Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Two farmers die near Singhu border, 1 found COVID positive

Two farmers from Punjab, who were part of the group protesting here against the new farm laws, passed away with one of them found COVID positive, officials said on Wednesday.

The two farmers Balbir Singh (50) and Mahender Singh (70) residents of Patiala and Ludhiana respectively died on Tuesday.

They were part of the group protesting near the Singhu Border.

Sonipat’s Chief Medical Officer Jaswant Singh Punia said Balbir had been suffering from fever for a couple of days.

He was declared brought dead at a government hospital and a test revealed that he had COVID, said Punia.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Assam reports 89 fresh COVID deaths

Assam reported 89 deaths due to COVID-19 on Wednesday, while the number of coronavirus cases rose sharply with 6,143 persons testing positive, pushing the total number of infections to 3,47,001, the National Health Mission (NHM) said.

With 26 persons in Kamrup Metropolitan, eight each in Dibrugarh and Kamrup, Karbi Anglong (6),Cachar (5), three each in Jorhat, Morigaon, Sonitpur and Tinsukia, two each in Barpeta, Charaideo, Goalpara, Hojai, Kokrajhar, Nagaon, Sivasagar and Udalguri, and one each in Biswanath, Bongaigaon, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Hailakandi, Nalbari and South Salmara, the total number of deaths rose to 2,433 persons.

NHM said 1,347 more COVID-19 patients have died till now, but the government’s Death Audit Board has not included them in the tally of deaths caused by the COVID-19 virus as they had other ailments too. With the detection of 6,143 patients against testing of 1,02,040 samples on Wednesday, Assam has reported a positivity rate of 6.02 per cent for the day, the NHM daily bulletin said

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

More than 100 COVID-19 deaths for second consecutive day in Bihar

More than 100 COVID-19 deaths were reported in Bihar for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, though the state appeared to have left the worst behind with recovery rate exceeding 90 percent and active caseload dipping to nearly half of what it was during the peak.

According to the health department, the COVID-19 death toll has risen to 4,143 with 104 fresh fatalities. On Tuesday, 111 fatalities were reported, the highest number for a single day in the state.

Besides, 6,059 fresh cases have raised the overall tally to 6.70 lakh. However, 6.07 lakh people have recovered from the coronavirus infection so far.

The number of active cases, which had increased more than 50 times since the beginning of April and stood at more than 1.15 lakh till a few weeks ago, has dropped to 58,610.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra logs 34,031 new COVID-19 cases, 594 deaths

Maharashtra reported 34,031 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, which took the infection tally to 54,67,537, while the death of 594 patients pushed the toll to 84,371, the state health department said.

On Tuesday, the state had recorded 28,438 cases and 679 deaths.

As compared to the previous day, the single-day death toll of the state dropped by 85, but the case count rose by 5,593 on Wednesday.

A total of 51,457 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, which took the recovery count to 49,78,937.

With this, the number of active cases in the state is now 4,01,695, the department said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Mumbai records 1,350 new COVID-19 cases, 57 deaths

Mumbai reported 1,350 new coronavirus positive cases and 57 deaths on Wednesday, taking its overall infection tally to 6,92,239 and fatality count to 14,409, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

The city’s daily COVID-19 case count surged by nearly 400 and the death toll by 13 as compared to Tuesday, when it recorded 953 cases and 44 fatalities.

Mumbai currently has 29,643 active COVID-19 cases following the discharge of 4,565 patients from hospitals. The recovery count of the metropolis is now 6,46,163. The city’s recovery rate has improved to 93 percent, it said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Nagaland extends lockdown till 31 May as COVID cases continue to rise

Considering the consistent rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Nagaland government on Wednesday decided to extend the ongoing total lockdown till May 31, officials said.

At a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, the state’s High Powered Committee (HPC) on COVID-19 made the decision two days before the current week-long lockdown comes to an end.

The ongoing total lockdown, which came into effect from 6 pm on May 14, was imposed to contain the spread of coronavirus. However, there was not much improvement in the situation.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Harsh Vardhan advises people against indiscriminate, excessive use of steroids

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Wednesday cautioned people against indiscriminate and excessive use of steroids saying COVID-19 complications are being seen across the country due to breach of treatment protocols.

Vardhan, who inspected a newly installed oxygen plant and the construction progress of new COVID blocks at Safdarjung Hospital this morning said that people are taking heavy doses of steroids even when they have not turned hypoxic, a health ministry statement said.

“Steroids are to be provided only when a patient is hypoxic, to be administered in small doses to prevent side effects and not more than a few days at a stretch. Recommendations of a doctor are must for the use of these medicines,” he said.

These steps should take care of the occurrence of the higher number of Mucormycosis infections being reported country-wide, he hoped.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

AP clocks 23,160 new COVID-19 cases,24,819 recoveries,106 deaths

Recoveries outnumbered fresh cases of coronavirus in Andhra Pradesh after a long gap on Wednesday as the state reported 24,819 and 23,160 in that order, apart from 106 deaths. The total positives reached 14,98,532. The gross recoveries increased to 12,79,110 while the toll climbed to 9,686, according to the latest bulletin. The active caseload decreased to 2,09,736, it said.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi has one day’s Covaxin stock for 45+ age group, key workers, says Atishi

“For those above 45 years, healthcare workers and frontline workers, Covaxin’s stock is left for one day, and Covishield’s stock is remaining for three days. We have received 45,44,250 doses for this category, out of which, 42,88,350 have been utilised. This means, 2,55,900 are still left with us. We are expecting another stock of Covishield for 45-plus group, to arrive in the next three days,” said AAP leader Atishi.

Hence, it is being hoped that the immunisation of this category will continue. Covaxin’s stock has not been committed by the Centre, but we are in talks with them to initiate its supply, as a lot of people are going to be ready to take the second dose of Covaxin in the coming days, the AAP leader said. “We are hoping that the Centre will understand this problem of vaccine shortage that Delhi is facing and will supply enough vaccine doses at the earliest,” she added. 

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi’s Covishield stock for 18-44 age group to last only two day, says Atishi

 AAP MLA Atishi said on Wednesday that Delhi’s stock of Covishield vaccine for the 18-44 age group will last only two days, beyond which the vaccination for this category will have to be halted.The stock of Covaxin for this age group is over, she said. In a vaccination bulletin issued online, she also said, “we will have to temporarily shut down nearly 350 centres, administering Covishield to 18-44 years group, after two days from now”.

“On May 18, 1,05,357 doses were administered, out of which, 88,332 doses were given to those who received it for the first time. This has been a high figure post the walk-in vaccination of 45 and above age group in government schools. The second doses accounted for 17,025,” she said. Over 48 lakh doses have been administered in total. Out of these, nearly 10,94,619 people have received both their shots and are fully vaccinated, she said.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India to procure vaccines by year-end to cover all adults, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Wednesday said India will have procured 267 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of this year, and will be in a position to inoculate at least all of its adult population, according to an official statement.  Interacting with the health ministers and principal secretaries/ additional chief secretaries of West Bengal and eight northeast states, Vardhan said, “Between August to December 2021, India will have procured 216 crore vaccine doses while, by July this year, 51 crore doses will be procured.” He urged states to ensure that the healthcare and frontline workers are fully vaccinated, as they form the vulnerable categories.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

COVID-19 protocols must be adhered to at oath-taking ceremony, directs Kerala HC

According to LiveLaw , the Kerala High Court observing that the state is a  “forerunner in COVID-19 management”, said all COVID-19 protocols must be followed at the oath-taking ceremony. Political parties should decide whether the presence of all MLAs in required to attend, the court directed. “The spouses and relatives of all the MLAs, except the designated ministers, are not required to participate in the Swearing-in Ceremony. The ceremony can be viewed from the residence of the respective MLAs. Government officials required for the performance/ participation in the ceremony alone shall be permitted,” the court said in its order.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Kerala HC allows physical swearing-in ceremony, urges govt to consider reducing attendees

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday refused to set aside the state government’s decision to hold a physical swearing in ceremony for the new CPM-led LDF government headed by Pinarayi Vijayan, reports Bar&Bench. The court however urged the Kerala government to consider reducing the number of participants for Thursday’s ceremony. 

“Though States like West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, with more number of Legislators in the Assembly have performed the Swearing-in Ceremony with lesser number, Government of Kerala, a forerunner in Covid-19 management, should restrict the number to the maximum to avoid the widespread COVID-19”, it said in the order.

Vijayan had said the cermeony would be held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram with adherence to COVID-19 protocol and in the presence of 500 guests.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Nearly 11,800 MT LMO delivered so far, says railways ministry

The Indian Railways has so far delivered nearly 11,800 MT of LMO in more than 727 tankers to various states across the country, the Ministry of Railways said in a press release. A total of 196 Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey so far, it said. So far 521 MT of Oxygen has been offloaded in Maharashtra, nearly 2979 MT in UP, 498 MT in MP, 1507 MT in Haryana, 653 MT in Telangana, 97 MT in Rajasthan, 481 MT in Karnataka, 200 MT in Uttarakhand, 440 MT in Tamil Nadu, 227 MT in Andhra Pradesh, 81 MT in Punjab, 117 MT in Kerala and more than 3978 MT in Delhi, the ministry said.

Oxygen Expresses have been delivering nearly 800 MT of LMO to the Nation each day for last few days, it added.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

BMC receives 3 bids to import 1 crore Sputnik vaccine doses, say reports

As per reports,  Mumbai’s Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation has received bids from three vaccine manufacturing companies to import 1 crore doses of Sputnik V vaccine, BMC Commissioner Iqbal Singh Chahal said on Wednesday.

Mumbai estimates to spend about 7 billion rupees (Rs 700 crores) to buy the vaccine shots, Chahal told Bloomberg TV. “Once we get 15 million vaccine shots, I plan to vaccinate the entire city in the next 60 days and by doing so I am very sure we will be able to stop the third wave from coming," he said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Prove Pragya’s ‘gaumutra’ claim: Congress MLA tells Harsh Vardhan

A Congress MLA on Wednesday appealed to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and the National Health Mission to scientifically prove Bhopal BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur’s claim about the ‘gaumutra’ (cow urine) protection against coronavirus.

In his letter to Harsh Vardhan, senior Congress leader PC Sharma said, “Pragya Singh Thakur is a senior BJP leader and MP from Bhopal. She stated that gaumutra cures the infection of lungs and the COVID-19. Her words must be credible”.

On Sunday, Thakur told a function that the cow urine extract offers protection against lung infections and coronavirus. “Now the pandemic is spread in villages. It is apprehended that statements of Thakur will leave the villagers who have faith in ‘Gau Mata’ (the cow) confused and they will start tasking this medication (cow urine) ignoring the well- established treatment of allopathy”, said Sharma, who represents the Bhopal South-West Assembly constituency.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi HC asks Centre, AAP govt to apprise on shortage of medicine to treat black fungus

The Delhi High Court Wednesday asked the Centre and Delhi Government to apprise on the issue of shortage of medicine used for treating black fungus, which is primarily affecting people recovering from COVID-19, reports PTI.

The high court said the government will have to elaborate what is the bottleneck and how the medicine can suddenly be in short supply when it is locally manufactured.

Tomorrow you tell us about your stock, your supply and how you are distributing it and what is the rationale behind it, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh said.

The issue of shortage of medicine Amphotericin B, for treating Mucormycosis (black fungus) was raised by advocate Rakesh Malhotra who also referred to a recent order passed by the Delhi government concerning requisitioning of the drug for the ailment.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Karnataka announces Rs 1,250 cr COVID relief package; Opposition calls it ‘unscientific, meagre’

 Opposition parties Congress and JD(S) termed as unscientific and meagre the Rs 1,250- crore financial package announced by Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa to provide relief to those affected by COVID-19 induced lockdown.

Earlier on Wednesday, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced over Rs 1,250 crore relief package for those whose livelihood has been affected by COVID-19 induced lockdown. The chief minister also said a decision will be taken on extending the current lockdown, a couple of days ahead of it coming to a close on 24 May.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

 Over 12,000 oxygen concentrators received as global aid sent to states and UTs, says health ministry

Cumulatively, 12,874 oxygen concentrators, 15,801 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 9,925 ventilators/ BiPAP,  nearly 6.1 lakh Remdesivir vials received as international aid from various countries and organisations have been delivered/ dispatched to states and UTs through road and air, from 27 April to 18 May, the Union health ministry said in a press release.

Major consignments received on 17/18 May from Spain, Ontario, New Zealand, South Korea and Germany include 191 oxygen concentrators, 1,399ventilators/ BiPAP/CPAP and  500 infrared thermometers, it said. “Effective immediate allocation, and streamlined delivery to the recipient states/UTs and institutions is an ongoing exercise,” the ministry said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

How are celebrities, politicians getting COVID-19 drugs, Bombay HC asks Centre, state

The Bombay High Court on Wednesday directed the Maharashtra government and the Centre to file affidavits explaining how celebrities and politicians were procuring anti-COVID-19 drugs, medical oxygen and other relief materials for coronavirus patients. A bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni had asked for such details last week as well from the the Maharashtra government and the Centre, who faced flak during hearing for non-compliance of previous orders.

However, on Wednesday the state government submitted a report merely saying it had served show cause notices (on procuring COVID-19 relief materials) to Mumbai Congress MLA Zeeshan Siddique and the Sood Charity Foundation (an NGO of actor Sonu Sood), but was yet to receive their replies.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Plea in SC for making PM CARES FUND party in case on COVID-19 management

 A plea has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking to make Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situations Fund (PM CARES Fund) a party in the pending case on COVID-19 management.  An intervention application filed by activist Saket Gokhale in the suo motu case on distribution of essential supplies and services during pandemic said that PM CARES FUND be asked to clarify about the current status of the fund, its links with the Centre, details of funds allocated and progress made towards COVID-19 relief and the status of the projects sanctioned.  

On 28 March , last year, the Centre had set up the PM CARES Fund with the primary objective to deal with any kind of emergency situation like the one currently posed by the COVID-19 outbreak and provide relief to those affected.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh records 7,336 new cases, 282 deaths

 Uttar Pradesh’s COVID-19 tally on Wednesday rose to 16,44,851 with 7,336 fresh cases, the lowest single-day rise since 30 April, while 282 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 18,354, an official said. At present, there are 1,23,579 active cases in the state and 15,02,918 people have recovered from COVID-19, Additional Chief Secretary, Health, Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters. He said the recovery rate of the state is now at 91.4 percent and active cases have come down by over 1.87 lakh in the past 19 days. On 30 April , there were 3,10,783 active cases which have now come down to 1,23,579, he said.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

43 deaths in one month in Rajasthan’s Somalpur, villagers blame COVID-19

 Over 40 people have died in a month in a village in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district, a big jump in the numbers amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in rural areas. Only seven of the 43 people who died had tested positive for coronavirus in Somalpur village, officials said on Wednesday. But villagers claim that many of the other deaths could also be due to the infection.

A total of 43 persons, including 23 women, have died in Somalpur village in the last one month," Dr Hukum Singh, in-charge of the health and wellness centre in the area, said, adding that all those who died were elderly people. “Of them, four men and three women were coronavirus positive while the status of the infection in the remaining people is not known but all of them were suffering from different diseases like kidney or heart disease,” he said.  However, locals claim that the number of deaths is double than the usual deaths recorded in the village and suspected COVID infection as the reason.

PTI

Case against Nanded hospital for hiding COVID-19 patient’s death for money

 A case has been registered against a private hospital in Maharashtra’s Nanded for allegedly taking money in the name of treatment from family members of a

COVID-19 patient even after his death, police said on Wednesday.

The man died on 21 April while undergoing treatment but his death was announced by the hospital authorities only on April 24 until his family members paid the amount asked by the facility, the official said quoting the FIR.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

IISc start-up PathShodh gets regulatory approval for COVID-19 test

 PathShodh Healthcare, a start- up incubated at the Society for Innovation and Development, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), said on Wednesday it has
secured regulatory approval for semi-quantitative electrochemical ELISA test for COVID-19 IgM and IgG antibodies  PathShodh said in a statement it has received the licence to manufacture the test for sale from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation after due diligence validation at the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute, Faridabad, as per the requirements of the Indian Council of Medical Research.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Two  black fungus cases reported in UP’s Aligarh

Two cases of black fungus or mucormycosis were confirmed here, Chief Medical Officer Bhanu Partap Kalyani said on Wednesday.  Of late, the disease has been reported among patients who are either recovering or have recovered from COVID-19. A person can get infected with black fungus by coming in contact with fungal spores present in the environment.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi govt says third wave from Singapore or other nation, HC says India has own variants

The Delhi High Court Wednesday cautioned the Delhi Government from stretching any further the issue that a third wave of COVID-19 could be coming from Singapore or some other country, saying India already has its own variants of the virus and does not need any other nation for it. " Let’s be clear, there is no wave from Singapore and we don’t need any other country, we have our own variants," said a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Jasmeet Singh which interjected when Delhi government’s counsel was making submissions that the next wave could be coming from Singapore or some other country.  

After the remarks by the bench, senior advocate Rahul Mehra, representing the Delhi government, replied from wherever the second variant is from India only. Stressing on the need for vaccination, he also said that until and unless everyone is safe, none is safe.

The court was hearing the plea over the condition of subordinate judiciary’s judicial officers who are at risk of contracting COVID-19 owing to the nature of duties.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bombay HC asks JJ Hospital to form expert panel to examine Stan Swamy

The Bombay High Court directed the Taloja prison authorities on Wednesday to take jesuit priest Stan Swamy, an accused in the Elgar Parishad-Maoist links case, to the JJ Hospital in Mumbai for a medical examination. Swamy, 84, must be examined at the state-run medical facility at 10.30 am on Thursday, it said.

A vacation bench of Justices S J Kathawalla and S P Tavade directed the hospital’s dean to form a committee of expert doctors, including a neuro-physician, an ENT specialist, an orthopaedic, a general physician, and other doctor required, to examine Swamy.The bench also directed the state government to submit a report of the medical examination before the HC by 21 May.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Black fungus declared an epidemic in Rajasthan

Mucormycosis (black fungus), which is primarily affecting people recovering from COVID, has been declared an epidemic in Rajasthan, officials said on Wednesday.  Currently, the state has around 100 black fungus patients and a separate ward has been made at Sawai Man Singh (SMS) Hospital in Jaipur for their treatment.

Mucormycosis has been notified as an epidemic and a notifiable disease in the state under the Rajasthan Epidemic Act 2020, according to a notification issued by state’s Principal Health Secretary Akhil Arora.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

COVID-19 vaccination recommended for all lactating women, says health ministry

The Union health ministry also said that screening of vaccine recipients by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination is not required. COVID-19 vaccination is recommended for all lactating women, it said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

COVID-19 vaccination to be deferred three months after recovery, says health ministry

The Union health ministry on Wednesday said it had accepted the NEGVAC’s recommendations and COVID-19 vaccination should be deferred by three months after recovery from the illness. If infected with COVID after taking the first  vaccine dose, second dose to be deferred by three months after clinical recovery, it said

#Unite2FightCorona#LargestVaccineDrive

🔶If infected with COVID after 1st dose, 2nd dose to be deferred by 3 months after clinical recovery from #COVID19 illness

🔶COVID-19 vaccination recommended for all Lactating Women

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi reports 3,846 new cases, 235 deaths

The National Capital reported 3,846 new COVID-19 cases, its lowest daily spike since 5 April, and 235 deaths on Wednesday, as the city’s positivity rate dipped to 5.78 percent, according to the latest health bulletin. While the number of fresh infections is low, it came from a relatively smaller number of tests — 66,573 — conducted on Tuesday. This is the third day on the trot that the number of new cases has remained below 5,000.

At 5.78 percent, the positivity rate is at its lowest since 6 April, when it stood at 4.9 percent.

PTI

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bombay HC directs Maharashtra govt to transfer Hany Babu to Breach Candy Hospital by tomorrow

Bombay High Court directs the Maharashtra government to transfer Prof Hany Babu to a hospital of his choice (Breach Candy Hospital) by tomorrow as he suffering from Mucormycosis and is coronavirus positive, reports LiveLaw.  The cost of treatment will be borne by Babu and his family is permitted to communicate with him and the doctors. According _to Bar&Bench ,_The court says that Breach Candy is to submit a report on 9 June and also serve it to the NIA.The court also directs that if Hany Babu recovers before 9 June, he will be discharged and the report will be submitted whenever he is discharged.

Babu, 55, an accused in the Elgar Parishad case, was arrested in July last year. He was admitted to the government-run J J Hospital last week and later moved to the GT Hospital.

#Breaking - Bombay High Court directs the State to transfer prof Hany Babu to a hospital of his choice (Breach Candy Hospital) by tomorrow as he suffering from #BlackFungus and is Covid positive. #ElgarParishad #BombayHC #Bhimakoregaon https://t.co/PRMN6WS6Zo

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Can BMC conduct door-to-door vaccination drive: Bombay HC seeks response

The Bombay High Court Municipal directs the Mumbai Municipal Commissioner to apprise it of a door-to-door vaccination policy for elderly and disabled citizens, and if it can be introduced after obtaining consent of the relatives of such citizens who are well aware of consequences and after-effects, reports LiveLaw. The court will hear the matter tomorrow.

According to Bar&Bench, when the BMC lawyer submits that the period granted by the court is a short time, the court says,“We know it is a short time, but then lives are precious. Each day is important for them.”.

Bench requests the Municipal Commissioner, to apprise them, of door to door vaccination policy for such elderly snd disabled citizens, and if it can be introduced after obtaining consent of the relatives of such citizens, being well aware of consequences of after effects.

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

If BMC can conduct door-to-door vaccination, we will allow it, says Bombay HC

The Bombay High Court said it will allow the BMC to conduct door-to-door vaccination if the the civic body can do it for elderly and persons with disabilities unable to visit vaccination centres. “Who is appearing for Corporation? Can you do door-to-door vaccination? If you can, we will allow you. Come to help of old residents. Don’t wait for the Central government to give permission,"LiveLaw quotes the court as saying.

Bench: Who is appearing for Corporation? Can you do door to door vaccination? If you can, we will allow you. Come to help of old residents. Don’t wait for central government to give permission.#BombayHighCourt #COVID19 #Vaccination

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Deaths due to COVID-19 increasing, vaccines reducing: Rahul Gandhi

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused the Centre of diverting attention and said while deaths due to COVID-19 are increasing the vaccines are reducing.   He also shared graphs showing a decline in COVID-19 vaccinations and the rise in number of daily deaths due to coronavirus.

“Vaccines are decreasing and Covid deaths are increasing. The Central government policy – Divert attention, spread untruth, make noise by hiding facts,” he charged in a tweet in Hindi.

वैक्सीन कम होती जा रही हैं और कोविड मृत्यु बढ़ती जा रही हैं।

केंद्र सरकार की नीति-

ध्यान भटकाओ,
झूठ फैलाओ,
शोर मचाकर तथ्य छुपाओ। pic.twitter.com/aIJwvMYBTW

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Delhi to form special task force to protect children from third wave, says Kejriwal

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Wednesday that the Delhi government will form a special task force to protect children from the third wave of COVID-19.  He said the decision was taken at a meeting with officials.

“If the third wave of COVID comes, then we have to be prepared in advance to fight it. In a meeting with the officials today took some important decisions. To create special task force to protect children from the third wave, better management of adequate beds, oxygen and essential medicines than last time,” Kejriwal said in a tweet in Hindi. 

अगर कोरोना की तीसरी लहर आती है तो उससे लड़ने के लिए हमें पहले से तैयार रहना होगा, आज अधिकारियों के साथ बैठक में कुछ महत्वपूर्ण निर्णय लिए-

1. तीसरी लहर से बच्चों को बचाने के लिए बनाएंगे विशेष टास्क फ़ोर्स

2. पर्याप्त बेड, ऑक्सीजन और ज़रूरी दवाओं का पहले से बेहतर प्रबंधन pic.twitter.com/KNSviE0p4N

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Door-to-door vaccination should be provided to all genders, says petitioner in Bombay HC

Advocate Dhruti Kapadia, who filed a petition in Bombay High Court seeking door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination for the elderly and those indisposed or physically challenged, Wednesday said the option should also be made available for all genders. 

“Under gender category, it only provides option for male and female. Third gender should also be added or else they will miss out. Its a point of thought they should apply their minds on this,” said Kapadia while reading the BMC affidavit.

The high court on Wednesday had sought an affidavit from the Mumbai civic body on the steps it intends to take on a ward wise vaccination camp in the city in its 200 plus wards.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bombay HC seeks Centre’s response on plea seeking door-to-door vaccination

Bombay High Court directed the Centre to file a reply by Wednesday on what measures it took to comply with its assurance on taking a relook at its policy barring door-to-door vaccination at this stage.

Earlier on 12 May, the high court bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Girish Kulkarni observed that if the door to door policy on vaccination was implemented it may have saved lives and benefitted many.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Sudan bans travellers from India, imposes other COVID-19 curbs

Sudan will restrict all travellers who have visited India within the prior two weeks, the country’s health emergency committee said in a statement. India’s total COVID-19 caseload topped 2.54 crore on Wednesday, and there are concerns about the spread of a new, highly infectious B.1.617 variant, first found there.

Sudan’s health emergency committee also warned that total COVID-19 cases in the African country could top the 100,000 mark by mid-June if restrictions were not imposed.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Plea in Bombay HC seeks door-to-door vaccination for those above 75 years

The Bombay High Court Wednesday will continue to hear plea seeking door-to-door vaccination for citizens above 75 years, the bedridden and differently abled. 

“Question is how will they identify people in wards as they will be moving around. Also doing this online will be difficult. Why is walk in not allowed. That leverage is missing, when i read out the affidavit,” said petitioner Dhruti Kapadia.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

PIL against Covaxin trial on 2-18 age group: Delhi HC seeks Centre’s stand

A PIL to set aside the permission granted by the Drugs Controller General of India to Bharat Biotech for conducting the phase II/III clinical trial of its Covaxin COVID-19 vaccine on the 2-18 age group was heard on Wednesday by the Delhi High Court which sought the Centre’s stand.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to the ministries of Health and Woman and Child Development, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Bharat Biotech seeking their stand by 15 July on the petition.

The court declined to pass any interim order staying the permission, granted on 12 May, for clinical trials as sought by the petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar, who is a lawyer.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Bombay HC suggests Centre to relook at medical college policy

Bombay corporation has unique vision since ages. No other corporation in Maharashtra has the vision to establish these medical colleges. There are 5 medical colleges only in Bombay, said the Bombay High Court on Wednesday.

“A medical candidate in a special category maybe Defence, or any other, is getting admission at 192 out of 700 NEET Score but one at 534 wasn’t getting admission. We would’ve hundred and lakhs of students who received 400-500 score, but wouldn’t be considered to be of worth to pursue medical education . Then now we say we don’t have doctors,” said the bench.

Justice Kulkarni: There has to be a relook at medical education now. The pandemic has been a real eye opener. #BombayHighCourt

ASG agrees. It needs to be relooked

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Tejashwi Yadav converts govt residence to COVID-19 care centre 

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday converted his government residence into a COVID-19 care centre. Yadav has set up the centre at 1 polo road in Patna from his private funds. He said that it has all the necessary medical equipment, beds, oxygen and provision for free food.

“I request the state government to convert all the government residence provided to us into COVID-19 care centres, quarantine centres because people are not getting beds, oxygen and other medical facilities at the government hospitals,” he said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

BMC’s core work of public health has been neglected, says Bombay HC

Quantities of oxygen, distribution of Remdesivir, these persons have received are not small quantities. That’s why we have included Centre, said the Bombay High Court on Wednesday while hearing petitions to Remdesivir and oxygen suply and other COVID-19 related matters.

“The core work of Municipal Corporation is public health which has been neglected,” observed the bench. 

Bench: Manufacturers are very well in control of UOI. All we wanted was a report which could have come in a day but no effort is being made#BombayHighcourt

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Karnataka CM announces Rs 1,250 cr COVID-19 relief package

Karnataka chief minister BS Yediyurappa announced an economic relief package of Rs 1,250 crore on Wednesday to assist those who have been affected by the second wave of COVID-19.

The state government said it will provide Rs 3,000 each for auto/taxi drivers and construction workers, Rs 2,000 for workers in the unorganised sector and Rs 10,000 per hectare for floriculture farmers.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Arvind Kejriwal doesn’t speak for India: S Jaishankar on Delhi CM’s tweet on ‘Singapore COVID-19 strain’

A day after Arvind Kejriwal raised concerns over the ’new COVID-19 variant’ in Singapore, the country had summoned the Indian envoy and conveyed ‘strong objection’ to the remarks. The envoy had told them that the Delhi chief minister ‘had no competence’ on COVID-19 variants. 

“Singapore and India have been solid partners in the fight against Covid-19. Appreciate Singapore’s role as a logistics hub and oxygen supplier. Their gesture of deploying military aircraft to help us speaks of our exceptional relationship. However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships. So, let me clarify – Delhi CM does not speak for India,” tweeted Foreign Minister S Jaishankar.

However, irresponsible comments from those who should know better can damage long-standing partnerships.

So, let me clarify- Delhi CM does not speak for India.

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) May 19, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Maharashtra records highest COVID-19 deaths at 1,291; Karnataka sees 525 fatalities

Of the 4,529 new deaths reported on Wednesday, Maharashtra continues to register the highest number of fatalities with 1,291 patients succumbing to the viral infection, according to the Union health ministry data. 

This was followed by Karnataka with 525 deaths, 364 from Tamil Nadu, 265 from Delhi, 255 from Uttar Pradesh, 231 from Punjab, 153 from Chhattisgarh, 146 from Rajasthan, 145 from West Bengal, 124 from Haryana and 111 from Bihar.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

With over 4,500 new deaths, India surpasses US in highest single-daily COVID-19 toll

India recorded 4,529 COVID-19 deaths, the highest single-daily toll in any country so far, the authorities said on Wednesday. The previous deadliest day was recorded in the United States in January, when 4,468 people died.

India reported 267,000 new cases on Tuesday, pushing the official tally over 2.5 crore, with more than 2,80,000 deaths. However, many experts believe the actual number of deaths and infections is even higher.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India’s daily COVID-19 cases drop by 13% in a week, but still highest globally: WHO

India registered a 13 percent decrease in new COVID-19 cases in the past week but the number of fresh infections was still the highest around the world, the WHO has said.

The number of new cases and deaths continued to decrease with just over 48 lakh new cases and just under 86,000 new deaths reported globally in the past week, a 12 percent and 5 percent decrease respectively compared to the previous week, according to the COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update Data received by the World Health Organization from national authorities as of 16 May.

It said that the highest number of new cases were reported from India (2,387,663 new cases), a 13 percent decrease over the previous week.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Uttar Pradesh’s positivity rate drops to 2.45%

After 2,99,327 COVID-19 samples were tested in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday, the positivity rate has come down to 2.45 percent, said Director Information & Public Relations, Uttar Pradesh government.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

International flights not operating since March 2020: Aviation minister reminds Delhi CM

Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Puri on Tuesday evening reminded Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal that international passenger flights to and from India have been suspended – with some exceptions – since March last year, when the country went into a nationwide COVID-19 lockdown.

The minister’s response came hours after Kejriwal called on the Centre to suspend flights to and from Singapore over concerns about a “new Covid strain” in the southeast Asian country. The Delhi chief minister had claimed the “new strain” was “extremely dangerous for children”.

“Kejriwalji, international flights have been closed since March 2020. We do not even have an ‘air bubble’ arrangement with Singapore. There are only a few flights – Vande Bharat Missions – to bring back Indians stranded there. After all, these are our own people,” Puri tweeted.

केजरीवाल जी, मार्च 2020 से ही अंतर्राष्ट्रीय उड़ानें बंद हैं। सिंगापुर के साथ एयर बबल भी नहीं है।

बस कुछ वन्दे भारत उड़ानों से हम वहाँ फँसे भारतीय लोगों को वापस लाते हैं। ये हमारे अपने ही लोग हैं।

फिर भी स्थिति पर हमारी नज़र है। सभी सावधानियाँ बरती जा रही हैं। pic.twitter.com/wOZMX0Q5CK

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) May 18, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India’s COVID-19 recovery rate improves to 86.23%

The number of people who have recuperated from the novel coronavirus surged to 2,19,86,363, taking the national COVID-19 recovery rate to 86.23 percent on Wednesday. The case fatality rate however increased to 1.11 per cent.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India’s active caseload reduces from 13.3% to 12.66% in a day 

The active COVID-19 cases in India have further reduced to 32,26,719 comprising 12.66 percent of the total infections, said the health ministry on Wednesday. The country registered over 2.67 lakh new cases taking the tally over 2.54 crore.

The Central government Tuesday said that a continued decline has been noted in the active cases in the last 15 days. “Continued decline noted in active COVID-19 cases in the last 15 days. From 17.13% of total caseload on 3 May, it has reduced to 13.3%,” Health Ministry Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal said.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Ex-Bengal CM Buddhadeb Bhattacharya tests COVID-19 positive

Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya has tested positive for COVID-19 and doctors have advised him to be in home isolation, health department sources confirmed.

The wife of veteran CPM leader, Mira Bhattacharya, also tested positive for the infection, following which she was admitted to a city hospital late Tuesday evening, they said.

“Swab samples of Buddhadeb Bhattacharya, his wife and their attendant were collected this morning and they tested positive for the disease,” a source said on Tuesday.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu to begin vaccination of people in 18-44 age group from 20 May

Tamil Nadu will commence vaccinating people in the 18-44 age group on 20 May, Health Minister M Subramanian said on Tuesday.

“Initially, the government will vaccinate those people aged between 18 years and 44 years from whom the coronavirus can spread much faster like auto-rickshaw drivers and factory workers,” he said.

“Chief Minister MK Stalin will formally inaugurate the programme day after tomorrow (20 May),” Subramanian told reporters after inaugurating the “oxygen on wheels” initiative launched by Inner Wheel Club of Adyar.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

US vaccines effective against COVID-19 strain first detected in India: Anthony Fauci

COVID-19 vaccines that are available in the United States are effective against the deadly variant that was first detected in India, top US health officials said on Tuesday.

The B.1.617 virus variant, first identified in India last year, has been classified as a ‘‘variant of concern’’ at the global level by the World Health Organisation.

“The modest neutralization resistance to the 617 antibodies suggests that the current vaccines that we are all using that we’ve been speaking about would be at least partially and probably quite protective,” Dr Anthony Fauci, Director of US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and the chief medical advisor to the President told reporters during a news conference.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Record single-day deaths in India with 4,529 patients succumbing to virus

With the death of 4,529 more patients, the highest so far, the total number of fatalities in the country climbed to 2,83,248 on Wednesday, said the Union health ministry. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.11 percent.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

India adds 2.67 lakh new cases

India registered 2,67,334 fresh coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the overall count over 2.54 crore on Wednesday, said the Union health ministry.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Singapore rejects Kejriwal’s tweet on ‘very dangerous’ COVID-19 strain in country

Singapore on Wednesday denied that it has any homegrown COVID-19 strain that’s affecting children, as tweeted by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.

Responding to Kejriwal’s tweet calling for a stop to air-traffic to and from the country, Singapore High Commission said, “There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore.

Kejriwal’s tweet came amid concerns over a possible third wave, which many experts said is likely to target children. The first wave has affected the elderly the most, and the younger people have been infected in the second wave, they pointed out.

There is no truth in the assertion that there is a new COVID strain in Singapore. Phylogenetic testing has shown that the B.1.617.2 variant is the prevalent strain in many of the COVID cases, including in children, in recent weeks in Singapore.https://t.co/uz0mNPNxlE https://t.co/Vyj7gyyzvJ

— Singapore in India (@SGinIndia) May 18, 2021

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

At least 32.03 cr COVID-19 samples tested so far: ICMR 

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), as many as 32,03,01,177 COVID-19 samples have been tested up to 18 May, of which 20.08 lakh samples were tested on Tuesday alone.

Coronavirus News LATEST Updates

Mumbai’s daily count drops below 1,000-mark, lowest since 2 March

Mumbai reported 953 new coronavirus infections and 44 fatalities on Tuesday, taking its overall count to 6,90,889 and toll to 14,352, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said.

For the first time since 2 March the city reported less than 1,000 COVID-19 cases, though the number of tests also dropped. On 2 March, the financial capital had recorded 849 COVID-19 cases, after which daily infections surged to four digits.