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Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates: Provide free vaccination to all Indian citizens, 116 former civil servants urge Modi

20 May 2021 0 COMMENTS
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20:45 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

329 doctors succumbed to COVID-19 during 2nd wave, maximum from Bihar: IMA

The Indian Medical Association on Thursday released fresh figures on Covid-related fatalities among doctors, saying 329 of them succumbed to the disease during the ongoing second wave of the pandemic. Bihar alone saw 80 deaths, the maximum among states, followed by Delhi (73), Uttar Pradesh (41), Andhra Pradesh (22) and Telangana (20), the IMA said. According to the IMA COVID-19 registry, 748 doctors had died due to the disease during the first wave of the pandemic. IMA President Dr JA Jayalal said the IMA maintains a registry based only on the input of its various branches across the country.

20:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Mumbai’s Dharavi sees seven new COVID-19 cases

Dharavi, the biggest slum in Mumbai, reported seven new coronavirus cases on Thursday, a senior civic official said. With this, the infection count of Dharavi rose to 6,743, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) official said. Dadar and Mahim, which are the adjoining areas of Dharavi, reported 17 and 23 COVID-19 cases during the day respectively.
On Wednesday, Dharavi had reported eight cases.
PTI

20:24 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Mumbai reports 1,425 new coronavirus cases, 59 fatalities

Mumbai records 1,425 new coronavirus cases and 59 deaths, taking the total case count to 6,93,664 and toll to 14,468, according to data released by the BMC. A total of 1,460 patients recuperated during the day, taking the total number of recoveries to 6,47,623. There are 29,525 active cases in the city.

20:10 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Provide free vaccination to all Indian citizens, 116 former civil servants write to Modi

The Central government should provide for free vaccination to all Indian citizens and greatly ramp up RT-PCR testing in both rural and urban areas, a group of former civil servants said on Thursday in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.They said the government seems to be more concerned with managing the narrative of “efficient” management of the COVID crisis rather than addressing the crucial issues at stake.
The letter is signed by 116 former civil servants, including former Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, former health secretary K Sujatha Rao, former foreign secretary and ex-national security adviser Shivshankar Menon, former adviser to the Prime Minister T K A Nair, former chief information commissioner Wajahat Habibullah and former lieutenant governor of Delhi Najeeb Jung.
PTI

20:07 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Vaccines work against variants but overseas travel still not safe,says WHO

Progress against the coronavirus pandemic remains “fragile” and international travel should be avoided, a World Health Organization director warned Thursday, while stressing that authorised vaccines work against variants of concern.

“Right now, in the face of a continued threat and new uncertainty, we need to continue to exercise caution, and rethink or avoid international travel,” WHO’s European director Hans Kluge said, before adding that “pockets of increasing transmission” on the continent could quickly spread.

AFP

20:03 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Tamil Nadu declares Mucormycosis as notifiable disease

The Tamil Nadu government on Thursday declared ‘black fungus’ or Mucormycois as a notifiable disease after nine people were found to have been
infected with it in the state. “Currently nine people are being treated for the disease, of which six are old cases and three, new ones. Seven of them
are diabetic… all are stable,” health secretary J Radhakrishnan told reporters in Chennai.
To study what measures need to be taken, a 10-member ‘Mucormycois Committee’, comprising senior medical professionals, has been formed, he said.
PTI

19:57 (IST)

Five more pharma companies got approval to make Amphotericin B, says Mansusk Mandviya

In addition to six exisiting pharma companies, fve more companies in India have been allowed to produce Amphotericin B, the drug used to treat black fungus or mucormycosis, said Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers Mansukh Mandaviya. Any shortage of medicines to treat the fungal infection, that is primarily affecting COVID-19 recovered patients, in several states will be resolved soon, the minister said on Twitter.

“The existing pharma companies have already started ramping up the production. Indian companies have also placed orders for importing six lakh vials of Amphotericin B. We are leaving no stone unturned to smoothen the situation,” Mandviya said in another tweet.

19:50 (IST)

Tamil Nadu rolls out free of cost COVID-19 vaccination for 18-44 age group

The free of cost COVID-19 inoculation drive in Tamil Nadu for beneficiaries in the 18 to 44 age bracket was inaugurated here on Thursday by Chief Minister M K Stalin. The vaccination exercise began at the Netaji Apparel Park in Tirupur which has a 12,000 strong workforce and all eligibile employees would be administered the jabs, an official release said adding Stalin gave away certificates to beneficiaries.

PTI

19:48 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Sonia Gandhi writes to PM, seeks free education for kids orphaned during pandemic

Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide free education in Navodaya Vidyalayas to children orphaned due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In her letter, Sonia Gandhi said the nation owes it to children to give them hope and provide them a robust future after their tragedy. “I am writing to request you to consider providing free education at the Navodaya Vidyalayas to children who have lost either both parents or an earning parent on account of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Congress chief said. “I feel that as a nation, we owe it to them to give them hope for a robust future after the unimaginable tragedy that has befallen them,” Sonia Gandhi said.

The BJP, however, took a swipe at the Congress chief, saying her idea of looking after kids orphaned during the pandemic is “outdated and copied”.
PTI

19:35 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Punjab to provide Rs 1,500 pension, free education till graduation for children orphaned due to COVD-19

The Punjab government on Thursday decided to provide Rs 1,500 per month as social security pension and free education up to graduation to all those children orphaned in the COVID pandemic, as well as families that have lost their breadwinning member, beginning 1 July. Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said his government will ensure free education in government institutions for such children as well as kids belonging to families that have lost their breadwinner to COVID, according to an official statement.
He dubbed it as the “state’s duty to become the foster parents of the children” who have lost both their parents in the COVID-19 pandemic. Singh said affected persons would also be eligible for Rs 51,000 under the Ashirwad Scheme with effect from 1 July and would be entitled to free ration under the state smart ration card scheme and coverage under the ‘Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana’.
PTI

19:27 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Why shouldn’t decision to cancel std 10th exam be set aside, Bombay HC asks Maharashtra govt

The Bombay High Court on Thursday came down heavily on the Maharashtra government over the cancellation of the Class 10 exam, saying it was making a
mockery of the education system. A division bench of Justices SJ Kathawalla and SP Tavade sought a reply as to why the decision to cancel the state board exam should not be set aside.
The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Dhananjay Kulkarni, challenging the government’s decision in April to cancel Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exam of Class 10 due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Government pleader P B Kakade said the government is yet to devise a formula to evaluate students (in the absence of the exam), and a decision will be taken in two weeks. “You are making a mockery of the education system,” Justice Kathwalla said.
PTI

19:23 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Kerala records 30,491 new COVID-19 cases, 128 deaths

Kerala on Thursday reported 30,491 new COVID-19 cases and 128 more deaths, taking the caseload to 22,33, 904 and the toll to 6,852, the state government said. As many as 44,369 persons have been cured,pushing the total recoveries to 19,38,887, while 3,17,850 are undergoing treatment for the infection. In the last 24 hours, 1,31,525 samples were tested and the Test Positivity Rate (TPR) was 23.18 percent.
PTI

19:18 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Punjab CM tells health dept to explore possibility of floating global tender for COVID-19 vaccine, says CMO

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh has directed the Health Department to explore possibilities of floating a global tender for the procurement of vaccines from all possible sources to ensure early inoculation in the state, news agency ANI quotes the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office as saying. According to the CMO, the chief minister also announced that the state government will reach out directly to all vaccine manufacturers for direct purchase of various COVID-19 vaccines, including Sputnik V, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.

19:13 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Not allowed to speak during PM’s meeting on COVID-19 situation, alleges Mamata Banerjee

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday complained that state chief ministers were reduced to being puppets and not allowed to speak at Prime Minister
Narendra Modis meeting on the COVID-19 situation with district magistrates and officials despite being invited. Alleging that the Prime Ministers meeting was a
“super flop”, Banerjee said that she along with her counterparts from many states were not allowed to speak, which was akin to insulting them. She also claimed that only CMs of the BJP-ruled states were allowed to speak at the meeting, while others were “reduced to puppets”.
PTI

18:51 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Board exams to be held in Bengal after COVID-19 crisis is contained, says minister

Bengal education minister Bratya Basu on Thursday said this year’s state board examinations will be held once the COVID-19 crisis is contained.
Basu also said that officials of his department will sit for talks with senior members of board of secondary education and council of higher secondary education, and a decision would be taken in consultation with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, keeping all safety concerns in mind.
State board examinations for classes 10 and 12 were earlier slated to be held in June.
PTI

18:48 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Over 68,000 vaccine doses administered in Delhi on 19 May

Over 68,000 people were vaccinated against the novel coronavirus infection on Wednesday in Delhi, according to a bulletin shared by AAP MLA Atishi. The number is less since Wednesdays and Fridays are reserved for routine immunisation of children and many COVID vaccination centres are shut.
PTI

18:43 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Nearly 150 vaccination sites for 18-44 age group will have to be shut down from Friday, says Atishi

AAP MLA Atishi on Thursday said nearly half of the vaccination sites for the 18-44 age group in Delhi are likely to be shut from Friday as the city has less than a day’s stock of Covishield left. The vaccination centres administering Covaxin to the people in the city have been shut for nearly a week, she said. “We have less than a day’s stock of Covishield left for the 18-44 age group. There are 99 schools where 368 vaccination sites are there. Nearly 150 of these sites will have to close down from tomorrow owing to vaccine shortage,” Atishi said while issuing the vaccination bulletin.
The National Capital has two days of Covaxin and nine days of Covishield stock left for the 45 plus age group, healthcare workers and frontline workers, she said. The AAP MLA added that 50,000 doses of Covishield will be received by the city government Thursday evening.

18:29 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

AP registers 114 deaths, 22,610 new cases, 23,098 recoveries

Andhra Pradesh on Thursday registered yet another new record number of 114 Covid-19 deaths while the cumulative positives rose to 15,21,142 and recoveries 13,02,208. In the 24 hours ending 9 am today, the state reported 22,610 fresh positives and 23,098 recoveries, the latest bulletin said.

The toll mounted to 9,800 and active cases stood at 2,09,134. East Godavari district reported the highest 3,602 new cases in 24 hours, Chittoor 3,185 and West Godavari 2,066. Vizianagaram added the lowest 885 and Kadapa 989, while eight other districts registered between 1,000 and 1,800 new cases.

18:15 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Active case down in Uttar Pradesh by 62.5% since 30 April, says official

The Uttar Pradesh government on Thursday said the number of active COVID-19 cases in the state has come down by over 62 percent since its peak on April 30.

The state in the past 24 hours has recorded 238 fresh deaths, which took the toll to 18,590, while 6,725 new cases pushed the tally to 16,51,532, Aditional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad, told reporters.

In the same time period, 13,590 people recovered from the disease, the official said.

“The recovery rate of the state is improving. It is now 91.8 percent. The active cases in the state in past 20 days have come down by 62.5 percent,” he said.

18:01 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

First case of black fungus reported in Himachal Pradesh

The first case of Mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, has been detected in Himachal Pradesh, officials said on Thursday. A native of Khagar in Hamirpur district has been diagnosed with Mucormycosis infection, Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) hospital’s senior medical superintendent Dr Janak Raj said.

The woman is currently being treated at IGMC here, where she has been referred from Mandi’s Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Hospital Nerchowk, he added. Her condition is stable and Mucormycosis has been found near her nose, Raj said.

The woman is also suffering from diabetes and blood pressure, he said, adding that she was tested positive for COVID-19 on 4 May.

-PTI

17:55 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

One-third of Karnataka’s COVID cases and fatalities reported in second wave

One-third of the total COVID cases and fatalities since the outbreak of the pandemic in Karnataka took place in the last two-and-half months when the second wave hit the State, reveals official data. According to the data, 7,06,449 people got infected, of which 7,980 people lost their lives between 1 March and 15 May.

However, since the outbreak of the pandemic last year, 21,71,931 contracted COVID, out of which 21,434 lost their lives.

The second wave did not spare children, teenagers and youth in their twenties who accounted for a number of infections and fatalities.
PTI

17:48 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Don’t take dip in COVID-19 cases lightly, virus could again hit badly: HC warns Centre, Delhi govt
The Delhi High Court Thursday warned the authorities that they should not take lightly the dip in COVID-19 cases in the national capital as there is a likelihood that the virus would again raise its ugly head and hit the citizens badly and reminded them about their responsibility to create buffer stock of liquid medical oxygen (LMO).
The high court said it is the duty of the Centre and Delhi government to ensure that they are again not caught underprepared to deal with the situation.
If you have not taken steps, we will come and chase you again. We are telling you, we mean business. Please don’t take it lightly we are again warning you, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh told the Centre.

PTI

17:35 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Delhi govt to set up dedicated centres for treatment of black fungus cases

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said dedicated centres will be set up for the treatment of black fungus or mucormycosis cases at three city government-run hospitals. He made the announcement after discussing the rise in black fungus cases with officials and specialists at a meeting
.
“Three important decisions were taken at the meeting. Centres will be set up at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital for treatment of black fungus,” the CM tweeted. The drugs used in the treatment of the fungal infection will be arranged in enough quantity and awareness will be created among people for prevention against the disease, he said. “We have to stop the spread of the disease and give best possible treatment to those suffering from it,” he said in another tweet in Hindi.

17:29 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Delhi HC asks Centre to inform on steps taken to import medicine for treating ‘black fungus’

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Centre to inform about steps taken to import medicine used for treating black fungus which is primarily affecting COVID-19 recovered people as the drug is in shortage in the country. The court asked the Central government to file a status on present production capacity of the medicine, details of producers licensed to produce it, enhanced capacity and by when the increased capacity be able to be manufactured.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said the Centre should right now take steps to get the medicine, Amphotericin B, from wherever it is available in the world.The court was told that currently Delhi has around 200 cases of Mucormycosis (black fungus).
PTI

17:22 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Bombay HC again asks centre to rethink policy on door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination

The Bombay High Court on Thursday said it was disheartened and disappointed with the Centre’s insensitivity and with the Mumbai civic body for not starting door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination for senior citizens and specially-abled, bed-ridden and wheelchair-bound people. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice G S Kulkarni reiterated that the Centre needs to rethink its policy that says door-to-door inoculation drive
was not possible due to various reasons, including wastage of vaccines and probability of adverse reaction to the vaccine.
The HC directed chairman of the ‘National Expert Group for Vaccine Administration of COVID-19’ (NEGVAC) set up by the Centre to consider the issue of introducing door-to-door drive and posted the matter for further hearing on 2 June. “If the NEGVAC decides favourably to start the door- to-door drive, then the same shall be implemented without waiting for the court’s order,” the bench said.
PTI

17:04 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Delhi records 3,231 new cases, 233 deaths

Delhi recorded 3,231 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 233 fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 5.5 percent, according to the health department. According to the latest health bulletin, the new fatalities pushed the toll from the novel coronavirus infection in the city to 22,579. The city recorded 3,231 COVID-19 cases on Thursday, the daily count dipping to below 4,000-mark for the second consecutive day, it said.
PTI

16:59 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Bengal CM seeks 20 lakh vaccine doses for state, Central govt employees

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to provide at least 20 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine for inoculation of all state and Central government employees. Banerjee, in her letter, also said that the Centre’s policies have “no room to accommodate the needs” of people who run greater risk of contracting the viral disease, including bankers, railway and airport employees, and those working in defence or coal sectors.
“In Bengal, we have taken steps to vaccinate a large section of frontline and electorally engaged employees across several sectors. We still need minimum 20 lakh doses to cover all employees,” the chief minister wrote.

16:40 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Three more home-testing kits in pipeline, says ICMR DG

One companyhas made application for home testing kit and three more home testing kits are in pipeline, says Bhargava. the ICMR DG details guidelines for use of the approved home testing kit and says hopefully the kit should be available in market in three-four days.

16:35 (IST)

Situation improving but still in middle of second wave, says ICMR DG

ICMR DG Balrama Bhargav says things improving slightly but we are still in the middle of the second wave. Districts have more than 10% positivity will have to impose have local containment measures, he says. We have 17lakh RAT capacity per day and 12-13 lakh RT-PCR test capacity per day. Noting that there are delays in RT-PCR test results, he requests the use of Rapid Antigen Tests. Testing has to be increased till positivity fall to 5%. Target of 25 lakh tests per day by the end of this month and capacity of 45 lakh tests per day by end of next month, he says.

16:29 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Physical distancing most important intervention, says health ministry

Physical distancing most important intervention, says health ministry, emphasises on need for use of masks. Highlights study showing 50% not wearing masks. Of 50% wearing masks, only 15% wear it correctly while 64% cover mouth but not nose, 20% have it on chin, says Agarwal, citing the study.

16:15 (IST)

Karnataka, Puducherry showing more than 25% positivity, says health ministry

Karnataka, Kerala, Puducherry Goa showing more than 25% positivity, matter of concern, says health ministry. Ten states showing decline in both cases and positivity, says the health ministry. Seven states including Tamil Nadu, Meghalya, Manipur and Sikkim showing increase in cases and positivity in last three weeks, Agarwal says.

Pune, Thrissur, Thane and Indore among districts showing decrease in cases and positivity in last three weeks, says health ministry.

16:08 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Eight states have more than one lakh active cases

Nineteen states have less than 50,000 active cases, eight states have more than one lakh cases and nine states have between 50,000-1 lakh active cases says health ministry. Tamil Nadu is showing increase in cases on day on day basis, says health ministry. 22 states are reporting more than 15% positivity, less than 5% in one state,

16:05 (IST)

Five states account for 50% deaths in 24 hours, says health ministry

50% deaths in 24 hours are from 5 states, says health ministry. Testing has been increased 2.3 times in past 12 weeks, Agarwal said. Case positivity has been declining since past 2 weeks and is over 15 percent now.

16:03 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Active cases continuously decreasing over past 15 days, says health ministry

In a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Joint Secretary in the Union health ministry Lav Agarwal said in the last 15 days, active cases have been continuously decreasing. while there is positive trend in recoveries. In the past 10 days, recovered cases are more than active cases in nine out of 10 days. In 21 states recoveries exceed daily cases, he said.

15:54 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Mucormycosis prime concern for Maharashtra at present, Rajesh Tope tells PM

Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Thursday told Prime Minister Narendra Modi that mucormycosis or black fungus, which has claimed 90 lives in
the state so far, is a matter of prime concern for the state at present, and the state government needs more supply of the medicine used in its treatment.
Tope made the statement at a meeting held by Modi,during which the latter interacted with 17 district collectors of Maharashtra. Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan also attended the meeting. Submitting his demands for the state, Tope said that since the requirement for oxygen and Remdesivir-like medicines has now stabilised due to a drop in COVID-19 cases, mucormycosis is a matter of prime concern for Maharashtra now.
PTI

15:43 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Nearly 2 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses available with states, UTs, says health ministry

Nearly two crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and Union Territories while around 26 lakh are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days, the Union health ministry said on Thursday.
“The government of India has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21 crore vaccine doses (21,07,31,130) to states and UTs. Of this, the total consumption (including wastage) is 19,09,60,575 doses (as per data available at 8 am today),” the ministry said. “Nearly 2.00 crore (1,97,70,555) COVID vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered,” it said. “Furthermore, nearly 26 lakh (25,98,760) vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states and UTs within the next three days,” it added.

15:28 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Ventilation crucial in reducing COVID-19 transmission: Office of PSA

Well-ventilated spaces play a crucial role in diluting the COVID-19 viral load of infected air and help in decreasing the risk of transmission from one infected person to the other, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser said on Thursday. In its advisory Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic–Masks, Distance, Sanitation and Ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus’, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) said ventilation is a community defence that protects all of us at home or at work. The advisory highlights the important role well-ventilated spaces play in diluting the viral load of infected air in poorly-ventilated houses, offices, among others.
PTI

15:21 (IST)

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Legendary sprinter Milkha Singh tests positive for COVID-19

Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation at his Chandigarh residence. The 91-year-old, popularly known as Flying Sikh, is asymptomatic and claims to be in “high spirits'”. “A couple of our helpers earlier tested positive and so all the family members did the tests. Only I returned positive on Wednesday and I am surprised,” Milkha told news agency PTI.
“I am fine and there is no fever or cough. My doctor told me I will be alright in three-four days. I did jogging just yesterday. I am in high spirits,” he added.
None of the other family members, including Milkha’s wife Nirmal Kaur, a former India volleyball captain, returned a positive test.
PTI

14:57 (IST)

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Will start door-to-door vaccination after Centre comes up with policy, BMC tells Bombay HC

In its affidavit file in the Bombay HC, the BMC declines to start door-to-door vaccination for the elderly and person with disabilities who can’t go to inoculation Centres, says it has always followed Union’s guidelines, reports LiveLaw. When Central Government comes up with “door-to-door vaccination policy” the state will implement it, says the Mumbai civic body. After listening to the Centre;s submissions, the court tells the BMC that it is very disappointed with its stand. “We are aghast to know that the Bombay Municipal Corporation has succumbed to the pressure. If there is lack of vaccine you will stop vaccination for all. Why this selective vaccination?”, LiveLaw quotes the Bombay HC as saying.

14:38 (IST)

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Delhi HC asks big hospitals in National Capital to install PSA plants

The Delhi High Court Thursday asked all the big hospitals in the National Capital with 100 or more beds to install PSA oxygen plants, saying the bitter experience everyone had due to the acute shortage of medical oxygen, for treating COVID-19 patients, has left a lesson to be learnt.

The high court said it is a high time that at least big hospitals with 100-bedded facilities or more should have their own PSA (Pressure Swing Absorption) plants which should have a capacity of at least two times of their normal requirement as this would go a long way in reducing dependence on outside sources.

A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh also asked the Delhi government’s Principal Secretary (Health) to take up the aspect of PSA oxygen plants with hospitals and file a status report in this regard by 27 May.

14:19 (IST)

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Centre asks states and UTs to notify ‘Black Fungus’ under Epidemic Diseases Act

The government has asked all states and union territories to declare mucormycosis or “black fungus” an epidemic. A letter from the Union health ministry asked states to make it a “notifiable disease under Epidemic Diseases Act”.

“All government and private health facilities and medical colleges have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis,” Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal has said in a letter to states.

This means all confirmed or suspected cases of black fungus, a condition seen in recovering Covid patients, have to be reported to the health ministry.

13:55 (IST)

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COVID-19 home test kit approved; symptomatic people testing negative should go for RT-PCR: ICMR

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday approved a home-based rapid antigen testing (RAT) kit for COVID-19 , which it advised should be used only on symptomatic individuals and on immediate contacts of laboratory-confirmed positive cases.

The country’s apex health research body said that the home-based rapid antigen testing kit manufactured by Mylab Discovery Solutions Ltd, Pune, has been validated and approved.

Only nasal swab will be required for this rapid antigen testing, it said, adding the process should be conducted as per the procedure described by the manufacturer in the user manual.

Read more here…

13:52 (IST)

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All PSA oxygen plants in Delhi will be operational by mid-July, says state govt in HC

For Delhi government, five plants have been commissioned and 32 are yet to be commissioned. Capacity will be 39.02 MT for 37 plants. For Centre, it is total seven plants. 3 are yet to be commissioned, said Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi government, in the high court on Thursday.

He added that all PSA oxygen plants will be operational in the National Capital by mid-July. “Few are coming at the end of this month, some by end of next month. By July mid, all plants would be operational,” he said.

13:30 (IST)

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Collect data on children infected with COVID-19: PM tells district officials

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday urged district officials to collect data on children being infected with coronavirus – a possibility as the virus, which has so far not attacked the younger age groups, mutates and spreads across countries. He also warned officials to guard against wasting vaccine doses.

13:15 (IST)

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PM cautions against vaccine wastage

When the vaccines are delivered to you all, we must ensure that there is no vaccine wastage. You all must monitor this in both urban and rural areas. Stopping vaccine wastage is critical and you all must ensure that we don’t have any wastage, said the prime minister to district officials on Thursday.

13:14 (IST)

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COVID-19 mutations have raised concerns among kids, need to be well prepared: PM

Due to coronavirus mutations, there have been more concerns about youngsters. We will have to be more prepared. Coronavirus is invisible, keeps changing variants and our approach should be dynamic and upgraded continuously, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told the district magistrates on Thursday.

He also asked the DMs to collect data on COVID-19 infection and its seriousness among youth, kids in their districts.

12:58 (IST)

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Delhi HC asks govt to review price cap on hospital rates

Delhi High Court asked the Principal Secretary-Health and the state government to examine on the issue of price cap on hospital rates as several hospitals and nursing homes have been converted into COVID-19 facilities.

The high court asked the Delhi government to apprise the court of its decision on this on Monday.

12:46 (IST)

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PM begins COVID-19 review meet with district officials of 10 states

Coronavirus has made your work more demanding and challenging. In the midst of new challenges, we need new strategies and solutions. It becomes important to use local experiences and we need to work together as a country, said Narendra Modi while interacting with district officials of 10 states on Thursday.

12:37 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Aerosols and droplets are key transmission mode of virus: Centre

Aerosols and droplets are the key transmission mode of the virus. Aerosols can be carried in the air up to 10 meters, said the office of Central government’s Principal Scientific Adviser on Thursday

12:18 (IST)

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates

Aerosols carrying virus can travel in air up to 10 metres: Centre

Cautioning people to maintain social distance to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the office of Central government’s principal scientific adviser K VijayRaghavan on Thursday said that aerosols, one of the key transmission mode of the SARS-CoV-2, can travel in the air up to 10 meters.

“Aerosols and droplets are key transmission mode of the COVID-19 virus, and while droplets fall within 2 meters from an infected person, aerosols can be carried in the air up to 10 meters,” an advisory said.

Coronavirus Latest News LIVE Updates: The Central government should provide for free vaccination to all Indian citizens and greatly ramp up RT-PCR testing in both rural and urban areas, a group of former civil servants said on Thursday in an open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

They said the government seems to be more concerned with managing the narrative of “efficient” management of the COVID crisis rather than addressing the crucial issues at stake.

The Punjab government on Thursday decided to provide Rs 1,500 per month as social security pension and free education up to graduation to all those children orphaned in the COVID pandemic, as well as families that have lost their breadwinning member, beginning 1 July.

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said his government will ensure free education in government institutions for such children as well as kids belonging to families that have lost their breadwinner to COVID, according to an official statement.

AAP MLA Atishi on Thursday said nearly half of the vaccination sites for the 18-44 age group in Delhi are likely to be shut from Friday as the city has less than a day’s stock of Covishield left. The vaccination centres administering Covaxin to the people in the city have been shut for nearly a week, she said.

Andhra Pradesh on Thursday registered yet another new record number of 114 Covid-19 deaths while the cumulative positives rose to 15,21,142 and recoveries 13,02,208.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Thursday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to provide at least 20 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine for inoculation of all state and Central government employees.

Banerjee, in her letter, also said that the Centre’s policies have “no room to accommodate the needs” of people who run greater risk of contracting the viral disease, including bankers, railway and airport employees, and those working in defence or coal sectors.

Delhi recorded 3,231 fresh cases of COVID-19 and 233 fatalities on Thursday, while the positivity rate dipped to 5.5 percent, according to the health department. According to the latest health bulletin, the new fatalities pushed the toll from the novel coronavirus infection in the city to 22,579.

One company has made application for home testing kit and three more home testing kits are in pipeline, says ICMR DG Balram Bhargava. He adds that hopefully the kit which has received approval should be available in the market in three-four days.

Ten states showing decline in both cases and positivity in last three weeks, says the Union health ministry. Seven states including Tamil Nadu, Meghalya, Manipur and Sikkim showing an increase in cases and positivity in last three weeks, Agarwal says.

Well-ventilated spaces play a crucial role in diluting the COVID-19 viral load of infected air and help in decreasing the risk of transmission from one infected person to the other, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser said on Thursday.

In its advisory Stop the Transmission, Crush the Pandemic–Masks, Distance, Sanitation and Ventilation to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 virus’, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) said ventilation is a community defence that protects all of us at home or at work.

In its affidavit file in the Bombay HC, the BMC declined to start door-to-door vaccination for the elderly and person with disabilities who can’t go to inoculation Centres, says it has always followed Union’s guidelines, reports LiveLaw.

When Central Government comes up with “door-to-door vaccination policy” the state will implement it, said the Mumbai civic body. The court told the BMC that it is very disappointed with its stand.

All government and private health facilities, and medical colleges have to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis, said Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal on Thursday.

The government has asked all states and union territories to declare mucormycosis or “black fungus” an epidemic. A letter from the Union health ministry asked states to make it a “notifiable disease under Epidemic Diseases Act”.

For Delhi government, five plants have been commissioned and 32 are yet to be commissioned. Capacity will be 39.02 MT for 37 plants, said Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi government, in the high court on Thursday.

He added that all PSA oxygen plants will be operational in the National Capital by mid-July. “Few are coming at the end of this month, some by end of next month. By July mid, all plants would be operational,” he said.

The prime minister said it is ‘critical’ to ensure maximum use of every vial and that wasting even one dose of vaccine meant depriving a person of a degree of protection.

Narendra Modi was speaking at a virtual meeting with district magistrates from 11 states, including Maharashtra, Kerala and Uttar Pradesh – three of the five most badly affected by the second wave.

Cautioning people to maintain social distance to prevent the transmission of the COVID-19 virus, the office of Central government’s principal scientific adviser K VijayRaghavan on Thursday said that aerosols, one of the key transmission mode of the SARS-CoV-2, can travel in the air up to 10 meters.

Of the 3,874 new COVID-19 deaths, Maharashtra on Thursday reported the highest number of fatalities with 594 patients succumbing to the viral infection. The daily deaths were recorded below 4,000 after four days, taking the toll to 2,87,122, according to the health ministry.

Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi government, on Thursday in the high court said, ‘Entire pressure on oxygen supply is non existent presently.’

“Most of the oxygen refillers are not complying with court and GNCTD orders. In the past also the refillers have not appeared. Either we will not take some coercive steps against some people. If trend remains, we will be left with no other option,” he added.

The high court on Tuesday declined to direct an expeditious decision on a bail plea filed by businessman Navneet Kalra, a day after a city court remanded him to three days’ police custody.

Kalra was nabbed from Gurugram on Sunday night and was formally arrested on Monday. He was on the run for over a week since the seizure of more than 500 oxygen concentrators from Khan Chacha, Town Hall, and Nega and Ju restaurants owned by him.

With the death of 3,874 more coronavirus patients in the past 24 hours, the total number of fatalities in the country increased over 2.87 lakh on Thursday, said the health ministry.

This takes the national fatality rate to 1.11 percent.

India registered 2,76,070 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, pushing the overall count over 2.57 crore on Thursday, according to the Union health ministry.

The health minister said that 51 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses will be made available by July and 216 crore more between August and December.

He urged states to ensure that the healthcare and frontline workers are fully vaccinated, as they form the vulnerable categories.

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan Wednesday said India will have procured 267 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of this year, and will be in a position to inoculate at least all of its adult population, according to an official statement.

BJP president JP Nadda Wednesday said the coronavirus vaccine will be available for all in the country by December.

He accused the Congress of spreading anarchy at the time of the pandemic.

Nadda was reviewing the COVID-19 situation in Rajasthan in a virtual interaction with BJP state president Satish Poonia and party MPs from the state, a party statement said.

Nadda said the prime minister had warned the chief ministers of the states in March itself and asked them to be prepared for the second wave of coronavirus.

“India developed two indigenous vaccines for the first time in just nine months, which have been administered to 18 crore Indians so far. By the end of December, the vaccine will be available to all and its calendar has been set,” he said.

Nadda said the Modi government at the Center has ensured the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines to all the states.

He said that real face of the Congress has been exposes after revelation of its “tool kit”.

Even at the time of the pandemic, the Congress is trying to spread anarchy in the country and is working to destroy the morale of the people by spreading confusion among them, he alleged.

Besides Poonia, Union ministers Arjunram Meghwal, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Kailash Chaudhary, MPs PP Chaudhary, Narendra Kumar, Manoj Rajoria, Jaskaur Meena, Swami Sumedhanand and Ranjita Koli joined the meeting.

Abdul Gh Lone

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