Coronavirus Latest News Updates: Haryana sees 421 cases of black fungus with maximum infections reported in Gurugram

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Walk-in vaccination in Mumbai from 24 to 26 May, says BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday said it will implement ‘walk-in’ vaccination for citizens at its centres from Monday to Wednesday.

A statement issued by it said citizens aged 60 years and above will get the first and the second dose of Covishield vaccine during this period. Health workers and frontline workers, as well as 45 years and above, will get the second dose. All age groups will get the second dose of Covaxin.

From May 27 to 29, the vaccination drive will be carried out after registration by beneficiaries. There will be no vaccination on May 30. Any changes in the schedule will be informed to the public a day earlier, the civic body said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Telangana logs 2,242 COVID-19 cases, 19 deaths

COVID-19 cases in Telangana continue to show a declining trend with 2,242 fresh infections being reported on Sunday, taking the tally to over 5.53 lakh, while the toll stood at 3,125 with 19 deaths. Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 343, followed by Rangareddy (174) and Karimnagar (165), a health department bulletin said. The state has 40,489 active cases. The cases have shown a decline since May 18, when the state logged 3,982 cases.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Rajasthan extends lockdown till 8 June

The Rajasthan government on Sunday extended the coronavirus lockdown by 15 days till June 8. The state may allow some relaxations in commercial activities from June 1 in districts where the COVID-19 situation will improve significantly, according to a government release.

The home department on Sunday issued an order extending the lockdown from 5 am on May 24 to 5 am on June 8.

People going for vaccination will be allowed to move within their respective urban local body or panchayat samiti during the lockdown period.

In a meeting on Saturday, the council of ministers and experts had suggested extending the lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Haryana records 97 more deaths, 4,400 new cases

Haryana on Sunday recorded 97 COVID-19 fatalities, taking the death toll to 7,512, while 4,400 new cases pushed the infection count to 7,38,028.

According to the health department’s daily bulletin, the latest deaths include eight each from Bhiwani and Hisar, seven from Karnal and six each from Faridabad, Ambala, Rewari and Jind districts.

Of the new cases, 494 were reported Bhiwani, 308 from Gurgaon, 355 from Jhajjar and 383 from Hisar district, it said. The total active cases stands at 42,816 while 6,87,700 people have recovered from the infection so far, it said. The positivity rate is 8.53 percent, the bulletin said, adding that the recovery rate is 93.18 percent.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Goa curfew extended till 31 May

The Goa government on Sunday extended till May 31 a coronavirus-induced curfew in place in the state since May 9, an official said.

The order, which was issued during the day, stated that all shops will remain shut except those selling essential times and medicines, which can conduct business from 7 am to 1 pm. Restaurant kitchens can operate between 7 am and 7 pm during the curfew period, the order informed.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Tamil Nadu sees drop in new COVID-19 cases, fatalities for 2nd day

Tamil Nadu reported 35,483 new COVID cases and 422 deaths – a decline seen for the second day on Sunday. With this tally, caseload is 18,42,344 and the death toll 20,468 till date.

It was on Friday (May 21) the State reported an all- time high of 36,184 new infections besides adding 467 fatalities on a single day.

According to a medical bulletin today, seven who were among the infected were returnees from various destinations, while a 27-year-old man from Thanjavur succumbed to the virus without any pre-existing illness.

The number discharged were 25,196, taking the overall tally to 15,27,733, leaving 2,94,143 active infections.

-PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra sees 26,672 new COVID-19 cases, 594 deaths

Maharashtra on Sunday reported 26,672 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 594 fatalities, taking the tally of infections to 55,79,897 and the toll to 88,620 while 29,177 patients recovered during the day, the health department said.

The tally of recoveries so far in Maharashtra now stands at 51,40,272, it said, adding the state is now left with 3,48,395 active cases.

Mumbai reported 1,427 fresh cases and 49 fatalities, raising the overall count of infections to 6,96,910 and the toll to 14,565.

The Mumbai division, comprising Mumbai and its satellite towns, reported 3,678 new cases and 87 deaths, which increased the overall caseload to 15,08,663 and the number of fatalities to 26,855, the department said.

The Nashik division added 3,037 cases including 1,589 in Ahmednagar district excluding the city. The Pune division reported 6,613 infections including 1,488 cases in Solapur district excluding the city, it said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Madhya Pradesh records 3,375 fresh COVID-19 cases, 7,587 recoveries

Madhya Pradesh Sunday reported 3,375 new coronavirus cases and 75 fatalities, taking the state’s infection tally to 7,64,338 and death toll to 7,558, the health department said. Recoveries outnumbered the new COVID-19 cases in the state, bringing down the count of patients under treatment below the 60,000-mark. The state is now left with 57,766 active cases, it said.

A total of 7,587 patients were discharged from hospitals in the last 24 hours, taking the count of recoveries in Madhya Pradesh to 6,99,014, the department said.

With 829 new infections, Indore’s caseload went up to 1,45,301, while that of Bhopal rose by 577 to 1,17,707.

-PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

234 more COVID-19 deaths, 4,844  new cases reported in UP

With 234 more coronavirus-related fatalities in Uttar Pradesh, the death toll rose to 19,209, while 4,844 fresh cases pushed the infection tally to 16,69,891. Of the new deaths, Jhansi recorded 21 fatalities, followed by Lucknow 18, Varanasi 15, Ayodhya 14, Agra 11 and 10 each from Gorakhpur, Saharanpur, Lakhimpur-Khiri and Basti.

As far as fresh cases are concerned, state capital Lucknow reported 301 cases, Meerut 297, Saharanpur 264, Varanasi 245 and Gorakhpur 201. In the past 24 hours, 14,086 patients recovered from the disease, taking the total number of patients discharged so far to 15,65,802. The number of active cases in the state stand at 84,880, the statement said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Necessary to hold second-year PU exams, says Karnataka govt

Karnataka education minister Suresh Kumar on Sunday said it was necessary to hold second year Pre-University (class 12) exams, in the interest of students’ future. An appropriate decision will be taken in the days to come, considering various aspects and the Centre’s suggestions, he said.

The Minister, who participated in the meeting of the education ministers of all states organised by the Centre’s Ministry of Education, stressed the need to hold exams for second PU students in some way as they prepare for professional courses.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Goa sees 1,621 new COVID-19 cases, 42 deaths today

Goa’s coronavirus caseload went up by 1,621 and reached 1,46,460 on Sunday, a health department official said.The COVID-19 death toll mounted to 2,383 after 42 mo re patients succumbed to the infection during the day, he said.

The number of recoveries in Goa rose to 1,26,800 with 2,545 patients being discharged on Sunday. Goa is now left with 17,277 active cases, the official said.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Black fungus tally at Delhi’s LNJP Hospital rises to 36, says official

The Delhi government-run LNJP Hospital reported 15 more cases of black fungus in a day, taking its tally to 36, a senior official said on Sunday. Of the 36 cases, 30 people are Covid positive, LNJP Hospital’s medical director Dr Suresh Kumar said.

Mucormycosis or black fungus is more common among people whose immunity has weakened due to Covid, diabetes, kidney disease, liver or cardiac disorders, age-related issues, or those on medication for auto-immune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.

If such patients are administered steroids, their immunity weakens further, allowing the fungus to thrive.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Jammu and Kashmir logs 3,308 new cases, 51 deaths

The COVID-19 tally in Jammu and Kashmir reached 2,70,621 on Sunday with 3,308 fresh cases, while the death toll rose to 3,564 after 51 more people succumbed to the disease, officials said. Out of the fresh cases, 1,121 were from the Jammu division and 2,187 from the Kashmir division.

The officials said Srinagar district recorded the highest of 512 cases, followed by 447 in Jammu district and 401 in Budgam district. There are 47,437 active cases in the Union Territory, while 2,19,620 patients have recovered so far, they said. The toll due to the infection rose to 3,564 as 51 patients died in the past 24 hours.

-PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Mumbai adds 1,431 new COVID-19 cases; doubling rate 331 days

Mumbai on Sunday reported 1,431 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 49 deaths on a day when 23,314 tests were conducted, the city civic body said.

With the addition of the new cases, Mumbai’s COVID-19 caseload went up to 6,97,810 and the death toll to 4,623, it said in a statement. With 1,470 patients being discharged during the day, the count of recoveries in Mumbai so far rose to 6,52,686, it said. The total number of samples tested so far in the financial capital reached 60,72,000 on Sunday.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Rajasthan reports 113 more deaths, 6,521 new cases 

The COVID-19 death toll in Rajasthan rose to 7,703 on Sunday with 113 more fatalities, while 6,521 new cases pushed the infection count to 9,16,042, officials said. Jaipur and Udaipur recorded 27 and 11 deaths respectively while other districts reported deaths below 10.

Of the new cases, a maximum 1,483 were reported from Jaipur, officials said. A total of 7,96,121 COVID-19 patients have recovered so far and the number of active cases currently is 1,12,218, they added.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

64,000 people got COVID-19 vaccine jabs in Delhi on 22 May: AAP MLA Atishi

Around 64,000 people received COVID-19 vaccine jabs in Delhi on May 22, AAP MLA Atishi said on Sunday. She also said that there will be no Covaxin doses left for inoculating those above 45 years of age, frontline and healthcare workers in the national capital after Monday evening.

Around 64,000 people were given COVID-19 vaccine jabs in Delhi on Saturday, the AAP leader said. She said there was no clarity yet from the Centre on the supply of the next installment of Covaxin doses for those above 45 years. Atishi added that all centres inoculating 18-44 age group will be temporarily shut from Monday due to non-availability of vaccines.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Don’t hold protest over COVID, it may prove super-spreader: Amarinder to farmers

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Sunday urged the BKU (Ekta Ugrahan) not to hold their planned sit-in over his government’s “failure” to tackle coronavirus, saying their three-day protest may turn into a super-spreader. The farmers’ outfit has decided to hold a protest from May 28 in Patiala, the CM’s home constituency.

Rejecting the allegation that his government failed to tackle the pandemic, the CM said they fought hard to prevent Punjab going the way of some other states such as Delhi, Maharashtra and even Uttar Pradesh, where bodies floating in the Ganga exposed the mismanagement by the BJP government.

According to a statement, he urged farmers not to act “irresponsibly” and endanger their own lives as their planned protest may negate the gains made by the state government in the fight against the pandemic, amid a complete ban on all gatherings.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Harsh Vardhan tells Ramdev to withdraw “objectionable remarks” against doctors

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Sunday called yoga guru Ramdev’s statement on allopathic medicines “extremely unfortunate” and asked him to withdraw it.

Citing a video circulating on social media, the Indian Medical Association on Saturday had said Ramdev has claimed that allopathy is a “stupid science” and medicines such as remdesivir, faviflu, and other drugs approved by the Drugs Controller General of India have failed to treat COVID-19 patients.

The doctors’ body also quoted Ramdev as saying that “lakhs of patients have died after taking allopathic medicines”. These remarks were denied as “false” by the Haridwar-based Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust.

In a letter to Ramdev, Vardhan asked him to withdraw his statement on allopathy. “The statement disrespects the corona warriors and hurt the sentiments of the country. Your statement on allopathy can break the morale of healthcare workers and weaken our fight against COVID-19,” he said.

संपूर्ण देशवासियों के लिए #COVID19 के खिलाफ़ दिन-रात युद्धरत डॉक्टर व अन्य स्वास्थ्यकर्मी देवतुल्य हैं।

बाबा @yogrishiramdev जी के वक्तव्य ने कोरोना योद्धाओं का निरादर कर,देशभर की भावनाओं को गहरी ठेस पहुंचाई।

मैंने उन्हें पत्र लिखकर अपना आपत्तिजनक वक्तव्य वापस लेने को कहा है। pic.twitter.com/QBXCdaRQb1

— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Mizoram records 214 new COVID-19 cases, tally at 10,220

Mizoram on Sunday reported 214 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the state’s tally to 10,220, a senior official said. The death toll remained unchanged at 31.

Aizawl district registered the maximum number of new cases 158, followed by Lunglei and Lawngtlai, which reported 18 and 14 cases respectively, he said.

At least 43 children are among the new patients. Sixty-five new cases were detected at Zoram Medical College’s RT-PCR laboratory, five at the state’s TrueNat facilities, and 144 via Rapid Antigen Test, he said. Of the 214 patients, 96 were found to have developed symptoms of COVID-19.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Guj BJP MLA draws oppn’s flak as video shows him filling syringe with Remdesivir for patient

Gujarat BJP MLA has come under fire from the opposition Congress after a video went viral on Sunday that showed him filling a syringe with Remdesivir injection for a patient at a community COVID care centre at Sarthana in Surat.

In the video of the incident that took place recently, V D Zalavadiya, who represents Kamrej Assembly constituency in Surat, is seen filling a syringe with a vial of Remdesivir before transferring it to a drip bottle, to be administered to a COVID-19 patient.

Congress spokesperson Jayrajsinh Parmar criticised him for the act, and said Gujarat Health Minister Nitin Patel should get inspiration from the MLA and open a centre to train BJP workers in administering injections, which would also address the issue of acute shortage of medical staff in state hospitals.

Zalavadiya, however, said that he did not administer the dose to any patient, but only injected the vial contents into the drip bottle. He also said he apologised to those who felt he should not have done so.

Parmar said, It is sad to see how Kamrej MLA Shri Zalavadiya flaunts his skill. Taking inspiration from him, Nitin Patel (Deputy CM with health portfolio) should set up a training centre on how to dress a wound and administer injection under the leadership of Mr Zalavadiya.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Maharashtra CM asks parents to be alert about any COVID symptoms in children

Amid the raging coronavirus pandemic and some experts warning of a possible third wave, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday appealed to people to consult doctors immediately if children show any symptoms.

Addressing paediatricians virtually, the chief minister said the immediate diagnosis was the need of the hour. “Don’t be complacent and negligent regarding any symptoms in children. Consult a doctor immediately,” Thackeray said.

During his interaction with 6,300 paediatricians from different parts of Maharashtra along with the members of the paediatrics COVID-19 task force and other medical experts via a video link, guidelines for the treatment protocol for children were discussed.

The CM hailed the efforts of the medical fraternity in dealing with the pandemic. Thackeray said paediatricians need to comfort parents and not cause fear among them.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Haryana govt extends lockdown till 31 May

The Haryana government on Sunday extended the coronavirus lockdown till May 31, according to an order issued. State Chief Secretary Vijai Vardhan in the order said the lockdown, which was earlier imposed till May 24, has been extended by a week till 5 am on May 31.

In a bid to contain the coronavirus spread, the state government had first imposed the lockdown on May 3, which was extended every week since then.

The Haryana government has termed the lockdown as “Mahamari Alert/Surkshit Haryana (Epidemic Alert/Safe Haryana)”.

The state has so far reported 7,33,628 infection cases, including 7,415 deaths

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Centre asks states to send detailed suggestions on pending Class 12 board exams by 25 May

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, after a high-level meeting, Sunday said the state governments have been asked to send suggestions on pending Class 12 board exams before May 25 and a final decision will be taken at the earliest to remove uncertainty in students’ minds. He added that the safety and future of students, teachers are supremely important.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Odisha reports record 12,852 new COVID-19 cases, 28 more deaths

Odisha’s COVID-19 tally mounted to 6,92,382 on Sunday as the state reported its highest single-day spike of 12,852 new cases, despite undergoing lockdown for more than two weeks, a health department official said.

The state also registered 28 fresh COVID fatalities, the biggest one-day count, which took the toll to 2,484, he said. Of the new cases, 7,195 were reported from quarantine centres and the remaining 5,657 detected during contact tracing.

Khurda district, which comprises the state capital Bhubaneswar, recorded the highest number of fresh cases at 1,909, followed by Cuttack (1,073), Angul (874), Sundergarh (848), Kalahandi (668), Mayurbhanj (586) and Balasore (508). The remaining cases were registered in several other districts.

-PTI

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Moderna declines Punjab’s request for direct vaccine supply, say reports 

As per NDTV , the Punjab government has said that Moderna declined a request for sending vaccines directly to the state, as the company deals only with Centre.

Moderna Inc, one of the leading COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers whose jabs are being administered in North America and Europe, as per its policy, would “only deal with Government of India”, said Vikas Garg, Punjab’s nodal officer for vaccination, reports MoneyControl.

The Punjab government has recently reached out to all top vaccine makers, including Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Johnson & Johnson and the producers of Russia’s Sputnik V for the direct supply of doses to the state.

“One of a Covid vaccine manufacturer Moderna has refused to send direct vaccination to Punjab government as according to their policy, they only deal with Government of India and not with any state government or private parties,” said a statement issued by Punjab’s Information and Public Relations Department.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Fungal diseases linked to COVID-19 equally dangerous, govts should step up efforts: Mayawati

BSP supremo Mayawati on Sunday said the fungal diseases linked to COVID-19 are extremely serious and fatal, and that the Centre and state governments should take robust steps to tackle the situation.

“Not only coronavirus, the fungal diseases related to the infection are also extremely serious and fatal. The Centre and the state governments must work with full seriousness and in a concrete manner because preparations to tackle COVID situation in the country are still incomplete, she tweeted in Hindi.

The BSP leader also talked about the non-availability of adequate number of vaccines in the country.

There is a hue and cry in the country over non-availability of COVID-19 vaccines. The Centre and state governments should make an effective policy in this regard, and implement it honestly. This is the demand of the BSP,” she said in another tweet.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Absence of medical resources forced COVID patients to fend for themselves, says Delhi HC

Absence of medical resources forced COVID-19 patients to fend for themselves and look for oxygen concentrator as an alternative to liquid medical oxygen (LMO) and even procure the device from overseas amid short supply, the Delhi High Court has said.

The court made the observation while declaring as “unconstitutional” the Centre’s decision to impose Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) on oxygen concentrators which are imported by individuals or received as gifts for personal use.

The verdict came on a plea by 85-year-old Gurcharan Singh, who was suffering from COVID-19, challenging the imposition of IGST on the import of oxygen concentrators as gift for personal use. He had said his nephew sent an oxygen concentrator for him as a gift from the US to ameliorate his condition.

Coronavirus LATEST Updates

Lockdown extended in Puducherry till 31 May

The Puducherry government on Sunday announced extension of the ongoing lockdown till May 31 as COVID-19 cases continue to soar in the union territory. The two-week-long lockdown clamped on May 10 is to come to an end on May 24 midnight.

Lt Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan said the lockdown is extended till month end, beyond midnight of May 24.

All restrictions imposed from May 10 would continue and only essential services such as vegetables would be available till noon every day, an official release said.

Milk and essential services would continue to be available and the government is keen that livelihood sources should not suffer any setback. With Puducherry registering unabated incidence of covid 19, extension of lock down to rein in the pandemic has become necessary, an official source said.

-PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Over 15,000 MT of oxygen delivered across 14 states by railways, says Centre

The railways has so far delivered 15,284 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen (LMO) in 936 tankers to various states through its Oxygen Express service, the national transporter said on Sunday.

So far, 234 Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey and brought relief to various states, while nine loaded Oxygen Expresses are currently on the run with more than 569 tonnes of LMO in 31 tankers.

The first Oxygen Express to Assam with 80 tonnes of LMO in four tankers reached Assam on Sunday.

The first #OxygenExpress has reached Assam, carrying Oxygen through the Green Corridor to provide quick and uninterrupted supply of medical Oxygen for COVID-19 patients. pic.twitter.com/j1ooNwMa8k

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Delhi govt not in favour of holding exams, says Manish Sisodia

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has asserted that the AAP government in the national capital is not in favour of holding any examination amid the COVID-19 pandemic. “Amid rising cases of COVID-19 and fear of third wave, we should assess students based on internal assessment just like class 10. Students, if not happy with class 12 marks should be given an option to appear for written exams at a later stage. We need to think link a parent, said Sisodia.

Addressing an important Press Conference | LIVE https://t.co/9c898PLhqp

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Vaccine drive to get faster after adequate supply starts from June: Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday expressed confidence that the vaccination drive would be expedited after the state starts getting an adequate supply of doses from June.

Inaugurating a field training workshop titled Pediatrics COVID-19, Uddhav Thackeray said his government was relentlessly pursuing the issue of vaccine supply, adding that his government was ready to make a one-time payment for 12 crore doses for beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group, who account for six crores of the state’s total population.

“I am confident the vaccination drive will pick up once the supply is smooth after June,” the Chief Minister asserted. He said the state witnessed oxygen shortage during the second wave of infections but it was now well equipped to tackle a possible third wave since effective steps had been taken to make the state self-sufficient in the vital gas.

Coronavirus Latest Updates

COVID-19 taking toll on 31-40-50 age group in Andhra Pradesh, shows data

Coronavirus is taking a heavy toll on people in the 31-40-50 age groups while largely sparing children and those over 60 in the ongoing second wave in Andhra Pradesh.  The State has now crossed the 10,000-mark in the total number of Covid-19 deaths since the first one was reported on 3 April, 2020. The toll percentage and the case mortality rate in the first and second waves in the state remained almost the same, a death audit by the State government revealed. 

Mortality in the 41-50 age group jumped up by 5.96 percent to 21.06 percent in the second wave as compared to the first wave last year. Here, the positive cases dropped by 0.15 percent. 

The fatality rate among those aged 31-40 years increased by 5.19 percent now to 11.13 percent, as the percentage of positive cases also increased by 1.16 percent, compared to the first wave. The fatalities rose by 2.04 percent among the 51-60 age group though the positive cases declined by 1.95 percent.

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Delhi reports 1,649 new COVID-19 cases, 189 deaths in 24 hours

The National Capital recorded 1,649 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest since 30 March, and 189 deaths on Sunday, a health bulletin said.  The positivity rate further dipped to 2.42 percent, it said. A  total of 68,043 tests were conducted in 2 hours, the bulletin stated. According to the bulletin, the total number of cases reported in Delhi so far has gone up to 14,16,868 while the toll has reached 23,202. The case fatality rate is 1.64 percent and there 27,610 active cases, it said. According to the bulletin 64,319 beneficiaries were vaccinated in the last 24 hours (44,752 administered first dose and 19,567 second dose).

Delhi reported 1,649 new cases, 189 deaths and 5,158 recoveries in the last 24 hours; Positivity rate at 2.42% pic.twitter.com/XFbwV9HUZH

— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Confident that vaccination drive will pick up once supply is smooth after June, says Uddhav Thackeray

Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Sunday expressed confidence that the vaccination drive would be expedited after the state starts getting adequate supply of doses from June.  Inaugurating a field training workshop titled Pediatrics COVID-19 , Thackeray said his government was relentlessly pursuing the issue of vaccine supply, adding that his government was ready to make one-time payment for 12 crore doses for beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group, who account for six crore of the state’s total population.  “I am confident the vaccination drive will pick up once the supply is smooth after June,” the CM asserted.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Make arrangements for vaccinating Class 12 students before holding exam, Sisodia tells Centre

Delhi deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia on Sunday said that in a meeting with the Centre, he demanded that the Centre make arrangements for COVID-19 vaccination for all Class 12 students before holding exam. “Toying with the safety of children by insisting on holding exams will prove to be a big mistake,” Sisodia said in a series of tweets. The Centre’s priority should be vaccination, Sisodia said and suggested that the government eithertalk to Pfizer to vaccinate 1.4 crore Class 12 students and nearly the same number of teachers across the country or talk to health experts about giving the vaccine for 18+ age group to those class 12 students aged 17.5 years. Nearly 95% of Class 12 students are above the age of 17.5, Sisodia said. If health experts recommend this then Covishield and Covaxin for 18-44 age group should first be given to Class 12 students and teachers. If vaccine is made available, states should vaccinate Class 12 students and teachers in one week. “In Delhi, we will finish vaccinating Class 12 students and teachers in one week,” Sisodia claimed.

केंद्र सरकार के साथ मीटिंग में आज माँग रखी कि परीक्षा से पहले 12वीं के सभी बच्चों के लिए वैक्सीन की व्यवस्था करें। बच्चों की सुरक्षा से खिलवाड़ कर परीक्षा का आयोजन करवाने की ज़िद बहुत बड़ी गलती और नासमझी साबित होगी। #पहले_वैक्सीन_सुरक्षा____फिर_परीक्षा

— Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Two doses of Pfizer, AstraZeneca vaccine highly effective against  B.1.617.2 variant, finds UK study

 A new study by health officials in England shows for the first time that two doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against the B1.617.2 variant first identified in India. Public Health England (PHE) said on Saturday that while the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was 88 percent effective against symptomatic COVID-19 from the B1.617.2 variant of concern (VOC) two weeks after the second dose, the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was 60 percent effective against symptomatic disease from the B1.617.2 VOC.  However, the effectiveness from both types of vaccines was found to be only 33 percent against the VOC found in India after just one dose of either jab. 

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Jharkhand govt launches survey in rural areas to contain spread of COVID-19

In a bid to contain the spread of  COVID-19 in rural areas, the Jharkhand government has started an extensive mapping exercise in all the blocks where several

health teams have initiated a door-to-door campaign to identify people with symptoms of the coronavirus infection. During the survey, teams of frontline workers will visit every household in panchayat areas and enquire about any positive case and death of family members in the last two months or any person with COVID symptoms, a statement said.

“In case any member of a family is found to be positive, the team will ensure that others also get tested,” it said.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Puducherry sees single day spike of 1,448 new cases

The Union Territory of Puducherry reported 1,448 fresh coronavirus cases and 34 deaths, a single day high, a senior health department official said on Sunday. The 34 fatalities took the toll to 1,359, Director of the Department of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar said.

The overall COVID-19 tally stood at 96,060 while the number of active cases was 16,851 (2,026 in hospitals and 14,825 in home isolation). The health department Director said that the fatality and recovery rates were 1.41 percent and 81.04 percent respectively.

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Karnataka puts in place SMS-based Remdesivir allocation and information system

 Karnataka which is battling the second wave of COVID-19, has put in place a SMS-based Remdesivir allocation and information system, aimed at curbing

its blackmarketing and misuse. “In order to bring transparency in the allocation of Remdesivir a tech-driven system has been developed and now the patient will get a SMS informing which hospital is provided the medicine against the SRF ID,” Health Minister K Sudhakar said on Sunday.

“In case if the #Remdesivir is allocated against the SRF ID & the hospital has not provided it to the patient, a facility is provided in the same link to report it to the

government. This will help govt in curbing blackmarketing & misuse of Remdesivir,” he said in a tweet. Citizens can also check information on Remdesivir using the link https://covidwar.karnataka.gov.in/service2.

In order to bring transparency is allocation of Remdesivir a tech-driven system has been developed and now the patient will get a SMS informing which hospital is provided the medicine against the SRF ID.

Citizens can also check info using 👇🏼 link.https://t.co/1wB9AWJSk9

1/2

— Dr Sudhakar K (@DrSudhakar_) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Odisha govt introduces facility for online access of COVID test reports

The Odisha government has introduced a facility to help people access COVID test reports online in a hassle-free manner, instead of physically visiting

laboratories, an official said. After undergoing RT-PCR or rapid antigen test, one can access result of the clinical examination through a website that has been linked to the “State Dashboard”, he said.

Launching the facility on Saturday, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said this will help people get COVID test reports at their homes. “After undergoing COVID-19 tests, RT PCR or Rapid Antigen, people can know their test result- whether it is positive or negative- by just submitting their registered mobile number on the website,” he said.

PTI

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Chhattisgarh Class 12 exams from 1 to 5 June, students to attempt exam from home

The Chhattisgarh Board Of Secondary Education (CGBSE) has released the schedule for class 12 board exams, according to which students will be given the question papers and answer sheets from 1 to 5 June for the chosen subjects, reports The Indian Express .  Students will attempt the exam from home and will have to submit the handwritten answer sheet within five days of submitting it. For example if a student receives the question paper on 5 June, he or she will have to submit the answer sheet by 10 June.

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Daily positivity rate falls to 11.34%, says health ministry

The Daily Positivity Rate has declined to 11.34 percent and India’s total active caseload has decreased to 28,05,399 on Sunday, said the Union health ministry.

A net decline of 1,18,001 is witnessed in the last 24 hours. Active cases now comprise 10.57 percent of the country’s total positive cases. Seven states cumulatively account for 66.88 pe cent of India’s total active cases, the ministry said in a statement. 

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren joins meeting on CBSE Class 12 exams

मुख्यमंत्री श्री @HemantSorenJMM#cbseboardexams2021 प्रोफेशनल कोर्सेस एवं अन्य एंट्रेंस परीक्षाओं के आयोजन को लेकर वीडियो कॉन्फ्रेसिंग के जरिए आयोजित बैठक में शामिल हुए। बैठक में केंद्रीय रक्षा मंत्री श्री @rajnathsingh केंद्रीय शिक्षा मंत्री श्री @DrRPNishank व अन्य शामिल हैं pic.twitter.com/juLhKxDjZT

— Office of Chief Minister, Jharkhand (@JharkhandCMO) May 23, 2021

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Over 19.5 crore vaccine doses administered so far, says health ministry

The health ministry said that the cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country exceeded 19.50 crore on Sunday. “A total of 19,50,04,184 vaccine doses have been administered through 28,00,808 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today,” it said.

“These include 97,52,900 HCWs who have taken the 1st dose and 67,00,614 HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose, 1,49,52,345 FLWs (1st dose), 83,26,534 FLWs (2nd dose), 99,93,908 beneficiaries under 18-44 age group (1st dose), 6,06,90,560 (1st dose) and 97,87,289 (2nd dose) beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years and 5,65,55,558 first dose beneficiaries and 1,82,44,476 second dose beneficiaries of more than 60 years old, the ministry said.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Record 21.23 lakh COVID-19 tests conducted in single day, says health ministry

India has set a record of conducting the highest COVID-19 testing in a single day with more than 21.23 lakh fresh tests, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.  This is also the fifth successive day that more than 20 lakh tests have been conducted in India, it said  Cumulatively, 21,23,782 tests conducted have been conducted in the last 24 hours in the country.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Expecting students to sit for CBSE Class 12 exams ‘insensitive and unfair’, says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra

“Students studying for the CBSE 12 grade examinations have been sharing their concerns about these exams being held during the second wave of Covid – 19 pandemic. Their health and safety MATTERS,” said Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in a series of tweets. “Gatherings in closed spaces promote the spread of COVID. This wave has shown that children are vulnerable to new strains. In any case expecting children who are already under immense pressure to sit for their exams wearing all sorts of protective gear for hours at a stretch day after day is insensitive and unfair,’ she further said.

“The mental health of children is as important as their physical well being. It’s about time our education system incorporates sensitivity towards children’s well being and starts taking these issues seriously,”

insensitive and unfair. Many of them are likely to have family members who are down with COVID too. They are already dealing with enough stress. I fail to understand the reasoning behind holding these exams, not to mention having stretched this decision out for months. 3/4

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

High-level meeting on CBSE class 12 exams, entrance exams underway

A high-level meeting with the four Union ministers, state education ministers, and secretaries of education ministries is underway, reports NDTV . The meeting is being held to decide on pending Class 12 board exams and subsequent entrance examinations that were postponed due to the second wave of COVID-19. According to News18 , Defence minister Rajnath Singh is chairing the meeting. Union Ministers Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, Prakash Javadekar, Smriti Irani are also present in the meeting.

CBSE sources had told news agency PTI the possible options that can be explored are — conducting pen and paper mode exams for only major subjects, conducting all exams in two phases planned as per the COVID-19 situation in different states or districts, or cancelling the exams and announcing results as per an alternative assessment scheme.According to reports, a decision on JEE and NEET exams is also likely to be taken.

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Lockdown in Delhi extended for another week, says Kejriwal

Lockdown in Delhi extended by one more week till 5 am on 31 May, reports quote chief minister Arvind Kejriwal as saying. According to news agency ANI, Kejriwal said the positivity rate has come down to below 2.5 percent in the National Caprial and 1,600 new COVID-19 cases were reported in Delhi in the last 24 hours. If cases continue to decrease, we will begin to unlock Delhi in a phased manner from 31 May, Kejriwal said, according to the news agency.

If #COVID19 cases continue to decrease, we will begin to unlock Delhi in a phased manner from May 31: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal pic.twitter.com/6958dz9hrN

— ANI (@ANI) May 23, 2021

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Ninth “Oxygen Express” carrying 120 tonnes LMO reaches Bengaluru

 The ninth “Oxygen Express”  carrying 120 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO), in 6 containers has reached Bengaluru this morning, South Western

Railway said on Sunday. So far, Karnataka has received 1,062.14 tonnes of LMO by Rail.

“The ninth Oxygen Express reached ICD Whitefield at 07:30 am today (23 May). It had started from Tatanagar, Jharkhand at 23:35 hrs on 21 May,” South Western Railway said in a release.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Over 1.9 crore vaccine doses still available with states and UTs, says health ministry

The Government of India has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21.80 crore vaccine doses (21,80,51,890) to states and Union Territories, says the Union health ministry. Of this, the total consumption, calculated based on average up to 22 May , including wastages is 19,90,31,577doses (as per data available at 8 am today), the ministry further says. More than 1.90 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses (1,90,20,313) are still available with the States/UTs and 40,650 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days, the ministry adds.

#LargestVaccineDrive

As per latest data

➡More than 21.80 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs

➡More than 1.90 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administeredhttps://t.co/frgwNHuxlX

— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) May 23, 2021

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Arunachal reports 314 fresh COVID-19 cases, 3 more fatalities

Arunachal Pradesh reported 314 new COVID-19 cases, which took the tally in the state to 23,867, a senior health department official said on Sunday. The toll rose to 95 after three more persons from Lower Siang, Lohit and Tawang districts succumbed to the infection since Friday, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr

Lobsang Jampa said. The three coronavirus-positive patients died while undergoing treatment in medical facilities, he said.

At least 291 people were cured of the disease on Saturday, taking the total number of recoveries in the state to 20,836.  Arunachal Pradesh now has 2,936 active cases.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Diaspora doctors, professionals launch ‘Project Madad’ to combat COVID-19 spread in rural India

As the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic batters rural India, a voluntary group of doctors and professionals from the diaspora in the US and from India has launched a unique initiative that will provide virtual time-sensitive information to healthcare workers in rural areas on treating COVID-19 patients, real-time details on hospital bed availability and counter vaccine misinformation. ‘Project Madad’ has been created with a mission that proper education and training of local healthcare workers and Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs) will be fundamental in controlling COVID-19 spread in rural India.

The Madad team is initially working with RMPs in rural Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and hopes that its model will be scaled in other areas and assist healthcare workers to recognise COVID-19 symptoms, treat mild cases at homes and provide advice on vaccination, dangers of overmedication and other best practices.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Dr Reddy’s developing new treatment options for COVID-19, says MD

Drug major Dr Reddy’s Laboratories is working on the development of new treatment options for COVID-19 patients which it aims to launch over the next few months while ensuring uninterrupted supplies of its existing range of products for the infectious disease in the market, according to a top company official. The Hyderabad-based drug major has already launched Sputnik V vaccine while partnering various organisations, including the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

“We are motivated to serve patients in every possible way and with utmost urgency. This is reflected in the multiple collaborations we have entered to develop and commercialise a wide range of preventive and curative options for COVID treatment, Dr Reddy’s Laboratories Co-Chairman & Managing Director G V Prasad said in an analyst call. The drug firm over the past few weeks has ramped up supply of multiple medicines including Remdesivir to meet the surge in demand, he added.

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

Pandemic still with us, thriving and mutating, says Antonio Guterres

Recent surges of COVID-19 in India, South America and other regions have left people literally gasping for breath before our eyes, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said, warning that the pandemic is still very much with us, thriving and mutating". “From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I warned that no one is safe until everyone is safe.Grossly unequal access to vaccines, tests, medicines and supplies, including oxygen, have left poorer countries at the mercy of the virus, Guterres said in his statement to the Global Health Summit on Friday.

“Let’s be clear, we are at war with the virus. And if you are at war with the virus, we need to deal with our weapons with rules of a war economy, and we are not yet there. And this is true for vaccines, and it is true for other components in the fight against the virus,” he said. While the COVAX should have delivered 170 million doses around the world by now, vaccine nationalism, limited production capacity and lack of funding have led to that figure being just 65 million. “I call on G20 countries to lead by example and contribute their full share of funding. An investment of billions could end up saving trillions and saving lives,” he said.  

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

COVID-19 vaccination at workplace can cover employees’ family members, dependents, says Centre

The Union health ministry on Saturday announced that family members and dependents of workers can also be covered under the COVID-19 vaccination drive at industrial and workplace inoculation centres.

In a letter to all chief secretaries, the health ministry said that for industrial and private workplace CVCs ( COVID-19 vaccination centres), the vaccine doses will have to be procured by the private hospitals with which the respective employer ties up.

Coronavirus Latest Updates

21,23,782 samples tested for COVID-19 on Saturday, says ICMR

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 32,86,07,937 samples have been tested for COVID-19 up to 22 May with 21,23,782 samples tested on Saturday. 

PTI

Coronavirus Latest Updates

India reports 2.4 lakh new COVID-19 cases, 3,741 fatalities

The daily rise in coronavirus cases in India remained below the 3 lakh-mark for the seventh consecutive day, with 2.4 lakh new cases recorded in a single day, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.  With the fresh cases, India’s tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,65,30,132. The toll due to the disease rose to 2,99,266 with 3,741 fresh fatalities, the ministry data updated at 8 am showed.

The active cases further reduced to 28,05,399 comprising 10.57 percent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate improved to 88.30 percent. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease in the country surged to 2,34,25,467 while the case fatality rate stood at 1.13 percent, the data stated.

PTI