Coronavirus India News Highlights: 90% of armed forces personnel have received both doses of vaccine

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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 90% of armed forces personnel have received both doses of COVID-19 vaccine

Around 90 per cent of the armed forces personnel have been given both the doses of COVID-19 vaccine so far, sources said on Thursday. They added that 97 per cent of approximately total 16 lakh armed forces personnel have got a single dose of the vaccine.

On March 22, the Centre informed the Parliament that 119 armed force personnel had died of COVID-19 while 44,766 had contracted the infection in the three services.

PTI

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Strict curbs announced in Madhya Pradesh's Indore

Wholesale andretail grocery stores of Indore district to remain closed till 28th May, as per the guidelines issued by the administration, reported news agency ANI.Sale of fruits andvegetables would also remain barred, buthome delivery agencies like Big Bazaar, BigBasket etc are permitted to operate, the report said.Door to door delivery of milk/distribution from dairies permitted till 9am and5 pm-7 pm, it further added.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 29,911 new cases, 738 deaths in last 24 hours

Maharashtra on May 20 reported29,911 new COVID19 cases, 47,371 recoveries and 738 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Total cases 54,97,448
Total recoveries 50,26,308
Death toll 85,355
Active cases 3,83,253

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Covaxin production volumes ramped up by Bharat Biotech by additional 200 million

Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech announced todaythe quick ramp up of additional manufacturing capacities for Covaxinat Chiron BehringVaccines, a wholly owned subsidiary of the company based in Ankleshwar, Gujarat. "The company plans to produce 200 million doses of Covaxinper annum in the GMP facilities that are already operational for the production of vaccines based on Inactivated Vero Cell Platform Technology, under stringent levels of GMP and biosafety," saidan official statement.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | For effectively ending the pandemic, more COVID-19 vaccines need to be developed: Dr Harsh Vardhan

"For effectively ending the pandemic, more COVID vaccines need to be developed, and once proven to be both safe and efficacious against the virus, must be deployed rapidly across the world,"Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said at 33rd Commonwealth Health Ministers Meeting.

 Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Mucormycosis curing drug Amphotericin B's shortage will be resolved soon: Govt

"Black Fungus (Mucormycosis) curing drug Amphotericin B's shortage will be resolved soon. Within 3 days, 5 more Pharma companies have got New Drug Approval for producing it in India, in addition to the existing 6 pharma companies,"Union MoS Chemicals andFertilizers Mansukh Mandaviya said.

"The existing pharma companies have already started ramping up the production. Indian Companies have also placed orders for importing 6 lakh vials of Amphotericin B," he added.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Punjab govt to provide monthly aid of Rs 1,500 to children orphaned due to COVID-19

"Beginning July 1, 2021, the Punjab government will provide Rs 1500 per month as social security pension, along with free education up to graduation, for all those children orphaned in theCOVID-19 pandemic, as well as families that have lost their breadwinning member,"the Punjab CMO said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ensure ambulances for children and neonatals in view of 'upcoming third wave', child rights' panel in letter to Union health secretary

National Commission for Protection of Child Rights writes to Union Health Secretary, requesting him to issue necessary directions for emergency transport services/ambulance suitable for children & neonatals, 'in view of high risk for infants andchildren in upcoming third wave.'

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Andhra Pradesh reports 22,610 new COVID-19 cases, 114 more deaths

Andhra Pradesh has reported22,610 new COVID-19 cases in the past 24 hours, along with 23,098 recoveries and 114 deaths. The active caseload stands at over 2.09 lakh.

Total cases 15,21,142
Total recoveries 13,02,208
Death toll 9,800
Active cases 2,09,134.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Urge all hospitals for controlled use of steroids, mixture of steroids and sugar causing black fungus: Arvind Kejriwal

"I want to appeal to all hospitals and doctors to use steroids in controlled amount. Patients need to control their sugar levels. Mixture of steroids and sugar is causing black fungus. We have made special arrangements in 3 govt hospitals,"news agency ANI quoted Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal as saying.

"We hope Centre will provide us sufficient number of injections (for black fungus). We've made a team of doctors that'll give injections to affected patients as per SOP. Yesterday, they received 84 applications from different hospitals regarding injections," he added.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | DRDO's 2 DG drug is repurposed medicine, not a new medicine: Dr Balram Bhargava

"DRDO's 2 DG drug is a repurposed medicine, not a new medicine. It was earlier used for cancer treatment. Its trial results have been given to DCGI,"Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR, said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India to conduct 25 lakh daily tests by end of May, 45 lakh by end of June: ICMR chief

"Our target is to do 25 lakh tests by the end of this month and 45 lakh tests by the end of June,"Dr Balram Bhargava, DG, ICMR said. His statement comes a day after India conducted over 20.5 lakh daily coronavirus tests, the highest since the onset of pandemic so far.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | More of rapid antigen tests leads to quick isolation of patients: ICMR chief 

"More of Rapid Antigen Tests should be done because you can get results rapidly and then isolate the patient quickly," news agency ANI quotedDr Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) as saying.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | More than 15% positivity rate in 22 states: Lav Agarwal

More than 15 percent test positivity rate is being reported in 22 states, Lav Agrawal, the Jiont Secretary of Union Health Ministry said. Around 10 states have reported a significant dip in the positivity rate, he said, adding that the number of active cases is less than 50,000 in 19 states.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Daily tests increased 2.3 times in last 12 weeks: Health Ministry

The number of daily tests in India has increased 2.3 times in the last 12 weeks, Union Health Ministry Joint Secretary Luv Aggrawal said on May 20. His statement came a day after India conducted over 20 lakh tests in a day, highest so far since the onset of pandemic.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | IMA writes to PM Modi over spread of Mucormycosis disease

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) wrote a letter to PM Modi urging to direct the DCRG to give emergency or short-term permission for the eligible pharmaceuticals to manufacture the drug in our country, in anticipation of the spreading Mucormycosis disease, news agency ANI reported.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Nearly 2 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses available with states, UTs, says govt

Nearly two crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with states and union territories while around 26 lakh are in the pipeline and will be received by them within the next three days, the Union health ministry said on Thursday. Vaccination is an integral pillar of the comprehensive strategy of the government of India for containment and management of the pandemic along with test, track, treat and COVID-appropriate behaviour, it said.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the government has been supporting the states and UTs by providing them COVID-19 vaccines free of cost. "The government of India has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21 crore vaccine doses (21,07,31,130) to states and UTs. Of this, the total consumption (including wastage) is 19,09,60,575 doses (as per data available at 8 am today)," the ministry said. "Nearly 2.00 crore (1,97,70,555) COVID vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered," it said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Kerala to prioritise people with disabilities, hotel staff, bus drivers & others

Kerala has expanded the definition of frontline workers to include a host of people and prioritise them for COVID-19 vaccination. The Kerala health ministry said that decision was taken at the state-level expert committee meeting held on May 17. The state has included 32 groups in the newly-created list of frontline workers, who will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccination on priority. People included in the list can register themselves for free vaccination on a priority basis.

The Centre has empowered states to decide and notify other categories for priority vaccination. As per a notification from the health ministry, the frontline workers list now includes field staff of Indian Railways, Railways TTE and drivers, airport and ground staff, KSRTC drivers and conductors, field journalists. The state has also decided to include vendors who sell fish and vegetables in the frontline category. People with disabilities will also be treated as frontline workers, as per the new notification. Besides, horticorp, matsyafed, consumerfed, KSEB, Kerala water authority staff have also been added to the list.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Sonia Gandhi writes to PM Modi, seeks free education for kids orphaned during pandemic

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Thursday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to provide free education to children orphaned during the COVID-19 pandemic. In a letter to the prime minister, she said the nation owes it to children to give them hope and provide a robust future after their tragedy. "I am writing to request you to consider providing free education at the Navodaya Vidyalayas to children who have lost either both parents or an earning parent on account of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"I feel that as a nation, we owe it to them to give them hope for a robust future after the unimaginable tragedy that has befallen them," Gandhi told the prime minister. She noted that there have been news of young children losing one or both parents to COVID-19. "These children are left with the trauma of loss and no support towards a stable education or future," she said. The Congress chief also recalled how creation of Navodaya Vidyalayas across the country was her husband and former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's most significant legacies.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Harry and Meghan announce COVID relief centre in Mumbai on third wedding anniversary

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s Archewell Foundation plans to build a Community Relief Centre in India as the second wave of COVID-19 ravages the country. The announcement came on May 19 when the Duke and Duchess of Sussex celebrated their third wedding anniversary. The Community Relief Centre will be built in collaboration with World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Mumbai. "In support of India, Archewell Foundation and World Central Kitchen are focusing on the long-term needs of local communities," the statement read.

Mumbai will be the third location in a series of four Community Relief Centers that the organisation has committed to develop in regions disproportionately affected by natural disasters. The other two centres are in the Commonwealth of Dominica and Puerto Rico. "This new relief centre will be established in Mumbai, which is also home to Myna Mahila, an Indian NGO focused on women’s health and employment opportunities, which The Duchess of Sussex has supported for many years," the statement added.

"As part of WCK’s ongoing philanthropic partnership with The Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s non-profit Archewell Foundation, we are working together to support India’s urgent and immediate relief needs and helping to build resilience through the creation of a Community Relief Center in India," WCK noted.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Ashok Leyland offers life, health insurance up to Rs 1 lakh to channel partners' staff

Commercial vehicle maker Ashok Leyland will provide a life insurance cover of Rs 1 lakh besides medical insurance cover for all COVID-related treatment to the extent of Rs 1 lakh to the on-roll employees of its channel partners amid the second wave of the pandemic. An estimated 15,000-20,000 people are likely to be benefited by this initiative, the company said.

The Hinduja flagship has already rolled out a slew of measures for its own employees in the face of the pandemic. These include financial assistance and continuation of salary for six months to an employee’s family in case of death due to COVID, setting up of a tele-consultation platform with doctors on board to enable employees and their families to reach out to them digitally and work from home facility for most of the executives, among others.

In a communication to the channel partner Wednesday late evening, Vipin Sondhi, MD and CEO, Ashok Leyland, said that the company has always considered its channel partners and their employees as its extended family, and their health, safety and well-being have always been the utmost priority. “We stand by you in these times and as immediate support, we would like to announce a life insurance cover of Rs 1-lakh and a medical insurance cover, for all COVID-related medical treatment, to the extent of Rs 1-lakh for all your employees on roll,” Sondhi said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Second COVID wave humanitarian crisis, not economic; likely to have peaked: Report

The second wave of the pandemic in India is more of a humanitarian crisis rather than an economic one, and is likely to have peaked, a Japanese brokerage said on Thursday. Nomura said it expects the overall hit to sequential growth in April-June to be much less severe than last year when there was a complete nationwide lockdown, and less than what the drop in mobility suggests. It estimated the economy to contract by only 3.8 per cent in June quarter as compared with March quarter.

“..lockdowns are more nuanced this time and consumers and businesses have adapted,” it said, adding that international experience also suggests the same. Highlighting that the improving global growth will act as a tailwind, the brokerage said it expects the current lockdowns to last six more weeks. The brokerage said vaccinations are “trailing” at present, but the pace of inoculation will pick up after June as its analysis indicates increased supply.

“We expect half of the population to be fully vaccinated by end-2021 and India to reach its vaccine pivot point in Q3 (September quarter), which should boost domestic consumption,” it added. Maintaining its 10.8 per cent GDP growth estimate for 2021-22, Nomura said the full impact of easy financial conditions should become visible as the pandemic''s uncertainty ebbs and vaccinations rise.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | India conducts 20.55 lakh COVID-19 tests in single day

More than 20.55 lakh COVID-19 tests were conducted in a span of 24 hours, the highest-ever conducted in a single day in India, while the daily positivity rate stands at 13.44 per cent, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday. Cumulatively, 20,55,010 tests were conducted on Wednesday in the country. India's daily COVID-19 recoveries outnumbered the daily new cases for the seventh consecutive day. A total of 3,69,077 patients recuperated in a span of 24 hours as against 2,76,110 infections being reported during the same period, the ministry said.

India's cumulative recoveries have reached 2,23,55,440. Besides India recorded less than 3 lakh new cases for four consecutive days now. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal,Odisha, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Hayana reported 77.17 per cent of the 2,76,110 new cases registered in a span of 24 hours. Tamil Nadu has reported the highest daily new cases at 34,875, followed by Karnataka with 34,281 new cases.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PM Narendra Modi claimed in COVID meeting caseload reducing, but why so many deaths still, says Mamata Banerjee

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Karnataka receives 180 tonnes of oxygen from Jamshedpur

Karnataka on Thursday received the fifth consignment of Oxygen Express from Jamshedpur carrying 160 tonnes of Liquid Medical Oxygen in eight containers, the South Western Railway said. "The 5th #OxygenExpress to Karnataka arrived at Whitefield, Bengaluru at 1:55 AM, with 160T LMO in 8 containers from Tatanagar," the SWR tweeted.

With this, the state received 640 metric tonnes of LMO by rail so far. On Tuesday, the state had received 120 tonnes of LMO from Jamshedpur. The demand for oxygen has gone up with the rise is COVID cases in the state. There were 34,281 fresh infections and 468 fatalities on Wednesday while there are 5.59 lakh active cases in the state.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Update on COVID-19 vaccines

More than 21 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs

More than 1.97 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administered

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Legendary Milkha Singh tests positive for COVID-19

Legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh has tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation at his Chandigarh residence. The 91-year-old, popularly known as Flying Sikh, is asymptomatic and claims to be in "high spirits'". "A couple of our helpers tested positive and so all the family members did the tests. Only I returned positive on Wednesday and I am surprised," Milkha told PTI.

"I am fine and there is no fever or cough. My doctor told me I will be al right in three-four days. I did jogging just yesterday. I am in high spirits," he added. The legendary athlete is a five-time Asian Games gold medallist but his greatest performance was the fourth place finish in the 400m final of the 1960 Olympics. Milkha's son and ace golfer Jeev Milkha Singh is in Dubai and said he would be returning to the country this week itself. "I will be flying back home on Saturday," said Jeev.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates

| PM Narendra Modi's COVID meeting with CMs turned out to be super flop, insulting, says Mamata Banerjee

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Dedicated centres to be set up for treatment of black fungus cases in Delhi, says Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday said dedicated centres will be set up for the treatment of black fungus or mucormycosis cases at three city government-run hospitals. He made the announcement after discussing the rise in black fungus cases with officials and specialists at a meeting here. "Three important decisions were taken at the meeting. Centres will be set up at Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Narayan Hospital, Guru Tegh Bahadur Hospital and Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital for treatment of black fungus," the CM tweeted.

The drugs used in the treatment of the fungal infection will be arranged in enough quantity and awareness will be created among people for prevention against the disease, he said. "We have to stop the spread of the disease and have to give best possible treatment to those suffering from it," he said in another tweet in Hindi.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates

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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Infosys has vaccinated 11,000, to get 1.6 million more doses, says COO UB Pravin Rao

Software major Infosys has vaccinated more than 11,000 people, including employees and their families, against coronavirus and will need over 1.6 million vaccine doses to cover all of its staff and their dependents, the company's COO UB Pravin Rao told Moneycontrol in an exclusive interview. "We have set up vaccination centres in eight campuses. We have completed 11,000 vaccinations, which includes 3,000 for employees and 8,000 for dependents. We recently started covering those aged above 18. We have tied up with hospital chains and a commitment to procure 250,000 doses so far," Rao said.

The company had adopted a two-pronged approach to vaccination—through vaccination centres at its campuses as well as hospitals, where its employees and their kin get preferred slots. While it has been talking to manufacturers both in India and abroad, they are not inclined to supplying directly to companies for now. "We have spoken to Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech—they want to deal with the government for now. We also spoke to senior officials of Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson—they want the government to sort out the indemnity clause," he said.

"We have over 2.43 lakh employees who will need two doses of vaccine, if you count two-three dependants per family and other staff, the total works out to over 1.6 million doses. Nasscom and CII are also in talks with the government to liberalise vaccine import and ease supply," he said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Strategy to deal with COVID-19 should be dynamic, innovative, says PM Narendra Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday that the strategy to deal with COVID-19 should be dynamic, innovative and constantly upgraded as he underlined the dangers posed by the virus which, he noted, is invisible and often mutates. Describing the virus as "dhoort" and "bahurupia" in Hindi, Modi in an interaction with district magistrates (DM) and field officials also underlined concerns expressed in various quarters about the threats it poses to the youth and children.

He asked them to keep a track on it and record the spread of infection and its seriousness among them in their districts. Modi also said that there is a need to prevent vaccine wastage, saying every dose wasted is denying someone protection shield against the disease. He also said new challenges call for newer solutions.

In his interaction with the second batch of officers on ways to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, the first was on Tuesday, he asked them to work to rid the rural areas of the infection and talk to villagers to guide them. He said there is a need to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour even after the number of cases go down. While the cases have gone down in numbers, the challenge remains as long as the infection remains even at a minor scale, he said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Planning to provide COVID vaccine to all by November, says Karnataka Health Minister

Amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday assured that the state government is preparing to vaccinate everyone in the state by end of November. "We are planning to provide vaccine to all by end of November. Bharat Biotech has also assured to provide COVID vaccine doses. Sputnik is also going to be manufactured in our state and the process will speed up in the coming days," Dr Sudhakar told reporters as quoted by news agency ANI.

"COVID-19 infected persons will be shifted to COVID care centres, if home isolation facility is not available in rural areas. The local task force will be made responsible for this", said Health and Medical Education Minister. The Minister also said that a booth level task force that contains members from local areas will be formed and they will manage the situation of COVID-19 at local levels. "An order has been placed for 2 crore doses of Covishield vaccines from Serum Institute, out of which 95 lakh doses have been already supplied. Those aged above 45 are being vaccinated first and second doses on priority. Centre has provided 1,11,26,340 doses vaccine so far", said the minister.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Karnataka Home Minister indicates stricter implementation of lockdown measures in days to come

Karnataka Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday indicated that police and the Home Department will go for stricter implementation of lockdown measures, like seizure of vehicles, in the days to come, by making them more effective, as the state battles second wave of COVID-19. The Minister's statement comes, as the government is likely to take a decision on extending the lockdown in the state, in a couple of days.

'As cases are increasing in rural areas, Deputy Commissioners of various districts have imposed lockdown measures strictly, people should also understand the seriousness and cooperate,' Bommai said. Speaking to reporters here, he said, in the coming days the measures taken by the police or home department like seizures of vehicles of those indulging in unnecessary movement among others, will be made more effectively.

'...for instance in Yadgir there are reports about five people going on a motorcycle to attend a marriage, what should we say, so people will have to cooperate with the police to make the lockdown successful,' he added. Responding to a question on extending the lockdown, Bommai said the Chief Minister has said that a decision on this will be announced on May 23.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Global bids for over 21 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses floated by States, but do not get your hopes too high

Multiple states in the past fortnight have placed global bids now for a total of 21 crore vaccine doses, fixing deadlines of three to six months for the stocks to be delivered in batches. But this could turn out to be more a cosmetic exercise given the global crunch for vaccines amidst big advance orders booked by various countries.

Officials in these states told News18 that they have taken the step under “tremendous public pressure” as they face a huge demand for vaccine shots from the 18-44 age group, whose inoculation has become solely the state government’s responsibility since May 1. The spate of global tenders issued by at least nine states so far also exhibit little belief in the Centre’s assertions of a vaccine deluge in India post-August with Health Minister Harsh Vardhan claiming there will be a total of 30 crore doses available between now and July and 216 crores more doses available between August and December for all age-groups.

The government in a statement on Wednesday said states would receive nearly 5 crore vaccine doses from the two vaccine manufacturers till the end of June for the 18-44 age group. The promised supply number seems woefully inadequate, prompting states like UP to place global tenders for 4 crore doses, Tamil Nadu for 5 crore doses, Odisha for 3.8 crore doses, Kerala for 3 crore doses and smaller states making bids for 1-2 crore doses. “Our major hope in the bids on the domestic manufacturers of Sputnik V Vaccine,” a senior state official told News18.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Centre's new guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination and when you should take the jab

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on May 19 issued a new set of guidelines for coronavirus vaccination, including those for lactating women and those recovering from the virus, saying it had accepted recommendations of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC). The recommendations were based on the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and emerging global scientific evidence and experience, the ministry said.

Here's everything you need to know about the new guidelines:

> The new guidelines state that those suffering from COVID-19 as well as those who have contracted it after taking the first vaccine dose should go for the jabs three months after fully recovering from the disease

> Vaccination in COVID-19 patients who have been given anti-SARS-2 monoclonal antibodies, or convalescent plasma, to be deferred by three months from the date of discharge from the hospital. The government recently dropped plasma therapy from COVID management.

> People with any other serious general illness that required hospitalisation or ICU care should also wait for four-eight weeks before getting the COVID-19 vaccine.

> According to the ministry, it is advisable to receive both doses irrespective of past history of COVID-19 infection as this will help in developing a strong immune response against the disease.

> NEGVAC has recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all lactating women.

> There is no requirement for screening of the vaccine recipients by Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) prior to COVID-19 vaccination.

> Regarding vaccination of pregnant women, the matter is under discussion and further deliberation by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), the Health Minstry said.

> People can donate blood after 14 days of either receiving a vaccine shot or testing RT-PCR negative, if suffering from the disease.

The ministry has written to states and union territories to direct the officials concerned to take note of these recommendations and undertake necessary action for their effective implementation.

States have been advised to ensure effective dissemination of the information to service providers as well as the general public, through the use of all channels of information and communication in the local languages, the statement said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Priyanka Gandhi writes to UP CM, seeks relief for middle class from COVID impact

Asserting that middle class is reeling under the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Thursday urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take public welfare steps such as ensuring that private hospitals do not overcharge people, inflation is reined in and relief given to traders. In a letter to Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi said the second wave of the pandemic has severely affected the masses and people have had to bear "unbearable pain" due to the alleged lack of preparation on the part of the administration.

"The mayhem in April-May has made it clear that the government had no planning. Many unnecessary rules and red-tapism brought a mountain of problems for the people," the Congress general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh said. While on one hand the pandemic has taken so many people away from us, on the other it has created huge difficulties in terms of livelihood, employment and business, Priyanka Gandhi said.

"Today, crores of people are apprehensive about their future, their means of earnings have decreased and inflation has increased very fast. This has particularly put the middle class in trouble," she said. Instead of leaving the people to fend for themselves in these difficult situations, the government needs to take some public welfare steps and provide relief to the people, she said. In her letter to Adityanath, Priyanka Gandhi made five suggestions for providing relief to the people of the state.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Govt to provide medical and accident insurance to more than 13,000 athletes and coaches

The government has decided to widen its medical insurance cover for sportspersons by increasing the number of beneficiary athletes and including coaches and support staff from this year in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) said on Thursday. The SAI said with this decision, the coverage would increase to more than 13,000 athletes, coaches and support staff.

Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju said the well-being of athletes, coaches and support staff are his ministry''s priority and the decision is in line with that objective. "We want to ensure that all our athletes and contractual staff have health cover during these difficult times and even after," he said. "They are our national assets." All national campers, probable national campers, Khelo India athletes and junior campers training at SAI Centres of Excellence across the country will be provided an insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh each. Earlier the cover was limited to only the elite athletes.

"This is new because this is for all contractual coaches and staff who were not covered before," an official source told PTI. The health insurance also includes Rs 25 lakh accident or death coverage. "Through this initiative, we are ensuring that all national-level athletes have insurance cover not just during the national camps but throughout the year," Rijiju said. "We have significantly raised the insurance cover for Khelo India scholars and junior athletes up to Rs 5 lakh per athlete each year," he added.

This policy will come into effect irrespective of the dates of a national camp and even if camps have not been in operation this year. "This will ensure continuity in the insurance and will provide much needed support to national-level athletes, coaches and support staff associated with National camps." SAI has asked the National Sporting Federations (NSFs) to identify athletes and support staff for inclusion in the insurance scheme. Data of those covered under this insurance scheme will be stored in the National Sports Repository System to "create a transparent, easy to access process which can be monitored regularly."

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PGCIL organises COVID-19 vaccination camps in NCR region; 2,600 people inoculated

State-run Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd(PGCIL) on Thursday said around 2,600 people have been inoculated at a vaccination drive organised by the company in the national capital region (NCR) of Delhi. Around 2,600 people have been vaccinated by PGCIL in three camps organised in the NCR territory. These camps were organised for the age groups of 18-44 years and also for those above 45 years of age, a company statement said.

PGCIL has organised vaccination camps in many locations for its employees at its establishments across the country like Kota, Bhiwadi, Misa, Namsai, Rourkela, Ara, Biharsharif, Saharsa, and Muzaffarpur etc. For all the camps the cost on account of vaccination was borne by PGCIL. Among the camps organised at various locations, a vaccination camp was organised from May 10 to 17, 2021 in Gurugram in association with Max Hospital, where more than 1,600 individuals were vaccinated. These include employees, contractual employees and superannuated employees and their family members.

Another vaccination camp was organised by the company in Gurugram from March 31 to May 6, 2021 in association with Max Hospital, Fortis and Artemis, where more than 700 individuals were vaccinated. A vaccination camp was also organised by PGCIL in Delhi in association with Apollo Hospitals where more than 290 people took the vaccine. This number includes more than 80 employees and their families from the Ministry of Power and other power public sector undertakings (PSUs). The PGCIL stands united with the government of India''s vision to complete the largest vaccination drive in the world, the company said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Uttar Pradesh govt should actively help people in rural areas battling COVID-19: Mayawati

Bahujan Samaj Party president Mayawati on Thursday asked the Uttar Pradesh government to extend all possible help to the people in rural areas battling coronavirus rather than making mere announcements. She also expressed concern over the rising COVID-19 death toll in the country and called for making honest efforts to check it.

In a tweet in Hindi, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said, “In rural areas of UP, coronavirus is rapidly infecting people and killing them. People are forced to somehow cremate the dead. For extending every kind of help to such desolate poor and destitute families, the government should immediately move beyond mere proclamations and become active.”

She said according to government claims, cases of coronavirus infection are decreasing in the country, which is a matter of some relief, but the number of deaths from coronavirus is increasing. "Whatever the reason may be, this is a very sad situation for which honest efforts are most important at all levels,"'' Mayawati added. Uttar Pradesh''s COVID-19 tally on Wednesday rose to 16,44,851 with 7,336 fresh cases, the lowest single-day rise since April 30, while 282 more fatalities pushed the death toll to 18,354, an official said.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Nitin Gadkari says 'was unaware' of production ramp-up plans before making suggestions

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on May 19 said he 'was unaware' of measures already implemented by the government, a day after he made suggestions for COVID-19 vaccine production ramp-up. "I was unaware that his ministry has started these efforts before I had given suggestion yesterday," Gadkari said. At the conference organised by Swadeshi Jagaran Manch on May 18, Gadkari said more companies should be given licenses to produce vaccines against COVID-19, to tackle the current shortage of doses.

"If the demand of vaccine is more than its supply then it creates a problem. So, instead of one company, 10 more companies should be allowed to make vaccines by paying 10 percent royalty to the original patent holder of the vaccine," he said. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh tweeted a retort in response to Gadkari's remarks. "But is his Boss listening? This is what Dr. Manmohan Singh had suggested on April 18th," Ramesh said, referring to the former Prime Minister's letter to Dr Harsh Vardhan.

Only three vaccines are widely available in India - Covaxin, developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech, and Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India. Dr Reddy's has begun roll-out of imported doses of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine, but it is not widely available yet.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | 3rd wave possible if vaccination not ramped up, COVID norms not followed, says scientist

If the vaccination drive against coronavirus is not ramped up and COVID-19 appropriate-behaviour is not maintained, there is a possibility of a third wave of the pandemic in 6-8 months, said M Vidyasagar, a scientist involved in the Sutra Model which uses mathematics to project the trajectory of COVID-19. He, however, stressed the Sutra Model has not predicted any third wave and it is working on it.

The Indian Institutes of Technology-Hyderabad professor cited a paper by Italian researchers on infected people with decreasing antibodies, which give some sort of immunity, in six months. "If the antibodies are lost, then there is a chance of immunity going down. In this case, vaccination has to be ramped up and COVID-19 appropriate-behaviour must be practiced. If not then there is a possibility of a third wave in 6-8 months," Vidyasagar said. "We are also adding the aspects of immunity and vaccination in our model for our future forecasts," he added.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Bombay HC says will permit BMC to conduct door-to-door vaccination, no need for Centre's nod

The Bombay High Court has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) if it was possible to introduce a door-to-door COVID-19 vaccination programme for senior citizens and disabled persons who are unable to visit inoculation centres. The court said it will give permission to the civic body for door-to-door vaccination even if the Centre does not. A division bench of Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice GS Kulkarni on May 19 said if BMC was willing, it would grant permission even though the Union government had not allowed such a drive.

The court directed BMC Commissioner Iqbal Chahal to file an affidavit on May 20, saying if it would be possible for the civic body to introduce a home-based vaccination drive with proper medical care for senior citizens, disabled persons and those who are bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound. The court was hearing public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocates Dhruti Kapadia and Kunal Tiwari.

The PIL sought direction to the Centre to launch doorstep vaccination for citizens above the age of 75, persons with physical disabilities and those who were bed-ridden or wheelchair-bound. The bench said it seemed the Union government was not keen on a door-to-door vaccination programme. "If the BMC says it can start a door-to-door vaccination, we will give it permission," the bench said, adding that there is no need to wait for the Centre's nod.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Cipla launches RT-PCR test kit 'ViraGen' in India partnership with Ubio Biotech

Drug major Cipla on Thursday announced the commercialisation of its RT-PCR test kit 'ViraGen' for COVID-19 in India, in partnership with Ubio Biotechnology Systems. "This launch will help address the current testing services and capacity issues while reaffirming the company's ongoing expansion in the diagnostic space," Cipla said in a regulatory filing.

Cipla will launch ViraGen test kit in the country in partnership with Ubio Biotechnology Systems, the company stated. The company will commence supply of the COVID-19 virus detection kit from May 25, 2021. Umang Vohra, MD and Global CEO, Cipla, said, "Cipla has been working relentlessly to ensure accessibility to treatments in this fight against COVID-19. Guided by our core purpose of 'Caring for Life', this partnership will enable us to reach out to more people across the country at a crucial time like now". ViraGen is Cipla's third offering in the COVID-19 testing segment.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Telangana declares Black Fungus as notifiable disease under Epidemic Act

The Telangana government has declared Black Fungus (mucormycosis) a disease that is primarily affecting COVID-19 recovered patients as notifiable disease under Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, an official notification said on Thursday. All government and private health facilities shall follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis and management of Black Fungus by the union health ministry and Indian Council of Medical Research, it said.

"It is also made mandatory for all government and private health facilities to report all suspected and confirmed cases to Health Department," the notification said. Medical Superintendents of all government and private hospitals shall ensure strict compliance and send reports on a daily basis attached in the form of annexure to the health Department, it added.

A senior official of the Health department on Tuesday said the state has about 80 cases of Black Fungus under treatment in both government and private hospitals. The government has designated the Gandhi General Hospital and state-run ENT Hospital as nodal centers for the treatment of Black Fungus.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | PM Modi to hold another meeting with district officials on COVID-19 management

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold another round of meeting with field officials and district magistrates from 10 states on Thursday regarding the Covid-19 situation. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO), officials from Chhattisgarh, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Odisha, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh will take part in the meeting.

The chief ministers of these states, including West Bengal's Mamata Banerjee, will also be a part of the meeting. During the interaction, the officials are expected to apprise the PM regarding the handling of the pandemic in their states. PM Modi had earlier this week held a meeting with officials from Karnataka, Bihar, Assam, Chandigarh, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. The PM had then told the district magistrates that they were the field commanders and their weapons were local containment zones, aggressive testing and correct information.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV2 has sub-lineages; nothing called Singapore variant: Expert

The double mutant B.1.617 variant of SARS-CoV2 is further mutating and one of its sub-lineages, the B.1.617.2, reported in India, is more infectious than its parent and fast increasing its footprint, according to Rakesh Mishra, former Director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology. He also said there is nothing called the “Singapore variant”, a term that has led to a war of words between the Centre and the AAP government after Singapore objected to Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's tweet that a 'new' coronavirus strain in the city-state is very dangerous for children.

Singapore's health ministry on Tuesday night said the strain that is prevalent in many of the COVID-19 cases in recent weeks is the B.1.617.2 variant, which was first detected in India. Amid criticism over Kejriwal's Singapore COVID-19 variant remark, Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Wednesday claimed there was a 'different strain' of coronavirus spreading in that country. However, Mishra said B.1.617.2 has already been reported in India and is in the majority of the new cases in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

Mishra is part of the INSACOG, a consortium of 10 institutes of the Centre, that is involved in the genome sequencing of coronavirus. Explaining about the sub-lineage, Mishra told PTI, “B.1.617 was the mutant which was increasing in some part of the country like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka and now gradually it has led to three sub-lineages (B.1) 617.1, 617.2 and 617.3.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | World today prays for India, says American civil rights leader

The whole world today is praying for India and its people, America''s top civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson said on Wednesday, exuding confidence that the country of Mahatma Gandhi will win the battle against this pandemic. Chicago-based Civil rights leader Rev Jesse Jackson was in the city here to urge the Biden administration to give 60 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccines to India. At a news conference here, the top American civil rights leader said that he has taken up the issue with both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Karris.

"The whole world today prays for India," he said, expressing his solidarity with the people of India. The conference was addressed by several Indian American community leaders. In his remarks, Rev Jackson called for raising more funds for people of India and other countries being impacted by COVID-19. "We should ask for more vaccination for the world. We need respirators, medicines and vaccines right now," he said.

Eminent Indian-American community leader Dr Bharat Barai thanked Rev Jackson for his initiative. "Vaccination is the right thing to do and is the most important thing to do. This will not only save lives, but also prevent the economy from collapsing," he said. Sunil Singh, chairman, National Council of Asian Indian Associations, said India is in dire need of vaccines now. "We need vaccines now or never. India handled the first COVID attack last year very well. It has helped 80 countries across the world," he said

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Odisha prohibits drive-in and doorstep COVID-19 vaccination

The Odisha government has asked district authorities to desist from COVID-19 drive-in vaccination and inoculation at doorstep. A top Health department official said that it has come to the notice of the state government that COVID-19 drive-in vaccination and doorstep vaccination has been started in some districts.

Additional Chief Secretary, Health and Family Welfare Department, P K Mohapatra in a letter to authorities on Wednesday said: 'You are requested to refrain from such strategies and only to conduct sessions in suitable CVCs (covid vaccination centres) with adequate space following the COVID-19 operational guidelines.' 'In drive-in/doorstep strategies, it will be difficult to manage Adverse Effects Following Immunization (AEFI), if it occurs, and there is also a high likelihood of vaccine wastage,' Mohapatra said.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare guideline clearly states that vaccination sessions shall be conducted in places with adequate space for waiting area, vaccination room and observation room and have adequate facility to manage AEFI, Mohapatra said in the letter. Beneficiaries who receive the Covid vaccine are required to be observed for at least 30 minutes after vaccination for AEFI (if any). Some municipal corporations including Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Cuttack Municipal Corporation, Berhampur Municipal Corporation and Rourkela Municipal Corporation and some district administrations launched either drive-in vaccination or doorstep vaccination facilities recently.