News Analysis India

Tag: COVID19

  • India reports 3,62,727 new COVID19 cases with 4,120 deaths in 24 hrs

    As many as 3,62,727 new COVID-19 cases, 3,52,181 discharges and 4,120 deaths were reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday.

    The total positive cases in the country so far stand at 2,37,03,665. This includes 1,97,34,823 recoveries and 2,58,317 reported deaths.

    There are currently 37,10,525 active cases in the country.

    As per the Indian Council of Medical Research, the total number of samples tested up till May 12 is 30,94,48,585, including 18,64,594 on Wednesday.

    A total of 17,72,14,256 doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered so far.

  • Singer Dua Lipa calls for pay hike of UK health workers after double win at Brit Awards

    By Associated Press
    LONDON: British singer Dua Lipa called for a “fair” pay raise for UK health workers as she was named a double winner at the Brit Awards in London on Tuesday night. An audience of 4,000 witnessed the glitz of Britain’s leading music prize ceremony at the O2 Arena as part of a test return to mass attendance events in the age of the coronavirus.

    Among them were 2,500 key health workers and their guests who had received tickets in recognition of their efforts during the pandemic.

    Lipa, who took home the British female solo artist and album of the year titles, highlighted the words of nurse and academic Elizabeth Anionwu to say there was a “massive disparity between gratitude and respect” for those on the health front line.

    “I think what we should do is we should all give a massive, massive round of applause and give (British Prime Minister) Boris (Johnson) a message that we all support a fair pay rise for our front line,” she said.

    In her acceptance speeches, the “Levitating” singer also paid tribute to Anionwu, who has campaigned against racial injustice for decades, as well as Folajimi Olubunmi-Adewole and Joaquin Garcia, who jumped into the River Thames near London Bridge to try to save a woman last month.

    Olubunmi-Adewole (20) did not survive the rescue attempt. Taylor Swift said it was an “incredible honor” to receive the global icon title, which has previously been awarded to superstars such as Elton John and David Bowie.

    “I’m really proud to be part of this musical community especially in a year where we needed music so much. And what we needed even more was the help and support of the NHS and the key workers that are here for us tonight,” Swift said.

    Little Mix became the first all-female band to win best British group, and called attention to “sexism and a lack of diversity” within the music industry. Harry Styles took best British single for his song “Watermelon Sugar”, while J Hus received best British male solo artist.

    Female singer-songwriters Arlo Parks and Griff took home the British breakthrough artist and rising star awards respectively. Former US first lady Michelle Obama sent a video message as she presented The Weeknd with the international male solo artist prize.

    Billie Eilish was named international female solo artist winner, while Haim were dubbed best international group. Live performers at the ceremony, which was hosted by comedian Jack Whitehall, included Lipa, Coldplay and a collaboration between Rag’n’Bone Man, P!nk and National Health Service choirs.

    It was the largest audience for a live music event in the UK since March 2020, when pandemic restrictions were first introduced. The event is part of the government’s Events Research Program, which has recently seen crowds return to soccer matches, an outdoor concert and a nightclub.

    Attendees were not socially distanced or wearing face masks, but had to provide a negative coronavirus test ahead of the show. “It’s the first event we’ve been to since the pandemic, there’s a great buzz,” said police nurse Brian George, who brought his 18-year-old daughter to the ceremony.

    “I’m hoping that with a few more events like this it’ll be like, by the autumn, let’s open up everything again. That would be fantastic,” he said. Those who attended also will be tested and monitored after the event as part of the research.

    Britain has recorded more than 127,500 coronavirus deaths, but deaths have dropped to single digits after a lockdown at the start of 2021 and the rapid vaccination rollout.

    Lockdown is slowly being lifted and measures are set to be further eased in England on Monday with the reopening of indoor hospitality venues and outdoor gatherings of up to 30 people. Social distancing guidance will remain in place.

    All restrictions have been set out to be lifted by June 21 under the government’s current roadmap, with gigs and music festivals due to return for the first time since early 2020.

  • India reports 3,29,942 new COVID19 cases, 3,876 deaths in 24 hours

    India reported a slight dip in new COVID-19 cases with 3,29,942 fresh infections were recorded in the last 24 hours, according to Union Health Ministry on Tuesday.

    However, the country recorded more recoveries during this period as 3,56,082 new discharges were reported. With 3,876 new deaths due to COVID-19, the cumulative toll mounted to 2,49,992 deaths.

    The total positive cases now stands at 2,29,92,517, including 1,90,27,304 recoveries. At present, there are currently 37,15,221 active coronavirus cases in the country.

    According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 30,56,00,187 samples have been tested up to May 10, including 18,50,110 yesterday.

    With 5,93,150 active coronavirus cases, Maharashtra remains the worst affected state, followed by Karnataka with 5,71,026 active infections.

    With the third phase of the vaccination drive underway, as many as 17,27,10,066 doses have been administered so far.

    Meanwhile, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare informed that over 18 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs free of cost by the Government of India, so far.

    “More than 90 lakh doses still available with States/UTs to be administered. Over 7 Lakh doses, in addition, will be received by States/UTs in the next 3 days,” the ministry said.

  • Chhattisgarh PROs to reinforce fight against COVID through vaccination awareness, inspiring stories

    Express News Service
    RAIPUR: With Chhattisgarh witnessing consistent spike in the active coronavirus cases, the commissioner (public relations) Taran Prakash Sinha, citing effective communication as vital amid COVID-19 crisis, has stressed the pressing need to create a mass awareness of the vaccination programme to contain any adversity during the pandemic.

    He advised them to publicize stories of hope, inspiration and good news to lift the confidence and positive belief among the people navigating the pandemic. Holding a virtual interaction with the public relations officers (PROs) of all districts in Chhattisgarh, Sinha asked them to help raise the public awareness and turn the vaccination drive successful.

    The officials were exhorted to apprise the people with authentic information on COVID-19 symptoms-prevention-treatment, bust the myths, if any about the vaccination and make known the key helpline numbers.

    Drawing their attention to the existing COVID situation in Chhattisgarh, the commissioner asked them to create short videos of medical practitioners and experts to share the factual information and suitable advises on home isolation, medication, precautionary measures, right intervention on the treatment, health and wellness.

    “Expand your reach with the right preparedness upto the level of gram panchayats through various social media platforms and seek the support of community leaders, spiritual heads and the people’s representative to enhance the public awareness on the vaccination and ensuring COVID appropriate behaviours,” Sinha told the PROs.

    All the PROs were urged to remain safe but equally not to let their guard down at any stage as they execute their responsibility during the second wave.

  • COVID-19: Indian Navy and Air Force widen operations for oxygen availability

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: The massive requirement of oxygen availability across the country for COVID-19 patients has acquired the focus of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Navy, who have raised the scale of their operations.

    Naval warships have been ferrying oxygen-laden containers from friendly foreign countries and Air Force is flying such medical equipment not only to India from abroad but also is distributing it to various locations within the country.

    The navy has deployed its nine warships under the Operation Samudra Setu. The deployed ships – INS Talwar, INS Kolkata, INS Airavat, INS Kochi, INS Tabar, INS Trikand, INS Jalashwa and INS Shardul – will ferry oxygen containers/cylinders/concentrators and related equipment from friendly foreign countries.

    Giving details Indian Navy spokesperson Commander (Cdr) Vivek Madhwal  said, “While one has already delivered oxygen at New Mangalore, five others are homeward bound and will reach between 9-11 May. Three warships will also be embarking on fetching oxygen and medical Supplies.” The overall breakup of oxygen and medical supplies delivered/embarked includes 11 x 27 MT LMO (Liquid Medical Oxygen) Filled Cryogenic Containers, 2300 Oxygen Cylinders, 57 Oxygen concentrators, 08 x 20 T empty cryogenic oxygen cylinders, 3150 Empty oxygen cylinders, 10,000 – Rapid Antigen Test kits and 450 PPE kits.

    Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and Singapore are some of the friendly countries which made the supplies available.

    Loading of oxygen containers and other medical supplies has also been planned on INS Tarkash, INS Shardul and INS Jalashwa from Doha, Kuwait and Muara, Brunei respectively in the coming days, told Cdr Madhwal.

    The IAF has deployed its transport fleet including the 50 aircraft and 20 helicopters. The fleet of C-17 and IL-76 are being used to fly back equipment from abroad. It has intensified its efforts to aid the civil administration in tackling the current COVID-19 situation by ferrying oxygen containers and medical equipment.

    Indian Air Force spokesperson Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) Ashish Moghe said, “IAF aircrafts conducted 59 international sorties to airlift 72 cryogenic oxygen storage containers of 1,233 MT total capacity along with 1,252 empty oxygen cylinders.”

    The containers and cylinders were procured from Singapore, Dubai, Bangkok, UK, Germany, Belgium and Australia. In addition, the C-17 and IL-76 aircraft have been tasked to airlift cryogenic oxygen containers, oxygen generators and ventilators from Israel and Singapore.

    “As on May 7, 2021, the C-17 aircraft of IAF have conducted 400 sorties from within the country, including 351 to airlift 252 oxygen tankers of total capacity of 4,904 Metric Tonnes (MT),” said Wg Cdr Moghe.

    The cities covered were Jamnagar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Panagarh, Indore, Ranchi, Agra, Jodhpur, Begumpet, Bhubaneswar, Pune, Surat, Raipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Lucknow, Nagpur, Gwalior, Vijaywada, Baroda, Dimapur and Hindan. In addition to the equipment, there is also requirement of trained medical professionals to run  COVID hospitals and Armed forces have deployed a significant number of its personnel for COVID Duty.

    Towards capacity enhancement, in the form of skilled manpower and to bolster the fight against the COVID pandemic, a contingent of 41 naval personnel from Western Naval Command, comprising medical officers, nursing officers, paramedics and support staff have been deputed to the PM Cares COVID Hospital, Dhanvantari at Ahmedabad on 6 May.

    This is in addition to a 57-member naval medical team already positioned at the hospital on 29 April. With the present augmentation, the total manpower provided to the hospital by the Navy has gone up to 210. “The team is being deployed for a period of two months and will assist the hospital administration in handling covid patients,” said Cdr Vivek Madhwal.

    The Indian Navy on Friday established a COVID Care Centre at its Training Establishment, INS Chilka to treat COVID positive patients of Khurda district, Odisha. The 150-bed isolation centre with additional 15 bed oxygen facility at INHS Nivarini, the naval hospital, is all geared up for treating mild symptomatic COVID positive Patients. The Centre was inaugurated by Khurda collector SK Mohanty.

  • ‘Media has right to cover court proceedings’: SC refuses to expunge Madras HC’s remarks against EC

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Stressing that media discharges an important function in adding vitality to democracy, the Supreme Court on Thursday said that media cannot be restricted from covering court proceedings in any manner. A bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah said. “The media has the right to cover court proceedings but senior judges should exercise restraint and not make off the cuff remarks.”

    “Technology has shaped social, economic and political structures beyond description. The world is adapting to technology at a pace which is often difficult to catalogue, and many of our citizens are becoming digital natives from a young age. It is understandable that they will look towards modern forms of media, such as social media websites and applications, while consuming the news.

    This, understandably, would also include information reported about the functioning of courts,” the bench ruled. The order came on a plea filed Election Commission against Madras High Court observations that had said the EC should probably be booked for murder for allowing political rallies while the country reels under a massive surge of Covid-19 infections.

    A bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud acknowledged that the high court’s remarks were harsh, but did not expunge them saying they do not form part of the judicial order. “It will be retrograde to restrain HCs from making observations or gagging media from reporting observations. Courts have to remain alive to evolving technology of media, it is not good, if it is restrained from reporting judicial proceedings.” 

  • Gujarat: 46 held for taking out procession to ‘eradicate COVID-19’

    By PTI
    AHMEDABAD: Police have arrested 46 people for taking out a religious procession at a village in Gandhinagar district to “eradicate coronavirus”, an official said on Thursday. This is the second such incident in Gujarat in the last few of days.

    DSP MK Rana said that all COVID-19 prevention norms were allegedly violated during the latest procession taken out in Raipur village of Gandhinagar on Wednesday. In a video that went viral on social media platforms on Thursday, around 100 men and women, many without masks, were seen participating in a procession in the village.

    While women were carrying water pots on their heads, several men were leading the procession while beating drums. “After being alerted about the incident, we have arrested 46 men involved in taking out the procession,” Rana said.

    A section of people from the village believed coronavirus could be eradicated by pouring water on a local temple of their deity, he said.

    All the 46 accused were booked for violating police notification regarding gatherings under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code and provisions of the Disaster Management Act and the Epidemic Diseases Act, the official said.

    On May 3, a similar incident took place at Navapura village in Ahmedabad where a large number of women carrying water pots on their heads took out a procession to a local temple, believing that pouring water on the temple would eradicate COVID-19.

    Police had arrested 23 people, including the village sarpanch, for organising the event. The Gujarat government has already imposed a ban on all kinds of gatherings in the state in the wake of a surge in coronavirus cases.

    On Wednesday, Gujarat reported 12,955 new coronavirus cases, raising its tally to 6,33,427, while 133 deaths pushed the toll to 7,912, as per the state health department.

  • Over 89 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses still available with states, union territories: Centre

    The central government is leading the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in collaboration with the states and UTs through a #39;Whole of Government #39; approach.

  • COVID-19: 17 doctors found absent during duty hours in Bihar’s Chapra Sadar hospital

    By ANI
    CHAPRA (BIHAR): As many as 17 doctors at Sadar Hospital in Bihar’s Chapra district have been asked to submit a letter to explain their reported absence from the hospital’s COVID-19 isolation ward during their duty hours on Tuesday.

    Civil surgeon Dr Janardan Prasad Sukumar has asked the 17 doctors to submit an explanation letter within 24 hours to the hospital’s deputy superintendent. “Any sort of negligence towards the duty will not be accepted,” said Dr Sukumar.

    As per the instructions of Dr Sukumar, it has been ordered that an FIR would be registered under the Disaster Management Act against the doctors. According to DM Dr Nilesh Ramchandra Deore, even after a lot of inspections, doctors are still found to be absent from their duties.

    According to the Union Health Ministry, Bihar has 113480 active cases of COVID-19. 3049 new cases have come up and 61 related deaths were registered in the state in the last 24 hours.

  • COVID-19 vaccination for 18-44 age group postponed in Chhattisgarh

    By ANI
    RAIPUR: After the Chhattisgarh High Court raised objections to the state’s vaccination policy prioritising ‘Antyodaya Card’ holders, the state government has postponed the COVID-19 vaccination drive for citizens aged 18-44.

    “Considering the High Court’s directives over the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, inoculation of the 18 to 44 age group has been postponed until amendments have been done,” the government’s letter said.

    The high court had on Wednesday asked the state government to fix a reasonable ratio of allotment of vaccines to the ‘Antyodaya Group’, persons belonging to ‘below poverty line’ and persons belonging to ‘above poverty line’, with reference to all relevant aspects.

    During the hearing, the bench asked the state government if they were permitted to reshuffle the order issued by the central government.

    Other questions included – did the state government take approval from the cabinet before passing the said order? Is not giving such priority a violation of constitutional rights and provisions? How will the decision taken by you help the poor? Why was there no vaccination where there is more infection?

    The high court issued an amendment order according to its questions and fixed the next hearing on Friday.