Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Centre Approves Rs 5 Lakh Financial Aid For 67 Families Of Journalists Who Died Due To Covid
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, May 27, Thursday: As India is facing an acute shortage of vaccine at home, Pfizer has informed the Centre, during a series of interactions, that its COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for all aged 12 and above, and can be stored at 2-8 degrees for over a month. They also discussed indemnity protection against liabilities before they bring vaccines to India. More than 20 crore Indians have been vaccination against Covid-19, with at least 15.71 crore having taken their first dose and 4.35 crore their second, data from the Ministry of Health showed on Thursday.
New Delhi: India ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries despite its own needs amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and has also been active in global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines to tackle the infection, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.
He was speaking during a virtual interaction with health ministers of NAM (Non-Aligned Movement) countries. Tedros, Director-General, World Health Organisation was also present in the meeting.
Reiterating that India shall always strive for the 'health of all', Vardhan said, Despite its own needs, during the COVID-19 pandemic, we ensured supply of medicines to 123 partner countries, including 59 NAM nations. India has also been active in global efforts to develop diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for COVID-19 because we know and understand that no one is safe until everyone is safe.
He said India has adopted transformative strategies and fast-tracked many initiatives aimed at all the core tenets of Universal Health Coverage like strengthening health systems, including primary healthcare, improving access to free drugs and diagnostics, and reducing catastrophic healthcare spending.
India is moving towards Universal Healthcare for All which means every citizen of India must get world quality treatment facilities. Full immunisation coverage is increasing at a rapid pace with a greater emphasis on village-based micro-plans as we aim to enhance coverage to 90 per cent in a year, an official statement quoted the health minister as saying.
Speaking about India's ambitious National Health Policy, he noted, Our flagship health initiative called Ayushman Bharat aims at providing free health assurance to over 500 million underprivileged people, making it the world's largest health assurance scheme.
And we dream of making this scheme much bigger, ensuring it for every Indian! If a developing nation like India can dream of this level of 'health for all' policy, I think the rest of the world has to think even beyond this, he said.
He, however, expressed concern over the current pandemic that has demonstrated the vulnerability of humankind to exigencies and underlined the need to act with greater speed and predictability.
We need an aggressive roadmap to curtail deaths from diseases that can be eliminated. We need a fresh roadmap to address shortages of medicines and vaccines. Our motto should always be to protect the health of those without wealth , the minister added. (PTI)
Andhra Pradesh CM Y. S. Jaganmohan Reddy has announced Rs.10 lakhs as ex-gratia in the form of a fixed deposit to the children, who lost their parents due to Covid-19. The scheme is applicable to children below the age of 18 years whose families are below the poverty line, Chief Minister's Office informed.
Chandigarh: Punjab on Thursday reported 178 more fatalities due to COVID-19, taking the toll to 14,004, while 3,914 fresh infections took the total number of cases to 5,56,089, according to a medical bulletin.
The number of active cases dropped from 50,549 on Wednesday to 48,231, as per the bulletin.
The state's daily recoveries of 5,995 were in excess of the daily infections of 3,914.
Seventeen deaths were reported from Ludhiana, 15 from Faridkot and 13 each from Bathinda, Amritsar and Sangrur, of the latest fatalities.
Ludhiana reported 411 cases, followed by 401 in Jalandhar, 344 in Bathinda and 313 in Muktsar, among fresh cases.
The state's positivity rate stood at 5.43 per cent, as per the bulletin.
With 5,995 recoveries, the number of cured persons reached 4,93,854, as per the bulletin.
There are 358 critical patients who are on ventilator support, 943 other critical patients and 5,809 on oxygen support, the bulletin said.
A total of 90,01,438 samples have been collected for testing so far in the state, it said.
Meanwhile, Chandigarh registered 200 cases, taking the infection tally to 59,416, according to a medical bulletin.
Seven more people succumbed to the infection, taking the toll in the Union Territory to 729.
The number of active cases dropped from 3,573 on Wednesday to 3,129, as per the bulletin.
With 637 patients being discharged after they recovered from the infection, the number of cured persons reached 55,558, as per the bulletin.
A total of 4,96,588 samples have been taken for testing so far and of them, 4,35,973 tested negative while reports of 78 samples were awaited, the bulletin stated. (PTI)
Delhi government constitutes a 6 member committee to assess complaints received regarding deaths due to lack of oxygen on a case-to-case basis. This is for grant of ex-gratia compensation over and above the no-fault ex-gradation of Rs 50,000 already ordered by the government.
The Committee would draw up objective criteria to award compensation, limited to a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs in each case, the Delhi government stated.
(Photo: ANI)
Meanwhile, the state health department informed that 153 cases of mucormycosis (black fungus) have been reported today, exceeding the total number of cases from 620 to 773.
Telangana has received a positive response from AstraZeneca and Sputnik V for global tender for vaccine procurement by the state Government, negotiations are underway: Srinivasa Rao, Telangana Director of Public Health.
Till now, 88 complaints have been received against 64 private hospitals for excessive billing. Showcase notice has been served to these private hospitals, he informed.
Delhi Government notifies Black Fungus (Mucormycosis) as a disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act. Previously, states like Rajasthan, Bihar, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Odisha, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Tamil Nadu declared it a 'notifiable' disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, thereby making it mandatory to report every Mucormycosis case to the state government.
A meeting of the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) to be held on Friday, 28th May over the present situation of Covid-19 and vaccination. Lt Governor, Chief Minister, Chief Secretary, and other senior officials to be present in the meeting.
Centre approves financial assistance to 67 families of journalists who lost their lives to Covid. Each family will get Rs 5 lakhs under the Journalist Welfare Scheme of the I&B Ministry. Committee to hold JWS meetings on weekly basis to process the applications expeditiously: Govt of India announced.
Additional 80,000 vials of Amphotericin-B (used in the treatment for Mucormycosis) have been allocated to States/UTs and Central Institutions: DV Sadananda Gowda, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers
24,166 new cases and 181 deaths reported in Kerala in the last 24 hours. Active cases stand at 2,41,966: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan informed about the COVID-19 situation in the State.
"I have directed the Education Department to make arrangements to conduct Kerala Board Class 11 examinations during the Onam holidays," he revealed.
It has been decided that all Covid-19 restrictions will not be lifted as 21 districts have more than 10% positivity rate. Relaxations could be given in the districts where cases are declining, guidelines will be issued in a few days: Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope said.
This statement comes in reference to the earlier indications that Maharashtra will lift Covid restrictions in a phased manner if positivity rate goes below 10 percent.
Sputnik V, the third vaccine approved in India will be available through the Apollo Hospitals from the second week of June: Shobana Kamineni, Executive Vice-chairperson of Apollo Hospitals was quoted by news agency ANI has saying.
Earlier, Niti Aayog member Dr. VK Paul informed that the government is "engaged with Pfizer as they've indicated the availability of a certain volume of vaccines in the coming months, possibly in July. They've requested indemnity against liability to all the nations. We are examining this request. There is no decision as of now".
As soon as Pfizer indicated vaccine availability, the central government and the company started working together for the earliest possible import of the vaccine, NITI Aayog member VK Paul said.
Paul added that Centre has engaged continuously with all the major international vaccine manufacturers right from mid-2020. "Multiple rounds of discussions have happened with Pfizer, J&J & Moderna. The government offered all assistance to have them supply and/or manufacture their vaccines in India," he said.
"It's reassuring that we are on the downswing of the second wave, and it will be sustained if restrictions open up systematically as the time comes," Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog said during the health ministry's press briefing.
"We are engaged with Pfizer as they've indicated the availability of a certain volume of vaccines in the coming months, possibly in July. They've requested indemnity against liability to all the nations. We are examining this request. There is no decision as of now," he informed.
West Bengal Government is extending statewide Covid-induced restrictions till June 15 to curb the spread in the state, CM Mamata Banerjee announced.
Meanwhile, Punjab CMO also informed that the Covid-19 restrictions in the stated have been extended up to June 10 but due to a decline in positive as well as active cases, the restriction on the number of passengers in personal vehicles is removed.
From June 1, the vaccination priority list for the 18-44 age group will also include shopkeepers, their staff; hospitality sector, industrial workers, street vendors, delivery boys, bus/cab drivers/conductors, and members of local bodies, it stated.
Meanwhile, it was also informed that as many as 188 cases of mucormycosis have been reported in the state. Due to the shortage of Amphotericin, CM Capt Amarinder Singh has ordered ramping up of stocks of alternate drugs to treat the disease, making Punjab the first state in the country to use alternative medicines to treat the disease.
We gave an advance of Rs 47 crores to Serum Institute of India (SII) and Rs 12 crores to Bharat Biotech, the former supplied us vaccines, but the latter didn't. Due to no vaccines, we have stopped vaccination. We will resume as and when we get vaccines: Rajasthan Health Minister
Delhi HC says Amphotericin B, used for treating black fungus is required to save lives of people suffering all over the country, the Central Government should consider complete waiver of import duties of the drug for a limited period
We don't have vaccines in the first place. The supply that is being made to us is not at par with our demand. It is a matter of concern. It is a 'hand to mouth' situation for us almost every day: Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on COVID19 vaccine wastage in the state
With efforts of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Genetic Life Sciences, Wardha has manufactured Amphotericin B Emulsion injections for treating Mucormycosis. It was being produced by only one company so far. Distribution to begin from Monday at Rs 1200 each: Office of the Union Min
The B.1.617 COVID-19 variant, first detected in India, has now been found in 53 countries, according to the WHO, which noted that India recorded a 23 per cent decrease in the number of new cases in the last seven days but they were still the highest in the world.
The World Health Organisation's COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update, published May 25, said that over the past week, the number of new cases and deaths continued to decrease globally, with over 4.1 million new cases and 84,000 new deaths reported, a 14 per cent and 2 per cent decrease respectively compared to the previous week.
According to the update, the B.1.617 variant, first detected in India, is now prevalent in 53 countries globally.
The government of India is doing everything possible to increase availability of Liposomal Amphotericin B injections to deal with Mucormycosis. To augment production, Government of India has given licenses to 5 more companies that can make this drug: GoI sources
The sources further said that PM had instructed officials to get this drug from anywhere it is available in the world. Indian missions across the world have been involved in securing supplies of this drug. It has been achieved with help of Gilead Sciences in USA
Zydus seeks DCGI approval to undertake clinical trials for monoclonal antibodies cocktail that can neutralise COVID infection: Zydus Cadila
Meanwhile, the first Covid-19 patient in India treated with a monoclonal antibodies cocktail was discharged from the Medanta Hospital in Gurugram, Haryana, on Wednesday.
Medanta Hospital chairman Dr Naresh Trehan said that an elderly man with multiple comorbidities went home after getting the jab, adding the “monoclonal antibodies cocktail has been extensively in the US and Europe”.
In a phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Emmanuel Macron highlighted that France would continue to stand by India to fight the pandemic together, with more support underway. The two leaders discussed how to bolster multilateral action against virus. To respond to this emergency of exceptional magnitude, France launched unprecedented solidarity operation, initiated on 1 May with delivery of 8 oxygen generator plants and medical equipment, and which is continuing in form of supplying oxygen containers, says Ambassador of France to India.
Singaporeans and permanent residents (PRs) will be required to present a valid negative COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test report, obtained within 72 hours prior to their departure for Singapore, starting from 11.59 pm on May 29 (Saturday), local media reported on Thursday.
All Singaporeans and permanent residents will only be allowed to board their flights to Singapore on presenting negative test results before departure, except for those who have stayed in lower-risk countries and regions in the last 21 days, the Ministry of Health (MoH) said on Wednesday night.
The lower-risk countries and regions are Australia, Brunei, mainland China, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Macau, according to Singaporean media reports.
The Singapore government has recently said on an average, 25 passengers, mostly Singaporean citizens and PRs, were returning home daily from India.
"All travellers will also be required to present their valid COVID-19 PCR test result at the air, sea and land checkpoints when they arrive in Singapore," the ministry said.
Those who arrive in Singapore without a valid COVID-negative report may be denied entry, it added. Permanent residents and long-term pass holders who fail to comply may also have their permits or passes cancelled, the ministry warned.
A part-vaccinated and part-neglected world is not going to be safe and if large countries pursue their national interest, disregarding everything else, the world is going to have some "big problems", External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday, underling that "our sense of national security" has widened as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the COVID-19 pandemic bearing heavily on everyone's minds, he said there are questions about vaccine accessibility and affordability.
West Bengal continued to record a decline in single-day spike of COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, logging 16,225 fresh infections, raising the tally to 13,18,203, a health department bulletin said. The death toll mounted to 14,827 after 153 more fatalities were reported from different parts of the state, it said.
West Bengal now has 1,23,377 active cases, while 11,79,999 patients have recovered from the disease, including 19,071 since Tuesday. A total of 1,21,21,940 samples have so far been tested for COVID-19, taking into account 63,976 clinical examinations in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said.
Seeking a fast-track approval for its COVID-19 vaccine, US major Pfizer has told Indian authorities that its jab has shown “high effectiveness” against the SARS-CoV-2 variant prevalent in India, while it is suitable for everyone aged 12 years or above and can be stored for a month at 2-8 degrees
Pfizer, which is ready to offer 5 crore doses to India between July and October this year, has sought certain relaxations including indemnification.
Background
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, May 27, Thursday:: As the country is witnessing a downward trend in the Covid tally, the Government is focusing now on how to tackle the thrid wave which is likely to affect children. Experts suggested that vaccination is the only way to protect the country from the third wave.
India has allowed Bharat Biotech to begin testing of vaccines for children and during series of interactions, Pfizer also informed the Govt of India that its COVID 19 vaccine is suitable for all aged 12 & above, & can be storied at 2-8 degrees for over a month. They also discussed indemnity protection against liabilities before they bring vaccines to India, according to a report by ANI.
Meanwhile, United States President Joe Biden on Wednesday ordered US intelligence agencies to report to him in the next three months on whether the Covid-19 virus first emerged in China from an animal source or from a laboratory accident.
Agencies should "redouble their efforts to collect and analyze information that could bring us closer to a definitive conclusion, and to report back to me in 90 days," Biden said in a statement released by the White House.
According to Biden, agencies are currently split over the two possible sources for the virus that swept the planet over the past year, killing more than 3.4 million people -- a figure experts say is undoubtedly an underestimate.
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