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Coronavirus LATEST Updates: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Saturday announced its prices for its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin. “Following the Govt of India directives, we announce the prices of COVAXIN vaccines - Rs 600 per dose for state hospitals and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals,” the statement said. West Bengal, which is witnessing an eight-phased Assembly election since 27 March, reported 14,281 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which is the highest single-day spike for the third consecutive day. With this, the total number of cases rose to 7,28,061. Bengal’s tally has been on a steady rise after parties like the BJP, TMC, and Congress held massive campaign rallies and roadshows until this week. However, despite the numbers’ trend, economists Surjit S Bhalla and Karan Bhasin on Thursday wrote in The Indian Express that “there is limited evidence to suggest that electoral rallies resulted in spread of the pandemic”. “Most of the “expert” complaints against election rallies have been aimed at where the BJP is holding the most rallies — West Bengal and Assam. Both these states show infections below that predicted before the rallies began in earnest,” the article notes. The Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi, where 20 COVID-19 patients passed away on Friday night due to the shortage of medical oxygen, sent out an SOS message on Saturday tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. “We had been allotted 3.5 metric tonnes of oxygen from the government. The supply was to reach us by 5 in the evening, but it reached around midnight. By then, 25 patients had died,” Dr. DK Baluja, Medical Director at Jaipur Golden Hospital was quoted as saying by NDTV. The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday issued new restrictions in view of the exponential spike in COVID-19 cases across the country. 1) From 26 April, beauty parlours, salons, spas, barber shops to be closed, only parcel/takeaway to be allowed in hotels, restaurants, and tea shops. 2) All places of worship to be closed for the public from 26 April. 3) Wedding ceremonies to be perfomed with a maximum of 50 people, 25 people allowed in funerals. 4) Except for Puducherry all other state passengers and travellers should apply for e-pass through the government portal, they will be allowed if cleared. Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced free COVID-19 vaccine for everyone in the 18 to 45 age group, for whom the inoculation process will begin on 1 May. Several hospitals in the National Capital are facing a deepening oxygen crisis, with stocks running out and treatment of COVID-19 patients being hampered. In such a scenario, the director of another hospital, the Sehgal Neo Hospital, has tweeted an SOS message and said that he is feeling “absolutely helpless”. “SOS!! We need an urgent supply of oxygen. We have a few hours of oxygen left, and have reached out to EVERYONE. We have 120 covid patients, many of them needing oxygen and on life support,” the hospital tweeted. The Saroj Super Speciality Hospital and Batra Hospital in Delhi have reportedly told families of COVID-19 patients to seek admission in other healthcare facilities due to a severe oxygen shortage, PTI quoted officials as saying on Saturday. The Saroj Hospital moved the Delhi High Court on Thursday and Friday seeking urgen oxygen supply to treat their COVID-19 patients. Taking a slew of measures to boost medical oxygen availability in the country amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Centre on Saturday decided to waive basic customs duty and health cess on the import of oxygen and connected equipment for a period of three months with immediate effect. It was also decided at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exempt basic customs duty on the import of COVID-19 vaccines with immediate effect for a period of three months, a government statement said. This will boost availability of these items as well as make them cheaper, it said, adding that Modi also directed the revenue department to ensure seamless and quick custom clearance of such equipment. Modi emphasized that there was an immediate need to augment the supply of medical grade oxygen as well as equipment required for patient care both at home and in hospitals and asked all ministries and departments to work in synergy to this effect. The high court on Saturday asked the Centre about the preparedness to deal with the expected COVID-19 second wave peak in mid-May, terming the massive rise in cases as a ‘Tsunami’. At the Subhash Nagar facility, 52 bodies can be cremated in a day at two CNG furnaces and 40 wooden pyres. Out of these, two CNG furnaces and 20 wooden pyres have already been dedicated to COVID-19 victims. The police has also intensified vigil at three major check posts. People who are crossing the border through the three check posts are asked to furnish their negative reports of RT-PCR, done 48 hours before travelling, or their vaccination certificates. After entering Odisha, they have to be quarantined for 14 days. Families of the patients in Saroj hospital in Delhi’s Rohini area have been given three hour notice to find beds, according to media reports. The incident comes after Delhi’s Sir Ganga Ram hospital Friday had reported that 25 severely ill patients had died in the past 24 hours and 60 other patients were at risk. At least 20 people died in Jaipur Golden hospital in Delhi because of oxygen shortage, said an official on Saturday. The official said that only half an hour of oxygen supply was available. ‘Oxygen supply to last only half an hour now, more than 200 lives are at stake. We lost 20 people due to an oxygen shortage last night,’ said a hospital official. India registered 3,46,786 new coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours, said the Union health ministry on Saturday. With this, the COVID-19 caseload in the country increased to 1,66,10,481. Appealing for urgent help from Narendra Modi, Arvind Kejriwal and Lt Governor Anil Baijal, the hospital stressed that more than 130 COVID-19 patients were on life support. Delhi logged 24,331 fresh COVID-19 cases and a record single-day jump of 348 deaths on Friday, according to the latest health bulletin. The city has reported around 2,100 deaths due to the deadly virus in the last 11 days. It had recorded 306 COVID deaths and 26,169 cases with a positivity rate of 36.24 percent, the highest since the pandemic began a year ago, on Thursday. On Wednesday, 24,638 cases and 249 deaths were registered with a positivity rate of 31.28 percent. The National Capital had witnessed 28,395 cases, the highest single-day jump so far, with a positivity rate of 32.82 percent on Tuesday. Authorities logged 306 deaths on Thursday, 249 on Wednesday, 277 on Tuesday, 240 on Monday, 161 on Sunday, and 167 on Saturday. With the fresh cases, Delhi’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 9,80,679 on Friday. The toll stands at 13,541, the bulletin stated. A total of 75,037 tests, including 43,711 RT-PCR tests, were conducted the previous day, it said. The number of tests is significantly less than the average of around 90,000 tests a day being conducted in the capital. So far, over 8.75 lakh patients have recovered in Delhi, it added. The number of active cases in the city increased to 92,029 from 91,618 on Thursday, the bulletin stated. The number of people under home isolation increased to 48,502 from 46,585 on Thursday, while that of containment zones mounted to 23,561 from 22,000 the day before, it said. Senior medical experts on Monday said the second wave of coronavirus in Delhi is likely to peak within a week after possibly hitting a positivity rate of 50 percent before the numbers start to go down.
Coronavirus Updates: Bharat Biotech prices Covaxin at Rs 600 per dose for states, Rs 1,200 for private hospitals
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Saturday announced its prices for its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, in preparation for the next phase of inoculation from 1 May
 "Coronavirus Updates: Bharat Biotech prices Covaxin at Rs 600 per dose for states, Rs 1,200 for private hospitals")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Bharat Biotech announces Rs 600 per dose for state govts, Rs 1,200 for private hospitals
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech on Saturday announced its prices for its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin.
“Following the Govt of India directives, we announce the prices of COVAXIN vaccines – Rs 600 per dose for state hospitals and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals,” the statement said.
#COVID19 | Following the Govt of India directives, we announce the prices of COVAXIN vaccines - Rs 600 per dose for state hospitals and Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals: Bharat Biotech pic.twitter.com/1m8On8mhKD
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Salman Rushdie shares donation appeal to help anti-COVID-19 efforts
The tragedy in India is immense and growing. Here are some organizations to donate to. Please help if you can.https://t.co/DcDdae1JyJ
— Salman Rushdie (@SalmanRushdie) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Maharashtra to float global tender for vaccines, Remdesivir
The Maharashtra government will float a global tender for COVID-19 vaccines and Remdesivir injections, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Saturday. As the Union government has allowed vaccination of people in the age group of 18 to 45, the state will start inoculation drive for this category from 1 May, he said.
Pawar, who also handles the finance portfolio, was speaking to reporters after holding a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation in Pune. “We have decided to float a global tender for vaccines and Remdesivir (used for the treatment of COVID-19) through a committee headed by chief secretary Sitaram Kunte,” he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Karnataka reports 29,438 new COVID-19 cases
The Karnataka health department on Saturday said that the state saw its highest daily rise of 29,438 COVID-19 cases. The state also reported a total toll of 14,283 with 208 more deaths.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
West Bengal reports highest single-day spike for third consecutive day
West Bengal, which is witnessing an eight-phased Assembly election since 27 March, reported 14,281 COVID-19 cases on Saturday, which is the highest single-day spike for the third consecutive day. With this, the total number of cases rose to 7,28,061.
Bengal’s tally has been on a steady rise after parties like the BJP, TMC, and Congress held massive campaign rallies and roadshows until this week. However, despite the numbers’ trend, economists Surjit S Bhalla and Karan Bhasin on Thursday wrote in The Indian Express that “there is limited evidence to suggest that electoral rallies resulted in spread of the pandemic”.
“Most of the “expert” complaints against election rallies have been aimed at where the BJP is holding the most rallies — West Bengal and Assam. Both these states show infections below that predicted before the rallies began in earnest,” the article notes.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Greta Thunberg calls COVID-19 situation in India ‘heartbreaking’
Environment activist Greta Thunberg called on the international community to “step up and immediately” offer assistance to India to combat the second COVID-19 wave.
Heartbreaking to follow the recent developments in India. The global community must step up and immediately offer the assistance needed. #CovidIndia https://t.co/OaJVTNXa6R
— Greta Thunberg (@GretaThunberg) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Harsh Vardhan says Delhi govt’s responsibility to ‘rationalise’ use of oxygen
Union health minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that Delhi “has been allotted more than the oxygen quota it had asked for and it is the state government’s responsibility to rationalise and plan for it”.
He was quoted by The Times of India as saying, “Each state has been assigned their quota for oxygen as per the production of oxygen in India. Even Delhi has been allotted more than the (oxygen) quota they had asked for, and Delhi CM even thanked the PM for that yesterday… Now to rationalise the quota in a timely manner and the responsibility to finely plan it lies with the state government.”
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi’s Jaipur Golden Hospital says 200 lives at stake due to lack of oxygen
The Jaipur Golden Hospital in Delhi, where 20 COVID-19 patients passed away on Friday night due to the shortage of medical oxygen, sent out an SOS message on Saturday tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
“We had been allotted 3.5 metric tonnes of oxygen from the government. The supply was to reach us by 5 in the evening, but it reached around midnight. By then, 25 patients had died,” Dr. DK Baluja, Medical Director at Jaipur Golden Hospital was quoted as saying by NDTV.
Next impending oxygen crises in Jaipur Golden Hospital. Over 200 lives at stake if liquid medical oxygen is not supplied by 9:00 PM tonight.@ArvindKejriwal @PMOIndia @drharshvardhan @MoHFW_INDIA @narendramodi @LtGovDelhi
— Jaipur Golden Hospital (@JaipurGolden) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Gujarat deputy CM tests COVID-19 positive
Gujarat deputy chief minister Nitin Patel on Saturday said that he had tested positive for coronavirus infection. Patel, 64, who also holds the health portfolio, was admitted to the UN Mehta Institute of Cardiology and Research Centre here after testing positive.
“I had my RT-PCR test done after showing mild symptoms of coronavirus, the result of which is positive. On the advice of doctors, I am getting admitted to UN Mehta Hospital,” he tweeted.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Set up more private centres before vaccination begins on 1 May: Centre to states
Ahead of the roll-out of vaccination of people aged between 18 and 45 from 1 May, the Centre on Saturday asked states to register additional private vaccination centres and ensure effective crowd management at sites and stressed on inoculation through “only online registration” for beneficiaries in the age bracket.
Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday to guide states and Union Territories on effective implementation of the new vaccination strategy (Phase-3) and to review their augmentation plans so as to strengthen the existing hospital and clinical treatment infrastructure for COVID-19 patients.
With regards to the Phase-3 vaccination strategy from 1 May, the states were advised to register additional private COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) on mission mode by engaging with private hospitals, hospitals of industrial establishments, industry associations, etc., the health ministry said in a statement. They have also been asked to monitor the number of hospitals that have procured vaccines and have declared stocks and prices on COWIN portal and schedule vaccination for eligible population for providing adequate visibility of vaccination slots on COWIN.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Telangana announces free COVID-19 vaccination
Telangana on Saturday became the latest state to announce free vaccination for everyone from the ages of 18 to 45 from 1 May. “The governemnt will administer COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all,” Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Uttarakhand govt officies to remain shut for five days
The Uttarakhand government on Saturday ordered the closure of all public offices from 23 to 28 April as a measure to control spread of COVID-19 in offices, ANI reported.
“All officers to be present in the headquarters and keep their mobile phones switched on at all times so that they can be called to the office if needed,” the statement said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Ninety-eight passengers flee Assam hospital to escape mandatory COVID-19 testing
A total of 98 air passengers fled a hospital to avoid mandatory COVID-19 testing after landing at the Silchar airport in Assam’s Cachar district, a health department official was quoted as saying by PTI on Saturday.
The incident occurred on Friday, two days after 385air passengers created disorder at the airport and a hospital and fled without undergoing the test.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tamil Nadu issues fresh restrictions:
The Tamil Nadu government on Saturday issued new restrictions in view of the exponential spike in COVID-19 cases accross the country.
From 26 April, beauty parlours, salons, spas, barber shops to be closed, only parcel/takeaway to be allowed in hotels, restaurants, and tea shops.
All places of worship to be closed for the public from 26 April.
Wedding ceremonies to be perfomed with a maximum of 50 people, 25 people allowed in funerals.
Except for Puducherry all other state passengers and travellers should apply for e-pass through the government portal, they will be allowed if cleared.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Arvind Kejriwal appeals to other states for oxygen
Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal’s appeal for other states to send oxygen came amid several hospitals in the National Capital grappling with a severe shortage in the crucial medical resource.
I am writing to all CMs requesting them to provide oxygen to Delhi, if they have spare. Though Central govt. is also helping us, the severity of corona is such that all available resources are proving inadequate.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana announces free vaccines for 18-45 age group
Haryana chief minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Saturday announced free COVID-19 vaccine for everyone in the 18 to 45 age group, for whom the inoculation process will begin on 1 May.
I am happy to announce that Covid vaccines for citizens of the State above 18 years will be provided free of cost in government health facilities by the Haryana government from May 1st onwards.#HaryanaFightsCorona
— Manohar Lal (@mlkhattar) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
For third consecutive day, Uttar Pradesh reports highest single-day spike in new cases
On Saturday, Uttar Pradesh reported 38,055 new COVID-19 cases, which is in line with the recent trend of exponential rise in cases in the state. Additionally, the state recorded 23,231 discharges and 223 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Jammu and Kashmir to provide vaccines free of cost
“It has been decided that COVID-19 vaccination for people in the age group of 18 to 45 years will be free of cost in the Union Territory, and the cost of vaccine will be borne by the government of Jammu and Kashmir,” said the LG on Saturday.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Punjab govt orders diversion of oxygen from iron, steel industries for medical use
Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh on Saturday ordered the shutdown of the iron and steel industries in the states to divert the oxygen for medical use, The Times of India reported.
Singh also directed authorities to set up Oxygen Control Rooms at the state and district levels, the CMO said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi’s Sehgal Neo Hospital tweets SOS for urgent oxygen supply
“SOS!! We need an urgent supply of oxygen. We have a few hours of oxygen left, and have reached out to EVERYONE. We have 120 covid patients, many of them needing oxygen and on life support,” the hospital tweeted.
SOS!! We need an urgent supply of oxygen. We have a few hours of oxygen left, and have reached out to EVERYONE. We have 120 covid patients, many of them needing oxygen and on life support. @PMOIndia @CMODelhi @LtGovDelhi @SatyendarJain pic.twitter.com/grEQ8LWWxw
— Sehgal Neo Hospital (@SehgalNeo) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
‘Complete’ curfew to be imposed in Jammu and Kashmir from tonight to 26 April
“Complete coronavirus curfew to be observed in the Union Territory from 8 pm tonight till 6 am on 26 April. Essential and emergency services to be allowed. All market, commercial institutions will remain closed,” the Office of the Jammu and Kashmir LG was quoted as saying on Saturday.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Facing oxygen shortage, two Delhi hospitals ask patients to seek admission elsewhere
The Saroj Super Speciality Hospital and Batra Hospital in Delhi have reportedly told families of COVID-19 patients to seek admission in other healthcare facilities due to a severe oxygen shortage, PTI quoted officials as saying on Saturday.
The Saroj Hospital moved the Delhi High Court on Thursday and Friday seeking urgen oxygen supply to treat their COVID-19 patients.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Senior doctors break down while describing oxygen crises in hospitals
On Saturday, Dr SCL Gupta, MD of the Batra Hospital in Delhi, broke down while speaking to ANI about the oxygen shortage his hospital was facing. He said, “We are requesting people to take their patients wherever O2 is available. We understand patient is someone’s mother, father.. if I lose someone close, I’d naturally feel bad.”
On Thursday, Dr Sunil Saggar, CEO of Shanti Mukand Hospital in Delhi, had a similar reaction while describing the urgency for oxygen in his hospital.
#WATCH | Dr SCL Gupta, MD, Batra Hospital, Delhi breaks down as he speaks about oxygen crisis, says, "We are requesting people to take their patients wherever O2 is available. We understand patient is someone's mother, father.. if I lose someone close, I'd naturally feel bad." pic.twitter.com/wWB0zTiDu2
— ANI (@ANI) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Admissions in AIIMS Delhi’s Emergency ward briefly restricted due to oxygen shortage
Amid a deepening oxygen crisis across the country, AIIMS Delhi officials said that admissions in the Emergency ward were restricted for an hour on Saturday as “oxygen pipelines were being reorganized due to increased requirement of oxygen for COVID-19 patients,” The Times of India reported.
“Currently around 100 COVID_19 patients are already receiving treatment at the Emergency. This is in addition to more than 800 patients who are already admitted at various centers of AIIMS. Admissions are open and the Emergency department is functional,” the officials were quoted as saying.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre waives customs duty on oxygen-related equipment for 3 months
Taking a slew of measures to boost medical oxygen availability in the country amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, the Centre on Saturday decided to waive basic customs duty and health cess on the import of oxygen and connected equipment for a period of three months with immediate effect.
It was also decided at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to exempt basic customs duty on the import of COVID-19 vaccines with immediate effect for a period of three months, a government statement said. This will boost availability of these items as well as make them cheaper, it said, adding that Modi also directed the revenue department to ensure seamless and quick custom clearance of such equipment.
Modi emphasized that there was an immediate need to augment the supply of medical grade oxygen as well as equipment required for patient care both at home and in hospitals and asked all ministries and departments to work in synergy to this effect.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Karnataka govt says will set up makeshift hospitals in two weeks
Amid explosion of COVID-19 cases in Karnataka, the state government has decided to set up makeshift hospitals with ICU and ventilator in a fortnight and ordered the private facilities to reserve 80 percent of the beds for coronavirus patients. Addressing reporters on Saturday, state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar said, “Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa took an important decision on Friday to set up 2,000-bed makeshift ICU with ventilators within the campus of the tertiary care hospitals in Bengaluru.”
Besides, makeshift hospitals with modular ICU with a capacity of about 250 beds will be established in Mysuru, Hubballi, Bidar, Belagavi and Shivamogga. “We have decided to set up these hospitals in a fortnight. You all know that we may have to import various equipment including ventilators..,” he said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
DRDO will add 250 beds to COVID-19 hospital in Delhi, says Rajnath Singh
“DRDO is adding another 250 beds later in the evening today at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel COVID hospital in New Delhi, taking the total number of beds to 500. In Gujarat, a 1,000-bed hospital has become operational,” Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was quoted as saying by ANI.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Manmohan Singh recovering ‘well’ from COVID-19, says Congress
Former prime minister Manmohan Singh is recuperating well from COVID-19 infection at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) here, a Congress leader said on Saturday. “Singh is stable and is progressing well. He has had no episodes of fever,” Congress general secretary and chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said.
The former prime minister was admitted to the premier hospital with mild fever on April 19, after he tested positive for COVID-19.
Singh, 88, had taken the two doses of COVID-19 vaccine on March 4 and April 3.
Surjewala said, “We want to thank all Congressmen and Congresswomen, and fellow Indians for their wishes and prayers for Dr Manmohan Singh.”
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
State-wise prices of RT-PCR test at private labs, govt health centres
The RT-PCR test is considered as a ‘ gold standard’ for COVID-19 testing, and several state and city authorities presently allow people entry only if they have tested negative using this method.
Here are the costs of RT-PCR tests in several states across India:
Maharashtra
On 1 April, the Maharashtra government capped the prices of RT-PCR tests for the sixth time.
The new rates for RT-PCR test are fixed at Rs 500, Rs 600 and Rs 800. For giving samples at the collection centre, Rs 500 will be charged. For the same test at a COVID Care Centre or a quarantine centre, the charges will be Rs 600 and to collect the swab from home, the labs can charge Rs 800, as noted by an article in Mint_._
**_Read full article here…_**Coronavirus LATEST Updates
‘Will hang that man’, says Delhi HC on anyone who obstructs oxygen supply
If anyone obstructs oxygen supply, “we will hang that man”, the Delhi High Court said on Saturday as it heard a hospital’s petition over shortage of oxygen.
“We will hang that man. We will not spare anyone,” the court said while telling the Delhi government to give one instance of any official at the central, state or local administration obstructing the pickup of oxygen supplies.
The court told the Delhi government to inform the Centre also about such officials of the local administration so that it could take action against them.
The court was hearing submissions by the counsel for Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, Jaipur Golden Hospital, Batra Hospital and Saroj Super Speciality Hospital here over shortage of oxygen for treating seriously-ill COVID patients.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
‘Not a wave but, tsunami’: Delhi HC on COVID-19 crisis in National Capital
The Delhi High Court on Saturday asked the Centre about the preparedness to deal with the expected COVID-19 second wave peak in mid-May, terming the massive rise in cases as a Tsunami’.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli, said this during a special hearing on a holiday on the issue of mounting oxygen crisis in various hospitals in Delhi.
The court said the viral disease has a low mortality and those who have a low immunity will eventually die but the problem comes when people who could be saved are also dying. “The mortality rate needs to be reduced.”
Referring to a study by a team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, the court noted its assessment that the peak of this COVID wave will come in mid-May.
We are calling it a wave, it is actually a Tsunami, the court said, and asked the Centre about the preparedness in terms of infrastructure, hospitals, medical staff, medicines, vaccines and oxygen as on date for the peak.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Max Hospital in Gurgaon sends SOS, says ‘only 2 hours of oxygen left’
Max HealthCare, a private hospital in Gurgaon sent an SOS text on Saturday, stating it had less than two hours of oxygen supply left. According to the statement, the hospital is currently treating more than 70 COVID-19 patients.
“SOS- Less than two hour’s oxygen supplies at Max Hospital Gurugram and attached Dedicated Covid Centre. Over 70 covid pts admitted across. Supplies expected at 10 am diverted…need urgent help,” read the tweet by Max Healthcare.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Crowd seen at a vaccination centre at Cooper hospital
Cooper Hospital Vaccination Centre right now.#Covid #Mumbai pic.twitter.com/VWkS9oiiqm
— Ruben Mascarenhas (@rubenmasc) April 24, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Jadavpur University to remain shut till 3 May
Jadavpur University will remain closed till 3 May owing to the sudden spike in COVID-19 cases in West Bengal, said JU Registrar Snehamanju Basu to PTI on Saturday.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
South Delhi crematorium temporarily shut due to overcrowding
South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) on Friday ordered to temporarily shut down Subhash Nagar crematorium. The decision was taken due to overcrowding.
Leader of House Narendra Chawla said all pyres were occupied till the evening and the facility required sanitisation. “We stopped accepting bookings because all the pyres were occupied and there was an urgent need for cleaning the facility. However, the CNG furnaces were operational on Friday evening for a few hours. The facility will reopen on Saturday,” said Chawla to the Times of India.
At the Subhash Nagar facility, 52 bodies can be cremated in a day at two CNG furnaces and 40 wooden pyres. Out of these, two CNG furnaces and 20 wooden pyres have already been dedicated to COVID-19 victims, reported Times Now.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
List of active COVID vaccine centres in Mumbai today
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Saturday tweeted a list of active COVID-19 vaccinations in Mumbai that will be fully/partly functional or non-functional today owing to limited supply of vaccine.
#MyBMCUpdates
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) April 24, 2021
List of vaccination centres that will be fully/partly functional or non-functional today owing to limited supply of vaccine.#JabToBeatCorona pic.twitter.com/71An1wLcZK
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Odisha seals border with Bengal amid fear of new ’triple mutant variant’ found in state
The Odisha government sealed its border with West Bengal where a triple mutant variant of COVID-19 has reportedly surfaced, and intensified vigil along the inter-state boundary.
The State police has also intensified vigil at three major check posts. People who are crossing the border through the three check posts are asked to furnish their negative reports of RT-PCR, done 48 hours before travelling, or their vaccination certificates. After entering Odisha, they have to be quarantined for 14 days.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Carnegie India asks Biden administration to ease curbs on COVID-19 vaccine material supply
As India continues to battle the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave, a group of academicians affiliated to leading think tanks on Friday urged the Joe Biden administration to ease the global vaccine supply chain.
The academicians pleaded for the US administration to “consider exceptions” to the Defense Production Act of 1950, under which Washington has halted the export of raw materials needed for the production of vaccines.
The note read, “India is a partner of the United States like none other. Today, it is a country in need of a more supportive American approach to supply chains. This is a request to the United States administration to seriously, urgently, and actively consider exceptions to the DPA. Such an action will, in time, not only save lives in India and other large parts of the world that have been reliant on vaccines manufactured in India, but will also reassure the world’s largest democracy of the promise of a truly global America.”
The commentary was jointly written by Arvind Gupta, director of the Vivekananda International Foundation, Rudra Chaudhuri, director of Carnegie India, Harsh Pant director of studies and the head of the Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation, Reuben Abraham, CEO of the IDFC Foundation and IDFC Institute, and Nitin Pai, co-founder and director of the Takshashila Institution.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi’s Moolchand hospital receives oxygen supply after SOS
Moolchand hospital in Delhi received oxygen supply after sending SOS call over shortage early on Saturday morning. Speaking to NDTV, Dr Sachin Ambekar said, “At 3.30 am today we were hard pressed against the wall to get the oxygen supply. We called Inox but, the numbers were not responding at the moment.”
He further said that the hospital has 86 COVID-19 patients and about 15-20 of them are in critical condition who need constant oxygen support.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Menstruation has no effect on vaccine efficacy, says Mumbai-based gynecologist
To combat misinformation about how COVID-19 vaccines may affect menstrual cycles, Dr Munjaal Kapadia, a Mumbai-based gynecologist said there was no data linking the vaccines to changes in menstruation.
“A lot of patients are messaging me asking if it’s safe/effective to take the vaccine during their period. Some silly WhatsApp rumour has spooked everyone. Your period has no effect on the vaccine efficacy. Take it as soon as you can,” said Kapadia.
He further said the misinformation was generated to stop women from using early access and foster vaccine hesitancy.
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