News Analysis India

Tag: COVID19

  • Thankful to PM Modi for opening COVID vaccination for every adult: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Monday hoped the state will receive COVID-19 vaccines on time on a day the Centre announced that everyone above 18 years of age will be eligible to get vaccinated from May 1 even as he thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for considering his demand to expand the vaccination drive.

    As cases spiralled in many states, the Union government on Monday also liberalised the vaccination drive to allow states, private hospitals and industrial establishments to procure the doses directly from manufacturers.

    “I had some days ago requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to decide on vaccinating all those aged above 25. The Central government today took a positive step on it declaring to administer the vaccine to all aged above 18 and thought about my demand. I thank the prime minister and (Union) health minister for the same,” the CM is quoted a saying in an official statement.

    The CM said proper planning will be done in Maharashtra (to vaccinate everyone above 18 years) and hoped the state will receive vaccines on time.

  • Haryana to test pilgrims from Haridwar Kumbh, protesting farmers for COVID-19

    By PTI
    CHANDIGARH: Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij on Monday said the pilgrims returning from the Haridwar Kumbh and the farmers protesting at the state borders with Delhi will be tested for coronavirus.

    Vij, who is also the Haryana health minister, reiterated that the state is not imposing any lockdown. He asked migrant workers not to pay heed to “any propaganda” and said they should continue to work like before.

    Though there is a possibility that many patients have come to the state from Delhi to get treatment here, they will treat everyone, the minister said, assuring people that the state Health Department has sufficient quantity of oxygen, beds and medicines.

    Vij told reporters after chairing a meeting of the state-level monitoring panel that the coronavirus testing of the pilgrims returning from the Haridwar Kumbh at all entry points has been made mandatory. The farmers sitting at Haryana’s borders with Delhi will be tested and vaccinated, for which health teams have been constituted, the minister said.

    In the past a few days, Haryana has seen a surge in infections, with over 6,000 to 7,000 cases being reported daily. Vij said that Haryana’s over 42,000 active cases currently are from Gurgaon, Faridabad and Sonipat, the districts adjoining Delhi.

    He said elective surgeries in all hospitals will be stopped from Tuesday. “We need more doctors at this juncture as many of them will be visiting COVID patients, who are being treated in home isolation,” Vij said.

    He said the state-level monitoring committee reviewed the situation currently prevailing with regard to availability of beds, oxygen supply and medicine availability. He said  that of the total active cases, around 30,000 are getting treatment in home isolation. “In every two days, our doctors will examine them and give them kits, necessary medicines and oximeters,” he said.

    “We have sufficient quantities of medicine and oxygen. As against our present requirement of 60 metric tonnes, we have 270 MT of oxygen available,” he said. Vij said the drug and police departments will ensure that there is no black marketing or scarcity of medical oxygen at hospital.

    Replying to a question, he said all private facilities have been directed that any patient reporting virus-like symptoms should be tested for COVID. For any kind of religious, political or social gatherings, guidelines will have to be strictly followed.

    Only 50 people will be allowed at an indoor event while the number has been put at 200 for outdoor programmes, he said, adding that large gatherings will not be allowed. Coronavirus care centres for critical patients will be set up in all medical colleges.

    On Remdesivir drug, he said, “We have sufficient quantity available.” He said the state-level monitoring committee will check if there is any black marketing of Remdesivir. “We will ensure that private facilities also get sufficient quantities of Remdesivir,” he said.

  • DRDO develops supplemental oxygen delivery system for soldiers, COVID patients

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The government-run DRDO on Monday said it has developed a SpO2-based supplemental oxygen delivery system for soldiers serving in extremely high altitude areas and COVID-19 patients. “This automatic system delivers supplemental oxygen based on the SpO2 (blood oxygen saturation) levels and prevents the person from sinking in to a state of hypoxia, which is fatal in most cases, if sets in,” the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) said in a statement.

    Hypoxia is a condition in which the amount of oxygen reaching the tissues is inadequate to fulfill all the energy requirements of the body. “This is exactly the situation that gets replicated in a COVID-19 patient due to the virus infection and has been leading to the current crisis,” it stated.

    If a COVID-19 patient’s SpO2 level goes below 94 per cent, he or she is generally advised to contact the doctor immediately as hospitalisation may be necessary.

    The statement noted that the new oxygen delivery system is of great value not only to the Indian Army soldiers fighting in the extremely high altitude areas but also to the country in this severe crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Since the system is indigenously developed for operation in field conditions, it is unique with it’s dual qualities of robustness and cheap and is already in bulk production with industry,” it mentioned.

  • Vaccination biggest weapon in fight against COVID-19: PM Narendra Modi

    By ANI
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that vaccination is the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus and urged the doctors to encourage more and more patients to get vaccinated.

    The Prime Minister, while interacting with doctors across the country through video conferencing on the COVID-19 issue and vaccination progress, appreciated the doctors, medical and para-medical staff for their invaluable service towards the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

    PM Modi said, “Last year, during the same time, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy that we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now that the country is facing the second wave of coronavirus, all the doctors, our frontline workers are confronting the pandemic with full force, and are saving the lives of millions of people.”

    ALSO READ| COVID-19: Adopt zero tolerance against hoarding of essential supplies, Centre tells states

    The Prime Minister said that recently the central government has taken many important decisions related to the supply of essential medicines, injections and sufficient availability of oxygen. State Governments have been given necessary guidelines about these.

    The Prime Minister urged the doctors to educate people against several rumours on COVID treatment and prevention. He said, “It is very important that people do not become a victim of panic. For this along with proper treatment, emphasis must also be on counselling of patients admitted in hospitals.”

    He also encouraged doctors to use tele-medicine for treatment of other diseases, in case there is no emergency.

    The Prime Minister also noted that this time the pandemic is spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well. He urged doctors to connect with their colleagues working in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and give them online consultations to ensure that all protocols are followed correctly.

    The doctors shared their experiences in dealing with the COVID pandemic during the meeting. They congratulated PM Modi on his leadership in dealing with the pandemic and spoke about how they augmenting healthcare infrastructure. They reiterated the importance of people wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing and stressed about maintaining health infrastructure for non-COVID patients.

    The meeting was also attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, MoS (Health) Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister DV Sadananda Gowda, Mansukh Mandaviya, Principal Secretary to PM, Dr VK Paul Member (H) NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary, Union Health Secretary, Union Pharmaceutical Secretary, DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava, amongst other officers from Ministries / Departments of Central Government.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday held a virtual meeting with the top pharma companies in the country regarding the situation of the pandemic here. In the COVID-19 review meeting on April 17, PM Modi had stressed that there is no substitute for testing, tracking and treatment.

    ALSO READ| COVID-19 vaccination to be open for everyone above 18 from May 1

    He also asked the officials to make efforts to utilise the entire national capacity, in the public as well as the private sector, to ramp up vaccine production.

    Meanwhile, the COVID-19 situation in India continues to deteriorate, as the country yet again reported the highest single-day spike of coronavirus cases with over 2.73 lakh fresh infections and 1,619 deaths in the last 24 hours.

    According to the Health Ministry, there are currently 19,29,329 active cases in the country as of Monday. The death toll reached 1,78,769. In the last 24 hours, as many as 1,44,178 people recovered from the virus.

  • West Bengal polls 2021: PM Modi responsible for second wave of COVID-19, alleges Mamata Banerjee

    By ANI
    NADIA: Launching a scathing attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday alleged that he is responsible for the second wave of COVID-19 in the country.

    Addressing a public meeting in Kaliganj, the chief minister said, “Why did not you (Prime Minister) make plans to stop corona in the last 6 months?… You have to answer this. The Prime Minister is responsible for the second wave of COVID-19. If he would have taken responsibility at the right time then this would not have happened.”

    Banerjee urged the Election Commission to club the remaining phases of the West Bengal Assembly polls into a single round in view of the surge in the COVID-19 cases. “With folded hands, I request the Election Commission to hold three phases of polls on a single day or in two days. Please do not play with the lives of people,” she said at a public meeting in Chakulia in Uttar Dinajpur.

    The chief minister later on Monday held a press conference in Kolkata to brief the state government’s measures against the intensifying pandemic situation.

    ALSO READ| Vote for BJP to end ‘tolabaji, tushtikaran, tanashahi’ prevailing under Mamata Banerjee’s rule: Nadda

    Asked about whether to impose Night Curfew, she said, “The night curfew is not the solution. We should remain alert. There is nothing to panic about. We have increased 20 per cent beds in hospitals. We have decided to start summer vacation for all schools from tomorrow till June.”

    The poll-bound West Bengal reported 8,419 fresh COVID-19 cases and 28 deaths on Saturday, the state health department informed on Sunday. “There are 49,638 active COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, while with 28 new, deaths the death toll in the state has gone up to 10,568,” the health department said.

  • COVID-19: Adopt zero tolerance against hoarding of essential supplies, Centre tells states

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Monday asked state governments to adopt zero tolerance against hoarding of essential supplies like food and drugs during the lockdowns and curfews imposed in some states to contain the spread of COVID-19.

    It said in a statement that the states have also been asked to ensure essential supplies remain available at fair prices. Besides, the states have been asked to create awareness so as to mitigate “panic buying” of essential commodities.

    These issues were discussed with state government officials in a meeting called by Consumer Affairs Additional Secretary Nidhi Khare to review the availability and price situation of essential commodities across the country.

    In the meeting, it was stressed upon all the states/ Union Territories to “adopt zero tolerance against the hoarders” so that the supplies of the essential commodities are maintained during the curfews and lockdowns imposed due to the pandemic.

    States were informed that they are empowered to act against the unscrupulous traders and hoarders for maintenance of supplies of the essential commodities. Section 3 of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 gives powers to control production, supply and distribution of essential commodities and the same have been delegated to the states/UTs.

    Under Section 3 of the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act  1980, any person may be detained, for a maximum period of 6 months, with a view to preventing him from acting in any manner prejudicial to the maintenance of supplies of commodities essential to the community.

    Besides, it was emphasised in the meeting to ensure that prices of the essential supplies including food items/ drugs, hygiene products and essential services are not increased and they are available at fair prices.

    States were also told to constitute joint teams of food and civil supplies, legal metrology controllers, food safety, health and police at state and district level for effective surveillance and enforcement activities in order to avoid a situation of demand/ supply mismatch.

    The Union Consumer Affairs Ministry administers the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 and the Prevention of Black Marketing and Maintenance of Supplies of Essential Commodities Act, 1980. Both these Acts were enacted in order to ensure availability of essential commodities at reasonable prices to the consumers and to protect them from exploitation by unscrupulous traders and hoarders.

    Due to the rise in COVID-19 cases, some states like Delhi and Maharashtra have imposed curfews and lockdowns, leading to instances of panic buying of essential items.

  • UPSC defers interviews for civil services exam due to surge in COVID-19 cases

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) has deferred interviews for civil services examination 2020 due to a surge in coronavirus cases, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

    The civil services examination is conducted annually by the UPSC in three stages — preliminary, main and interview — to select officers of Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others.

    It said that the dates for interviews and recruitment test, when candidates and advisers are required to travel from all parts of the country, will be reviewed from time to time. “Revised schedules of the same will be notified on the website of the UPSC,” the statement issued by the Commission said.

    In its special meeting, the UPSC considered rapidly changing circumstances, health considerations, lockdown restrictions including social distancing norms and aggravating situation enforced due to the pandemic on Monday. “The Commission has decided that it will not be possible to conduct examinations and interviews for the present,” it said.

    The statement said that the Employees’ Provident Fund Organization (EO/AO) Recruitment Test 2020 scheduled to be held on May 9, therefore, stands deferred. “The personality tests (interviews) of the Indian Economic Service/Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2020 (scheduled from 20th-23rd April, 2021); the civil services examination, 2020 (scheduled from 26th April-18th June, 2021) and the recruitment tests are also deferred till further notice,” it said.

    The statement said that any other decision of the Commission in respect of the examinations, recruitments and interviews will be promptly made available on the Commission’s website. “As and when dates are decided for the deferred tests/interviews, it will be ensured that candidates are given a notice of at least 15 days,” the UPSC said.

  • Centre bans supply of oxygen to industries to meet demand from COVID-19 patients

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Amid dire scarcity of medical oxygen for Covid patients, the Centre on Sunday banned the supply of oxygen for industrial purposes except in nine specified industries. The decision was taken based on the recommendations of the Empowered Group-II, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said, adding it will come into effect from Thursday. 

    Parallelly, the Railways decided to roll out an Oxygen Express to ease transport bottlenecks (see graphic). Delhi is staring at an unprecedented health crisis as it has less than 100 ICU beds vacant in its hospitals, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal revealed.

    The deserted AIIMS during the weekend lockdown in New Delhi on Sunday

    On a day when over 25,000 people tested positive for Covid, Kejriwal said: “I spoke to Home Minister Amit Shah today and informed him of our dire need of beds and oxygen. We are constantly in touch with the Centre and getting help from it.” Also, the case positivity rate jumped from 24% to 30% in just 24 hours, he informed. 

    ALSO READ | Oxygen shortage: Six die in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar hospital chief drops letter bomb

    He wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi requesting him to increase the number of beds reserved for Covid patients in Central government hospitals from 1,800 to 7,000. Delhi also sought uninterrupted supply of oxygen, which has reached a critical stage.

    Another  grim data point was the national case positivity rate, which doubled to 16.69% in 12 days. “The daily positivity rate in the last 12 days has doubled from 8% to 16.69%,” the Union health ministry said in a statement. And the national weekly positivity rate increased from 3.05% to 13.54% in the last one month (see chart).

    In Gujarat, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel was candid in admitting that the present requirement of Covid beds and other healthcare facilities is more than the state administration’s capacity. In Madhya Pradesh, six critical Covid patients died at the Government Medical College Hospital ICU at Shahdol allegedly due to low oxygen pressure. The hospital though attributed it to co-morbidities. Social media sites were flooded with requests for help in arranging beds and oxygen.

  • CM Mamata Banerjee writes to PM Modi, seeks adequate supply of COVID vaccines to West Bengal

    By PTI
    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to ensure an adequate supply of COVID vaccines, medicines and oxygen to the state, which has been reporting a sharp spike in fresh infections.

    In her two-page letter to the prime minister, Banerjee said that vaccines, medicines and oxygen are of paramount importance to contain the second COVID wave.

    Noting that vaccination is of top importance in densely populated West Bengal and particularly Kolkata, she, however, lamented, “Unfortunately for us, the supply of vaccines from the Centre has been scarce and erratic, which is negatively affecting our vaccination programmes.”

    ALSO READ| PM Modi should resign owning responsibility for COVID surge; no response on 5.4 cr doses demand: Mamata

    Claiming that West Bengal is one of the best performers in vaccination in the country, she said that the state is, however, now suffering due to an uncertain supply of vials from the Centre. “We have to vaccinate around 2.7 crore people for which we need 5.4 crore doses. We request for an urgent intervention to ensure that the state gets its requirement of vaccine doses fulfilled at the earliest,” she wrote.

    She complained that her government wants to purchase the doses from state funds and had earlier written to the prime minister about it but did not receive “requisite clearance” yet. Banerjee also urged Modi to ensure a steady supply of essential medicines to combat the surge in coronavirus cases.

    “The supply of essential medicines like Remdesivir and Tocilizumab is extremely scarce and uncertain today, which has been a matter of grave concern for the doctors here. We need around 6,000 vials of Remdesivir and 1,000 vials of Tocilizumab every day,” she wrote.

    “Presently, only 1,000 vials of Remdesivir are available every day and no fresh supply of Tocilizumab is coming. It may be seen that the relevant authorities step up their efforts to ensure a steady supply of these most essential supplies of medicines as soon as possible,” she said.

    Banerjee also requested the prime minister to increase the oxygen supply to the state. “The state is willing to extend its resources to the fullest in tandem with the Centre to tackle the pandemic the country is facing now and overcome it,” she added.

    Besides, her letter also held Bengal visit by “outsiders” for election purposes responsible for the steep rise in cases, an issue she has been raising while addressing rallies. 

    The two-page letter to the PM says, “You must recall that I had written to you on February 24, 2021 to allow the state to purchase vaccine doses directly using state funds. However, the state has not received the requisite clearance yet. In the mean time, number of cases in the state has also begun to increase, particularly in view of coming of large number of outsiders to the state for election campaign and other purposes at the behest of some political parties.”

    A TMC leader said Mamata is likely to use her letter to the PM to sharpen attack on the Centre. “This is why, she reminded the Centre about her communication on February 24 seeking nod for purchasing vaccines directly,” he said. Countering Mamata’s allegation that BJP was responsible for the rising cases in the state, PM Modi said the CM had skipped  two meetings chaired by him to discuss the scenario.

    West Bengal, where an eight-phase assembly election is underway, registered its highest single-day spike of 7,713 new cases on Saturday.

    (With ENS inputs)

  • Lockdowns, curfews should not affect vaccination drive against COVID: Centre to States, UTs

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  The Centre has asked states and Union Territories to ensure that restrictions on movement imposed for COVID-19 control do not adversely impact the vaccination exercise. In a letter, Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Manohar Agnani said various measures are being undertaken to control the spread of coronavirus infection which includes curfews and partial/complete lockdown.Certain hospitals are being earmarked as dedicated Covid hospitals for management of the ongoing surge, he wrote.

    “In this regard, it is advised that vaccination services should not be affected by COVID-19 curfews/lockdowns and the movement of beneficiaries to and fro COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) should not be restricted during such interventions. “Similarly, those CVCs which have been identified as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals should continue providing uninterrupted COVID-19 vaccination services.

    “Vaccination services should be provided in a separate building/block in these hospitals that is directly separated from the building/block where management of COVID-19 patients is being done,” he said to states and UTs.

    The senior health official urged the states and UTs to  direct officials for ensuring uninterrupted continuation of COVID-19 vaccination. “The Government will extend all possible support for COVID-19 vaccination…” Vaccination drive has now completed three months wherein 12.26 crore doses have been administered, he added.