COVID-19 New Corona: 2021-04-25

Saturday, May 1, 2021

India Corona Cases: Slight Dip In Daily New Cases As India Records 3.9 Lakh Infections; Over 3,600 Fatalities Reported

The unabated second wave of the coronavirus continues to keep the country at the edge as India once again recorded over 3.92 lakh cases.  The Union health ministry on Sunday morning reported that the country logged as many as 3,92,488 new cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours, and 3689 deaths pushing the cummulative count to 1,95,57,457.  Around 3,07,865 patients were discharged in the last 24 hours.  Here are the latest numbers from the ministry, according to the ANI report. Also Read: <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3vDMepR Bans Travel To 7 High-Risk Countries, Including India, Amid Rise In Covid Cases</a> Total recoveries: 1,59,92,271 Death toll: 2,15,542  Active cases: 33,49,644 Total vaccination:  15,68,16,031 [tw]https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1388702646530281472?s=20[/tw] According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), around 29,01,42,339 samples tested up to 1st May 2021 for #COVID19. Of these, 18,04,954 samples were tested till Saturday. The crunch in medical supplies is leading to more deaths with medical facilities crumbling each day. On Saturday, Batra Hospital's head of the gastroenterology department, including 12 Coronavirus patients, died allegedly due to lack of oxygen.  Meanwhile, Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla shared about the pressures owing to the production of Covid-19 vaccines for meeting the rising demand during the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Talking to a media outlet after being provided with 'Y'' category security by the government earlier this week, Poonawalla expressed his fear on receiving aggressive calls from some of the most powerful people in India, demanding supplies of Covishield - the Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that the Serum Institute is producing in India.

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Global COVID-19 cases have hit record highs with several hotspots across the world

A Covid-19 patient gets admitted to a government hospital in Kolkata, India, 22 April, 2021. India reported 314,835 fresh coronavirus infections on Thursday according to an Indian media report.
Indranil Aditya/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Several countries across the globe have emerged as COVID-19 hotspots.
India has accounted for more than 40% of the world's daily new cases.
South American and Eastern European countries are also recording record cases and deaths.
See more stories on Insider's business page.

For more than a week, global COVID-19 cases have averaged a daily rate of more than 800,000, The New York Times reported.

While India has recorded record rates, surpassing 400,000 daily cases on Saturday, multiple countries across the world are hotspots experiencing surges.

The World Health Organization said last week that global cases have been on the rise for nine consecutive weeks and deaths have been up for six weeks.

"To put it in perspective, there were almost as many cases globally last week as in the first five months of the pandemic," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said.

CNN reported Iran went into a partial lockdown and has reported its highest daily COVID-19 death toll since the pandemic started.

Countries in South America are also facing a very grim reality. Brazil, which has reported over 14.5 million cases with close to 400,000 deaths, has the highest daily rate of deaths in the world. Several other Latin American countries including Peru, Argentina, and Colombia are ranked in the top 20 for the highest daily death rate.

Uruguay, which has a population of only 3.5 million people, has reported almost 3,000 new cases per day and now has the world's highest cases per capita, the Times reported.

Central and Eastern European countries account for half of the top 20 countries with the highest daily death tolls.

On Thursday, Turkey went into a lockdown after infection rates soared, the BBC reported. While cases were down in February, they quickly rose to more than 60,000 new cases a day in mid-April after the government eased restrictions the month prior.

Variants like the B.1.1.7 strain have also contributed to keeping infection numbers high in countries like France, the Netherlands, and Sweden, the Times reported.

In a recent WHO briefing, Ghebreyesus said he appreciated how many countries have pledged to send or have sent aid to help India, which now accounts for around 40% of the world's overall cases, but added: "At the same time, we must remember that many other countries all over the world are still experiencing intense transmission," and also need help.

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Israel Bans Travel To 7 High-Risk Countries, Including India, Amid Rise In Covid Cases

Jerusalem: Citing high rate of Covid infection, Israel has recommended new travel restrictions, barring its citizens from travelling to seven high-risk countries including India. As per the announcement made by the Health Ministry on Friday,  Israelis will not be allowed to travel to Ukraine, Brazil, Ethiopia, South Africa, India, Mexico and Turkey. ALSO READ | <a href="https://ift.tt/3aRIaub Vaccination Drive: 80K In 18-44 Age Group Got Inoculated On Day 1, Says Centre</a> In a joint press release issued by the Israel Prime Minister's Office and the Health Ministry it was said that this regulation will come into force on May 3 and will remain in place until May 16. Non-Israelis, however, will be able to travel to these countries, provided they plan to reside there permanently, the press release said. The regulation will not be applicable to those who stay at airports in transit in one of these countries for a time period of up to 12 hours while waiting for a connecting flight. The Israeli government has also authorised its health and interior ministers to appoint representatives to head an appeal committee and the panel reviewing special cases. Meanwhile, the Health Ministry proposed that those returning from the seven countries enter a two-week mandatory quarantine, even if they have been vaccinated or recovered from COVID-19, local media reports said.  Those who have received two negative COVID-19 test reports will be required to be in a 10-day quarantine, they said. These additional restrictions are also expected to come into force on May 3, but are subject to the approval of the Knesset's (Israeli parliament) Arrangements Committee. (With agency inputs)

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12 COVID-19 Patients, Including Doctor, Die Due To Oxygen Shortage In Delhi Hospital

Batra Hospital's head of the gastroenterology department, including 12 Coronavirus patients, died allegedly due to lack of oxygen on Saturday.  "Once a patient is pushed beyond the edge without the support of oxygen, it is very difficult to revive him as he is hanging in the balance. Unfortunately, we are expecting more fatalities," said Sudhanshu Bankata, the executive director of the hospital. "In the next 24-48 hours, the death rate will be higher than the average we had over the past few days. All the patients, who were destabilised during the one hour and 20 minutes of oxygen not being there will also be compromised," he said. R K Himthani, the head of the gastroenterology department, was among those who died due to oxygen shortage, said S C L Gupta, medical director of the hospital. Himthani was admitted to the hospital for the last 15-20 days, he said. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed grief over the incident. "This news is very painful. Their lives could have been saved -- by giving them oxygen on time. Delhi should get its quota of oxygen. Can't see our people dying like this. Delhi needs 976 tonnes of oxygen, but it received only 312 tonnes yesterday. How will Delhi breathe in such a less amount of oxygen?" he said on Twitter in Hindi. The hospital had sent out an SOS message about oxygen shortage on Saturday. Bankata said that Delhi was not getting its allocated amount of oxygen and the problem was aggravated on Saturday as the government did not have a reserve tanker. "The entire cycle will play out again because Delhi does not have its quota of oxygen. The same crisis will play out over and over again," he said, adding, "We have oxygen support till 8-9 am tomorrow but we don't know when the next supply will arrive." Gupta said they had informed the authorities about the lack of oxygen on Saturday morning when they had 2,500 litres of the life-saving gas left. Around 12.30 pm, the hospital authorities claimed they had run out of oxygen. An oxygen tanker arrived at 1.35 pm, they said, adding that they were without oxygen for 80 minutes. The hospital had 332 patients at the start of the day and had frozen admissions during the oxygen crisis. Admissions were opened up later. The number of COVID-19 patients is at the hospital is now at 307. Hospitals across the national capital and its suburbs have been sending out desperate messages of help on social media and other platforms, flagging their dwindling stocks of oxygen. Sir Ganga Ram Hospital had last week reported the death of 25 of its sickest patients as the administration struggled with depleting oxygen supplies. Twenty people died at the Jaipur Golden Hospital last week amid a shortage of oxygen. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia had on Friday said that not for a single day has Delhi been able to receive the allocated quantity of 490 MT of oxygen. (With Agency Inputs)

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Covid Vaccination Drive: 80K In 18-44 Age Group Got Inoculated On Day 1, Says Centre

After plenty of states declared that they won't be able to continue the third phase of the covid vaccination drive due to shortage of vaccine, the Health Ministry informed that 84,599 beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group received their first dose on Saturday. A total of 16,48,192 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm on Saturday, the 106th day of the inoculation drive, the ministry said. As many as 9,89,700 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 6.58 lakh beneficiaries received the second dose, according to the provisional report. A total of 84,599 people in the 18-44 age group have been administered the first dose. The ministry said final reports would be completed for the day by late night. The total vaccinations across the country rose to over 15.66 crores. These include 94.28 lakh healthcare workers who have taken the first dose and 62.65 lakh people who have taken the second dose, 1.26 crore frontline workers who have received the first dose and 68.78 lakh such workers who have taken the second dose, it said. In the 45-60 age group, 5.33 crore people have taken the first dose, while over 40 lakh have been given the second dose of the jab so far. As many as 5.26 crore people aged above 60 have taken the first dose and 1.14 crore beneficiaries have taken the second dose. The phase 3 vaccination drive has come into force from May 1. The Centre has advised the states and Union territories to set up help desks with the aid of volunteer groups and NGOs. (With Agency Inputs)

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GOP doctors in Congress are targeting vaccine hesitancy with a video that says the shot will help 'end the government's restrictions on our freedoms'

rep larry bucshon — Rep. Larry Bucshon, a Republican and a doctor, appears in the PSA video.
House Television via AP

Polls show Republicans are more likely to not want a COVID-19 vaccine.
A group of GOP lawmakers, who are also doctors, are encouraging people to get the shot.
Vaccine hesitancy could stop or slow the US from reaching herd immunity, experts say.
See more stories on Insider's business page.

Americans who identify as Republicans are less likely to get a COVID-19 vaccine, prompting GOP lawmakers to address the issue in a public service announcement released this week.

The video features a group of Republican members of Congress who are also doctors or other healthcare providers, some donning white coats, urging Americans to get vaccinated.

"It's obvious to me from a medical standpoint, the only way to protect ourselves and your loved ones," says Rep. Greg Murphy.

"And to end the government's restrictions on our freedoms," Rep. Larry Bucshon continues, "is to take action and get the vaccine."

Experts have warned that vaccine hesitancy could stop the US from reaching herd immunity, which requires an estimated 70% of people to have immunity to COVID-19, Insider's Dr. Catherine Schuster-Bruce reported. As vaccine supply swells in the US, some healthcare providers are running out of people interested in taking the shot, even prompting some mass-vaccination sites to close.

Republicans have especially shown hesitation toward getting vaccinated, despite some GOP leaders, including former president Donald Trump, getting vaccinated and talking up the shots. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell urged Republican men to get vaccinated last month after polls showed the group was especially hesitant.

Recent polls have shown nearly half of Americans who identify as Republicans do not plan to get vaccinated. One poll found white Republicans are more likely than any other group to turn down the shot, Insider's Andrea Michelson reported.

Even as more than 100 million Americans are now fully vaccinated, an analysis by The New York Times last month found that counties that voted for Trump had disproportionately low vaccination rates.

In the new PSA, the lawmakers touted the safety and effectiveness of the vaccines and praised Trump's Operation Warp Speed for their development in record time.

"The process was rigorous and transparent," Rep. Brian Babin said, with Rep. Andy Harris adding, "the FDA did not skip any steps."

The lawmakers also emphasized that taking the vaccine was a choice, but that they hope Americans will join them "in choosing to get the vaccine so we can throw away our mask and live life as free as we did before," Sen. Roger Marshall said.

As vaccination rates have increased, many states and cities have begun to lift coronavirus restrictions. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also updated mask guidelines this week. The new guidelines do not recommend vaccinated people wear masks outdoors except for in crowded places, like a concert or sporting event. Everyone is still recommended to wear masks indoors in public places.

"I look forward to the freedom that I along with my loved ones will regain once the vast majority of Americans are vaccinated," Sen. John Barrasso said in the video.

The group of politicians also included Sen. John Boozman, as well as Reps. Buddy Carter, John Joyce, and Michael Burgess.

Have a news tip? Contact this reporter at kvlamis@insider.com.

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Relief For Taxpayers! Finance Ministry Extends Income Tax Compliance Deadlines; Check Details

New Delhi: The government on Saturday extended certain timelines in view of the adverse circumstances arising due to the severe Covid-19 pandemic and also in view of the several requests received from taxpayers, tax consultants and other stakeholders from across the country requesting that various compliance dates may be relaxed. The relaxations are the latest among the recent initiatives taken by the government to ease compliances to be made by the taxpayers with the aim to grant respite during these difficult times, said a release issued by the Union Finance Ministry. READ: <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3e6wZ2P" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reliance Industries Rallies Its Resources On A War Footing, To Become Largest Manufacturer Of Medical Grade Oxygen</a> In the light of multiple representations received and to mitigate the difficulties being faced by various  stakeholders, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has, under Section 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 (the Act), provided the following relaxation  in respect of compliances by the taxpayers: <ul> <li>Appeal to Commissioner (Appeals) under Chapter XX of the Act, for which the last date of filing under that Section is 1st April, 2021 or thereafter, may be filed within the time provided under that Section or by 31st May, 2021, whichever is later.</li> <li>Objections to Dispute Resolution Panel (DRP) under Section 144C of the Act, for which the last date of filing under that Section is 1st April, 2021 or thereafter, may be filed within the time provided under that Section or by 31st May, 2021, whichever is later.</li> <li>Income-tax return in response to notice under Section 148 of the Act, for which the last date of filing of return of income under the said notice is 1st April, 2021 or thereafter, may be filed within the time allowed under that notice or by 31st May, 2021, whichever is later.</li> <li>Filing of belated return under sub-section (4) and revised return under sub-section (5) of Section 139 of the Act, for Assessment Year 2020-21, which was required to be filed on or before 31st March, 2021, may be filed on or before 31st May, 2021.</li> <li>Payment of tax deducted under Section 194-IA, Section 194-IB and Section 194M of the Act, and filing of challan-cum-statement for such tax deducted, which are required to be paid and furnished by 30th April, 2021(respectively) under Rule 30 of the Income-tax Rules, 1962, may be paid and furnished on or before 31st May, 2021.</li> <li>Statement in Form No. 61, containing particulars of declarations received in Form No.60, which is due to be furnished on or before 30th April 2021, may be furnished on or before 31st May, 2021.</li> </ul> The relaxation in deadlines comes as India continues to battle the second and more wave of the Coronavirus pandemic.

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PICS: Bigg Boss 14's Nikki Tamboli Organises Puja At Home For Brother's Well-Being As He Battles COVID-19

Nikki Tamboli, who became a household name after participating in Salman Khan’s ‘Bigg Boss 14’, organized a puja at her home for the well-being of her brother Jatin Tamboli. Jatin has tested positive for COVID-19. Nikki and her family members conducted a puja to pray for the safety of her brother.  The ‘Bigg Boss 14’ second runner-up shared pictures from the ceremony on social media along with a heartfelt post. She prayed for her brother’s speedy recovery and expressed her confidence on God.  “God will answer your prayers better than you think. Ofcourse, one will not always get exactly what he has asked for. We all have sorrows and disappointments but one must never forget that, if commended to God they will issue in good. His own solution is far better than any we could conceive. You have your sister who is waiting for you,” Tamboli wrote.   [insta]https://www.instagram.com/p/COUyH_ZH3nM/[/insta] Nikki urged her followers to send their prayers as her family needs strength to tackle the tough times. She posted a note on Instagram story which read, "Need lot of blessings for my brother who is currently fighting with COVID and many other things and since very very long time. Need strength to me and my entire family." The Marathi Mulgi revealed that her brother is fighting COVID-19 and 'other things' since a long time.  We hope Nikki's brother gets well soon.  

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Oxygen Shortage: 8 Covid-19 Patients Die At Delhi’s Batra Hospital Due To Lack Of Supply For Over 1 Hour

New Delhi: At least eight Covid-19 patients, including the HOD of gastroenterology department of Delhi’s Batra Hospital, breathed their last on Saturday due to oxygen shortage, officials said. “We are trying to revive five other critical patients,” PTI quoted Batra Hospital Medical Director Dr S C L Gupta as saying. This comes as the hospital had sent out SOS message earlier about depleting supplies of oxygen. READ: <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/2QD1l4n" target="_blank" rel="noopener">73% Of Delhiites In Favour Of Lockdown/Curfew Extension But With Proper Home Delivery Beyond Essentials: Survey</a> “Oxygen will last for another 10 minutes. 326 patients are admitted at this hospital,” the Batra Hospital said earlier. Meanwhile, the Batra Hospital informed the Delhi High Court that the lives were lost as they were out of oxygen for some time today, adding the oxygen tankers reached them sometime back. “We ran out of oxygen at 12.45 pm. The supply came at 1.30. We were out of oxygen for 1 hour and 20 minutes,” the hospital told the High Court. In tune with the same, the Delhi High Court suggested the hospital install an oxygen generator. READ: <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3u8kgm4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Centre Releases Rs 8,873 Cr To States From SDRF As Special Dispensation In Advance Amid Covid Crisis</a> Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has so far maintained the city is not getting its allocated quantity of life-saving gas. “Our SOS cryogenic tanker carrying Liquid Medical Oxygen is reaching Batra Hospital within five minutes. Their regular supplier of oxygen has defaulted yet again due to alleged 'lack of oxygen supplies' and is being pulled up,” Delhi Water Minister and AAP national spokesperson Raghav Chadha posted on Twitter earlier in the day. [tw]https://twitter.com/raghav_chadha/status/1388399292293935105[/tw] This is the second time in one week that Batra Hospital has run out of medical oxygen. Earlier on April 24, the hospital received a last-minute re-supply that arrived minutes after its supply ran out.

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First Consignment Of Sputnik V Vaccine Doses From Russia Arrives In Hyderabad

Hyderabad: The first lot of Sputnik V vaccines on Saturday landed in India from Russia on Saturday. The Russian vaccine's arrival is expected to boost India's efforts in ramping up its capacity to vaccinate more citizens as the third phase of the inoculation drive is set to begin on May 1. Sputnik V was the third vaccine to be given Emergency Use Authorisation in India after Oxford University - AstraZeneca developed 'Covishield' and Bharat Biotech manufactured 'Covaxin'. ALSO READ |<a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3bbzQWH"> 'Covid Treatment Drugs Crisis To Be Over After Fortnight' Say All India Organisation Of Chemists and Druggists Officials</a> The first tranche of the Sputnik V vaccine has landed at Hyderabad Airport today. Earlier diplomatic sources had revealed that the Indian envoy to Russia Bala Venkatesh Varma said India expects between 1,50,000 to 2,00,000 ready-made vaccines to be available very quickly in the early part of May.  Diplomatic sources revealed to ANI that India will get a significant number of vaccines in the first tranche and then the supply will continue in installments. CEO of Russian Direct Investment Fund Kirill Dmitriev had as per the report earlier told a TV news channel that Sputnik vaccines will be delivered to India on May 1. India is expecting 5 million vials of Sputnik vaccines by next month. Previously, Pfizer and BioNTech on Friday stated that they are firmly committed to working towards affordable access to their Covid-19 vaccine for people around the world including in India The company released a statement on Friday where it wrote: "We confirm that a meeting was held to discuss how Pfizer can support the Government of India's COVID-19 efforts. Pfizer and BioNTech are firmly committed to working towards equitable and affordable access for our COVID-19 vaccine for people around the world including in India". "Pfizer is working relentlessly to meet the public health demand and we are committed to continuing to work with the Government of India to establish a path forward," it added as reported by ANI. Earlier in the day, Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu had a discussion with Pfizer CEO Albert Bouria where they talked about ways in which the vaccine maker can support inoculation drive in India. In a tweet, Sandhu informed that he discussed with the Pfizer CEO how the company can strengthen the Covid response in India.

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'Shutdown Temporarily To Put An End To The Cycle Of Transmission': Dr. Anthony Fauci On India's Covid Crisis

New Delhi: The White House's chief medical adviser Dr. Anthony Fauci gave his opinion on what India could do in order to curb the rapid spread of the virus. He emphasized on the need for a temporary shutdown in order to break the chain.  Fauci also talked about how every country should chip in to help India which is battling a very violent second wave. On Saturday, India reported over 4 Lakh fresh cases in the last 24 hours which is the highest reported in any other country.  ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3nBkfVj Announces 5 Yr Jail Term Or Hefty Fine For Its Citizens Travelling From India Amid Covid Surge</a> "You can shutdown temporarily to put an end to the cycle of transmission. So one of the things to be considered is to temporarily shut down," Fauci told The Indian Express in an interview. "We are very pained to see India suffering so much. And that's the reason why the rest of the world needs to chip in and help," he added. Talking about how the vaccination drive must be accelerated he said, "To have a country like India, where two per cent of people are vaccinated, is a very serious situation. You absolutely have to get more people vaccinated". He further told The Indian Express, "You’ve got to get supplies. You’ve got to make contractual arrangements with the various companies that are out there in the world. There are many companies that now have vaccines. I think you have to negotiate with them to try and get a commitment."  He also emphasised that along with lockdown, the most important thing is to get oxygen, supplies, medication, PPE and vaccinations.  India has so far administered 15,49,89,635 doses since January 16 when the world's largest inoculation exercise started. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHF) on Saturday said that India witnessed the highest spike of 4,01,999 fresh cases of Covid-19 and 3,523 fatalities due to Covid-19 infection in the last 24 hours. Hopeful that India will recover, he said, "There is suffering now but I guarantee that we will get it back to normal. Hang in there, help each other".   

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Ban On Social, Political Activities In Containment Zones In UP

Lucknow: All social, political, sports, entertainment, academic, cultural and religious activities have been banned at least for the next 14 days in Covid containment zones in Uttar Pradesh, with immediate effect. UP chief secretary R K Tiwari issued a government order asking the districts administration to ensure compliance. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/2Rdnm9F Doctors To Join Fight Against Covid In UP</a> Tiwari said weddings should be permitted with not more than 50 guests and the last rites must not have more than 20 people. All shopping complexes, cinema halls, restaurant and bars, sports complexes, gyms, spas, swimming pools and religious places should also be closed in these areas, the order added. Although the government has not used the term lockdown, the instructions issued by Tiwari are similar to many of those in force last year. Tiwari said all essential services such as health, police, fire services, banks, power, water and irrigation will continue. Public transport such as buses, metro trains and cabs should run at not more than 50 per cent of their seating capacity, the chief secretary's order said. There will be no restriction, however, on the movement of inter-state transport and intra-state transport. All offices -government or private - must work with not more than 50 per employees on the premises. All industrial and scientific institutes, government or private, will follow social distancing. 

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Water Above Head, Arrange Everything Now: Delhi HC Pulls Up Centre On Oxygen Shortage

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Saturday questioned the Central government as to why four cryogenic tankers, which were meant for Covid-19 patients being treated in the national capital, are continued to be held up by the Rajasthan government and have not been released despite the court's earlier orders. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli asked that necessary steps be taken to fulfil the assurance given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on April 26. ALSO READ |<a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/2QD1l4n"> 73% Of Delhiites In Favour Of Lockdown/Curfew Extension But With Proper Home Delivery Beyond Essentials: Survey</a> The bench is conducting a special hearing on a holiday. The Centre has been directed to place compliance with the court order on May 3. Addressing the concerns of shortage in Oxygen supply, the Delhi High Court told the centre that hospitals in the national capital must be given its 490 MT oxygen supply today "by whatever means. "Water has gone above the head. You have to arrange everything now. You have made the allocations. You have to fulfil it. Eight lives have been lost. We can't shut our eyes to it," the high court said taking note of 8 deaths in Batra Hospital. Besides this, the Delhi High Court also stated that hospitals should learn from their experiences regarding oxygen scarcity during the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and set up plants for generating the critical supply. The bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said that for commercial considerations, some hospitals reduce capital expenditures on elements like oxygen plants which are essential in a hospital. "Oxygen plants are essential. It is irresponsible not to have them," the bench said. "You (hospitals) should also learn from your experience and put up a plant," the court said while hearing several pleas, on a holiday, with regard to the oxygen crisis and other Covid-19 related issues that Delhi is grappling with. Meanwhile, reiterating the concerns of Oxygen supply shortage, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that there is a major issue. "SOS is coming from all hospitals. We've spoken in courts and written to the Centre that Delhi requires 976 tons of oxygen daily but we've been allotted only 490 tons of oxygen. Yesterday we received only 312 tons. How will this work?" he was quoted as saying. "I request the decision-makers with folded hands to provide oxygen to Delhi," the CM urged. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3e8oHYe Govt Announces Restrictions In View Of Election Result Day Amid Covid Spike, Night Curfew Extended</a> 'Had Asked States In March To Ensure Covid-Appropriate Behaviour': Centre Tells Delhi HC Besides Oxygen Supply, the matter of Covid norms violated during election rallies is also being heard in the High Court. In the hearing on Saturday, the Central government told the Delhi High Court that it had in March asked all state governments and union territories (UTs) to ensure compliance with Coronavirus norms at all gatherings. This statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has come in response to a plea that seeks to have campaigners and candidates debarred from campaigning in the assembly elections for repeatedly violating the mandatory Covid norms. In the affidavit filed through central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, the MHA stated that it always made provisions in guidelines issued to states and UTs under the Disaster Management Act 2005 to facilitate Covid-19-appropriate behaviour and strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). The ministry has also stated that it issued the 'Guidelines for Effective Control of Covid-19' on March 23 emphasizing that states and UTs "should strictly enforce test-track-treat protocol, Covid-19-appropriate behaviour and prescribed SOPs on various activities like opening of schools, hotels, eateries, shopping malls, gyms, etc." "Further, states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation may impose local restrictions at district/sub-district and cities/ward level," the ministry stated. The petition by Vikram Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, has contended that despite the orders and guidelines of the Centre and EC, "election campaigning is going on in full swing, without any regard to the Covid-19 regulations". Through other applications, he is seeking that Election Commission be directed to take actions like imposing penalty and lodging FIRs against "star campaigners" and leaders of all political parties for violating Covid-19 norms during the assembly election in West Bengal. Singh has claimed that there is "indirect discrimination" against the general public as fines are collected from them for violating Covid-19 norms, but no action is taken against politicians when they flout the norms. (With Agency Inputs)

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The COVID-19 death toll in India could be up to 10 times higher than the official 200,000 figure, experts say

india covid — India's second coronavirus wave is rapidly sliding into a devastating and deadly crisis.
Insider

This week, India's official COVID-19 death toll passed 200,000, according to government figures.
However experts worry the death toll could be five to 10 times higher, multiple reports say.
Morgues are so overwhelmed that bodies have had to be cremated in makeshift pyres in parking lots.
See more stories on Insider's business page.

Medical experts and frontline workers are casting doubt over India's official COVID-19 death toll as the country passed its 200,000 mark on Thursday, according to multiple reports.

India, which is in the midst of a devastating second coronavirus wave, reported 3,498 deaths on Thursday, according to health ministry data. It was the third day in a row the country recorded more than 3,000 deaths a day.

But medical experts and frontline workers worry the actual death toll may actually be much higher.

A New York Times investigation published this week found "mounting evidence" that suggested fatalities are being "overlooked or downplayed" by the government.

"It's a complete massacre of data," Bhramar Mukherjee, an epidemiologist at the University of Michigan, told the Times. "From all the modeling we've done, we believe the true number of deaths is two to five times what is being reported."

Experts interviewed by Reuters have suggested the death toll could even be between five to 10 times higher than what is being reported.

A Sky News investigation found that deaths were being underreported in several crematoriums across the capital, New Dehli. Funeral workers told Sky News that they've "been told to give [lower] numbers by higher authorities."

Dr Manas Gumta, the general secretary of the Association of Health Service Doctors, West Bengal, told the Observer this week: "A huge suspected COVID-positive population is certainly staying away from the tests. I believe the actual number of people dying of COVID is two to three times higher than what the government is reporting."

-AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 27, 2021

As COVID-19 deaths surge in the country, crematory workers say they have become overburdened.

Some cities have turned parks and parking lots into makeshift crematoriums to keep up with the abundance of bodies.

In the Seemapuri crematorium in New Dehli, the staff has been so overwhelmed they've launched a ticketing system, CNN reported.

Jitender Signh Shunty, who runs a service in New Dehli, told Insider he's getting only two hours of sleep a night.

"These days I don't even get two hours of sleep," he said. "At 7 a.m. I come here, I start dispatching ambulances, or I arrange for a dead body to be picked up, then get it cremated."

Shunty, who says he used to only cremate 10 bodies a day, now estimates that number to be around 90.

"I can work 21 out of 24 hours a day - I am not the kind of person who breaks down easily," Shunty added. "But in this wave of the coronavirus, I've seen the dead bodies of small children and women who have become widows at a young age. They all have died for no good reason."

At the time of writing, India has reported more than 19 million cases and more than 211,000 coronavirus deaths since the start of the pandemic, according to a tracker by Johns Hopkins University.

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Ayush Doctors To Join Fight Against Covid In UP

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked all Ayush practitioners to join the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. In a virtual interaction with Ayush practitioners, late on Thursday evening, Yogi Adityanath said that they should provide treatment to Covid patients. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3ub3y5w RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin Passes Away Due To Covid, Tihar Jail DG Confirms</a> Ayush doctors have been asked to coordinate with local administration and the Integrated Command and Control Centre to create awareness and offer treatment. "There are currently 2.52 lakh people in home isolation and doctors of Ayush, homeopathy and Unani should be given access to them to give them consultation. The Ayush department should distribute kadha in every home," the Chief Minister said. He further said that a team comprising Ayush, Homeopathy and Unani doctors should be set up in each district and this team should give advice on health to people. They should also be linked with tele-consultation services. As part of these services, they should tell people about the simple treatment options against Covid-19 which are available to them. Yogi Adityanath said that in the present time, it was necessary to make people aware of the benefits of Ayush. "Our ancient health systems are not only affordable but also more useful. We must extend the benefits of these to the most number of people through the monitoring committees which have been set up to keep a watch on those in home isolation and reach out to such persons," he said. He also emphasized on the role of yoga in making one free of illness and said that Ayush doctors should tell people how their immunity can be boosted. In 2020, an 'Ayush Kawach' app had been launched by the government. The Chief Minister said that the app can be used to benefit people now. "Yoga and prayanam have proven to be beneficial against Covid-19. People should be encouraged to follow these practices in their daily lives," he said.  

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Oxygen Shortage: Delhi HC Tells Centre 'Enough Is Enough'; CM Kejriwal Pleads For Supply With 'Folded Hands'

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Saturday questioned the Central government as to why four cryogenic tankers, which were meant for Covid-19 patients being treated in the national capital, are continued to be held up by the Rajasthan government and have not been released despite the court's earlier orders. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli asked that necessary steps be taken to fulfil the assurance given by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta on April 26. ALSO READ |<a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/2QD1l4n"> 73% Of Delhiites In Favour Of Lockdown/Curfew Extension But With Proper Home Delivery Beyond Essentials: Survey</a> The bench is conducting a special hearing on a holiday. The Centre has been directed to place compliance with the court order on May 3. Addressing the concerns of shortage in Oxygen supply, the Delhi High Court told the centre that hospitals in the national capital must be given medical oxygen today "by whatever means. "Water has gone above the head. You have to arrange everything now. You have made the allocations. You have to fulfil it. Eight lives have been lost. We can't shut our eyes to it," the high court said. Besides this, the Delhi High Court also stated that hospitals should learn from their experiences regarding oxygen scarcity during the prevailing Covid-19 pandemic and set up plants for generating the critical supply. The bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said that for commercial considerations, some hospitals reduce capital expenditures on elements like oxygen plants which are essential in a hospital. "Oxygen plants are essential. It is irresponsible not to have them," the bench said. "You (hospitals) should also learn from your experience and put up a plant," the court said while hearing several pleas, on a holiday, with regard to the oxygen crisis and other Covid-19 related issues that Delhi is grappling with. Meanwhile, reiterating the concerns of Oxygen supply shortage, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said that there is a major issue. "SOS is coming from all hospitals. We've spoken in courts and written to the Centre that Delhi requires 976 tons of oxygen daily but we've been allotted only 490 tons of oxygen. Yesterday we received only 312 tons. How will this work?" he was quoted as saying. "I request the decision-makers with folded hands to provide oxygen to Delhi," the CM urged. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3e8oHYe Govt Announces Restrictions In View Of Election Result Day Amid Covid Spike, Night Curfew Extended</a> 'Had Asked States In March To Ensure Covid-Appropriate Behaviour': Centre Tells Delhi HC Besides Oxygen Supply, the matter of Covid norms violated during election rallies is also being heard in the High Court. In the hearing on Saturday, the Central government told the Delhi High Court that it had in March asked all state governments and union territories (UTs) to ensure compliance with Coronavirus norms at all gatherings. This statement by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has come in response to a plea that seeks to have campaigners and candidates debarred from campaigning in the assembly elections for repeatedly violating the mandatory Covid norms. In the affidavit filed through central government standing counsel Anurag Ahluwalia, the MHA stated that it always made provisions in guidelines issued to states and UTs under the Disaster Management Act 2005 to facilitate Covid-19-appropriate behaviour and strict adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs). The ministry has also stated that it issued the 'Guidelines for Effective Control of Covid-19' on March 23 emphasizing that states and UTs "should strictly enforce test-track-treat protocol, Covid-19-appropriate behaviour and prescribed SOPs on various activities like opening of schools, hotels, eateries, shopping malls, gyms, etc." "Further, states and UTs, based on their assessment of the situation may impose local restrictions at district/sub-district and cities/ward level," the ministry stated. The petition by Vikram Singh, the former DGP of Uttar Pradesh, has contended that despite the orders and guidelines of the Centre and EC, "election campaigning is going on in full swing, without any regard to the Covid-19 regulations". Through other applications, he is seeking that Election Commission be directed to take actions like imposing penalty and lodging FIRs against "star campaigners" and leaders of all political parties for violating Covid-19 norms during the assembly election in West Bengal. Singh has claimed that there is "indirect discrimination" against the general public as fines are collected from them for violating Covid-19 norms, but no action is taken against politicians when they flout the norms. (With Agency Inputs)

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'Covid Treatment Drugs Crisis To Be Over After Fortnight' Say All India Organisation Of Chemists and Druggists Officials

New Delhi: The apex chemist body have assured a sizable increase in supply of Covid treatment drugs would 'end the crisis' by next fortnight in India. As Covid-19 cases are spiralling out of control, there is also dire shortage of Covid-19 related medicines and price spikes on the black market which is making it even more difficult to treat patients timely.  Explaining the reason behind the shortage and delay in supply of Remdesivir, a life saving drug for critically ill Covid patients, J.S. Shinde, President, AIOCD said that for production of a single batch of this drug, it takes around 15-16 days. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3uaiVuY Won't Get Covid Vaccine Till June', Claims WB Doctor, Phase 3 Likely To Commence After 4 Days</a> Case surge and high demand "An unprecedented surge in demand of some crucial medicines, used in treating Covid patients, has created a mess. Now companies like Cipla or Cadila, and others have increased production of vials manifolds. We promise supplies will be sufficient, "Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary of All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), representing over 9.50 lakh chemists across the country, told IANS. J.S. Shinde told IANS, "Remdesivir cannot be produced immediately. It involves a cycle of 15 days, plus 3 to 4 days in packaging and roll out. But now several manufacturers (around 7 to 8) have got licence and have ramped up production." He further added, "Presently the distribution of Remdesivir is from concerned manufacturers to its distributors. The stock goes straight to hospitals from the distributors under supervision of the state government. In this chain of supply, the chemists are not involved, so they can't be blamed for hoarding." Rajiv Singhal said taking note of daily cases of around 3.75 lakh in India, at least 70,000 patients would need a Remdesivir injection."As each patient requires 6 vials, the country would need over 4 lakh Remdesivir injections every day. We hope as most manufacturers have ramped up their production, the crisis of short supply of Remdesivir would be over," the General Secretary of AIOCD added. According to him, other medicines like Fabiflu and Tocilizumab were also in shortage due to sudden surge in demand. In many cases stock is not reaching chemists. Besides there were problems in procuring raw material for manufacturing Fabiflu which comes from abroad. However, on Saturday, India reported 401,993 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours; it is first country in the world to register over 4 lakh infections in a single day. India also recorded 3523 new deaths. Chemists not involed in the black market Both Shinde and Singhal denied involvement of any chemists in selling drugs like Remdesivir in the black market. "We have one of the biggest networks of chemists which goes into lakhs. But you cannot name one chemist involved in selling this vial in black market. We have clarified earlier, that on government's order this drug is now distributed directly to hospitals. In fact, ward boys, staff of a few hospitals have been caught red handed selling such drugs in black market. By the way, clear instructions have been given to our members, that Organisation will not defend any chemist found hoarding any drugs," Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary AIOCD said. Aside from Remdesivir, there is a shortage of Betadine as many doctors have recommended Betadine gargles for prevention of Covid-19 as the high demand could not be met by the manufacturing company. Betadine crisis "Let me tell you, people who need one bottle of Betadine, now buy 4 bottles. Everyone who can afford, wants to store such drugs. Actually this type of mindset of storing crucial medicines at home, is the reason behind the present shortage of certain medicine since the past one month. To be precise, after the second wave of Covid has affected us, people have started storing medicines, even vitamin C tablets," Singhal was quoted by IANS as saying.  

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Assam Govt Announces Restrictions In View Of Election Result Day Amid Covid Spike, Night Curfew Extended

Guwahati: In view of the current Coronavirus situation, the Assam government released two notifications laying out some restrictions for the vote counting and assembly election result announcement set to happen on May 2 i.e. tomorrow. Following the Election Commission's directive, the state government has banned victory rallies on Result Day. Meanwhile, the government has also extended the night curfew across the state till May 7. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3vyS0t3" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1455451">Former RJD MP Mohammed Shahabuddin Passes Away Due To Covid, Tihar Jail DG Confirms</a> Releasing two separate notifications, the state government has announced the restrictions. "Any victory procession or assembly at any public place during and after the counting on 02.05.2021 is prohibited," the notification released by the government reads. The order specifies that the winning candidate will only be accompanied by two persons while prohibiting the cracking of firecrackers and usage of loudspeakers. All persons will have to wear a mask, it added. Besides this, the restriction on the movement of people from 8 pm to 5 am which was set to end on Saturday has been extended by a week keeping in mind the spike in daily cases that has reached over 3,000. The order informs that all shops and markets except essential services including pharmacies, hospitals, animal care centers, and veterinary clinics will have to shut down during night curfew. The exempted essential services also include those of electricity, water and sanitation, and public transport. Government officials (both central and state), judicial officers, and persons entrusted with election-related work are also exempted, on the production of valid ID cards. Assam on Friday recorded 3,197 new cases taking the caseload to 2,53,123. The state also reported 26 fatalities which is the highest in a single day so far, taking the number of deaths to 1,281. The number of active cases is 23,826.

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73% Of Delhiites In Favour Of Lockdown/Curfew Extension But With Proper Home Delivery Beyond Essentials: Survey

New Delhi: On Saturday, the Union Health Ministry reported India recorded 401,993 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, making it the only country to report so many cases in a single day.  With the numbers surging it is not surprising that many would like for the lockdown/curfew be extended at least in Delhi. A survey by LocalCircles found that 75% residents of Delhi are in favour of extending lockdown/curfew by at least 1 week. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3eJfC7q Releases Rs 8,873 Cr To States From SDRF As Special Dispensation In Advance Amid Covid Crisis</a> With an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases in Delhi reporting more than 25,000 COVID-19 cases daily, zero ICU and oxygen beds, extreme shortage of COVID medicines, testing, and even cremation ground running out of space, many are realizing that Delhi is in a lockdown versus death situation.  In survey question which received 16,397 responses, sought to know Delhi residents' perception whether they support the further imposition of a complete lockdown in the city after May 3rd. In response, 31% said “extend it by 3 weeks”, 29% said “extend it by 2 weeks”, and 15% said “extend it by 1 week”. There were only 5% voting for “end the lockdown/curfew and remove all restrictions”, while 13% said “end the lockdown/curfew and just impose night curfew”, and 7% couldn’t say. The findings of the poll indicate that 75% of residents of Delhi are in favour of extending lockdown/curfew by at least 1 week as the city faces its biggest health emergency crisis while 60% are in favour of at least a 2-week lockdown extension.  <img src="https://ift.tt/2PFq3k3" width="583" height="466" /> Last week, the percentage of residents of Delhi voting in favour of lockdown was 68%, which has been risen to 75% this week. This suggests that the percentage of residents of Delhi supporting lockdown has increased by almost 5-fold in 1 month. <img src="https://ift.tt/3eJR7qT" width="585" height="469" /> The next question in the survey asked residents about the kind of services they think that should be permitted during lockdown or curfew. In response, 43% said “home delivery of items like grocery & medicines”, and 41% said “home delivery of all goods”. Breaking down the poll, 13% said “physical retail stores opened in shifts to provide for in-person shopping”, while 3% couldn’t say. The findings of the survey indicate that 84% of residents of Delhi believe that home delivery of goods should be the primary model that should be used during lockdown or curfew in the city. This question in the survey received 5,801 responses. <img src="https://ift.tt/3vB8yRk" width="575" height="460" /> When residents of Delhi were asked about the kind of products and services they anticipate needing beyond groceries and medicines in the next 3 months. In response, 57% said “school books, stationery & equipment for online classes”, 40% said “children apparel, footwear, raincoats, etc.”, and 31% said “other children’s needs such as toys to keep children engaged at home, hobby, supplies, etc.”. This question in the survey received 5,051 responses. <img src="https://ift.tt/3uacsQI" width="563" height="450" /> Similarly, based on inputs from the consumer discussion, the final question asked residents of Delhi about the “must-have” products they will need to procure for their household in the next 3 months. Out of the 5,507 responses 48% said “equipment such as laptop & mobile phone for work from home or other activities”, 45% said “air conditioners, coolers, fans, whitegoods, others”, and 27% said “home appliances, bedding and furnishings”. The findings indicate that “gadgets” and “whitegoods” are the top categories in which households in Delhi will need to purchase in the next 3 months.  <img src="https://ift.tt/3aSuaAH" width="563" height="450" /> Residents of Delhi are in favour of a lockdown/curfew model which relies on home delivery i.e., goods moving to people and people not moving to goods. This will require that all apps/websites and retail stores are permitted to operate and open but only for home deliveries and not for in-person purchasing.  Such a move will make long-term lockdown/curfew convenient for people and also ensures that businesses don’t face short and medium-term shutdown and the economic impact of lockdown to livelihood is minimized.

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Centre Releases Rs 8,873 Cr To States From SDRF As Special Dispensation In Advance Amid Covid Crisis

New Delhi: The Central government has released Rs 8,873.6 crore to states in the first instalment of their share in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for 2021-22. The amount can be used for various measures to tackle the Covid crisis. The Union Home Ministry stated that the Department of Expenditure, under the Ministry of Finance, has released the amount as a special dispensation in advance of the normal schedule at its recommendation. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/2Sjzre7" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1455472">'Bengal Won't Get Covid Vaccine Till June', Claims WB Doctor, Phase 3 Likely To Commence After 4 Days</a> The first installment of the SDRF has been released in advance as it is usually released in June as per the recommendations of the Finance Commission. An amount of Rs 8873.6 crore has been released to the states, an official statement revealed. Besides the special dispensation coming in advance, it is informed that the amount has also been released without waiting for the utilisation certificate of the amount provided to the states in the last financial year. Up to 50 per cent of the amount released i.e. Rs 4,436.8 crore can be used by the states for Covid-19 containment measures, the statement informed. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3e5UhG8" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1455443" aria-describedby="tooltip548810">Gujarat: 18 Patients Dead In Massive Blaze In ICU Ward At Bharuch Covid Hospital</a> If further added that the funds from the SDRF may be used by the states for various measures related to the containment of Covid-19, including meeting the cost of oxygen generation and storage plants in hospitals, ventilators, air purifiers, strengthening ambulance services, Covid-19 hospitals, Covid care centres, consumables, thermal scanners, personal protective equipment, testing laboratories, testing kits, containment zone, etc. The special dispensation comes in at a time when Coronavirus's second wave in India continues to escalate. India recorded 401,993 new Covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, making it the first country in the world to register over 4 lakh infections in a single day. As many as 3523 new deaths were also reported. Meanwhile, the third phase of Covid vaccination drive officially begun in the country on Saturday but several states such as Delhi, Punjab, Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh reported that they will not be able to begin vaccinating those from 18 to 45 years yet due to the unavailability of enough doses.

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SC Allows Counting For UP Panchayat Polls Tomorrow, Curfew To Be Imposed Till Completion

The Covid situation in the country and ravaged almost every life, some lost their loved ones, while many are battling with the havoc, struggling with the mismanagement of the administration, raising their voices to get oxygen, beds, and other Covid necessities. In this midst of gloom and despair, the Supreme Court today asked the state election commission in Uttar Pradesh to delay the counting for rural polls, which is to be held tomorrow. Citing the Covid situation in Uttar Pradesh, the apex Court said, "Despite the situation, you need to go ahead? Can you have it after two weeks so that the medical facilities can be improved?" <a href="https://ift.tt/3f04Ee7 style="color: #e03e2d;">Also Read|India Registers Over 4 Lakh New Covid Infections In Last 24 Hrs Crossing Another Grim Milestone</a> "You want to proceed despite all odds? Heavens will not fall if counting is deferred by three weeks," the top court said in a sharp remark. The court further raised the point of deaths of teachers who volunteered during the UP panchayat polls and succumbed to the virus and said, "Teachers' association has filed a petition, and they are unwilling to work. How do you handle the situation?" However, Supreme Court allowed the process of counting of votes of Uttar Pradesh Gram Panchayat polls starting tomorrow while taking into note the assurance given by the State Election Commission that necessary measures will take place at counting centers in terms of COVID 19 guidelines. The court also directed the state to impose curfew till counting goes on in the centers. Supreme Court said no victory rallies to take place. The Election Commission ensured the Supreme Court during the beginning of the hearing that all the Covid protocols will be followed during the counting process of UP Panchayat polls, oximeter tests will be done at the entrance of counting centres, no crowds will be allowed inside the counting centres and outside, centres will be sanitised after every shift, social distancing will be maintained and thermal checking will be done. A record single-day 332 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Uttar Pradesh on Friday, pushing the fatality count in the state to 12,570, while the total number of cases mounted to 12,52,324 with 34,626 more people testing positive for the disease. 

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'Manufacturers Won’t Be Able To Supply Us Vaccines Till June' Claims WB Doctor, Vaccine Drive Likely To Begin After 4 Days

Kolkata: A doctor in a hospital in West Bengal has claimed that Covid vaccine manufacturers have said the will not be able to provide vaccines until June as the state government and private hospitals look to begin Phase 3 of the vaccination drive from May 1st across the country. The doctor’s statement came a day ahead of the nationwide launch of Phase 3 Covid-19 vaccination. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3t9fhQP 3 Inoculation Drive Struggles To Begin Amid Vaccine Shortage; List Of States Which Will Begin Vaccination For 18+</a> “This time vaccine supply will not be (given) by the government but we have been asked to write to manufacturers directly and we have written to Bharat Biotech and SII for vaccines,” Dr Rupali Basu, the managing director and chief executive officer of Kolkata’s Woodlands Hospital, told news agency ANI on Friday. She added, “They (vaccine manufacturers) have written to us that they won’t be able to supply us vaccines till June, so we still don’t have the vaccines with us. We’re ready with vaccination centres but the moment the vaccines come to us we’ll able to vaccinate.” Basu said May 1st is a holiday in West Bengal and the following day is the result day for assembly elections while May 3 and 4 are also not vaccination days. “... Our vaccination starts on May 5, so I have four more days. I hope that I will be starting vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group May 5 onwards," she told ANI on Friday. Post election Covid spike Experts have attributed the tremendous spike in Covid-19 cases to mass gatherings that took place in the state as political parties held election campaign rallies and roadshows despite the emergence of the second wave of the pandemic that has taken the country’s death toll beyond 208,000 amid stretched health infrastructure. Acccording to the bulletin provided by the health department on Friday the state recorded single spike of 17,411 new cases. Other states have similar woes West Bengal is not alone as many states face a shortage of supply in Covid vaccines and decided to delay the vaccination drive for 18-44 age group, this includes the national capital Delhi and the worst hit state Maharashtra.  Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi not to queue up outside vaccination centres as the national capital is experiencing a shortage of vaccines. Kejriwal said that Delhi will not be commencing the third phase of vaccination which was to begin on Saturday to inoculate people of 18-44 yrs of age. Arvind Kejriwal also informed that the capital is likely to receive a huge stock of Covishield vaccine in the next 2 days after which it will begin the drive to vaccine all the adults. 

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Friday, April 30, 2021

Phase 3 Inoculation Drive Struggles To Begin Amid Vaccine Shortage; List Of States Which Will Begin Vaccination For 18+

New Delhi: Only 6 states will begin the vaccination drive today for those above the age of 18 while most states have said that due to the shortage of supply they are unlikely to begin the Phase 3 of the vaccination drive today or will be limited to a few districts. These states like Delhi, Kerala, Punjab, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra - which is one of the worst hit - have said that do not have sufficient dose to begin the vaccination drive for 18-44 age group.  ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3aVW7aO 18 Patients Dead In Massive Blaze In ICU Ward At Bharuch Covid Hospital</a> Vaccination shortage in states Authorities of Mumbai have shut down vaccination drive for three days from Friday citing lack of adequate doses. “Vaccination in Mumbai will be completely closed for three days from Friday, April 30, 2021 to Sunday, May 2, 2021 due to depletion of available vaccines," the civic body said in a statement. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal appealed to the people of Delhi not to queue up outside vaccination centres as the national capital is experiencing a shortage of vaccines. Kejriwal said that Delhi will not be commencing the third phase of vaccination to inoculate people of 18-44 yrs of age. Arvind Kejriwal also informed that the capital is likely to receive a huge stock of Covishield vaccine in the next 2 days after which it will begin the drive to vaccine all the adults.  According to media reports, the vaccination drive in Uttar Pradesh will start only in 7 out of the 75 districts. Health officials told Times of India that the vaccination will only take place in Lucknow, Kanpur, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Gorakhpur, Meerut and Bareilly. Meanwhile, in Rajasthan inoculation will start in only three districts - Ajmer, Jaipur and Jodhpur. In Gujarat the drive will be carried out only in 10 out of 33 districts. West Bengal will begin the vaccination drive from May 5th whereas Assam, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Chhattisgarh have confirmed that they not start the vaccination drive for everyone above 18 from today.  Private Hospitals to begin vaccination Apollo Hospitals Enterprise, Max Healthcare Institute and Fortis Healthcare on Friday announced that a few of their hospitals will begin the vaccination drive from May 1st. But as per government guidelines, all vaccinations will only be done through prior appointment on the government’s Co-WIN platform, and no vaccine would be administered on a walk-in basis.  Fortis Healthcare will only be using Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Max Healthcare will be using SII's Covishield meanwhile; Apollo Hospitals will be vaccinating with both Covaxin and Covishield.

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India Registers Over 4 Lakh New Covid Infections In Last 24 Hrs Crossing Another Grim Milestone

With 401,993 new COVID-19 cases recorded in the last 24 hours, India became the first country in the world to register over 4 lakh infections in a single day. As many as 3523 new deaths were also reported on the day. Indian Council of Medical Research said that 28,83,37,385 samples tested up to 30th April 2021 for COVID 19. Of these, 19,45,299 samples were tested yesterday. Covid Status In India: <ul> <li>Total Covid Cases -1,91,64,969</li> <li>Total Recoveries - 1,56,84,406</li> <li>Total active cases - 32,68,710</li> <li>Total deaths - 2,11,853</li> <li>Total vaccination - 15,49,89,635 </li> </ul> Maharashtra reported 62,919 infections, followed by Karnataka (48,296), and Kerala (37,199). Maharashtra also recorded 828 casualties, followed by Delhi (375) and Uttar Pradesh (332). The country has so far reported a total of 1,91,63,488 cases and 2,11,778 deaths.

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Australia Announces 5 Yr Jail Term Or Hefty Fine For Its Citizens Travelling From India Amid Covid Surge

Threatening a five-year jail term or hefty fine, the Australian government temporarily barred its citizens from entering the country if they happened to be in India within 14 days of their intended arrival. The decision was announced after a meeting of the National Cabinet on Friday and will come into force from Monday. The move aims at keeping the coronavirus spread in check-in Australia as India is facing a surge in infection cases. The decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have contracted the infection in India, according to Health Minister Greg hunt. Failure to comply with an emergency determination under the Biosecurity Act, 2015 may incur a civil penalty of 300 penalty units, five years' imprisonment or both, an official statement from the ministry said. The decision will be revised on May 15 following advice from the chief medical officer (CMO). The CMO will consider the epidemiology in India and likely impacts on Australia's quarantine capacity, and provide a further expert assessment of the public health risk to Australia to inform a proportionate response, it said. The ministry statement said it is important that the integrity of the Australian public health and quarantine system are protected and the number of COVID-19 cases in isolation facilities is reduced to a manageable level. The statement also expressed solidarity with India, saying, Our hearts go out to the people of India and our Indian-Australian community. The friends and family of those in Australia are in extreme risk. Australia will also provide to India emergency medical supplies, including over 1,000 non-invasive ventilators. Apart from that, it has offered to supply a significant number of personal protective equipment (PPE), one million surgical masks, 100,000 surgical gowns, 100,000 goggles, 100,000 pairs of gloves and 20,000 face shields.

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Amid Covid Spike US Puts New Travel Restrictions To India From May 4; Exempts Students, Academics And Journalists From Ban

New Delhi: Starting next week, the United States is going to restrict travel to India due to the rapid surge in caseload, a decision taken by the Biden Administration following the advice of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention the White House said on Friday.  "On the advice of U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the administration will restrict travel from India," Press Secretary Jen Psaki said in a statement. <div class="moreNews"> <div class="moreNewsHead clearfix">ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3xFvm3W Assures Support To India With Timely Supplies, Calls Pandemic 'Common Enemy Of Mankind'</a></div> </div> She cited "extraordinarily high Covid-19 caseloads and multiple variants circulating in India" and said the policy. The policy will take effect May 4. Kamala Harris on India's current state On Friday, while speaking to the press U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris described that the coronavirus situation in India as "tragic" and said they are committed to supporting the country while it battles this virus. 'There is no question that it is a great tragedy, in terms of the loss of life, and as I have said before, and I will say again, we as a country have made a commitment to the people of India to support them', Harris told reporters in Cincinnati, Ohio. We have already made a commitment in terms of a dollar amount that will go to PPE and a number of other things. But it is tragic. My prayers go to the people on the suffering, the blatant suffering that is happening, Harris was reported as saying by PTI.  Exemptions for journalists, students Some students, academics, journalists and individuals have been exempted from the India travel ban announced by President Joe Biden, the US State Department said. According to the Department, the travel ban exemption is in line with a similar exemption that the US has granted to some categories of travellers from Brazil, China, Iran and or South Africa.  Secretary Tony Blinken has applied the same set of National Interest Exceptions to India that he had previously applied to all other regional travel restrictions currently in effect as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the State Department said according to PTI. Students seeking to commence studies in the fall, academics, journalists and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in countries affected by a geographic COVID-19 restriction may qualify for the exception, it said. The Department continued, that the pandemic has limit the number of visas our embassies and consulates abroad are able to process. As always, visa applicants should check the website of the nearest embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information about visa appointment availability.

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John Abraham Hands Over His Social Media To NGOs To Help People Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

New Delhi: People from all walks of life have been helping each other in every way possible in these difficult times of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the number of cases is increasing every day in India, medical resources are falling short and hospitals are running short of beds and oxygen cylinders. Well, as many celebrities including Sonu Sood, Alia Bhatt and others have been trying to help people by putting relevant information on their social media, John Abraham has gone a step ahead. The ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’ actor handed over his social media to NGOs to help people. John shared the news in a social media handle and informed that his social media handles will be exclusively used for helping people connect with the resources. <a href="https://ift.tt/3e6ZRrS READ | WATCH: Sonu Sood Goes Wow As Dance Deewane 3 Contestants Showcase 'Humanity Vs Coronavirus' Battle</a> John posted a note on his social media which read, “As a country we are experiencing a very grim situation. With each passing minute, there are more and more people who are unable to procure oxygen, an ICU bed, a vaccine and sometimes even food. However, these trying times have also brought people together, to support, to make a difference and attend to needs. Starting today, I will be handing over my social media accounts to NGOs we have partnered with across the country and all content posted on my handles will be exclusively to help connect those affected with the resources they require. It is time to extend ourselves to humanity and take measures to overcome this crisis. Anything and everything to save lives and win this battle together.” While sharing the note, the ‘Pathan’ actor wrote, “Anything and everything to save lives and win this battle TOGETHER”. [insta]https://www.instagram.com/p/COSA696lZuo/[/insta] Meanwhile, speaking on the professional front, John Abraham will be next seen starring in ‘Satyameva Jayate 2’, ‘Ek Villain Returns’, ‘Pathan’, ‘Attack’ and ‘Sardar Ka Grandson’. <a href="https://ift.tt/3tbrLHo READ | Dil De Diya: Salman Khan & Jacqueline Fernandez's SIZZLING Chemistry In Radhe's New Song Wins Hearts</a> Stay tuned for more updates.

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Gujarat: 18 Patients Dead In Massive Blaze In ICU Ward At Bharuch Covid Hospital

While India is battling with the Covid crisis, another mishap during the wee hours of Saturday and left people distressed. At least 18 coronavirus patients died after a fire broke out at a hospital in Gujarat's Bharuch in the early hours on Saturday. According to the latest information, the fire broke out in the ICU ward of the Covid care centre but the cause of the fire is unknown. <a href="https://ift.tt/3vxm9ZB style="color: #e03e2d;">Also Read|'No Need For Stricter Lockdown,' Assures Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray In Address Over Covid Situation</a> According to a PTI report, there were around 50 other patients at the four-storeyed Welfare Hospital when the fire broke out in the COVID-19 ward at 1 am. They were rescued by locals and firefighters, an official said. "As per information at 6.30 am, the death count in the tragedy stood at 18. Immediately after the fire, we had confirmation of 12 deaths," a police official said  Horrific visuals of the mishap showed remains of some patients on stretchers and beds. The 12 patients in the COVID-19 ward died due to the fire and resultant smoke while it is unclear if the remaining 6 patients died of the same reason or when they were being shifted to other hospitals. The COVID-19 designated hospital is situated on the Bharuch-Jambusar highway, around 190 km from the state capital Ahmedabad and is being run by a trust. A fire official informed that the blaze was controlled in an hour and around 50 were rescued by local and firefighters.  

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GOP state lawmaker facing criminal charges related to a video that appears to show him allowing right-wing protestors to enter the Oregon Capitol

oregon state capitol protests — In this Dec. 21, 2020, file photo, pro-Trump and anti-mask demonstrators hold a rally outside the Oregon State Capitol as legislators meet for an emergency session in Salem, Ore.
Andrew Selsky, File/AP

Video shows a GOP state lawmaker letting in protestors into the Oregon state capitol on December 21.
Oregon Rep. Mike Nearman faces two charges in connection with the incident.
Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek called Nearman's actions a "serious breach of public trust."
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A GOP state lawmaker was charged Friday, after video appears to show him open the door to the Oregon State Capitol, allowing right-wing protestors to enter the building.

During a demonstration on December 21 of last year, surveillance video appears to show state Rep. Mike Nearman physically opening a door to the Capitol building without shutting it behind him, allowing protestors waiting outside the Oregon Capitol to quickly enter the building.

In the video, Oregon State Police later arrived to push protestors back outside and standing in the open door while facing off a crowd of protestors. Four people were arrested in the incident, which was later declared an unlawful assembly.

-Dan Tilkin (@DanTilkinKOIN6) January 8, 2021

On Wednesday, Oregon Speaker of the House Tina Kotek said during a press conference that it was Nearman who opened the door "to let demonstrators into the building."

"This was a serious, serious breach of public trust," Kotek told reporters Wednesday.

Democratic lawmakers accused Nearman of putting lawmakers and Capitol staffers in danger for his actions in a formal complaint filed in January. The complaint described Nearman's actions as "completely unacceptable, reckless, and so severe that it will affect people's ability to feel safe working in the Capitol or even for the legislature," citing a report by Oregon Public Broadcasting.

"He let a group of rioters enter the Capitol, despite his knowledge that only authorized personnel are allowed in the building due to the COVID-19 pandemic," the complaint said.

Marion County District Attorney Paige Clarkson filed charges against Nearman on Friday in connection with the December 21 incident.

He faces one count of official misconduct in the first degree for "unauthorized exercise of his official duties, with intent to obtain a benefit or to harm another," and another count on criminal trespass in the second degree for aiding and abetting "another to unlawfully and knowingly enter and remain in and upon the premises of the Oregon State Capitol."

Nearman did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment on the charges filed by the Marion County district attorney.

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