Coronavirus News Updates: India is in 'dire straits' as it opened up prematurely, says Dr Fauci on COVID crisis

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre asks states to check future incidences of people dumping bodies in Ganga

The Centre on Tuesday asked states along the Ganga to ensure strict vigilance and check future incidences of people dumping bodies in the river and its tributaries.

In a letter to District Ganga Committees which are chaired by district magistrates or collectors, the National Mission for Clean Ganga — the apex body that monitors rejuvenation of the river and its tributaries — also asked the authorities to dispose unidentified bodies of suspected COVID-19 victims in accordance with safety protocols.

“Ensure strict vigilance along length of the river within territorial jurisdiction of the district to prevent and check such future incidences of people dumping dead bodies in Ganga and its tributaries and of any other activity hazardous for river Ganga and health and hygiene of the area,” NMCG Director General Rajiv Ranjan Mishra said in the letter to the chairpersons of the committees.

-PTI

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India opened up prematurely, Dr Fauci on COVID-19 crisis

America’s top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci on Tuesday said that India is in such “dire straits” because it made the “incorrect assumption” that they were finished with the COVID-19 and opened up prematurely.

India has been severely affected by the unprecedented second wave of the coronavirus and hospitals in several states are reeling under the shortage of health workers, vaccines, oxygen, drugs and beds.

“The reason that India is in such dire straits now is that they had an original surge and made the incorrect assumption that they were finished with it, and what happened, they opened up prematurely and wind up having a surge right now that we’re all very well aware of is extremely devastating,” Dr Fauci told Senate Health, Education, Labour and Pensions Committee during a hearing on the COVID-19 Response.

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Delhi airport to shut operations at T2 terminal from 17 May midnight

The Delhi international airport will shut down its T2 terminal from 17 May midnight as the number of flights has reduced significantly due to the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, sources said on Tuesday. From 17 May midnight, all flights will be handled at the T3 terminal only, they stated.

Currently, the Delhi airport is handling around 325 flights per day, they mentioned. Before the pandemic, it used to handle around 1,500 flights per day.

The Delhi airport’s decision has come at a time when India and its aviation sector has been badly hit by the second wave of the pandemic. 

During the last few weeks, the number of domestic air passengers per day have come from more than 2.2 lakh to around 75,000 right now, according to the Civil Aviation Ministry’s data. Similarly, international air traffic has also been affected by the second wave of the pandemic.

-PTI

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Total of 17,51,71,482 vaccine doses administered so far, says health ministry

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 17,51,71,482 as per the 8 pm provisional report on Tuesday, said the Union health ministry in a press release.

A total of 4,74,629 beneficiaries of the age group 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine on Tuesday and cumulatively 30,39,287 individuals have received vaccine doses across 30 States/UTs since the third phase of the vaccination drive began.

#LargestVaccineDrive

✅ More than 4.7 lakh beneficiaries of age group 18-44 vaccinated today.

✅ More than 30.3 lakh vaccine doses administered to 18-44 age group till now. pic.twitter.com/CJvu5O0Plo

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 11, 2021

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Centre not fulfilling responsibility of providing enough vaccines, alleges Rajesh Tope

Maharashtra Health Minister  Rajesh Tope on Tuesday alleged that the Union government was not fulfilling its responsibility to provide adequate number of vaccine doses to states. “The Union government has not provided enough vials of Covaxin and Covishield, hence we had to divert our own Covaxin stock, purchased for the 18-44 years age group, for the above-45 age group,” Tope told reporters here. “The Union government is not fulfilling its responsibility of providing sufficient quantity of vaccine,” he added.

The Union government should grant approval to all the COVID-19 vaccines available in the global market, Tope said.

PTI

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AP govt to float global tender soon for procuring COVID-19 vaccines

The Andhra Pradesh government will float a global tender in a day or two for procurement of Covid-19 vaccines from foreign manufacturers to complete the vaccination process as quickly as possible. The state has identified 2.04 crore people in the 18- 45 age group for whom the Covid-19 vaccine has to be administered.

While a portion of the 4.08 crore doses required for these people is expected to come from local vaccine producers, the state is getting ready to buy a sufficient number of doses for at least one crore people, officials said.

PTI

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More restrictions and containment measures in Assam from Thursday, says CM

 Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday chaired the first meeting of the newly formed state cabinet, Giving information fo the decisions taken during the meeting, Sarma said more restrictions and containment measures will be imposed in the state from 13 May, the detailed SOP for which will be issued on Wednesday. “In case restrictions have to continue for more than a fortnight, govtwill consider financial relief package for weaker sections,” Sarma added.

1. To contain #Covid cases, more restrictions & containment measures would be put in place from May 13, 2021. Detailed SOP will be issued on Wednesday. In case restrictions have to continue for more than a fortnight, Govt will consider financial relief package for weaker sections pic.twitter.com/1tRwTbHC5F

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) May 11, 2021

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Direct supply of Covaxin to 18 states from 1 May: Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech on Tuesday said it will continue the steady supply of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, adding the jab has been directly supplied to 18 states since 1 May. The states include Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Bihar, Gujarat, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, the Hyderabad-based firm added.

The company is supplying its vaccine to Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Tripura, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

COVAXIN® has been directly supplied to 18 states since May 1st.
Unflinching in our efforts, we will continue the steady supply of our #vaccine.

Get yourself and your loved ones vaccinated.#BharatBiotech #COVAXIN #COVID19Vaccine #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/B3mlFT6KoT

— Bharat Biotech (@BharatBiotech) May 11, 2021

Second wave seems to have flattened but won’t end before July, says virologist Shahid Jameel

India’s second COVID-19 wave seems to have flattened but the climb down will be a more prolonged, long drawn-out process than the first and will possibly run till July, eminent virologist Shahid Jameel said on Tuesday.  Though the new variants of the virus may partly be responsible for the explosion in the number of cases, there is no indication the mutant versions are more lethal, added the director of the Trivedi School of Biosciences, Ashoka University, amid mounting worries about what is fuelling the second wave in India.    Addressing an online event organised by The Indian Express, Jameel noted that it is a little too early to say if the Covid wave has peaked.

 According to the scientist, COVID-19 cases in the second wave also won’t come down in as steady a fashion as they did after the first wave.

PTI

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Additional 45,000 vials of Tocilizumab allocated to states, says Union minister

Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda on Tuesday said additional 45,000 vials of Tocilizumab have been allocated to States/UTs to meet its demand across country. “Earlier, 9900 vials of the drug were made (available) to all states on 30 April. Besides these two allocations, another 50,024 vials were alloted to states yesterday,” the minister said. 

“The additional allocation of Tocilizumab will ensure its sufficient availability for COVID patients and augment our efforts to fight the pandemic,” Gowda added

Additional 45000 vials of #Tocilizumab have been allocated to States/UTs to meet its demand across country.

Earlier, 9900 vials of the drug were made to all States on 30th April.

Besides these 2 allocations, another 50024 vials were alloted to states yesterday. pic.twitter.com/QkQwyVuwAm

— Sadananda Gowda (@DVSadanandGowda) May 11, 2021

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Telangana reports 4,801 new cases, 32 deaths

Telangana on Tuesday reported 4,801 fresh COVID-19 cases,taking the tally to 5,06,988, while the toll rose to2,803 with 32 more deaths, a government bulletin said.The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 756, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (327) and Rangareddy (325), the bulletin said.  The state has 60,136 active cases and over 75,000 samples were tested.With 7,430 being cured, the total recoveries were at 4,44,049.  

PTI

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Congress sets up 13-member COVID-19 Relief Task Force

Congress sets up a 13-member COVID-19 Relief Task Force under chairmanship of former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad to coordinate relief activities of the party pic.twitter.com/YCHwgdv5Gw

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

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Chhota Rajan returns to Tihar after recovering from COVID

Gangster Chhota Rajan, who was admitted at AIIMS in Delhi for treatment after he had tested positive for COVID-19,  was taken back to Tihar jail on Tuesday following his recovery from illness, officials said.  He was found COVID-19 positive in the Tihar Jail on 22 April and was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on 24 April. According to a senior police officer, Rajan was brought back to Tihar on Tuesday as he had recovered.

PTI

Narendra Modi will not attend G7 summit in person: MEA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not travel to the UK to attend a summit of the G7 grouping in person in view of the prevailing coronavirus situation, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday.  The G7 summit is scheduled to take place in Cornwall in the UK next month.

“While appreciating the invitation to the Prime Minister by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to attend the G7 Summit as a special invitee, given the prevailing COVID situation, it has been decided that the Prime Minister will not attend the G7 Summit in person,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said.

PTI

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Mumbai hospital moves SC seeking medical oxygen for treating COVID patients

A Mumbai-based private hospital has moved the Supreme Court seeking direction to the Centre and the Maharashtra government to take urgent steps to ensure sufficient supply of oxygen to it for saving lives of COVID-19 patients.  The plea said it is a COVID hospital with 90 beds of which 13 are hi-tech ICU facilities and the hospitals which are requisitioned by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) can retain 20 percent of the beds for non-COVID patients.

It said that from 12 April, 2021, oxygen was denied by a private medical gas provider to it and the hospital had to shift the patients to other hospitals.

PTI

9,200 oxygen concentrators, 3.44L remdesivir vials received as global aid delivered to states, says Centre

A total of 9,200 oxygen concentrators, 5,243 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen-generation plants and about 3.44 lakh Remdesivir vials received as global aid were delivered or dispatched through road and air to various states and Union territories between 27 April and 10 May , the health ministry said on Tuesday    The major consignments received on Monday from the UAE, the US, Israel and the Netherlands include ventilators or BiPAP or CPAP (610), oxygen concentrators (300) and 12,600 strips of favipiravir (each strip contains 40 tablets).

Cumulatively, 9,200 oxygen concentrators, 5,243 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen-generation plants, 5,913 ventilators or BiPAP and about 3.44 lakh Remdesivir vials have been delivered or dispatched through road and air between 27  April and 10 May, the ministry said in a statement.

PTI

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Night curfew, other restrictions extended till 18 May in 36 Gujarat cities

The Gujarat government on  Tuesday extended night curfew and other restrictions in 36 cities in the state for another week in view of the coronavirus pandemic. The curfew between 8 pm to 6 am in 36 cities including Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Vadodara, imposed on 6 May, will be in force till 18 May, said a government release. Originally it was to last till 12 May.

PTI

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Maharashtra registers 40,956 new cases, 793 deaths

Maharashtra records 40,956 new cases, 793 deaths, pushing tally to 51,79,929 and toll to 77,191. With 71,966 patients recuperating in 24 hours, the number of recoveries rose to 45,41,391 and the state now has 5,58,996 active cases. 

Maharashtra reports 40,956 new #COVID19 cases, 793 deaths and 71,966 discharges in the last 24 hours

Active cases: 5,58,996

Total cases: 51,79,929
Total recoveries: 45,41,391
Death toll: 77,191 pic.twitter.com/Auv4G3XCsJ

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

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Clamour in Maharashtra to declare journalists frontline workers

Maharashtra Home Minister Dilip Walse-Patil on Tuesday said he had written to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray urging him to declare journalists as frontline workers. In his letter, Walse-Patil said that several senior journalists have been raising the demand and some states have also declared journalists as frontline workers. His department is also of the opinion that journalists should be considered as frontline workers, the minister said and requested to issue appropriate directions in this regard. Meanwhile, journalists said that they have will launch an agitation soon if the chief minister does not heed their demands.

पत्रकारांना 'फ्रंट लाईन वर्कर' घोषित करण्याची मागणी अनेक दिवसांपासून होत आहे. इतर राज्यात देखील पत्रकारांना असा दर्जा दिला आहे. या पार्श्वभूमीवर पत्रकारांना 'फ्रंट लाईन वर्कर' म्हणून घोषित करावे, अशी मागणी गृहमंत्री मा. दिलीप वळसे पाटील यांनी मुख्यमंत्र्यांना पत्राद्वारे केली. pic.twitter.com/iauZ3neZcI

— HMO Maharashtra (@maharashtra_hmo) May 11, 2021

Today Maharashtra journalists condemned insulting behaviour of @OfficeofUT government.Inspite of several petitions government has not accepted journalists’ demands for treating them as frontline workers. Uddhav Thackeray refused to meet them. They will launch agitation soon.

— nikhil wagle (@waglenikhil) May 11, 2021

In an online protest meeting today, Maharashtra journalists decided to intensify their agitation next week if MVA government fails to declare journalists as frontline workers. @OfficeofUT @ChhaganCBhujbal @rautsanjay61 @waglenikhil @sardesairajdeep @Awhadspeaks

— jatindesai (@jatindes) May 11, 2021

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Mumbai records 1,717 new cases, 51 deaths

Mumbai reports 1,717 new COVID-19 cases, 51 deaths in 24 hours, taking the total number of cases to 6,79,986 and toll to 13,942. With 6,082  patients recupertainf from the viral infection, the total number of recoveries has gone up to 6,23,080 while active cases stand at 41,102

#CoronavirusUpdates
11th May, 6:00pm#NaToCorona pic.twitter.com/t5Xni286x2

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) May 11, 2021

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Rajasthan fixes rates for COVID-19 treatment in pvt hospitals

The Rajasthan government on Tuesday fixed the package fees for treatment of COVID-19 patients admitted in private hospitals of the state.  The government had fixed the treatment cost in June last year, but it was not clear what medicines and investigations were included in the package. So, revised details are being issued to avoid any confusion, an official order said.

In the order released by Principal Secretary (Health) Akhil Arora, detailed guidelines have been issued to make the treatment cost more transparent for NABL and non-NABL accredited hospitals. For moderate sickness related to COVID-19, NABL accredited hospitals cannot charge more than Rs 5,500 per day including PPE kit charges for oxygen equipped isolated beds, whereas the non-NABL hospital charges will be Rs 5,000 per day. For severe and very severe patients, NABL accredited hospital treatment charge has been fixed at Rs 8,250 and 9,900 respectively per day including cost of PPE kits, whereas the daily package for non-NABL hospital has been fixed at Rs 7,500 and Rs 9,000 respectively for the categories. The hospitals can charge Rs 2,500 for the body and carriage while detailed guidelines can be seen on the health department website, the order stated.

PTI

Transfer Covaxin manufacturing tech to those interested in developing it, AP CM tells Centre

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday asked the Centre to direct Bharat Biotech and ICMR-NIV to transfer the Covaxin

manufacturing technology and provide the viral strain to “whoever is interested and capable of manufacturing the vaccine” so that the production could be ramped up. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jagan claimed that the present total manufacturing capacity of Covaxin did not cater to the country’s requirement.

 “It may take several months to get all vaccinated at this pace. Please explore the possibility of involving all such production firms and enable them with the technology, intellectual property rights to deliver the vaccine as quickly and as affordable as possible,” the chief minister said. “Anyone who can manufacture or is interested in manufacturing the vaccine should be encouraged to do so in the larger public interest.Entire manufacturing capacity should be mobilised and put to use in this testing times,” Jagan added.

PTI

In a letter to PM Modi, Andhra Pradesh CM YS Jagan Mohan Reddy requests him for technology transfer of manufacturing COVAXIN & ICMR-NIV to provide viral strain to interested firms and enable them with technology, IPR. pic.twitter.com/wkPw4Ofx4L

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

Not fair on part of Delhi government to give incorrect facts about COVID hospital: HC

 The Delhi High Court Tuesday expressed its displeasure over the Delhi government making incorrect statement on May 10 that 250 beds in the new dedicated COVID facility in Dwarka — Indira Gandhi Hospital — were already operational. “It was not fair on the part of the Delhi government to give incorrect facts,” a bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said and added that “the newspapers of Saturday said 250 beds in the hospital were operationalised, but not a single bed has been occupied till date”.

The remarks were made after the Delhi government apologised for making an incorrect statement on May 10 about the COVID facility in the hospital. The bench was informed by the Delhi government that for want of oxygen cylinders and concentrators the beds have not yet been operationalised.

PTI

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Delhi has run out of stock for people in 18-44 age group, says AAP MLA

 Delhi has run out of Covaxin stock for people in the 18-44 age group and will have to shut 125 centres where the coronavirus vaccine was being administered, AAP MLA Atishi said on Tuesday.  In an online briefing, she also said Delhi will get 2.67 lakh more doses of Covishield vaccine from the Centre by Tuesday evening.

“We have run out of Covaxin stock for 18-44 age group and will have to shut 125 centres where it is being administered after Tuesday evening,” Atishi said. The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader urged the Centre to replenish Covaxin and Covishield stocks and said otherwise “we will have no option but to stop vaccination drive”.

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Telangana HC pulls up state govt for stopping ambulances at border

The Telangana High Court on Tuesday pulled up the state government for not letting ambulances with COVID-19 patients from neighbouring states enter the state in the absence of a prior secured hospital admission, reports LiveLaw .  “This is a blatant violation of the Constitution. You are denying medical treatment to people,” the court said. According to a NewsMinute report, the court said that no COVID-19 patient should be denied entry to enter the state.The court also pulled the state government over it handling of the pandemic, stating that the “current night curfew is also very cosmetic in nature”.

Commenting on the lack of physical distancing, instances of violation of night curfew and of religious congregations being held, Chief Justice Hima Kohli asked, “Is religion more important than humanity? Isn’t humanity not a religion in itself? Man-made religion does not engage anybody.”

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Sri Lanka denies possibility of community transmission of Indian variant 

 Sri Lanka on Tuesday said it does not foresee the possibility of community transmission of the Indian variant of the COVID-19 despite detection of one case in the island nation last week.  Government spokesman Udaya Gammanpila said there was no chance for a community spread of the B.1.617 variant as the individual carrying the variant had been found at a quarantine centre.

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Karnataka to procure two crore vaccine doses through global tender, says deputy CM

Two crore COVID vaccine doses  will be procured through global tender in order to meet the increased demand and to facilitate vaccination of the age group of 18-44 years, Deputy Chief Minister and state COVID task force head C N Ashwath Narayan said on Tuesday. In addition to this, an order has already been been
placed for three crore vaccine doses — one crore Covaxin and two crore Covishield, he said.

PTI

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Mallikarjun Kharge lashes out at JP Nadda and BJP govt

In a rejoinder to BJP president JP Nadda, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge on Tuesday said, “I am not surprised that you still haven’t got out of the habit of blaming  the Congress  for everything, inspite of the BJP  being at helm of affairs for over seven years.” In a series of tweets, Kharge sought answers from the BJP government on issues including the procurement and export of COVID-19 vaccines and India’s rank on the Global Hunger Index 2020. 

“Instead of channelling resources to bring India out of the deep crisis it is in today, the BJP govt exported vaccines, refused to club election phases and allowed super-spreader events. Damage control was done, not to save people but to save BJP’s image!”, he alleged. Kharge said that Congress ruled states have already announced free vaccination for those above 18 years and said it is disheartening that the BJP government isn’t using the amount allocated by the Parliament to make vaccination free for all.

“India won’t forget that while our people struggled to breathe,Prime Minister Narendra Modi was busy with rallies and building a palace for himself. Nadda ji, instead of writing letters to the Congress President, please tender an apology to India and lend an ear to their pleas!” Kharge said.

Earlier on Tuesday, in a letter to Sonia Gandhi, Nadda accused the Congress of misleading people and creating false panic in the fight against COVID-19.

Despite being the pharma hub of the world, India has fully vaccinated only 1.8% of the population. We rank 69th in terms of %age of population vaccinated.

Why were only 34.6 crore doses ordered for 130 cr prople, out of which 6 cr doses were exported? (2/n)

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 11, 2021

If efforts were made to ensure medicines & essential goods for all, why are crematoriums & even rivers overrun with the bodies of the dead?

If free ration was given to 80 crore Indians in 2020, why was India ranked 94 among 107 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2020? (4/n)

— Mallikarjun Kharge (@kharge) May 11, 2021

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Delhi will float global tender for COVID-19 vaccines, says Sisodia

The Delhi government will float a global tender for procuring coronavirus vaccines, Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said on Tuesday, as the city government grapples with a shortage of doses. Addressing a press conference, he alleged that the BJP-ruled Centre was “forcing” state governments to invite global tenders for vaccine procurement.

The Central government wants the states to compete and fight with each other in the international market for vaccines, Sisodai alleged. He also demanded that the Centre launch a nationwide COVID vaccination drive on the line of pulse polio campaign.

PTI

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Andhra Pradesh CM urges Modi to hike liquid medical oxygen allocation to 910 tonnes

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy on Tuesday urged the Centre to increase the liquid medical oxygen (LMO) allocation to the state to 910 tonnes to meet the current patient load.  In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister said the LMO allocation to the state as of 24 April was 480 tonnes, which was revised to 590 tonnes on 8 May.

“The revised allocation is not at all commensurate with the increasing active (Covid-19) cases. On 10 May, oxygen supplies from Chennai and Karnataka were delayed and led to the unfortunate incident wherein 11 persons died due to lack of oxygen in Tirupati,” the chief minister pointed out.

PTI

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Delhi reports 12,481 new cases, 347 deaths

 With a single-day rise of 12,481 cases, Delhi’s COVID-19 tally has climbed to 13,48,699, while the toll due to the viral disease has shot up to 20,010 with 347 more people succumbing to it, authorities said on Tuesday. According to a bulletin issued by the Delhi government’s health department, the test positivity rate stands at 17.76 percent in the national capital.

Over 70,000 tests were conducted to detect COVID cases in the last 24 hours, the bulletin said, adding that more than 1.40 lakh people were inoculated against the disease in the said period and of the 22,953 beds in hospitals, 3,890 are vacant. 

PTI

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Oxygen leakage at south Goa district hospital

A minor oxygen leakage occurred at the South Goa district hospital (SGDH) in Margao on Tuesday afternoon when the gas was being filled in the main storage

tank on the campus from a tanker, but there is no casualty, a police official said. The SGDH is one of the biggest state-run facilities in treating COVID-19 patients.

“The medical oxygen leaked when the gas was being transferred to the main tank of the hospital from a tanker. There were no casualties as the leakage was plugged within a few minutes,” he said. District officials who rushed to the spot said a report on the causes behind the incident will be submitted to the state government. 

#WATCH Oxygen tank leakage at South Goa District Hospital; fire tenders rushed to the spot. Details awaited#Goa pic.twitter.com/QmDN6JlZ0J

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

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26 COVID-19 patients die at govt hospital in Goa; state heath minister seeks HC probe

Goa Health Minister Vishwajit Rane on Tuesday said 26 COVID-19 patients died at the state- run Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) in the early hours and sought an investigation by the High Court to find out the exact cause. He said these fatalities occurred between 2 am and 6 am “which is a fact”, but remained evasive about the cause. 

Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who visited GMCH, said the gap between the “availability of medical oxygen and its supply to COVID-19 wards in the GMCH might have caused some issues for the patients” even as he stressed that there is no scarcity of oxygen supply in the state.

Speaking to reporters, Rane admitted the shortfall in the supply of medical oxygen at the GMCH as of Monday. “The high court should investigate the reasons behind these deaths. The HC should also intervene and prepare a white paper on oxygen supply to the GMCH, which would help to set

the things right,” the health minister said after CM’s visit to the GMCH.

PTI

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One lakh oxygen concentrators being procured under PM CARES Fund,says MHA

During the press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Additional secretary in the Home Ministry Piyush Goyal elaborated on the steps taken for augmenting oxygen supply. Plants have been sent up and LMO being imported, tankers are also being imported and manufactured domestically. rail and air transportation of tankers will reduce turn-around time, The Hindu quotes him as saying. There has been a seven fold increase in LMO supply from March to 9 May, Goyal highlighted.According to reports, the MHA said one lakh O2 concentrators being procured under PMCARES Fund.

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19 lakh tests conducted on 5 May, highest in world, says ICMR DG

On May 5, we did more than 19 lakh tests, which is highest in the world,says the ICRM DG. Bhargava elaborates on the steps taken in terms of testing in light of the second wave: rationalising RTPCR tests, increasing RAT tests for increasing early testing and isolation and exempting approval to and DCGI giving marketing permission to testing kits approved by certain repurted agencies globally.   According to news agency ANI, Bhargava said Rapid Antigen Tests (RATs) to be allowed at all government and private health facilities and no accreditation will be required.Home based testing solutions are being looked into, Bhargava added.

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National positvity rate around 21%, says ICMR DG

ICMR DG Balram Bhargava said the national positivity rate is around 21% and 310 districts reporting more than the national average.

Total of 25.59 in 18-44 age group given first dose, says health ministry

A total of 17.01 crore vaccine doses given to states and administered, so far, says health ministry. As many as 25.59 lakh doses administered to those in 18-44 age group, said Lav Agarwal.

New cases plateauing or declining in 18 states, says health ministry

In a press briefing on the COVID-19 situation, Joint Secretary in the health ministry Lav Aagarwal says there is trend of decline in cases in last few days. He however highlighted that this is only an early trend and efforts to tackle COVID-19 should continue as before.  The ministry also said that there was an early trend of decline in COVID-19 deaths.

Thirteen states have over one lakh cases, he said adding that 26 states are reporting more than 15% positivity rate. Nearly 18 states showing plateuing or decreasing in new cases, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. Agarwal added that these states should continue containment efforts.  According to news agency PTI, the health ministry saud Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Punjab were among 16 states showing continued increasing trend in daily new COVID-19 cases.

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Restrictions on travelling in Mumbai local trains to continue, Maharashtra tells HC

The existing restrictions on travelling in local trains, metro trains and monorails in Mumbai cannot be relaxed at this juncture as COVID-19 cases are still spreading, the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court on Tuesday. State government’s counsel PP Kakade told a bench of Justices KK Tated and Abhay Ahuja that only frontline health workers and state government staff are currently allowed to use the services of suburban trains, the monorail, and metro trains.

The bench was hearing a plea filed by the Cooperative,Banks Employees Union (CBEU) seeking permission to travel to work by local trains, metro, and monorail services in the city.

PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Health ministry tells states to prioritise vaccination to those awaiting second dose

Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan,  Dr. RS Sharma, Chairman of Empowered Group on Technology and Data Management to combat COVID-19 and member, National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration of COVID-19 reviewed the status of COVID vaccination with the health Secretaries and NHM MDs of States and UTs, through a video conference (VC), the health ministry said in a press release. The health secretary told states to ensure all beneficiaries who have taken the first dose are prioritised for the second doses. 

In this regard, states can reserve at least 70 percent of the vaccines supplied to them from Government of India channel for second dose vaccination and remaining 30 percent for first dose. “This however is indicative. States have the liberty to enhance this to as much as 100 percent.  State-wise numbers on CoWIN have been shared with states for their planning purposes,” the statement read. States were also asked to conduct an awareness campaign for reinforcing the  importance of complete vaccination with two doses of the vaccine, the ministry said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Crowd gathers in UP’s Badaun for cleric’s funeral, case lodged

According to reports , scores of people attended a funeral of a Muslim cleric in Uttar Pradesh’s Badaun on Sunday, raising fears of a super spreader event in a state battling COVID-19. Abdul Hamid Mohammad Salimul Qadri, the cleric had breathed his last on Sunday afternoon. Thousands of followers gathered within hours at the mosque where the cleric’s body was kept for public viewing.

In photographs and a video clip circulaing on social media, people are seen violating distancing guidelines, a majoirty of them not wearing masks.

The UP police filed a First Information Report (FIR) on Monday against unidentified persons, reported The Indian Express.

Jammu and Kashmir offers scholarships to children orphaned due to COVID-19

The office of the Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha announced a series of welfare measures for citizens adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Government will offer special scholarships to children who have lost their parents due to the COVID. The Govt has decided to provide Rs 1000 per month to all registered construction workers, ponywalas, palkiwalas, pithuwalas for the next two months. The government has directed all concerned officers to ensure the supply of ration to all ration card holders on priority. In these challenging times, the old-age homes, 0rphanages will be extended all the support from the government including rations,” said the Prasar Bharati News Services quoting the office of Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor.

Telangana to impose lockdown for 10 days from 10 am, 12 May 

Telangana government has decided to impose 10 days of lockdown from 10 am, 12 May following a cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, the Times of India reported. All activities will be allowed from 6 am to 10 am following which full lockdown will be imposed, the report said.

Andhra Pradesh announces ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to families of patients who passed away amid oxygen shortage

Andhra Pradesh chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy has announced Rs 10 lakh ex-gratia for the families of those who died last night at Ruia Hospital in Tirupati. Eleven COVID-19 patients died at SVRR government general hospital in Tirupati on Thursday evening after a breakdown in oxygen supply, resulting in shortage. At least 13 patients who are being treated in the ICU ward currently are said to be critical.

Jharkhand to begin universal COVID-19 vaccination for adults from 14 May

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren tweeted on Tuesday that starting 14 May, the state will start vaccinating citizens above 18 years of age and that the exchequer will bear the cost. He assured that the vaccine is safe and appealed to all the eligible citizens to come forward for vaccination without any hesitation. 

14 तारीख़ से 18 वर्ष के ऊपर सभी राज्यवासियों को निःशुल्क कोरोना वैक्सीन लगाया जायेगा। इसका पूरा खर्च राज्य सरकार आपके ही करों द्वारा अर्जित पैसों से करेगी।

अतः निःशुल्क वैक्सीन आपका हक़ है एवं पूरी तरह सुरक्षित भी है।

अतः आप बिना किसी संकोच वैक्सीन अवश्य लगायें।

— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) May 10, 2021

Narendra Modi speaks with Bhutanese counterpart

According to an All India Radio report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today had a telephonic conversation with his Bhutanese counterpart Prime Minister Lotay Tshering today. The Bhutanese prime minister expressed solidarity with the government and the people of India in their efforts against the recent wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Maharashtra has 35,000 doses of Covaxin against five lakh people due for second dose: Rajesh Tope

“We have 35,000 doses of Covaxin left where nearly five lakh people are due for second dose. Covaxin doses acquired by the state for people of age between 18 and 44 years will be diverted for people over 45 years. We will start using 3.25 lakh Covaxin doses acquired by the state for second dose of people over 45 years,” a Moneycontrol report quoted Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope as saying.

Join hands to save lives: Rahul Gandhi tells country

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted out a campaign #SpeakUpToSaveLives appealing to the people to join hands to save lives.

Modi hails scientists, innovators for their contribution in combating COVID-19

On National Technology Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said that in any challenging situation, the country’s scientists and innovators have always risen to the occasion and over the last year have worked industriously to fight COVID-19. “On National Technology Day, we salute the hard work and tenacity of our scientists and those passionate about technology,” Modi tweeted.

On National Technology Day, we salute the hardwork and tenacity of our scientists and those passionate about technology. We remember with pride the 1998 Pokhran Tests, which demonstrated India’s scientific and technological prowess.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 11, 2021

Amit Shah assured us all sort of support: Yediyurappa

Speaking about the oxygen shortage in Karnataka, Chief Minister Yediyurappa said that he is in touch with the Centre to resolve the isssue.

“In the morning we’ve received 120 MT of medical oxygen via Oxygen Express train. If it comes like this there will be no problem. I am in touch with union leaders. I spoke with Prime Minister himself. Union Home Minister Amit Shah had assured us all sort of support,” Yediyurappa told ANI.

Only two companies should not manufacture vaccine: Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the Centre should take steps to increase the number of vaccine producing firms from the present two to speed up the vaccination drive across the country.

“Only two companies are producing vaccines. They produce only 6-7 crore vaccines a month. This way, it’ll take over two years to vaccinate everyone. Many waves would’ve come by then. Important to increase vaccine production on war footing & frame national plan to vaccinate all. Not just two, several companies should be deployed to produce vaccines. Centre should collect the formula to produce vaccines from these two companies and give it to all those companies that can produce vaccine safely. Centre has the power to do this in these difficult times,” ANI quoted Kejriwal as saying at a press conference in Delhi.

WHO against use of ivermectin for COVID-19 treatment

WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan today cited a Merck statement that advised against the use of ivermectin for COCID-19 treatment.

In a statement, Merck “affirmed its position regarding use of ivermectin during the COVID-19 pandemic. Company scientists continue to carefully examine the findings of all available and emerging studies of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 for evidence of efficacy and safety. It is important to note that, to-date, our analysis has identified:

~ No scientific basis for a potential therapeutic effect against COVID-19 from pre-clinical studies; 
~ No meaningful evidence for clinical activity or clinical efficacy in patients with COVID-19 disease, and; 
~ A concerning lack of safety data in the majority of studies.
~ We do not believe that the data available support the safety and efficacy of ivermectin beyond the doses and populations indicated in the regulatory agency-approved prescribing information.”

Army dedicates 100-bedded hospital in Faridabad

The Western Command of the Indian Army dedicated a 100-bedded COVID-19 Hospital at the Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Govt Medical College in Faridabad for citizens which was inaugurated today in the presence of Lt Gen Manjinder Singh, the Chief of Staff of the Command.

#WesternCommand dedicates 100 bedded #CovidHopsital at Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Govt Medical College,#Faridabad,for its citizens;
Operationalisied by #WesternCommand on war footing; Opens today in presence of Lt Gen Manjinder Singh,#ChiefofStaff #WesternCommand #WeCare @adgpi pic.twitter.com/OgQUjJ5uGk

— Western Command - Indian Army (@westerncomd_IA) May 11, 2021

Nagaland announces a total lockdown from 13 to 20 May.

Bengal reports over 19,000 new cases, 134 deaths

According to a Business Line report, West Bengal reported a record high COVID-19 134 deaths while 19,445 fresh were detected in 24 hours. Fatalities are the highest in the 75 plus age group, as per government data.

Uttar Pradesh conducts door-to-door COVID-19 test 

According to a WHO report, Uttar Pradesh has initiated a house-to-house drive to locate active cases of COVID-19 in rural areas to contain transmission by testing people with symptoms for rapid isolation, disease management and contact tracing.  

The detection teams are moving across 97,941 villages in 75 districts over five days for this activity, which began on 5 May in the country’s most populous state with a population of 230 million.

Each monitoring team has two members, who visit homes in villages and remote hamlets to test everyone with symptoms of COVID-19 using Rapid Antigen Tests (RAT) kits. Those who test positive are quickly isolated and given a medicine kit with advice on disease management. All the contacts of those who test positive are quarantined and tested using an RT-PCR at home by a rapid response team, the WHO report said.

In #India's 🇮🇳 most populous state Uttar Pradesh, the state gov. has initiated house-to-house active case finding of #COVID19 in rural areas to contain transmission by testing people with symptoms for rapid isolation, disease management & contact tracing
👉https://t.co/pbDi98UByQ pic.twitter.com/7H2yXcU0if

— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) May 10, 2021

France sees rise in cases of Indian COVID-19 variant

French health minister Olivier Veran said so far the country has recorded at least 20 cases of the Indian variant, according to an Al Jazeera report.

WHO points out global inequality of vaccine distribution 

Pointing out the inequality in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesu on Monday said that high and upper-middle countries represent 53 percent of the world’s population but have received 83 percent of the world’s vaccine.

“High and upper-middle countries represent 53 percent of the world’s population but have received 83 percent of the world’s vaccine. By contrast, low and lower-middle-income countries account for 47 percent but have received just 17 percent of the world’s vaccine,” said WHO chief during a press briefing.

BioNTech says its COVID-19 vaccines need no modification for variants

German firm BioNTech said Monday that the COVID-19 vaccine it developed with Pfizer does not require any modifications to work against variants of the virus, as it announced new plans to ramp up production of the jabs, as per a report in The Japan Times.

Siddaramaiah demands ’total lockdown’ in Karnataka

According to a Deccan Herald report, Karnataka Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said that the current lockdown ordered by the government was not complete and the state needs “a total lockdown for two weeks” with around 50,000 new cases being reported daily.

India records a dip in active cases for the first time in two months

On Wednesday, India  in a faint glimmer of hope recorded a dip in active cases for the first time in two months. The country reported 3.3 lakh new cases against 3.5 lakh new recoveries which is a 30K dip in new cases, as per a News18 data report.

For the first time in 2 months, India records a dip in active cases.#Covid19DataHighlighthttps://t.co/w1lsJF1lLm pic.twitter.com/kuEHf902aZ

— News18.com (@news18dotcom) May 11, 2021

North Korea claims no coronavirus infections, again!

North Korea informed the World Health Organisation that it has tested 25,986 people for the coronavirus through April but still has yet to find a single infection, according to a PTI report. The WHO said in a weekly monitoring report that North Korea’s testing figures include 751 people who were tested during April 23-29, of which 139 had influenza-like illnesses or severe respiratory infections. Experts have expressed skepticism about North Korea’s claim of a perfect record in keeping out COVID-19, given its poor health infrastructure and a porous border it shares with China. North Korea has described its anti-virus efforts as a matter of national existence. It has barred tourists, flown out diplomats and severely restricted cross-border traffic and trade.

Atishi shares Delhi’s vaccination bulletin

AAP MLA Atishi shared Delhi’s vaccination bulletin for 10 May 2021 on her Twitter handle

Delhi's Vaccination Bulletin for 10th May 2021. pic.twitter.com/NSFCrCtoUx

— Atishi (@AtishiAAP) May 11, 2021

Arunachal Pradesh ramps up vaccination drive along LAC

The Arunachal Pradesh government has gone for a vaccination drive along the Line of Actual Control to control the daily surge of cases in the state. On Monday, the state reported 119 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the coronavirus tally in the state to 20,165. The death toll remained at 60 as no fresh fatality due to the infection was reported in the last 24 hours. The state has so far administered 2,92,841 vaccination doses.

Thanks to our team of doctors, nurses and healthcare members along with administration for reaching far flung areas of Indo-Tibet China border for Covid vaccination drive.

Total vaccination dose administered is 2,92,841.
💉First dose 2,15,168
💉Second dose 77,673 pic.twitter.com/EoNtwFTWgg

— Pema Khandu པདྨ་མཁའ་འགྲོ་། (@PemaKhanduBJP) May 11, 2021

England reports zero coronavirus deaths for the first time in more than a year

The BNO Newsroom in a tweet said that England has reported zero coronavirus deaths for the first time in more than a year.

BREAKING: England reports 0 new coronavirus deaths for the first time in more than a year

— BNO News (@BNOFeed) May 10, 2021

India sees 3,66,161 fresh COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, tally more than 2.26 cr

According to the Union health ministry, India witnessed a single-day rise of 3,66,161 COVID-19 cases on Monday, which pushed its tally to 2,26,62,575.

With 3,754 more people succumbing to it, the death count due to the pandemic also climbed to 2,46,116, as per the ministry.

India now has 37,45,237 active cases, accounting for 16.53 percent of its total caseload. The recovery rate is at 82.39 percent with 1,86,71,222 people having recovered from the disease. The case fatality rate was at 1.09 percent, according to the Union health ministry.

Maharashtra’s Thane district sees 1,495 new COVID-19 cases, 55 deaths in 24 hours

With the addition of 1,495 fresh coronavirus positive cases, the Thane district near Mumbai has mounted to 4,90,274, an official said today. With 55 more patients succumbing to the viral infection, the death toll in the Thane district rose to 8,108, with the case mortality rate now standing at 1.65 percent, a PTI report said

Vaccine drive gets a boost at BKC Jumbo centre in Mumbai

In Mumbai, people started arriving at the BKC Jumbo COVID-19 vaccination centre to get their dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, said an ANI report.

Maharashtra: People begin to arrive at BKC Jumbo COVID19 vaccination centre in Mumbai to get their dose of the #COVID19 vaccine. pic.twitter.com/8v4pxBHc3m

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2021

Kerala HC asks Centre to heed state’s request for oxygen

According to LiveLaw, in a special sitting, convened to deliberate on COVID-19 tariffs charged by private hospitals, a division bench of Justice Devan Ramachandran and Dr Kauser Edappagath of the Kerala High Court was informed that the state was running out of oxygen and ICU Beds. The state counsel also urged the court to direct the Centre to consider the state’s request for oxygen. The state is running short of medical oxygen after the oxygen supply has been augmented.

Sputnik V shots likely in Indian market by May-end

The Times of India in a report has said that with the availability of 1.5 million doses of Sputnik V vaccine from Russia many state governments and private hospitals are in touch with Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy’s Labs which is importing the vaccines for the Indian market.