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Coronavirus LATEST Updates: The prime minister on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country and asked the officials to ensure rapid upgradation of health infrastructure Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the state has witnessed a 255 percent increase in active cases in the last two weeks even as the southern state reported 32,819 cases, the highest ever single-day surge. Haryana recorded its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths as 84 people succumbed to the disease on Tuesday, even as 11,931 fresh cases pushed the state’s infection count to 4,47,754. Terming the current wave of COVID-19 as dangerous and contagious, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the National Capital will have additional 1,200 ICU beds by 10 May. He said that a 500 ICU bed-facility will come up at Ramlila Maidan — one of the biggest grounds in the national capital – while another facility having similar capacity will be set up near the city’s GTB Hospital. We make it clear that we will not tolerate any paperwork or public announcements to show account of the steps taken and its sufficiency as it is now an open secret that the government had gone complacent due to weakening of virus impact by the end of 2020 in the state, the HC noted. The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to grant emergency leave of 60 days to certain inmates to manage prison numbers in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, an official said. The Central Government, with active and constant supervision and direct involvement of the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, is augmenting the oxygen supply on a war footing evolving and implementing innovative measures, the Centre told SC in an affidavit. “It is clear to us that the Delhi government has to pull up its socks with respect to distribution of not only liquid oxygen but also oxygen cylinders,” reports quoted the Delhi High Court as saying. The court also salmmed the state government, saying there was hoarding of both oxygen and medicines and the state govt was doing nothing. Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier during the day said there is no point in debating the number of Covid deaths at the moment and the focus should be on ensuring that more affected people recover from the disease. The Assam government on Tuesday imposed night curfew across the state from 8 pm to 5 am with immediate effect. The state disaster management authority, in its order, said the curfew will be in place till 1 May. During a hearing on the suo moto proceedings on the surge in COVIDD-19 cases in Gujarat, the High Court raps the state government, says the affidavit submitted by it paints a rosy picture and is not in touch with the ground reality. “We can’t sit on the ivory towers. The state has to take steps to break the chain,” says Justice Karia. Authorities in Western Australia said that four returning passengers, who were quarantined in a hotel at Perth, tested positive following their return from India. The top court appointed Senior Advocates Jaideep Gupta and Meenakshi Arora as amicus curiae to assist the court in the suo moto case on COVID issues. The top court is hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the COVID-19 crisis in the country. The Supreme Court on Tuesday upheld the decision taken by the Tamil Nadu government to allow re-opening of Vedanta-owned Sterlite copper smelting plant in Thoothukudi, for four months for oxygen production. The bench said that the order was passed only in view of the national need for oxygen. ‘The order will not create any equities in favour of Vendanta,’ observed the top court. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the suspension would remain in place until at least 15 May due to ‘clearly present’ risks of travel from India, leaving thousands of Australians - including high-profile cricketers stranded. With 2,51,827 patients being cured of the novel coronavirus in the past 24 hours, the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged over 1.45 crore on Tuesday. Tuesday is the seventh straight day when India’s daily COVID-19 tally remained above 3 lakh (over 3.23 lakh on Tuesday) and deaths crossed the 2,000 mark for the eighth consecutive day. With the death of 2,771 more COVID-19 patients in a day, the toll in the country increased to 1,97,894, said the Union health ministry in its latest data. This takes the national fatality rate to 1.12 percent. Essential services will be allowed between 6 am and 10 am and shops will close after that. There will be no public transport during the curfew, BS Yediyurappa said on Monday. Total vaccination across the country has crossed over 14.5 crore with more than 31 lakh doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered till 8 pm on Monday, the health ministry said. The cumulative number of vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 14,50,85,911 according to the 8 pm provisional report, the ministry said. These include 93,23,439 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 60,59,065 HCWs who have taken the second dose. As many as 1,21,00,254 frontline workers (FLWs) have received the first dose and64,11,024 FLWs have taken the second dose. Besides, 4,92,77,949 and 26,78,151 beneficiaries between 45 to 60 years have taken the first and second dose respectively, while, 5,05,37,922 and 86,98,107 aged above 60 have taken the first and second dose respectively. A total of 31,74,688 vaccine doses were given till 8 pm on Monday, the 101st day of nationwide COVID-19 vaccination. Out of these, 19,73,778 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first time and 12,00,910 beneficiaries received the second dose as per the provisional report, the ministry said, adding final reports would be completed for the day by late night. COVID-19 vaccination for those over 60 years and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions commenced from 1 March . India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from 1 April. The government has also decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 eligible to be vaccinated from 1 May.
Coronavirus Updates: Narendra Modi directs officials to work closely with state govts to start oxygen plants at earliest
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: The prime minister on Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting to review the COVID-19 situation in the country and asked the officials to ensure rapid upgradation of health infrastructure
 "Coronavirus Updates: Narendra Modi directs officials to work closely with state govts to start oxygen plants at earliest")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Assam logs 3,132 new COVID-19 cases, 18 more deaths
Assam’s COVID-19 tally surged to 2,43,802 as 3,132 more people tested positive for the infection on Tuesday while 18 new fatalities pushed the coronavirus death toll to 1,233, according to the bulletin issued by the state National Health Mission.
The 18 new fatalities were reported from Kamrup Metropolitan district (5), two each from Cachar, Goalpara, Nalbari and one each from Barpeta, Bongaigaon, Hojai, Jorhat, Kamrup Rural, Karimganj and Sivasagar districts, it said.
Of the new COVID-19 cases, Kamrup Metropolitan reported the highest number of cases at 1,313 followed by Dibrugarh (228), Kamrup Rural (197) and Jorhat (127). Assam currently has 19,923 active COVID-19 cases, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Record 381 COVID-19 deaths in Delhi; positivity rate over 32%
Delhi logged a record 381 COVID-19 deaths on Tuesday, while the positivity rate stood at 32.72 percent, according to the latest bulletin issued by the city health department. This is the sixth day on the trot that Delhi has recorded over 300 deaths due to coronavirus.
It had reported 380 deaths on Monday, 350 on Sunday, 357 deaths on Saturday, 348 on Friday and 306 on Thursday, according to government data.
The national capital had recorded 20,201 cases on Monday, 22,933 on Sunday, 24,103 on Saturday, 24,331 on Friday, 26,169 on Thursday, and 24,638 on Wednesday.
The positivity rate was 35.02 per cent on Monday, 30.21 on Sunday, 32.27 per cent on Saturday, 32.43 on Friday, 36.24 on Thursday — the highest so far — 31.28 on Wednesday and 32.82 on Tuesday.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Nagaland to impose partial lockdown for a fortnight from 30 April
Nagaland cabinet Tuesday decided to impose partial lockdown with stricter rules in the state from April 30 to May 14 in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, a government official said.
The cabinet also decided to impose a fine of Rs 200 on those not wearing a mask in public places, he said. The Neiphiu Rio government in the state decided to provide free vaccines to everyone above 18 years of age, he said.
“Fresh guidelines for the lockdown will be issued on April 29,” the advisor for IT, science and technology, Mmhonlumo Kikon said. During the partial lockdown schools, colleges, educational institutions and hostels will remain closed in the state. Online education will be permitted and encouraged, he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
CDC says many Americans can now go outside without a mask
US health officials say fully vaccinated Americans don’t need to wear masks outdoors anymore unless they are in a big crowd of strangers, and those who are unvaccinated can go without a face covering outside in some cases, too, reports The Associated Press
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the updated guidance on Tuesday in yet another carefully calibrated step on the road back to normal from the coronavirus outbreak that has killed over 570,000 people in the US.
For most of the past year, the CDC had been advising Americans to wear masks outdoors if they are within 6 feet of each other.
The change comes as more than half of US adults have gotten at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine, and more than a third have been fully vaccinated.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra reports 66,358 new COVID-19 cases, 895 deaths
Maharashtra on Tuesday reported 66,358 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 895 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 44,10,085 and the toll to 66,179, the state health department said. Mumbai recorded 3,999 new cases and 59 deaths, raising the overall tally to 6,35,483 and the toll to 12,920.
A total of 67,752 patients were discharged from hospitals in Maharashtra during the day, taking the number of recoveries to 36,69,548, a health official said.
Of the 895 fatalities, 392 occurred in the last 48 hours and 179 in the last week. While the rest 324 deaths had occurred in the period before the last week, these figures were added to the toll now, the official explained. Maharashtra is now left with 6,72,434 active cases, the official said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Manipur BJP President tests COVID-19 positive
BJP Manipur unit president Prof S Tikendra Singh said on Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. Singh told PTI over the phone that he has quarantined himself at his home at Nambol in Bishnupur district after he tested positive for COVID-19.
He said that his health condition is normal. The state BJP president requested all persons who came in contact with him in the last few days to take COVID-19 test.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Medical oxygen production being ramped up: Officials inform PM
The production of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) has risen to 8,922 MT per day and is expected to cross 9,250 MT by the end of the month, the government said on Tuesday, noting that it was only 5,700 MT in August last year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was informed about the increasing production of the life-saving gas, whose shortage has been reported in several places amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, at a high-level meeting on Tuesday during which he asked officials to work closely with state governments to start PSA Oxygen plants at the earliest.
In the meeting on the prevailing COVID-19 situation, Modi reviewed the availability of medical infrastructure and directed officials to ensure rapid up-gradation of health facilities, the PMO said in a statement. Three empowered groups also made a presentation to the prime minister, it added.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
With over 32,000 cases, Kerala sees 255% increase in active cases
Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the state has witnessed a 255 percent increase in active cases in the last two weeks even as the southern state reported 32,819 cases, the highest ever single-day surge.
Vijayan, who met the media after the COVID-19 evaluation meet, said the government has decided to strictly implement the restrictions considering the grim situation in the state due to the rising numbers.
He also said the information about the presence of genetically modified viruses in the state is being taken seriously.
“The numbers of Covid-infected people and the rate of the disease spread continues unabated. There is the presence of the genetically mutant virus (double mutant variant) on a large scale. There has been a 255 percent increase in the active cases in Kerala in the last two weeks. The situation across the state is grim,” Vijayan said.
He said considering the rising numbers, the screening will be augmented at railway stations, airports, and in places where there is a large number of guest workers.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana records 11,931 COVID-19 cases, 84 deaths
Haryana recorded its biggest single-day jump in coronavirus deaths as 84 people succumbed to the disease on Tuesday, even as 11,931 fresh cases pushed the state’s infection count to 4,47,754.
So far, the infection has claimed 3,926 lives in the state. According to a Health Department bulletin, 10 each died in Gurgaon and Hisar, nine in Ambala, eight each in Rohtak and Jind, seven in Fatehabad and six in Bhiwani district.
Among the districts that reported a big spike in cases are Gurgaon (3,684), Faridabad (1,330), Sonipat (940), Karnal (725), Hisar (642), Sirsa (621), Panipat (564) and Jind (561).
The number of active COVID-19 cases in the state was 84,129. So far, 3,59,699 people have recovered and the state has a recovery rate of 80.33 percent, the bulletin said.
— PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi will have 1,200 ICU beds by 10 May: Kejriwal
Terming the current wave of COVID-19 as dangerous and contagious, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal said that the National Capital will have additional 1,200 ICU beds by 10 May. He said that a 500 ICU bed-facility will come up at Ramlila Maidan — one of the biggest grounds in the national capital — while another facility having similar capacity will be set up near the city’s GTB Hospital.
Earlier in the day, the chief minister visited both the sites to take stock of preparations with Health Minister Satyendar Jain and senior officers. He said 200 ICU beds are also being readied at Radha Soami Satsang Beas in Delhi’s Chhatarpur area.
— PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID-19 surge: 60-day emergency leave for MP jail inmates
The Madhya Pradesh government on Tuesday decided to grant emergency leave of 60 days to certain inmates to manage prison numbers in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state, an official said.
The 60-day emergency leave is granted to those prisoners who are taking benefits of general leave and following the conditions of parole, and the emergency leave can be granted on bond and bail application for general leave, a MP Jail Department order issued on Tuesday stated.
In November last year, the state government had ordered that inmates in jail for certain crimes are entitled for 300-day leave in one go in the time of pandemic and natural calamities. Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday reported 13,417 COVID-19 cases, which took the caseload to 5,25,407. It also reported 98 deaths in the last 24 hours.
— PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Gujarat reports spike of 14,325 cases
Gujarat on Tuesday reported the highest number of 14,352 coronavirus positive cases in a day and a record 170 deaths, including 27 in Surat, the state health department said. With the addition of new cases, the count of infections in the state has gone up to 5,24,725 while the toll reached 6,656, it said. Gujarat now had 1,27,606 active cases.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Allahabad HC directs UP govt to implement certain steps in seven cities
Allahabad HC directs Uttar Pradesh government to implement following steps in Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur Nagar, Gorakhpur and Jhansi: provide government hospitals will sufficient medicines and injections, including Remdesivir and ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to hospitals,ncrease the number of ambulances, engage health workers on contract basis, and other staff like data feeders and computer operators should also be employed on likewise bases, it says, Major government hospitals in these cities should have health bulletins twice a day to apprise relatives of health updates of patients.
HC directs the UP government to take the following steps immediately in the cities of Lucknow, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Agra, Kanpur Nagar, Gorakhpur and Jhansi👇#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/XCv4M9hh9j
— The Leaflet (@TheLeaflet_in) April 27, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Allahabad HC dismissed plan by UP govt to curb pandemic
According to the Leaflet, the Allahabad High court also dismisses the plan placed by the UP government to curb the pandemic, and said that seeing “Sursa like mouth” of the pandemic, the government must come with more stringent measure. “We make it clear that we will not tolerate any paperwork or public announcements to show account of the steps taken and its sufficiency as it is now an open secret that government had gone complacent due to weakening of virus impact by the end of 2020 in the state,” The Leaflet quotes the high court as saying.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Alllahabad HC issues notice to UP state election commission
Allahabad HC takes judicial notice of a news report that said that 135 teachers, shiksha mitras and investigators who were assigned election duty have died, reports LiveLaw. The court says Election Commission and the UP Police didn’t do anything to save people on election duty from COVID-19.
The court issues show-cause notice to UP State Election Commission to explain why action may not be taken against it and its officials for not ensuring compliance with COVID-19 protocol during the Panchayat elections and to prosecute those responsible for such violations.
Allahabad HC takes judicial notice of a news report in @AmarUjalaNews that 135 teachers, shiksha mitras & investigators who were assigned election duty have died.
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) April 27, 2021
Court says Election Commission @ECISVEEP & @Uppolice did not do anything to save people on election duty from #COVID pic.twitter.com/BiCIK6COyK
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Over 9.23 lakh vaccine doses available with Maharashtra, claims Centre
The ministry said that recently some media reports quoting some government officials from Maharashtra have pointed out that the state has exhausted vaccine doses, thereby adversely impacting the vaccination drive. “It is clarified that the total COVID vaccine doses received by Maharashtra as on 27 April (at 8 am) are 1,58,62,470. Of this, the total consumption, including wastage (0.22 pc), was 1,49,39,410.Balance of 9,23,060 doses is still available with the state for administration of vaccine doses to the eligible population groups. Furthermore, 3,00,000 doses of COVID vaccines are in the pipeline for delivery in the next three days,” the ministry stated.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Over one crore vaccine doses still available with states and UTs, says Centre
More than one crore vaccine doses are still available with states and Union Tterritories, and another 80 lakh doses will reach them in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday. The government of India has so far provided 15,65,26,140 vaccine doses to the states and UTs free of cost.
“The total consumption, including wastage, is 14,64,78,983 doses. More than 1 crore doses (1,00,47,157) are still available with the states and UTs to be administered. More than 80 lakh (86,40,000) doses will be received in addition by the states and UTs in the next three days,” the ministry stated.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Air India to airlift 10,636 oxygen concentrators from several countries, says Hardeep Singh Puri
Air India is going to airlift 10,636 oxygen concentrators from several countries in the next seven days, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Tuesday. “Air India is airlifting 10,636 oxygen concentrators manufactured by Philips. 636 (concentrators) already flown in from US. Consignments flying in every day. Will be completed within this week,” Puri said on Twitter.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Calcutta HC directs strict enforcement of ban on rallies and gatherings on 2 May
The Calcutta High Court on Tuesday directed all authorities to strictly enforce the ban imposed by the Election Commission on rallies and gatherings
on 2 May, the day of counting of votes and declaration of results of assembly elections in West Bengal and four other states. The EC counsel apprised the court that it has banned all public meetings and victory processions throughout India on the said date in the wake of soaring COVID-19 cases.
Medical oxygen in any country cannot be unlimited, Centre tells SC
The Centre on Tuesday told the Supreme Court that medical oxygen in any country cannot be unlimited and with the active and constant supervision and direct involvement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah, it is augmenting the oxygen supply on a war footing to provide relief to COVID-19 patients, according to reports.
.According to PTI, the government said oxygen supplies available at any given time in the country are to be distributed to all the states, especially those which are critically burdened with high number of active COVID cases, in a balanced manner. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said the sheer magnitude of this unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases itself bring with it certain inbuilt limitations in terms of available resources which need to be professionally augmented and utilised.
According to Bar&Bench, the affidavit said a national plan for tacking the pandemic was already in place but added: “It is submitted that a national plan does not and cannot contain step by step instructions or specific directions for the day-to-day management by Government agencies in the situation of any particular and unforeseen disaster. It is submitted that a national plan designedly keeps the said aspects of executive decision making open in order to enable the Government statutory functionaries and all stake holders to take appropriate measures in dynamic and fast developing situations such as the present pandemic.”.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Kerala HC disposes pleas seeking lockdown on 2 May
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday disposed off pleas seeking a direction to declare lockdown in the state on 2 May, the date of counting of votes in the
state Assembly elections, accepting the assurances from the State government and Election Commission that only counting related activities will be allowed on that day.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Narendra Modi’s aunt dies during COVID-19 treatment in Ahmedabad
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s aunt Narmadaben Modi who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus infection died at the civil hospital in Ahmedabad on Tuesday, the family said. Narmadaben (80) lived in the New Ranip area of the city with her children.
“Our aunt Narmadaben was admitted to the civil hospital some ten days ago after her condition deteriorated following coronavirus infection,” said Prahlad Modi, the prime minister’s younger brother. “She breathed her last at the hospital today,” he told PTI.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
UP deputy CM Dinesh Sharma hospitalised days after he testing COVID positive
Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma was admitted to a hospital on Tuesday, nearly a week after he tested positive for the coronavirus. Sharma informed about his hospitalisation in a tweet.
“A few days ago, I tested positive for COVID-19. After consultation with doctors, I was in home isolation. For better treatment, I have been hospitalised,” he tweeted in Hindi. The deputy chief minister was admitted to the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute (SGPGI) of Medical Sciences. The 57-year-old BJP leader and his wife tested positive for the coronavirus on April 21.
Sharma said, “I am confident that with your good wishes, and under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the war against corona will be won. By the grace of God, I will regain health and serve the people of the state with double energy.”
मुझे विश्वास है की आप सभी की शुभकामनाओं से प्रदेश में शीघ्र मा० मुख्यमंत्री @myogiadityanath जी के सबल नेतृत्व में कोरोना के खिलाफ जंग जीता जा सकेगा तथा ईश्वर की अनुकम्पा से मैं स्वस्थ होकर पुनः दोगुनी ऊर्जा से सम्पूर्ण प्रदेशवासियों की सेवा में तत्पर हो सकूँगा।
— Dr Dinesh Sharma BJP (@drdineshbjp) April 27, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID patient fails to get bed, dies; family attacks hospital staff, say police
Family members of a woman, who allegedly died due to COVID-19 after failing to get a bed at Apollo Hospital in south Delhi, attacked the staff of the private healthcare facility on Tuesday, police said.
However, they said no complaint has been filed in this regard so far. “The hospital received a woman in a critical condition at the emergency in the early hours of Tuesday. Immediate medical attention appropriate to her condition was given by a team,” the hospital’s spokesperson said in a statement.
“Given the paucity of beds, the family was advised to shift the patient to another facility with available beds. Unfortunately, the patient died around 8 am, following which her family members resorted to vandalism, destruction of hospital property and assault on our doctors and staff,” it said.
While the hospital deeply condoles the death of the patient, it is deeply shocked at the behaviour of the patient’s family against doctors and healthcare workers who are providing untiring services amidst the pandemic, the spokesperson said in the statement.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Action under NSA for spreading rumours on oxygen shortage, says Yogi Adityanath
According to reports, several SOS requests for oxygen cylinders and other support for COVID-19 inundate social media, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister insisted that there was no shortage of oxygen at any private or public COVID-19 hospital in the state.
While speaking to editors of different newspapers through a virtual conference, he stated that he had directed officials to take action under the National Security Act and the Gangsters Act against “anti-social elements” involved in “black-marketeering” of medicines, reports The Hindu
He has also asked them to “seize the property” of those spreading rumours and trying to “spoil the atmosphere”.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
No request made for COVID facilities in five-star hotel for judges: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday said it has not made any request for creating COVID-19 facilities for its judges, staff and their families in a five star hotel, reports PTI.
Taking suo motu cognisance of the news reports which said that 100 rooms of Ashoka Hotel in national capital have been converted into a COVID health facility for judges of Delhi High Court on its request, a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said,“No communication has been made to anyone in this regard”.
“We have not made any such request for taking over facilities of a five star hotel,” the bench said and directed the Delhi government to “take corrective steps immediately”.
In an order issued by the sub-divisional magistrate of Chanakyapuri on April 25, it was stated that the COVID facility at Ashoka Hotel will be associated with Primus Hospital.
The order also said that the facility was being set up on the request of the Delhi High Court.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Several staff of Sarita Vihar Apollo Hospital injured after violence at hospital
Several staff members of the Apollo Hospital in Sarita Vihar were injured after a scuffle between the staff and the family members of a patient who passed away, said reports. The hospital told India Today that a patient aged around 60 years old with breathing difficulties was brought to Apollo Hospital at around 3 am. As there were no ICU beds available, the patient was being given oxyegn therapy but passed away. The scuffle took place around 9 am, according to the report. According to The Hindu, a hospital spokesperson said seven to eight staffers, including doctors and security personnel were injured.
Delhi HC asks state govt to file affidavit on deaths due to oxygen shortage
“It is clear to us that GNCTD has to pull up its socks with respect to distribution of not only liquid oxygen but also oxygen cylinders, Bar&Bench quoted the Delhi HC as saying. " The court also directs the Delhi govt to supply oxygen to Hospitals from the refillers. “Refillers are having a field day and hospitals are being denied oxygen,” the court says and directs the state govt to file an affidavit on the deaths that took place on account of shortage of oxygen. According to LiveLaw, the court directed the Delhi govt to file an affidavit on the status of stocks of liquid and gaseous oxygen with refillers by 10 am on Wednesday
Refillers are having a field day and hospitals are being denied oxygen: Court
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 27, 2021
Court directs GNCTD to file an affidavit on the deaths that took place on account of shortage of oxygen. #DelhiHighCourt
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi HC issues contempt notice to oxygen refillers not present in hearing
Delhi High Court issues contempt notice to those oxygen cylinder refillers who were not present during the hearing today. The court says we are surprised that the order passed by the Delhi govt was not taken into consideration by cylinder refillers, reports ANI. According to the news agency, the court notes that D that it transpires that substantial quantity is supplied to cylinder refillers but there is no mechanism to monitor further supply from them.
According to Bar&Bench, the court took on record submission by hospitals on non supply of oxygen by Seth Air. “It is evident that Seth is diverting the supplies and probably selling in black market,” the court says and directs Delhi government to forthwith take control over the Seth unit along with the employees. it directs Seth to not obstruct.
Court directs Delhi Govt to forthwith take control over the Seth unit along with the employees.
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 27, 2021
Court directs Seth to not obstruct.
Venkateswara has a similar story to tell. Seth has supplied only 2.4 MT and Seth is not in the position to supply: #DelhiHighCourt
SII can supply Covishield to Maharashtra only after 20 May, says Rajesh Tope
Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Tuesday said the state may receive its supply of ‘Covishield’ vaccine only after 20 May. Talking to reporters , Tope said the availability of anti-COVID-19 vaccines is still a challenge and the state needs a week’s quota delivered at one time in order to vaccinate maximum number of people. “The Serum Institute of India (SII) has informed the state government that it can supply the ‘Covishield’ vaccine only after 20 May,” he said.
Delhi govt’s system failed; black marketing of oxygen cylinders, medicines going on, observes HC
The Delhi High Court Tuesday said the AAP government’s entire system has failed as black marketing of oxygen cylinders and crucial medicines for treating COVID-19 patients is going on, reports news agency PTI. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli observed it was not the time to become vultures. Are you aware of black marketing. Is it a good human gesture?, the bench said to oxygen refillers. The bench further said this is a mess that the state government has been unable to resolve. You have the power, take action against those engaging in black marketing of oxygen cylinders and medicines, it said.
According to Bar&Bench, during the hearing, Shakti Mukund hospital said its oxygen stock will end at 6. Another hospital also said there is a shortgae of remdesivir and oxygen,
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s niece and former MP Karuna Shukla dies of COVID-19
Congress leader and former MP Karuna Shukla died of coronavirus in Raipur, her family members said on Tuesday. The niece of former prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee died at a private hospital on Monday night, they said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
No point in debating number of COVID deaths, says Haryana CM
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar earlier during the day said there is no point in debating over the number of Covid deaths at the moment and the focus should be on ensuring that more affected people recover from the disease.
“Given the dangerous situation we are in now, we should not be playing with data now. We should instead focus on people’s recovery and how they can be provided relief, ” Khattar was quoted as saying by ANI. While replying to questions on the number of COVID-19 deaths and data not being shared, he added, “Those who died will not come back if we create furore over it. We will try our best to save everyone. There’s no point debating if the number of deaths is actually more or less The point is whether we are improving the systems or not.”
The government is trying to improve the systems and no one knew a pandemic was coming, Khattar said and added that everyone’s co-operation was needed to fight against the pandemic.
#WATCH | Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar says, "Iss sankat (#COVID19) mein humko data ke saath nahi khelna hai. We should focus on seeing how people can recover. The dead won't resurrect with furore over it. There is no point in a debate over the number of deaths..." (26.04) pic.twitter.com/27Kh9k0r6c
— ANI (@ANI) April 27, 2021
Bombay HC seeks info from Maharashtra govt, BMC on condition of crematoriums
The bodies of COVID-19 patients cannot be kept lying for hours waiting to be cremated, the Bombay High Court said on Tuesday, and asked the Maharashtra government and the BMC to inform it about the condition of crematoriums across the state and in Mumbai. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and
Justice G S Kulkarni said in several crematoriums there is a waiting period before bodies are cremated and relatives of the victims are forced to queue outside the crematoriums.
PTI
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Kerala HC seeks Centre’s response on vaccine pricing policy
The Kerala High Court on Tuesday sought the response of the Central Government to petitions challenging the Centre’s new COVID-19 vaccination policy, repor_ t Bar&Bench._
According to LiveLaw, issuing notice, the Court decided to seek responses from the private companies, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech on the matter of differential pricing alone and from the Centre on the differential pricing policy.
The court declined to pass interim orders as the Supreme Court is also seized of the matter and posted the matter for first week of May.
Delhi HC pulls up state govt on order directing hospitals to attend to emergency patients in 10 minutes
During the hearing in the Delhi HC, Advocate Alok Agarwal, appearing for Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, raises the issue about a Delhi Govt’s order that hospitals have to attend to all emergency patients within 10-15 minutes and give them oxygen and medicines. “We cannot take more patients in after the Delhi govt order. We don’t have medicines. These will lead to more legal medical issue later,” he argues, according to Bar&Bench. Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for the Delhi govt, says the order directs hospitals to attend patients in triage area within 10 minutes and in case of non availability of the facility, patient should be referred to other hospital. The court pulls up the Delhi govt saying, “Generally to issue such orders in not called for. Doors of the hospitals are open. This proceeds on assumption that hospital are not going their jobs,” and adds that the order is putting unnecessary pressure on hospitals. Mehra submits order should be seen as an advisory as patients were complaining about being denied treatment.
We are not serving any useful purpose. We are unnecessarily putting pressure of hospitals.. you think doctors, nurses are sitting idle.. is that the position according to you? What was the ocassion to issue? : Court
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 27, 2021
Venkateshswara Hospital running out of oxygen, Delhi HC informed
During a hearin gon the COVID-19 situation in the Delhu High Court, advocate Sachin Puri informs the court that Venkateswara Hospital is to run out of oxygen. and the nodal officer is not answering his call, according to Bar&Bench. The court observes that this is a constant complaint and implies there is truth in it.
Senior Advocate Rahul Mehra, appearing for Delhi Government, tells court that he will talk with officers and ensure the Venkateshwara hospitals gets oxygen supply
Venkateswara Hospital is to run out of oxygen. Nodal officer is not answering his call : Adv Sachin Puri
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) April 27, 2021
This is constant complain. Which means there is truth in it : Court @CMODelhi
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Mukhtar Ansari tests positive, in isolation in Banda district jail
Gangster-turned-politician Mukhtar Ansari tested positive for coronavirus and has been kept in isolation in the district jail in Banda, officials said on Tuesday.
Mukhtar Ansari was found COVID positive in a rapid antigen test on Saturday, which was confirmed in an RT-PCR test on Sunday, Chief Medical Officer N D Sharma said. He has been kept in isolation at Barrack No. 16 in the jail.
A team of doctors is monitoring his health, Banda Government Medical College Principal Mukesh Kumar Yadav said, adding that despite testing positive for the infection, Ansari did not show symptoms. Jail Superintendent Pramod Tripathi said his condition is normal.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Ireland to send 700 oxygen concentrators to India
Ireland on Tuesday joined a growing list of countries helping India tide over the coronavirus crisis as it announced sending 700 oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies to the country. The Irish embassy in New Delhi said the oxygen concentrators are expected to reach India by Wednesday morning.
“Ireland is sending 700 oxygen concentrators to India to help healthcare workers in providing timely aid to patients. The concentrators are expected to reach India by Wednesday early morning,” it said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Gujarat HC points to oxygen shortage in state
During the hearing the in the Gujarat High Court, Justice Karia pulled up the state government, asking “What will happen on 1 May when the number of COVID positive would be double? What steps are you going to take? This is the way the system is working? What is your preparation for the future? NOTHING.”, reports _LiveLaw. “_You are talking only about Ahmedabad, what about Gujarat?”, he asks.
Chief Justice Vikram Nath observed that there is oxygen shortage in many other parts of the state and says the court is not happy with the state government’s reponse and says various issues like that of 108 amubalances and of display boards have not been solved." As of today there is a scarcity of oxygen, people are forced to pay 10 times to get oxygen. Everything is on paper, nothing on ground reality. Everybody needs to be attended," LiveLaw quotes Justice Karia as saying.
CJ: Why can't the Government issue advisory to the hospitals?
— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) April 27, 2021
Justice Karia: A person who is not going from a 108 ambulance to the hospital, how can we deny them the treatment?
Each hospital should display how many beds are available.#COVID19 @CMOGuj @vijayrupanibjp pic.twitter.com/PC0bPwysQR
News18 SheShakti 2025: Voices of cinema, sport and music redefine nation-building
At News18 SheShakti 2025 Delhi, women from sports, cinema, and music discussed breaking barriers. Kriti Sanon and Sanya Malhotra focused on equity in cinema, Mira Erda and Ashalata Devi on sports challenges, and Kavita Krishnamurti stressed humility and perseverance for lasting success.
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