News Analysis India

Tag: Third Wave

  • UP reports just 8 Covid cases in 24 hours as downward trend continues

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: UP has reported just 28 cases during the last 24 hours with 14 districts having zero active cases. There has been no death due to Covid in the state for the last three days. Now the tally of total active cases stands at 352.

    However, Tuesday’s number is four times more than that of Monday when the state had reported just seven cases, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic in the country in March 2020. The state capital Lucknow reported the first positive Covid case on March 11, 2020, while the maximum cases in the city were witnessed on April 16, 2021, when the city had reported 6,598 fresh cases during the second wave.

    The average number of samples tested in the state capital remains at 14,000 samples per day while to date more than 49 lakh samples have been tested in Lucknow. The state capital has 26 active covid19 cases at the moment.

    ALSO READ | Ayodhya will soon be a solar city, future needs to be met through green power

    UP’s 14 districts, which have zero cases, include Aligarh, Auraiyya, Badaun, Deoria, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Gonda, Hamirpur, Hardoi, Kanpur Dehat, Mahoba, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Unnao.

    In Uttar Pradesh, an average of 2.5 lakh tests are being conducted on daily basis. The positivity rate is around 0.01% and the rate of recovery is 98.6%, the highest in the country. During the last 24 hours, 1,56,524 samples were tested in the state. In all 58 districts, there was no fresh case of Covid whereas in 17 districts, the cases were in single-digit during the last 24 hours.

    High recoveries and a low number of new cases have subsided the Active Caseload in the most populous state to 352, while the percentage of active cases as against the total confirmed cases is just zero.

    CM Yogi Adityanath cautioned the people of the state amid the studies suggesting the threat of the third wave in and around October. The CM called upon the people of the state to be more careful and cautious and follow the COVID protocol as the lockdown was totally lifted in the state.

    Despite registering a steady decline in the number of fresh cases, Uttar Pradesh has been pushing for more testing, tracing, and treatment. Under the state’s ‘Covid Control Model’, Covid-19 testing has been one of the most effective weapons against the pandemic. Uttar Pradesh has conducted over 7.07 crore samples so far followed by Maharashtra’s 5.22 crore.

  • UP reports just 28 Covid cases in 24 hours as downward trend continues

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: UP has reported just 28 cases during the last 24 hours with 14 districts having zero active cases. There has been no death due to Covid in the state for the last three days. Now the tally of total active cases stands at 352.

    However, Tuesday’s number is four times more than that of Monday when the state had reported just seven cases, the lowest since the onset of the pandemic in the country in March 2020. The state capital Lucknow reported the first positive Covid case on March 11, 2020, while the maximum cases in the city were witnessed on April 16, 2021, when the city had reported 6,598 fresh cases during the second wave.

    The average number of samples tested in the state capital remains at 14,000 samples per day while to date more than 49 lakh samples have been tested in Lucknow. The state capital has 26 active covid19 cases at the moment.

    ALSO READ | Ayodhya will soon be a solar city, future needs to be met through green power

    UP’s 14 districts, which have zero cases, include Aligarh, Auraiyya, Badaun, Deoria, Farrukhabad, Fatehpur, Gonda, Hamirpur, Hardoi, Kanpur Dehat, Mahoba, Mirzapur, Sant Kabir Nagar, and Unnao.

    In Uttar Pradesh, an average of 2.5 lakh tests are being conducted on daily basis. The positivity rate is around 0.01% and the rate of recovery is 98.6%, the highest in the country. During the last 24 hours, 1,56,524 samples were tested in the state. In all 58 districts, there was no fresh case of Covid whereas in 17 districts, the cases were in single-digit during the last 24 hours.

    High recoveries and a low number of new cases have subsided the Active Caseload in the most populous state to 352, while the percentage of active cases as against the total confirmed cases is just zero.

    CM Yogi Adityanath cautioned the people of the state amid the studies suggesting the threat of the third wave in and around October. The CM called upon the people of the state to be more careful and cautious and follow the COVID protocol as the lockdown was totally lifted in the state.

    Despite registering a steady decline in the number of fresh cases, Uttar Pradesh has been pushing for more testing, tracing, and treatment. Under the state’s ‘Covid Control Model’, Covid-19 testing has been one of the most effective weapons against the pandemic. Uttar Pradesh has conducted over 7.07 crore samples so far followed by Maharashtra’s 5.22 crore.

  • COVID pandemic not over yet, people should behave responsibly: Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray

    By PTI

    MUMBAI: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday said that people should not let their guard down as the threat of a third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic still looms.

    Talking to the media after inaugurating a pediatric COVID-19 care centre in suburban Santacruz, he said the pandemic is not over yet, and “people should behave responsibly”. “Don’t forget that COVID-19 restrictions have been eased to keep the economic cycle moving. People should not fall prey to any kind of provocation which may endanger their lives and those of others,” the chief minister said.

    ALSO READ| Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray urges opposition parties to win people’s trust

    He said that the daily rise in infections and the deaths due to COVID-19 need to be brought down.

    Experts had voiced concern that a third wave might affect children the most, therefore his government set up a pediatric COVID-19 task force and also a genome sequencing lab to get proper information about the virus, Thackeray said.

    Maharashtra had on Friday reported 4,365 new coronavirus cases and 105 deaths.

  • Preparedness level of Indians to deal with COVID-19 at homes remain abysmally low

    Express News Service
    RAIPUR: A year and a half into the pandemic, the preparedness levels of India’s urban poor and rural population remain abysmally low when dealing with Covid-19 infections at the household level with many lacking the basic medical equipment to gauge vital health parameters.

    A survey in ten states of the country by the research organisation Sambodhi Panels, conducted in July 2021, gives new insights into the preparedness of India’s vulnerable sections of society particularly after the raging second wave even as the nation apparently gears-up to meet a distinctly possible third wave.The 7,116 households survey found just around 20 per cent had thermometers and about 50 per cent had over the counter drugs available to treat symptoms like fever, headaches. However, only 9 per cent of the households had Oximeters while a dismal 3 per cent had access to oxygen cylinders.

    Also, only 40 per cent of respondents were aware of medical suppliers/shops nearby to access in case they had the symptoms of coronavirus.

    ALSO READ: Third Covid wave may occur either due to mutations in virus or pool of susceptible population, says CentreThe surveys empanelled over 14,000 households with verified respondent details from different states including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The research panels found that the people are largely uninformed about newer variants of Covid-19 virus and the associated symptoms such as diarrhoea, skin rashes, conjunctivitis among others.“Given how dynamic the course of this pandemic is, we need rapid generation of data insights to meet urgent response needs in crisis situations. Further, we need data collection across time periods to be able to study trends and forecast so as to plan for the future,” said Swapnil Shekhar, co-founder, Sambodhi.The survey did show that awareness about home-care for Covid-19 patients were high among respondents, with 88 per cent of the people able to identify at least one practice such as isolation in a room, wearing a mask, and using separate utensils, towels, bedding for the patients among the measures to be adopted.The respondents, however, lacked proper understanding on when to hospitalise a Covid positive person. This of course has implications for the already stretched healthcare system.Following the extensive surveys, the Sambodhi Panels felt the need to increase information dissemination among vulnerable sections of society on newer Covid variants, associated symptoms and recommended treatment protocols.

  • Covid precautions to medical equipment: Masses remain poorly equipped ahead of third wave, finds Survey

    Express News Service
    RAIPUR: A year and a half into the pandemic, the preparedness levels of India’s urban poor and rural population remain abysmally low when dealing with Covid-19 infections at the household level with many lacking the basic medical equipment to gauge vital health parameters.

    A survey in ten states of the country by the research organisation Sambodhi Panels, conducted in July 2021, gives new insights into the preparedness of India’s vulnerable sections of society particularly after the raging second wave even as the nation apparently gears-up to meet a distinctly possible third wave.The 7,116 households survey found just around 20 per cent had thermometers and about 50 per cent had over the counter drugs available to treat symptoms like fever, headaches. However, only 9 per cent of the households had Oximeters while a dismal 3 per cent had access to oxygen cylinders.

    Also, only 40 per cent of respondents were aware of medical suppliers/shops nearby to access in case they had the symptoms of coronavirus.

    ALSO READ: Third Covid wave may occur either due to mutations in virus or pool of susceptible population, says CentreThe surveys empanelled over 14,000 households with verified respondent details from different states including Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Gujarat and Rajasthan. The research panels found that the people are largely uninformed about newer variants of Covid-19 virus and the associated symptoms such as diarrhoea, skin rashes, conjunctivitis among others.“Given how dynamic the course of this pandemic is, we need rapid generation of data insights to meet urgent response needs in crisis situations. Further, we need data collection across time periods to be able to study trends and forecast so as to plan for the future,” said Swapnil Shekhar, co-founder, Sambodhi.The survey did show that awareness about home-care for Covid-19 patients were high among respondents, with 88 per cent of the people able to identify at least one practice such as isolation in a room, wearing a mask, and using separate utensils, towels, bedding for the patients among the measures to be adopted.The respondents, however, lacked proper understanding on when to hospitalise a Covid positive person. This of course has implications for the already stretched healthcare system.Following the extensive surveys, the Sambodhi Panels felt the need to increase information dissemination among vulnerable sections of society on newer Covid variants, associated symptoms and recommended treatment protocols.

  • MHA says ‘blatant violation’ of Covid norms in hill stations, markets; asks states to take action

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Union Home Ministry Wednesday said blatant violations of COVID-19 norms have been observed in several parts of the country, including hill stations, and asked states and union territories to take action against officials responsible for ensuring compliance to laid down guidelines.

    In a letter to all states and UTs, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla also said Covid-appreciate behaviour is not being adhered to in public transport and massive crowds are thronging marketplaces, violating social distancing norms.

    Bhalla emphasised the second wave of Covid is not yet over and everyone should remember there is no room for complacency and follow Covid-appropriate behaviour.

    He said that with the decline in the number of active cases, states and UTs have started reopening economic activities in a gradual manner but the process of relaxing restrictions should be carefully calibrated.

    “Blatant violations of COVID norms have been observed in several parts of the country, especially in public transport and at hill stations. Massive crowds are also thronging the market places, violating norms of social distancing,” he said.

  • Centre warns nation against Covid norm violations

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Continued gross violations of Covid-19 appropriate behaviour can nullify the gains made against the pandemic so far, the health ministry warned on Tuesday, even as it maintained  that there has been a consistent decline in coronavirus cases in the last few weeks. 

    At the health ministry’s briefing on Tuesday,  Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, expressed concern over violations of protocol and said people have been talking about a third wave like it was a “weather update”. He added that many were failing to understand that adherence to Covid-appropriate behaviour, or the lack of it, is what will prevent or cause any future waves.

    The health ministry’s remark comes a day after Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced concern about people thronging tourists spots without masks. In a virtual meeting with administrators of states and Union Territories, the PM had said: “There’s a need to stay alert and act fast to check further spread of virus.”At the briefing on Tuesday, NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul said globally, a third wave of Covid-19 is being seen and called on people to make efforts to ensure that it does not happen.

    Agarwal said approximately 73.4 per cent of the new Covid cases reported so far in July are from Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. He said 55 districts reported a case positivity rate of more than 10 per cent in the week ending July 13.

    Central teams have been deputed to Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Assam, Meghalaya, Odisha, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura to support them in Covid-19 management. India’s Covid death toll climbed to 4,10,784 on Tuesday, with 2,020 new deaths recorded after Madhya Pradesh reconciled its fatality data. The  infection tally rose to 3,09,05,819, according to the health ministry.

  • Uttarakhand CM Dhami calls on PM Modi, seeks directions on third wave and Char Dham Yatra

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Pushkar Singh Dhami, who was recently sworn in as Uttarakhand chief minister, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday and sought his directions on the possible third wave of coronavirus, the proposed Kanwad Yatra and the Chardham Yatra against the backdrop of the pandemic.

    He also sought establishment of an All India Institute of Medical Sciences in Kumaon region of the state on the lines of AIIMS, Rishikesh.

    In a tweet, Dhami said he sought the blessings of the prime minister.

    “Sought his directions on the state’s development, the possible third wave of Covid-19, Char Dham Yatra and Kanwad Yatra. The prime minister assured all possible help for the state’s development,” Dhami tweeted.

    The Prime Minister’s Office also tweeted pictures of the meeting.

    On Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal’s comments asking why people of the hill state, which generates electricity, cannot get free power like consumers in the national capital, Dhami said the AAP leader may have his agenda but the only agenda for the BJP is the state’s development and offering the best to people.

    The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor will visit Dehradun on Sunday.

    The party has decided to contest the assembly polls in the state due early next year.

    Uttarakhand on Thursday decided to review its decision to stop all Kanwad yatra devotees from entering the state this year.

    The yatra sees lakhs of devotees travel through several states by foot to the holy town of Haridwar in Uttarakhand.

    According to an official release in Dehradun, Dhami said an AIIMS in Kumaon will give access to the people of the region to world class medical facilities, adding the state government will give land for it.

    Describing AIIMS, Rishikesh as a big gift to the people of the state from the Centre, Dhami said it is playing a significant role in the battle against Covid.

    Dhami also sought speedy implementation of the 300 mw Lakhwar multi-purpose project from which six states including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh will benefit.

    The project has all the clearances and work on it can begin after a cabinet committee on economic affairs by the Union Government gives its go-ahead to the project, Dhami said.

    He informed the prime minister that the second phase of building and reconstruction projects at Kedarnath are to begin at an estimated cost of Rs 108.78 crore and sought an appointment from him for laying their foundation stones virtually.

    Dhami’s meeting with the prime minister lasted one hour and 15 minutes.

    Congratulating Dhami, Modi expressed hope that under his youthful leadership the state will prosper, the release said.

    Dhami also met Home Minister Amit Shah and urged him to remove inner line restrictions from Nelong and Niti valleys near India-China border saying it will boost tourist inflow to the beautiful valleys and increased economic activities as a result of this will stop migration from border villages.

    He also demanded two air ambulances and establishment of one disaster research institute at Uttarakhand’s summer capital Gairsain in view of the state’s vulnerability to natural calamities.

    The Chief Minister also met Union Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and requested him to increase the budgetry allocation for solid waste management projects in Uttarakhand under the Swacch Bharat Mission-2 from Rs 89 crore to 150 crore.

  • Have directed states, UTs to ensure strict compliance with COVID-19 directives: Govt to Delhi HC

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The central government has informed the Delhi High Court that it has asked all states and Union territories (UT) to ensure strict compliance with the national directives for COVID-19 management and take necessary measures under the Disaster Management Act.

    Order was also issued to them to consider the implementation of targeted and prompt actions for COVID19 management until July 31, the Centre has said.

    The Centre also stated that while the opening of activities after a decline in COVID-19 cases was essential, the states and UTs must ensure that “the whole process is carefully calibrated”.

    The statement was made in a status report filed by the Centre through its standing counsel Anil Soni in connection with the high court’s suo motu proceedings on violation of COVID-19 protocols in various markets in the national capital.

    The Centre has submitted that national directives for COVID-19 management include face coverings, social distancing, not spitting in public places, work from home, staggering of work/business hours, screening and hygiene and frequent sanitisation.

    ALSO READ: The rise of revenge travel post Covid-19 second wave

    “MHA issued order dated 29.06.2021 directing state/Union Territory governments and state/Union Territory Authorities to consider the implementation of targeted and prompt actions for COVID-19 management till 31.07.07.2021 as conveyed vide aforesaid MoHFW advisory dated 28.06.2021 and also take necessary measures under the relevant provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

    “MHA also directed state/Union territories that National Directives for COVID-19 Management shall continue to be strictly followed throughout the country”, the report reads.

    Clarifying that the decision to impose or ease restrictions has to be based on the assessment of the ground situation, the Centre added that state/UT authorities should ensure that there is “continuous focus on containment efforts” and “uniformity in implementing graded restrictions/relaxations”.

    The high court was also informed that the “framework for implementation of prompt and target action” was also shared by the Centre with the states.

    The framework, Centre said, speaks of a “five-fold strategy for effective management of COVID-19” i.e. test, track, treat, vaccinate and adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour.

    The framework also emphasises that “COVID-19 management can succeed only through a whole of government and whole of society approach”.

    States are nonetheless at liberty to plan additional public health measures based on their local situation, it is said.

    The Centre has also submitted that a letter was addressed to chief secretaries of all states and administrators of UTs, stressing effective management of COVID-19 by following advisories issued by the home and health ministries.

    A vacation bench of the high court had initiated a PIL last month after it took note of certain photographs sent to one of the high court judges on WhatsApp by an AIIMS doctor showing scant regard for COVID-19 protocols by street vendors in markets.

    The court had observed that such breaches would only hasten the third wave of coronavirus which cannot be permitted at all.

    The high court said if this behaviour of flouting COVID-19 norms continues “we will be in great trouble”.

    “We have paid a huge price in the second wave.

    We don’t know if there is any household which has not suffered in the second wave, closely or remotely,” the bench had observed, adding that “we as a citizen of this city are worried when we see these images”.

    It further said the memory of the second wave of COVID-19 is still fresh with so many people having suffered personal loss.

  • 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.