News Analysis India

Tag: Pandemic

  • SC dismisses plea to stop mass COVID-19 vaccination programme

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Monday dismissed a plea seeking direction to stop mass COVID-19 vaccination of Covishield and Covaxin till all stages of clinical trials are completed saying it is key to protecting the population and no doubt should be cast on it.

    A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and BV Nagarathna refused to entertain the plea challenging the May 26 order of Karnataka High Court dismissing the plea of an ex-serviceman Mathew Thomas.

    The bench said, “The High Court is right in dismissing the plea. Let us not cast doubt on the vaccination process. It is a key to protecting the population. We don’t want the petition to be argued at all. Even issuing notice on this appeal will be subject to great mischief”.

    The bench further said that the country has gone through a very critical stage during the pandemic and India is not the only country where vaccination is underway.

    “We are not inclined to entertain the Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution of India. The Special Leave Petition is accordingly dismissed,” the bench ordered.

    At the outset, advocate Nitin AM, appearing for the petitioner, stated that allowing mass vaccination without completion of the clinical trial is in violation of rules and administration of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines is harmful and illegal.

    On May 26, the High Court had dismissed the PIL filed by Thomas and two others and had imposed a cost of Rs 50 thousand on the co-petitioners to be paid within a month.

    The petitioners had have contended before the High Court that it is not clear under which law has the union government allowed vaccination of population through COVID-19 vaccines-Covishield and Covaxin without completion of clinical trials.

  • Gehlot says Rajasthan fully capable of combating possible third wave of COVID-19

    By PTI

    JAIPUR: Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday inaugurated medical infrastructure in Rajasthan and said that the state is now fully capable of combating a possible third wave of COVID-19.

    He said that the state government has developed high-quality health facilities on a large scale in the state and the medical infrastructure has been strengthened from the state capital to villages.

    Gehlot inaugurated NICU, PICU, ICU, oxygen generation and liquid medical oxygen plants at medical institutions in the state on Sunday.

    He also inaugurated projects worth Rs 231.66 crore and laid the foundation stone of works worth Rs 50.61 crore. In a statement, the chief minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet. In many countries, including the UK and Russia, the situation has become serious again.

    Cases have also started increasing in many states. In such a situation, alertness and vigilance are extremely important. The state government saved the lives of many people by managing the situation excellently during the first and second waves of the pandemic, he said.

    “Our efforts are being appreciated in the country and the world,” he added. Gehlot said that the state government has strengthened all the essential health services, increased the number of testing facilities, set up a genome sequencing facility, achieved self-sufficiency in oxygen production and increased ICU beds to combat the potential third wave of the pandemic.

    Health Minister Raghu Sharma said that during the second wave, the entire country faced an oxygen crisis but the Rajasthan government ensured availability of the life-saving gas in the state. “Now we are completing the work of setting up oxygen plants on priority,” he said.

  • Phase of Covid pandemic almost over in UP: Adityanath

    'After 2017, Uttar Pradesh became number one in producing foodgrains. The state made a record payment of Rs 1.45 lakh crore to the sugarcane farmers,' he said.

  • COVID-19: Maharashtra reports 1,410 new cases, 18 deaths; active tally at 23,894

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra on Sunday reported 1,410 new coronavirus positive cases, taking the overall infection tally to 66,02,961, while the death of 18 patients pushed the toll to 1,40,016, the state health department said.

    A total of 1,520 patients recuperated and got discharge during the day, which raised the state’s recovery count to 64,35,439. There are 23,894 active cases in the state at present, it said. As many as 1,30,732 people were tested on Sunday. With this, the cumulative test figure reached 6,18,93,695.

    Mumbai city reported 400 new cases and six deaths, which took its total case count to 7,54,507 and death toll to 16,213. Mumbai division, which comprises Mumbai city and its satellite townships, reported 702 cases and nine deaths.

    The infection tally of this region is now 16,96,894 and fatality count 35,454. Nashik division reported 174 new cases, including 132 in Ahmednagar district alone, while Pune division reported 382 cases, including 170 in Pune district.

    Kolhapur division recorded 77 new cases, Aurangabad division 12, Latur division 50, including 25 in Osmanabad district. Akola division reported two cases, while Nagpur division had 11 cases. Aurangabad, Latur, Akola, Nagpur divisions did not report any COVID-19 death during the day.

    The coronavirus figures in Maharashtra are as follows: Positive cases 66,02,961, death toll 1,40,016, recoveries 64,35,439, active cases 23,894, total tests 6,18,93,695.

  • Tamil Nadu logs 1,127 new Covid-19 infections, 15 fatalities

    By PTI

    CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu added 1,127 new infections to its COVID-19 tally, which rose to 26.95 lakh while the toll climbed to 36,019 with 15 more deaths on Sunday.

    Recoveries eclipsed new infections with 1,358 people getting discharged in the last 24 hours, aggregating to 26,46,163 leaving 13,034 active infections, a medical bulletin said.

    A total of 1,24,177 samples were tested in the last 24 hours, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined to 5.03 crore.

    Chennai and Coimbatore accounted for the majority of new infections with 146 and 128 cases, respectively, while the remaining was scattered across other districts.

    As many as 11 districts reported new Covid-19 infections below 10, while Ariyalur, Perambalur and Ramanathapuram recorded the least with two cases each, the bulletin said.

    Meanwhile, Minister for Medical and Family Welfare Ma Subramanian said the total number of people who were administered single dose touched 69 per cent in Tamil Nadu while 29 per cent of the population has received double doses following the sixth mega vaccination camp held on Saturday.

    During the mega vaccination drive held on Saturday through 50,000 camps across the state, 23.27 lakh people received the jabs, he said, adding 14.68 lakh of them received first dose while 8.59 lakh received second dose.

    “Tomorrow (Monday), vaccination camps will be held as usual. We have 43 lakh doses in stock.” he said.

  • PM Modi meets Indian Covid vaccine manufacturers

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Indian COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers on Saturday, within two days of the country achieving a key milestone of administering 100 crore doses of the jabs, official sources said.

    During the meeting, Modi discussed various issues including furthering the vaccine research, sources said.

    Representatives from seven vaccine makers — Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Cadila, Biological E, Gennova Biopharma and Panacea Biotech — participated in the meeting.

    Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar were also present in the meeting. The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 101.30 crore, according to the latest health ministry data.

    On October 21, India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against COVID-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark, resulting in celebratory events across various parts.

    More than 75 per cent of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with nine states and union territories administering the first dose to all eligible people.

    Over 31 per cent of the country’s around 93 crore adults have been administered both doses, according to health ministry officials.

    So far, all adult population in nine states and union territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Dadra and Nagar Haveli — have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine.

    Three vaccines — Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Sputnik V — are currently being used in the country’s Covid vaccination drive.

  • PM Modi meets Indian Covid vaccine manufacturers; CEOs say his leadership key force in vaccination drive

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI:  Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met Indian COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers who said his leadership was a key factor in India being able to administer 100 crore doses of the jabs in just about nine months.

    During the meeting, Modi discussed various issues including furthering the vaccine research, sources said.

    Representatives from seven vaccine makers — Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories, Zydus Cadila, Biological E, Gennova Biopharma and Panacea Biotech — participated in the meeting.

    Following the meeting, Adar Poonawalla of Serum Institute of India credited Modi’s vision for the milestone and said they in the meeting discussed how to take the industry forward and prepare for future pandemics, to continue enhancing the capacity.

    “All over the world now, countries are going to invest in vaccine production and India needs to stay ahead. We discussed how to do that together with industry and government,” he said.

    His father Cyrus Poonawalla said, “Had it not been for him (Modi) and (he) driving the health ministry, today India would not have been able to make a billion doses. There is no doubt in my mind about that.” The prime minister was happy that the assurance given by the Serum Institute that it will make India self-sufficient in vaccines at the lowest possible price in the world was fulfilled.

    “The PM went out of the way and made regulatory people move very fast and they also cooperated,” he added. Pankaj Patel of Zydus, another vaccine maker, said Modi was the “biggest factor” in the development of the DNA-based COVID vaccine. He praises the prime minister for his encouragement and support and also for mentioning the DNA vaccine at his address at the United Nations.

    Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar were also present in the meeting. The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have exceeded 101.30 crore, according to the latest health ministry data.

    On October 21, India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against COVID-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark, resulting in celebratory events across various parts.

    More than 75 per cent of India’s adult population has received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine, with nine states and union territories administering the first dose to all eligible people.

    Over 31 per cent of the country’s around 93 crore adults have been administered both doses, according to health ministry officials.

    So far, all adult population in nine states and union territories — Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Dadra and Nagar Haveli — have received at least one dose of the Covid vaccine.

    Three vaccines — Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Sputnik V — are currently being used in the country’s Covid vaccination drive.

  • Childhood getting lost in cages of beliefs, need to break these bars: Sisodia

    'The next issue will discuss the challenges faced by students and teachers, and an attempt to reduce the disruption of education in the unsettling era,' Lokur added.

  • Big new Covid wave unlikely but too early to say India in endemic stage: Scientists

    According to Union Health Ministry data on Friday, there were 15,786 new COVID-19 cases, marking 28 straight days of a daily rise of less than 30,000.

  • India remains steadfast partner in global efforts to combat Covid: PM Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday thanked a host of world leaders for their wishes to India on crossing the 100-crore vaccine doses milestone and underlined that the country remains a steadfast partner in global efforts towards fighting the Covid pandemic.

    Wishes continued to pour in for India from various heads of state and government a day after the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore milestone.

    ALSO READ: India’s economy accelerating with increasing COVID vaccination coverage, says PM Narendra Modi

    “Congratulations to my friend @narendramodi and his government for administering 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. A huge achievement,” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Twitter.

    India and Australia are working side by side in the Quad grouping to expand vaccine access across the Indo-Pacific, he said.

    Responding to Morrison, Modi tweeted, “Thank you, my friend @ScottMorrisonMP for your wishes on India achieving #VaccineCentury. And, congratulations to you for achieving high vaccination target in Australia.” Mauritian Premier Pravind Jugnauth also congratulated India and Prime Minister Modi on attaining the 1-billion vaccination mark, saying that his country commends India’s leadership in pandemic response efforts.

    ALSO READ: India’s vaccination programme science- born, science-driven, science-based, says PM Modi

    “Thank you for choosing Mauritius as one of the first recipients under the Vaccine Maitri Programme,” he said. In response, Modi tweeted, “Thank you PM @JugnauthKumar for your kind words. Our two countries are making rapid strides in our respective vaccination programme and fight against COVID-19.” Modi also expressed confidence that the close partnership between the two countries will continue to grow.

    Maldivian Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid said taking “281 days to get 1 billion vaccinated” is indeed spectacular.

    “Congratulations to the people of India and Prime Minister @narendramodi for this outstanding achievement. This only gives hope that we can get the world vaccinated,” he said.

    “Thank You Mr. @abdulla_shahid for your warm words of encouragement. You can always count on India’s support for your #PresidencyofHope in tackling this pandemic. India stands together with the UN in achieving vaccine equity and ensuring vaccine accessibility,” Modi said.

    Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis Timothy Harris congratulated India on the major achievement of administering 100 crore vaccination doses and said it is a “significant landmark”.

    “Thank you @pmharriskn for your kind words. We continue to remain committed in our fight against COVID-19,” Modi said.

    Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit congratulated Modi for leading India into a massive vaccination campaign and successfully administering over 1 billion doses of the COVID-19 vaccines.

    “Together, we must work closely in our fight against the global pandemic,” he said on Twitter. Responding to Skerrit, Modi said, “Thank you @SkerritR for your kind words. Agree with you that we must work together in our collective fight against the pandemic.

    ” Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh congratulated Prime Minister Modi and the Indian people for achieving the vaccination landmark, saying Mongolia is proud of its strategic partner India.

    “Thank you President @UKhurelsukh for the thoughtful wishes on #VaccineCentury. We are committed to intensifying ‘Strategic Partnership’ with Mongolia,” Modi said. Co-founder of Microsoft Corp. Bill Gates also hailed India for the feat, saying it was a testament to the country’s innovation, ability to manufacture at scale, and the efforts of millions of health workers backed by CoWIN.

    In response, Modi tweeted, “Thank You @BillGates for your appreciation of the efforts of Indian scientists, health workers and innovators in achieving the 1 billion vaccine milestone.” India remains a steadfast partner in global efforts towards fighting this pandemic, the prime minister said.