Tag: COVID-19

Maharashtra wants to inoculate up to 7 lakh people daily: Health Minister Tope

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

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Maharashtra wants to vaccinate 6 to 7 lakh people against COVID-19 on a daily basis and to achieve the target, the state needs 40 to 45 lakh vaccine vials every week, health minister Rajesh Tope said on Thursday. A large-scale vaccination will help to bring down the COVID-19 cases and stem its spread, he said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, Maharashtra wants to vaccinate 6 to 7 lakh persons on a daily basis, for which we need to receive 40-45 lakh vaccine vials on a weekly basis. ”If we manage to vaccinate so many people on a daily basis, it would be a major step in curbing the COVID-19 spread in the state, Tope said.

Maharashtra is the worst-hit state in the country when it comes to cumulative infections and deaths due to COVID-19. I think if a delegation from the state, including members from the opposition, visits New Delhi and takes up the issue with the Centre, we will get more vaccines to save lives. We will work it out, he said. Commenting on the shortage of Remdesivir, he said, Seven manufacturers had reduced their production when COVID-19 cases were coming down.

Also Read: Uddhav Thackeray urges Centre to consider COVID-19 as natural calamity

”Now, they have ramped up production, but it takes some time to deliver stocks. will be a supply of one lakh Remdesivir vials in the state.”

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

UK variant detected in 70% samples sent by PGIMER

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

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The UK variant of COVID-19 was found in 70 percent of 60 samples sent to the National Centre for Diseases Control, the PGIMER said on Thursday. Seventy percent of the samples had UK variant of Covid-19 and 20 percent of the samples had 681 H mutant, said Jagat Ram, the director of the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, in a statement here.

The majority of the samples were from Chandigarh, he added. He said the PGIMER’s Department of Virology had sent 60 positive samples of Covid-19 to the National Centre for Diseases Control (NCDC), New Delhi in March. It was found that 70 per cent of the samples had UK variants of Covid-19, one sample was having a double mutation. 681H mutant of Covid-19 was observed in 20 per cent of the samples. Jagat Ram said considering the high transmission and faster spread of Covid-19 by the UK variant, everyone should follow Covid- appropriate behaviour.

The director further advised avoiding crowded places and non-essential travels. He also stressed on the need for vaccinating priority groups. The Union Territory of Chandigarh on Thursday reported 412 cases of coronavirus, taking the infection count to 32,397.

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

No plans of clubbing remaining phases of West Bengal Assembly elections, says EC

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

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The Election Commission on Thursday denied any plans of clubbing the remaining phases of West Bengal Assembly elections into one. The Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), West Bengal, has called for an all-party meeting asking all political parties to strictly adhere to COVID-19 guidelines mandated by the Election Commission, an official said.

“No such plan of clubbing phases,” said Election Commission on speculations about clubbing remaining Assembly election phases in West Bengal into one. Four rounds of voting have happened and the rest of the four phases will conclude by April 29. The results will be declared on May 2.

There were speculations due to a rise in the COVID-19 cases in the state. West Bengal has on Wednesday recorded its highest-ever single-day spike of 5,892 coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 6,30,116, the state health department bulletin said. The death toll rose to 10,458 after 24 more fatalities were registered from different parts of the state, it added.

In the last 24 hours, 2,297 COVID patients recovered in the state, it said. The discharge rate has slightly dipped to 93.16 percent. The number of active cases rose to 32,621. Since Tuesday, 43,463 samples have been tested in the state, taking the total number of such clinical examinations to 96,32,841, the bulletin said.

(With inputs from PTI)

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

No let up in COVID surge in Bihar: 6133 fresh cases, 24 new deaths

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

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With 24 fresh fatalities the death toll due to coronavirus increased to 1675 on Thursday in Bihar, where with 6,133 new infections the tally of COVID cases has crossed three lakh mark. According to the health department bulletin, seven fresh deaths have been reported in Patna, three each in Gaya and Katihar, two each in Darbhanga and West Champaran and one casualty each in Begusarai, Bhojpur, Jehanabad, Madhepura, Munger, Muzaffarpur and Rohtas.

A total 6133 new cases surfaced in the state in past 24 hours, out of which Patna alone accounted for 2105 infections. Among districts Patna had maximum share of 66,913 cases out of total caseload of 3,01,304 in Bihar.

Other major affected districts are-Bhagalpur with 601 cases, Gaya (431), Muzaffarpur (265) and Begusarai (174). A total of 755 patients recovered in last 24 hours while 2,70,550 COVID patients have been cured in the state since the start of the pandemic last year.

Recovery rate of COVID patients has further gone down to 89.79 per cent in the state Thursday. A total of 1,01,236 samples were tested in last 24 hours, while the total samples clinically examined in the state so far stand at 24944876.

There are 29078 active cases in the state. On the vaccination front, a total of 97,283 eligible citizens were administered jabs during the day. Total 56,05,889 people have been inoculated in the state so far Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took second dose of vaccine at state-run Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) here.

Deputy chief ministers-Tarkishore Prasad and Renu Devi- besides senior ministers of the state including Vijay Chaudhary, Bijendra Prasad Yadav and Principal Secretaries to the chief minister Dipak Kumar and Chanchal Kumar also got the second dose of vaccine at IGIMS Thursday. Shops and business establishments closed at 7 pm as part of the curbs imposed in the state to check spread of the virus.

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

Mahindra & Mahindra plants in Maharashtra operating at lower manning levels

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

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Homegrown auto major Mahindra & Mahindra on Thursday said its different factories in Maharashtra are operating with lower levels of manning while adhering to specified protocols in the wake of restrictions imposed by the state government. The company also said all of its offices in Maharashtra are also closed following the 15-day curfew that began on Wednesday, as the state government, which stopped short of announcing a full-scale lockdown, enforced stricter curbs on public activities, to curb spread of coronavirus.

“The well-being and safety of our associates is our biggest priority. In accordance with the ‘Break the Chain’ guidelines shared by the Maharashtra government, our plants are operational with lower levels of manning and following strict adherence to social distancing, hygiene protocols and safety, including compulsory testing for COVID at the plant and maintaining high standards of safety for our associates,” Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd Chief Human Resources Officer, Automotive and Farm Sectors, Rajeshwar Tripathi said in an emailed response. He further said, “All our offices in Maharashtra remain closed.” M&M has manufacturing units in Maharashtra located at Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and Nashik for its automotive and farm equipment divisions.

In the fight against COVID-19, Tripathi said M&M has provided an array of offerings to support its associates’ physical and mental health. “We have extended our support to our associates to benefit from the nation-wide vaccination program. We are bearing the cost of inoculation for our associates and their spouses, eligible as per the government guidelines,” he said. To further facilitate this on priority, Tripathi said, “We have partnered with hospitals at various locations. So far, more than 90 percent of our eligible workforce, including temporary and contractual associates, above the age of 45 years have been vaccinated.”

The company has also established company maintained quarantine centers for its associates at hotspots like Mumbai and Pune, he said adding “we are providing for complete medical assistance where required, in collaboration with hospitals at all locations”.

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

Prepare plan to ensure there is no shortage of Remdesivir injections: Delhi CM to officials

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

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Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday asked officials to prepare a plan to ensure that there is no shortage of Remdesivir injections in Delhi and directed hospitals to provide real-time data related to COVID-19 beds on its application. Remdesivir helps shorten recovery time for patients hospitalised with the coronavirus disease, and is being used in combination with other drugs in the treatment of COVID-19 symptoms.

Kejriwal also said there is no dearth of hospital beds in Delhi as around 5,000 beds are unoccupied. During a review meeting on the coronavirus situation, the chief minister acknowledged that there has been a shortage of Remdesivir injections in the city.

He directed officials to prepare an action plan to ensure availability of Remdesivir injections and prevent its stocking, according to a statement. The government expects that 18,000 injections will be available in Delhi by April 18.

Amid reports of shortage of Remdesivir in some states, the Union government has ramped up production and supply, and has decided to reduce the cost of the drug.

Kejriwal said the Delhi government has been focusing on increasing bed capacity and that government and private hospitals should take over more facilities. The bed capacity will increase by 900 if two MCD hospitals – Hindu Rao and Swami Dayanand Hospital are declared fully COVID, he said. “There should be full cooperation and no politics on the matter. The Delhi government will provide every possible help to these MCD (Municipal Corporation of Delhi) hospitals, including funds,” Kejriwal said.

The chief minister said the helpline numbers of hospitals, also mentioned on the Delhi government’s app, should remain fully functional. Hospitals must make people available 24×7 for providing assistance through helpline numbers, he said. Also, all hospitals should ensure flow of information on the real-time availability of beds. This data should be updated every day, Kejriwal said. The Delhi government has also requested the Centre to increase the number of COVID-19 beds in central government-run hospitals to 2,700. It will further increase the COVID bed capacity in Delhi to around 20,000, the statement said. Health officials also apprised the chief minister that vaccine stock is available for the next six to seven days.

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

NEET-PG postponed in view of rising number of COVID-19 cases: Vardhan

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

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In view of a spike in the number of COVID-19 cases, the National Eligibility-Cum-Entrance Test (postgraduate), which was scheduled to be held on April 18, has been postponed, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday. The decision was taken keeping the well-being of the young medical students in mind, he added.

“In light of the surge in #COVID19 cases, GoI has decided to postpone #NEETPG2021 exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on Apr 18. Next date to be decided later. Decision has been taken keeping wellbeing of our young medical students in mind,” Vardhan said in a tweet.

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

Delhi Weekend curfew: Follow these steps to apply for e-pass

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

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The Delhi government has imposed a weekend curfew in the city stepping up the measures to curb the spiralling COVID-19 cases. Apart from the existing night curfew on weekdays, the weekend curfew will be imposed from 10 pm on Friday to 6 am on Monday, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced.

Only essential services will be allowed during the newly imposed weekend curfew period. “These restrictions are for your sake, for you and your families. Don’t panic, all essential services will be available through the weekend,” said Kejriwal in a video address.

He, however, assured that essential activities, including weddings or travel from airports and railway stations, will be allowed during the curfew hours for those who have e-passes.

Kejriwal said the pandemic situation in the city has become “very serious and worrisome”, with oxygen stock, and Remdesivir and Tocilizumab drugs for patients in short supply. He said the number of beds are also running out fast and the Delhi government is trying to escalate beds on a large scale in the coming days.

Here’s how you can apply for curfew passes in Delhi:

– Log on to delhi.gov.in or epass.jantasamvad.org

– Click on the link on the homepage that says, “Click Here to Apply for ePass for Night Curfew from 10:00 PM to 05:00 AM”

– Select your preferred language, presently only Hindi and English options are available

– Choose ‘E-pass for travel during night curfew’ in the field ‘What do you need help with?’

– Fill in details such as contact number, name of applicant, district, address of engagement, type of service, and the dates for which the epass is required.

– Submit an ID proof and check the acknowledgement box

– Click the “Submit” button after filling in all required details

Once you submit your online application for epass, an e-pass Reference Number will be generated, which can be used to check the status of the application.

Delhi has been seeing a steady rise in COVID-19 cases and reported 17,282 fresh cases in the last 24 hours. Kejriwal has said the weekend curfew should slow down the virus spread and allow some breathing space for the healthcare workers.

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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