News Analysis India

Tag: COVID19

  • Delhi HC refuses to entertain plea to reduce Covishield dosage interval

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea seeking reduction of the 12-16 week interval for the second dose of Covishield vaccine to eight weeks for persons over 50 years of age and those having comorbidities.

    “We are not inclined to issue notice. We will dismiss with costs,” said a bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh on a PIL by Dr Siddharth De. “Are you aware of any procedure? How are doses fixed? Who is fixing the doses? We will have to alter the procedure if at all we have the power to do so,” the court questioned the counsel for De, advocate Kuldeep Jauhari.

    Jauhari responded that there was a COVID working group and other expert groups which looked into the aspect. He added that based on studies conducted by scientists in the UK, there was a need to reduce the dosage interval in view of the new variants of COVID-19.

    The court opined that Jauhari was unable to convince it. “You are unable to convince us. Just for the sake of arguing you are arguing”, the court said.

    While Jauhari claimed that the petition was an honest PIL, the court responded that it had no doubt regarding the honesty of the plea and dismissal was not a certificate of dishonesty. Jauhari subsequently withdrew the plea unconditionally. The gap between two doses of Covishield vaccine is presently 12 to 16 weeks.

  • Uttar Pradesh’s efforts in combating COVID ‘commendable’: PM Narendra Modi

    By PTI
    VARANASI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday described as “commendable” the efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government in combating the COVID-19 crisis. “The way in which UP has controlled the second Covid wave and stopped its spread is unprecedented,” the prime minister, who arrived at his parliamentary constituency earlier in the morning, said while addressing a gathering.

    Earlier, even minor problems assumed monstrous proportions due to the shortage of health facilities and the lack of willpower, he said. The prime minister inaugurated projects worth around Rs 744 crore and laid the foundation stones of several projects and public works worth about Rs 839 crore.

    These include the Centre for Skill and Technical Support of Central Institute of Petrochemical Engineering and Technology (CIPET), 143 rural projects under the Jal Jeevan Mission and mango and vegetable integrated pack house in Karkhiyanv.

    Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, the chief minister and state ministers were also present on the occasion. Modi will also inaugurate the International Cooperation and Convention Centre, Rudrakash which has been constructed with Japanese assistance.

    Thereafter, he will inspect the Maternal and Child Health Wing, BHU. He will also meet officials and medical professionals to review Covid preparedness.

  • India records 41,806 fresh cases of COVID-19, recovery rate at 97.28 per cent

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India recorded 41,806 new coronavirus cases, taking the infection tally to 3,09,87,880, while the active cases increased to 4,32,041, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

    An increase of 2,095 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours. The active cases comprise 1.39 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate stands at 97.28 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    Also, 19,43,488 tests were conducted on Wednesday, taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 43,80,11,958, while the daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.15 per cent.

    It has been less than three per cent for 24 consecutive days, the ministry said. The weekly positivity rate stands at 2.21 per cent, according to the ministry. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 3,01,43,850, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.39 per cent, the data stated.

    Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far have reached 39.13 crore under the nationwide vaccination drive. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20 lakh-mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one crore-mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

  • COVID-19: Uttarakhand government orders DMs to control weekend crowd at tourist places

    By ANI
    DEHRADUN: After a large number of tourists flocked to Uttarakhand, the state government has ordered the District Magistrate to control the weekend crowd in all the tourist places of the state.

    According to the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by Chief Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu on Monday, the district administration has been given the responsibility to control the weekend crowd in all the tourist places of the state.

    The District Magistrate will also ensure that tourists in tourist places compulsorily follow the rules of physical distance, wearing masks and sanitizing hands. “If the situation worsens in the tourist places of Uttarakhand now, then the District Magistrate will be responsible. They have been authorized to take the decisions regarding the crowds on weekends,” the guidelines read.

    “According to the capacity of these tourist places for crowd control and the geographical conditions, what percentage of tourists can be allowed to move or visit or else the District Magistrate concerned will be free to decide whether to impose any restrictions,” it reads.

    The District Magistrate will also ensure strict action against those who violate the rules. As per the SOP, all persons coming from outside the state will be allowed entry only with a negative report of RTPCR, True Net, CBNET, or Rapid Antigen Test of a maximum period of 72 hours. “All these will also have to compulsorily register on the Smart City Portal. For migrants coming to the villages of Uttarakhand from other states will have to stay in quarantine for seven days,” the SOP reads.

    The old restrictions have been retained in the SOP issued by Chief Secretary Sukhbir Singh Sandhu. This comes amid concerns of COVID protocol violations at hill stations as state governments gradually lift lockdown restrictions.

    Holiday destinations in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh have seen a huge influx of tourists over the last few days. Several videos have surfaced online of large gatherings where many have been spotted without masks and minimal social distancing.

    The Uttarakhand government has meanwhile extended the COVID curfew in the state till July 20. Restrictions will remain in force till 6 am on July 20. A cap of 50 people has also been imposed for weddings and funerals.

    As per the union health ministry, there are currently 932 active COVID-19 cases in Uttarakhand. As many as 3,32,957 recoveries and 7,341 deaths have been reported in the state so far. A total of 49,31,189 vaccine doses have been administered in the state, including 39,30,271 first doses and 10,00,918 second doses.

  • Two consultants of Aviation Ministry, two officials of DGCA die due to COVID

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Two consultants of the Civil Aviation Ministry and two officials of aviation regulator DGCA have died due to COVID-19 till date, government officials stated on Sunday. The two consultants — who were retired government servants and were engaged by the ministry on contract basis — died during the first wave of COVID-19 during 2020, the officials mentioned.

    The two officials of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) died during the second wave of COVID-19 in 2021, they told PTI. The two deceased officials of DGCA held the position of Director and Assistant Director respectively, the officials mentioned.

    India was badly hit by the second wave of the coronavirus infection during April and May this year. The government officials said a total of 44 employees of the Civil Aviation Ministry tested positive for COVID-19 between January and May this year.

    In comparison, only 26 employees of the ministry had tested positive for COVID-19 during the entire 2020, they mentioned. Officials said the medical expenses of all such employees were reimbursed as per the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) and Central Services (Medical Attendance) rules.

    As per the Union Health Ministry’s data on Sunday, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,08,37,222, while the active cases declined to 4,54,118.

  • Planning to vaccinate 100 per cent population of Dharavi against COVID in next 2-3 months: Shiv Sena

    By ANI
    MUMBAI: With India’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage crossing 38 crores, Shiv Sena MP Rahul Shewale on Saturday said that the party has planned to vaccinate 100 per cent population of Dharavi in the next 2-3 months.

    “We have planned to vaccinate 100 per cent population of Dharavi in next 2-3 months and booked 10,000 slots for vaccination at private hospitals in the first phase. We will be booking 30,000 more slots in the second and third phases separately. Vaccines were ordered by these private hospitals earlier, as per guidelines by the Centre. Sponsors are coming up to support us for this drive,” Shewale said.

    The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Saturday informed that more than 38.54 crore vaccine doses have been provided to States, UTs. “More than 38.54 crore (38,54,01,150) vaccine doses have been provided to States/UTs so far, through all sources. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 36,80,68,124 doses (as per data available at 8 AM today),” read the official release by the ministry.

  • India logs 41,506 new cases of COVID-19, 895 fresh deaths reported

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: With 41,506 people testing positive for coronavirus infection in a day, India’s total tally of COVID-19 cases rose to 3,08,37,222, while the active cases declined to 4,54,118, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    The death toll has climbed to 4,08,040 with 895 fresh fatalities. The active cases comprise 1.47 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has increased to 97.20 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed A decrease of 915 cases has been recorded in the active COVID-19 caseload in a span of 24 hours.

    As many as 18,43,500 tests were conducted on Saturday taking the total cumulative tests conducted so far for detection of COVID-19 in the country to 43,08,85,470. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 2.25 per cent.

    It has been less than 3 per cent for 20 consecutive days, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has declined to 2.32 per cent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,99,75,064 and the case fatality rate stands at 1.32 per cent, the data stated.

    Cumulative vaccine doses administered so far has reached 37.60 crore under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23, 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16.

    It went past 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11, crossed 80 lakh on October 29, 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19. India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 and three crore on June 23.

  • People flouting COVID protocols at tourist spots ‘serious cause of concern’: Government

    NITI Aayog #39;s Dr VK Paul said that the issue has been highlighted in the Union Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

  • COVID-19: No case of SARS-CoV-2’s Lambda variant found in India yet, says Centre

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: No case of the Lambda variant of SARS-CoV-2 has been found in India so far, the government said on Friday. Responding to a question at a press briefing, joint secretary in the health ministry, Lav Agarwal, said Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) is closely monitoring the variant.

    “Lambda was the seventh variant of interest identified by the WHO (World Health Organisation) on June 14 and it has been detected in 25 countries,” he said.

    “In our country, no cases have been reported and INSACOG is monitoring it and we are watchful. In Peru, 80 per cent infections were from this variant. It has also been found in South American countries and also in the UK and European countries, and any public health impact will be monitored,” Agarwal said.

    NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said the Lambda variant is a variant of interest so its total significance is still being explored. “As far as we know it has not entered our country, we have not detected this variant in our country. Our surveillance system INSACOG is very effective and it will detect it if it happens to enter our country because when you do sequencing, all this will be picked up. So we should watch for that,” he said.

    Paul said the Lambda strain is a variant of interest which means its public health significance is being watched but it has not been proven for excessive transmissibility, for impact on excess severity or any other public health issues like those related to vaccines.

    “We should be watchful for these variants because the virus is under pressure and when it goes under pressure then it tends to pick up characteristics that tend to help it in survival but as of now we should be watching such variants for their presence in our country but as of now we have no evidence that this has been detected in any part of our country,” he added.

  • Maharashtra, Kerala reported 53 per cent of India’s total COVID cases last week: Centre

    The government said visuals from tourist spots and the way people are mingling without following COVID protocols is #39;a serious cause of concern #39;.