COVID-19 New Corona: 2021-05-09

Saturday, May 15, 2021

COMEDK UGET 2021 Exam Postponed Due To Covid-19, Check Details

COMEDK UGET 2021: The Consortium of Medical Engineering and Dental Colleges of Karnataka (COMEDK) on Saturday, May 15 postponed the COMEDK UGET 2021 the state-level entrance exam and also extended the registration deadline for the entrance exam until July 15, 2021. The decision has been taken as a precautionary measure in view of the rising number of covid-19 cases across the country and a notice regarding this has been uploaded on the constorium's official website at comedk.org.  Interested and eligible candidates can apply for the COMEDK UGET 2021 entrance exam online at comedk.org.  Also Read: <a href="https://ift.tt/33OUUhv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Bengal Board Exams For Class 10, 12 Postponed Due To Covid-19; Revised Schedule Soon</a> "Due to the concerns arising out of COVID-19 pandemic, COMEDK has decided to postpone the examination scheduled to be held on 20.06.2021," reads the <a href="https://ift.tt/3eQogSN" target="_blank" rel="noopener">official notitfication</a>.  According to the notice, the fresh dates for the entrance examination will be announced in the due course of time on constorium's official website.  "In view of this, the last date for submission of completed application online is extended upto and inclusive of 15th July 2021. All other terms and conditions brought out in the Information Brochure dtd. 19.03.2021 will remain unchanged," further reads the notification.  Also Read:<a href="https://ift.tt/3ycr04F" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2021 Postponed Due To Covid-19, Check Details</a> Candidates who wish to apply for the COMEDK UGET 2021 examination should have passed Karnataka PUC or Class 12 (Higher Secondary) or its equivalent examination with a minimum of 45 percent from a recognized board/institution.  <a href="https://ift.tt/3wmYZG3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Direct link to apply for COMEDK UGET 2021. </a> Note: Candidates are advised to keep visiting the official website of the constorium at comedk.org regularly for the latest updates regarding the COMEDK UGET 2021 entrance examination. 

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Goa Oxygen Crisis: 8 More Deaths At GMC While O2 Supply Drops For As Long As 90 Mins, Dean Says Wrong To Link Both

Panaji: Goa continues to reel under the impact of Oxygen crisis as it is reported to have claimed eight more lives at Goa Medical College (GMC) on Saturday. According to a report by The Times of India, the total death toll due to lack of oxygen at the premier government hospital since earlier this week now stands at 83. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3uTLPzL" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458605">India Continues To Record Over 4000 Covid Deaths, Registers 3.11 Cases In Last 24 Hrs</a> The oxygen crisis is reported to have claimed eight more lives at Goa Medical College (GMC) and most of these fatalities occurred between 2 am and 6 am dubbed as the "dark hour". However, the doctors at the hospital have not attributed the deaths to the oxygen crisis stating that most of these patients have died due to Covid pneumonia. GMC dean Dr Shivananad Bandekar echoed the same, saying that it would not be right to conclude that they took place due to a drop in oxygen levels. He added that identifying these deaths, which took place between 2 am and 6 am, in a separate manner was not correct as Covid-19 fatalities are taking place throughout the day. Meanwhile, according to the report, nurses and family members of patients have said that oxygen fluctuation was noticed throughout the night. As per the log of dips in the central oxygen pipeline which is kept by the hospital, as many as 13 wards underwent a drop in oxygen supply - the longest drop recorded was in ward 143 for 90 minutes. Talking to ABP News, CM Pramod Sawant responded to the reports and claims of Oxygen supply shortage. Here's his response: <iframe class="vidfyVideo" style="border: 0px;" src="https://ift.tt/3uSNVA2" width="631" height="381" scrolling="no"></iframe> Goa has been reporting worrying deaths allegedly caused by oxygen supply shortages in the past few days. Several Covid-19 deaths have been reported between 2 am and 6 am in GMCH. The state government told the High Court that there were "logistic issues" related to the supply of medical oxygen to patients. On Wednesday, a bench of Justices Mahesh Sonak and Nitin Sambre had directed the government to ensure that no more lives were lost due to the oxygen crisis. To reduce the load on GMC, 350 Covid-19 patients were shifted to the super-specialty block, which has an independent medical oxygen plant. According to the state health bulletin, 58 Covid patients lost their lives on Saturday, 33 of them were reported from GMC alone. On the same day, a 20,000-kilo litre oxygen tank was commissioned in the Goa Medical College and Hospital. Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the tank was shifted from Bicholim industrial estate and the move would reduce GMCH's dependence on oxygen cylinders. He said this was the third such tank to be commissioned in the state, the other two being in South Goa District Hospital and GMCH's super-speciality block, both of which have 550 and 350 Covid- 19 patients respectively. (With Agency Inputs)

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India Continues To Record Over 4000 Covid Deaths, Registers 3.11 Cases In Last 24 Hrs

Covid In India: India reports 3,11,170 new COVID 19 cases, 3,62,437 discharges and 4,077 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry. Total cases: 2,46,84,077 Total discharges: 2,07,95,335 Death toll: 2,70,284 Active cases: 36,18,458 Total vaccination: 18,22,20,164 The Indian Council of Medical Research 31,48,50,143 samples tested for COVID19 up to 15th May 2021. Of these, 18,32,950 samples were tested yesterday. The death tally in Maharashtra is raising an alarm in the state, signalling that even though the daily infections have been declining lately, the deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic is far from over. On Friday, Maharashtra, which had been consistently logging over 60,000 daily Covid cases last month, reported less than 40,000 cases after several weeks. Today, the daily Covid cases dropped further -- the state logged 34,898 cases. West Bengal reported 144 new deaths linked to COVID-19 on Saturday - its highest figure since the beginning of the pandemic - as the proportion of coronavirus tests coming back positive also reached an all-time high of 9.8 per cent. With 19,511 new cases reported, the number of daily infections came below 20,000 after 10 days. The state has reported 13,137 deaths and over 11 lakh cases so far. Kolkata reported 3,951 new cases and 30 deaths. North 24 Parganas district had 4,279 cases and 35 deaths. In Uttarkhand, At least 1,053 children of up to 9 years of age were affected with COVID 19 between April 16 and April 30, and 1,618 children were affected between May 1 and May 14, according to State Health Department

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Ventilators' Audit, Testing, Containment Strategies & Testing: What All PM Modi Discussed At Covid Review Meet

New Delhi: Taking serious note of some reports about ventilators lying unutilized in storage in some states, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday directed that an immediate audit of installation and operation of ventilators provided by the Central Government should be carried out. The Prime Minister, who chaired a high-level meeting to discuss the Covid and vaccination related situation in the country, said that refresher training for properly operating ventilators should be provided to healthcare workers if necessary.  ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/33IUhpJ Govt Begins Oxygen Concentrator Banks For Patients In Home Isolation</a> He directed that a distribution plan for ensuring oxygen supply in rural areas should be worked out, including through provision of oxygen concentrators. The Prime Minister said that necessary training should be provided to health workers in the operation of such equipment, adding power supply should be ensured for smooth operation of such medical devices. Stating that localised containment strategies are the need of the hour, especially for states where TPR in districts is high, Prime Minister Modi instructed that testing needs to be scaled up further, with use of both RT PCR and Rapid Tests, especially in areas with high test positivity rates. He said that states should be encouraged to report their numbers transparently without any pressure of high numbers showing adversely on their efforts. Prime Minister Modi asked for augmentation of healthcare resources in rural areas to focus on door to door testing and surveillance. He also spoke about empowering ASHA and Anganwadi workers with all necessary tools. Prime Minister Modi during the meeting asked for guidelines to be made available in easy language along with illustrations for home isolation and treatment in rural areas. He said that India’s fight against Covid has been guided throughout by scientists and subject experts and will continue being guided by them. Prime Minister Modi directed the officials, who briefed him about the vaccination process and the state-wise coverage of 45+ population, to work closely with states to ramp up the speed of vaccination. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/3hoOTA5" target="_blank" rel="noopener">After WHO, NITI Aayog Lauds Yogi Over Covid-19 Management</a> The officials briefed the Prime Minister that testing has gone up rapidly from around 50 lakh tests per week in early March to around 1.3 crore tests per week now in the country. They also informed Prime Minister Modi about the gradually decreasing test positivity rate and increasing recovery rate. It was discussed that cases, which had gone over four lakh cases per day, are now coming down as a result of the efforts by the healthcare workers, the state governments and the Centre. The officials gave a detailed presentation on the state and district level situation of Covid, testing, oxygen availability, healthcare infrastructure and vaccination roadmap during the meeting where the roadmap for future vaccine availability was also discussed.

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A fast-food toy collector explains how he managed to amass a stockpile of 20,000 items - the largest in the world - which he stores in his 'Happy Meal house'

Percival R. Lugue posing with his Guinness World Record title for the most number of fast-food toys won in 2014.
Percival R. Lugue

Percival R. Lugue, holds the world record for owning the biggest collection of fast-food toys.
To accommodate them he bought a home that resembled a familiar shape: a McDonald's Happy Meal box.
Insider spoke to Lugue about his toy collection and the drawbacks he faced as a result of COVID-19.
See more stories on Insider's business page.

In 2014, Percival R. Lugue became the first person to receive a Guinness World Record title for having the largest collection of fast-food restaurant toys, having amassed a mammoth 10,000 items.

Nearly seven years later, Lugue, who is based in the Philippines, told Insider his collection has likely doubled: "My rough estimate of the total fast food toys at hand would be more than 20,000."

178096920_880291459183888_4376354484681269634_n — Some of the fast-food restaurant toys collected by Percival R. Lugue.
Percival R. Lugue

Collecting toys, for Lugue, is nothing new, since his profound interest dates to when he was five years old.

During the 80s, various fast-food restaurants started popping up all over the Philippines, including in his home province.

Lugue explained: "This paved the opportunity for me to continue with my toy collection without putting a strain in my pocket." Being a college student at the time, Lugue said he had a very limited budget "but when I saw the set Popeye toys from Jollibee, I took a plunge, and the rest, as they say, is history."

Since then, Lugue has "religiously collected" all the fast-food toys that come out from fast-food chains including but not limited to Jollibee, McDonald's, Wendy's, and Burger King.

When asked how he stores 20,000 toys while living with his parents, siblings, nieces, and nephews, Lugue said he took a joint decision with his family to build another house. I

It became increasingly difficult for Lugue and his family to tread a path around the house because "every nook and cranny of [his ancestral home] was packed with fast food toys."

But now, all the toys are strategically displayed on the walls of Lugue and his family's new home, so as to not hinder traffic in the household.

178145870_452612282487725_8057404785870227534_n — A photo displaying Percival R. Lugue's toys hanging on the walls of his new home.
Percival

Commenting on the outer appearance of the new house, Lugue said he saw a familiar silhouette in its architecture. "Although it was never intentional, the house turned out to look like a gigantic Happy Meal Box except for the Golden arches on top, when it was finished." Since then, Lugue said he always endearingly refers to that house as a "Happy Meal house."

"I said to myself, 'what a perfect receptacle for these fast food toys,'" he added.

The 'Happy Meal house.'
Percival R. Lugue

As for why he collects toys, Lugue explained that each piece would represent a vivid story in his life.

"They are like mementos of very special meals I shared with people who are very important to me." One such toy is the Hetty Spaghetti, which Lugue bought with his mother way back in the 80s. "My mother passed on a couple of years ago and seeing and touching this same Hetty toy transported me to the place and time where both my mom and I shared a special happy moment."

For Lugue, his collectibles are an "awesome tapestry" of his life, where each toy has a happy story to tell. And now, acquiring a toy from every visit to a fast-food restaurant has become "non-negotiable" for Lugue. "I have to buy a toy just so I may be able to encapsulate or immortalize that fun rendezvous in a fast food restaurant with friends and family," he added.

Over the years, Lugue developed a methodical way to obtain toys that is not only easy on his wallet but also his diet. First, he would go with his family to Jollibee once a month to complete the set of toys that were on offer. This would be followed by a monthly visit to McDonald's by Lugue and his friends, where they would collect toys to complete the set of Happy Meal Toys.

"Basically, it's just two visits to fast-food restaurants per month. With a little help from my friends and family, we get to enjoy a meal together which is in no way detrimental to our health and I get to keep all the toys from all the Happy Meals and Jolly Meals."

When asked whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the growth of his toy collection, Lugue said he wasn't stopped from acquiring more pieces. In fact, his immense love for toys allowed him to work around a global pandemic to add to his stash.

He made the best out of the situation by ordering food deliveries to his office and getting his colleagues into buying meals with toys on offer. "I was able to convince my colleagues into buying Happy Meals in one of our dinners. In just one delivery, I was able to complete the set of Doraemon toys, which are currently being offered here in McDonald's," he said.

"It was a most unusual set-up but a happy one nonetheless."

Read the original article on Business Insider

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Uttarakhand Village Declared Containment Zone After 51 Out Of 141 Residents Test COVID Positive

Kotdwar: Fifty-one out of the 141 people living in a village in Uttarakhand's Pauri district have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said on Saturday. The village has been declared a containment zone and villagers have been put in home isolation, they said. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/2Ql6FJr" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458505" aria-describedby="tooltip378445">Uttarakhand: Discrepancy Of 613 Fatalities In COVID Death Toll Reported By 2 Govt Departments</a> Residents of Kurkhyal village in Pauri's Ekeshwar block had been showing symptoms of COVID-19 like fever for some time. A health department team from the primary health centre at Pathisain took samples of villagers for testing on May 11, said Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Satpuli, Sandip Kumar. The reports were received on Friday. Fifty-one out of the total 141 villagers were found infected with the coronavirus, he said. The villagers have been put in home isolation and given medicine kits while the village has been declared a containment zone, he added. As a precautionary measure, Kumar said, the nearby market at Pathisain has also been closed. Six residents of a village adjoining Kurkhyal have also tested positive for COVID-19, he said. Anganwadi volunteers have been asked to remain in touch with the infected people in villages so that they can be shifted to the COVID care centre in Satpuli in case their condition deteriorates, he said. Recently, there has been a rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in rural areas across the country. On Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the pandemic is spreading fast in rural areas and that every state government is making efforts to stop this. Awareness about this among rural people and cooperation of the panchayat institutes are equally important, he said.

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Plea In SC Seeking Probe Into Recovery Of Bodies From Ganga

New Delhi: A plea has been moved in the Supreme Court to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct the investigation into over 100 corpses, found floating in the Ganga river in Bihar's Buxar, and Uttar Pradesh's Ghazipur and Unnao districts, amid the ongoing second wave of Covid-19 pandemic. The plea, filed by lawyers Pradeep Yadav and Vishal Thakre, urged the top court to issue direction the state government cconcerned to conduct post-mortem of the dead bodies. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3tQ0iLC In Uttarakhand To Receive Rs 171 Cr Under PM-KISAN Scheme, Reveals CM Tirath Singh Rawat</a> "The act of the states is inhuman as they failed to provide facilities for decent burial/cremation of dead bodies and to keep a check on pollution of the holy river, Ganga, by such indecent act either of individuals or of authorities," the petition said. The petitioners emphasised that the recovery of decomposed bodies from the river is a matter of serious concern, noting that the river was a source of water for many areas, and if these bodies were of Covid-19 patients, then there is a possibility of spread of infection through water in the villages of both Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. The petitioners also cited the Pt Parmanand Katara case, wherein the apex court had held that the right to dignity and fair treatment under Article 21 of the Constitution, was not only available to a person during lifetime, but also to the body after death. The plea also alleged that in the present case, the state has also failed to monitor the crematoriums, which exorbitantly charged people for last rites during the pandemic. The petitioners have claimed that the state governments, till date have not taken any effective measure to purify the water, and this was a violation of Article 21

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Uttarakhand: Discrepancy Of 613 Fatalities In COVID Death Toll Reported By 2 Govt Departments

Dehradun: The number of people cremated or buried at dedicated COVID crematoriums or graveyards from April 20 to May 2 is over one and a half times the number of coronavirus deaths reported by the Uttarakhand Health Department, official data revealed. According to the Urban Development Department, 1,523 "COVID-infected people" were cremated or buried during those 13 days, whereas the number of fatalities reported by the state Health Department during the period was 910. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/33OoeER" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458502">Farmers In Uttarakhand To Receive Rs 171 Cr Under PM-KISAN Scheme, Reveals CM Tirath Singh Rawat</a> This is 613 less than the number of cremations and burials recorded by the Urban Development Department. As per the guidelines, people who succumb to the virus are supposed to be cremated or buried at COVID-dedicated crematoriums and graveyards. The discrepancy came to light when the number of bodies buried or cremated at the COVID-dedicated crematoriums and graveyards during the period as mentioned in a letter of Urban Development Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman to the additional chief secretary was compared with the death toll reported by the Directorate of Medical Health and Family Welfare. When contacted, officials did not have a clear explanation to offer for the wide numerical gap between the two figures. A Dehradun Municipal Corporation official requesting anonymity said, "A number of COVID patients die in home isolation and many such deaths go unreported. This may have led to the two figures not tallying with each other." With 33 COVID deaths per lakh population, Uttarakhand has the highest pandemic fatality rate among the Himalayan states.

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After WHO, NITI Aayog Lauds Yogi Over Covid-19 Management

Lucknow: The Yogi Adityanath model for the management of Covid-19 has been appreciated by NITI Aayog after being praised by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Niti Aayog has tweeted and praised the system of oxygen supply monitoring and real-time Covid management for providing immediate oxygen to every person in need in Uttar Pradesh (which has the country's largest population) during the unprecedented Covid-19 crisis. ALSO READ: <a href="https://ift.tt/3uR9cdo style="color: #f80707;">Haryana: Black Fungus Declared 'Notified Disease'; Doctors To Discuss Treatments</a> Now the Centre and various states are also implementing this Covid model of Uttar Pradesh. Due to this Covid-19 management system, in a very short time the Uttar Pradesh government has successfully been able to ramp up 250 MT (metric tonne) of oxygen supply to 1,000 MT. This is the highest oxygen supply increase by any state across the country. Earlier, the WHO also praised the Yogi government for Covid-19 management in rural areas. The WHO has lauded the Yogi government for the second time over its approach to Covid-19. Even during the first wave of the pandemic, WHO cited UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's contact tracing formula as an example which should be emulated by other states and praised his Triple T (Trace, Test and Treat) strategy to control Covid-19 during the second wave of the pandemic. However, in Uttar Pradesh, too, the rate of Covid infections has increased manifold. On April 24, 38,055 infections were recorded in 24 hours. Adityanath himself was infected with Covid-19 in April while reviewing the ground preparations to fight the virus in the state. At that time some people had predicted the number of cases would reach nearly one lakh in the coming months. Despite the criticism, Yogi was relentless in his fight against Covid-19. He actively monitored the Covid situation in the state through virtual mode every day. Due to the rapid pace of the infection during the second wave, Yogi Adityanath formed 'Team 9' instead of 'Team 11' and decentralized rights and accountability over Covid-19. Due to these reasons Covid is seen to be largely under control in the state. 

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Post Vaccine Care: Things To Keep In Mind After Getting Your Covid Jabs

New Delhi: Vaccines is currently the only real weapon against the deadly coronavirus which has claimed at least 2,66,207 lives in India, so it is essential for everyone to get vaccinated.  The government began vaccines for those above the of 18 upto 44 years old earlier it was for 45+ age group only. It is also necessary for people with comorbidities to take the vaccine as fall under the high risk group. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3w8lqyt Black Fungus Declared 'Notified Disease'; Doctors To Discuss Treatments</a> While taking the vaccine is one step, post vaccine care is also important to make sure you body adjusts to the vaccine dose. It is common for a person to have fever like symptoms after any vaccine but common symptoms after the Covid-19 vaccine include - a sore injection site, pain in the injected arm, mild fever, moderate fatigue, headaches, chills, and diarrhoea. Unless you get any severe reaction to the vaccine, post covid symptoms can be taken care of at home.  While it extremely rare for immediate reactions, it is important for a healthcare professional to monitor the person who has just been administered a dose for about 30 minutes which is why after a person receives the vaccine they are asked to stay for at least 30 minutes at the site.  Sujeet Ranjan, Executive Director of The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS) told IANS, "Vaccines are designed to give immunity without the dangers of getting the disease. While it's normal to build immunity without side effects, it is also common to experience some mild-to-moderate side effects that go away within a few days on their own."  "Fatigue, headache and body weakness are a few ailments that can be noticed post the vaccination. Adequate water intake is important to stay hydrated. Alongside proper sleep, a balanced diet, less strenuous exercise and low intake of caffeine is recommended. A paracetamol tablet can be taken to reduce the body pain," Tejaswini Deepak, Physician, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Koramangala, Bengaluru told IANS.  In case you feel a pain on your arm or the injection site, a clean wet cloth on the vaccinated arm helps to reduce the pain, swelling and the redness. It also helps to keep the infections at bay, say doctors. Navneet Kaur, General Physician, Apollo Spectra Nehru Enclave, New Delhi suggests was quoted by IANS as saying, "Eat anti-inflammatory foods like strawberries, cherries, oranges, mackerel, green vegetables, and nuts after vaccination. Limit your intake of processed and junk food. Remember that a healthy diet will reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system. Moreover, you will have to get a good night's sleep and avoid exertion." While vaccines take about 2 weeks to develop immunity after the second dose. The doctors also emphasize that these vaccines aren't a 100% effective and that chances of 'break through infections'.  There are varying opinions about alcohol consumption or smoking, it is best to distance yourself from it. Following all Covid protocols is necessary even after you receive the second dose of the vaccine. AIIMS director, Dr. Randeep Guleria says wearing masks and physical distancing need to continue even by those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as the virus is constantly mutating and there is still uncertainty about how much vaccines can protect against the emerging variants.

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Black Marketers, Hoarders To Be Booked Under Goondas Act: TN CM Stalin

Chennai: Tamil Nadu CM MK Stalin on Saturday instructed police personnel to book people, who sell Remdesivir drug and oxygen cylinders at an exorbitant price to the Covid patients will be booked under Goondas Act. The Tamil Nadu CM said that the police have been ordered to book hoarders and black marketers of Remdesivir injection and those who sell oxygen cylinders at a high price, under the Goondas Act. He said even poor people despite their livelihood being affected are cooperating with the state government's lockdown restrictions. But some anti-social elements are hoarding the Remdesivir injection and sell it in the black market at high rates. <a title="IN PICS: Heavy Rains Lash Kerala, Cloudy Weather In Mumbai As Coastal States Prepare To Face Cyclone Tauktae" href="https://ift.tt/3hsM9ld" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Also Read | IN PICS: Heavy Rains Lash Kerala, Cloudy Weather In Mumbai As Coastal States Prepare To Face Cyclone Tauktae</a> The government press release states that the state administration is making efforts for the availability of Remdesivir, Oxygen production, importing of vaccines and increasing beds for Covid patients. The state government is selling the drug at an MRP of ₹9,480 per vial but the black market rate is much higher.  Meanwhile, the friends and relatives of the Covid patients have been creating chaos at the Nehru Stadium to get Remdesivir drug. To manage crowd, the sale of the drug was shifted from Kilpauk Medical College to Nehru Stadium two days back.

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Palm Beach County has around 44 billionaires. The super-rich are flocking there for business opportunities, convenient transport links, and a chance to live in 'paradise.'

West Palm Beach is attractive for both workers and their families.
Flavio Vallenari/Getty Images

Palm Beach County's grew twice as fast as the US average over the past decade.
This has accelerated during the pandemic as remote workers sought a sunnier climate during lockdown.
Three locals explained why both people and businesses are flocking to the county.
See more stories on Insider's business page.

Florida has been one of the few states to see real economic progress during the pandemic.

Both businesses and companies have flocked to the US' third-largest state over the past year because of its pro-business environment, including a lack of personal-income tax, alongside its sunny climate that made it an alluring place to spend lockdown.

And Palm Beach County, located just north of Miami, has stood out. Elliott Management is planning on moving its headquarters there, Citadel Securities based its trading-floor's COVID-19 bubble at a hotel there, and hundreds of families have relocated to the county.

Insider spoke to parties involved in the local economy, including the mayors of Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, and Palm Beach town, to understand what's driving people to move to the area.

'We punch above our weight in terms of business strength'

Palm Beach County has been working to drive a migration of businesses for around 10 years, Kelly Smallridge, CEO of the county's Business Development Board (BDB), told Insider.

The county realized that executives were buying second houses or coming for vacations in Florida, but owned a large business in another state. So the BDB approached them about bringing their business to Florida, Smallridge said.

"That initiative has turned out to be the most lucrative economic development initiative in the last 40 years," Smallridge said.

The BDB isn't the only group actively recruiting businesses to move to the county. West Palm Beach mayor Keith James told Insider that the city had been reaching out to financial-services companies for years - not just in New York but in other Northeast states including Vermont and Connecticut, alongside some companies as far afield as California.

"We've seen tremendous interest in companies relocating to Boca Raton," Scott Singer, the mayor of Boca Raton, told Insider.

He said the city had been fielding "plenty" of inbound calls, but that it had also launched targeted advertising in the New York, Chicago, and San Francisco markets, including promoting its technology business hub.

The three mayors told Insider they had especially noticed increasing levels of interest from venture capital, private equity, hedge fund, and financial-services companies, feeding into a state-wide trend.

360 rosemary related companies office building west palm beach — 360 Rosemary, a new West Palm Beach office building under construction, is luring out-of-state financial firms including New Day as tenants.
Related

Hedge fund Elliott Management is in final-stage talks to move its headquarters from Manhattan to West Palm Beach, while Maryland-based mortgage company New Day USA is leasing 50,000 square feet of office space as a second headquarters in the city.

And Ken Griffin's Citadel Securities chose Palm Beach's Four Seasons as the location for its trading floor's COVID-19 bubble in April 2020.

Almost 2,500 financial-service firms have offices in the county, employing 37,000 people in total, according to the BDB.

But other industries are growing, too. West Palm Beach is targeting the marine and medical industries for future growth, while Singer said that Bacon Raton has been a tech hub for decades, noting that IBM developed the first personal computer there in 1981.

Palm Beach's marina — Palm Beach County's 47 miles of coastline mean that its marine industry is booming.
Roberto Machado Noa

Singer said Boca Raton had the number of corporate headquarters you'd expect from a city of four or five times its size. These include the headquarters of The Office Depot, ADT, and Bluegreen Vacations.

"We punch above our weight in terms of business strength," Singer said.

ADT's HQ — ADT's headquarters are located in Boca Raton.
ADT

The county also has a 350,000 square foot convention center with 19 meeting rooms for businesses to hold events, conferences, and trade shows.

The county even has its own convention center.
Palm Beach County Convention Center

Florida doesn't have a personal-income tax but it has a variety of other business benefits, too, Troy McLellan, CEO of Boca Raton's Chamber of Commerce, said.

He said Boca Raton has a "rich entrepreneurial environment" and "an ecosystem that supports business and entrepreneurs," in part thanks to actions of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. He also points to the collaboration between groups such as the Palm Beach's BDB, the regional Chamber, and Enterprise Florida.

Boca Raton alone has three college campus that create a pipeline of intellectual capital for businesses relocating to the area, McLellan said.

Florida Atlantic University campus — Florida Atlantic University's main campus is based in Boca Raton.
Florida Atlantic University

There are a lot of transport developments either in place or in the pipeline for Palm Beach County, too.

The county has an international airport, which more than six million passengers pass through each year. Even the most northern part of the county, Jupiter, is located just 90 minutes' drive from Miami and Fort Lauderdale airports for a wider range of long-haul flights.

Boca Raton also has its own general aviation airport, while West Palm Beach is planning to launch a study into the feasibility of direct flights from the city to the Caribbean to benefit its marine sector.

And traveling from West Palm Beach to the rest of Florida is getting easier after it was connected to Miami through Brightline, a rail system with investments from Richard Branson's Virgin, John Boyd of the Boyd Company said. The route will be expanded to include Orlando and its airport as well as Tampa, too.

Brightline train — The Brightline connect cities across southern Florida.
Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

This transport network is luring both businesses and people to the county.

Singer said there had been "tremendous interest" from executives with businesses overseas, who wanted to open offices or even locate to Boca Raton because of its transport links. Meanwhile, West Palm Beach says it has "one of Florida's most walkable central business districts," reducing the need to commute.

People were already migrating - but the pandemic sped this up

Not only have businesses been moving to the county but people have flocked there, too.

Palm Beach County's population grew by around 14.2% over the past decade, according to estimates from the US Census Bureau. This is almost double the rate of overall US population growth. Its population sits at around 1.5 million, making it Florida's third-largest county by population and second-largest by size.

This growth isn't just because of the natural population increases that you would expect over time. There has also been soaring rates of both domestic and international migration. The county's net migration was around 11,500 in 2020, according to US Census Bureau estimates - compared to a net migration loss of 23,625 for New York County, which has a similar population.

Florida is traditionally associated with retirees but McLellan said this trend seems to be fading as more and more families and young high-flyers move to the area.

Many of these migrants are coming from the Northeast. Around two in five people moving to Palm Beach County come from the New York City area, per a report by Unacast. But some also come from cities like Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco, or even from countries like India and Brazil, Boyd said.

Forbes identifies Palm Beach County as Florida's billionaire hub. The 2,600-square-mile county has around 44 billionaires, Smallridge said. This is roughly as many as there are in the entirety of Los Angeles, according to Wealth-X's 2020 Billionaire Census, and includes Interactive Brokers founder Thomas Peterffy, hedge-fund manager David Tepper, and food-and-drink entrepreneur Jude Reyes, per Forbes.

It's also the home of Mar-a-Lago, the US's second-largest mansion, owned by former President Donald Trump.

Mar a Lago better — Former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort is located in the county.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

The county also has around 71,000 millionaire households, Smallridge said. Oracle Founder Larry Ellison recently bought an $80 million house in the county, though he plans to stay living in Hawaii full-time, and fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger sold his house in Greenwich, Connecticut to move to Palm Beach.

Danielle Moore, the mayor of the town of Palm Beach, said it had a reputation as "the hometown of 'captains of industry,'" which she said motivated even more people to move there.

People had already been migrating to the county before the pandemic but COVID-19 forced people to address their work-life balance, alongside the deterioration of office culture, the mayors said.

Alongside companies opening up offices in the city, the rise in remote working during the pandemic has led to digital nomads flocking to the county.

Moore said the town of Palm Beach was experiencing the lowest inventory of available homes "in decades," and house prices across the county have gone up around 10% over the past year as more and more people relocate.

West Palm Beach housing — Housing in the area is in high demand.
MasaoTaira/Getty Images

Some of these people are incredibly wealthy. Sales of million-dollar single-family homes in Palm Beach County increased by more than 140% year over year, according to the 2021 Luxury Outlook report by Sotheby's International Realty.

Florida has remained largely open during the pandemic compared to other states. This led to people choosing to make Florida their primary residence for the pandemic.

"People can work from anywhere, so why not work from paradise?" Singer said.

"That trend is likely to continue because the office environment of New York City is not what it was," he said. He added that New York State was also hiking its taxes.

"When they were closed down, we had plenty of recreation space and great weather year-round, and people are understanding more and more that this is where they want to be," he added.

West Palm Beach marina — Palm Beach County's sunny climate lures people to the area.
Barry Winiker/Getty Images

Alongside retirees, Florida is also associated with seasonal residents who move to the state for the colder winter months, and Moore said that the town of Palm Beach's population more than doubles during the peak season.

But when people relocated to Florida, many started enrolling their children at nearby schools, and soon found themselves settled down in the state, Smallridge said.

Palm Beach County's median age is 43.6, "and that number is probably going to stay steady even as we all age because younger people are being born and coming here every day," Singer said.

The climate has attracted people, too. The county has an average temperature of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, compared to 53 degrees Fahrenheit for New York State, hasn't had snow since 1978, and has around 47 miles of coastline.

"Most executives will go take a swim in the beach before they even go to work," Smallridge said. "They never have to shovel snow and they don't have to ride with the subway."

But even as more people migrate to the county, some to work remotely while others to work for the companies opening new offices in the area, this trend is ultimately creating more employment opportunities for local residents, James said. He added that West Palm Beach has offered financial incentives to companies moving to the city based on the number of jobs they create, including expedited permit reviews and tax exemptions.

McLellan, meanwhile, said Boca Raton was trying to create a pipeline of future talent for businesses in the area, and that the Chamber was working to discourage residents from migrating away from the city.

Ultimately Palm Beach County is positioning itself as not just a major financial-services hub, but also a destination for families, young graduates, and high-flying execs to move to.

This is perhaps best summed up by West Palm Beach's tagline: "business, life, balanced."

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People in India are smearing cow dung over their bodies to ward off COVID-19 as second wave crisis worsens

men covered in cow dung in India — People walk after applying cow dung on their bodies during "cow dung therapy at the Shree Swaminarayan Gurukul Vishwavidya Pratishthanam Gaushala on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, India, on May 9, 2021.
Amit Dave/Reuters

Doctors in India are warning against the practice of using cow dung to ward off COVID-19.
Some believers have been smearing cow dung on their bodies in the hope it will boost their immunity.
Hindus believe cow dung has therapeutic and antiseptic properties.
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Doctors in India have urged people not to smear their bodies with cow dung and urine, saying there is no scientific evidence for its effectiveness in warding off the coronavirus, Reuters reported.

As the second COVID-19 wave continues to ravage the country, some believers have been going to cow shelters once a week to cover their bodies in cow dung in the hopes it will boost their immunity, or help them recover from the virus.

Photos of one shelter in the western state of Gujarat show a group of men covering themselves from head to toe with a mixture of cow dung and urine.

While they wait for the dung to dry, the men hug or honor the cows at the shelter, and practice yoga to boost energy levels, Reuters reported. They then wash off the excrement with milk or buttermilk.

Cows are of special significance to Hindus, who see them as a sacred symbol of life and the earth.

They also believe their dung has therapeutic and antiseptic properties and have used it to clean their homes and for prayer rituals for centuries.

Gautam Manilal Borisa, who works at a pharmaceuticals company, told Reuters that cow dung helped him recover from COVID-19 last year.

"We see … even doctors come here. Their belief is that this therapy improves their immunity and they can go and tend to patients with no fear," he said, according to Reuters.

People bathe in cow milk to remove cow dung in INdia — People bathe in cow milk to remove cow dung from their bodies in Ahmedabad, India, on May 9, 2021.
Amit Dave/Reuters

But medical officials have warned against this practice, saying that it actually risks spreading other diseases.

"There is no concrete scientific evidence that cow dung or urine work to boost immunity against COVID-19, it is based entirely on belief," said Dr. J. A. Jayalal, national president at the Indian Medical Association, according to Sky News.

"There are also health risks involved in smearing or consuming these products - other diseases can spread from the animal to humans," he added.

In the last month, the coronavirus has wrought devastation in India as people are struggling to find hospital beds or oxygen, leaving many to die for lack of treatment.

The country has reported more than 24 million cases and more than 264,000 deaths so far, according to a tracker by Johns Hopkins University. Experts say actual numbers could be five to 10 times higher.

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Delhi Govt Begins Oxygen Concentrator Banks For Patients In Home Isolation, Here's How You Can Access Service

New Delhi: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday announced the launch of oxygen concentrator banks for patients in home isolation. In an online briefing, CM Kejriwal said that the government has started oxygen concentrator banks for patients who are in home isolation and require oxygen support. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3tPTq0Q" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458470" aria-describedby="tooltip25104">West Bengal Announces Complete Lockdown Till May 30, Know What's Open And Closed</a> Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal once again spoke about the improving Covid-19 situation in Delhi as the national capital recorded 6,500 new cases in the past 24 hours and the positivity rate declined to 11 percent as compared to over 8,500 cases reported on Friday while the positivity rate was 12 percent. He also said that though daily cases have dipped, the state government will not let its guard down and keep fighting the pandemic. "Corona's impact is going down in Delhi. 1000 ICU beds have been set up within 15 days, our doctors and engineers have set an example before the world. I thank them," he said. The Chief Minister then went on to announce the government's initiative wherein it has started Oxygen Concentrator Banks (OCBs) for patients who are in home isolation. Explaining the need for the OCBs, he said it was being seen how when Covid patients report low oxygen levels timely supply of oxygen can help in saving their lives. Otherwise, they need to be admitted to ICU and in certain cases, they nevertheless lose their lives.  The 11 districts of Delhi will be given 200 oxygen concentrators each and these will be provided to patients in home isolation on the recommendation of doctors, he informed adding that the government's team will provide the critical supply to patients in need within 2 hours. [tw]https://twitter.com/ArvindKejriwal/status/1393464680006393856[/tw] A person with technical expertise will guide the families about how to operate the oxygen concentrators. Those persons who have been discharged from the hospital after treatment of Covid-19 will also be provided concentrators if recommended by doctors, he added. To access this service, a patient will have to become a part of the government's home isolation group by calling 1031. After this, a team of doctors will review their condition and assess whether the person in concern needs an oxygen concentrator. Only after its recommendation, the government will provide a concentrator to the patient's home, CM Kejriwal said. Previously, the Delhi CM had announced to provide financial assistance to the families who have lost their earning members to Coronavirus along with children who lost both parents to the infection. The government has committed to educating such children in government schools for free.

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WATCH | Doctors Dancing To Salman Khan’s ‘Seeti Maar’; Disha Patani Shares Video

Mumbai: Salman Khan’s much-awaited movie ‘Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai’ released on May 13, 2021, on the occasion of Eid. Ahead of the film’s release, the makers dropped some dance numbers from ‘Radhe’ which set the internet on fire. This includes ‘Seeti Maar’, ‘Dil De Diya’ and ‘Zoom Zoom’. As soon as the songs released, many people started making different dance covers on the songs. A video of a group of doctors who have been selflessly working for saving people’s lives during this pandemic also could not hold themselves back from making a dance cover on Radhe’s song ‘Seeti Maar’. The group of doctors made a mandolin cover on ‘Seeti Maar’ and it looks absolutely amazing. <a href="https://ift.tt/3tMC6Ko READ | 'Radhe' Overseas Box Office Collection: Salman Khan's Film Fares Well In International Markets On Opening Day</a> The lead actress of ‘Radhe: Your Most Wanted Bhai’ Disha Patani shared the dance cover on her Instagram story and wrote, ‘Our Real heroes’. Take a look at the video here: [insta]https://www.instagram.com/p/CO25282g13V/[/insta] ‘Radhe’ has been breaking records ever since its release. Other than Salman Khan and Disha Patani, the film also stars Jackie Shroff in a pivotal role. Randeep Hooda plays the role of the main antagonist in the film. Directed by Prabhu Deva, this movie is the remake of the Korean movie ‘The Outlaws’ reportedly. The film was earlier slated to release last year in the month of May but got delayed due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. <a href="https://ift.tt/3uRm1nQ READ | Salman Khan's 'Radhe' Smashes Records, Becomes The Most Watched Film On Day One Across All Platforms</a> Stay tuned for more updates.

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Haryana: Black Fungus Declared 'Notified Disease'; Doctors To Discuss Treatments

Gurugram: On Saturday, Haryana Health Minister during a press conference announced that Black Fungus has been declared as a 'Notified Disease' in the state. He further said that doctors will have to report cases of Black Fungus infection to CMOs of the District.  ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3fjr61L PICS | Heavy Rains Lash Kerala, Cloudy Weather In Mumbai As Coastal States Prepare To Face Cyclone Tauktae</a> Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said that the senior doctors of the Post Graduate Institute Rohtak will conduct a video conference with all doctors who are dealing with Covid infected patients and discuss about the treatment of mucormycosis or black fungus.  Black fungus cases were reported last year as well from across the country and a couple of people lost their lives due to mucormycosis. Mucormycisis is a fungal infection triggered by COVID-19. Black fungus or mucormycosis has been a cause of disease and death of patients in transplants, ICUs and immunodeficient patients since long. The government said in its advisory that is a fungal infection that mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens, informing them that the infection might turn fatal if not provided proper treatment.  With a number of mucormycosis cases detected in Delhi, Maharashtra, and Gujarat, experts in the national Covid-19 task force on Sunday issued an evidence-based advisory on the disease. Symptoms include - pain and redness around eyes and/or nose, fever & coughing, headache, shortness of breath, bloody vomit and/or altered mental status. People are advised, to use masks if you are visiting dusty construction sites, wear shoes, long trousers, long sleeve shirts and gloves while handling soil (gardening), moss or manure and maintain personal hygiene, including thorough scrub bath. 

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West Bengal Announces Complete Lockdown Till May 30, Know What's Open And Closed

Kolkata: In a bid to battle the deadly Coronavirus wave, West Bengal Govt has announced fresh restrictions till May 30 after the state recorded the highest single-day surge. The Mamata Banerjee government announced the complete lockdown for 14 days starting tomorrow. <h3>What Will Open and What Will Be Closed:</h3> <ul> <li>Industries and factories to remain shut.</li> <li>Inter-state trains, buses and metro services to remain shut.</li> <li>All gatherings, including religious gatherings, to be prohibited.</li> <li>Tea gardens to operate with 50% of workforce.</li> <li>Jute mills to operate with 30% of the workforce.</li> <li>Schools, colleges and all education facilities to remain shut</li> <li>Retail shops to remain open only till 7 am till 10 am.</li> <li>Sweets and meat shops allowed to remain open from 10 am to 5 pm.</li> <li>Medical shops and optical shops will remain open as usual.</li> <li>Private cars, taxis exempted from emergency essential services.</li> <li>Goods carrier to remain suspended except for medical and food services</li> <li>All political, entertainment, cultural, religious gathering prohibited.</li> <li>All industries and manufacturing units will remain closed except for food and medical supplies and medical packaging services.</li> <li>Parks and zoos will remain closed.</li> <li>Shopping complexes, malls, restaurants, salons, gyms, swimming pools will remain closed.</li> <li>Essential emergency services will be allowed to function.</li> </ul> West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin. The toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people, including five eminent doctors, succumbed to the infection, the bulletin said.

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Ancillary COVID treatment ward opened at Kotawila hospital

Local

Mahinda P.Liyanage

Galle central special corr.

State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara and Matara District MP Nipuna Ranawaka at the handing over of the new ward to the Hospital’s Deputy Director.

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COVID-19

A supplementary treatment ward for COVID-19 patients was opened at the Kotawila Lebeema Hospital on Thursday (13). The ward can accommodate 50 patients.

Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna members had initiated the project supported by the Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha.

State Minister Kanchana Wijesekara, Matara District Parliamentarian Nipuna Ranawaka, Weligama PS Chairman Pushpakumara Bettage, Deputy Hospital Director Saanjeewa Amadoru and former Southern Provincial Councillor Aruna Gunarathne participated on the occasion of the official handing over of the ward to the health authorities.The patient beds for the ward had been procured by the Matara and Hambantota Federations of Youth Clubs and Weligama Pradeshiya Sabha under the Bed Producing Project of the National Youth Council.

Saturday, May 15, 2021 - 01:00

source http://www.dailynews.lk/2021/05/15/local/249368/ancillary-covid-treatment-ward-opened-kotawila-hospital

Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's Younger Brother Ashim Banerjee Passes Away Due To Covid

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's lost her younger brother today after he passed away due to Covid 19 on Saturday morning. Medica Superpeciality Chairman, Dr Alok Roy informed that West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's younger brother Ashim Banerjee passed away today at the hospital. He had tested positive for COVID19 and was undergoing treatment. [tw]https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1393447805604155395[/tw] Meanwhile, on Friday, West Bengal recorded its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the total tally to 10,94,802. The death toll in the state rose to 12,993 after 136 more people succumbed to COVID-19 infection on Friday, the state health department bulletin said. Of the 136 deaths, 67 were due to comorbidities where COVID-19 was incidental. North 24 Parganas district accounted for 42 fatalities and Kolkata 34.  

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Friday, May 14, 2021

US CDC Allow Fully Vaccinated People To Go On Without A Mask; Indian Experts Say 'Not So Fast'

New Delhi: On Thursday, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US changed its guidance on masks stating that fully vaccinated people could start taking their masks off.  President Joe Biden hailed the change calling it a "great day" for America. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3uR98ub Minister Undergoing Covid Treatment Mops Hospital Floors, Wins Praise For Humility</a> While it should have come as a relief, many felt they were stuck in a dilemma. Though it sounds straightforward, how can one tell whether person in front of them is full vaccinated. More than 580,000 have lost their lives to the virus, which evidently has left quite trauma for the people of the country who want to keep using the mask to safe.  According to AFP, the CDC's recommendations are non-binding, and actual policy is left for the relevant local authorities or employers to decide. It also doesn't apply to planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation, or to medical settings such as hospitals. What is means for India As the vaccine drive progresses India, it is likely that a similar order might be taken by the country. But as reports of fully vaccinated people dying due to the virus come to light the question is when will it be really safe to take the mask off after being vaccinated.  However, in India, government officials and the medical experts said it may be too early for such an announcement. On Friday, two policemen in Tamil Nadu were reported to have lost their fight against the deadly virus. Both of them were vaccinated with two doses of the Covid vaccines.  While these instances are rare, it is still necessary to be mask up even after you have recieved both doses of the vaccines because the overall percentage of vaccianted people is lesser than those who have been vaccinated and for herd immunity to work a huge population needs to be vaccinated.  According to a Time of India report, AIIMS director, Dr. Randeep Guleria says wearing masks and physical distancing need to continue even by those who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as the virus is constantly mutating and there is still uncertainty about how much vaccines can protect against the emerging variants. “I think there is need to be cautious and at least till we have more data. Keeping in mind that this virus is very clever and keeps mutating, we cannot say what will be the protection from vaccines as far as new emerging variants are concerned. It is better to wear masks and maintain physical distance because no matter what the variants are, masks and physical distancing will protect,” he was quoted as saying.  Covid Herd Immunity According to WHO, "To safely achieve herd immunity against COVID-19, a substantial proportion of a population would need to be vaccinated, lowering the overall amount of virus able to spread in the whole population. One of the aims with working towards herd immunity is to keep vulnerable groups who cannot get vaccinated (e.g. due to health conditions like allergic reactions to the vaccine) safe and protected from the disease". WHO further stated that research about heard immunity is still ongoing, "We are still learning about immunity to COVID-19. Most people who are infected with COVID-19 develop an immune response within the first few weeks, but we don’t know how strong or lasting that immune response is, or how it differs for different people. There have also been reports of people infected with COVID-19 for a second time. Until we better understand COVID-19 immunity, it will not be possible to know how much of a population is immune and how long that immunity last for, let alone make future predictions. These challenges should preclude any plans that try to increase immunity within a population by allowing people to get infected." According to a New York Times report, "Scientists do not know whether vaccinated people spread the virus to those who are unvaccinated. While all of the Covid-19 vaccines are spectacularly good at shielding people from severe illness and death, the research is unclear on exactly how well they stop the virus from taking root in an immunized person’s nose and then spreading to others." 

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Freedom Fighter Bhagat Singh's Nephew Passes Away Due To Post-COVID Complications

Mohali: Freedom fighter Bhagat Singh’s nephew Abhay Singh Sandhu died of COVID-19, a press release from the state government said on Friday. Abhay Singh Sandhu passed away due to post Covid complications at Fortis hospital in Mohali. Expressing condolences over the demise of Sandhu (63), Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu said the social activist, passed away at Fortis hospital, "where he failed to recover from post-COVID-19 health-related complications". Abhay Singh Sandhu was the son of Kulbir Singh, the younger brother of the revolutionary leader Bhagat Singh. He died at Fortis Hospital in Mohali, the press release said. Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed grief over Sandhu's demise.  "Saddened to know about the demise of Abhay Singh Sandhu Ji, nephew of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh Ji who passed away after a long illness. My heartfelt condolences to his family. We will bear the expenditure incurred on his treatment. May Waheguru grant him eternal peace," Chief Minister Amarinder Singh said in a tweet.  [tw]https://twitter.com/capt_amarinder/status/1393210903948976135[/tw] In a condolence message, Balbir Sidhu recalled the remarkable role of Abhay Sandhu as a social activist. "Sandhu relentlessly worked to spread the ideology of Shaheed Bhagat Singh at the world level," Sidhu said. Abhay Singh Sandhu had also lent his support to the farmers' agitation against the Centre's new farm laws.

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DRDO's 2-DG Drug To Be Launched Next Week; Know How It Will Help In Covid-19 Treatment, Reduce Oxygen Dependence & More

New Delhi: The first batch of DRDO drug '2-DG' will be given its initial launch with 10,000 doses next week. Informing about this, DRDO officials said that they ramping up production for its future use in the treatment of Covid patients. This drug has been made by a team of DRDO scientists, including Dr. Anant Narayan Bhatt. "The first batch of 10,000 doses of 2-DG medicine for the treatment of Covid-19 infected patients would be launched early next week and will be given to patients," a DRDO official was quoted as saying. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" href="https://ift.tt/33Yqh9z Witnesses Dip In Covid Cases With 3.26 Lakh New Infections In Last 24 Hrs, 3890 Fatalities</a> Yesterday, the Health Minister of Karnataka Dr. K Sudhakar visited the DRDO campus. DRDO scientists briefed the minister about the 2DG drug that could be a "game-changer" in the battle of Covid. "The 2-DG drug developed by DRDO is a big breakthrough and could be a game-changer in the battle against pandemic as it helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces oxygen dependence," Sudhakar was quoted as saying in a statement issued by his office. Scientists briefed Dr. K Sudhakar about the ongoing efforts at the premier research organisation to find solutions to tackle the pandemic. What is the 2-DG & Which institute has developed it? The 2-DG is a 2-deoxy-D-glucose drug that will be given as an anti-Covid-19 therapeutic application. It will be given as an adjunct therapy or an alternative treatment, and its purpose is to assist the primary treatment. It comes in powder form in sachets, which is to be taken orally by dissolving in water. It has been developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), in collaboration with Dr Reddys Laboratories (DRL), Hyderabad. How does 2DG help in the treatment of Covid patients? The Clinical trial results of the 2-DG drug have shown that this molecule helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence. A higher proportion of patients treated with 2-DG showed RT-PCR negative conversion in Covid patients. DRDO has stated that the drug would be of benefit to the people suffering from Covid-19. "The drug is expected to save precious lives due to the mechanism of operation of the drug in infected cells. This also reduces the hospital stay of COVID-19 patients," the defence ministry had stated. How does 2DG reduce Oxygen dependence? The 2 DG drug is said to work on virus infection spread into lungs which can help doctors to decrease patients dependability on oxygen. "It accumulates in the virus-infected cells and prevents virus growth by stopping viral synthesis and energy production. Its selective accumulation in virally infected cells makes this drug unique," the ministry had said upon approval. When and how did testing of 2DG drug take place? In April 2020, during the first wave of the Coronavirus pandemic, INMAS-DRDO scientists conducted laboratory experiments with the help of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, and found that this molecule works effectively against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and inhibits the viral growth. Based on these results, the Drugs Controller General of Indias (DCGI) Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) is said to have permitted Phase-2 clinical trial of 2-DG in Covid-19 patients in May 2020. The DRDO, along with its industry partner DRL in Hyderabad, started clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the drug in Covid-19 patients. Phase-2 trials which included dose-ranging were conducted during May-October 2020 and the drug was found to be safe in Coronavirus patients. It showed significant improvement in their recovery, Phase-2 was conducted in six hospitals on 110 patients and Phase 2b (dose-ranging) clinical trial was conducted at 11 hospitals across the country. What have Phase 3 trials concluded? Based on successful results, DCGI allowed Phase-3 clinical trials in November 2020. Phase-3 clinical trials were conducted on 220 patients between December 2020 to March 2021 in 27 Covid hospitals in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Detailed data of Phase 3 clinical trial were presented to DCGI. A significant improvement was witnessed in symptoms experienced by patients. A similar trend was seen in patients older than 65 years. Besides the 2DG, DRDO has come up with another innovative solution called the Oxycare System which optimises the consumption of oxygen and reduces the workload and exposure of healthcare providers by eliminating the need to routinely measure and make manual adjustments to oxygen flow. Karnataka Health Minister Dr. K Sudhakar has informed that the PM-CARES Fund would procure 1.5 lakh units of Oxycare System at a cost of Rs 322.5 crore. (With Agency Inputs)

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India Witnesses Dip In Covid Cases For 3rd Consecutive Day, Records 3.26 Lakh New Infections In Last 24 Hrs

Covid In India: India reports 3,26,098 new COVID 19 cases, 3,53,299 discharges and 3,890 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry. Total cases: 2,43,72,907 Total discharges: 2,04,32,898 Death toll: 2,66,207 Active cases: 36,73,802 Total vaccination: 18,04,57,579 The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said that 31,30,17,193 samples tested for COVID 19 up to 14th May 2021. Of these, 16,93,093 samples were tested yesterday. Karnataka which is the worst Covid-affected state has reported 3,500 Covid-19 related deaths between May 7 and 13, higher than the toll reported in any month since the outbreak of the pandemic last year. The highest deaths were seen in August last year, when Karnataka registered 3,388 deaths.  West Bengal on Friday registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases, taking the tally to 10,94,802, the health department said in its bulletin. The toll rose to 12,993 after 136 more people, including five eminent doctors, succumbed to the infection, the bulletin said. The Kerala government on Friday extended the ongoing Covid-19 lockdown in the state by a week to May 23, due to the increasing number of infections of the coronavirus disease. The chief minister’s announcement came on a day when Kerala reported 34,694 new cases of Covid-19 and 93 related fatalities on the day, taking the state’s cases tally to 2,085,583 and death toll to 6,243, a bulletin from the state health department showed.  India's COVID-19 tally crossed the 10 million mark on December 19 and in under six months it has doubled, surpassing the grim milestone of 20 million cases on May 4.

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Mizoram Minister Undergoing Covid Treatment Mops Hospital Floors, Wins Praise For Humility

Aizawl: Mizoram's power and electricity department minister R Lalzirliana is garnering a lot of praise from netizens on social media for mopping the floors of a hospital, where he is undergoing treatment for Covid-19 along with his wife and son. An image of the minister mopping the hospital floor has gone viral. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3fivbU2" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458422">B16172 Covid Variant, First Found In India May Disrupt UK's Reopening Plans: Boris Johnson</a> Mizoram's power and electricity department minister R Lalzirliana said that by mopping the hospital floors he was not trying to embarrass medical staff or authorities but wanted to set an example for others. The matter came to light as a photo of the incident was shared on social media garnering a lot of praise. [tw]https://twitter.com/asomputra/status/1393233491760795650[/tw]  Lalzirliana told that the sweeper could not come and respond when called to clean their room as it was messy. This prompted him to do the job himself. "My motive in mopping the floors was not to embarrass the nurses or doctors but I want to educate and lead others by setting an example," Lalzirliana told news agency PTI. "Sweeping, mopping the floors, or performing household chores are no new jobs to me. I used to do at home and other places when it is required to do so," the minister said, adding that he did not consider himself as being above others due to his profile. He had previously cleaned and mopped the floor at Mizoram house in Delhi during his visit to the national capital in the past. ALSO READ | <a style="color: #e03e2d;" title="" href="https://ift.tt/3ycNrGZ" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-toggle="tooltip" data-html="true" data-original-title="Story ID: 1458428" aria-describedby="tooltip851672">'Second Year Of Covid Pandemic To Be Far More Deadly Than The First': WHO</a> The 71-year-old Mizo National Front (MNF) leader and his wife Lalthangmawii (59) were diagnosed to have contracted Covid-19 on May 11. Earlier, his son had tested positive on May 8. After being placed under home isolation, they were shifted to the state's lone dedicated Covid-19 hospital Zoram Medical College (ZMC) on May 12 when Lalzirliana showed a sudden drop in oxygen level. "We are fine here. The medical staff and nurses are taking good care of us," he said. Additionally, R Lalzirliana had appealed to medical staff and nurses to be polite and kind towards coronavirus patients as their good care can positively impact them.

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'Second Year Of Pandemic To Be Far More Deadly Than The First': WHO

New Delhi: On Friday, the World Health Organization warned that the second year of the pandemic is likely to be far more deadlier than the first one. WHO said that it was the only way to ensure that the protection from the deadly virus and emphasized on the need for 'equitable vaccine'. "We're on track for the second year of this pandemic to be far more deadly than the first," said the World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. ALSO READ: <a style="color: #f80707;" href="https://ift.tt/3hy6FkB Back To Lockdown Mode For One Month After Discovering 24 Cases</a> WHO extends help to India Ghebreyesus added that the WHO is responding to the COVID-19 surge in India and has shipped thousands of oxygen concentrators, tents for mobile field hospitals, masks and other medical supplies. "India remains hugely concerning, with several states continuing to see a worrying number of cases, hospitalisations and deaths," he said at the daily media briefing. "And we thank all the stakeholders who are supporting India," the WHO Director-General said. On Friday, India reported at least 4,000 deaths in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry whereas the case load remained over 3 lakhs at 3,43,144 new Covid cases were reported.  He talked about how vaccine supply remains a key challenge and that saving lives and livelihoods with a combination of public health measures and vaccination - not one or the other - is the only way out of the pandemic. Sputnik V Vaccines in India The centre informed that the Russian vaccine Sputnik V will be available in the market from next week and the price of the vaccine has been revealed by the manufacturer. Dr Reddy's Laboratories, which is manufacturing the Sputnik V vaccine in India, said, Imported coronavirus disease (Covid-19) vaccine produced by Russia, Sputnik V, will cost ₹995.40 per dose in India while the price of vaccines produced in the country may be lower.  Countries around the world & Covid In Japan, a state of emergency has been extended in three more regions, meanwhile, a petition with 350,000 signatures has been submitted calling for the Olympics to be cancelled.  According to AFP, capital of Taiwan, Taipei is indefinitely closing down entertainment venues, libraries and sports centres in the wake of an outbreak of infections first detected among pilots. The island has been a global leader in containing the pandemic, with just 1,290 confirmed cases and 12 deaths. However, in Europe, tourist hotspots are opening up with Greece opening up for tourism season in the hopes to reverse last year's losses. Similarly, France and Spain launched tourism campaigns this week while Italy said it was scrapping a quarantine requirement for visitors who test negative for coronavirus from the EU, Britain and Israel. On Friday, Portugal announced that British tourists and football fans will be allowed in. The US, on Thursday, said it was lifting mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people. "I think it's a great milestone, a great day," President Biden said.  Some people, however, said they would continue to wear their masks out of caution.

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