Tag: Coronavirus in India

Coronavirus in India latest numbers: COVID-19 cases cross 4,000; Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi worst-hit

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The total number of coronavirus cases in India on Monday jumped to 4,067 after close to 700 new infections added in past 24 hours, as per the latest data from the Union health ministry. The death toll from the pandemic has risen to 109 while as many as 291 cases have recovered, the government data showed.

Among states, Maharashtra remains the worst-hit with an overall tally of 690 cases. The state also reported the highest 45 fatalities from the COVID-19 virus. With 571 cases, Tamil Nadu is the second worst-hit state.

Delhi has recorded 503 cases, while Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh have reported between 100 and 400 cases so far.

Source: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus lights off: India shows solidarity in fight against coronavirus; Mukesh Ambani and wife Nita offer prayers

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nine-minute “lights off” call to show solidarity in the fight against coronavirus received an overwhelming response at 9 pm on April 5.

Apart from Germany, Australia and Japan, countries like Afghanistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Vietnam, Israel, Tunisia and Mexico joined in the 9 pm 9 minute campaign.

Cities across the country participated in the initiative and people were seen holding diyas at their balconies in Delhi, Pune, Chennai, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Varansi among others.

Citizens in Bandra (West), Mumbai were seen holding candles and flashing mobile torches in a collective effort to show solidarity with the PM.

RIL CMD Mukesh Ambani along with wife Nita Ambani joined in the lights off campaign too.

Visuals of Reliance Industries’ Mukesh Ambani & Nita Ambani lighting up candles following PM @narendramodi‘s call#9pm9minute #LightForIndia pic.twitter.com/Z9DHN32yvI

— CNBC-TV18 (@CNBCTV18News) April 5, 2020

Residents in Bandra were seen maintaining social distance, while they were in societies and could be seen on balconies of high rises across the city.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted:

At home, 9pm: lighting diyas for some moments of mindfulness and thinking of our community, even as we work day and night as one nation. #IndiaFightsCoronavirus pic.twitter.com/o9gZvNXTfE

— Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) April 5, 2020

Patricia Pereira from Lower Parel in Mumbai, participated in the campaign by turning out all the lights at her residence. She was excited to see people on the streets waving flashlights and shouting, “Go corona go” and Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.

Modi had called on citizens to switch off all lights and light up candles, lamps or mobile phone torches for nine minutes at 9 pm on April 5 to display the country’s “collective effort” in fighting the coronavirus pandemic.

There were concerns that the blackout could impact electricity grids due to a sudden drop and subsequent surge in power consumption, following the lights off initiative. However, the government had set out a plan and issued an FAQ for the masses.

The Power Ministry said in a statement, “Minister RK Singh, alongwith Power Secretary and other senior officers monitoring the power grid operations from National Power Monitoring Centre in Shram Shakti Bhawan.

There was huge response to the Prime Minister’s call as power demand went down from 117 GW to 85.3 GW within a span of 4-5 minutes. This was handled very well by engineers across all levels, The minister said.

The government had categorically said that no hospitals and other essential services had to turn off lights. Electricity supply would continue and street lights and common areas would be lit up as usual.

Disclosure: Reliance Industries is the sole beneficiary of Independent Media Trust which controls Network18 Media & Investments Ltd.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Essential items: Centre asks states to ensure truck drivers, labourers go for work

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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To ensure smooth intra and inter-state movement of essential food and groceries during the lockdown period, the Centre has directed state governments to facilitate truck drivers and labourers associated in this sector to reach their workplace.

Consumer Affairs Secretary Pawan Kumar Agarwal, in a letter to all state chief secretaries, has asked state governments to designate a nodal officer who will coordinate with state police to ensure hassle free movement of supplies.

The designated officer will also issue authorisation letters to companies and organisations having nationwide supply of essential goods, he said.

To ensure that truck drivers do not face problems from police during the lockdown, the secretary said, “Movement of one driver and one additional person from their place of residence to the truck may kindly be facilitated by the local authorities”.

If the truck/vehicle is travelling empty, invoice, way-bill etc for the delivery or pick up of goods may additionally be carried by the drivers, he said.

Stating that several companies have reported difficulties in getting labour for their operations, Agarwal said, “Local administration may be advised to facilitate in ensuring availability of labour in factories, warehouses and transportation and distribution operations of essential food and groceries by appealing to house owners, societies and villages to allow workers to go for work”.

He also mentioned that the Consumer Affairs Ministry has developed an e-pass system solution with the help of E-Gov Foundation. This system enables the government to monitor the number of passes issued by the authorised companies.

“The state government may use this e-pass solution for the issue of passes,” the secretary added.

The movement of essential goods are exempted from the lockdown order imposed till April 14 to prevent spread of the coronavirus.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus blackout: India gives thumbs up to PM Modi’s 9 pm, 9 minute call to fight COVID-19

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India responded with enthusiasm to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal to turn off lights on Sunday evening at 9 pm for 9 minutes and instead light candles or diyas to fight the darkness of the coronavirus outbreak.
The power demand went down from 117 GW to 85.3 GW within a span of 4-5 minutes during this time, according to sources in the Power Ministry.
One could hear conches being blown, crackers going off and see diyas lit on many balconies, windows, and porches. The viral chant, “Go Corona Go!” was also a recurring cry heard loud and clear!
For now, this is Abhishek Jha signing off. Do tune in to CNBC-TV18 for the latest news tomorrow and read our daily LIVE blog to stay on top of the ever-changing and challenging scenario. Stay home, stay safe everyone. Goodnight!

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

26,000 people quarantined in Madhya Pradesh after 10 who attended funeral feast contract coronavirus

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Days after 10 people tested positive for coronavirus following a funeral feast organised by a man on his return to Madhya Pradesh from Dubai, over 26,000 of their contacts and family members have been places under home quarantine, officials said on April 5.

The man, who worked as a waiter at a hotel in Dubai, returned to Morena in MP on March 17 after getting information about his mother’s death, Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) R S Bakna said.

“He organised a customary feast on March 20 to mark the 13th day of mourning after his mothers death,” he said.

The man initially hid his travel history, but revealed it after he and his wife tested positive for coronavirus on April 2, Chief Medical and Health Officer R C Bandil said.

The couple came to a hospital on March 27 after their condition deteriorated. Since doctors suspected coronavirus, the couple was immediately sent to an isolation ward and when their samples came out positive, the man revealed his travel history, he said.

On April 3, 10 more people who came in contact with the couple tested positive for the deadly viral infection, alarming the district administration.
Authorities later came to know that 1,000 to 1,200 people attended the feast organised at the man’s residence.

“This caused the spread of infection. The administration has sealed the entire ward no 47, where the man resides,” Bakna said.

According to Bandil, total 27,881 people have been home quarantined in the district so far. “Nearly 26,000 of these people are those who attended the feast, their family members and contacts,” he said.

As many as 24 people have been admitted to the district hospital after their screening during contact tracing of these patients, he said.

People from other areas who attended the feast have also been identified and home quarantined and their health is being monitored by doctors, the official added.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Pune: Samples of 2 deceased found coronavirus positive

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Samples of a 60-year-old woman and a 52-year-old man who died here in Maharashtra on Saturday have come out positive for coronavirus, an official said on April 5.

The woman, who had some co-morbid conditions, was recently discharged from Pune’s Naidu Hospital after she tested negative for coronavirus there.

“On Saturday early morning, the woman was brought to Sassoon Hospital where she was declared brought dead. After realising that she had gone to Naidu Hospital where she tested negative for coronavirus, we took fresh samples and sent them for tests which came out positive,” Sassoon Hospital’s Dean Dr Ajay Chandanwale said.

Besides, a man who was admitted to Sassoon Hospital also died on Saturday. “His samples were sent for testing. The results came out positive late Saturday evening. He was suffering from diabetes and hypertension,” Dr Chandanwale said.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Maximum people under 40 contracting coronavirus: India has 42% cases between 21-40 years of age

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Ministry of Health in its press briefing on April 4 said that maximum percentage of coronavirus (COVID-19) positive cases were under 40 years of age. Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare detailed the age profiles of 2,902 confirmed cases until April 3.

According to government figures, a majority of the 75 coronavirus deaths in India have been reported among people who are over 60 years old. The deaths were linked to co-morbid conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiac and renal issues.

Age profile of patients tested so far in India

• 9% of positive cases are below 20 years of age
• 42% cases are in the age group of 21 to 40 years
• 33% cases are in 41 to 60 years age category
• 17% cases are above 60 years of age

The age profile trends are in line with what has been reported across COVID-19 affected countries. India, with a younger demographic profile, has a large number of people in the age group of 20 to 39 who are more mobile, they are also a large part of the working class and hence are more likely to contract the infection. However, current data from across the world and India suggests that younger people usually do not suffer from the serious complications, unless they are immuno-compromised or have underlying medical conditions like hypertension or malnourishment. Those who smoke cigarettes also suffer serious complications.

Dr K Srinath Reddy, President, PHFI said, “This is a global trend. Reason why social distancing even at homes have been advised because these younger people, who have far greater mobility, could be potential carriers of the virus and may infect their older family members, who have less immunity.” Besides, India has a younger population structure in comparison to China, Europe, Singapore or South Korea, Reddy added.

Of the 10,062 confirmed cases in South Korea, around 27 percent patients were in their 20s, followed by 24 percent between 30 and 49 years of age (source: Statista2020). United States of America, with the highest confirmed coronavirus cases is seeing a majority of people in the 20 to 40 years category contracting the virus. Countries whose demography is tilted towards the older population, like Japan and Italy, have seen a higher percentage of people above 50 years getting infected.

However, experts have said that standalone data on age profiles of confirmed cases may not depict actual trends. Dr Gagandeep Kang, Director at Translational Health Sciences Institute said, “This just represents the age profile of people who have been tested so far. And we have primarily tested travellers and their contacts, who mostly are younger people. India is still not doing widespread or randomised testing of the population.”

Reddy agreed and said, “Since these are cases, not contact based testing data and not a random sample of the population, we cannot extrapolate to the general population.”

The Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR’s) testing criteria until very recently was only restricted to overseas travellers and their contacts. It was expanded to include people suffering with Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) and those with influenza like symptoms. ICMR on April 3 approved rapid testing of suspects in COVID-19 hotspots.

Moreover, experts suggest that more data is needed to generate a conclusion. “If we find the age distribution of people tested is very wide and more younger people are being tested positive, then there is a trend. In absence of reference testing data, nothing can be concluded,” Kang said.

The government has not yet released the age profile of COVID-19 positive patients who are critical or on ventilator support.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra jump to 661; 26 new patients

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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As many as 26 new coronavirus positive patients were reported from Maharashtra on Sunday, taking the total number of cases in the state to 661, a health official said.

Out of the 26 cases, 17 were reported from Pune, four from neighbouring Pimpri Chinchwad township, three from Ahmednagar and two from Aurangabad, he said.

Asked about any new cases from Mumbai, the official said, “The figures are being verified, hence Mumbai figures will be released later.”

So far, 32 people in the state have died due to coronavirus while 52 people were discharged after recovering.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus: Coal India subsidiaries set up 1,509 isolation beds in 8 states

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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State-owned Coal India Limited’s subsidiaries have set up 1,509 isolation beds in eight states in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, an official said. The eight coal bearing states are Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra and Assam.

Of the 1509 beds, Coal India arm Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) has set up the maximum 664 beds at its hospitals in places like Bhubaneswar, Angul, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur and Sundargarh in the state of Odisha.

Besides, Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) has come up with 200 isolation beds in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) has set up 100 beds, Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) 180 beds, Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) 144 beds, South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SEC) 132 beds, Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) 75 beds and North Eastern Coalfields Ltd (NECL) 14 beds.

The subsidiaries have also distributed more than 3.3 lakh face masks to people in and around the coal mines, the official added.

ECL has distributed the maximum 76,367 masks, followed by NCL (66,847), SECL (64,536) and WCL (52,613), among others.

CIL had earlier pledged Rs 220 crore to the Prime Minister’s Citizen Assistance and Relief in Emergency Situation (PM-CARES) Fund to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

CIL accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output.

The PSU has taken various initiatives to continue the dry fuel supply to various sectors, including power, during the lockdown period.

The measures include extending the time for coal lifting and making payments, and relaxing penalty against defaulters.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Coronavirus in India: Here’s a state-wise breakup of positive cases

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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With coronavirus cases rising fast in India, the central and state governments have implemented a series of measures including a 21-day nationwide lockdown to battle the deadly virus. PM Modi has urged the people to switch off lights of their homes at 9 pm for nine minutes on Sunday and light up lamps, candles, mobile flashlights to display the nation’s collective spirit to defeat coronavirus.

Below is the latest tally (as of April 3, 9 am) of coronavirus cases in India, according to the Ministry of Health.

Maharashtra has been the worst-hit state in the country with the total number of positive cases at 393, followed by Tamil Nadu that has recorded 316 cases.  According to the Union Health Ministry,  156 people have been discharged after treatment.

Here is the state-wise breakup of total coronavirus positive cases in India.

(Source: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare)

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow