Coronavirus Highlights: Time To Start Wearing Masks At Home As Well, Advises Govt
Coronavirus Highlights: As India reels with the second Covid wave, the Madras High Court slammed the Election Commission for holding elections in the 5 states and allowing political rallies drawing huge crowds. Karnataka Chief Minister Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on the other hand announced to impose COVID curfew across the state from tomorrow 9 pm for the next 14 days.
"FIR registered in Crime Branch against those spreading misinformation on social media, levelling allegations against Delhi Police of “stopping oxygen tankers”, “preventing people from sharing/amplifying covid resource information,": Delhi Police.
While reports of oxygen supply shortage continue surface, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday claimed that India has enough oxygen stock but its transportation is the issue.
MHA Additional Secretary Piyush Goyal said, “We are trying to resolve the issue of its transportation. The government is monitoring oxygen-carrying tankers on a real-time basis through GPS, making them available to hospitals as early as possible”.
Speaking at a Union Health Ministry press conference Paul said, "Please wear a mask, do not go out unnecessarily. Stay with your family. Even within the family wear the mask."
He urged people not to invite anyone home. "Please don't invite anyone to your home. This is not the time to do so. Take all possible care within the home. Protect yourselves and your family members," Paul said.
"It’s pleasing to see small declines in cases and deaths in several regions, but many countries are still experiencing intense Covid-19 transmission, and the situation in India is beyond heartbreaking,": Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization said.
NMRC MD Ritu Maheshwari in an official announcement said, "To discourage passengers movement on curfew days, Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) has decided not to run any service on the curfew days i.e. Saturday & Sunday. Therefore, NMRC metro services will not be available on these days."
Uttar Pradesh reports 33,574 new cases, 249 deaths and 26,719 recoveries in the past 24 hours; active cases 3,04,199.
Kerala government imposes restrictions to curb the spread of COVID19. As per the announcemnet Cinema halls, malls, gyms, clubs, sports complexes, swimming pools, entertainment parks & bars to remain shut, until further orders. Only essential services and emergency services permitted on Saturdays & Sundays. Shops and restaurants to be closed by 7.30 P.M. however take away and home delivery can continue till 9 P.M. All social, political, cultural and religious functions/ gatherings are prohibited until further orders.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in a press briefing on Monday informed that in the all-party meeting held today, the common opinion was that Kerala should not go into a complete lock down. But all parties suggested that strict restrictions should be enforced in the state to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Govenment of India on Monday informed that the Indian Railways has transported more than 302 MT of oxygen safely and securely to various states across India. Another 154 MT of liquid medical oxygen is on its way. One Oxygen Express train carrying 4 tankers is expected to reach Delhi from Raigarh today
Recently, many women raised concerns about getting a COVID-19 vaccine jab while they are in the middle of their menstrual cycle. The government has cleared all douts saying it is safe to take vaccine during menstruation. Dr. VK Paul, Member-Health, Niti Aayog in a press breafing today said, "the vaccine can be taken during periods. This is no reason to postpone vaccination."
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Office in an official statement on Monday said that the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on the request of Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has agreed to arrange emergency supplies of oxygen from Himachal Pradesh to Delhi
In view of 'alarming surge' in COVID-19 cases, filing/hearing of cases in Jammu and Kashmir High Court as well as in district, subordinate courts, and tribunals shall be conducted through virtual mode till May 15: Jammu and Kashmir High Court
India is ordering oxygen tankers from abroad on a purchase or hiring basis. The transportation of oxygen tankers is a major challenge. Using real-time tracking, we are monitoring the movement of oxygen tankers: Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs
We have 104 oxygen cylinders, used to transfer extremely ill COVID patients from COVID emergency to ICU & from Wards to ICU in case of emergency - happening very frequently. All 104 cylinders were sent 3 days back to 3 locations for emergency refill. For the last three days, our staff and transport are camping there but to no avail. Currently hospital is in beg and borrow mode and it is an extreme crisis situation. Hospital has arranged two cylinders which are also going to finish quickly: SIr Ganga Ram Hospital In Delhi
India reports 3,52,991 new COVID-19 cases, 2812 deaths and 2,19,272 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 1,73,13,163
Total recoveries: 1,43,04,382
Death toll: 1,95,123
Active cases: 28,13,658
Total vaccination: 14,19,11,223
Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a message expressed sorrow over India's condition while battling the menace of COVID-19. "Devastated to see worsening Covid crisis in India. Google & Googlers are providing Rs 135 Crores in funding to GiveIndia, UNICEF for medical supplies, org supporting high-risk communities, and grants to help spread critical information," he said.
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) tested 27,93,21,177 samples for COVID-19 up to 25th April 2021. Out of the total, 14,02,367 samples were tested yesterday.
Marc Garneau, Canadian Foreign Minister has expressed that Canada stands "ready to assist" India in its battle against coronavirus.
"Our thoughts are with the people of India as they face a devastating new wave of COVID-19 pandemic. Canada stands ready to assist & has reached out to Indian authorities to determine how Canada can best support India in its time of need," said Marc Garneau.
Curfew imposed in Kotdwar and Swargashram areas of Pauri Garhwal district from 26th April to 3rd May, in the wake of rising covid cases.
Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who had tested positive for coronavirus last week, was on Sunday admitted to a private hospital in the national capital. As per news agency PTI, the 65-year-old was admitted to Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar. As per initial reports, Tharoor is stable and doing fine. The Congress MP from Thiruvananthapuram on April 21 had tweeted out that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
More than 300 oxygen concentrators have been dispatched from John F. Kennedy International Airport on Sunday. Air India’s A102 is transporting five tonnes of oxygen concentrators as cargo and is scheduled to land in Delhi by Monday noon.
Background
As the second Covid wave has ravaged Karnataka, state Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa on Monday announced to impose strict restrictions in order to control the spread of the deadly virus. As per the latest development, COVID curfew will be implemented across the state from tomorrow 9 pm for the next 14 days.
The Madras High Court earlier today slammed the Election Commission for holding elections in the 5 states and allowing political rallies drawing huge crowds. The court said that the poll body is to be held "singularly responsible" for the Covid-19 second wave, with which the country is currently struggling.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed the vaccine manufacturers and Centre to bring down the price of Covid-19 vaccines and provide the anti-viral drug at the same cost to all. He asked the central government to cap the price (of vaccines) if needed. Moreover, the Delhi government announed to provide free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age. Kejriwal said that the state government has given the approval for the purchase of 1.34 crore vaccines.
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