Coronavirus India News Highlights: No shortage of oxygen in the country, use it judiciously, says govt

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Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Maharashtra reports 48,621 new COVID19 positive cases, 59,500 discharges, and 567 deaths. Total active cases in the state stand at 6,56,870 while tally of total deaths climb to 70,851.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | No shortage of oxygen in the country, use it judiciously, says govt

The Centre on Monday said medical oxygen being given to COVID-19 patients, especially in hospitals, should be used "judiciously" and claimed that there was "shortage" of the life-giving gas in the country.

At a routine briefing on steps taken by the government to battle the COVID-19 crisis, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) Piyush Goyal told reporters that multiple efforts were being undertaken to enhance production and quickly transport oxygen to the hospitals and patients. (PTI)

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Central govt writes to states on the issue of augmenting human resources for COVID – 19

Central Govt writes to states on the issue of augmenting human resources for COVID – 19

The letter reads," State/UT Governments are to make all efforts to reach out to each PG-NEET candidate and persuade them to join the Covid –19 workforce in this hour of need." pic.twitter.com/ymURdFejOj

— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2021

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | An oxygen production plant and 20 ventilators arrive from Italy

Delhi: An oxygen production plant & 20 ventilators arrive from Italy.

"We're going to deliver an oxygen production machine to a hospital in Noida. It'll provide oxygen to 100 patients at one time &to thousands in the days to come", Vincenzo De Luca, Ambassador of Italy to India pic.twitter.com/ND7johECpt

— ANI (@ANI) May 3, 2021

Coronavirus in Bihar LIVE Updates | Mangal Pandey, Bihar Health Minister: We're increasing beds in Patna as well as in other medical college hospitals. We've a continuous supply of oxygen & we're allotting oxygen to hospitals as per their need. We're also working on increasing the availability of oxygen.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Black marketing of COVID-19 drugs condemnable attempt to exploit peoples' misery: SC

Black marketing of critical COVID-19 drugs and oxygen is a condemnable attempt to exploit peoples'' misery, the Supreme Court has said, directing the Centre to consider constituting a special team to identify and prosecute offenders.

The apex court also said that a protocol must be evolved for ambulances to avoid extraction of unconscionable charges from citizens and the Centre can consider creating a platform for easy reporting and redressal of such cases.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud noted that several critical drugs such as Remdesivir and Tocilizumab, are being sold at significantly inflated prices or in fake form.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Punjab Chief Minister's Office: Complete lockdown ruled out in the state, but strict measures to be taken if people don't comply with restrictions. All takeaway deliveries from restaurants to be disallowed, only home delivery permitted.

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Have received orders for over 26 crore doses, says CEO Adar Poonawalla

Amongst multiple reports it is important that correct information be shared with the public. pic.twitter.com/nzyOZwVBxH

— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) May 3, 2021

Coronavirus in India LIVE Updates | Joint Secy, Union Health Ministry: Some states are showing increasing trends in COVID cases, these states should take required precautionary measures. Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Karnataka Kerala, Himachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya are among those states.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | NEET PG 2021 postponed for atleast four months, not to be held before August 31

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test, NEET PG 2021 has been postponed for at least 4 months and the exam will not be held before August 31, 2021.

"Students will also be given atleast one month of time after announcement of exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

Coronavirus LIVE Updates | Full advance of over Rs 1,700 crore released to SII for 11 crore doses of Covishield on April 28, says govt

The Health Ministry on Monday said that 100 per cent advance of Rs 1732.50 crore was released to the Serum Institute of India on April 28 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June and July. The amount, which after TDS was Rs 1699.50 crore, was received by the SII on April 28 itself, it said. As on date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry said, adding, media reports alleging that the Centre has not placed any fresh order for COVID-19 vaccines are "incorrect and not based on facts".

Additionally, 100 per cent advance of Rs 787.50 crore (after TDS Rs 772.50 crore) was released on April 28 to Bharat Biotech India Ltd (BBIL) for five crore Covaxin doses during May, June and July. The amount was received by them on April 28. As on date against the last order of two crore doses for supplies of Covaxin vaccine, 0.8813 crore doses have been delivered till May 3, the ministry said.