based on sensed SpO2 levels: DRDO pic.twitter.com/hkdcSZLtY6

— ANI (@ANI) May 12, 2021

14:46 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

UK strain of COVID-19 found in Rajasthan

The UK strain of COVID-19 has been found in the samples sent from Rajasthan for genome sequencing, the state government said.

The state’s Health Minister Raghu Sharma said the process of setting up genome sequencing facility at the Swai Man Singh (SMS) Medical College in Jaipur has commenced.

14:45 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updatex

Corpses found floating in rivers in UP, Bihar

The Bihar government on Tuesday said altogether 71 bodies have been fished out from the Ganges in Buxar district, where these were found floating in the river, triggering suspicion that the abandoned corpses could be those of COVID-19 patients. State Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar, a key aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, came out with a series of tweets, asserting that the bodies had flown downstream from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

Bodies were seen floating in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia and Ghazipur districts, reported news agency PTI on Tuesday quoting local residents and authorities. Earlier, residents in UP’s Hamirpur district had spotted five bodies floating in the Yamuna, creating a scare that these were of COVID patients, an apprehension dismissed by the authorities.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Firstpost (@firstpost)

14:41 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre celebrated Tika Utsav but didn’t provide vaccines:Priyanka Gandhi

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said the Centre celebrated Tika Utsav in April but allegedly did not make arrangements to provide vaccines against COVID-19 which led to a decline in vaccinations.

The government had marked Tika Utsav, a vaccination drive between 11 and 14 April, with an aim to inoculate the maximum number of eligible people against coronavirus amid a surge in cases. “India is the largest vaccine-producing country. The BJP government marked Tika Utsav on 12 April, but did not make arrangements for providing vaccines and in 30 days there was an 82 percent decline in our vaccinations,” Gandhi alleged, sharing graphics comparing the number of vaccinations on 12 April and 9 May.

जनवरी 2021 में क्यों किया?

अमरीका और अन्य देशों ने हिंदुस्तानी वैक्सीन कंपनियों को बहुत पहले ऑर्डर दे रखा था। इसकी जिम्मेदारी कौन लेगा?

घर-घर वैक्सीन पहुंचाए बिना कोरोना से लड़ना असम्भव है। 2/2

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 12, 2021

14:13 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre sends 80 MT oxygen to Uttarakhand

Eighty metric tonnes of oxygen sent by the Centre by an Oxygen Express train was dispatched to different districts of Uttarakhand.

Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat said enough oxygen is being supplied by the Centre to the state in view of the difficult circumstances arising out of the surge in COVID-19 cases.

Though there was never a shortage of oxygen in the state, its consumption has gone up with the rising number of oxygenated beds in hospitals and COVID care centres, Rawat said.

13:58 (IST)

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Punjab AAP MLA alleges ventilators lying unused at Faridkot hospital

Kultar Singh Sandhwan, AAP MLA from Punjab’s Kotkapura, has alleged that ventilators supplied under PM Cares Fund are lying unused in the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital in Faridkot.

Meanwhile, the Vice Chancellor of Faridkot’s Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, said 62 of the 82 ventilators given to the institute under the PM Cares Fund were not in working condition. He added that the hospital only has 42 working ventilators currently.

On 11 April , the Union health ministry had informed the Punjab Chief Secretary that the state was allocated 809 ventilators, out of which only 558 ventilators were installed.

These r the ventilators fm #PMCaresFund lying unused in GGSMC Faridkot. @CMOPb pls make them work for the needy #COVID19 patients….I shall be Obliged..and Appreciate….@ChitleenKSethi @ANI @AAPPunjab @CsPunjab pic.twitter.com/GV9lUZBlox

— Kultar Singh Sandhwan (@Sandhwan) May 11, 2021

India Covid LATEST News and Updates: Maharashtra’s per day COVID-19 growth rate is 0.8 percent, which is half of the country’s average of 1.4 percent, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Wednesday.

Those working at crematoriums will be considered as COVID-19 frontline workers and will get all related benefits, the Gujarat government said on Wednesday. The benefits include Rs 25 lakh for the family if a worker dies due to the virus infection.

Tamil Nadu recorded 30,355 new COVID-19 cases in the single biggest day spike so far on Wednesday, pushing the caseload to 14,68,864 while 293 deaths in the last 24 hours took the toll to 16,471

The top court meanwhile issued a notice which said the scheduled hearing on Thursday before a three-judge bench headed by Justice Chandrachud in the suo motu case for ensuring distribution of essential supplies and services during the COVID-19 pandemic stands deferred as one of the judges of the bench has tested positive for coronavirus.

The Maharashtra govt has temporarily suspended the vaccination programme for those in the 18 to 45 age group, due to a shortage of vaccine, say reports. According to news agency ANI, state health minister Rajesh Tope said all vaccine doses will be diverted to those above the age of 45.

Other measures suggested by the Opposition leaders include spending Rs 35,000 crore budgetary allocation for the vaccines and releasing all money in the PM CARES for the purchase of more vaccines, oxygen, and medical equipment.

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, calling for a liberal, pro-active import of COVID-19 vaccines. Banerjee also asked the prime minister to consider encouraging global and national manufacturers to set up franchise operations in the country. The Bengal govt is ready to provide land and support in this regard, she says in the letter.

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday said if the Union government had started door-to-door vaccination programme for senior citizens a few months back, then lives of many of them, including prominent persons, could have been saved.

The Karnataka HC directs the state government to prepare an action plan and vision statement outlining its preparedness for dealing with possible third wave of COVID-19, said reports.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK. Stalin on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh each to the families of 43 doctors who died while performing their duty in the COVID-19 pandemic, said reports.

India’s COVID-19 active cases dipped to 37,04,099 with a net decline of 11,122 cases in a span of 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday. This is the second consecutive day that active cases have dipped.

Kultar Singh Sandhwan, AAP MLA from Punjab’s Kotkapura, has alleged that ventilators supplied under PM Cares Fund are lying unused in the Guru Gobind Singh Medical College and Hospital in Faridkot.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said Delhi’s reserve stock of vaccines is exhausted, adding that while centres administering Covishield vaccines are functioning, 100 centres across 17 schools administering Covaxin will be closed down.

As many states raise the issue of deficient supply of COVID-19 vaccines, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan will hold a meeting with the health ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Haryana, Punjab, Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha and Telangana.

India recorded 3,48,421 new COVID-19 cases, 3,55,338 discharges and 4,205 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The Centre on Tuesday said that an early trend of decline in daily new COVID-19 cases and deaths has been noted in India even as hospitals and crematoriums in several cities remained full.

Addressing a press conference, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana were among 18 states and Union Territories showing continued plateauing or decrease in daily new COVID-19 cases.

However, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab, Assam, Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, and Tripura were among 16 states and Union Territories showing a continued increasing trend in daily new COVID-19 cases.

The claim comes in the backdrop of an alarming news report from Bihar’s Buxar, where local authorities claim as many as 71 bodies of suspected COVID patients floated downstream from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh. Another bunch of over 40 bodies were found floating in the river in UP’s Ballia and Ghazipur districts.

While there was no clarity on the circumstances surrounding the deaths of these unidentified people, their sheer numbers in the midst of an unprecedented pandemic instilled fear that these were bodies of COVID patients either abandoned by resource-starved family members or dumped by callous officials at a time when crematorium and funeral homes are overburdened.

On the other hand, as per this Firstpost report, in the national capital, the administration has been forced to build makeshift crematoriums at public places, as Delhi is running out of space to cremate its dead. Public parks and other empty spaces are also being utilised for cremations.

In other development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to the UK to attend a summit of the G7 grouping in person in view of the prevailing coronavirus situation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday. The G7 summit is scheduled to take place in Cornwall in the UK next month.

“While appreciating the invitation to the Prime Minister by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to attend the G7 Summit as a special invitee, given the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided that the Prime Minister will not attend the G7 Summit in person,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

The numbers

India has been reeling under a calamitous second wave of coronavirus infection. However, according to official data, the daily numbers of deaths and infections have started to go down. New cases of coronavirus in India fell to 3.29 lakh after 14 days, taking the infection tally to 2,29,92,517, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Tuesday. The toll climbed by 3,876 to 2,49,992.

After registering a steady rise for two months, the active cases have reduced to 37,15,221, accounting for 16.16 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 82.75 percent.

Replicate Mumbai, Pune models at national level, says govt

Appreciating models of containment used in Mumbai and Pune, the Union health ministry called it a “fine example” that shows how containment measures can help restrict the spread of the disease. The Centre also said that these models should be replicated at the national level.

“Around 800 SUVs were refurbished to convert them into makeshift ambulances. A software platform was created to track and manage these ambulances. All these systems work together to ensure that patients do not face problems in finding a bed.” Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said, appreciating the systematic efforts of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, in fighting COVID-19 in Mumbai.

#Mumbai‘s decentralized approach to #COVID19 containment needs to be adopted at the national level

– @MoHFW_INDIA appreciates @mybmc‘s efforts in fighting the #Pandemic #Unite2FightCorona @MahaDGIPR @MahaHealthIEC @MahaMicHindi @airnews_mumbai @MantralayaRoom pic.twitter.com/kAxGQ0Auge

— PIB in Maharashtra (@PIBMumbai) May 11, 2021

“We have observed that strict measures like restrictions on mass gatherings and on the intermingling of people along with the closing of non-essential activities for a period of 15 days reduce the rate of growth of cases and cases start plateauing”, said the Joint Secretary.

Covaxin shortage in Delhi, Mumbai

The Delhi government Tuesday said it will have to shut a large number of Covid-19 jab centres due to a shortage of shots and urged the Centre to use its special power to allow more firms to manufacture vaccines. The Aam Aadmi Party government also announced that it will float a global tender to procure additional doses.

As many as 125 centres administering Covaxin to 18-44 age group are likely to be closed down Wednesday as the Delhi government did not receive new stock of the vaccine till Tuesday evening.

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying the Centre should share the vaccine formula of the two manufacturers with other capable pharmaceutical companies to scale up production in the country.

In his letter to Modi, Kejriwal said the entire country can be provided a safety cover by allowing more companies to manufacture the vaccines on a war footing in preparation for an anticipated third wave of the pandemic.

He said the Centre can also terminate the monopoly on vaccine production through the patent law.

Similarly, citing a shortage of COVID-19 vaccine does, the Maharashtra government on Tuesday decided to divert three lakh vials of Covaxin meant for the 18-44 age group for the use of the people aged 45 years and above.

Speaking to reporters, state Health Minister Rajesh Tope also said more than five lakh people above 45 years are awaiting the second dose for the want of the vaccine.

“Efficacy of the vaccine is largely affected if the second dose is not administered in a stipulated time. To avoid such health crisis, the state government has decided to divert three lakh vials (of Covaxin) purchased for the 18-44 age category for the people above 45 years,” Tope said.

In south India, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy asked the Centre to direct Bharat Biotech and ICMR-NIV to transfer the Covaxin manufacturing technology and provide the viral strain to “whoever is interested and capable of manufacturing the vaccine” so that the production could be ramped up.

In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jagan claimed that the present total manufacturing capacity of Covaxin did not cater to the country’s requirement.

“It may take several months to get all vaccinated at this pace. Please explore the possibility of involving all such production firms and enable them with the technology, intellectual property rights to deliver the vaccine as quickly and as affordable as possible,” the Chief Minister said.

“Anyone who can manufacture or is interested in manufacturing the vaccine should be encouraged to do so in the larger public interest. Entire manufacturing capacity should be mobilised and put to use in this testing times,” Jagan added.

Taking note of these vaccine shortages, many states took other measures to keep up with rising measures.

States issue global tender for COVID vaccine procurement

The governments of Delhi, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana on Tuesday joined several other states which have decided to issue global tenders for procurement of COVID vaccines as the domestic supply fails to keep up with the rising demand amid the fierce second wave of the pandemic.

The Centre said it has so far provided more than 18 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs free of cost, but many of them have complained of an acute shortage of the jabs and are now prioritising people who need to be given their second dose within a prescribed period.

Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Odisha have also taken the global tender route for procuring vaccines swiftly.

Two crore COVID vaccine doses will be procured through global tender to meet the increased demand and to facilitate vaccination of the age group of 18-44 years, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and state COVID task force head C N Ashwath Narayan said.

“Till now, we had depended only on vaccines supplied by the central government and it was not procured from the open market by floating tender. Now, it has been instructed to float the tender and to complete the process within seven days,” Narayan said.

Delhi government too said it will float a global tender for procuring coronavirus vaccines.

Addressing a press conference, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia alleged that the BJP-ruled Centre was “forcing” state governments to invite global tenders for vaccine procurement.

The Telangana cabinet also decided to invite global tenders for procurement of COVID-19 vaccine, an official statement said.

Officials said the Andhra Pradesh government will float a global tender in a day or two for the procurement of COVID-19 vaccines from foreign manufacturers to complete the vaccination process as quickly as possible.

WHO warns against use of Ivermectin

World Health Organisation has warned against the use of Ivermectin, an orally administered drug in treating COVID-19 patients. The move comes one day after Goa government decided to administer the drug to its entire adult population, notwithstanding the fact whether they are COVID positive or not.

Chief Scientist of the WHO said that the organisation recommends against the use of the drug in the treatment of those with COVID-19, with the only exception for its use being during clinical trials.

“Safety and efficacy are important when using any drug for a new indication,” chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said.

Safety and efficacy are important when using any drug for a new indication. @WHO recommends against the use of ivermectin for #COVID19 except within clinical trials https://t.co/dSbDiW5tCW

— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) May 10, 2021

US Food and Drug Authority and European Medical Agency (EMA) have both advised against the use of ‘ivermectin’ to treat COVID-19 patients.

Even the Union ministry of health and family welfare had also opted out from including Ivermectin in its official Clinical Management Protocol for COVID-19 last year. Experts of the central government’s joint monitoring group and the Indian Council of Medical Research’s COVID-19 task force held a meeting to deliberate upon the issue and decided not to include Ivermectin in the clinical management protocol “because of lack of sufficient evidence on its efficacy based on randomised trials held in India and abroad,” news agency PTI had reported, citing ministry sources.

71 bodies fished out from the Ganges in Bihar so far

State Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar, a key aide of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, came out with a series of tweets, asserting that the bodies had flown downstream from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

“The Bihar government is seized of the matter of unfortunate case of floating mortal remains in river Ganga… The bodies have floated into Bihar from UP,” said Jha, adding, doctors have confirmed upon post-mortem that the deaths had taken place “four-five days” ago

Bodies were also seen floating in the Ganga in Uttar Pradesh’s Ballia and Ghazipur districts, according to local residents and the authorities on Tuesday. Ironically, the authorities here blamed the state of Bihar.

Superintendent of Police Vipin Tada said he did not know how many bodies were found. “The bodies were old. In Bihar, there is a tradition of disposing of dead bodies in the river,” he said, adding that seeing the wind direction, it seems the bodies came from Bihar.

24 COVID patients in Goa, 11 in Andhra die in govt hospitals

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said 26 COVID-19 patients died at the state-run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours and sought an investigation by the High Court to find out the exact cause.

He said these fatalities occurred between 2 am and 6 am “which is a fact”, but remained evasive about the cause.

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited GMCH, said the gap between the “availability of medical oxygen and its supply to COVID-19 wards in the GMCH might have caused some issues for the patients” even as he stressed that there is no scarcity of oxygen supply in the state.

Meanwhile, in Andhra Pradesh, 11 COVID-19 patients have died due to a problem with oxygen supply inside the ICU in Ruia hospital late on Monday night. The state government has announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each to the kin of these COVID-19 patients, who died at the government-run Ruia Hospital in Tirupati.

Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy announced this during a videoconference with district Collectors. There was a five-minute lag in reloading liquid medical oxygen, which caused the pressure to drop, resulting in the deaths, Chittoor district Collector M Hari Narayanan had said.

Telangana announces 10-day lockdown from tomorrow

The Telangana Cabinet on Tuesday decided to impose a 10-day lockdown beginning 12 May from 10 am to prevent further spread of COVID-19, with four hours of relaxation in the morning.

From Wednesday onwards, all southern states – except Andhra Pradesh, where there is a partial curfew – will be under lockdown. Tamil Nadu and Karnataka are under lockdown till 24 May. In Kerala, the curbs are in force till 16 May.

The Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao-led cabinet meeting, which was held at Pragathi Bhavan has decided to give a relaxation period from 6 AM to 10 AM for the people for their general activities and needs, an official release said.

The Cabinet also decided to invite global tenders to procure the Covid-19 vaccines on a war footing, it said.

Works related to agriculture produce, allied sectors, work undertaken with the agriculture machines, running of rice mills, transport of the paddy and rice, supplying paddy to FCI, fertiliser and seeds shops and manufacturing companies and other agri-based sectors are exempted from the lockdown, it said.

“The State Cabinet will meet again on 20 May, would review the situation on the continuing of the lockdown and take a decision accordingly,” the release said.

With inputs from PTI

Health

Indecision, poor coordination at the start of outbreak led to over 3 million deaths, say experts

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

An expert panel on Wednesday blamed bad coordination as well as dithering by national governments and international organisations for the failure to tackle Covid-19 before it became a full-blown pandemic, as India’s death toll topped 250,000. India added a record 4,205 deaths to its Covid-19 toll in the past 24 hours, with the variant stoking the country’s surge now present in dozens of other countries across the globe. Looking back to the earliest days of the pandemic, the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) blamed a “toxic cocktail” of dithering and poor coordination for the more than 3.3 million deaths so far and untold economic damage.

Latest figures gathered by AFP from official sources showed almost 160 million confirmed cases worldwide by 1600 GMT Wednesday.

Early responses to the outbreak detected in Wuhan, China in December 2019 “lacked urgency”, with February 2020 a costly “lost month” as countries failed to heed the alarm, said the panel.

The IPPPR insisted that rich countries should provide one billion vaccines to the world’s poorest nations by 1 September.

UK inquiry

Vaccinations have helped to ease the pandemic crisis in the United States and Europe.

The European Commission on Wednesday upgraded its economic growth forecast for this year and 2022, to 4.2 and 4.4 percent, in part thanks to faster inoculations.

Vaccine frontrunner Britain reported a 2.1-percent jump in GDP in March as it gradually emerges from lockdown.

London will nevertheless launch an inquiry next year into the handling of the pandemic by Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government, after the UK suffered the world’s fifth-highest official toll so far at 127,000 deaths.

As governments eye a return to mass travel, Spain said it was hoping to welcome 45 million tourists this year and Germany said it would relax quarantine rules for holidaymakers returning from some EU neighbours.

Meanwhile many less well-off countries remain starved of vaccine doses, especially as major manufacturer India has for now frozen exports.

Bangladesh on Wednesday took delivery of half a million doses from China.

“A friend in time of need is a friend indeed,” Bangladesh’s health minister Zahid Maleque said.

As China’s vaccine diplomacy push continues, Senegal also announced it would receive 300,000 doses from Beijing.

Pointing to “unwillingness to tackle inequalities” as a key factor worsening the pandemic, the IPPPR said intellectual property rights for vaccines should be waived if doses are not delivered to poorer countries by September.

But hesitancy is also limiting vaccinations in some parts of the world, with a poll showing that most people in vaccine-sceptical Russia do not want the jab.

Undercounted deaths

For now India is struggling even to count the dead, with many experts saying official figures — 254,197 killed so far — may be an underestimate by several times.

India’s underfunded health system has left hospitals and crematoriums overwhelmed, and many Covid-19 deaths are not properly recorded.

There are fears that the virus is now raging in India’s vast rural hinterland where two-thirds of the population live, and where health care is patchy.

The swift spread has been blamed on huge political rallies and religious events that attracted millions of people over recent months, as well as the new B.1.617 variant first detected in India in October.

The European Medicines Agency said Wednesday that there is “promising evidence” that mRNA-based vaccines like those developed by Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech can “neutralise” the new variant — although it is still monitoring data.

Many nations have shut their borders to travellers from India in a bid to stop the variant from reaching their shores.

But it has spread to at least 44 nations, the WHO said Tuesday, with Britain detecting the most cases of the variant outside India.

The organisation this week declared the strain a “variant of concern”, alongside three others first detected in Britain, Brazil and South Africa.

Olympic doubts

In contrast to the supply problems in Europe, the tiny Pacific nation of Nauru announced it had become the first country to have vaccinated its entire adult population of fewer than 8,000 people.

It used AstraZeneca doses supplied as part of the global Covax programme aimed at boosting immunisation in poorer nations.

But the Anglo-Swedish pharma company continues to grapple with concerns over reports of rare but serious side effects in people who have received its jab.

Norway on Wednesday said it was dropping AstraZeneca from its vaccination programme, while keeping Johnson & Johnson’s jab suspended over similar concerns.

Meanwhile Japan said it would vaccinate all its Olympic athletes ahead of the Tokyo Games, leapfrogging the general population, in a reverse of earlier promises.

As the nationwide vaccine rollout remains confined to medical workers and the elderly, golf star Hideki Matsuyama became the latest high-level sportsman to express doubts.

“If it can really be held safely, I’d like to aim for the gold medal,” he said. “But when you look at the situation Japan is in, I have mixed feelings.”

Polls show a majority in Japan oppose holding the Games this year.

In France, organisers of the Roland Garros tennis Grand Slam said would-be spectators will have to prove they are free of Covid-19 or vaccinated before attending.

Health

Jharkhand extends lockdown-like restrictions till 27 May; only 11 wedding attendees allowed

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

Ranchi: The Jharkhand government on Wednesday extended the lockdown-like restrictions with stricter provisions, including seven days mandatory quarantine for people visiting the state, till 27 May amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, officials said.

The cap on people attending weddings has been fixed at 11, lower from earlier 50 persons with a provision that marriages can be conducted either at homes or at courts.

The restrictions, first imposed on 22 April were extended till 13 May and now stand further extended till 27 May with harsh provisions.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the State Disaster Management Authority, chaired by Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

Jharkhand, facing the deadly second wave of COVID-19 Wednesday reported 103 more coronavirus deaths, taking the toll to 4,085 with maximum fatalities being reported from the state capital Ranchi.

The curbs imposed as ‘Health Safety Week’ from 16 May will have firm conditions while previous restrictions that were announced till 13 May will now continue till 16 May, an
official said.

“The new restrictions include mandatory seven days home or institutional quarantine for people visiting the state barring those who will leave the state within 72 hours,” a state government official said.

Operations of inter-state and intra-state buses have been suspended while private vehicles will have to obtain e-passes for plying.

The official said that the number of people attending weddings has been fixed at 11, down from earlier 50 persons with a provision that marriages can be conducted either at
homes or at courts.

Organising any ceremony during weddings will be prohibited, the official added.

There have been a number of auspicious dates for marriage during the period. Under the stricter provisions, social distancing norms will be implemented strictly.

The state has already prohibited all indoor and outdoor congregations of more than five persons.

The restrictions first imposed as Health Safety Week till 28 April had been expanded earlier till 6 May and then till 13 May.

All education centres and coaching institutions were closed and all examinations postponed.

Cinema halls, multiplexes, stadiums, gymnasiums, swimming pools and parks, among others, had also been closed in the state.

Agriculture, industries and mining operations were functioning while essential and emergency services were exempted.

The COVID-19 tally in the state climbed to 2,96,895 with 4,365 fresh cases. It now has 54,533 active cases, and 2,38,277 people have recovered from the disease so far, it
said.

Ranchi district recorded the maximum number of new fatalities at 36, followed by East Singhbhum (14) and Dhanbad (10).

Health

Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson vaccines effective against B1617 variant of COVID-19, says top US health official

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

Washington: COVID-19 vaccines approved by the United States like Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson have effectiveness against the B1617 variant of the virus that is predominant in India, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of the pandemic, a top American health official said.

The observation is based on the latest data about the variant and the three major vaccines approved by the United States, said Dr Francis Collins, Director of the National Institute of Science.

“The data is coming in, and it looks very encouraging that the US-approved vaccines, the Pfizer, the Moderna, the J&J, do have effectiveness against this variant called B1617,” Collins told the media.

“It’s a little less effective in that case than some of the others, but it looks like it ought to be good enough to make Americans protected. And that’s really a good thing to hear,” he said in response to a question.

Early this week, the World Health Organization classified the B1617 SARS-CoV-2 variant, which was first detected in India, as a variant of concern. The WHO said that evidence showed B1617 was more transmissible.

Health

Maharashtra extends lockdown-like curbs till 1 June; negative COVID-19 report must to enter state

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

Mumbai: The Maharashtra government on Thursday extended the lockdown-like restrictions in the state till 1 June to break the chain of COVID-19. Chief Secretary Sitaram Kunte in an order said the curbs will remain in force till 7 am on 1 June.

As per the order, additional restrictions include mandatory negative RT-PCR test report for any person entering the state by any mode of transport.

The test report will have to be issued within 48 hours before the time of entry into the state.

All restrictions enforced as per earlier orders for people arriving from places of “sensitive origin” will be applicable to anyone arriving from any part of the country
into the state, the order said.

In case of cargo carriers, not more than two people will be allowed to travel in those vehicles.

If the carriers are originating from outside Maharashtra, they will be allowed with a negative RT-PCR test report issued within 48 hours before the time of entry into the state and will be valid for seven days, the order said.

The lockdown-like curbs were earlier imposed in the state on 5 April. The curbs were further tightened on 15 April with Section 144 of the CrPc, banning assembly of five or more people, imposed in the entire state.

Health

Three reasons why bodies are afloat on Ganga: Costly cremation, religious beliefs, scarcity of wood

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

“Two to four bodies can be seen floating past the River Ganga’s ‘Chausa Ghat’ every 10 to 15 days,” said Buxar-based social worker Manoj Kumar, “In fact, some rural communities believe that if people do not marry, they will not be cremated and that their bodies will float along the Ganga. But the number of bodies at Chausa Ghat is higher than normal. I believe that most of the bodies at Ghazipur are at least five to six days old.”

The River Ganga flows through the coastal area of Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh, the aforementioned ‘Chausa Ghat’ and other rural areas of Buxar. So whatever flows through Varanasi reaches the banks of the Ganga in Ghazipur. And downstream, whatever flows from the ghats of the Ganga in Ghazipur reaches Chausa Ghat.

On the condition of anonymity, a local said that people cremated bodies at two places in Chausa block: At the crematorium in Chausa town and at Chausa Ghat. But the villagers of surrounding rural areas in a 35-kilometre radius prefer to carry their dead to the Ganga. There are two main reasons for this: Religious faith and poverty. As with the rest of the country during these times, the toll has also increased in the Chausa block of Buxar.

“On normal days, two or three bodies used to arrive at Chausa’s crematorium daily. But the number has ballooned to almost 60 during this current period; now that the number of dead in the town has increased, the number in the rural areas is bound to increase too. And so many more bodies are arriving at Chausa Ghat,” he added. Citing a lack of COVID-awareness, he said that people rarely get a checkup when they are unwell and so, succumb to a shortness of breath after 15 days or so. “Yesterday, villagers brought a body from Rajpur block (15 kilometres away) to Chausa Ghat. They wanted to push it into the Ganga, but the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) was present at the scene. He stopped the villagers and paid for the cremation and ensured it was carried out in front of him.”

He added, “At present, the level of water in the Ganga is low, and so bodies are placed on the banks of the rivers. Sometimes, wild animals desecrate the bodies. Yesterday, the district administrator removed around 71 bodies from the vicinity of Chausa Ghat. DNA samples were taken and the bodies were buried.”

Corroborating this account, KK Upadhyay, SDM for Buxar, said, “Look, these 71 bodies were not found together at one place. These bodies were found some distance apart on the banks of the Ganga. These bodies are also five to six days old. These bodies have come from villages like Gahmar in Ghazipur, where it is a tradition to carry the bodies into the Ganga. The bodies were so decomposed that after sampling their DNA, we buried them at the ghat itself. Yesterday, some villagers brought a body for funeral, which we cremated.”

The former head of the Gahmar village said that 25 bodies that were carried by the Ganga from Varanasi to Ganga Ghat in the village, and were found on the banks. “Yesterday, government officials of our area also came and strictly told our villagers not to push bodies into the river. After experiencing a fever, cough and cold, people in our village succumbed to breathing problems,” he said, adding, “The number of such deaths is around 12 per day.”

Of this, nearly a third flow into the Ganga and have drifted along towards Buxar. The prohibitively expensive cost of carrying out a cremation drives locals to push their dead into the river. The former village head added, “It is not just our village. This is seen in almost all the villages situated along the banks of the Ganges. People of villages like Birpur, Zamania, Bara etc push their dead into the river.”

Birpur’s JP Rai said, “Some of the corpses in Chausa belong to locals, but they also just float away from our area. Just yesterday, we pushed the body of one of our relatives into the Ganga. For the past 15 days this has been a common occurrence in Birpur village. The shortage of wood is one of the reasons we push bodies into the Ganga. Since it’s the summer and the speed of the Ganga isn’t very high, bodies flow towards the shore instead of washing down river.”

Health

SEC recommends Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin phase 2, 3 clinical trials on 2- to 18-year-olds

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:33 +0000

Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin was on Tuesday recommended by an expert panel for phase II/III clinical trial on those aged between two to 18 years, official sources said. The trial will take place in 525 subjects at various sites, including AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS, Patna and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur. The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) on Tuesday deliberated upon Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s application seeking permission to conduct phase II/III clinical trials to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of Covaxin jabs in children aged 2 to 18 years.

“After detailed deliberation, the committee recommended for conduct of proposed phase II/III clinical trial of whole virion inactivated coronavirus vaccine in the 2 to 18 years age group subject to the condition that the firm should submit the interim safety data of phase II clinical trial along with DSMB recommendations to the CDSCO before proceeding to phase III part of the study,” a source said.

Earlier the proposal was deliberated in the SEC meeting dated February 24 and the firm was asked to submit a revised clinical trial protocol.

Covaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research ICMR), is being used in adults in India’s ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive.

Health

COVID-19 Fact Check: Double-masking causes no breathing problem, even if you have respiratory issues

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:32 +0000

Editor’s Note: COVID-19 Fact check is a series where we speak to doctors and ask them burning questions about everything from COVID-19 treatments, vaccines to diagnostics.

To quote the Mumbai Police, denim on denim is a fashion trend, but wearing two masks is a safety trend.

Double-masking is the hot new phrase in town. While WhatsApp groups and Instagram DMs are full of folks discussing pros and cons, surprisingly, not a lot of them are practising double-masking. Along with following physical distancing, regular hand hygiene, avoiding large indoor gatherings and getting vaccinated, double-masking is the need of the hour.

Dr Tushar Tayal from the Department of Internal Medicine, CK Birla Hospital, Gurgaon, told Firstpost, “With the various mutants looming closer to us, the next step should be better safety measures, which means double layering of masks.”

A study recently published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine says wearing two masks nearly doubles their effectiveness and helps keep the virus at bay. Another reason to double-mask is also to eliminate any gaps or ill-fitting areas around your face.

Megan Srinivas, an American Medical Association (AMA) member and an infectious diseases specialist at the University of North Carolina, said the fit of a mask is important because it creates an “enclosure around any orifice” that can discharge virus particles.

“That means covering your nose and mouth completely, but then doing it in a way that it is fitted against your skin”, says Srinivas.

Kitne Mask Safe Hai?
Poore 2 Sarkar!#MaskDoLe #TakingOnCorona pic.twitter.com/fZ2188PA2u

— Mumbai Police (@MumbaiPolice) May 5, 2021

Tayal adds, “The layering not only gives one strengthened protection by being a barrier to the infectious germs, but also reduces the contagiousness of infections. Double masking also improves the fit and filtration, which keeps the person safe especially in public and low-ventilation spaces.”

Mask up x 2

But is there a right or wrong way to double-mask?

Srinivas says “you can’t wear two N95 masks or surgical masks on top of each other — it wouldn’t be useful.”

For the best protection against SARS-CoV-2, pairing a surgical mask under a cloth mask is the way to go. Alternatively, you can also use a cloth mask that has multiple layers of fabric or stick to wearing a single N95 mask without a valve. There are some mask combinations that you should absolutely avoid, as mentioned by the CDC, eg. Pairing two surgical masks, a KN95 or N95 mask worn along with any other type of mask. These combinations can either make it hard to breathe or have no effect on ensuring a secure mask fit.

Face masks are mandatory in all work & public places!

Do to fight #COVID19

Surgical mask + Double/Triple layered cloth mask
Press the mask tightly on the nose bridge
Ensure breathing isn’t blocked pic.twitter.com/MCBPIQAJlZ

— PIB India (@PIB_India) May 9, 2021

Some people refuse to wear masks because they feel they cannot breathe. However, Tayal says, “Masks are safe for everyone; while they can cause slight discomfort, they are the best course of action one can take during a pandemic. If one can’t wear a mask because of severe asthma or breathing distress, then they must protect themselves from COVID-19 by following standard COVID hygiene protocols.”

Dr Rohan Sequeira, Consultant General Medicine, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, told Firstpost double-masking causes no breathing issues.

“Double masking is for everybody; even if you have breathing problems, it won’t cause any issues. It is also increasingly recommended all over the world right now as double-masking is the new norm”, he says.

How can you improve the fit of a mask?

The JAMA study states that wearing any type of mask is better than not wearing a mask at all. A well-fitted mask works best to both block aerosol emissions as well as avoid exposure. An unknotted surgical mask or cloth mask can single-handedly block out around half of the aerosol projected during a cough simulated in the study. On the other hand, simply knotting and tucking a surgical mask can block around 77 percent of cough particles, while 85.4 percent can be blocked with a double mask – for example, wearing a cloth mask over a surgical mask.

And when two people double-mask (with a proper fit), the study found the receiver’s exposure to the virus is reduced by more than 95 percent when compared to people not wearing a mask.

To check if the mask if properly fitted around your mouth and nose, follow these steps:

Use a mask with a nose wire.Use a mask fitter or brace to prevent air from leaking out.Check for gaps by cupping your hands around the outer edges of the mask. Make sure no air escapes from the area near your eyes or from the sides of the mask.If the mask has a good fit, you will feel warm air filter through the front of the mask, and you may be able to see the mask material move in and out with every breath you take.You can also knot your three-ply face mask where the strings join the edge of the maskFold and tuck the unneeded material under the edges. insert videoCheck if you can see clearly with the mask on and ensure your vision is not obscured in any way.

When to replace a mask

Cloth masks, according to Jeremy Biggs, medical director for occupational medicine at the University of Utah Health, should be washed every day, particularly if they’re worn for an extended period of time. You can go several days without washing them if you only wear them for five to ten minutes daily.

#IndiaFightsCorona:

How to wear a mask

Wear mask so nasal clip is over the nose. External pleats should face downwards.
Open mask pleats so it covers mouth and nose.
Tie upper strings first. Then lower strings. There should be no gap between face & mask.#StaySafe pic.twitter.com/VtD5392Iby

— #IndiaFightsCorona (@COVIDNewsByMIB) May 9, 2021

If worn correctly, a medical mask will last for up to eight hours. If it gets damp in the middle, it must be discarded right away. If surgical masks are used for an extended period of time, they should be discarded every day. If used for a short period of time, they can be reused three or four times before being discarded.

Health

COVID-19 News Updates: Need to ramp up infrastructure as COVID-19 can re-emerge, says Centre

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:32 +0000

23:24 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Umar Khalid recovers from COVID-19 in Tihar jail

Former JNU student Umar Khalid, who was arrested in connection with the 2020 Delhi riots, has recovered from COVID-19 in Tihar jail and returned to his cell, officials said on Thursday.

A senior official said Khalid, 33, was isolated within the Tihar jail premises after he showed symptoms of COVID-19.

His RT-PCR test report came back positive on April 24.

Communal clashes had broken out in northeast Delhi on February 24 after violence between supporters of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and those opposing it spiralled out of control, leaving at least 53 people dead and around 200 injured.

23:14 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Modi expected to join G7 summit in UK virtually

Narendra Modi is expected to join the UK-hosted G7 summit in Cornwall next month virtually, the British government said on Thursday after India’s Ministry of External Affairs announced that the prime minister would not be attending the meeting in person.

Modi was invited by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as India is one of three guest nations to the June 11-13 summit, alongside Australia and South Korea, as part of Britain’s Indo-Pacific foreign policy focus.

The guest leaders would be invited to take part in certain sessions of the Group of Seven meeting, presided by the UK and made up of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, US, and the European Union (EU).

22:39 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Human catastrophe unfolding in India, says Amnesty International

Governments across South Asia should treat as a warning the “human catastrophe” unfolding in India and Nepal, and immediately address healthcare shortages and strengthen their systems to respond to the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases, Amnesty International said on Thursday.

With India’s and Nepal’s healthcare systems struggling to cope with the massive surge in cases, the human rights organisation expressed its concern over the lack of preparedness in other countries in the region for the latest and the most deadly wave of coronavirus.

“Governments across South Asia must immediately address healthcare shortages and urgently strengthen their healthcare systems to respond to the rapid surge of COVID-19 cases in the region. Extremely low vaccination rates across South Asia have also left the region highly vulnerable, with pressing action needed at the global level to ensure more equitable access to vaccines,” a statement from Amnesty said.

22:32 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Bihar’s COVID-19 toll rises by 90; positivity rate falls substantially

The COVID-19 toll in Bihar rose by 90 on Thursday and climbed 3593, even as the Nitish Kumar government asserted that the situation was set to improve, pointing out a decline in the positivity rate since the beginning of this month.

“Corona shall lose, Bihar shall win”, was the refrain of an ebullient health minister Mangal Pandey who came out with a flurry of tweets underscoring statistics that indicated a let-up in the spread of the contagion during the second wave.

Pandey said the state’s positivity rate was now around eight percent, a drop of four percent compared with a week ago and a nearly seven percent decline since May 01 when it was in excess of 15 percent.

Notably, a full lockdown was imposed in the state for the period May 05-15 in a bid to put brakes on the explosive rate at which the contagion had been spreading of late.

22:22 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Haryana to float global tenders to procure COVID-19 vaccines

Global tenders would be floated by the Haryana government for procurement of COVID-19 vaccines to ensure that all those above 18 in the state are inoculated, Health Minister Anil Vij said on Thursday.

During the past few weeks, COVID cases in Haryana have witnessed a surge. The number of total active cases in the state, as on 12 May, was 1,07,058.

In a tweet, Vij said, “Haryana will float Global tenders to purchase Corona Vaccine for people of Haryana so that free vaccination could be provided to every 18+ citizens of the State at the earliest.”

States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, and Delhi have already opted for global tenders to meet their needs.

22:02 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Andhra Pradesh govt floats global tender for 1 cr COVID vaccines

The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday floated a global tender for procurement of Covid-19 vaccine, from foreign producers, sufficient to inoculate one crore people. Global firms have been given time till June 3 to submit their bids, according to Principal Secretary (Health) Anil Kumar Singhal.

“Some could be single-dose and some double-dose vaccine. Based on the bids, we will make the purchase (of a number of doses) accordingly,” Anil said.

In the tender notification, the AP Medical Services and Infrastructure Development Corporation said the vaccines to be supplied must be in accordance with the ICMR guidelines.

The bidder having own manufacturing license should hold a valid WHO Good Manufacturing Practice certificate issued by the licensing authorities from where the product is being manufactured, it said.

-PTI

21:55 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Manipur BJP chief S Tikendra Singh dies of COVID

Manipur BJP president S Tikendra Singh who had been undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a hospital in Imphal passed away on Thursday evening. He was 69. He had tested positive for the virus on April 27.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh while informing about the death tweeted, “Im at a loss of word to learn that Prof S Tiken Singh, president BJP Manipur, has passed away just a while ago.

“We have lost a stalwart of BJP in Manipur who have dedicated his life for the service of people and the party.My deepest condolences to the bereaved family. May your soul rest in peace Oja.” BJP President J P Nadda and Union minister Kiren Rijiju have expressed profound grief over death of Manipur party head.

A Retired Professor, who have worked tirelessly with selfless devotion towards the ideology of BJP, was loved by one and all in Manipur, Biren Singh wrote on his official Facebook account. Singh was appointed as president of the BJP Manipur unit in June 2020.

-PTI

21:47 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Gujarat adds 10,742 COVID cases; 109 die, 15,269 recover

Gujarat reported 10,742 new COVID-19 cases and 109 deaths on Thursday, taking its overall infection tally to 7,25,353 and fatality count to 8,840, the health department said. Of the 109 fatalities, 16 were reported in Ahmedabad district, 14 in Surat, 10 in Vadodara and nine in Rajkot district, it said.

A total of 2,878 new cases were recorded in Ahmedabad city alone, followed by 776 in Surat city, 650 in Vadodara city and 461 in Vadodara district, 399 in Mehsana, 359 in Rajkot city and 332 in Rajkot district.

As many as 15,269 persons recovered from the infection and got discharge during the day. While the recovery count has gone up to 5,93,666, the recovery rate now stands at 81.85 per cent, the department said. Gujarat now has 1,22,847 active cases, of which, 796 are on ventilator.

21:41 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

North Western Railways reduces timing of 38 passenger reservation system offices

The North Western Railways has reduced the timing of 38 passenger reservation system offices due to less traffic amid COVID-19 triggered lockdown imposed by the state government.

The reservation window will open in a single shift from May 15 in Ajmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur divisions and second shift operation is being temporarily closed, an official statement said.

The second shift of 38 passenger reservation system offices will be temporarily stopped and the offices will be operate in a single shift till 2.00 pm, it said.

21:32 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Maharashtra reports 42,582 COVID-19 cases, 850 deaths

Maharashtra reported 42,582 new COVID-19 cases on Thursday, a drop of nearly 4,200 infections from a day ago, while 850 more patients succumbed to the disease, the state health department said, reports PTI.

With the addition of 42,582 COVID-19 cases, down from 46,781 on Wednesday, the state’s caseload increased to 52,69,292, while the death toll reached 78,857, it said. On Tuesday, Maharashtra had reported 40,956 COVID-19 cases, 793 deaths and 71,966 recoveries.

Of the 850 fatalities, 409 had occurred in the past 48 hours, 160 last week and the rest 281 before the last week but were added to the toll on Thursday, the department said. Once again, recoveries outnumbered new cases.

21:24 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Meghalaya govt extends lockdown in East Khasi Hills district till 24 May

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma Thursday announced the extension of lockdown in the worst-affected East Khasi Hills district till 24 May. The decision to extend the lockdown for another week was taken following a review of the COVID-19 situation.

The state government on May 8 had extended the lockdown in East Khasi Hills district till 17 May. To curb the spread of the contagion, a complete lockdown had been imposed in the district from 8 pm of May 5 to 5 am of May 10. State capital Shillong is located in East Khasi Hills district.

21:00 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

WHO and US FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines can come to India, says Centre

The Centre on Thursday reiterated that any vaccine which is approved by United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) can come to India. The announcement was made at a press conference by NITI Aayog member VK Paul, who also heads the national expert group on vaccines.

“Import license will be granted within 1-2 days. No import license is pending,” Dr Paul said. Last month, the central government had fast-tracked approvals for Covid-19 vaccines cleared for use in the US, the UK, the European Union and Japan.

20:50 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

French embassy procured Moderna vaccine sans nod to it, claims NCP leader

Maharashtra minister Nawab Malik on Thursday claimed that the French embassy in India has procured Moderna anti-coronavirus vaccine and it is being administered to its nationals at Navi Mumbai even as only three other vaccines are permitted in the country.

The Minority Affairs Minister sought to know from the Centre how a “non-permitted” vaccine is allowed to be administered to the residents of France and their relatives living. Malik, who is NCP’s national spokesperson, also asked why the Centre cannot procure the vaccine for the people of India if the French Embassy can.

20:34 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Asaram seeks bail for Ayurvedic treatment, HC hearing adjourned till next week

Self-styled godman Asaram will now have to wait at least a week before the Rajasthan High Court decides if he can be given interim bail for medical treatment through Ayurveda in Haridwar. For now, the rape convict who was admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Jodhpur after being infected with coronavirus will continue his treatment there.

The division bench of Justice Sandeep Mehta and Justice Devendra Kachhawaha on Thursday adjourned the hearing on the bail plea till May 21, summoning a fresh medical report. The adjournment followed submission of his medical report by the AIIMS, advising the completion of his treatment for COVID-19 and his isolation.

20:21 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

15 more COVID-19 patients die at Goa hospital, HC told

Fifteen more COVID-19 patients died at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours of Thursday, the state government told the Bombay

High Court, two days after 26 coronavirus patients had succumbed at the same facility. The Goa bench of the HC said state authorities told it some of the casualties may have taken place due to “logistical issues” related to connecting oxygen cylinders to the manifold (group of large gas cylinders) that resulted in interruption and drop in pressure in supply lines of oxygen to patients.

The HC observed that despite its order on providing medical oxygen to COVID-19 patients at the GMCH, there were 15 deaths during the dark hours of 2 am and 6 am in the government-run facility on Thursday.

PTI

20:18 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Delhi HC criticises ‘irritating’ dialer tune asking people to get vaccinated when there is no vaccination

The dialer tune message of the Centre asking people to get vaccinated was criticised by the Delhi High Court which on Thursday said the “irritating” message was being played for “we don’t know how long” asking people to get the jab when there was not enough vaccine. “You have been playing that one irritating message on the phone whenever one makes a call, for we do not know how long, that you (people) should have the vaccination, when you (Centre) don’t have enough vaccine.

“You are not vaccinating people, but you still say that vaccination lagavaiye (get vaccinated). Kaun lagayega vaccination (who will get vaccinated), when there is no vaccination. What is the point of the message,” a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said. “You should give it to everyone. Even if you are going to take money, give it. That is what even children are saying,” the bench said and added that the government needs to be “innovative” in such things.

PTI

20:07 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Kejriwal urges Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies

A very welcome step by Central govt. It will help in ramping up prodn.

I also urge Centre to directly procure vaccines from foreign companies rather than each state bidding against each other in international mkt https://t.co/arqGWR4fKM

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 13, 2021

20:05 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Karnataka to float global tender for two crore COVID-19 vaccines

The Karnataka government on Thursday announced floating a global tender for procuring two crore COVID-19 vaccines owing to supply shortage.Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said a Task Force has been set up to oversee the preparation for a probable third wave of COVID-19.

“The state has placed a purchase order for three crore doses of vaccines, two crore doses of Covishield and one crore doses of Covaxin. We are floating global tenders for an additional two crores,” Yediyurappa told reporters.

19:54 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Indrani Mukerjea, COVID-19 positive, seeks interim bail on health ground

Indrani Mukerjea, the prime accused in the Sheena Bora murder case, has sought interim bail on health grounds after testing COVID-19 positive. The prosecution on Thursday submitted its reply opposing her bail plea before special CBl court judge JC Jagadale. The court noted that it has received Mukerjea’s written submissions on the bail alongwith a letter from the Byculla jail in central Mumbai, where she is currently lodged.

Mukerjea had tested coronavirus positive in the last week of April, following which, she had written to the court seeking interim bail on health grounds.

PTI

19:45 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Out of Covaxin, Delhi govt urges SII o ‘come to rescue’ and provide Covishield

After Bharat Biotech said it cannot supply more doses of Covaxin to Delhi, the city government wrote to the Serum Institute of India (SII) asking it to “come to its rescue”, saying it has limited stock of Covishield for 18 to 44 years which will finish in one week. To this, the SII said they are doing their best to meet countrywide vaccine requirements, official sources told news agency PTI.

In a letter to the SII, Director of Family Welfare, Delhi Government, Dr Monika Rana said, “We rely on your support for provision of sufficient quantities of vaccine in a time-bound manner.” “Delhi has a limited stock of Covishield for 18 to 44 years which will finish in one week and vaccination centres will have to be closed due to non-availability of vaccines,” she said. “In order to prevent this, you are requested to come to our rescue and provide for more vaccine immediately,” the letter read.

19:41 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Restore frequency of cargo flights, India tells China

India has asked China to help stop the sharp increase in prices of essential medical supplies being procured from Chinese manufacturers by private Indian traders to deal with the COVID-19 surge in the country and restore the normal frequency of cargo flight services to maintain a steady supply chain. Soaring prices of medical supplies like oxygen concentrators and disruption of cargo flights to India are slowing arrivals of medical goods, India’s Consul General to Hong Kong Priyanka Chauhan said.

What I would like to say is that our expectation at this point is that the supply chain should remain open and product prices should remain stable, Chauhan said in an interview with the South China Morning Post on Wednesday.

PTI

19:35 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Facebook to roll out new campaign in India against COVID-related misinformation

Facebook on Thursday said it will roll out a new campaign in India in the coming weeks to “educate and inform people” about how to detect misinformation related to COVID-19, and encourage users to check the information they receive against an authentic source. The social networking giant has removed over 12 million pieces of “harmful” misinformation on COVID-19 globally from Instagram and its own platform during the pandemic, including falsehoods about approved vaccines.

It also put warning labels on over 167 million posts that were marked as false by third-party fact checkers. The social media giant, which counts India among its biggest markets, said it is working on connecting people to accurate sources, and tackle misinformation, especially about the COVID-19 pandemic.

PTI

19:22 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Make GST zero for COVID-19 vaccines, drugs, Tamil Nadu CM tells Modi

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to bring the Goods and Services Tax for COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to zero level. State governments were procuring COVID-19 vaccines and drugs to treat the patients and the GST for such supplies should be made zero, he said.

At a time when the tax revenue of states have seen a steep decline on account of economic growth taking a hit in view of the pandemic, measures including release of GST compensation should be taken up by the Centre to help the state governments.

PTI

19:09 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Mixing COVID-19 vaccine doses safe but increases side effects: UK study

Mixing the doses of different types of two-dose coronavirus vaccines has been found to be safe but increased the frequency of mild to moderate symptoms, a new UK study has found, reports PTI.

The COM-COV study, led by the University of Oxford, has been investigating the immune responses of volunteers given a dose of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine followed by the Pfizer/BioNTech jab, and vice versa, since February.

In its report for the medical journal Lancet’ on Wednesday, the research team said adverse reactions from this mix and match approach were short-lived and there were no other safety concerns.

The findings at this stage are limited to reactogenicity findings, or how people feel after the vaccine, and not the immunogenicity findings, that is how well the mixed dosing worked at inducing an immune response, work on which remains ongoing.

18:47 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Andhra Pradesh adds 22,399 new cases to COVID

For the first time, the number of active coronavirus cases crossed the two-lakh mark in Andhra Pradesh, touching 2,01,042, as the state added 22,399 fresh positives in 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday. The latest bulletin said 18,638 Covid-19 patients had recovered and 89 others succumbed in a day.

The state Covid-19 chart now showed 13,66,785 total positives, 11,56,666 recoveries and 9,077 deaths.

In 24 hours, East Godavari district reported the highest 3,372, Chittoor 2,646, Guntur 2,141, Anantapuramu 2,080 and Visakhapatnam 2,064 new cases.

18:43 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

216 cr vaccine doses to be available in 5 months between Aug-Dec, enough to cover all: Centre

As states grapple with a shortage of coronavirus vaccines, the Centre on Thursday said that over two billion doses will be made available in the country in five months between August and December, enough to vaccinate the entire population.

“Two billion doses (216 crore) will be made in the country in five months for India and for people of India. Vaccine will be available for all as we move forward,” Niti Ayog Member V K Paul said during a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, adding by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be three billion.

He estimated that between August to December, production of 75 crore doses of Covishield is estimated, while 55 cores doses of Covaxin will be made available. Further, Biological E is expected to produce 30 crore doses, Zydus Cadila 5 crore, Serum Institute of India 20 crore doses of Novavax, and Bharat Biotech 10 crore doses of its nasal vaccine, while Gennova will make available 6 crore doses and Sputnik V 15.6 crore doses.

PTI

18:33 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Delhi left with 2-3 days’ vaccine stock for 45+ age group, key workers: Atishi

AAP leader Atishi Thursday said Delhi is left with just two-three days’ stock of coronavirus vaccines for those above 45, and key workers. For the 18-44 age group, the capital has eight days of Covishield doses available, she said. “Delhi currently has three days of Covaxin and two days of Covishield stock for those above 45, and healthcare and frontline workers. We request the government to make more doses available for this category,” she said. Delhi has so far got 43.20 lakh doses for 45-plus, and healthcare and frontline workers, of which 40.29 lakh have been utilised, Atishi said.

PTI

18:26 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Modi govt’s Hindutva outlook, inability to rely on science behind ‘disastrous’ handling of COVID: CPM

The latest editorial of CPM mouthpiece People’s Democracy has blamed the Narendra Modi government’s “disastrous” handling of the COVID-19 pandemic to its “Hindutva outlook” and inability to rely on science. The editorial questioned the government on why it failed to comply with the three-member bench of the Supreme Court which had asked it to reconsider the existing vaccination policy and suggested that it decide on the allocation of vaccines to states and the delivery schedule, instead of leaving it to them to negotiate with the two vaccine manufacturing companies.

“Faced with the fiasco of the vaccine rollout and the rate of vaccination falling to the extent of 60 percent in the states in the last fortnight, any sensible government would have seized the opportunity provided by the Supreme Court intervention to rework its vaccination programme. But this is not a sensible government it is a regime blinkered by its neo-liberal and Hindutva nostrums,” the editorial said.

PTI

18:15 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Kerala CM urges Centre to immediately supply 300 MT of oxygen

The Kerala government on Thursday urged the Centre to immediately rush at least 300 MT oxygen from neighbouring storage points to augment the storage in hospitals in the wake of the impending cyclonic storm. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the India Meteorological Department has issued a cyclonic storm warning forecasting heavy rain and winds in parts of the state on 14 and 15 May.

PTI

18:08 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Hardeep Singh Puri, Shashi Tharoor in war of words over vaccine policy

Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Congress MP Shashi Tharoor sparred on Twitter, with the BJP leader accusing Congress leaders of fuelling vaccine hesitancy and Tharoor hitting back, saying when will the Centre take responsibility for its “manifest failures” of policy rather than pointing fingers at the Opposition.

Puri, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, said some of Congress leaders like Shashi Tharoor are betraying an almost “childish stubbornness” in admitting their fault about India’s vaccine policy.The entire pack through statements and tweets fuelled vaccine hesitancy, Puri alleged.

Tagging one of Puri’s tweets, Tharoor said on Thursday, “Let me keep it simple: 1. Is the vaccine shortage because of Congress’ tweets? 2. Did GOI fail to order enough vaccines because of my tweets? 3. Is differential pricing in May the result of my pointing out on Jan 3 that that Phase 3 trials of Covaxin were not complete?”. In short, when will the BJP government take responsibility for its “manifest failures of policy and management” rather than pointing fingers at the Opposition in a vain attempt to divert attention from its own poor performance, the Congress leader asked on Twitter.

Let me keep it simple:
1. Is the vaccine shortage because of Congress’ tweets?
2. Did GOI fail to order enough vaccines because of my tweets?
3. Is differential pricing inMay the result of my pointing out on Jan3 that that Phase3 trials of Covaxin were not complete? @HardeepSPuri https://t.co/eLfU51tTLh

— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) May 13, 2021

17:57 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Vaccination for journalists: Not enough vaccine stock, says Maharashtra govt

Asked about the demand, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said, “There is no sufficient stock of vaccine doses and the available stock is going to be used for the above-45 age group because their inoculation can not be delayed further. We are being told that over one crore Covishield vials would be available from 20 May onwards. If we get vials in such a large quantity, we can discuss the proposal of vaccinating journalists under the frontline workers category,” he told reporters.

PTI

17:53 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Karnataka SSLC exams postponed

Karnataka Primary and Secondary Education Minister S Suresh Kumar on Thursday said the class 10 examinations scheduled to commence from 21 June has been postponed due to the spike in COVID-19 cases in the state. The increasing coronavirus cases in the state coupled with the concerns of parents, students and many school associations has resulted in this decision, the Minister’s office said in a statement quoting him. A suitable call will be taken after the second wave of COVID-19 dies down, it said.

The Minister also said that the revised dates will be announced much ahead of schedule, as he appealed to the students not to get disheartened and continue with their preparations for the exams.

PTI

17:42 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Modi to interact with DMs of 100 high COVID-19 caseload districts

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will interact with district magistrates of 100 districts with high caseloads of COVID-19 infections in two meetings on 18 and 20 May , government sources told news agency PTI on Thursday. While DMs of 46 districts from nine states will be part of the first meeting, those from 54 districts from 10 states will attend the second meeting, they said, adding that respective chief ministers will be present in these interactions.

This will be the first such interaction that the prime minister will have with top district-level administrative officers on the COVID-19 situation.

17:36 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Pfizer, Moderna, J&J vaccines effective against B1617 variant, says top US health official

The COVID-19 vaccines approved by the United States like Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson have effectiveness against the B1617 variant of the virus that is predominant in India, which is experiencing one of the worst outbreaks of the pandemic, a top American health official said. The observation is based on the latest data about the variant and the three major vaccines approved by the United States, said Dr Francis Collins, Director of the National Institute of Science.

Read full report here

17:31 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

EC defers Legislative Council polls in nine seats in AP, Telangana

The Election Commission on Thursday deferred legislative Council polls in nine seats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. The term of three members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and six members of the Telangana Legislative Council, elected by members of their respective legislative assemblies (MLAs), are expiring on 31 May and 3 June, respectively, the commission said in a statement.

“The commission has reviewed the matter today (Thursday) and has decided that due to outbreak of the second wave of COVID-19 in the country, it would not be appropriate to hold biennial election to the legislative councils of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana respectively till the pandemic situation significantly improves and conditions become conducive to hold these biennial elections,” the poll panel said. The Election Commission said it will take a decision in the matter at an “appropriate time in the future” after taking inputs from the states concerned and assessing the pandemic situation from mandated bodies such as the national and state disaster management authorities.

PTI

17:09 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Health ministry increases gap between two Covishield doses to12-16 weeks

Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said the gap between two Covishield doses has been increased to 12-16 weeks from the current 6-8 weeks based on the COVID working group’s recommendations after analysing emerging evidence.

The move comes amid several states reporting shortage of vaccines. Several states and UTs including Delhi, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Telangana have decided to opt for global tenders for procurement of anti-coronavirus shots with the domestic supply falling short to meet the rising demand. Maharashtra and Karnataka have halted the vaccination drive for 18-44 age group.

Gap between 2 doses of #CovishieldVaccine has been increased to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks currently.

Decision has been taken based on recommendations given by COVID working group after analysing emerging evidence.@PMOIndia @MoHFW_INDIA #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/kRbbjxGKSJ

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 13, 2021

16:55 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

35.6 crore vaccine doses procured so far, says VK Paul

Centre procured 35.6 crore vaccine doses for the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive so far and additional 16 cr doses are in the pipeline (direct purchase) to states, private hospitals, said DR VK Paul.

We are in talks with Pfizer, J&J and Moderna to work with Indian companies and supply vaccines to us. We are inviting them to work with us, The Hindu quotes Paul as saying.

16:47 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Sputnik V likely to be available in market next week, says Centre

“Sputnik V vaccine has arrived in India. I’m happy to say that we’re hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week. We’re hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia), will begin next week,” news agency ANI quotes Dr VK Paul as saying.

Further supply will also follow, the senior government official said, adding that Sputnik V will be produced in India from July onwards and it is estimated that 15.6 crore doses will be manufactured in that period.

#Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India. I’m happy to say that we’re hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week. We’re hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia), will begin next week: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/OGUTHvKCr9

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2021

16:34 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

One-third population above 45 yrs of age has received at least one vaccines dose, says VK Paul

Total of 17.72 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered till now, ANI quotes Agarwal as saying. Dr VK Paul, Member (Health) NITI Aayog, said of the nearly 34 crore population above the age of 45 years, one-third has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In Himachal Pardesh this percentage stands at this 69, 58% in Rajasthan and 54% percent of population above age of 45 in Uttarakhand has received at least one vaccine dose, he says. Paul added that 50 percent of those who were due to get second dose have received it.

16:26 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

187 districts showing continuous decline in cases in last two weeks, says health ministry

During a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, the health ministry said 12 states have more than one lakh active cases while eight states have over 50,000 cases, reports News18. According to ANI, Joint secretary in the ministry Lav Agarwal said 187 districts have shown a continued decline in cases since last two weeks.

16:08 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

SC directs Centre, three state govts to provide dry ration to migrant workers in NCR

The Supreme Court issues directions to the Centre and governments of Delhi,Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to provide dry ration to migrant workers in the NCR under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme utilising the Public Distribution System, reports The Leaflet. According to the court’s order, authorities will not insists on providing dry ration to the migrant workers.

According to LiveLaw, the apex court also directs the governments of Delhi, UP and Haryana (for districts in NCR) to open community kitchens for stranded migrant workers and their families and to ensure adequate transport for the migrant workers wanting to return home.

SC orders Centre, Delhi, UP, Haryana to provide dry ration to migrant workers in NCR under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme utilising the PDS. While providing dry ration the authorities will not insist on an identity card. pic.twitter.com/JKI69FP0nC

— The Leaflet (@TheLeaflet_in) May 13, 2021

16:00 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Three high court judges, 34 judicial officers lost their lives battling COVID, says CJI NV Ramana

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Thursday said 34 judicial officers and three high court judges have lost their life battling the coronavirus pandemic. “The first employee of the SC Registry was reported COVID positive on 27 April 2020. Approximately 800 Registry staff have tested positive. Six Registrars and 10 ARs have tested positive at different times. Unfortunately, we lost three of our officials to COVID-19, ” The Leaflet quotes the CJI as saying. The CHI further said, that 2768 judicial officers and 106 judges of High Courts have tested positive so far. “We are yet to receive the data from two major High Courts. 34 Judicial Officers and three Judges of the High Court have lost their life, battling this pandemic,” he said.

15:41 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Delhi records 10,489 new cases, 308 deaths

Delhi reports 10,489 new COVID-19 cases and 308 deaths in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of coronavirus infections reported in the National Capital so far to 13,72,475 and toll to 20,618. According to the health bulletin there are 77717 active cases and the positivity rate is 14.24 percent.

Delhi reports 10,489 new #COVID19 cases, 15,189 recoveries and 308 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Total cases 13,72,475
Total recoveries 12,74,140
Death toll 20,618

Active cases 77,717 pic.twitter.com/BSTUnUfbRK

— ANI (@ANI) May 13, 2021

15:34 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Karnataka govt orders ministers to deposit one year’s salary to COVID Relief Fund

The Karnataka government has ordered depositing one-year salary of State Ministers in the COVID Relief Fund. This was decided by the State Cabinet a few days ago. The order was issued on 11 May and would come into effect retrospectively from 1 May for a year. The order was given on the direction of Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa.

PTI

15:20 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Chhattisgarh cancels tenders for new Assembly building

In view of a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Chhattisgarh government on Thursday cancelled tenders for the construction of the new Assembly building and also stopped work on major projects in the state. It has also decided to take more stringent measures to prevent the infection from spreading.

Construction work of the new governor’s house, Assembly house, chief minister’s house, residences of ministers and senior officers, new circuit house under in the ‘Nava Raipur’ area (New Raipur) has now been stopped with immediate effect, a statement issued by the state government said. The ‘bhoomi pujan’ (ground breaking ceremony) for these works was done on 25 November, 2019.

“Our citizens – our priority. Foundation stone for the construction of new assembly building, Raj Bhavan, Chief Minister’s residence, residence of ministers and senior officials, new circuit house was laid before start of Corona. Today, all these construction works have been stopped in these times of crisis,” Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel tweeted.

हमारे नागरिक-हमारी प्राथमिकता

कोरोना काल से पहले प्रदेश में नए विधानसभा भवन, राजभवन, मुख्यमंत्री निवास, मंत्रीगणों व वरिष्ठ अधिकारियों के आवास, नये सर्किट हाउस इत्यादि के निर्माण कार्य का शिलान्यास किया गया था।

आज संकट के समय में इन सभी निर्माण कार्य पर रोक लगाई जाती है।

— Bhupesh Baghel (@bhupeshbaghel) May 13, 2021

15:04 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Goa receives 32,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses for 18-44 age group

The Goa government will soon start COVID-19 vaccination for people in the age group of 18 to 44, as the first lot of vaccines arrived in the state on Thursday, a senior health department official said. Speaking to PTI, director of Health Services Dr Jose D’Sa said a first lot of 32,000 vaccine doses from Pune-based

Serum Institute of India (SII) had arrived in the state during the day. The government will work out a plan on how to carry out the vaccination at state-run facilities, he said.

PTI

14:47 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Bihar extends lockdown till 25 May

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced the decision to extend lockdown in the state till 25 May. “The status of the lockdown implemented in Bihar was reviewed today along with ministers and officials. The positive effect of the lockdown is visible. Therefore, it has been decided to extend the lockdown in Bihar for the next 10 days i.e. from 16 to 25 May 2021,” the chief minister said on Twitter.

आज सहयोगी मंत्रीगण एवं पदाधिकारियों के साथ बिहार में लागू लॉकडाउन की स्थिति की समीक्षा की गयी। लॉकडाउन का सकारात्मक प्रभाव दिख रहा है। अतः बिहार में अगले 10 दिनों अर्थात 16 से 25 मई, 2021 तक लॉकडाउन को विस्तारित करने का निर्णय लिया गया है।

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) May 13, 2021

14:34 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Karnataka HC pulls up state govt for not reserving 70% vaccines for second dose

The Karnataka High Court on Thursday pulled up the state and Central government over the COVID-19 vaccination drive, particularly over those who have got the first dose not receiving their second dose, reports Bar&Bench. A Bench of Chief Justice AS Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said the Karnataka government should come clean on the issue and publish the data on availability of vaccines on a website.

The bench also slammed the state government for not reserving 70 percent vaccines for second dose as per the Centre’s guidelines. The Court was also critical of the Centre’ s vaccine policy and osberved that if second dose of vaccine is not given on time, it will be a “huge national waste”.

14:24 (IST)

UPSC postpones 27 June civil services preliminary exam; to be held on 10 Oct

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) on Thursday postponed the civil services preliminary examination, scheduled to be held in June, to 10 October in view of the alarming COVID situation. The commission conducts civil services examination annually in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

“Due to the prevailing conditions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), the Union Public Service Commission has deferred the civil services (preliminary) examination, 2021, which was scheduled to be held on 27 June, 2021. Now, this examination will be held on 10 October, 2021,” a statement issued by the commission said.

14:13 (IST)

COVID-19 News Live Updates

Arunachal Pradesh releases over Rs 66 crore for COVID-related expenses

The Arunachal Pradesh government has released an amount of over Rs 66 crore to the Health department and all deputy commissioners of the district

for COVID-19 related expenses. Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said that the amount has been released from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for effective Covid management in the state.

“Pursuant to decision of State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), for effective management of #COVID19, Rs 66.0029 crores of SDRF has been released to Health Department and all Deputy Commissioners for Covid related expenses,” Khandu tweeted.

COVID-19 News LATEST Updates: The Andhra Pradesh government on Thursday floated a global tender for procurement of Covid-19 vaccine, from foreign producers, sufficient to inoculate one crore people

The Centre on Thursday reiterated that any vaccine which is approved by United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization (WHO) can come to India.

As per reports the Centre on Thursday said that Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine had arrived in India and would be available “in the market next week”. NITI Aayog (Health) member Dr VK Paul said that the “sale of the limited supply that has come from Russia will begin next week”.

The Election Commission on Thursday deferred legislative Council polls in nine seats in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana due to the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

The term of three members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council and six members of the Telangana Legislative Council, elected by members of their respective legislative assemblies (MLAs), are expiring on 31 May and 3 June, respectively, the commission said in a statement.

The Sputnik V vaccine has arrived in India and we are hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week, said Dr VK Paul.

The Supreme Court issues directions to the Centre and governments of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana to provide dry ration to migrant workers in the NCR under Atma Nirbhar Bharat Scheme or any other scheme utilising the Public Distribution System, said reports. According to the court’s order, authorities will not insists on providing dry ration to the migrant workers.

In view of a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Chhattisgarh government on Thursday cancelled tenders for the construction of the new Assembly building and also stopped work on major projects in the state.

Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar announced the decision to extend lockdown in the state till 25 May.

A Bench of Chief Justice AS Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said the Karnataka government should come clean on the issue and publish the data on availability of vaccines on a website.

The bench also slammed the state government for not reserving 70 percent vaccines for second dose as per the Centre’s guidelines.

“We will provide education free of cost to the children who have lost their parents (to COVID-19). They will be provided free ration even if they are not eligible for it,” said Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

The Maharashtra government on Thursday extended the lockdown-like restrictions in the state till 1 June to break the chain of COVID-19.

National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) has recommended increasing the gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks, sources told PTI. The panel also suggested that pregnant women may be offered the choice to take any COVID-19 vaccine and that lactating women can be inoculated any time after delivery.

During the trial, the vaccine will be administered through muscles in two doses in a gap of 28 days, the Centre said.

The Drug Controller General of India on Thursday gave permission to Bharat Biotech to conduct clinical trials of Covaxin on children belonging to the age group of 2 to 18 years.

The decision comes after the subject expert committee recommended the permission in favour of Bharat Biotech. The permission has been granted after “careful examination”, the government said.

The active caseload comprises 37.10 lakh or 15.87 percent of the country’s total infections.

Following a state cabinet meeting on Wednesday, health minister Rajesh Tope said that the state government would divert the stock it has purchased for inoculation of people between 18 and 44 to ensure that those who require their second dose get it on time.

The COVID-19 inoculation drive for the 18-44 years age group in Mumbai has been suspended until further orders, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced on Wednesday evening.

The announcement followed the Maharashtra government’s decision to suspend inoculation for this category and divert the vaccine stock for the above 45 years age group due to
paucity of doses.

The BMC earlier in the day also issued revised guidelines allowing walk-in vaccination in Mumbai for certain categories for three days.

Those above 60 years and waiting for a second dose of Covishield vaccine, those still to get a second dose of Covaxin, and the disabled persons can opt for walk-in vaccination from Monday to Wednesday, it said.

But from Thursday to Saturday vaccination would take place only by prior appointment through Co-WIN app, and the centres will remain closed on Sunday, it said.

But municipal commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal, however, stated that the walk-in vaccination will be allowed only for three days, that is from 17-19 May, though the BMC
guidelines did not mention any such specific period.

Environment minister Aaditya Thackeray, who is also guardian minister for Mumbai suburban district, gave the same information as Chahal. “Looking at the limited supply of vaccines, it is crucial that we complete the prescribed second shot in the coming week for those who have gone past the prescribed gap between two vaccines,” Thackeray tweeted.

Since last week, the civic body has made prior registration mandatory for the above 45 years category after witnessing chaotic scenes at a BKC inoculation centre and
overcrowding at several other centres.

Walk-in was allowed only for those due for second dose of Covaxin besides healthcare and frontline workers.

As per the civic body’s data, so far 27,86,048 vaccine jabs have been administered in the city, including 6,92,620 second doses. 39,029 persons in 18-44 years age group have
received the jabs.

Health

Eli Lilly inks pacts for COVID-19 drug Baricitinib with Torrent Pharma, Dr Reddy’s and MSN Labs

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:32 +0000

New Delhi: Drug firm Eli Lilly and Company on Thursday said it has inked voluntary licensing agreements with three Indian drug firms – Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Dr Reddy’s and MSN Laboratories – to expedite the availability of Baricitinib for treatment of COVID-19 patients in India.

The company has issued additional royalty-free, non-exclusive voluntary licenses to Dr Reddy’s, MSN Laboratories, and Torrent Pharmaceuticals, who will be collaborating with Lilly to accelerate and expand the availability of Baricitinib in India, Eli Lilly and Company said in a statement.

“These three additional voluntary licensing agreements will ensure high-quality manufacturing and accessibility of Baricitinib during this pandemic improving the local treatment options available to positively impact the lives of people who are currently battling COVID-19 in India,” it added.

The company on Monday had announced signing voluntary licensing agreements with Sun Pharma, Cipla and Lupin.

Eli Lilly and Company has received permission for restricted emergency use by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), for Baricitinib to be used in combination with Remdesivir for the treatment of suspected or laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalised adults requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, the statement said.

“Lilly is committed to supporting India in this healthcare challenge through our innovative and effective portfolio of breakthrough medicines,” Luca Visini, Managing Director, India Subcontinent, Lilly India said.

This is in addition to the donations being offered by Lilly to the Indian government, he added.

“We will continue to explore other possible initiatives to support patients and the healthcare system in India, Visini said.

Meanwhile, Eli Lilly and Company continue to engage in active dialogue with the regulatory authorities and government in India to donate its anti-COVID-19 treatments, including neutralising antibodies, the statement said.

Health

COVID-19 tracker, 13 May: India records over 4,000 deaths for second straight day; 3,62,727 fresh cases in past 24 hrs

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:32 +0000

On Thursday, India recorded over 4,000 COVID-19 deaths for the second consecutive day.

With 4,120 deaths in the last 24 hours, the toll rose to 2,58,317, according to the Union health ministry’s data.

On Wednesday, the country saw a record 4,205 deaths due to COVID-19.

The number of COVID-19 deaths have been on an upward trend since the second wave hit in the first week of April.

Follow LIVE updates on COVID-19 here

The number of new cases showed a minuscule decline on Thursday, with 3,62,727 new infections being reported. On 6 May, India saw the highest single-day spike in cases across the globe when 4,14,188 new cases were registered.

The total caseload rose to 2,37,03,665, while the number of active cases rose to 37,10,525. The active cases comprise 15.65 percent of the total infections.

The Union health ministry said that the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.26 percent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to to 1,97,34,823, while the case fatality rate was 1.09 percent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

According to the ICMR, 30,94,48,585 samples have been tested till 12 May, with 18,64,594 samples being tested on Thursday.

The 4,120 new fatalities include 816 from Maharashtra, 516 from Karnataka, 326 from Uttar Pradesh, 300 from Delhi, 293 from Tamil Nadu, 193 from Punjab, 165 from Haryana, 164 from Rajasthan, 153 from Chhattisgarh, 135 from West Bengal, 109 from Uttarakhand and 102 from Gujarat.

A total of 2,58,317 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 78,007 from Maharashtra, 20,368 from Karnataka, 20,310 from Delhi, 16,471 from Tamil Nadu, 16,369 from Uttar Pradesh, 12,728 from West Bengal, 11,111 from Punjab and 11,094, from Chhattisgarh.

On Wednesday, the Union health ministry said Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Haryana, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh cumulatively account for 82.51 percent of India’s total active cases.

Meanwhile, WHO said that India “accounts for 95 percent of cases and 93 percent of deaths in the South-East Asia region, as well as 50 percent of global cases and 30 percent of global deaths,” NDTV reported.

India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20 lakh-mark on 7 August, 30 lakh on 23 August, 40 lakh on 5 September and 50 lakh on 16 September. It went past 60 lakh on 28 September, 70 lakh on 11 October, crossed 80 lakh on 29 October, 90 lakh on 20 November, and surpassed the one-crore mark on 19 December. India crossed the grim milestone of 2 crore cases on 4 May.

In a bid to curb the exponential second wave, states like Bihar and Maharashtra on Thursday extended the lockdown restrictions till 25 May and 1 June, respectively.

With inputs from PTI

Health

COVID-19 news update: Maharashtra, Delhi report drop in cases; Sputnik V vaccine launched at Rs 995

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:31 +0000

Maharashtra and Delhi reported a marginal decline in the number of new COVID-19 cases on Friday, however, the nationwide toll remained at 4,000 for the third consecutive day. The total caseload rose by 3,43,144 new cases to 2,40,46,809. Meanwhile, West Bengal and Odisha were among the states that posted their highest single-day spike.

The National Capital, which has been one of the worst-hit cities in the second wave of the pandemic, recorded 8,506 new cases, which is the lowest since 10 April. The positivity rate also reduced to 12.40 percent from a high of 36 percent on 22 April.

ऐसे कई बच्चे जिनके माता पिता दोनो चल बसे, उन बच्चों की पढ़ाई और परवरिश का सारा खर्चा दिल्ली सरकार उठाएगी।

जिन बुजुर्गों ने अपने घर के युवाओं को खो दिया उनका ख्याल दिल्ली सरकार रखेगी। pic.twitter.com/z267zl5fhE

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 14, 2021

In Maharashtra, the number of new COVID-19 cases dropped below 40,000 for the first time since 31 March. With 39,923 new cases on Friday, caseload rose to 53,09,215.

However, West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 10,94,802, the health department said in
its bulletin. The toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people succumbed to the disease, it said. At least 19,131 recoveries were recorded in the state since Thursday.
Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 1,31,792.

Odisha also registered its highest single-day spike of 12,390 new COVID-19 cases, which pushed the tally to 5,88,687, while a record number of 22 fatalities raised the toll to 2,273, a senior health department official said. Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 1,04,016, the official said.

However, states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Mizoram, and Nagaland saw a tightening of restrictions in a bid to curb the spread of infection.

Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced that the total statewide lockdown will be extended till 23 May, while the newly-elected DMK government in Tamil Nadu imposed a two-hour cut in the duration for vegetable and provision stores to remain open. The new curbs will come into effect in Tamil Nadu from Saturday.

Lockdown is extended till 23 May.

Triple lockdown in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Malappuram.

Free food kits in June too.

₹823.23Cr will be distributed as Welfare Pensions in May.

Financial assistance of ₹1,000 for all members of Welfare Boards.

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@vijayanpinarayi) May 14, 2021

The Mizoram government reportedly ordered a total lockdown in Aizawl and other district headquarters in the state till 24 May.

In Nagaland, a week-long total lockdown came into effect from 6 pm on Friday. All activities and movement will remain suspended till 21 May, except essential services, and agriculture and construction works.

Meanwhile, state governments and Opposition parties flagged rising cases of black fungus in COVID-19 patients. Symptoms of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, include headache, fever, pain under the eyes, nasal or sinus congestion and partial loss of vision.

Around 270 cases of Mucormycosis have been reported so far in Maharashtra’s Pune district, prompting a government task force to come up with a set of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for hospitals. As many as 52 people have died due to Mucormycosis in Maharashtra since the COVID-19 outbreak last year, a senior health department official told News18 on Friday.

On Wednesday, Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said, “There could be over 2,000 Mucormycosis patients in the state as of now and with more and more COVID-19 cases coming up, their number would increase for sure.”

Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh saw four cases in the last two days, while the Haryana Congress claimed that more than 40 cases of black fungus disease have been reported in the state in the last few days.

On the vaccine front, Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine was launched by Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Laboratories as it administered the first dose on Friday. The vaccine is priced at Rs 948, with five percent GST per dose (retail price of Rs 995.40).

In terms of numbers, the figure of recovered COVID-19 patients outnumbered the daily new cases for the fourth consecutive day on Friday, the Union Health Ministry said. The total recoveries are now more than two crore.

Tamil Nadu tightens lockdown-like restrictions

Tamil Nadu chief minister MK Stalin also announced that from 17 May, e-registration shall be compulsory for inter and intra district travel and that registration is also mandatory for those arriving from abroad and other states.

The decision to make the restrictions more strict was taken at a meeting of leaders from all legislature parties on Thursday, PTI reported.

Citing data on virus spread, with over 30,000 fresh cases everyday and active cases getting close to the two-lakh mark, Stalin said the new restrictions (from 4 am on Saturday till 4 am on May 24) will be implemented due to “unavoidable reasons”.

On Friday, 31,892 fresh virus cases were reported while the active caseload stood at 1,95,339.

Outlets selling vegetables, fish and meat, and provision stores will be allowed to be open only till 10 am as against the current practice of noon, he said, adding no other shops will be permitted to function.

Online ordering and e-commerce services can operate between 6 am and 10 am and between 2 pm and 6 pm to deliver essential commodities including groceries, fish and meat.

ATMs, fuel pumps, medical shops (both allopathic and Indian systems of medicine) will be open as usual. Tea shops, pavement shops selling vegetables, flowers and fruits, which were earlier allowed to function till noon, will not be allowed to operate from Saturday.

Night curfew (from 10 pm to 4 am) and Sunday lockdown restrictions will also continue, he said.

Delhi Police questions Congress, BJP leaders over COVID-19 aid

The Delhi Police on Friday questioned Indian Youth Congress president Srinivas BV over providing COVID-19 aid like medicines and oxygen cylinders. BJP leaders like Gautam Gambhir and Harish Khurana were also questioned over the distribution of relief material, PTI reported.

“The policemen wanted to know how did I get the relief material to distribute among the people. I said I was helping people to save their lives and we have an entire team of hundreds of volunteers at IYC (Indian Youth Congress) that was working round the clock to arrange material and provide it to people,” Srinivas was quoted as saying by PTI.

The IYC president said he was undaunted by the police questioning and was only helping those who had no support from any quarters in this hour of crisis. “We are continuing our work and not scared of the police or any PIL. There is nothing wrong in helping people who have no one to fall back upon and who are desperately trying to save themselves and their families from the fatal virus,” he said.

However, the police said that the questioning was done in line with a Delhi High Court order.

“On direction of the High Court, we conducted enquiry for the fourth day regarding allegations against politicians across political parties on alleged illegal distribution of COVID-19 medicines. Sensationalism be avoided,” the police was quoted by ANI as saying.

The court on 4 May had directed police to examine instances of politicians allegedly procuring and distributing remdesivir in the national capital and take steps for lodging of FIR in case of offence.

Maharashtra to raise oxygen production capacity to 3,000 MT per day, says govt

Maharashtra deputy chief minister Ajit Pawar said the state government has set a target of producing 3,000 metric tonnes of oxygen per day to ensure that the state does not face a shortage.

Speaking to reporters after a review meeting of the COVID-19 situation, Pawar said measures are being taken to elevate the healthcare infrastructure considering experts’ prediction that children will be the most vulnerable during the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

“The state government has taken a decision to keep a target of producing 3,000 MT of oxygen per day. Currently, the production capacity in the state is over 1,200 MT, but a decision has been taken to increase the production by 1,800 MT to ensure that there is no shortage,” he said.

Pawar, who is also the guardian minister of Pune, also said that several cases of Mucormycosis have been reported in Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad and rural parts of the district.

“As the medicines required for the treatment of the fungal infection are expensive, directives have been issued to ensure that the supply of such drugs is smooth, and to eliminate any possibility of black marketing,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government administered the anti-coronavirus vaccine to 3,41,887 people in a single day, which pushed the state’s vaccination count to 1,95,31,051, said the health department said on Friday.

Health minister Rajesh Tope had said on Wednesday that the state was expected to receive more doses from 20 May, after which the drive can be accelerated.

COVID-19 caseload details

With 3,43,144 people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809 on Friday, while the toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities.

The active cases have reduced to 37,04,893, comprising 15.41 percent of the total infections. The national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.50 percent, the Union Health Ministry’s data showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,00,79,599, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 percent, the data stated.

According to the ICMR, 31,13,24,100 samples have been tested up to 13 May, with 18,75,515 samples being tested on Thursday.

The 4,000 new fatalities include 850 from Maharashtra, 344 from Karnataka, 308 from Delhi, 297 from Tamil Nadu, 277 from Uttar Pradesh, 186 from Punjab, 195 from Chhattisgarh, 163 from Haryana, 159 from Rajasthan, 129 from West Bengal, 122 from Uttarakhand, 109 from Gujarat and 108 from Jharkhand.

A total of 2,62,317 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 78,857 from Maharashtra, 20,712 from Karnataka, 20,618 from Delhi, 16,768 from Tamil Nadu, 16,646 from Uttar Pradesh, 12,857 from West Bengal, 11,297 from Punjab and 11,289, from Chhattisgarh.

With inputs from agencies

Health

COVID-19 positivity rate in Delhi down to 12%, 8,500 new cases recorded today, says Arvind Kejriwal

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:31 +0000

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Delhi government will extend financial help to families which have lost their earning members to the coronavirus and also bear the cost of education and upbringing of children orphaned by the pandemic.

He said in the past 24 hours, Delhi has recorded around 8,500 cases as against over 28,000 cases on 20 April and that the positivity rate has come down to 12 percent as against 36 percent on 22 April.

Follow LIVE updates on COVID-19 here

But the fight against the coronavirus has not ended and there is no room for leniency, the chief minister said in an online briefing.

“I know many children who have lost both their parents. I want to tell them that I am still there. Do not consider yourself an orphan. The government will take care of their studies and upbringing,” Kejriwal said.

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 14, 2021

“I know elderly citizens who have lost their children. They depended on their earnings. I want to tell them that their son (Kejriwal) is alive. The government will help all such families who have lost their earning members,” the chief minister said.

Kejriwal said that such families can be given financial aid but they need care and affection too.

“They need empathy. It is my request to all the neighbours and the relatives of such families to take care of them. These families are facing great challenges. Give them love. The two-crore people of Delhi, we are a family. In these times of despair, we need to help each other. On the occasion of the festival of Eid, I pray for the health and happiness of all,” he said.

The chief minister said that the lower positivity rate means that a lesser number of people are falling ill in Delhi. The number of people admitted at hospitals has also reduced, he said.

“In the past 10 days, the number of patients in hospitals of Delhi has reduced by more than 3,000 patients. Which means that 3,000 beds have become empty. Now, there is no problem being faced to get beds in hospitals, yet one thing to be observed is that the ICU (intensive care unit) beds are still full,” Kejriwal said.

While stressing that even till now ICU beds in hospitals of Delhi are almost full, he said that 1,200 new ICU beds have been prepared and are now ready to be utilised by Friday or Saturday.

Kejriwal thanked the people of Delhi for following lockdown restrictions. There has been a decline in cases because of the contribution of every person in Delhi, he said.

“We imposed a very strict lockdown in Delhi, but the people of Delhi offered their complete support in the same. Everyone adhered to the lockdown completely,” the chief minister said.

“Today everyone is talking about how the people of Delhi managed to reduce the number of coronavirus cases. This has been possible only because of the disciplined behaviour of the people of Delhi. But the battle is not won yet. The battle is yet to finish. Even now 8,500 cases have come up. This has to be reduced to zero. We have to end coronavirus entirely,” he said.

Kejriwal cautioned Delhiites against any laxity and said that “if we do not take precautions, the cases will increase again”.

“…Therefore by no means, we can let loose. The lockdown has to be adhered to strictly and should employ all the ways to ensure protection from the coronavirus. The Delhi government is also not leaving any scope in its arrangements,” he added.

The government is preparing more oxygen beds, buying thousands of oxygen cylinders, installing new ICU beds, so that in case the coronavirus cases increase, the national capital is fully prepared, the chief minister said.

Delhi had reported 10,489 new cases and 308 more fatalities on Thursday while the positivity rate stood at 14.24 percent, according to the health department said.

Health

Centre to supply over 1.9 cr free COVID-19 vaccines to states and UTs in May, says health ministry

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:31 +0000

New Delhi: A total of 191.99 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccines – Covishield and Covaxin – will be supplied to states/UTs free of cost from 16 to 31 May, the Union health ministry said on Friday.

The delivery schedule for the allocation will be shared in advance. States/UTs have been requested to direct the officials concerned to ensure rational and judicious utilisation of allocated doses and minimise vaccine wastage, it said.

The 191.99 lakh doses include 162.5 lakh Covishield doses and 29.49 lakh Covaxin doses.

“The basic objective behind informing the states and UTs in advance of the quantum of free vaccine doses to be made available from Central government for 15 days is to ensure that they prepare effective plans for judicious and optimum utilisation of these free vaccine doses which are meant for the age group of 45 and above, and for healthcare and frontline workers,” the ministry said.

In between 1 and 15 May, a total of over 1.7 crore vaccine doses has been made available by the Centre to states/UTs, free of charge.

In addition, more than 4.39 crore doses were made available for direct procurement by the states as well as private hospitals in the month of May, the ministry said.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country is nearly 18 crore (17.93 crore as per the 7 am provisional report on Friday).

The COVID-19 vaccination drive has successfully completed 118 days wherein 17.93 crore doses have been administered to identified beneficiaries through collaborative efforts of all states and UTs.

India is the fastest country globally to reach the 17 crore target in 114 days. The US took 115 days and China took 119 days to administer the same amount of doses.

The ‘Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy’ is being implemented from 1 May wherein 50 percent of the available doses are earmarked for supply to states and UTs, as free of cost supply from Government of India channel, while the remaining 50 percent is available for direct procurement from the vaccine manufacturers by states and UTs and private hospitals.

The allocation of Centre’s supplies to states/UTs is decided on the consumption pattern and beneficiary load for second doses during the upcoming fortnight, the ministry stated.

Health

COVID-19 news: Delhi, Punjab, Haryana extend lockdown; India sees lowest rise in daily cases in 25 days

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:30 +0000

As India saw the lowest rise in daily COVID-19 cases after a gap of 25 days on Sunday, with 3.11 lakh new cases being reported, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir extended lockdown restrictions in a bid to curb the COVID-19 spread.

A total of 3,11,170 new cases were reported in a day, taking India’s COVID-19 caseload to 2,46,84,077, the Union health ministry said. The last time the country recorded a low single-day spike in new cases was on 21 April, when 2,95,041 new cases were reported.

Nine days later, on 30 April, India became the first country to report more than 4 lakh daily cases since the pandemic began in 2020.

On Sunday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal announced that the lockdown will be extended for the fourth time till 24 May.

Making the announcement, he said, “We have been witnessing good recovery following the lockdown. coronavirus cases have been on a decline. We don’t want to lose the gain that we have made in the last few days. We are extending the lockdown for one more week. Instead of tomorrow, lockdown is extended till next Monday, 5 am in Delhi.”

The restrictions imposed under the lockdown, including suspension of metro train services, will remain in force till morning on 24 May.

“There is no relaxation as of now and all the restrictions that were enforced in this week will continue,” Kejriwal added, stating that the positivity rate in Delhi has further reduced to nearly 10 percent.

The lockdown was also extended till 24 May in Haryana and Jammu and Kashmir, while the Punjab government extended the restrictions till 31 May.

Additionally, Maharashtra, Kerala, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Haryana were among the states that have reported some improvement in terms of daily COVID cases, though the death toll remains a cause of concern, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Satav died on Sunday, days after recovering from coronavirus, PTI reported. Satav (46) was undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Pune after testing coronavirus positive last month, and was on ventilator support.

A media release by the Jehangir Hospital said Satav succumbed to “secondary pneumonia with multi-organ dysfunction syndrome” around 5 am. He had become “RT-PCR swab negative” on 9 May, it added.

On the vaccine front, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Sunday said its COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’ has been found to be effective against coronavirus strains found in India and the UK.

Citing a study published in peer-reviewed medical journal Clinical Infectious Diseases, the vaccine manufacturer noted that vaccination with Covaxin produced neutralising titres against all key emerging variants tested, including B.1.617 and B.1.1.7, first identified in India and the UK, respectively.

Also on Sunday, the Union health ministry clarified that already booked online appointments for second dose of Covishield vaccine will remain valid and the same will not be cancelled on Co-WIN platform, reported PTI.

It, however, said requisite changes have now been done in the Co-WIN digital portal, as a result of which further online or on-site appointments will not be possible if the period after first dose date for a beneficiary is less than 84 days.

The Centre had on 13 May extended the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks based on the recommendations by the COVID Working Group chaired by NK Arora.

The clarification comes amid reports suggesting that people who had pre-booked their appointment for the second dose in less than 84 days on CoWIN are being turned back from vaccination centres without getting the second dose of Covishield, reported Live Mint.

‘No new virus strain behind spate of COVID-19 deaths in AMU’

The Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), which has flagged a high number of COVID-19 deaths among its faculty and non-teaching staff, was told by officials that genome sequencing of COVID-19 samples has not found any evidence pointing to a new strain circulating on the AMU campus.

At least 38 AMU teachers including 17 serving ones, have died of COVID-19 or COVID-like symptoms in the last month, triggering doubts if any new deadly strain of the virus has been in circulation on the campus.

These doubts also prompted the varsity’s JNMC authorities to send COVID-19 samples from the AMU campus and its neighbouring Civil Lines area for genome sequencing to the CSIR-Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology in New Delhi.

“No new strain of coronavirus has been detected in samples sent for genome sequencing to the CSIR in New Delhi,” said a senior JNMC official, in a relief to the hospital’s beleaguered staff who have been on the edge following a large number of deaths of the serving and retired AMU employees.

India’s COVID-19 active caseload decreases by 55,344 in 24 hours

India’s COVID-19 active cases count has decreased to 36,18,458 with a net decline of 55,344 cases being recorded in the active caseload in a span of 24 hours. The daily positivity rate dropped to 16.98 percent, the Union health ministry said on Sunday.

The total active caseload now comprises 14.66 percent of the country’s total infections, it said.

Ten states — Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh — cumulatively account for 74.69 percent of the country’s total active cases, the ministry said.

A declining trend in the positivity rate is also observed which has dropped to 16.98 percent (16 May) from 24.47 percent recorded on 3 May, it said.

India’s cumulative recoveries have reached 2,07,95,335 with 3,62,437 patients recuperating in a span of 24 hours. It outnumbers the country’s daily COVID-19 cases for the fifth time in the last six days, the ministry said.

Ten states account for 70.94 percent of the new recoveries.

The ministry noted that Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha and Haryana reported 74.7 percent of the 3,11,170 new cases registered in a span of 24 hours.

Karnataka has reported the highest daily new cases at 41,664 followed by Maharashtra with 34,848 cases and Tamil Nadu with 33,658 new cases. The national mortality rate currently stands at 1.09 percent.

BMC shifts 580 COVID-19 patients in view of Cyclone Tauktae warning

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation shifted 580 patients from Covid care centres in the city as a precautionary measure after India Meteorological Department warned that Cyclone Tauktae is likely to pass close to the city.

The BMC on Saturday night shifted 580 patients from BKC (243), Dahisar (183) and Mulund (154) jumbo Covid care facilities to state and civic-run hospitals in Mumbai.

The BMC had alerted city hospitals to avoid last-minute confusion over beds and availability of oxygen devices.

COVID-19 caseload details

With 3.11 lakh fresh coronavirus infections, India saw the lowest rise in daily COVID-19 cases after a gap of 25 days, while the death toll rose to 2,70,284 with 4,077 new fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

A total of 3,11,170 new cases were reported in a day, taking India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases to 2,46,84,077.

A total of 2,95,041 cases were reported in a span of 24 hours on 21 April.

The active cases have reduced to 36,18,458 comprising 14.66 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 84.25 percent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,07,95,335, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 percent, the data stated.

According to the ICMR, 31,48,50,143 samples have been tested up to May 15 with 18,32,950 samples being tested on Saturday.

The 4,077 new fatalities include 960 from Maharashtra, 349 from Karnataka, 337 from Delhi, 303 from Tamil Nadu, 281 from Uttar Pradesh, 216 from Punjab, 197 from Uttarakhand, 149 from Rajasthan, 144 each from Haryana and West Bengal, 129 from Chhattisgarh.

A total of 2,70,284 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 80,512 from Maharashtra, 21,434 from Karnataka, 21244 from Delhi, 17,359 from Tamil Nadu, 17,238 from Uttar Pradesh, 13,137 from West Bengal, 11,693 from Punjab and 11,590 from Chhattisgarh.

With inputs from PTI

Health

Coronavirus Latest News Updates: Cases of black fungus infection also detected in Kerala, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:30 +0000

23:23 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Separate wards, medical teams for Mucormycosis, says Maharashtra govt

The Maharashtra government plans to set up separate wards at hospitals to treat people with Mucormycosis, a rare and dangerous fungal infection which has been found in some COVID-19 patients as well as those who had recovered from the infection, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on Saturday. He said the infection, also called black fungus, was a new challenge and its treatment needed ophthalmologists, ENT specialists, neuro and plastic surgeons etc under the same roof and that is why the state government had decided to set up separate wards.

21:07 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Punjab govt to ask Centre for more oxygen tankers

The Punjab government on Saturday said that it will demand more oxygen tankers from the Centre to meet the rising demand for the crucial medical resource used to treat COVID-19 patients.

“In order to bridge the gap between the rising demand and supply of medical oxygen, Punjab Government will demand additional oxygen tankers from the Centre to speed up the supply chain of the life-saving gas in the state from far and near,” the statement said.

20:50 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra reports 34,848 new cases today

Maharashtra on Saturday reported 34,848 new COVID-19 cases, 59,073 discharges and 960 deaths.

20:10 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Cases with black fungus infection also seen in Kerala, says CM

“Few cases of the fungal infection seen in Maharashtra and Gujarat have been seen in Kerala also. The disease was reported before COVID also. State Medical Board is collecting samples for studies,” said Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday.

19:41 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Kerala reports 32,680 new COVID-19 cases today

Kerala’s COVID-19 caseload rose to 20,88,208 with 32,680 new cases on Saturday. The toll in the state climbed to 6,339 with 96 more fatalities

19:24 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi Police arrests 15 people, lodges 17 FIRs over posters critical of Centre’s vaccine policy

Delhi Police has registered 17 FIRs and arrested 15 people for allegedly pasting posters critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in connection with the vaccination drive against COVID-19, officials said on Saturday.

The posters reading “Modiji humare bachon ki vaccine videsh kyu bhej diya (PM why did you send vaccines of our children to foreign countries?)” were pasted in several parts of the city, they said.

On Thursday, police received information about the posters following which senior officers of the districts were alerted. And based on further complaints, as many as 17 FIRs were registered under sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the Indian Penal Code and other relevant sections including section 3 of the Prevention of Defacement of Property Act across various districts of the Delhi Police, the officials said.

19:18 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

MK Stalin says Goondas Act to be invoked against those hoarding remdesivir

Goondas Act will be invoked against those who hoard Remdesivir injections and oxygen cylinders, and sell them at an exorbitant price: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin

19:01 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Andhra Pradesh receives first Oxygen Express, another one on the way

The first Oxygen Express for Andhra Pradesh on Saturday reached the Krishnapatnam Port. The express with two containers of 40 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen reached the port while another is on its way, a press release from South Central Railway (SCR) said.

The SCR said two additional trains with a combined capacity of 140 tonnes are on their way to Telangana. The train for Andhra was operated from Durgapur in West Bengal and covered a distance of nearly 1,650 kms in around 27 hours, the release said.

18:38 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Shivraj Singh Chouhan orders setting up wards to treat black fungus cases

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday gave directions to set up special wards at five medical colleges in Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore and Rewa for the treatment of patients with black fungus.

18:17 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Overall coronavirus situation ‘stabilising’ in India, says Centre

The overall COVID-19 situation in the country is stabilising and the government will work towards ensuring further stabilisation, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said on Saturday. At a press conference on Saturday, top health officials said 10 states account for 85 percent of the total coronavirus cases in the country.

The Union Health Ministry said 11 states have over one lakh active COVID-19 cases, 17 have less than 50,000 cases while eight have active cases between 50,000 and one lakh.

It also said Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Chhattisgarh, which are recording a high number of novel coronavirus cases, are also reporting decline in the number of active cases. Twenty-four states have a COVID-19 positivity rate of more than 15 percent while Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have reported a major drop in case positivity, it said.

18:04 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Rise in active cases in Tamil Nadu is ’cause of concern’, says Centre

Union Health Ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal on Saturday said, “The cause of concern is Tamil Nadu where a rise in number of active cases has been reported in last one week.”

17:53 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi govt fixes rates for hearse services for deceased COVID-19 patients

The Delhi government has fixed the rates for hearse services provided for deceased COVID-19 patients, according to an official order on Saturday. A committee was constituted under the chairmanship of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation commissioner, which recommended the rates for hearse/mortuary services to be provided to deceased coronavirus patients, it said.

On the recommendations of the committee, the rates have been fixed, the order by the Delhi Disaster Management Authority said.

“The rates of hearse van facility for deceased COVID-19 patients has been fixed at Rs 1,300 per trip for initial 10 kilometres and Rs 100 per kilometre thereafter. This will include the cost of transportation with driver and one attendant wearing PPE kits,” it said.

17:35 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Himachal Pradesh govt extends curfew till 26 May

The Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday decided to extend the coronavirus-induced curfew till 26 May. The decision to extend the curfew was taken in a state cabinet meeting chaired by chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Saturday, The Times of India reported.

17:19 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Single-dose vaccination coverage among healthcare workers is 89%: NITI Aayog

NITI Aayog member (Health) VK Paul on Saturday said that the single-dose vaccination coverage among healthcare workers is 89 percent at the national level.

“It’s 95 percent in Rajasthan, 96 percent in Madhya Pradesh and 99 percent in Chhattisgarh. In Delhi, it stands at 78 percent, which is 11 percent below the national average. It should be taken to above 95 percent.

“Overall single-dose vaccination coverage among frontline workers stands at 82 percent in the country. It is 93 percent in Gujarat, 91 percent in Rajasthan, and 90 percent in Madhya Pradesh — well above the national average. In Delhi, it stands at 80 percent,” he said

16:59 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Siddaramaiah asks Karnataka govt for permission to buy COVID-19 vaccines

Karnataka Congress Legislative Party leader Siddaramaiah on Saturday wrote to Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa, seeking the state government’s permission to purchase COVID-19 vaccines using the MLA Area Development Fund.

On Friday, the Congress announced its plans to pool in Rs 100 crores to purchase vaccines.

16:57 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi’s positivity rate dips to 11.32%

Delhi recorded 6,430 new COVID-19 cases and 337 fatalities on Saturday while the positivity rate dipped to 11.32 percent, even as Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that the cases are “slowly and steadily” reducing in Delhi. This is the second consecutive day when Delhi has recorded less than 10,000 cases in a day.

However, the lesser number of fresh cases recorded on Saturday came from a relatively smaller number of tests — 56,811 — conducted on Friday. According to the latest health bulletin, 6,430 fresh cases were recorded, while the 337 new fatalities pushed the death toll here to 21,244.

16:30 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Odisha’s COVID-19 tally crosses six-lakh mark with 11,805 new cases

The COVID-19 tally in Odisha crossed the six-lakh mark on Saturday as 11,805 more people tested positive for the infection, while 21 fresh fatalities pushed the state’s death toll to 2,294.

With these new infections, the caseload of coronavirus disease reached 6,00,492 in the coastal state. At least 6,611 fresh cases were reported from quarantine centres and 5,194 detected during contact tracing.

16:23 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Twenty-three patients being treated for black fungus in AIIMS, says Randeep Guleria

AIIMS chief Randeep Gularia on Saturday spoke to reporters about the Mucormycosis infection, or ‘black fungus’ infection.

“Mucormycosis spores are found in soil, air and even in food. But they are of low virulence and usually don’t causes infection. There were very few cases of this infection before COVID. Now a large number of cases are being reported due to COVID.

“At AIIMS, 23 patients are being treated for this fungal infection. Out of them, 20 are still COVID-19 positive and the rest are negative for COVID. Many states have reported more than 500 cases of Mucormycosis,” he said.

16:07 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

COVID-19 positivity rate drops to 19.8%, says Centre

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday stated that the Centre’s containment efforts “are working”.

“Overall positivity rate in India, which stood at 21.9 percent last week has now fallen to 19.8 percent. Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh have reported a major drop in case positivity,” the ministry said.

16:00 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Chhattisgarh govt issues new curbs:

Stand-alone shops including those selling groceries,essentials, vegetables and fruits can function till 5 pm. “Shops located in established markets can operate, but with an odd-even system, under which they will be allowed to open on alternate days. Collectors and superintendents of police can decide modalities after consulting local traders’ associations,” an official said.

All shops and establishments shall remain shut after 5pm on working days, he said. On Sundays, only petrol pumps, hospitals, medical establishments, medicine shops, PDS shops will be allowed to function. Home delivery of essential commodities will be permitted, he said.

Vegetable markets, wedding venues, cinema halls,malls, clubs, swimming pools, supermarkets, showrooms, gyms,religious places, coaching classes, schools, colleges, parks,liquor stores and roadside establishments will remain shut,the official said. Tourist spots will remain shut and public gatherings will be prohibited, he said, adding that exams maybe permitted as per the state government orders and home delivery of liquor will be allowed for online orders.

15:51 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Chhattisgarh govt extends lockdown till 31 May

The Chhattisgarh government has asked authorities in all the 28 districts to extend the COVID-19 lockdown till 31 May, even as it granted more relaxations in economic activities, PTI reported.

The lockdown, currently in force in all districts of the state, was set to end in most regions at 15 May midnight.

“The lockdown will not be lifted in the state. Only certain relaxations will be granted, depending on the COVID-19 situation and risks in each of the districts,” the official from the public relations department said. The restrictions and relaxations will be applicable till 31 May.

The state government had on 4 May asked all the districts to extend the lockdown, which was imposed in early April, till 16 May, while giving some relaxations As per the new guidelines, all government and private construction activities will be allowed and they can be carried out in compliance with all standard operating procedures (SOPs) and labour safety measures, he said.

15:41 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Secondary infections are causing more mortality, says Randeep Guleria

AIIMS director Randeep Guleria on Saturday urged hospital administration to follow infection-control protocol.

“As COVID-19 cases are increasing, it’s of paramount importance that we follow protocols of infection-control practices at hospitals. It is been seen that secondary infections — fungal and bacterial — are causing more mortality,” he said.

15:25 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi govt announces Rs 1,051 cr for municipal corporations to pay salaries

The Delhi government on Saturday announced a fund of Rs 1,051 crore for the three municipal corporations here to pay salaries of healthcare workers and other employees amid the ongoing second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, in an online briefing, said despite constrained circumstances due to the lockdown, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has taken this decision as those people who are helping fight the COVID-19 pandemic should get their salaries. Doctors and other employees of the civic bodies are not getting their salaries due to “mismanagement and corruption in MCD (municipal corporations of Delhi)”, the Aam Aadmi Party leader alleged.

The South Delhi Municipal Corporation, East Delhi Municipal Corporation and North Delhi Municipal Corporation are all BJP-led civic bodies.

15:02 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Vaccination centres in Bengal start implementing 12-16 week interval between two Covishield doses

With the Covid Vaccination Centres (CVC) in West Bengal implementing the minimum gap of 12 weeks or 84 days between the first and second dose of Covishield vaccine from Saturday a large number of people who had come to the CVCs had to return home.

Earlier the interval between the two doses of the Covishield vaccine was six to eight weeks.

14:44 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Over 50 of 141 residents in Uttarakhand village test COVID-19 positive

Fifty-one out of the 141 people living in a village in Uttarakhand’s Pauri district have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said on Saturday.

The village has been declared a containment zone and villagers have been put in home isolation, they said.

Residents of Kurkhyal village in Pauri’s Ekeshwar block had been showing symptoms of COVID-19 like fever for some time. A health department team from the primary health centre at Pathisain took samples of villagers for testing on 11 May, said Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Satpuli, Sandip Kumar.

The reports were received on Friday. Fifty-one out of the total 141 villagers were found infected with the coronavirus, he said.

14:08 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Mamata Banerjee’s younger brother succumbs to COVID-19

West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee’s younger brother Ashim Banerjee passed away at the Medica Superspecialty Hospital, Kolkata on Saturday due to COVID-19, ANI quoted Dr Alok Roy, Chairman of the hospital.

Ashim Banerjee was undergoing treatment at Medica Hospital in Kolkata.

Meanwhile, the state on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin.

13:37 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bodies found floating in Ganga river: NHRC sends notices to UP, Bihar govts

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, after receiving complaints about several bodies found floating in the Ganga river in the two states, over the week.

The bodies are suspected to be of COVID-19 victims.

“It (NHRC) has issued notices to the chief secretaries of both the states and the secretary, Union Ministry of Jal Shakti, today calling for action taken report within four weeks,” its statement noted.

India has been badly hit by the second wave of Covid as cremation grounds and burial grounds across the country have been overburdened.

The NHRC’s statement said, “The practice of disposal of dead bodies in our sacred river Ganga is clearly in violation of guidelines of the National Mission for Clean Ganga project of the Ministry of Jal Shakti.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Firstpost (@firstpost)

13:32 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Market places to remain open from 7 am to 10 am in Bengal

There is now an unprecedented situation in Bengal where the scarcity of oxygen and other medicines is increasing. To control this situation, we are imposing strict conditions on the movement of transport and other sectors for two weeks, said Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay on Saturday.

The state government did not officially call the restrictions a lockdown, but, nearly all services, including the education sector, and private and public offices, will be closed.

All shops will be closed, except food related and essential services. Shops selling vegetables, groceries, milk and meat can be open from 7 am to 10 am.

13:07 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

All public transport to remain suspended in Bengal till 30 May

Local trains, metro services, inter state bus/train services, inland waterways to remain suspended during the lockdown in West Bengal till 30 May, said the state chief secretary on Saturday.

Intra-state goods trucks movement is restricted except for essential supplies.

All outdoor activities will be halted from 9 pm to 5 am. Banks will remain open from 10 am to 2 pm.

12:59 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

West Bengal announces statewide lockdown till 30 May

The West Bengal government on Saturday announced a complete lockdown across the state from Sunday 6 am till 6 pm on 30 May.

West Bengal chief secretary announced that all government and private offices will remain shut except essential and emergency services starting Sunday.

12:41 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi to set up banks with 200 oxygen concentrators in every district: Kejriwal

From today, every district in Delhi will have a bank with 200 oxygen concentrators. It has been seen that COVID-19 patients often need to get admitted to ICUs when they’re not given medical oxygen when needed. We have set up these banks to fulfill their needs, Arvind Kejriwal said in a televised briefing.

“If any patient – in home isolation – needs medical oxygen, our teams will reach at their doorstep within two hours,” the chief minister said.

12:31 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi announces oxygen concentrator banks for those under home isolation

Oxygen concentrator banks are being set up in each Delhi district for those under home isolation. They can be delivered to the patient’s home in two hours, said chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday.

12:23 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 toll: Local news media uncovers scale of crisis, challenges official data

When the pandemic’s second wave swept India in mid-April, Deepak Patel, an aviation reporter for the Press Trust of India in New Delhi, noticed something odd. Whenever he perused the local papers from his home state of Gujarat—Divya Bhaskar, Gujarat Samachar, and Sandesh—reports about COVID-19 cases, and the obituaries that filled the pages, didn’t match the government statistics on cases and deaths.

Patel began tallying the numbers and posting his findings on Twitter each day. On 26 April, he pointed out that in Sandesh’s Rajkot edition (different cities have their own editions), seven out of eighteen pages contained only obituaries—a total of 287 deaths—while official figures recorded just 26. On 6 May, Patel tweeted a picture of Sandesh’s front page, with the translation: “17,822 bodies were cremated or buried as per COVID-19 protocol in 7 major cities of Gujarat in last 1 month…But Gujarat govt’s data says only 1,745 people died of Covid in these 7 cities in last 1 month: Sandesh.”

Read full article here…

12:17 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi reports 6,500 COVID-19 cases in a day, positivity rate drops to 11%: Kejriwal

At least 6,500 COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in past 24 hours. The positivity rate in the National Capital has further gone down to 11 percent. 1,000 ICU beds have been set up within 15 days, said chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday.

Delhi recorded 8,500 daily cases on Friday, the first time the figure has dipped below 10,000 since 10 April, Kejriwal said. The city’s positivity rate had also dipped to 12 percent.

Around 3,000 beds have cleared up in the past 10 days, he said, indicating that the second wave was easing in the city.

12:07 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra reports 695 of 3,890 new COVID-19 deaths

Of the 3,890 new COVID-19 deaths reported on Saturday, Maharashtra reported the highest number of fatalities with 695 patients succumbing to the infection.

This was followed by Karnataka with 373 deaths, 311 in Uttar Pradesh, 289 in Delhi, 288 in Tamil Nadu, 181 in Uttarakhand, 180 in Punjab, 172 in Chhattisgarh, 164 in Haryana, 155 in Rajasthan, 136 in West Bengal and 104 in Gujarat.

So far, 2,66,207 deaths have been reported in the country.

11:51 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India registers over 3 lakh daily cases for nearly three weeks

India has been logging over three lakh coronavirus cases every day for nearly three weeks, raising global concerns on the alarming surge. The COVID-19 tally rose to 2.43 crore on Saturday with 3.26 lakh cases recorded in past 24 hours, according to the health ministry data.

11:46 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

PM holds high-level meet on COVID-19 situation, vaccination

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is holding a high-level meeting to review the country’s coronavirus situation and the vaccination drive. The meeting began at around 11 am.

Amid criticism by Opposition leaders over handling of the second wave of COVID-19, which has overwhelmed hospitals across the country, Modi on Friday said: “The pandemic, the worst in 100 years, is testing the world at every step. There is an invisible enemy before us.”

11:10 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Health minister to review COVID-19 situation in 4 states, including UP, at 3 pm

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan Saturday said he will conduct a video conference with Health Ministers of Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat to review the current COVID-19 situation and progress of vaccination drive at 3 pm.

11:05 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Second Oxygen Express with 120 MT reaches Bengaluru

The second Oxygen Express to Karnataka with 120 MT liquid medical oxygen (LMO) from Kalinganagar in Odisha’s Jajpur district reached Bengaluru on Saturday morning.

The third such train to the state with 120 MT LMO from Tatanagar in Jharkhand will reach on Saturday evening, the South Western Railway said.

10:44 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

What are vaccine passports?

As more and more people get vaccinated, some governments are relying on “vaccine passports” as a way of reopening society. These passports are essentially certificates that show the holder has been immunised against COVID-19, which restaurants, pubs, bars, sports venues and others can use to grant them entry.

Israel currently operates a “green pass” system, which allows vaccinated people access to theatres, concert halls, indoor restaurants and bars. The UK government had to roll back plans to trial vaccine passports after some of the venues involved experienced significant backlash against the proposals.

10:36 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Watch: Nurse communicating with COVID-19 patient in sign language

A nurse in Chhattisgarh learned sign language to communicate with a COVID-19 patient. Doctors, nurses and medical staff have been a comforting presence for many patients, as the virus forces them to isolate themselves away from family.

Here is one such nurse, Swati Bhimgaj, as per reports, at a hospital in Chattisgarh, who can be seen speaking with a mute patient.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Firstpost (@firstpost)

10:21 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India’s active caseload over 36.73 lakh

The active COVID-19 caseload in India reached 36,73,802 on Saturday, comprising 15.07 percent of the total infections reported so far, said the Union health ministry. India Saturday reported 3,26,098 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the overall count over 2.43 crore.

10:07 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bengal records 20,846 new cases in highest single-day spike

West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall count to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin.

The toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people, including five eminent doctors, succumbed to the infection, the bulletin said.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy and his wife Krishna are among those who contracted the disease. Roy, who is the saffron party’s vice president, is currently undergoing home isolation, sources in the health department said.

Read more here…

09:43 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

At least 3,890 new COVID-19 deaths in India

With the death of 3,890 more COVID-19 patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of fatalities in the country climbed to 2,66,207, said the Union health ministry on Saturday. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.09 percent.

09:42 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India adds 3.26 lakh new cases

India registered 3,26,098 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count over 2.43 crore on Saturday, said the Union health ministry.

09:36 (IST)

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Over 31.30 cr COVID-19 samples tested so far: ICMR

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 31,30,17,193 COVID-19 samples have been tested till 14 May, including 16,93,093 samples being tested on Friday alone.

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates: “Few cases of the fungal infection seen in Maharashtra and Gujarat have been seen in Kerala also. The disease was reported before COVID also. State Medical Board is collecting samples for studies,” said Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday.

Union Health Ministry joint secretary Lav Aggarwal on Saturday said, “The cause of concern is Tamil Nadu where a rise in number of active cases has been reported in last one week.”

The Union Health Ministry on Saturday stated that the Centre’s containment efforts “are working”.

The Chhattisgarh government has asked authorities in all the 28 districts to extend the COVID-19 lockdown till 31 May, even as it granted more relaxations in economic activities, PTI reported.

The lockdown, currently in force in all districts of the state, was set to end in most regions at 15 May midnight.

In its statement, the NHRC said that ‘it seems the public authorities have failed to take efforts in educating the masses and checking the immersion of half-burnt or unburnt bodies into the Ganga’.

Local trains, metro services, inter state bus/train services, inland waterways to remain shut. Intra-state goods trucks movement is restricted except for essential supplies.

If any patient – in home isolation – needs medical oxygen, our teams will reach at their doorstep within two hours, said Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday.

Delhi recorded 8,500 daily cases on Friday, the first time the figure has dipped below 10,000 since 10 April. The city’s positivity rate had also dipped to 12 percent.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 18,04,29,261 said the health ministry.

With the death of 3,890 more COVID-19 patients, the total number of fatalities climbed to 2,66,207, said the health ministry on Saturday. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.09 percent.

The active COVID-19 caseload in India reached 36,73,802 on Saturday, comprising 15.07 percent of the total infections reported so far. India Saturday reported 3,26,098 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the overall count over 2.43 crore.

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 18 crore, the Union health ministry said on Friday.

The ministry said 3,25,071 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine on Thursday and cumulatively 42,55,362 across 32 states and union territories since the start of the third phase of the vaccination drive.

The total of 18,04,29,261 include 96,27,199 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 66,21,675 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,43,63,754 frontline workers (FLWs) who have received the first dose, 81,48,757 FLWs who have taken the second dose, and 42,55,362 individuals in the 18-44 years age group who have received the first dose.

Besides, 5,67,99,389 and 87,50,224 beneficiaries aged over 45 to 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose, respectively, while 5,43,15,317 and 1,75,47,584 beneficiaries above 60 years have taken the first and second dose.

As on day-119 of the vaccination drive (14 May), total 10,79,759 vaccine doses were given.

A total of 6,16,781 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 4,62,978 beneficiaries received the second dose of vaccine according to the provisional report till 8 pm, the ministry said, adding that the final reports would be completed for the day by late night.

The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level, it said.

Health

West Bengal records 20,846 new COVID-19 cases in highest single-day spike

Editor — Sun, 16 May 2021 21:45:30 +0000

Kolkata: West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 new COVID-19 cases, taking the overall count to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin.

The toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people, including five eminent doctors, succumbed to the infection, the bulletin said.

Senior BJP leader Mukul Roy and his wife Krishna are among those who contracted the disease.

Roy, who is the saffron party’s vice president, is currently undergoing home isolation, sources in the health department said.

Of the 136 deaths, 67 were due to the comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental. North 24 Parganas district accounted for 42 fatalities and Kolkata 34.

The five doctors who lost their lives are well-known pathologist Dr Subir Kumar Dutta (90), renowned physician from Barasat, Dr Utpal Sengupta (in his 70s), surgeon Dr Satish Ghata (late 70s), Dr Sandipan Mandal (37) of Murshidabad Medical College and Hospital, and gynaecologist Dr Dilip Chakraborty.

At least 19,131 recuperated from the disease since Thursday, taking the total number of recoveries to 9,50,017. The recovery rate stands at 86.78 percent.

North 24 Parganas, too, recorded the highest one-day surge of 4,197 cases, while the city reported 3,955 new infections.

Accordingly, the number of active cases climbed to 1,31,792, the bulletin said.

As many as 1,13,09,467 samples have been tested in the state thus far, including 70,051 since Thursday, it added.

Health