News Analysis India

Tag: India COVID crisis

  • Centre asks states to check future incidences of people dumping bodies in Ganga, its tributaries

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Centre on Tuesday asked states along the Ganga to ensure strict vigilance and check future incidences of people dumping bodies in the river and its tributaries.

    In a letter to District Ganga Committees which are chaired by district magistrates or collectors, the National Mission for Clean Ganga — the apex body that monitors rejuvenation of the river and its tributaries — also asked the authorities to dispose unidentified bodies of suspected COVID-19 victims in accordance with safety protocols.

    “Ensure strict vigilance along length of the river within territorial jurisdiction of the district to prevent and check such future incidences of people dumping dead bodies in Ganga and its tributaries and of any other activity hazardous for river Ganga and health and hygiene of the area,” NMCG Director General Rajiv Ranjan Mishra said in the letter to the chairpersons of the committees.

    It has also asked them to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the NMCG in the next 14 days, the letter said.

    ALSO READ | Panic in Bihar as half-burnt, bloated bodies of suspected Covid victims dumped in Ganga

    Mishra said dumping of bodies/partially dumped bodies/decomposed corpse not only causes pollution in the river, but is also unhygienic and increases the risk of spreading infections in communities inhabiting the banks of rivers.

    The letter was written to the states after bodies were spotted floating in Ganga and Yamuna in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh over the past two days at a time when the country is grappling with the coronavirus pandemic.

    The Bihar government said altogether 71 bodies have been fished out from the Ganges in Buxar district, where these were found floating in the river, triggering suspicion that the abandoned corpses could be those of COVID-19 patients.

    State Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar came out with a series of tweets, asserting that the bodies had flown downstream from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh.

    “The Bihar government is seized of the matter of unfortunate case of floating mortal remains in river Ganga. The bodies have floated into Bihar from UP,” said Jha, adding, doctors have confirmed upon post-mortem that the deaths had taken place “four-five days” ago.

    He said Chief minister Nitish Kumar was pained at both the tragedy as well as the “harm” to river Ganga.

    On Monday, residents in Hamirpur district spotted five bodies floating in the Yamuna, creating a scare that these were of COVID patients.

    The bodies were later fished out and cremated.

    ALSO WATCH:

  • Over nine lakh patients on oxygen support across India, 1.7 lakh on ventilator: Harsh Vardhan

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: While 1,70,841 COVID patients across the country are on ventilator, as many as 9,02,291 patients are on oxygen support, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Saturday.

    In his virtual address at the 25th meeting of the Group of Ministers (GoM) to discuss the pandemic situation, the minister said that 1.34 percent of COVID caseload was in ICU, 0.39 percent of cases were on ventilators and 3.70 percent COVID patients were on oxygen support.

    He said that across the country, the number of patients in ICU beds is 4,88,861 while 1,70,841 patients were on ventilators and 9,02,291 patients were on oxygen support.

    The meeting was attended by Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar, Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep S Puri, Minister of State for Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Chemical and Fertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya and Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.

    Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Minister of State, Health and Family Welfare and Dr Vinod K Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog were present virtually.

    ALSO WATCH:

    Paul gave a detailed report on the work of the Empowered Group-1 and highlighted the various efforts made towards ramping up hospital infrastructure for effective clinical management of hospitalized patients.

    Giridhar Aramane, Secretary, Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways (Chair, EG-2) presented the current scenario of Liquid Medical Oxygen Production, Allocation and Supply.

    ALSO READ | DRDO’s anti-COVID drug reducing oxygen dependence approved for emergency use

    Aramane stated that the production of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) has been maximized to meet the present demand of COVID patients.

    The domestic production has increased to more than 9400 MT/day, the health ministry quoted him, adding that he also enumerated steps to import LMO, the status of establishment of PSA oxygen plants through the support of PM CARES fund with the support of DRDO and CSIR, enhancement of tanker availability, the functioning of the web portal and mobile application for Real-Time Tracking of LMO Tankers.

  • Drew Barrymore urges India to ‘stay strong’, asks global community to support amid COVID-19 crisis

    By PTI
    MUMBAI: Hollywood star Drew Barrymore has requested people across the globe to help India in its fight against the coronavirus pandemic and urged her fans in the country to “stay strong”.

    The 46-year-old actor said her heart goes out to the people of India who are trying hard to “hold it together” amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.

    “Today, as we cope with the worldwide situation, my heart goes out to the people of India who are trying hard to hold it together. My sincere wishes and prayers to you to stay strong and believe that we will come out stronger together,” Barrymore said in a special message.

    In the video, shot on the sets of her “The Drew Barrymore Show” that airs on Zee Cafe in India, the actor opened up about her deep-rooted connection with the country and the impact its culture and people have left on her.

    “I’ve always loved India for its culture, its people and so much more! It truly holds a very special place in my heart. In my visits, I’ve met so many wonderful people who have truly inspired me as a person which propelled me to write a chapter in my book too,” she said refereing to her 2015 book “Wildflower”.

    Barrymore said she came across a couple of articles about some people emerging victorious in their battles against the disease which invigorated a sense of faith and positivity in her.

    The actor said making a contribution in India’s fight against coronavirus is the need of the hour.

    “A small contribution could really help and make a giant difference, and even save a life! I’m doing my bit and urge you to do whatever is in your capacity,” she added.

    In recent days, many international personalities including actors Jennifer Aniston, Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Robert Pattinson, Ewan McGregor, Lily Collins, singers Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes, have appealed to their fans on social media to donate for various relief funds to help India.

    On Saturday, a record 4,187 COVID-19 fatalities in a day took India’s death toll to 2,38,270, while 4,01,078 new infections were reported during the period, pushing the tally of cases to 2,18,92,676, according to Union Health Ministry data.

  • Jennifer Aniston urges fans to help India tackle COVID-19 crisis

    By PTI
    LOS ANGELES: Hollywood star Jennifer Aniston has appealed to her fans on Instagram to lend a helping hand to India in its fight against the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The actor, popular among the Indian audience as Rachel Green from the 1990s hit sitcom “Friends”, on Tuesday shared three posts on her Instagram Stories bringing the country’s worrying scenario amid the health crisis to the attention of her 36.5 million plus followers.

    Aniston’s first story read, “A severe second wave of coronavirus infections has swept over India, setting global records for new infections each day over the past five days.”

    In her second story, the 52-year-old actor said that Americares “is raising money for immediate relief aid for India” and also shared link details.

    Americares is a global non-profit organisation focused on health and development that respond to individuals affected by poverty, disaster, or crisis.

    In her third story, Aniston said one doesn’t have to donate to help.

    “Spread the word with whatever platform you have to help build awareness,” she added.

    Recently, international entertainment personalities like actor James McAvoy, singers Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes also appealed to their social media fans to extend support to India during the pandemic.

  • James McAvoy urges fans to donate to India amid ‘massive’ COVID-19 crisis

    By PTI
    LONDON: Hollywood star James McAvoy has made an appeal to his fans and followers to send out donations to India as the country struggles with the “massive” shortage of oxygen during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic.

    The actor, best known for films like the “X-Men” and “Unbreakable” series, shared a link to a crowdfunding campaign on Instagram on Monday “to help purchase oxygen concentrator machines and other medical supplies to help support India”.

    “India needs help. You can help donate what you can if you can. Link to just giving page in my Bio. @daivikfoundation,” McAvoy wrote in the caption.

    Hospitals across India have been grappling with oxygen shortage.

    Week after week, several hospitals have sent out SOS messages about depleting oxygen supplies at their medical facilities and some hospitals had even lost COVID-19 patients due to the crisis situation.

    In his video message, the 42-year-old star said one of his friends is seeking to send help to India as quickly as possible.

    “I think everyone is aware of the situation in India right now. And, it’s really bad. There is a massive, massive crisis and there is not enough of oxygen. A doctor friend of mine is getting oxygen where it’s needed as quickly as possible,” he said.

    “If you have money, brilliant. If you don’t, tell someone else and spread the word, just your attention is appreciated. Hope the situation in India is better soon. All the best, hope you are healthy and well,” McAvoy added.

    Recently, singers Camila Cabello and Shawn Mendes also appealed to their social media fans to extend support to India in its fight against the virus.

  • PM Modi reviews preparations by Armed Forces to assist in COVID management

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi took stock of the preparations by the Indian Armed Forces deployed to assist the civil administration in COVID Management. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat informed that the number of medical personnel from the armed forces is being beefed up.

    As per the official statement of the Prime Minister Office, the CDS briefed the PM, “All medical personnel from armed forces who have retired or taken pre-mature retirement in the last 2 years are being recalled to work in Covid facilities within proximity of their present place of residence. Other medical officers who retired earlier have also been requested to make their services available for consultation through medical emergency helplines.”

    ALSO READ | Modi-Suga talks: India, Japan to work in close collaboration to deal with COVID-19 crisis

    In another step, earlier the defence ministry on Friday announced that it was extending the tenure of SSC doctors in the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) till December 31, 2021 in order to “to tide over the current surge in medical services.” “This will augment the strength of AFMS by 238 more doctors,”.

    PM was also informed that all medical officers on staff appointments at Command HQ, Corps HQ, Division HQ & similar HQ of Navy and Air-Force will be employed at hospitals.

    The CDS informed the PM that nursing personnel are being employed in large numbers to compliment the doctors at the hospitals. PM was also briefed that oxygen cylinders available with armed forces in various establishments will be released for hospitals.

    PM Modi was informed of the medical facilities created in large numbers and where possible military medical infrastructure will be made available to civilians.

    PM also reviewed the operations being undertaken by IAF to transport oxygen and other essentials in India and abroad.

    Further, as discussed Kendriya and Rajya Sainik Welfare Boards and Officers posted in various headquarters in veterans cells may be instructed to coordinate the services of veterans to extend the reach to maximum extent possible including in remote areas.