Coronavirus India News Updates: CRPF lost 108 personnel to COVID-19, highest among central forces, shows data

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Odisha reports first case of ‘black fungus’ in COVID patient

Odisha has detected its first case of mucormycosis or ‘black fungus’ in a 71-year-old COVID patient with a known history of uncontrolled diabetes, officials said on Monday. The patient, a resident of the Jajpur district, was admitted to a leading private hospital in the state capital.

He is on anti-diabetic and antifungal treatment, said Dr CBK Mohanty, the Director of Medical Education and Training.

“The patient is an uncontrolled diabetic and had tested positive for COVID-19 on April 20. He was in home isolation after testing positive and had reported swelling in eyes and blackish discharge from the nose on May 8,” Mohanty said in a report that was prepared by him jointly with the Director of Public Health.

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Indian variant got to be monitored, says Boris Johnson as UK lockdown eases

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Monday laid out the next stage in his COVID-19 pandemic lockdown easing roadmap, with indoor gatherings and hugging to be allowed again within a cautious and common sense approach.

Addressing a Downing Street press conference, Johnson declared that the tests he had set for the country to move to the next stage of reopening from next Monday have been met as the UK recorded the lowest level of pandemic deaths since July last year.

However, he struck a note caution and pointed to the need to monitor new variants of coronavirus, including the so-called Indian variant which has now been classed as a Variant of Concern (VOC) by Public Health England (PHE).

This is a very considerable unlocking. But it’s got to be done in a way that is cautious we have just got to monitor the Indian variant, other variants, said Johnson.

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Vaccination biggest weapon in fight against COVID: Adityanath

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath here on Monday said vaccination is the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus and the state government is providing free vaccine without discrimination.

The CM also directed officials to ensure that there is no shortage medical oxygen and said that it is the first time in the country that the life-saving gas is being supplied with the help of Air Force planes and trains, according to a statement.

Vaccination is the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus and the government is providing free vaccine without any discrimination, Adityanath said.

Adityanath further said till April 30, the state had 3.10 lakh active cases, which now stand at 2.25 lakh, a decline of 85,000.

He said due to early and aggressive tracing, testing and treatment, the number decreased by 85,000.

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Odisha to float global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccines

Facing an acute shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, the Odisha government on Monday decided to float a global tender for procuring the vaccine to inoculate the states entire population, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said. The decision was made at the Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, PTI reported.

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Telangana reports 4,826 new COVID-19 cases, 32 deaths

Telangana has reported 4,826 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over half a million while the toll stood at2,771 with 35 more casualties, a bulletin said.

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 723, followed by Rangareddy (324) and Medchal Malkajgiri (305), the bulletin said. The state has 62,797 active cases and nearly 66,000 samples were tested.

The total number of cumulative cases in the State stood at 5,02,187 while with 7,754being cured, the total recoveries were at 4,36,619. Cumulatively, over 1.36 crore samples have been tested.

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Daily cases drop below 40,000 for 1st time after 31 March

The number of daily coronavirus-positive cases in Maharashtra, which has been reeling under the resurgent pandemic, dropped below 40,000 to 37,236 on Monday for the first time after March 31.

Maharashtra’s overall caseload now stands at 51,38,973 while 549 fatalities pushed the toll 76,398, the state health department said. Maharashtra had reported 39,544 cases on March 31. The state had reported 54,022 cases on May 7, 53,605 on May 8 and 48,401 on May 9.

Of the 549 fatalities, 302 had occurred in the past 48 hours. While 113 deaths had occurred last week, 134 people had died before the last week, the department said.

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Free treatment for Mucormycosis patients under Maharashtra scheme

Patients of Mucormycosis, a serious but rare fungal infection now affecting those suffering from coronavirus, will be treated for free under the Maharashtra governments flagship medical insurance scheme, Health Minister Rajesh Tope said on Monday.

Mucormycosis patients will be covered under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana since the medicines required to combat the fungal infection are expensive, an official statement quoted Tope as saying.

According to the statement, he said patients will be treated free of cost at 1,000 hospitals covered under the health scheme. The minister said symptoms of the disease are being seen in those COVID-19 patients who are diabetic and whose diabetes is not under control.

The statement said Tope made the comments while interacting with media persons in Jalna in central Maharashtra.

-PTI

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At 1,794, Mumbai logs lowest COVID-19 cases since 16 March

Mumbai on Monday recorded a steep drop in new coronavirus cases at 1,794, the lowest single-day count in nearly two months, while 74 patients succumbed to the infection, the city civic body said.

With the addition of 1,794 new coronavirus infections and 74 fresh fatalities, the financial capital’s cumulative caseload rose to 6,78,269 and the toll to 13,891, according to Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) updated data.

After a gap of 54 days, Mumbai has logged less than 2,000 COVID-19 cases in a day. Earlier on March 16, the metropolis had witnessed 1,922 new cases.

Also, for the 10th day in a row, Mumbai’s daily COVID-19 case count remained below the 4,000-mark though the number of fatalities has fluctuated between 62 and 90 during the period.

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Telecom department says no link between 5G and COVID

The telecom department on Monday asserted that there is absolutely no link between 5G technology and the spread of COVID, as it urged the public not to be misguided by baseless and false messages being circulated on social media platforms.

The claim that 5G trials or networks are causing coronavirus in India is “false” and without any scientific basis, an official release said.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) said several misleading messages are being circulated on various social media platforms, claiming that the second wave of coronavirus has been caused by the testing of the 5G mobile towers.

“…these messages are false and absolutely not correct…the general public is hereby informed that there is no link between 5G technology and spread of COVID-19 and they are urged not to be misguided by the false information and rumours spread in this matter. The claims linking the 5G technology with the COVID-19 pandemic are false and have no scientific basis,” it said.

-PTI

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Variants of COVID mutating rapidly due to availability of large number of hosts: Sr doctor

Variants of the coronavirus are mutating at a rapid rate due to the availability of a large number of hosts and therefore, it becomes necessary for people to get vaccinated and take all precautions, Government Medical College principal Dr Shashi Sudan said on Monday.

The senior doctor also urged people to cooperate with health authorities to prevent the spread of the virus. “We won’t be able to keep up in our fight against COVID-19 without public cooperation,” Sudan said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has come as an unprecedented and unforeseen challenge for all, especially the health fraternity. The prime need is to build trust between the people and the health system, the principal of the Jammu-based institute told reporters in Jammu.

On mutation of the coronavirus, Sudan said, “The variants of the deadly virus are mutating at a rapid rate due to availability of a large number of hosts. Only by putting an end to further spread of the infection, we can easily prevent its mutations.”

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WHO labels Covid mutation in India ‘variant of concern’

A Covid-19 variant spreading in India, the B.1.617, appears to be more contagious and has been classified as being “of concern”, the World Health Organization said Monday, reports AFP

“There is some available information to suggest increased transmissibility,” and also possibly some increased resistance to vaccine protections, Maria Van Kerkove, WHO’s lead on Covid-19, told reporters. “As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level,” she added.

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Jharkhand to start free vaccination for 18-44 age group from 14 May

The Jharkhand government will begin the vaccination drive for the 18-44 age group from May 14, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced on Monday. Facing vaccine shortage, the state could not launch the drive on 1 May.

“Vaccines will be administered to the 18-plus age group from May 14. This will be free of cost for the people as the state government will bear the charges,” Soren said. The chief minister said it will be administered to the eligible age group as per the quantity received. The state has placed an order for 50 lakh doses.

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State didn’t heed scientific community’s warnings on second COVID-19 wave, says Uttarakhand HC

The Utttarakhand High Court on Monday pulled up the state government, saying its did not pay heed to the warning of the scientific community that about a second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, said reports. “The scientific community warned that second wave of COVID-19 would hit. Unfortunately, the State did not heed the warnings…” Bar&Bench quotes the court as saying. “Even though the State has been reeling under the pandemic for the last one and a half years, there seems to be lack of planning by the State to deal with the pandemic,” the court said according to  LiveLaw . It further said that the pandemic has assumed  “gargantuan proportions” both at the state and national level, due to certain mistakes and negligence shown.

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CRPF lost 108 personnel to COVID-19, highest among central forces, shows data

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has lost 108 personnel to COVID-19, the highest among the central forces that function under the command of the Union home ministry, according to data updated on Monday.  A total of 271 personnel of the seven forces of CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and NDRF have succumbed to the pandemic so far.

These forces  deployed for rendering a variety of security, border guarding, relief and rescue duties across the country  also reported 763 fresh coronavirus infections in a day, taking the tally of cases in their ranks to 71,295. The number of active cases in these seven forces stands at 9,464 while 61,560 personnel have recovered till now.

PTI

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Telangana reports 4,826 new virus cases, 32 deaths

Telangana has reported4,826  fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over half-a-million while the toll stood at 2,771 with 35 more casualties, a bulletin said.  Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 723, followed by Rangareddy (324) and Medchal Malkajgiri (305), the bulletin said.   The State has 62,797 active cases and nearly 66,000 samples were tested.

The total number of cumulative cases in the state stood at 5,02,187 while with 7,754being cured, the total recoveries were at 4,36,619.

PTI

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Tested positive for COVID, Asaram seeks bail for ‘ayurvedic treatment’ in Haridwar

Self-styled godman Asaram Bapu, who is serving life term at a jail in Jodhour for raping a teenage girl, has sought bail from the Rajasthan High Court for “ayurvedic treatment” in Haridwar after testing COVID-19 positive.   Last Wednesday, after he tested positive for the infection and complained of breathlessness, Asaram was shifted to the MG Hospital from the Jodhpur Central Jail, and later on Friday, to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS)-Jodhpur.

A two-judge bench of justices Sandeep Mehta and Devendra Kachhawaha, after hearing the petition, directed that the AIIMS submit Asaram’s medical report in the court. The court has listed the matter for next hearing on 13 May.

PTI

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Railways suspends train services in Kashmir Valley from 11 to 16 May

Railway authorities on Monday decided to suspend train services in the Kashmir Valley for six days, starting Tuesday, in view of the worsening COVID-19 situation. “The train services between Banihal-Baramulla section and vice-versa will remain suspended with effect from 11.05.2021 to 16.05.2021 in view of worsening COVID situation in Kashmir,” an official of the Northern Railways said. 

The step to shut down services comes three days ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr amid reports that migrant labourers were using it to enter the Valley to escape mandatory COVID-19 testing at Qazigund. 

PTI

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Telangana Cabinet to meet tomorrow to take call on lockdown

Telangana Cabinet would meet on Tuesday to discuss the COVID-19 situation and take a call on whether to impose lockdown in the state or not. Though there was no desired outcome in some of the states even after the imposition of lockdown to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Cabinet would discuss various issues that would be impacted by lockdown, an official press release said on Monday.

 However, there are some sections in favour of the lockdown, the release said.  Under the circumstances, the State Cabinet will discuss the pros and cons of the lockdown and also the adverse impact it may have on the ongoing procurement of paddy and take a decision, it said.

PTI

Indian virus variant found in travellers in Thailand

Health authorities in Thailand said Monday they have confirmed the country’s first cases of the Indian variant of the coronavirus, in a Thai woman and her 4-year-old son who have been in state quarantine since arriving from Pakistan. The finding comes as Thailand battles a new wave of the coronavirus that began at the beginning of April, originating in upmarket entertainment venues in Bangkok and spawning clusters in several crowded slum communities. Many of the recent cases involve the British variant of the virus, which is more infectious than the original form found last year.

AP

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Centre indulging in politics over supply of vaccines, alleges Jharkhand health minister

Battling severe vaccine shortage,   the Jharkhand government hit out at the Centre and alleged that it was “indulging in politics” by not providing the

required doses to the state. Jharkhand has already put on hold the vaccination programme for the 18-44 age group, stating that it will announce the dates for starting the drive once vaccines are made available.

“The Government of India is indulging in politics with us. As a central government, it should respect the federal structure and facilitate quick delivery of vaccines and medicines to us,” state Health Minister Banna Gupta told PTI.

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Augment supply of oxygen, vaccines to Tamil Nadu, Madras HC tells Centre

The Madras High Court on Monday said it was necessary for the Centre to take urgent measures to augment the supply of oxygen to Tamil Nadu, which foresees a sharp rise in demand for the life-saving gas in the coming days in the wake of surging COVID-19 cases. Besides oxygen, supply of vaccines and drugs needs to be augmented for the State and neighbouring Union Territory of Puducherry, the First Bench of Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy said.

PTI

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Azam Khan moved to ICU in Lucknow

Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan on Monday was shifted to the COVID-19 ICU ward, as his oxygen requirement is 10 litres per minute, The Times of India reported, quoting the health bulletin released by Lucknow’s Medanta Hospital.

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Kerala fixes tariff rates for walk-in COVID patients in pvt hospitals

Kerala had set apart 50% beds in Pvt. Hospitals for Covid care. Plus, KASP beneficiaries and Govt. referred patients get free #COVID19 treatment in all Empanelled Pvt. Hospitals. Now we have regulated and standardised the rates as well. pic.twitter.com/bvsrOkDq0o

— Pinarayi Vijayan (@pinarayivijayan) May 10, 2021

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Delhi will have to shut Covaxin centres for 18-plus if stocks not refilled: Atishi

AAP leader Atishi on Monday said the Delhi government will have to close vaccination centres where Covaxin is being administered to beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group after Tuesday evening if its stocks are not replenished.

Delhi’s Covaxin stock for this category will last till Tuesday evening, she said, adding that Covishield doses for this age group can last up to four days. “On Monday morning, Delhi had 2.74 lakh vaccine doses for people in the 18-plus category,” she said, releasing the city’s Vaccination Bulletin'.

“After Tuesday evening, the Delhi government will have to start closing down the vaccination centres where Covaxin is being administered (to the 18-44 age group). We will also have to shut down Covishield inoculation centres after four days,” she said.

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Railways says 1,952 employees succumbed to COVID-19 so far

As many as 1,952 employees of the Indian Railways have succumbed to coronavirus so far and around 1,000 are getting infected on a daily basis, a senior official said on Monday. The Railways is one of the largest employers in not just the country but the world with around 13 lakh employees.

“Railways is not different from any other state or territory and we are also getting COVID cases. We are in the business of transport and have to move freight and people. Around 1,000 (COVID) cases are reported daily, Railway Board Chairman Suneet Sharma said.

“We have our hospitals We have augmented the number of beds, we have built oxygen plants in rail hospitals. We take care of our staff. As of now, we have 4,000 beds occupied by staff and their families. Our effort is to see that they recover quickly. As of yesterday, 1,952 rail employees have died due to COVID-19 since March last year,” he added.

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27,487 new COVID-19 cases, 65 deaths reported in Kerala today

Kerala on Monday reported as many as 27,487 new COVID-19 cases and 65 fatalities, taking the caseload to 19,00,060 and death toll to 5,879, the state government said. While the total number of active cases stands at 4,19,726, the positivity rate is at 27.56 percent, showing signs of decline.

With 31,209 recovering from the disease in the last 24 hours, the total number of people recovered reached 15,04,160.

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Maharashtra  to set up task force for children orphaned by COVID-19 in every district

The Maharashtra government would  form a task force in every district to protect children orphaned by COVID-19, an official said on Monday. The task force will be headed by collectors and will comprise commissioners of civic bodies, police chiefs, rural health officials etc of the district, a state government release said.

Maharashtra Women and Child Development Minister Yashomati Thakur said children getting orphaned due to COVID- 19 was becoming a social problem, adding that the state government would ensure they are nurtured, get protection as well as education. 

PTI

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Can’t continue oxygen supply to other states, Kerala CM writes to PM

Kerala cannot continue supplying oxygen to other states as the state’s reserve stock is getting used up and it is now left with just 86 metric tonne of reserve stock, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said reports. According to a report by Mathrubhumi English, the letter stated that only 86 tonnes out of the 450 tonnes of oxygen in reserve stock is remaining at present The chief minister also requested permission to use all 219 tonnes of oxygen produced in the state for its needs.

According to a NDTV report, the chief minister in the letter stated he will allow 40 metric tonnes of oxygen to Tamil Nadu till 10 May, going by the May 6 decision of the Central Committee of Oxygen Allocation but added that it will be practically impossible to allow oxygen to be taken out of the state after taht.

Covaxin doses unavailable for second day in Mumbai

Vaccination centres in Mumbai did not administer Covaxin for the second consecutive day on Monday because of lack of stock, leaving citizens fuming as many of them are due for their second dose of the vaccine against COVID-19. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), through its Twitter handle, released a list if 105 vaccination centres that would be functional on Monday, but informed that these would be administering only the Covishield vaccine. On Sunday also, the BMC had not administered Covaxin to the beneficiaries due to unavailability of the vaccine.

PTI

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Curfew extended in Leh till 17 May

The Ladakh Administration on Monday extended till May 17 the curfew imposed in Leh to curb the spread of coronavirus.  The curfew was earlier scheduled to end on Monday. Leh District disaster management authority (DDMA) Chairman Shrikant Suse said stringent action would be taken against the violators. The essential item shops, including grocery, meat, chicken, dairy products, vegetables and bakeries, were allowed to open everyday from 8 am to 1 pm, he told media here.

He said essential supplies would be made available for people living in far-off places, which don’t have such stores. Stressing that people were exploiting relaxation and exemptions, he said the movement of vehicles would not be allowed.  The DDMA Office would provide vehicle movement passes on a need basis for emergencies, he added.

PTI

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Bodies of suspected COVID-19 victims found floating in Ganges in Bihar: Report

Several bodies, decomposed  bloated and suspected to be of people who succumbed to COVID 19, were on Monday found floating in the river Ganga in a Bihar district. Officials in Chausa block of Buxar, which borders Uttar Pradesh, rushed to the spot of the unseemly sight upon hearing the news.

“We were alerted by the local chowkidar that many bodies have been spotted floating from upstream. We have so far recovered 15 of these. None of the deceased happens to be a resident of the district,” Chausa BDO Ashok Kumar told news agency PTI over phone. He said “many Uttar Pradesh districts are situated right across the river and the bodies may have been dumped in the Ganges for reasons not known to us. We cannot confirm whether the deceased were indeed COVID 19 positive. The bodies have started decomposing. But we are taking all precautions while ensuring that these are disposed of in a decent manner”.

Many local residents, who spoke before cameras with their faces masked, claimed that the district administration was “in denial over many such unfortunate incidents involving residents of Buxar”.

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AAP govt ordered 1.34 crore vaccine doses, but Centre cleared only 3.5 lakh in May: Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Monday claimed the BJP government at the Centre has allowed only 3.5 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccine for the National Capital in May even though the AAP dispensation had placed orders for 1.34 crore doses with manufacturers.   The BJP is practising politics of lies and falsely accusing the Delhi government of ordering 5.5 lakh vaccine doses only, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sisodia said.

He said that after the Centre decided in April that states can directly place orders with vaccine manufacturers, the Arvind Kejriwal government ordered 1.34 crore doses for the people in the 18-44 age group. “Later, the central government in a letter told us that we can have only around 3.5 lakh doses in May,” he claimed.

Sisodia lashed out at the BJP, saying its government was selling vaccines abroad when people were dying in the country.

PTI

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CWC slams Centre over COVID-19 vaccination strategy

The CWC also expressed deep concern over the government’s coronavirus vaccination strategy, alleging the supply was grossly insufficient and the pricing policy opaque and discriminatory, reports PTI.  “The Congress Working Committee is deeply concerned about Modi govt’s vaccination strategy. Vaccine supplies are grossly insufficient yet the govt denies the hard facts. The pricing policy is opaque and  discriminatory, and contrary to economic and all other logics, ANI quotes KC Venugopal as saying. “Government  has passed on the financial responsibility of vaccinating people in 18-45 age group to states that are already facing several financial stress. Mandatory online registration without walk-in option will exclude & have excluded millions of our people,” Venugopal further said.

Govt has passed on the financial responsibility of vaccinating people in 18-45 age group to states that are already facing several financial stress. Mandatory online registration without walk-in option will exclude & have excluded millions of our people: KC Venugopal, Congress pic.twitter.com/8fCzkDd81P

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2021

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Second wave direct consequence of Modi govt’s indifference, insensitivity and incompetence, says CWC

In a resolution passed after its meeting, the CWC called the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic “a grave calamity and direct consequence of the Modi government’s indifference, insensitivity and incompetence”, according to reports. “At a time when nation’s resources should be devoted to ensuring expansion of vaccination coverage and supply of essential medicines and oxygen, Modi governemnt is indulging in criminal waste of money by continuing with personal vanity project of PM in the national capital. CWC is of the firm belief that this a time for showing an unwavering sense of national unity, purpose and resolve. In order that it may become a reality, PM must atone for his mistakes and commit to serving people instead of carrying on with personal agenda:In order that it may become a reality, the prime minister must atone for his mistakes and commit to serving people instead of carrying on with personal agenda,” ANI quotes the CWC as saying.

According to the Indian Express, the resolution also said “,The CWC noted with concern that the data on COVID deaths is horribly wrong and afflicted by massive non-reporting of deaths. The solution lies in facing the challenge and stopping the casualties from COVID-19 and not in concealing the truth by burying the data on deaths and infections.”

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Delhi reports 12,651 new cases

Delhi reported 12,651 new infections, the lowest in four weeks on Monday, with a positivity rate of 19.10 percent reports news agency PTI. However, the low number of new cases of the infection can be attributed to fewer tests conducted on Sunday (66,234). The number of deaths however went up to 319 from 273 the day before. At 19.10 percent, the city’s COVID-19 positivity rate is at its lowest since 16  April, according to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government. The positivity rate in Delhi has remained above the 20 percent mark since April 17. 

On Sunday, Delhi reported 273 more coronavirus deaths and 13,336 new infections with a positivity rate of 21.67 percent, the health department had said.

 A total of 61,552 were conducted on Saturday.

Delhi reports 12,651 new #COVID19 cases, 319 deaths and 13,306 recoveries in the last 24 hours

Total cases: 13,36,218
Death toll: 19,663
Total recoveries: 12,31,297
Active cases: 85, 258 pic.twitter.com/LnupsXucnT

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2021

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File details of beds provided to Delhi, HC tells Centre

The Delhi High Court directs the Centre to file details of all 4,091 beds allegedly provided by it, along with a with break up of regular, ICU, non-ICU, oxygen, and ventilator beds. The court says that 1200 isolation beds should not be considered as hospital beds.  “The steps taken to augment beds for Covid patients should also be listed. We’ll take this on Thursday,” LiveLaw quotes the court as saying.

Court: 1200 isolation beds should not be considered as hospital beds. The steps taken to augment beds for Covid patients should also be listed. We'll take this on Thursday.

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 10, 2021

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India fastest country to administer 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, claims health ministry

India is the fastest country globally to administer 17 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.   China took 119 days while the US took 115 days for reaching the same landmark. The vaccination drive in India was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated and vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2. Subsequently, it was opened for different age groups.   A total of 17,01,76,603 vaccine doses have been administered through 24,70,799 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 am.   

PTI

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Covaxin doses in Delhi to last only for a day, claims Satyendar Jain

Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Monday said Delhi has only one day’s Covaxin stock left and its Covishield doses will last for just three to four days.“Covaxin doses can last up to one day only, while Covishield doses can last up to three to four days,” Jain told reporters after reviewing preparations at Guru Teg Bahadur COVID Care Centre at Gurdwara Rakab Ganj Sahib in central Delhi.

Delhi has so far received 5.5 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines for the 18-44 category, and over 43 lakh doses for 45-plus, and healthcare and frontline workers, according to government data released on Sunday. Around 39 lakh doses have been administered in the National Capital so far. 

PTI

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Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhary urges President to convene special Parliamentary session

Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury writes to President Ram Nath Kovind, urging him to convene a special session of the Parliament over the #COVID19 crisis. pic.twitter.com/K6Ou0h3jgK

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2021

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Don’t engage in profiteering now, Kerala HC tells private hospitals

The Kerala High court told the private hospitals not to engage in profiteering during the COVID-10 pandemic. “Private Hospitals, we pray that to join the citizens as a team. You can make your profits later, after 2-3 months. Please do not engage in profiteering now,” Bar&Bench quotes the high court as saying.

Delhi HC issues notice to Centre, state govt on plea to declare COVID medicines and equipment as essential commodities

The Delhi High Court Monday asked the Centre and Delhi government to do something without waiting for orders from court  to prevent black marketing and hoarding of medicines and medical equipment, like oxygen concentrators. A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli was hearing a PIL seeking directions to them to declare medicines and medical equipment meant for COVID treatment as essential commodities under the Essential Commodities Act. It said if something has to be done, “do it without waiting for orders from the court”.

The court issued notice to the Union Health Ministry and the Delhi government, represented by additional standing counsel Anuj Aggarwal, on the plea which has also sought setting up of fast track courts to deal exclusively with cases of black marketing and hoarding of medicines and equipment.

PTI

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Kerala HC directs private hospitals to display rates for COVID-19 treatment

The Kerala High court on Tuesday lauded the state government on its order on COVID-19 treatment charges at private hospitals. “We find these rates to be extremely reasonable because it includes all components of basic hospitalization,” Bar&Bench  quotes the court as saying. The Bench said hospitals will have to publish rates of beds and any violation will have penal consequences. The court directed that the state government and all stakeholder to implement the GO dated 10 May and said that any admissions after this order will be governed by the rates in it.

Every Private hospital will display rates of services (esp COVID-19 treatment) as per sec 39 of the 2018 Act and Rules.

Every Private hospital will display rates of services 9esp COVID-19 treatment) as per sec 39 of the 2019 Acta nd Rules f

— Bar & Bench (@barandbench) May 10, 2021

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PIL  filed in Delhi HC to declare medicines, equipment for COVID as essential commodities

Medicines and equipment required for treatment of COVID-19 patients should be treated as essential commodities, a PIL urged in the Delhi High Court which on Monday sought response of the Centre and Delhi government on the issue.  A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli issued notice to the Union Health Ministry and Delhi government on the plea which has also sought setting up of fast track courts to deal exclusively with cases of black marketing and hoarding of medicines and equipment.

The petition by Delhi resident Manisha Chauhan has also sought appointment of special public prosecutors for dealing with such cases before the special fast track courts.

PTI

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COVID-19 situation in Assam alarming, says Himanta Biswa Sarma

Newly sworn in Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma termed the COVID-19 situation in Assam as alarming.  “The COVID-19 situation in Assam is alarming. Our daily cases have crossed the 5,000-mark. In our cabinet meeting tomorrow, we will discuss it from all perspectives, and take measures,” PTI quotes Sarma as saying. Unless the pandemic is controlled in Assam, cases will not go down in other northeastern states, he said.

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No rich and poor in pandemic, says Kerala HC

The Kerala High Court on Monday observed that it’s shocking that a private hospital in Kerala charged Rs 1350 for rice gruel, said reports . The hospitals also charging Rs 24 to Rs 30 for Dolo paracetamol, it noted. “We found unconscionable billings, Rs 22,000 for PPE kits,” Bar&Bench quotes the Bench as saying. According to the Bar&Bench report, the state government said the private hospitals were looting people and added thatthat it will intervene considering the plight of ordinary citizens and the rapid increase in infections. 

The Indian Medical Association said that the Court may draw a distinction between the poor and people who can afford to pay a reasonable price for COVID-19 treatment. “In pandemic situation there is no rich and poor. We don’t approve cross-subsidization during pandemic,” the court said.

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Tamil Nadu demands increased allocation of Remdesivir from Centre

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK  Stalin has expressed concern with the Centre over ’low’ allocation of Remdesivir, used in Covid-19 treatment, to the state and urged increased supply of the drug to meet the demand, the government said on Monday. Stalin raised the matter with Railway and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal over the phone, an official release said Monday.

“The Central government has been doing the allocation of this medicine to all states. Accordingly, so far, 2.5 lakh vials have been allotted to Tamil Nadu, which is a low allocation of 7,000 per day,” the release said. There was a minimum requiremet of 20,000 vials a day and only such a quantity could be useful to meet the requirements of government and private hospitals in the state, Stalin told Goyal. The Union Minister assured to look into Tamil Nadu’s request, the release added.

PTI

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India receives medical equipment from Egypt

Fast expanding 🇮🇳🇪🇬 relations

3 aircrafts loaded with medical equipment arrive from Egypt. Total shipment includes 300 oxygen cylinders, 50 oxygen concentrators, 20 ventilators, 8000 vials of Remdesivir & other medical equipment. Deeply appreciate this support from our friend🇪🇬. pic.twitter.com/MRO1jUWtAH

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 10, 2021

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Govt hospitals directed no COVID patient be refused admission for lack of valid ID, Centre tells SC

All Central and state government hospitals managing COVID patients have been directed to ensure that no patient is refused admission due to lack of a valid identity card and a positive test report for coronavirus, the Centre has told the Supreme Court. In an affidavit on the points raised by the top court, the Centre submitted that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has intimated all state governments regarding the policy of setting up three-tier Health infrastructure for appropriate management of suspect/ confirmed COVID-19 cases. 

The Centre’s affidavit was submitted late Sunday night in a suo motu case by the apex court for ensuring essential supplies and services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

PTI

Issued orders for COVID-19 treatment rates at pvt hospitals, state govt tells Kerala HC

The Kerala government on Tuesday told the High Court that it has issued an order on treatment rates fo COVID-19 patients at private hospitals, reports LiveLaw. The state attorney informs the court that the rate for general ward is fixed at Rs 2,500 (nursing, boarding, blood transfusion, oxygen), excluding Remdesivir and other drugs, which will be charged as per MRP. PPE kits also to be charged at MRP (two kits per day in general ward, five in ICU. The price for RT-PRCT test is fixed at Rs 500 and no establishment shall charge above MRP, the court is told. 

The state attorney further says that authorities under Kerala Clinical Establishments Act will function as grievance redressal authorities to check overpricing and complaints can be made in person or through mail.

State ATtorney takes through rates in new Govt Order -

- General ward - Rs 2500 (nursing, boarding, blood transfusion, oxygen)

- Remdesivir, other drugs, etc. will be exclusive of this, charged as per MRP.

- PPE kit @ MRP - 2 kits per day in general ward, 5 in ICU

— Live Law (@LiveLawIndia) May 10, 2021

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Total lockdown will hamper livelihoods, says Mamata Banerjee

West Bengal Chief Minister  Mamata Banerjee on Monday asserted that strict measures have been taken to control the spread of COVID-19 in the state, while also maintaining that a total lockdown, if imposed, will hamper livelihood of people. She urged the central government to facilitate free- of-cost vaccination for all.

“We have taken strict measures, a total lockdown will hamper livelihood of people,” Banerjee said, addressing a press conference at the state secretariat following the first cabinet meeting of her newly formed government. The CM further said that her government has sought three crore vaccine doses from the Centre for West Bengal, of which one crore will be distributed among private hospitals.

PTI

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MP prepares for third wave, to set up 360 ICU beds for children 

The Madhya Pradesh government  will set up 360 ICU beds for children in hospitals across the state as part of its preparations for the third wave of

COVID-19,  state medical education minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang said on Monday. Health experts recently warned of a third wave of the coronavirus infection in the country, which could also affect children.

On Sunday, Sarang held a meeting via video conference with deans and hospital superintendents of various government medical colleges and other senior officials to review the preparations to be made to tackle the third wave. “We deliberated on provisions to be made for dealing with the possible third wave of COVID-19 and since it could affect children, we will be setting up 360 ICU beds for kids in various medical colleges of the state,” Sarang told PTI. As part of the plan, a 50-bed dedicated ICU (Intensive Care Unit) for children will be set up in Bhopal’s Hamidia Hospital, which is associated with the Government Gandhi

Medical College, the minister said.

PTI

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Over one crore vaccine doses still available with states, claims Centre

 Over one crore (1,04,30,063) COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs, which will receive over nine lakh  (9,24,910)additional doses within the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday.  The Centre has so far provided nearly 18 crore vaccine doses (17,93,57,860) to states and UTs free of cost.   Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 16,89,27,797 doses, the ministry said.  

PTI

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Kerala receives 3.5 lakh Covishield doses

Kerala on Monday received 3.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. An Indigo regular flight carrying the Covishield vaccine landed at Cochin International Airport at 11.50 am, a CIAL spokesman said.

The state government has placed an order for over one crore doses of vaccine to accelerate the vaccination drive in the state.

PTI

Kerala | The first batch of 3.5 lakh doses of Covishield vaccine arrived at Kochi airport from Pune around 12 noon today: Airport authorities pic.twitter.com/HPxAaQE1Re

— ANI (@ANI) May 10, 2021

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Vaccination strategy ’equitable, non-discriminatory’, Centre tells SC

The vaccination strategy for COVID-19 has been formulated by the Centre in a “just, equitable, non-discriminatory” manner and any “overzealous” judicial intervention may result in unforeseen consequences, the government has told the Supreme Court. In an affidavit filed by the Centre in response to the points raised by the top court, it said as vaccination of the entire country is not possible in one stretch due to the very suddenness of the pandemic, limited availability of vaccine doses and the vulnerability are the prime considerations.

The Central government submitted that the vaccination policy conforms to the mandate of Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution and was made after several rounds of consultations and discussions with experts. State governments and vaccine manufacturers require no interference by the top court as dealing with a pandemic of this magnitude, the Executive does have room for free play in the joints, in the larger public interest, it said.

PTI

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HC asks AAP govt if MLA Imran Hussain got oxygen from refillers in Delhi

The Delhi High Court directs  AAP MLA Imran Hussain to submit documents to the Amicus Curiae  to support his claim that with regards to the oxygen cylinders being distributed by him, cylinders were from Delhi and  oxygen from Faridabad, reports LiveLaw. The Amicus is to submit a report in this regard and the next date of hearing is fixed for 13 May. According to Bar&Bench , the court also directs the Delhi government to file an affidavit on whether or not oxygen supply was made Hussain from Delhi refillers.

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Delhi HC seeks Centre, govt stand on PIL seeking safeguards for children orphaned due to COVID

Children orphaned due to COVID-19 should be protected and guarded against being trafficked till they are legally adopted, two PILs have urged the Delhi High Court, which sought the response of the Centre and the Delhi government on the issue on Monday.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh issued notices to the Union ministries of home affairs, women and child development and health, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and the city police, seeking their stand on one of the pleas moved by a lawyer, which has also asked for financial assistance for the families of the patients who died due to the alleged denial of healthcare such as hospital admissions, oxygen and medications.

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SC adjourns suo moto COVID hearing, to hear case on 13 May

The Supreme Court adjourned the suo moto case pertaining to COVID-19 related issues in the country due to the Control Room server being down.

A Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, L Nageswara Rao and S Ravindra Bhat had assembled at 11 am. However, due to connectivity issues, the Bench was disconnected from the proceedings. The Bench later also sought time to peruse the affidavit submitted by the Centre on Sunday, which detailed the steps taken in the times of the pandemic.

As technical issues continued to persist in various hearing, the hearing was adjourned to 13 May.

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Activist Natasha Narwal granted interim bail after father dies of COVID

Activist Natasha Narwal was granted interim bail from the Delhi High Court to perform the last rites of her father Mahavir Narwal, a senior CPM member. He died of coronavirus on Sunday.

She was granted a bail for three weeks in the “interest of justice”, which was not opposed by the Delhi Police.

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Ten states account for over 73% of new COVID-19 cases

Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi are among 10 states that account for 73.91 percent of the  3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases registered in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Haryana are the other states in the list of 10.

Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 48,401. It is followed by Karnataka with 47,930 while Kerala reported 35,801 new cases.

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Hockey India mourns death of former player Fernandez

Hockey India on Monday mourned the death of former player George Fernandez, who was battling COVID-19 in Bengaluru. The 67-year-old died on Sunday due to complications related to the disease.

Fernandez, a former Assistant Customs Commissioner (Karnataka), had represented the Indian junior team in 1975 playing as a forward. He also played for his home state Karnataka at the junior level in the year 1975-76.

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Bharat Biotech commences direct supply of Covaxin to 14 states

Bharat Biotech has commenced direct supply of its COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin to 14 states, including Delhi and Maharashtra, with effect from 1 May, according to the company’s Joint Managing Director Suchitra Ella.

The company is supplying vaccines to Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

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China probed weaponising coronaviruses in 2015, say reports

Chinese scientists allegedly investigated weaponising coronaviruses five years before the COVID-19 pandemic and may have predicted a World War III fought with biological weapons, according to media reports referring to documents obtained by the US State Department.

According to ‘The Sun’ newspaper in the UK, quoting reports first released by ‘The Australian’, the “bombshell” documents obtained by the US State Department reportedly show the Chinese People’’s Liberation Army (PLA) commanders making the sinister prediction.

US officials allegedly obtained the papers which were written by military scientists and senior Chinese public health officials in 2015 as part of their own investigation into the origins of COVID-19. Chinese scientists described SARS coronaviruses — of which COVID is one example — as presenting a “new era of genetic weapons”.

The PLA papers referenced seem to fantasise that a bioweapon attack could cause the “enemy’’s medical system to collapse”. It references work by US Air Force colonel Michael J. Ainscough, who predicted World War III may be fought with bioweapons.

The paper also includes musing that SARS —which hit China in 2003 — could have been a man-made bioweapon deliberately unleashed by “terrorists”.

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Delhi court to hear Navneet Kalra’s anticipatory bail plea tomorrow

Delhi’s Saket Court said it will hear the matter pertaining to Delhi-based businessman Navneet Kalra’s anticipatory bail plea tomorrow. Denying any interim relief to Kalra, who is absconding since 500 oxygen concentrators were seized from his properties, the court asked the Delhi Police to file a reply on the anticipatory bail plea.

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Indian Navy, Air Force brings medical aid from foreign countries

Indian Navy tanker ship INS Airavat to arrive in Vishakapatnam tomorrow from Singapore with eight 20 tonne empty cryogenic oxygen cylinders, 3150 oxygen cylinders, 500 filled oxygen cylinders, 10,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits, and 450 PPE kits: Indian Navy officials

Two Indian Air Force IL-76s, which had airlifted four Cryogenic Oxygen Containers from Indonesia, reached Vishakapatnam, while INS Trikand reached Mumbai with two 27 MT oxygen-filled containers from Qatar.

Oxygen concentrators, cylinders and respirators also arrived from Israel and Britain. Meanwhile, INS Airavat will arrive in Vishakapatnam tomorrow from Singapore with eight 20 tonne empty cryogenic oxygen cylinders, 3150 oxygen cylinders, 500 filled oxygen cylinders, 10,000 Rapid Antigen Test kits and 450 PPE kits.

🇮🇳🇮🇱
International cooperation with Israel continues. An IAF flight carrying over 1300 oxygen concentrators & over 400 respirators arrives from 🇮🇱. Heartfelt gratitude to Israel for this generous support. Will help boost our oxygen capacities. pic.twitter.com/pcOqfuySy3

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 9, 2021

Grateful to British Oxygen Company for gift of another 1350 oxygen cylinders that arrived from the UK. This is part of their generous contribution of 5000 oxygen cylinders. pic.twitter.com/QkFlVkMwCm

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) May 10, 2021

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Bengal activist, assaulted on way to Tikri border, dies of COVID-19

An activist from West Bengal, who came to participate in farmers’ protest at Delhi-Haryana Tikri border was allegedly raped. She was later hospitalised after testing positive for COVID-19 and succumbed to the virus on 30 April.

The Samyukta Kisan Morcha on Sunday said it had zero tolerance towards violence against women. In a statement, the outfit said, the incident of sexual harassment and assault against the woman has been reported on social media sites, and the farmers group wanted to make it clear that strict action has been taken against those found guilty.

The farmers group said the case concerns the 26-year-old woman who came from West Bengal along with some persons posing to be “Kisan Social Army” members. The SKM added that the Kisan Social Army was never the authorised social media voice of the farmers group and none of its handles have anything to do with the movement.

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Businessman Navneet Kalra seeks anticipatory bail

Delhi-based businessman Navneet Kalra, who was absconding since 500 oxygen concentrators were recovered from properties owned by him, moved an anticipatory bail plea in Delhi’s Saket court. 

Delhi Police on Sunday intensified the manhunt for the businessman and conducted multiple raids in neighbouring states. A lookout notice was also issued against him, ANI reported.

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Curfew in Uttarakhand from 11 May

COVID curfew will be imposed in Uttarakhand from 6 am on 11 May till 6 am on 18 May. During this period, shops selling fruits, vegetables and dairy items will be allowed to remain open from 7 am till 10 am, while shopping malls, market complexes, gyms, theatres, assembly halls, bars and liquor shops will remain closed until further orders.

A two week complete lockdown also began in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka today to control the spread of COVID-19.

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SC to hear suo moto case concerning oxygen, drugs supply

The Supreme Court will continue hearing the suo moto case on the COVID-19 crisis in India.

Ahead of the hearing, the Centre on Sunday filed a 218-page affidavit detailing its efforts to combat the raging pandemic.

The affidavit mentioned steps taken by the Centre pertaining to the COVID vaccination drive, healthcare workers’ welfare and combatting black marketing.

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Positive COVID report not mandatory for hospitalisation in J&K

The Jammu and Kashmir government ordered that a COVID-19 positive test will not be mandatory for admission to a coronavirus health facility in the Union Territory. “A suspect case shall be admitted to the suspect ward of COVID Care Centre(CCC), Dedicated COVID Health Centre or Dedicated COVID Hospital,” the order stated.

The direction comes shortly after Gujarat issued a similar order, which also stated that place of residence in a particular city or state will not be a reason for denial of admission to patients. The order also noted that “drugs and oxygen to be made available to all the needy patients".

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India reports 3.66 lakh new cases, fewer than yesterday

India reported 3,66,161 new COVID-19 cases in a period of 24 hours, as per data updated at 8 am on Monday, taking the total active cases to 37,45,237. A total of 3,754 deaths in the same period, taking the toll so far to 2,46,116.

Weeks after the vaccination drive was opened for all adults, the number of people inoculated so far stood at 17,01,76,603.

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Double mutant strain potentially resistant to vaccine: WHO chief scientist

World Health Organisation chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan said the coronavirus variant spreading in India was more contagious and has some mutations that potentially could make it resistant to antibodies that are generated by vaccinations, Agence France Presse reported.

The scientist said that these factors were contributing to the massive outbreak of the infection in the second wave. The B.1.617 variant of the COVID-19, known more commonly as the double mutant strain, was first detected in India in October last year.

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Centre issues advisory to manage black fungus cases

Mucormycosis, a fungal infection being found in COVID-19 patients with uncontrolled diabetes and prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay, may turn fatal if uncared for, the Centre said on Sunday.

In an advisory, it also said the fungal infection mainly affects people who are on medication that reduces their ability to fight environmental pathogens.

Warning symptoms include pain and redness around eyes and nose, fever, headache, coughing, shortness of breath, bloody vomits and altered mental status, the advisory stated.

Medical treatment includes installing peripherally inserted central catheter, maintaining adequate systemic hydration, infusion of normal saline intravenously before Amphotericin B infusion and anti-fungal therapy for at least six weeks besides monitoring the patient clinically with radio imaging for response and to detect disease progression, it said.

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Mumbai civic body denies suppressing COVID-19 toll

The Mumbai civic body denied allegations of suppressing the COVID-19 death and infection figures and said it was recording the number of fatalities as per protocols laid down by the WHO and ICMR.

BJP leader Devendra Fadnavis on Saturday accused the Shiv Sena-ruled Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) of under-reporting COVID-19 fatalities and “manipulating” the viral infection rate in the city.

“The allegation is completely baseless and the BMC administration rejects it. The COVID-19 testing and recording of deaths due to the infection were being done as per the criteria laid down by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” it said.

The BMC said the civic administration was committed towards “mission zero”, which aims to bring the COVID-19 situation under control step-by-step.

Notably, the Supreme Court recently praised the BMC for managing the second wave of COVID-19 efficiently.

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Ladakh reports 138 fresh cases, 2 deaths

With 138 fresh cases, Ladakh’s COVID-19 tally climbed to 15,317, while two more fatalities pushed the death toll due to the viral disease to 155 in the Union Territory, officials said on Monday. Of the 138 fresh cases of the coronavirus infection, 105 were detected in Leh and 33 in Kargil, the officials of the health department said.

With the two more fatalities, the COVID-19 death toll has gone up to 155 in the Union Territory – 111 in Leh and 44 in Kargil – they added. A total of 105 COVID-19 patients – 82 in Leh, 23 in Kargil – were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, they said, adding that the number of active cases in Ladakh currently stands at 1,443 — 1,232 in Leh district and 211 in Kargil district.

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6,738 concentrators, 3,856 cylinders received as foreign aid

A total of 6,738 oxygen concentrators, 3,856 oxygen cylinders, 16 oxygen generation plants and about three lakh Remdesivir vials received as aid from foreign countries have been delivered or dispatched to various states and union territories between 27 April and 8 May, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.