News Analysis India

Tag: Coronavirus Outbreak

  • Rajasthan HC ‘dissatisfied’ over non-identification of people without valid IDs for vaccination

    By PTI
    JODHPUR: Amid uncertainty over anti-Covid vaccination of Pakistani Hindu migrants in Rajasthan, the state government on Friday sought some more time from the high court here to identify them for their inoculation.

    State’s Additional Advocate General K S Rajpurohit sought time from a Jodhpur bench of the high court after it made a critical observation against the government over the delay in the identification of the community.

    Despite the Centre’s special operation procedure providing for vaccinations of people having no prescribed identity cards, the state government was yet to take steps to identify them for the vaccination, the bench of justices Vijay Bishnoi and Rameshwar Vyas said.

    The bench said it while examining the issue of vaccination and food supply to migrants that the court had taken suo moto cognisance of and had sought the Centre and state government’s stands over it.

    Following this observation, AAG Rajpurohit sought some time to furnish details about the steps taken by the state government in every district to identify people having no prescribed identity cards for vaccination.

    Following the state law officer’s submission, the court adjourned the matter for the next hearing on June 3.

    AAG Rajpurohit had earlier told the court that the Centre’s May 6 SOP was silent on the Pakistani minority migrants and the state government has sought the Centre’s clarification on the issue of vaccination to the people who have not been granted citizenship.

    The Centre’s law officer, Additional Solicitor General Vipul Singhvi, however, had earlier countered the AAG submission earlier in an affidavit.

    The Centre has already issued a detailed SOP on COVID-19 vaccination of people having no prescribed identity cards after registering them on the CoWIN app after receiving the requisite information from the state and district administration regarding various groups.

    Concurring with the ASG’s submission in the affidavit, the bench observed, “We also have noticed that several directions regarding the identification of groups of people included in the SOP have been given but the state has not submitted any details regarding the identification of such groups.”

    Adjourning the matter for June 3, the court directed AAG Rajpurohit to submit a detailed report regarding the compliance of the Centre’s SOP guidelines in the state.

  • Airlines can operate only 50 per cent of pre-COVID domestic flights from June 1: Government

    Airlines can operate only 50 per cent of their pre-COVID domestic flights from June 1 instead of 80 per cent permitted currently.

  • Mizoram facing financial crisis due to COVID-19 and other problems: CM Zoramthanga

    Mizoram CM Zoramthanga, who also holds the Finance portfolio, said that the outbreak of COVID-19 has hit hard the state #39;s economy.

  • Nagaland extends lockdown till June 11 as COVID cases spike

    By PTI
    KOHIMA: The Nagaland government on Friday extended the total lockdown in the state till June 11.

    The lockdown, first imposed on May 14 for seven days, was earlier extended till May 31.

    The decision to further extend the lockdown till June 11 was taken by the High Powered Committee (HPC) on COVID-19, headed by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio.

    In the meeting, the Health and Family Welfare Department made a presentation on the status of the COVID-19 case, beds and oxygen availability and the trend of hospitalisations, among others, said minister Neiba Kronu.

    In view of the number of COVID-19 cases in the state and the feedback given by the District Task Forces (DTFs), the decision to extend the lockdown till June 11 was taken, he said.

    The state on Friday reported 192 new cases, increasing the COVID-19 tally to 21,215.

    The highest number of cases were detected in Dimapur at 61, followed by Tuensang (47) and Kohima (26).

    Five more people died in the state, raising the toll to 343.

    There are 4,990 active cases in Nagaland at present, while 15,258 patients have recovered.

    The state government is satisfied that the existing lockdown measures are required to continue in order to break the chain and prevent the spread of COVID-19, said the official notification issued by Chief Secretary J Alam on the lockdown extension.

    The existing guidelines would continue to be in place — all activities and movement of people will remain suspended, except essential services, agriculture and construction works.

    Shops dealing in essential commodities would be allowed to remain open from 6 am to 12 noon daily and only one person per family has to do the shopping, as per the guidelines.

    Advisor Mmhonlumo Kikon said the committee has asked the DTFs to submit a detailed report on the welfare of the unorganised sectors, including taxi and bus drivers, and other daily wage earners Minister Kronu said it was also decided that over and above the 15 percent of Local Area Development Programme (LADP) fund earmarked for common pool activities, an additional 10 percent will be kept aside for COVID-19 related expenditure.

    The Planning Department will issue separate guidelines on this, he said.

    To check the spread of the virus in rural areas, a system of community surveillance has been put in place, while the DTFs have been asked to take steps to strengthen the Village Task Forces and Village Disaster Management Authorities, he said.

    They shall remain operational under the supervision of the respective DTFs for effective management of COVID-19 in the rural areas, he said.

    All village and ward/colony authorities would be mobilised to organise suitable slots for vaccination in order to streamline the ongoing vaccination drive, the minister said.

  • COVID-19 restrictions extended by 15 days, new guidelines on June 1: Maharashtra Minister Rajesh Tope

    By PTI
    PUNE: The lockdown-like restrictions in Maharashtra on account of the coronavirus pandemic have been extended by 15 days but a fresh set of guidelines will be issued on June 1, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Friday.

    The state cabinet had taken the decision to extend the curbs on people’s movement and businesses — in force since mid-April — in a meeting on Thursday.

    “As far as lockdown is concerned, 15 days’ extension has been given, but the guidelines related to it will be issued on June 1,” Tope told reporters here.

    No relaxation will be given in the areas where the number of patients and positivity rate are still high and hospital bed availability is an issue, he said.

    “But in the areas where the situation has improved, certain guidelines (easing the curbs) can beissued,” he added.

    Asked if shops selling non-essential commodities will be allowed to open, he said all such decisions will be taken on June 1.

    On Thursday, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had said the restrictions will continue after June 1, and will be relaxed later in a phased manner.

    “In 10 to 15 districts, the positivity rate is still very high. Besides, there is threat of the black fungus infection (found in recovering/recovered coronavirus patients),” the chief minister had noted.

  • COVID-19: Uttar Pradesh men threaten doctor, open fire when not allowed to enter clinic without mask

    By PTI
    NOIDA: Two young men on Thursday allegedly hurled abuses at a doctor and his staff, issued threats and opened fire outside their clinic in Greater Noida after one of them was told to enter only with a face mask on in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, police said.

    Police said they have arrested the accompanying friend of the key accused, and a manhunt is underway to nab him.

    Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Greater Noida) Vishal Pandey said the incident took place in Jarcha police station area in the morning when 22-year-old Parmeet, a resident of Phulpur village, had gone to the clinic for consultation with the doctor.

    “He was not wearing a face mask and was told by the doctor and the clinic staff to not enter without a face mask, as per COVID protocols. However, the words of caution turned into a heated argument and Parmeet left the clinic,” Pandey said.

    “After about an hour, he returned to the clinic along with a friend but this time armed with a gun. They both hurled abuses at the doctor and his staff, issued threats and went outside the clinic where they opened gunshots in the air in rage before leaving again,” the officer said.

    The matter was reported to the local police and an FIR lodged under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code against the duo, the police said.

    While Parmeet is on the run, his friend Rahul who accompanied him during the incident has been arrested and legal proceedings initiated against him, the police added.

  • Government issues guidelines on vaccinating elderly, differently-abled near home

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Centre Thursday issued guidelines for vaccination near home, making it easier for the elderly and the differently-abled to get inoculated against coronavirus close to the places of their residence.

    In the ‘Near to Home COVID Vaccination Centres (NHCVC)’ guidelines, the Health Ministry said individuals above 60 with no vaccination or just the first dose, and those below 60 but having disability due to physical or medical conditions will be eligible for vaccination at such centres.

    The ministry said the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has recommended the proposal by a Technical Expert Committee of the Union Ministry on the guidelines for NHCVC for elderly and differently-abled citizens.

    These recommendations have also been accepted by the Union Ministry of Health.

    “The NHCVC for elderly and differently-abled citizens would follow a community-based, flexible and people-centric approach, bringing the COVID Vaccination centres nearer to homes,” the ministry said.

    The Technical Expert Committee’s recommendations are aimed at ensuring vaccination of senior citizens and differently abled population having limited mobility due to their physical condition, the ministry said.

    It said the recommendations are in response to the need to increase access by bringing vaccination services closer to the community while maintaining all necessary precautions and safety measures in accordance with the operational guidelines and advisories issued from time to time.

    According to the guidelines, which has been communicated to all the states and UTs by the health ministry, a community-based approach has to be followed where sessions can be conducted at non-health facility based settings nearer to home, e.g. in a community centre, RWA centre/office, panchayat ghar, school buildings, old age homes etc.

    Based on the cohort of eligible population, District Task Force (DTF)/Urban Task Force (UTF) will decide the location of NHCVC to maximize the reach of services to the target population, reduce vaccine wastage along with causing minimal impact on the existing health services, the guidelines state.

    According to the guidelines, the NHCVC will be linked to an existing CVC for vaccination purpose; the CVC in-charge will be responsible to provide vaccine, logistics and human resources.

    The site for NHCVC will be pre-identified in collaboration with community groups and RWAs.

    Such sites could be at Panchayat Bhawan, Sub-Health Centres and Health and Wellness Centres with availability of adequate space, community halls; RWA premises, polling booths, schools etc, the ministry said.

    These sites should have a vaccination room and a waiting area with appropriate access for the target group, for example ramp for wheelchair access and observation room to ensure waiting for 30 minutes post vaccination as per MoHFW operational guidelines, the statement said.

    Once identified and verified for meeting CVC criteria, all such sites will be registered on the CoWIN portal as NHCVC.

    Each team at NHCVC will comprise five members — team leader (necessarily a doctor), vaccinator, vaccination officer 1 for Co-WIN registration and/or verification of beneficiary, and vaccination officer-2 and 3 for crowd control, assistance to vaccinator, ensuring 30 minutes observation of beneficiaries following vaccination and any other support.

    In a scenario where there is a group of target beneficiaries under one roof like Old Age Home etc., the NHCVC can be organised at that site as per the operational guidelines.

    The guidelines also include details regarding registration and appointment of beneficiaries — either in advance, on-site or Facilitated Cohort Registration process on Co-WIN, line listing of beneficiaries, identification of NHCVC Site and linkage with existing CVC, facilitate travel of elderly and persons with special needs to session site wherever needed, making the vaccination center friendly to the elderly and persons with special needs.

    The Union Health Ministry has advised all states and UTs to direct the concerned officials to take note of these recommendations and ensure prompt necessary action for their detailed planning and effective implementation under the ongoing vaccination drive.

  • Priyanka Gandhi calls Centre’s vaccination policy ‘directionless’, questions export of jabs

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday hit out at the Centre over what she said was a “directionless” vaccination policy and questioned the government over the export of jabs earlier this year.

    The Congress general secretary’s attack on the government came in a Facebook post as part of her ‘Zimmedaar Kaun?’ (who is responsible) campaign under which she is asking questions of the government over its handling of the coronavirus pandemic.

    Countries around the world had come to know in 2020 that the vaccine is the most effective weapon to fight coronavirus and large countries ordered last year vaccines many times more than what their population required, Priyanka Gandhi said.

    The prime minister, after announcing in August 2020 that the government had a complete plan to provide vaccines to all, placed the first order in January 2021, that too for only 1.6 crore vaccine doses for India’s 130 crore population, she said in her post in Hindi.

    “Today, the locks hanging at vaccine centres everywhere, the appeal by the states for vaccines and the declining pace of vaccination bear testimony to the government’s directionless vaccine policy,” Priyanka Gandhi said.

    Earlier in the day, in a video on Twitter, Priyanka Gandhi asked why is India, one of the largest manufacturers of vaccines in the world, facing a scarcity of vaccines.

    Why was the first order of vaccines by the government of India placed in January 2021 when other countries began placing their orders in the summer of 2020, she asked.

    “Why did our government export six crore vaccines between January and March 2021, while vaccinating only 3.5 crore Indians during the same period of time,” she said, questioning the government.

    The Government of India owes the people of the country answers, Priyanka Gandhi said, adding that “we have to ask them questions and they have to answer us”.

    Questions need to be asked so that the people in power understand their responsibility and accountability towards this country, Priyanka Gandhi had asserted while announcing her ‘Zimmedaar Kaun’ campaign on Tuesday.

    The Congress has been critical of the Centre’s handling of the Covid situation in the country, especially its vaccine policy, but the government has dismissed the criticism of the Opposition party, accusing it of politicising the pandemic.

  • Government expects speedy India launch of single-dose Sputnik Light to boost COVID-19 vaccination drive

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The government is hopeful of a speedy launch of single-dose COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik Light in India and all stakeholders, including the Russian manufacturer and its Indian partners, have been directed to fast-track the application and regulatory approval procedures for the jab to boost the country’s vaccination drive, sources said on Thursday.

    An application seeking regulatory approval for Sputnik Light is expected to be filed in the next couple of weeks and it could become the first single-dose vaccine to be launched in India, sources said citing high-level discussions held among top government officials in the recent days to boost domestic availability of COVID-19 vaccines.

    At a meeting chaired by the Cabinet Secretary last week, it was suggested to immediately convene a meeting with all concerned stakeholders including the Department of Biotechnology Secretary, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), the Ministry of External Affairs representatives, the Union Health Ministry officials, RDIF (Russian Direct Investment Fund) and domestic manufacturers to expedite the regulatory approvals for Sputnik Light.

    Also, with the rollout of Sputnik’s one-dose jab, the issue of the criticality of recombinant Adenovirus Type-5 (rAd-5) component, which is used in the second dose of the presently-approved double-dose Sputnik V vaccine and for production of which manufacturers are not very comfortable, will also become redundant, sources privy to the discussions said.

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    On Sputnik Light, it was discussed in the meeting that Russia has already approved this vaccine and trials are ongoing in other countries.

    Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) informed other participants that the application for regulatory approval of Sputnik Light is expected to be filed in the next 2-3 weeks.

    It was also highlighted during the meeting that six Lakh imported double-dose of Sputnik-V will be available in May 2021, one crore imported doses in June 2021 and 2.8 crore doses (2.4 Crore imported and 40 Lakh manufactured in India) in July 2021, sources said.

    August 2021 onwards, locally manufactured Sputnik V vaccine will be available in the domestic market and technology-transfer arrangement for manufacturing of Sputnik-V vaccine has been firmed up with six Indian manufacturers, sources added.

    The Department of Biotechnology and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) are in touch with all these manufacturers to provide the necessary support to them in setting up their manufacturing facilities.

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    It was also flagged during one recent meeting that the domestic manufacturers are not very comfortable with the production of recombinant Adenovirus Type-5 (rAd-5) component, which is used in the second dose of vaccine, due to its low yield and their inability to fully absorb its production process.

    Another round of meeting with the manufacturers and RDIF is likely to be held soon to resolve this issue.

    At the same time, it was noted that the availability of single-dose Sputnik Light in the domestic market can significantly boost the country’s vaccination drive.

    “Besides, the issue of the criticality of rAd-5 component will also become redundant with its launch. It was, therefore, suggested that NITI Aayog may immediately convene a meeting inviting all relevant stakeholders including the DBT Secretary, DCGI, representative of MEA, representative of Health Ministry, RDIF and domestic manufacturers to expedite the regulatory approvals for Sputnik Light,” another source said.

    The two-dose Sputnik V had received the Indian drug regulator’s permission for restricted emergency use with certain conditions on April 12.

    Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is importing the vaccine for use in India.

    Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd had applied for the grant of permission to import and market Gam-COVID-Vac combined vector vaccine, popularly called Sputnik-V, developed by Gamaleya Institute, Russia for Emergency Use Authorization.

    The Gam-COVID-Vac combined vector vaccine (Component I and Component II) has been developed by the National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation and is approved in 30 countries across the world.

    DRL has collaborated with the Russian developer for obtaining regulatory approval for import for marketing in India.

    The interim results of safety immunogenicity and efficacy from the Russian phase-3 clinical trial have been published in the Lancet journal.

    With many states reporting shortage of vaccines, the government is trying to secure imported jabs, including of Russia’s Sputnik vaccines, while talks are also underway for COVID-19 vaccines developed by US majors Pfizer and Moderna.

    Besides, the government is also looking to ramp up domestic manufacturing of vaccines, including those made by Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech, among other Indian manufacturers currently in various stages of their vaccine production.

  • Punjab Health Minister mocks Sukhbir Singh Badal, says SAD leader took ‘vaccine worth Rs 62,000’

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Thursday mocked SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal for criticising the state government on vaccine procurement issue, claiming that the former deputy chief minister got a “vaccine worth Rs 62,000” administered after he tested positive for COVID-19.

    Sidhu’s remarks were in response to Badal’s criticism of the Punjab government.

    The minister did not elaborate but appeared to be referring to the recently-introduced Roche’s antibodies cocktail drug priced at Rs 59,750 per dose launched this week in India.

    It is for restricted emergency use to treat mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults and paediatric patients (12 years or weighing more than at least 40 kg).

    However, the drug was not available in the country when Badal had tested positive for COVID-19 in March.

    The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Tuesday said when the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) was able to procure Covaxin doses within one week of placing the order then why the Amarinder Singh-led dispensation could not do so.

    He had alleged that the Congress-led government lacked the intention to procure vaccines for people of the state.

    “Do not compare Sukhbir Singh Badal with the state government. He says too much and he had earlier spoken a lot as well and even now. Sukhbir Badal had himself got a vaccine worth Rs 62,000 administered. Has he got Rs 62,000 worth a jab administered to the people of Punjab,” he asked while talking to reporters here.

    Sidhu was replying to a question when asked that Badal had said if the SGPC could procure vaccine doses then why the state government could not do so.

    “He (Sidhu) is completely wrong in saying this,” Sidhu, adding that the state government has also been procuring vaccines every day.

    The health minister, however, welcomed the SGPC for coming forward to assist in the fight against COVID-19.

    The SGPC, which is to start a vaccination drive next week, has also set up some Covid care centres in the state.

    On the issue of black fungus or mucormycosis, Sidhu said that the state government could get only 1,000 injections against the demand for 15,000 doses raised with the Centre, which were insufficient.

    “We are putting pressure on the central government to give us more injections,” he said.

    To a question on vaccines, the minister said that Punjab was facing a shortage of the vaccine.

    “We are not getting that much supply of vaccine doses which match our requirements which is a matter of concern. Every day we go hand to mouth,” said Sidhu.

    Around 47 lakh people have been vaccinated so far, he said.

    To another question on wastage of vaccines, Sidhu said, “There can be-one-and-a-half per cent wastage. They (Centre) themselves say 10 per cent. But we are not going to allow any wastage, which is like expiry date or anything else. If there is a breakage in any injection then it is a separate issue. Otherwise, we do not allow any wastage.”