Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS: Puducherry To Undergo Lockdown From June 7 Midnight To June 14
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, Monday, June 7, 2021:All private hospitals and nursing homes In Delhi have been told not to administer Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine to those who are coming in for their first jab. The Delhi government has run out of Covaxin stocks.The Union health ministry’s directorate general of health services (DGHS) has overhauled Covid-19 treatment guidelines and removed all medicines, except antipyretic (fever) and antitussive (cold), for asymptomatic and mild cases.
West Bengal reports 5,887 new Covid cases, 14,352 patient discharges, and 103 deaths in the last 24 hours. Active cases: 26,886 Total discharges: 13,88,771 Death toll: 16,362
New Delhi: NITI Aayog's Member (Health) V.K. Paul on Monday expressed hope that the third wave of Covid-19 pandemic can be prevented by following appropriate behaviour instructed by the government.
Paul's remarks came while presenting a brief snapshot of the vaccination status, preparedness for paediatric Covid-19 care, and the way forward to prevent the third Wave at the 28th meeting of the high-level Group of Ministers (GoM) on Covid-19.
He stressed that India is fully prepared but caution remains the key as lockdowns are lifted and expressed hope that "the third wave can be prevented if we continue following the Covid appropriate behaviour".
Paul noted that India took 141 days to reach 23 crore mark in terms of cumulative doses administered, which remains the second-highest in the world after the US, which did in 134 days.
Also, India is one of the world's fastest countries in terms of number of doses administered so far, he added.
"Out of 88.7 crore people who have been administered at least one dose globally, India accounts for 17.9 crore, which is 20.2 percentage of the global coverage."
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan chaird the GoM meet that was also attended by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Hardeep S. Puri, Minister of state for Home Nityanand Rai, and Minister of State for Health Ashwini Kumar Choubey.
NITI Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Amit Khare, Road Transport and Highways Secretary Giridhar Armane, Pharma Secretary S. Aparna, ICM. (IANS)
Karnataka reports 11,958 new cases, 340 deaths, and 27,299 discharges in the last 24 hours; active case tally at 2,38,824.
"Centre issues SOPs for vaccination of people undertaking international travel for education, employment & India's contingent for Tokyo Olympics. CoWIN certificates to be linked to the Passport of such travelers. Mention of vaccine-type as 'Covishield' is sufficient,": Ministry of Health stated.
Health Ministry writes to states/UTs to facilitate vaccination of people who have taken Covishield's 1st dose & will travel abroad for education, employment or as part of India's contingent for Tokyo Olympics, but whose planned travel dates fall before completion of 84 days.
"I express my gratitude to PM Modi for the decision of free vaccine to States, it will not put an additional burden on the States. Free vaccination for all above 18 will go a long way in defeating a possible third wave of COVID19,": Haryana CM ML Khattar.
"I welcome the decision of Hon'ble PM Shri Narendra Modi ji to provide free COVID-19 vaccination for all above 18 years of age from 21 June 2021. This will accelerate the efforts towards achieving 100% vaccination in Goa,": CM Pramod Sawant tweets.
"I express my gratitude towards the PM for announcing universal vaccination for all to be carried out by the Government of India and also for extending Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana till November,": Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan/
"After being pulled up by Supreme Court, Centre took this decision, we welcome it. Our demand was also to run a national immunisation drive, which was overlooked. After constant gruelling by SC, Centre has finally woken up,": AAP MLA Raghav Chadha on free vaccination drive by Centre.
"We thank PM Modi for this important announcement of universal vaccination for all to be carried out by the Government of India. IMA is constantly and proactively supporting the vaccination drive initiated by the Prime Minister:" Dr JA Jayalal, President, IMA.
"Those who are creating apprehension about the Covid vaccine, spreading rumours, they are playing with the lives of innocent brothers and sisters. There is a need to be cautious of such rumours,": PM Modi.
"In the midst of decreasing Covid cases in the country, different suggestions started coming before the central government, different demands started being made. We were asked: Why is the Government of India deciding everything? Why are the state governments not being given exemption? Why are the state governments not getting the relaxation of lockdown? Things like One Size Does Not Fit All were also said,": PM Modi.
"Starting from January 16 this year till the end of April, India's vaccination program ran mainly under the supervision of the central government. The country was moving ahead on the path of providing free vaccine to all... Many state governments again said that the vaccine work should be de-centralized and left to the states. Various voices rose. Like why age groups were created for vaccination? Why should the central government decide the age limit? Some voices have also arisen that why are the elderly being vaccinated earlier?," he said.
"Various pressures were also mounted, a section of the country's media also ran it in the form of a campaign," PM Modi added.
"Private hospitals can directly procure 25 percent of the vaccine doses being made in the country, this arrangement will continue. Private hospitals will be permitted to take a maximum service charge of Rs 150 for a single dose after the fixed price of the vaccine. The task of monitoring it will remain with the state governments,": PM Modi
"Can you imagine what would have happened if our health care professions were not vaccinated before Covid second wave? Today they are able to work fearlessly and save lives as they were inoculated on priority," PM Modi.
PM Modi Speech: "Today govt has decided that Pradhan Mantri Ann Garib Kalyan Yojana will be extended till Diwali. Till Nov, the beneficiaries will be able to receive fixed ration as per the scheme".
"Today it has been announced that Indian govt will take responsibility of 25% vaccination drive allotted to state govts. This will be rolled out in 2 weeks" PM Modi.
"Centre will acquire free Covid vaccines for 18+ age group. State governments will not have to spend on this. Pvt hospitals will also be able to acquire doses," he added.
"Vaccine supply going to increase in nation. Keeping concerns regarding children in mind, 2 vaccines are under trials for them. Option on Nasal vaccine also being explored," PM Modi.
"India launched two vaccines (on its own) and showed the world that India is not behind in medical advancements. As soon as our scientists were prepping and researching for the covid-19 vaccine, we (GOI) started to work on delivery logistics to make sure that we can cater to our large population," PM Modi.
"India saw an accelerated form of vaccination drive during this coronavirus pandemic. In past, when the world had advanced in vaccination drive for polio, smallpox, and others, India had earlier struggled. After 2014 when the BJP government got a chance to serve the nation, we made it a mission mode to increase India's vaccination program,": PM Modi.
"India witnessed oxygen demand at unprecedented levels. The government ensured that the demand for oxygen supply is being fulfilled by making necessary arrangements like trains, industrial redirection of oxygen production,": PM Modi.
"Our fight with Corona's second wave is still on. My condolences with all those who have lost someone in this pandemic. This pandemic is one that no one in the world has seen. From building covid facilities to readying things for this pandemic, a new medical/health infrastructure has been built,": PM Modi.
Punjab govt has extended Covid-induced restrictions till June 15 with certain relaxations including opening of shops till 6pm & private offices to function at 50% strength. Night curfew will remain in force from 7pm-6am on weekdays but regular curfew will continue on Sundays: CMO
New Delhi: The Delhi government Monday informed the Delhi High Court that it has directed all government centres, private hospitals and nursing homes here that Covaxin will only be administered to those in the age group of 18-44 years who received it as first dose of anti-COVID vaccine.
The court was hearing three pleas filed by persons who were finding it difficult to get the second dose of Covaxin after getting the first jab.
The Delhi government and the Centre also told the court that an additional of 40,000 vials of Covaxin have been provided to national capital on June 6 to tide over the current situation.
Justice Rekha Palli expressed happiness over the development and the proactive steps taken by both the Central and Delhi government to address the issue of shortage of Covaxin, especially for those who have taken the first dose and finding it difficult to get the second dose before the six weeks window expires.
The court was informed that the Delhi Chief Secretary has issued an order on June 6 that the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) has directed that all private hospitals and nursing homes functioning as COVID Vaccination Centres for Covaxin shall ensure that it shall be used for vaccination to only those people (of age group 18-44 years) who are eligible for receiving it as second dose of vaccination during the month of June, 2021 or till further orders.
The Health Department of Delhi government, on June 3, has already issued similar directions in this regard to all government COVID Vaccination Centres.
One of the petitions has been filed by petitioner and advocate Kushal Kumar, seeking direction to the authorities to urgently provide second dose of Covaxin vaccine to them as their allotted time period for the second dose is about to end.
Kumar and co-petitioners Mansi Sharma and advocate Shashwat Tripathi, said the allotted time period for the second dose of vaccine is between May 31 too June 14.
Another petition has been moved by lawyer Ashish Virmani, who received the first dose of Covaxin on May 3 and since May 29 has been unable to book a slot for receiving the second jab which has to be taken within six weeks of the first.
Subsequently, he had to travel to Meerut in Uttar Pradesh to receive the second dose of the vaccine, advocate Pallav Mongia, representing Virmani, had told the court.
During the hearing, the petitioners raised a grievance that as no doses of Covaxin were available between May 25 to June, there are a number of persons who are going to complete six weeks period on June 14 and therefore, if they do not get the slot in that time period, the whole exercise would be rendered futile.
The government counsel sought time to take instructions on this aspect and the court listed the matter for further hearing on June 11.
The court asked advocate Anuj Aggarwal, representing the Delhi government, and advocate Anurag Ahluwalia, appearing for the Centre, to examine the issue whether the slots being opened for second dose vaccination can be increased.
The counsel are also asked to examine the issue of utilising the data bank and messaging the persons whose second dose if due before June 14.
The Centre, in its affidavit filed through advocate Anurag Ahluwalia, said the CoWin system provides the list of beneficiaries due for the second dose on a given day, containing the name and contact details of the persons to enable the state and district officials to actively track the beneficiaries due for the second dose.
It said the CoWin system also send automatic SMSs to the beneficiaries, every third day, starting from 3 days before the second dose due date, till such time as the beneficiary does not get vaccinated with the second dose or books an appointment for it.
On June 4, the Delhi government had told the high court that it made preparations for vaccinating people with Covaxin based on the assurance of Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of vaccine, that the national capital will receive 5 lakh doses in May and four times that in June.
However, the Delhi government received only 1.5 doses of the vaccine in May and due to the Centre's instructions not to set aside any stock for the second jab, all of it was used to provide the first dose to 1.5 lakh people in the 18-44 age group.
On June 2, the court had said if the Delhi government could not ensure that people get both the doses of Covaxin within the stipulated time, it should not have started so many vaccination centres with "much pomp and splendour". (PTI)
Polling booths in Delhi will be turned into vaccination centres and booth-level officers (BLOs) will visit all the households to book slots for people in the 45 plus age group under the 'Jahan Vote, Wahan Vaccination campaign, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday.
There are 57 lakh people in Delhi in the 45 plus age group and of them, 27 lakh have been given the first dose of the coronavirus vaccine while 30 lakh are yet to get the jab, Kejriwal said in an online briefing.
"We have noticed that people in the 45 plus age group are not coming to vaccination centres set up by the Delhi government and vaccines are not being utilised," he said.
There are around 280 wards in Delhi. The BLOs will visit households in 72 wards from Tuesday to identify and send eligible persons for vaccination at the polling booths, he said.
Andhra Pradesh government extends statewide curfew till June 20; curfew relation hours 6 am to 2 pm, government offices to function from 8 am to 2pm
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation today at 5pm. Sources suggest that as the country as entered the unlock phase, PM wants to assure everybody follows the Covid protocols. PM Modi may also speak on the ongoing vaccine crisis and update the country on when India plans to vaccinate children.
The Madhya Pradesh government has decided to organise special COVID-19 vaccination camps in Indore for labourers, domestic helps, washermen, salon workers and others who come in direct contact with people.
MP Water Resources Minister Tulsiram Silawat, who is also the in-charge of Indore district, the state's industrial hub, gave the directives to this effect on Sunday, an official release said.
The date for starting such camps was not mentioned in the release.
It said with an aim to diversify the vaccination drive, the minister has taken the initiative to facilitate inoculation of those who come in direct contact with people by organising special camps for them.
"These camps will be organised for labourers, women domestic helps, washermen, salon workers, priests, petrol pumps and gas agency employees from 7 am to 7 pm on a priority basis," the release said.
Indian Medical Association (IMA) writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting his personal intervention to resolve IMA's pleas & to ensure "optimum milieu" for medical professionals to work without fear
According to Uttarakhand's Health Department, 20 new cases & three deaths were reported in Dehradun, yesterday. The total number of cases has gone up to 299 in the state including 47 deaths and 18 recoveries.
India reports 1,00,636 new COVID 19 cases, 1,74,399 discharges, and 2427 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Health Ministry.
Total cases: 2,89,09,975
Total discharges: 2,71,59,180
Death toll: 3,49,186
Active cases: 14,01,609
Total vaccination: 23,27,86,482
Covaxin in Delhi will be administered only to those in the 18-44 age group who need the second dose, the Delhi government said in a statement on Sunday.
All private hospitals and nursing homes have been told not to administer Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine to those who are coming in for their first jab.
The Delhi government has run out of Covaxin stocks. Private hospitals that have them are far and few and it is not easily available for those who want to get Covaxin jab in the first dose.
At AIIMS Patna, trials for children aged 12 to 18 have begun. Following this, trials will be conducted for the age groups of 6-12 years and 2-6 years, Dr Prabhat Kumar Singh, Director, AIIMS, Patna, told the news agency. The trial will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers across different sites across the country and the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 (the first day) and day 28, according to the Health Ministry.
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal announced that markets will re-open in the national capital and metro services will be resumed from June 7 with conditions. "Lockdown will continue with more relaxation in other activities. Shops in markets and malls to be opened on an odd-even basis from Monday. The shops will be allowed to open from 10 am to 8 pm. The private offices will be allowed to function with 50 per cent staff," Kejriwal said.
Assam reported 2,228 new Covid- 19 cases and 37 fresh fatalities on Sunday with caseload rising to 4,34,942. The death toll in the state increased to 3,658 while the number of active cases is currently is 49,518. Six deaths were reported from Tinsukia, four from Sonitpur, three each from Kamrup Metro, Cachar, and Nagaon, and two each from Darrang Sivasagar and Udalguri. Baksa, Barpeta, Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Charaideo, Goalpara Kamrup Rural, Karbi Anglong, and Lakhimpur reported one death each.
Background
Coronavirus HIGHLIGHTS, Monday, June 7, 2021: Covaxin in Delhi will be administered only to those in the 18-44 age group who need the second dose, the Delhi government said in a statement on Sunday.
All private hospitals and nursing homes have been told not to administer Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine to those who are coming in for their first jab.
The Delhi government has run out of Covaxin stocks. Private hospitals that have them are far and few and it is not easily available for those who want to get Covaxin jab in the first dose.
The standoff between the junior doctors of Madhya Pradesh and the state government resonated today in the national capital. Medics of at least two top hospitals stepped out to back them even as top officials of the Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) got into a huddle in solidarity.
Junior doctors in Madhya Pradesh have been protesting since June 1 seeking higher stipend and free COVID-19 treatment for them and their families. The state government today gave them 24 hours to return to work or face action.
The Union health ministry’s directorate general of health services (DGHS) has overhauled Covid-19 treatment guidelines and removed all medicines, except antipyretic (fever) and antitussive (cold), for asymptomatic and mild cases.
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