 "Supreme Court clears Vantara elephant project, rejects PIL: Top 5 things to know")
 "Focus back to India-US trade deal: Trump’s negotiators landing in New Delhi tonight")
Coronavirus Latest Updates: As per Bar&Bench, the Supreme Court in an order released late Sunday night has directed the Central government to create a buffer stock of oxygen along with the states so that the stock can be used if the regular supply chain is disrupted due to any reason. The National Capital reported 407 COVID-19 fatalities and 20,394 cases with a positivity rate of 28.33 per cent on Sunday, according to a bulletin issued by the Delhi health department. On the instructions of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the Bihar government on Sunday decided to give status of frontline workers to the journalists, who will get COVID vaccination on a priority basis. The third and the largest phase of vaccination, under which beneficiaries in the 18-45 age group will be given jabs against coronavirus, will begin in Delhi on Monday. Around 90 lakh people in this category will be eligible for the jabs. Five vaccination booths each have been set up at 77 schools for the inoculation exercise, an official told news agency PTI. Mumbai’s civic body on Sunday said vaccination for those above the age of 45 will remain suspended on Monday as well while that for those in 18-45 age group will be carried out at five Centres. Leaders of 13 Opposition parties Sunday urged the Centre to launch a free mass vaccination drive across the country in view of the unprecedented surge in Covid-19 cases. In a joint statement, they also called upon the Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to all hospitals and health centres as they manage the staggering patient loads in view of the rising cases. The Delhi High Court on Sunday directed the Delhi government to ensure that medicines and equipment like oxygen cylinders and concentrators needed for COVID-19 treatment not be sold above the maximum retail price (MRP). During the hearing in the Delhi High Court, Sita Ram Bhartiya Hospital, Venkateswara Hospital, Maharaja Agrasen Hospital raised SOS calls before the bench regarding shortage of oxygen, said reports. MD City Hospital also told Delhi High Court that it was facing a crisis and has oxygen left for only one hour, said reports. Senior advocate Rahul Mehra informed the Delhi High Court that the Centre has taken over oxygen plants and allocation to states. He alleges that Delhi is given 40 percent less than the demanded quantity, while some states were given the quantity they asked for and some states likes Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra were given more than what they asked for. The Centre has told the Supreme Court that a total of 122 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine would be required to vaccinate a population of 59 crore in the age group of 18 to 45 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting to review the human resource situation in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic and ways to augment it, said reports. After the meeting, reports said final year MBBS and nursing students may be roped in for Covid duty. A total of 86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine across 11 states on 1 May, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik declares working journalists of the state as frontline COVID-19 warriors, reports news agency ANI quoting the CMO. He said working journalists are doing a great service to the state by providing seamless news feed, making people aware on COVID-related issues and they’re great support for war against COVID-19,the CMO added. A record 3,689 daily COVID-19 fatalities pushed India’s death toll to 2,15,542, while the infection count reached to 1,95,57,457 with 3,92,488 more people being confirmed positive for the disease, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday. The active cases have crossed the 33-lakh mark, the data updated at 8 am showed. Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 33,49,644, comprising 17.13 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has further dropped to 81.77 percent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1, 59,92,271, while the case fatality rate has further dropped to 1.10 percent, the data stated. India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on 7 August, 30 lakh on23 August, 40 lakh on 5 September and 50 lakh on 16 September. It went past 60 lakh on 28 September, 70 lakh on 11 October, crossed 80 lakh on 29 October, 90 lakh on 20 November and surpassed the one-crore mark on 19 December. The country crossed the grim milestone of 1.50 crore on 19 April. According to ICMR, 29,01,42,339 samples have been tested up to 1 May with 18,04,954 samples being tested on Saturday. The 3,689 new fatalities included 802 from Maharashtra, 412 from Delhi, 304 from Uttar Pradesh, 271 from Karnataka, 229 from Chhattisgarh, 172 from Gujarat, 169 from Jharkhand,160 from Rajasthan, 147 from Tamil Nadu, 138 from Punjab,125 from Haryana, 107 from Uttarakhand, 103 from West Bengal and 102 from Madhya Pradesh. A total of 2,15,542 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 69,615 from Maharashtra, 16,559 from Delhi ,15,794 from Karnataka, 14,193 from Tamil Nadu, 12,874 from Uttar Pradesh, 11,447 from West Bengal, 9,160 from Punjab and 8,810 from Chhattisgarh. The health ministry stressed that more than 70 percent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities. “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research,” the ministry said on its website, adding state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.
Coronavirus Updates: Centre's vaccine policy prima facie detrimental to right to health, says SC
Coronavirus Updates: The Centre and the state governments were also asked to provide a breakup of the current and projected availability of COVID-19 vaccine stocks for the next 6 months
 "Coronavirus Updates: Centre's vaccine policy prima facie detrimental to right to health, says SC")
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre’s Vaccine policy prima facie detrimental to right to health, say SC
In a late night order on Sunday, the Supreme Court said the manner in which Centre’s current vaccine policy has been framed would prima facie result in a detriment to the right to public health, an integral part of Article 21 of Constitution and asked the Centre to revisit the policy.
“Therefore, we believe that the Central Government should consider revisiting its current vaccine policy to ensure that it withstands the scrutiny of Articles 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution,” the bench said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi University defers final year exams in view of rising COVID-19 cases
Delhi University has decided to defer final year examinations amid rising COVID-19 cases in the city, officials said on Sunday.
The final year and final semester exams were supposed to begin from May 15 but will now begin from June 1. They will be conducted online and held in open book format.
“We held a meeting on Saturday with all the heads of departments and deans. The meeting was chaired by the vice-chancellor. It was decided that the exams will be postponed to June 1,” D S Rawat, Dean of Examinations, DU, said.
Rawat said the decision on exams for intermediate semesters will be taken later.
He said the examination branch officials have been battling coronavirus and on Sunday morning two employees — a section officer and a contractual staff — succumbed to COVID-19.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Create buffer stock of oxygen for emergency purposes: SC
The apex court also directed the Centre to prepare, in collaboration with the states, a buffer stock of oxygen for emergency purposes and decentralize the location of the emergency stocks.
“The emergency stocks shall be created within the next four days and is to be replenished on a day to day basis, in addition to the existing allocation of oxygen supply to the states”, the court said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
No clampdown on social media SOS calls, says SC
As Supreme Court order said, “The Central Government and State Governments shall notify all Chief Secretaries/Directors General of Police/Commissioners of Police that any clampdown on information on social media or harassment caused to individuals seeking/delivering help on any platform will attract a coercive exercise of jurisdiction by this Court. The Registrar (Judicial) is also directed to place a copy of this order before all District Magistrates in the country,”
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Show curbs taken to curb virus, place it on record: SC to Centre, state govts
In light of the continuing surge of infections in the second wave of the pandemic, the apex court directed Centre and state governments to put on record the efforts taken to curb the spread of the virus and the measures that they plan on taking in the near future. The court also asked the Centre consider using health care workforce available with the armed forces and paramilitary forces for the purpose of vaccination:
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
No patient can be denied hospitalisation, drugs for lack of residential proof, says SC
As per the new SC order, the court has asked the Centre, within two weeks, to formulate a national policy on admissions to hospitals which shall be followed by all State Governments. Till the formulation of such a policy by the Central Government, no patient shall be denied hospitalization or essential drugs in any State/UT for lack of local residential proof of that State/UT or even in the absence of identity proof
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Supreme Court gives Centre two days to rectify Delhi oxygen issue
As per Bar&Bench, the Supreme Court in an order released late Sunday night has directed the Central government to create a buffer stock of oxygen along with the states so that the stock can be used if the regular supply chain is disrupted due to any reason.
It gives two days to Centre to rectify Delhi’s oxygen shortage issue.
The order was passed by a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and Ravindra Bhat is the suo motu case concerning supply of essential medicines, drugs and vaccines in the wake of second wave of COVID-19
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
India receives 1.25 lakh vials of Remdesivir from US
The American people stand united with India in the fight against COVID-19! Today, 125,000 vials of the antiviral drug Remdesivir arrived from the U.S. -the 4th relief shipment- and there are more life-saving supplies on the way. Thanks @USAID and @HHSGov for coord! #USIndiaDosti pic.twitter.com/Fz6mxmtY7P
— U.S. Embassy India (@USAndIndia) May 2, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
809 ventilators given to districts in Punjab
The Punjab government on Sunday said it has provided 809 more ventilators to the districts in the state amid a surge in COVID-19 cases.
While reviewing the COVID situation, Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan directed all the deputy commissioners to get the new ventilators installed by Sunday itself and ensure that not even a single oxygen concentrator and ventilator remain unutilised.
She also ordered from home for private offices so that the chain of COVID-19 transmission could be broken.
Mahajan further directed for increasing the number of level-2 and level-3 beds to provide the best possible care to serious coronavirus patients as 14 of the total 22 districts have been showing more than 10 percent positivity rate.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Tamil Nadu adds all-time high 20,768 new COVID-19 cases; 153 deaths
Tamil Nadu on Sunday reported an all-time high of 20,768 new COVID-19 cases pushing the caseload to 12,07,112 while the death toll rose to 14,346 with 153 fatalities. According to the Health department, recoveries mounted to 10,72,322 Sunday with 17,576 patients being discharged, leaving 1,20,444 active cases.
The number of samples tested stood at 1,43,083, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined so far to 2,29,56,942. Tamil Nadu had breached the 10,000 cases mark on April 18, by adding 10,723 new infections.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Karnataka reports 37,733 new cases, 217 deaths
Karnataka’s COVID-19 tally crossed the 16 lakh mark on Sunday following 37,733 fresh infections while 217 more deaths took the toll to 16,011, the health department said.
According to a health bulletin, the state’s COVID tally stood at 16,01,865 whereas there are 4,21,436 active cases. As many as 11,64,398 people were discharged cumulatively including 21,149 on Sunday in the state.
Bengaluru Urban district accounted for 21,199 fresh cases and 64 deaths. The city has so far reported 7,97,292 infections and 6,601 deaths. There were 2,81,767 active cases.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Centre rushes Delhi HC to recall court order to supply allocated oxygen
The Delhi High Court on Sunday asked the Delhi government to file a reply to a Centre’s plea seeking recall of a court order to supply the entire oxygen allocated to the national capital by “whatever means” to treat COVID-19 patients or face contempt.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli, which held a two-and-a half hour-long special hearing on a holiday, issued a notice to the Delhi government on the Centre’s application and asked it to file its response by Wednesday.
While hearing the arguments of counsel for the Centre and the Delhi government, the bench observed, “This is not about allegations or counter-allegations. We are not on that. We are dealing with much larger issue and situation. We are concerned with the lives of 100s of people.”
The bench added that recently the Centre has issued a notification saying GNCTD is the LG and that Delhi stands on a different footing as compared to other states.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Flores hospital sends out SOS for oxygen supply in Ghaziabad
As per reports, an alarm has been sounded by the Flores Hospital in Ghaziabad. A 100-bed facility, the hospital now has just enough oxygen to last for another hour. It has not been getting its supply from Goyal Gas, its authorized, supplier. There are currently more than 82 Covid patients at the Flores Hospital. According to India Today, over 80+ Covid patients are in critical danger.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi reports over 400 deaths for second day in a row
The national capital reported 407 COVID-19 fatalities and 20,394 cases with a positivity rate of 28.33 per cent on Sunday, according to a bulletin issued by the Delhi health department.
This is the second consecutive day the capital has recorded over 400 fatalities due to the deadly virus.
It had reported 412 deaths on Saturday, the highest so far; 375 on Friday, 395 on Thursday, 368 on Wednesday; 381 on Tuesday, 380 on Monday, 350 on Sunday, and 357 on Saturday last week, according to government data.
Delhi had recorded 25,219 cases on Saturday, 27,047 on Friday, 24,235 on Thursday, 25,986 on Wednesday, 24,149 on Tuesday, 20,201 on Monday, 22,933 on Sunday, and 24,103 last Saturday.
The city has so far recorded 11,94,946 cases, of which over 10.85 lakh have recovered. The death toll due to the viral disease stands at 16,966, the bulletin said.
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Haryana announces one-week statewide lockdown from 3 May
Amid a sharp surge in coronavirus cases, the Haryana government on Sunday announced imposition of a week-long lockdown in the entire state beginning May 3.
Earlier, a weekend curfew was enforced in nine districts — Gurugram, Faridabad, Panchkula, Sonipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Hisar, Sirsa and Fatehabad — from 10 pm on Friday till 5 am on Monday.
“From May 3, there will be a 7-day long lockdown in the entire state,” Haryana’s Home and Health Minister Anil Vij said in a tweet.
Chief Minister M L Khattar held meetings with the district administration officials in Sirsa, Kurukshetra, Sonipat and Bhiwani on steps to check spread of the infection. Replying to a question of reporters, Khattar said there is no need for people to panic.
He said everyone must follow COVID-related guidelines.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Army reduces physical attendance in offices, cancels all physical meetings
The Indian Army on Sunday said it has reduced attendance in its offices and cancelled all physical conferences and meetings till the end of this month in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. India is struggling with the second wave of the coronavirus infection as hospitals in several states are reeling under a shortage of oxygen and beds.
The Indian Army said on Twitter it has issued fresh instructions — which will remain in effect till May 31 — to contain the spread of COVID-19 infection and maintain force preservation.
“The measures include reduced attendance in offices of all headquarters(HQs)/establishments including Army HQ, cancellation of all physical conferences/meetings, deferment of all moves on postings, temporary duties and courses,” it noted.
All operational moves, movement of personnel executing relief operations, medical management and those engaged in essential services will continue as before with strict COVID-19 precautions, it said.
-PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Jeevan Anmol Hospital raises SOS over oxygen supply
Jeevan Anmol Hospital in Delhi’s Mayur Vihar says it has only two hours of oxygen left. According to a letter shared by Indian Youth Congress’ national secretary, the hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Neera Sodhi said it urgently needs liquid oxygen as cylinders don’t support ventilators and ICUs as efficiently and will not last long.
Jeevan Anmol Hospital is running out the oxygen.
— Amrish Ranjan Pandey (@pandey_amrish) May 2, 2021
No heed has been paid to them by the administration.
Kindly do the needful and help save the affected.#SOSDelhi #SOS #SOSIYC@drharshvardhan @ArvindKejriwal pic.twitter.com/urKfRFbBcN
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Punjab govt announces additional curbs
The Punjab government on Monday announced not more than two persons can travel in a car, 50 percent staff strength at government offices and a negative coronavirus test report must for those entering the state as part of added curbs amid rising COVID-19 cases and fatalities.These restrictions, in addition to the earlier ones, will remain in effect till 15 May, according to the Punjab Home Department’s directive to all deputy commissioners and district police chiefs.
Anybody arriving in Punjab by air, rail or road must have a negative COVID report which is not more than 72-hour old or produces vaccination certificate, at least of one dose, over two weeks old. All four-wheeler passenger vehicles, including cars and taxis, will not be allowed to seat more than two passengers in the state. However, vehicles carrying patients to hospitals will be exempted, according to the directions. It also stated that pillion riding on scooters and motorcycles will not be allowed except for those belonging to the same family and living in the same house.
All shops selling non-essential items will remain shut. Those dealing in medicines and essential items like milk, bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy and poultry products like eggs, meat, mobile repair will be allowed.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
J&K issues revised containment guidelines, places Srinagar in red zone
The Jammu and Kashmir State Executive Committee on Sunday put Srinagar district in the red category as it issued revised guidelines for effective containment of COVID-19 in the Union Territory. According to the new guidelines, all educational institutions, public parks and coaching centres would continue to remain closed till 31 May , while public transport is allowed to ply with 50 percent seating capacity and only 50 per cent shops allowed to open in markets and malls, Chief Secretary and Chairperson SEC B V R Subrahmanyam said in an order .
Jammu and Kashmir, which is presently under lockdown since Thursday evening, recorded its highest single-day spike of 3,832 fresh COVID-19 cases on Saturday, taking the tally to 1,79,915, while a record 47 deaths raised the toll to 2,330. Srinagar has been the worst affected district of Jammu and Kashmir by the COVID-19 pandemic, recording 546 deaths and over 35,000 cases. The district has the highest number of active cases as on date at 8,872. The UT has over 30,000 active cases.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Delhi L-G asks departments to furnish action plan to address shortage of hospital beds, oxygen
Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Sunday asked departments concerned to furnish an action plan to address the shortage of hospital beds, medicines, medical oxygen as well as increasing the capacity of crematoriums and graveyards amid a surge in COVID cases in Delhi. The L-G, who is in home isolation after testing positive for COVID 19, has also suggested employing services of recently retired doctors and para medical services to plug the gaps in the city’s health infrastructure.
“Hon’ble Lt Governor has sought further advise from concerned departments/agencies with regard to availability of key medicines, beds, medical oxygen and augmentation of capacities at crematoriums/grave yards, with the aim of addressing the ongoing problems being faced by people,” LG office said in a tweet from its official handle.
A massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the national capital has resulted in shortages of hospital beds, medical oxygen and medicines for patients. The city hospitals, running low on medical oxygen, have been sending SOS messages to authorities pleading them to save serious patients.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Cabinet secretary stresses on need to ramp up Delhi’s medical infrastructure
Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba on Sunday expressed anguish over issues related to availability of oxygen in the National Capital and emphasised the need to ramp up the city’s medical infrastructure. At a high-level review meeting on the COVID-19 situation here, Gauba also asked the Delhi government to make every effort to lift their allocated oxygen by using all means.
On issues related to availability of oxygen, the cabinet secretary expressed his anguish at recent instances where people had suffered due to lack of adequate and timely availability of oxygen, an official statement said. He has asked the Delhi government to make all out efforts to lift their allocated oxygen, using all the means at their disposal, and also to ensure that the oxygen available to them is distributed rationally and in a transparent manner, so that there is no diversion or leakage, it said. The Cabinet secretary emphasised the need to ramp up medical infrastructure in Delhi, at the earliest, to cater to the increasing demand for COVID beds, ICUs and ventilators. He stressed the need to make available to the public all relevant information on COVID beds and other facilities, and availability of medicines, according to the statement.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Journalists to be vaccinated on priority basis, says Bihar CM
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said journalists in the state will be given COVID-19 vaccines on a priority basis. The chief minister said journalists are performing their duty well during the coronavirus pandemic and are making people aware of the dangers of the infection.
All the journalists accredited with the Information and Public Relations Department at the state leveland also non- accredited scribes authenticated by the district public relation officers, from print,electronic and web media, will be considered as frontline workers for inoculation,said the state government in an official statement. All of them will be given COVID vaccine on a priority basis, it said.
राज्य में पत्रकारों को प्राथमिकता के आधार पर कोरोना का टीका लगाया जायेगा। कोरोना संक्रमण के दौर में पत्रकार अपनी भूमिका का बेहतर निवर्हन कर रहे हैं। वे कोरोना संक्रमण के खतरों के प्रति लोगों को जागरूक कर रहे हैं।
— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) May 2, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Former Filmfare editor Shashi Baliga succumbs to COVID-19
We mourn the untimely passing away of senior journalist and former Filmfare editor Shashi Baliga, who lost the battle to Covid-19 this afternoon. She was a fine writer, a good friend, and a great colleague. The untimely death of Shashi is a shock to the journalist fraternity. RIP pic.twitter.com/22sUWblhkm
— Mumbai Press Club (@mumbaipressclub) May 2, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
COVID-19 vaccination for 18-45 age group in Delhi to begin tomorrow
The third and the largest phase of vaccination, under which beneficiaries in the 18-45 age group will be given jabs against coronavirus, will begin in Delhi on Monday. Around 90 lakh people in this category will be eligible for the jabs. Five vaccination booths each have been set up at 77 schools for the inoculation exercise, an official told news agency PTI on Sunday. The government set up vaccination centres at schools to accommodate a high number of beneficiaries, he said.Pre-registration will be mandatory for beneficiaries in the 18-45 age group and there will be no walk-ins for this category for now, the official said.
At present, jabs are being given to those aged above 45 at around 500 centres in the national capital. Three big private hospital chains Apollo, Fortis and Max have already started vaccinating people in the 18-45 age group at limited centres from Saturday.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Vaccination drive for 18-44 age group begins at 200 centres in Haryana
Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij on Sunday said the anti-coronavirus vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group began at about 200 centres in the state on Sunday . He said vaccination is free at all government hospitals in the state. “The vaccination has been started at about 200 centres across the state, Vij said in an official statement. The health minister said about 1.1 crore people of the state fall between the age group of 18 to 44 years.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Vaccination for 18-45 age group at five centres on 3 May, says BMC
Mumbai’s civic body on Sunday says vaccination for those above the age of 45 will remain suspended on Monday as well while that for those in 18-45 age group will be carried out at five Centres. In another tweet, the BMC had said all the five centres will have 500 vaccines each and vaccination will be carried out from 9 am to 5 pm. Slot booking for those in 18-45 age group began at 7.30 pm.
Dear 18 to 44’s
— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) May 2, 2021
Try to book your slot starting 7.30 PM onwards tonight to get #vaccinated between 9 AM to 5 PM tomorrow. All the five centres will have 500 vaccines each. #YoungAndVaccinated#MyBMCVaccinationUpdate #WeShallOvercome #MiJababdar https://t.co/Xc2hv0LjR0
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Kerala records 31,959 new COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths
Kerala recorded 31,959 COVID-19 cases on Sunday, with the total caseload mounting to 16 lakh as the active cases soared to 3.39 lakh, the state government said. As many as 16,296 people have been cured of the infection, taking the total recoveries to 12,93,590, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters in Kannur. The toll has mounted to 5,405 with 49 more deaths.
Of the positive cases,81 are health workers, 266 had come from outside the state and 29,700 were infected through contact.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
In touch with foreign embassies, responding to their medical demands: MEA
The Ministry of External Affairs on Sunday said it is in continuous touch with all foreign embassies in India and is responding to their medical demands, especially those related to COVID-19. MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the response to medical demands of the embassies included facilitating treatment in hospital even as he urged all not to hoard essential supplies, including oxygen.
Earlier, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar hit out at Congress leader Jairam Ramesh after he said on Twitter that the youth wing of the Congress was attending to SOS calls from foreign embassies and wondered whether the MEA was sleeping. Ramesh also shared a video posted on Twitter by Indian Youth Congress national president Srinivas B V that showed a mini pickup van entering the embassy of the Philippines in Delhi, carrying oxygen cylinders.
“The MEA checked with the Philippines Embassy. This was an unsolicited supply as they had no COVID cases. Clearly for cheap publicity by you know who. Giving away cylinders like this when there are people in desperate need of oxygen is simply appalling,” Jaishankar tweeted. “Jairamji, MEA never sleeps; our people know across the world. MEA also never fakes; we know who does,” he said in another tweet.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Arranging oxygen supply for Vimhans, tweets Raghav Chadha
Responding to a tweet about Vimhans hospital being left with only 3.5 hours of oxygen supply, AAP MLA Raghav Chadha said," We are in process of arranging 2MT of LMO for Vihmans from our reserves so that they get through the night." “I urge Central Govt to deliver to us the allocated oxygen. We too are raising SOS,” Chadha further said.
Second Oxygen Express arrives in Delhi
The second ‘Oxygen Express’ for Delhi arrived in Delhi on Sunday with 120 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen and a third such train has begun its journey for the national capital from Angul in Odisha, the railway ministry said. The train from Angul is carrying 30.86 tonnes of oxygen, it said.
The railways has delivered 1,094 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in 74 tankers to various states across the country since 19 April , the ministry said on Sunday.
Nineteen ‘Oxygen Express’ trains have already completed their journey and two more loaded ‘Oxygen Express’ trains, carrying around 61.46 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in four tankers, are on way to their destinations, it said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Atleast five Delhi hospitals will run out of oxygen by midnight, says Dr Arvinder Singh Soin
Atleast five Delhi hospitals will run out of oxygen by midnight, says Dr Arvinder Singh Soin – Chairman, Institute of Liver Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Medanta Hospital.
At least 5 Delhi hospitals that I know of will run out of OXYGEN by midnight. From what I'm told, the authorities are well aware which ones.
— Dr. Arvinder Singh Soin (@ArvinderSoin) May 2, 2021
Avert further unbearable tragedy.
SOS x 5: @drharshvardhan @LtGovDelhi @ArvindKejriwal
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Thirteen Opposition leaders urge Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to hospitals
Thirteen Opposition leaders including Sitaram Yechury, Sharad Pawar, Sonia Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, Farooq Abdulla, urge the Centre to focus all attention on ensuring uninterrupted flow of oxygen to hospitals and health centres across the country. " We call upon the Central government to immeditaley launch a free free mass vaccination programme across the country. The budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination programme must be utilised for this," the leaders said in a joint statement.
It is a grave situation. The Modi government must act. Our joint call for immediate action 👇🏾 pic.twitter.com/OY7YRbGDAQ
— Sitaram Yechury (@SitaramYechury) May 2, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Andhra Pradesh defers intermediate exams
The Andhra Pradesh government on Sunday announced the postponement of the year-end examinations for Intermediate students, “in deference to the suggestion of the High Court.” State Education Minister A Suresh said in a statement that they have decided to put off the examinations tillnormalcy is restored. The Minister, however, remained silent on the exams for Class X students.
“The High Court has asked us to reconsider the decision to go ahead with the Intermediate examinations (from May 9), in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation. We have also taken into consideration the concerns of the students and parents,” Suresh said. He said a fresh schedule for the Intermediate exams
would be announced after the situation returned to normal.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Curfew extended in Bhopal till 6 am on 10 May
The Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday extended ‘corona curfew’ in capital Bhopal till 10 May, an official said. The curfew, in force since 12 April with extensions on 19 and 26 April, was to end at 6am on Monday, he added. “The corona curfew was extended in Bhopal and Berasia
town till 6am on 10 May as per an order by district collector Avinash Lavaniya. Essential services and emergency travel are exempted from the curbs,” the official informed.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
HC seeks Dehi govt’s response on Centre’s plea
The Delhi High Court on Sunday asked the Delhi government to file a reply to a Centre’s plea seeking recall of a court order to supply the entire oxygen allocated to the National Capital by “whatever means” to treat COVID-19 patients or face contempt. A bench of justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli, which held a special hearing on a holiday, issued a notice to the Delhi government and asked it to file its response by Wednesday. The court said it will hear this particular application of the Centre on Thursday, while other issues will be heard on Monday.
The bench was hearing an application by the central government seeking recall of its1 May order directing supply of the entire 490 metric tonnes (MT) of oxygen allocated to Delhi and warning of contempt action for failure to do so. The central government said its officials are working hard and such orders would have a demoralising effect on them
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Bars, casinos, schools and colleges in Goa to remain shut till 10 May
The Goa chief minister said various establishments including casinos, bars, sports complexes, auditoriums, community halls etc will remain closed along with river cruises, water parks, entertainment parks, gyms, spas, massage parlours, saloons etc. Schools, colleges, and educational institutes will also remain closed except for the examination purpose, Sawant said. He said religious places will be closed for the public but regular activities may continue in these places.
“Social, political, sports, entertainment, academic and cultural functions will be banned except for the events which are held with the permission of the government with 50 or fewer people,” the chief minister said.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Lockdown to be lifted, restriction to continue in Goa, says CM
COVID-19-induced restrictions will remain in force in Goa till 10 May during which various commercial establishments will remain closed while political
and social gatherings will be banned, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said on Sunday. Goa, a popular tourist hotspot, had reported an extremely high test positivity rate of over 50 per cent on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters, he said the lockdown imposed in Goa on April 29 will be lifted at 6 am on May 3 as announced earlier. “The lockdown in the state will be lifted tomorrow 6 am onwards but the COVID-19 related restrictions will continue to be in force for a week to ensure that the spread of the virus is controlled,” Sawant said.
PTI
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Ensure medicines, equipment not sold above MRP, Delhi HC directs state
The Delhi High Court directs the state government to ensure that none of the medicines or equipments are sold higher at a price higher than the MRP, reports Bar&Bench. “Any person in violation shall be booked and brought to the notice of this court for independent action,” the court says. According to PTI, abench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli directed the government to book those persons found hoarding or black-marketing medicines and equipment related to COVID-19 and be brought before the court for taking independent contempt action against them. The direction was issued after the court was informed by some lawyers that there was rampant overcharging of medicines and equipment.
The bench says that the blackmarketing issue needs to be dealt with an ‘iron hand’, reports LiveLaw.
We direct State to ensure that none of the medicines or equipments are sold higher than MRP. Any person in violation shall be booked and brought to the notice of this court for independent action: Court
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 2, 2021
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
Increase allocation of Remdesivir to Maharashtra, HC tells Centre
The Bombay High Court in Nagpur on Sunday asked the Central government to increase the supply of Remdesivir injections to Maharashtra observing the current reduction in the allocation of the crucial drug is not consistent with the number of active COVID-19 cases as of 1 May. In a special hearing, the bench of Justices SB Shukre and Avinash Gharote heard a bunch of petitions on the shortage of medical oxygen and Remdesivir, which is in high demand for treating COVID-19 patients.
The bench said the high court came to know about the reduction in the allocation of Remdesivir to Maharashtra from 1 to 9 May. “For the earlier period of ten days, the allocation was 4,30,000 vials, and the same for the next 10 days is 3,74,500. This means a reduction of 60,500 vials of Remdesivir for Maharashtra,” the judges said. The bench observed that such a reduction in the allocation of Remdesivir vials to Maharashtra is not consistent with the number of active cases in the state.
PTI
Coronavirus LATEST Updates
MD City hospital tells HC it has one hour of oxygen supply left
MD City Hospital also tells Delhi High Court that it was facing a crisis and has oxygen left for only one hour, reports The Hindu. “We have 140 patients,” Bar&Bench quotes the advocate representing the hospital as saying.
Adv Ashok Sharma for MD City Hospital: we have stock of one hour. We have 140 patients. Let things be coordinated with supplier.#DelhiHighCourt #TusharMehta #OxygenShortage #OxygenCylinders #DelhiNCR @TheRahulMehra pic.twitter.com/6IIsLaYRbu
— Bar and Bench (@barandbench) May 2, 2021
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