Meanwhile, the Education Ministry on Wednesday postponed the CBSE Class 12 board exams and cancelled the Class 10 exams amid growing concerns over the surge in Covid-19 infections in the country. For the Class 12 exam, the Ministry will review the situation on June 1 to decide fresh dates and make an announcement at least two weeks before the start of the exams.
The Bihar government has been struggling to fight the new surge in cases as the state is running short of hospital beds to treat critical patients. Covid beds at about 20 government and private hospitals are already full. AIIMS, Patna Director PK Singh said: “We have been increasing beds but it is not enough. It is very difficult to accomodate referred cases”.
Amid Covid surge, 13.5 lakh take shahi snan at Kumbh
Despite steep rise in Covid-19 cases across the country, more than 13.5 lakh devotees turned up at the ghats of Ganga in Haridwar for the third shahi snan during the Kumbh Mela on Wednesday, officials said.
While the authorities said adequate measures, such as mandatory negative RTPCR reports for those coming in, have been in place to ensure safety of the devotees, many of the visitors The Indian Express spoke to said belief was more important than the pandemic. Kumbh happens once in 12 years and they can’t miss it, the devotees said.
“It is a matter of faith which is bigger than anything else. I am a believer in god. How can I miss this opportunity to take bath on this auspicious day,” said Vicky Tyagi, a railway employee posted in Delhi who arrived here on Tuesday with three of his friends. In their 20s, they said they took the Narsan route to enter Uttarakhand from Uttar Pradesh.
Revised Covid-19 guidelines in place, curfew from 6 pm to 5 am across Rajasthan
The Rajasthan government on Wednesday revised the curfew timings across the state from 6 pm to 5 am, officials said Wednesday.
Last week, it had announced night curfew in urban areas of ten districts between 8 pm and 6 am, bar Udaipur, where it was between 6 pm and 6 am. Now, a curfew will be in place across the state from 6 pm to 5 am. As per the order, all workplaces, bazaars, and business establishments — bar exempted categories such as IT companies, chemists, bus/railway stations etc — will be shut by 5 pm.
The cap on the number of people attending weddings has been brought down to 50, from 100 persons, while for conducting last rites only 20 persons will be allowed. Also, while the number of people at social, political, entertainment, etc programmes were earlier capped at 100, all such gatherings have now been prohibited.
Manipur Government has imposed night curfew with immediate effect from Friday night as number of fresh cases of COVID-19 continues to rise. The curfew will be in force from 8 pm to 4 am.
“The number of infections has increased exponentially in the last fortnight necessitating many states to impose partial lockdown and night curfew to reduce unnecessary movement and intermingling of people,” stated Manipur Chief Secretary, Dr Rajesh Kumar in an order.
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However, the order stated that good careers, essential services establishments like hospitals, pharmacies fire services, power supply, all government officials assigned for COVID-19 duties among others. -- Jimmy Leivon reports from Manipur
There was no let-up in the COVID-19 surge in Haryana on Friday as the state reported a record 6,277 new cases of the disease which took its cumulative infection tally to 3,42,077.
Twenty more fatalities due to the viral disease were reported in the state in a span of 24 hours, pushing its overall death toll to 3,354, according to a health department bulletin. (PTI)
Gurgaon reported 1,919 new coronavirus cases on Friday -- its highest single-day spike in cases since the pandemic began last year -- while two people succumbed to the infection. The district has now recorded more than 1,000 cases three days in a row.
On Thursday, a total of 1,434 people had tested positive for the infection, and a day earlier, on Wednesday, 1,151 new cases had emerged.
With Friday’s new cases, the district now has almost 9,000 active covid cases. According to the health bulletin released by the district health department, there are 8980 active covid cases in Gurgaon, of which 8418 are in home isolation.
The number of tests conducted in the district in a single day also crossed 11,000 on Friday for the first time this year, with the health bulletin indicating 11,003 people were tested on Friday, of which 9200 were RT-PCR tests and 1803 were rapid antigen tests.
Despite this surge in cases, however, Deputy Commissioner Yash Garg had on Thursday offered reassurance that there is no shortage of beds for covid patients at hospitals in the district.
“There is no shortage of beds, oxygen, ventilators or
Delhi reported 19,486 new virus cases on Friday, taking the total active cases to 61,005. The city recorded 141 deaths today.
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat was discharged from hospital on Friday after successful treatment of Covid infection. Bhagwat was admitted to city's Kingsway Hospitals eight days ago after he had developed Covid symptoms.
A medical bulletin by Director, Medical Services of the hospital Shubhrajit Dasgupta said, "All his vital parameters like pulse, blood pressure, respiration, oxygenation were normal. All blood investigation including markers were normal today. The attending doctors have decided discharge today. He had a good sleep and had his usual diabetic high protein diet. His blood sugar levels are within control and was able to perform 6 minute walk test on room air. He has been examined in the morning by Dr Rajan Barodkar and his tean expressed satisfaction with his condition. Team of attending doctors have decided to discharge him today with advice to remain in home quarantine for next five days."
Bhagwat will remain quarantined at his regular residence in the RSS headquarters in Mahal area of the city.
Meanwhile, RSS sources said former Sarkaryavah (General Secretary) Suresh 'Bhayyaji' Joshi, who is also down with covid, is recuperating under home quarantine treatment.
Seers of other akhadas in Haridwar on Friday demanded an apology from Niranjani Akhada for announcing the "conclusion" of the Kumbh Mela in view of a surge in COVID-19 cases, saying it did not have the right to do so.
"The main Shahi Snan (held on the occasion of Mesh Sankranti on April 14) is over. Many in our akhada are showing symptoms. So, for us the Kumbh Mela is over," Niranjani Akhada Secretary Ravindra Puri had said.
Nirvani Ani Akhada president Mahant Dharmdas said that only the mela officer or the chief minister has the right to announce the "end of the Kumbh Mela".
"By announcing the conclusion of the Kumbh Mela without the agreement of other akhadas, Niranjani Akhada has committed an unpardonable crime of creating chaos and confusion among the seers. Niranjani Akhada must apologise to the Akhada Parishad for what it has done or else it is difficult to keep up ties with them," he said. (PTI)
Tamil Nadu reported 8,449 new COVID-19 infections and related 33 deaths on Friday, pushing the caseload to 9,71,384 and 13,032 respectively, said the Health Department.
Recoveries mounted to 8,96,759 today with 4,920 patients being discharged, leaving 61,593 active infections, a bulletin said.
Chennai continued to constitute the major chunk of the new cases, accounting for 2,636 new infections aggregating to 2,77,300. It leads in the number of fatalities, too, with 4,364.
A total of 97,201 samples were tested today, pushing the cumulative number of specimens examined so far to 2,09,76,696. (PTI)
Karnataka reported its biggest single day spike of 14,859 COVID-19 cases, and 78 related fatalities, taking the total number of infections to 11,24,509 and the toll to 13,190, the Health department said on Friday.
The state had previously reported its biggest single day spike of 14,738 cases on Thursday.
Bengaluru Urban accounted for the bulk of the cases, with 9,917 infections.
The day also saw 4,031 patients getting discharged after recovery.
Cumulatively 11,24,509 COVID-19 positive cases have been confirmed in the state, which includes 13,190 deaths and 10,03,985 discharges,the Health department said in a bulletin. (PTI)
Budget air carrier IndiGo has announced that it will waive-off change fees on new bookings made from April 17 till April 30. The airline also announced that the passengers can now do unlimited changes for new bookings made till April 30 on regular fares under this offer. However, there is no change in the cancellation fee, and that will be chargeable.
Sanjay Kumar, Chief Strategy and Revenue Officer, IndiGo said, "It is our constant endeavour to create customer delight and enhance our customer experience. This offer is in line with our philosophy of providing our customers a hassle-free experience, and giving them much needed flexibility, especially in these times. As always, we look forward to welcoming our customers on our Lean Clean Flying Machine."
Telangana government Friday issued orders to once again convert Gandhi Hospital in Hyderabad into an exclusive Covid-19 hospital.
The decision was taken in view of the rapid surge in the number of Covid-19 patients all over the state. Hence all non-Covid services and out-patients services in the hospital come to an immediate halt.
A circular from the hospital superintendent on Friday instructed heads of departments "not to admit the non-Covid cases, but emergency and terminally ill patients should be stabilised and then transferred." Further, "The cases which are present in their respective wards should be cleared at the earliest and all the beds should be made available for Covid patients," it said.
In the beginning of the pandemic last year, the hospital was designated as the nodal center for treatment of coronavirus patients. After setting up of Covid wards and necessary infrastructure in districts later, and with easing of cases, the hospital had started regular treatment for other diseases as before.
(input by Rahul Pisharody from Hyderabad)
The production of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin will be ramped up significantly and increased to 10 crore doses per month by September, the Department of Biotechnology said on Friday.
Covaxin's production will be doubled by May-June and the department has roped in three public sector companies to increase the capacity of vaccine production, it said.
Few weeks ago, inter-ministerial teams had visited the sites of two main vaccine manufacturers in India to get their inputs on how production can be ramped up.
During this period, there have been extensive reviews and feasibility studies on the plans being discussed with vaccine manufacturers, it said. (PTI)
Union minister Prakash Javadekar Friday said he has tested positive for the coronavirus and urged those who came into his contact to get themselves tested. Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa also informed that he has tested positve for the virus.
The Union Home Ministry Friday said that Uttar Pradesh has reported a growth rate of 19.25% in daily new Covid-19 cases, adding that it is among the only three states in the country which have more than one lakh active Covid-19 cases, ANI reported. Lucknow, Kanpur, Varanasi and Prayagraj are the most affected districts, the ministry added.
Amid a steep rise in coronavirus cases, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday undertook a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country and called for ramping up its production.
Prime Minister Modi took a comprehensive review to ensure adequate medical grade oxygen supply in the country, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement.
Inputs from ministries like health, steel, road transport, and the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) were also shared with the prime minister during the review, it said. Prime Minister Modi stressed that it is important to ensure synergy across ministries and state governments, the PMO said. (PTI)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Friday she will call upon the Election Commission to stop the BJP from bringing "outsiders" during campaigning, squarely blaming the saffron party for exacerbating the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Banerjee, during a public meeting here in Nadia district, said the BJP brought people from "worst-hit" states like Gujarat for erecting marquees for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's poll rallies.
"I will tell the EC to stop the inflow of outsiders from states like Gujarat who are responsible for the COVID-19 spread in Bengal.
"We have nothing to say if the PM or other leaders come for campaigning... Why should the BJP bring people from worst-affected states to set up podiums and pandals for rallies," she said. (PTI)
Weekend curfew announced in Chandigarh from 10 pm on Friday to 5 am on Monday. Only essential services allowed in the weekend curfew.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Friday ordered the establishment of a 1,000-bed makeshift Covid hospital here to tackle the rising number of coronavirus cases.
The state had on Thursday reported 104 deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, pushing the fatality count to 9,480 and the total infection number to 7,66,360.
The Chief Minister made the direction for setting up the hospital during a review meeting with divisional commissioners, district magistrates, chief medical officers and his Team-11 (a core team of 11 officers).
"A 1,000-bed Covid hospital should be established in Lucknow. The venue of the Defence Expo may be a good place for this," said a government spokesperson, quoting the Chief Minister.
He directed the officials to review the availability of medical oxygen on a daily basis. "Continuous supply of oxygen to Covid hospitals in all districts must be ensured. The control room set up by the Food Safety and Drug Administration Department in connection with this, should remain active 24 hours," he said. (PTI)
Adar Poonawala, the Chief Executive Officer of the Serum Institute of India that manufactures the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, urged US President Joe Biden to lift the embargo on export of raw materials that are crucial to ramp up vaccine production across the world.
Karnataka CM BS Yediyurappa tests positive for Covid-19. He'll be shifted to Manipal hospital from Ramaiah Memorial hospital where he was admitted earlier today: Karnataka Chief Minister's Office. (ANI)
As Uttar Pradesh struggles to bring down the daily rise in cases, the Yogi Adityanath government has imposed a lockdown on Sundays across all districts. The government has also said that a fine of Rs 1,000 will be imposed on those found moving in places without masks.
Companies manufacturing remdesivir have been asked to ramp up production. I assure you that strict action will be taken against those who are involved in black marketing of the drug and other malpractices. We will also be adding 70 beds at the AIIMS Trauma Centre and 100 beds at the National Cancer Institute, Jhajjar: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan. (ANI)
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia was on Friday appointed the nodal officer for Covid-19 management in the national capital, according to an official order. Sisodia will be responsible for inter-ministerial coordination till further orders, it said. As the number of Covid-19 cases and the positivity rate continue to rise in the city, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday announced a curfew this weekend and the closure of malls, gymnasiums and auditoriums till April 30 as part of sweeping restrictions to break the chain of the infection.
Delhi recorded 16,699 Covid-19 cases and 112 fatalities on Thursday, according to the health department. (PTI)
People were seen queuing up outside Vikas Bhavan in Thiruvanathapuram to get tested. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said the Kerala government is planning a three-pronged strategy to flatten the Covid curve — massive testing, stringent curbs and vaccination. The government has now decided to carry out 2.5 lakh tests over the next two days and also to proceed with the state examination board exams for classes 10 and 12.
The meeting suggested that students should not be denied travel facilities on account of restrictions at containment zones.
A DRDO team will reach Lucknow on Friday to prepare two Covid hospitals that can attend to 500-600 patients at two locations, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (ANI)
Red Fort, Qutub Minar and other ASI monuments closed till May 15 in the wake of the current Covid-19.
Assembly candidates from Assam to fly back home from Jaipur after breakfast with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Sources said that Congress leaders wanted to go back to their constituencies as cases continue to rise across the country.
The Manipur government has issued an order making it mandatory for all persons entering the state to produce a negative Covid-19 test report, an official said on Friday. The official said the order shall become effective from April 18. The order issued by Deputy Secretary, Health department, Soiminlian Lengen on Thursday said, "All persons entering Manipur, whether by air or by road, and irrespective of place of origin, shall be allowed entry only on mandatory production of a negative RT-PCR/TrueNat/CB-NAAT COVID-19 test report taking within 72 hours from arrival in Manipur." (PTI)
Taking a dig at the government, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday said its strategy to fight the Covid-19 pandemic consisted of imposing a 'Tughlaqi lockdown, ringing bells and singing praises to the Lord.
The Congress-led opposition has been criticising the government over its handling of the pandemic and the vaccination drive, while the Centre has maintained that its timely steps have been instrumental in fighting Covid-19. In a tweet in Hindi, Gandhi said, "The Central government's Covid-19 strategy — Stage 1- Impose a Tughlaqi lockdown, Stage 2- Ring bells, Stage 3- Sing praises to the Lord." The Congress in the past also has compared some of the government's decisions to those taken by Delhi Sultanate ruler Muhammad bin Tughlaq, to allege that they were arbitrary and not well though out. (PTI)
Congress leader Digvijaya Singh tested positive for the novel coronavirus on Friday. He tweeted that he is currently under quarantine at his residence in Delhi.
In yet another daily high, India, in the last 24 hours, recorded 2,17,353 fresh Covid-19 cases and 1,185 related deaths. As such, the country’s cumulative count surged to 1,42,91,917 of which 15,69,743 are active cases. This is the second straight day that the country recorded over 2 lakh new cases. (ANI)
Former CBI director Ranjit Sinha died here on Friday morning in what is believed to be a Covid-19 related death, senior officials said. He was 68. It is understood that he was confirmed positive for coronavirus on Thursday night, the officials said. (PTI)
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday, she informed on Twitter.
The Australian High Commission in India on Saturday informed that it has suspended all walk-in clients for passports and notarial services until further notice in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases. Services will be reserved for those in emergency situations.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala says he has tested positive for Covid-19 and asks people who have come in contact with him to self-isolate and get tested.
Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan visits AIIMS. The Minister will also visit various other healthcare facilities over the next few days to assess and scale-up facilities in the wake of the Covid-19 situation. (ANI)
State Government revives the State Covid Command and Control Centre with immediate effect to take necessary steps for Covid management and vaccination in the state on a daily basis: Andhra Pradesh government. (ANI)
30 "sadhus" have tested positive for Covid-19 so far, in Haridwar. Medical teams are going to akharas and RT-PCR tests of sadhus are being done continuously. The process will be further quickened from 17th April: Dr SK Jha, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer
The Rajasthan government has announced a weekend curfew for this week amid the rising Covid-19 cases. The curfew will be imposed from 6 pm Friday to 5 am on Monday. Night curfew is already in place across the state.
Rajasthan reported 6,658 new COVID-19 cases and 33 fatalities on Thursday, taking the state's infection tally to 3,87,950 and the death toll to 3,041. Jaipur reported the highest number of 848 new cases, followed 847 in Jodhpur and 711 in Udaipur. The number of active cases in the state stands at 49,276.
In view of the "unprecedented rise" in number of COVID-19 cases in Delhi, the Union Home Ministry Thursday said its officers up to the level of Under Secretary can work from home and only 50 per cent staff need to attend office. In an office memorandum, the home ministry said all officers who attend the office can stagger timings with entry into the office spread between 9 AM to 10 AM with corresponding office exit timings and those living in containment zones be exempted from attending office. "In view of the unprecedented rise in the numbers of Covid-19 cases in Delhi, it has been decided to take measures to prevent its spread," the home ministry said. --PTI
Uttarakhand govt restricted gatherings at religious, social political events and weddings to maximum 200 people, in view of Covid second wave. But exempted Kumbh Mela from these restrictions. The order was issued after campaigning for Salt Assembly ended today. Polling for the Assembly seat is on April 17.
Mumbai reports 8,217 fresh COVID19 cases, 49 deaths and 10,097 recoveries.
West Bengal reports 6,769 fresh Covid-19 cases, 2,387 recoveries and 22 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Delhi records 16,699 new COVID-19 cases, 112 fatalities, says Health Department
Maharashtra reports 61,695 new COVID-19 cases, 349 deaths in last 24 hours.
The Karnataka High Court Thursday directed the Director-General and Inspector General of Police (Praveen Sood) to ensure that the police register first information reports (FIRs) against violators of Covid-19 norms. The HC also maintained that such violations are cognisable and non-bailable in nature, according to the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases (KED) Act, 2020.
Further, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Abhay Shreeniwas Oka and Justice Suraj Govindaraj directed the top cop to set up a team, including senior police officers, to educate the police on effective enforcement of laws to prevent the spread of the coronavirus infection. Such teams should also monitor the registration of FIRs and investigation in cases of violations, including failing to wear masks, not maintaining social distancing, and congregating in large numbers in violation of the norms. Read more
The opposition has mounted an attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that he has violated Covid-19 protocol. Vijayan, who had tested positive on April 8, was discharged six days later on Wednesday in contrast to the guidelines.
As per the guidelines, an asymptomatic Covid-19 patient should be tested ten days after the patient was first tested positive. If tested negative on 10th day, the patient can be discharged with advice for home quarantine for seven days after discharge.
UDF leader Shibu Baby John asked how Vijayan could justify the violation of protocol. "His approach was irresponsible and amounted to fence eating crops. In the last one year, Vijayan had blamed several expatriates and political leaders for their irresponsible behaviour. He had kept away expatriates saying they are merchants of death,’’ said RSP leader Shibu. Read more
"In light of the surge in #COVID19 cases, Government of India has decided to postpone the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Postgraduate exam which was earlier scheduled to be held on April 18. Next date to be decided later," said Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan.
Tamil Nadu government reintroduced a set of restrictions to stem the spread of the coronavirus in the state. Among many others, the government said the public and private busses plying between the districts and the Metropolitan bus transport in Chennai will be permitted to operate with only seated passengers and no standing passengers will be allowed. Buses plying from Tamil Nadu to other states like Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka has also been ordered to adhere to the new restriction.
Though the decision is taken for the welfare of the public, the bus operators are feeling the heat. The operators say that the number of passengers has drastically decreased. They claimed that due to the surge in the number of cases in Chennai, the busses from other districts of Tamil Nadu which used to ply with full capacity is finding it hard to fill the 50 per cent seating of the bus.
Speaking to Indianexpress.com, a senior official from the Villupuram State Transport Corporation said they are incurring a loss of close to Rs 2.5 crore per day. “Villupuram corporate comprises of six regions like Villupuram, Vellore, Kancheepuram, Cuddalore, TIruvannamalai and Tiruvallur. In 2019, a total of 18 lakh passengers travelled on our busses on a daily basis. After the pandemic struck in 2020, the entire business suffered. After a year, now only in this February-March, the business was slowly returning to normalcy. We received 14 lakh passengers on a daily basis in the past couple of months, that time itself we lost four lakh passengers. Now, in the past one week, after the government imposed reintroduced new restrictions we have further lost the passengers. Only 10 lakh passengers are npw travelling in our busses, approximately in our corporate alone we are losing 2.5 crore rupees per day,” he said. -- Janardhan Koushik reports from Tamil Nadu
Odisha government too has imposed a slew of measures to contain Covid-19
# Weekend shutdown and night curfew (6 pm - 5 am) in urban areas of 10 districts which are in close proximity of Chhattisgarh
# Night Curfew (9 pm - 5 am) in urban areas of 20 other districts
# No religious, social, cultural, academic and political gathering or procession will be allowed in Odisha, starting tomorrow.
Although a weekend curfew has been imposed in Delhi, there is no restriction on inter-state movement and transportation of essential, non-essential goods, said DDMA.
The national capital will shut down on weekends starting this Friday, the Delhi government announced. Restaurants, shopping malls and auditoriums will remain closed till further orders, even on weekdays, it added.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said stringent curbs have been reinstated to arrest the spread of Covid-19, which has put medical infrastructure and healthcare workers under tremendous strain.
Here's the list of all the protocols announced by Delhi government to arrest coronavirus.
International Baccalaureate cancels its examinations across India following surge in COVID-19 cases, news agency PTI reported.
Thursday was the first full day of curfew-like restrictions across Maharashtra. The curfew came into force 8 pm April 14 and will remain on until May 1, aimed at breaking the fast-spreading chain of coronavirus in the state. However, the state government has allowed the services of the essential and exemption categories to function by following certain measures. Here's a list of what is allowed and what is not
Social distancing norms violated at 'Pidakal war', during which cow dung cakes are hurled by two sides at each other on the next day of Ugadi, in Kairuppala village, Kurnool district yesterday.
Kerala Agriculture Minister V S Sunil Kumar says he has tested positive for COVID-19 for second time in seven months.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray writes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi suggesting various measures to be undertaken in view of the #COVID19 pandemic.
A total of 1,701 people have tested positive for Covid-19 in the Haridwar Kumbh Mela area from April 10 to 14 confirming fears that one of the world's largest religious gatherings may contribute further to the rapid rise in coronavirus cases. The numbers include both RT-PCR and Rapid Antigen Test reports of devotees and seers of different akharas (ascetic groups) over the five-day period in the entire Mela Kshetra extending from Haridwar to Devprayag, Haridwar Chief Medical Officer Shambhu Kumar Jha said on Thursday. More RT-PCR test reports are awaited and the trend shows that the number of infected persons in the Kumbh Mela Kshetra is likely to climb to 2,000, he said.
A majority of the 48.51 lakh people who took part in the last two royal baths (Shahi Snan) held on the occasion of Somwati Amavasya on April 12 and Mesh Sankranti on April 14 were seen openly violating Covid norms like wearing of face masks and social distancing. (PTI)
The Madhya Pradesh government on Thursday roped in its aircraft to rush Remdesivir injections from Indore to various other districts in the state for the treatment of Covid-19 patients, an official said. Two hundred boxes containing 9,264 Remdesivir injections (a key anti-viral drug) have arrived at the Indore airport, an official from the Chief Minister's Office said.
Out of these, 42 boxes will be airlifted to Bhopal, 39 to Jabalpur, 19 to Gwalior, 18 to Rewa, he said. Besides, 75 boxes of the Remdesivir injections would be kept for Indore, the worst coronavirus-hit district in the state, and some stock will also be sent to Sagar, Ratlam and Khandwa, the official said. (PTI)
Curfew passes to be issued to those rendering essential services. Malls, gyms, spas and auditoriums to be closed. Cinemas halls to operate at 30% capacity only. People will not be allowed to dine-in restaurants, only home deliveries permitted: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal. (ANI)
There is no shortage of beds in hospitals in Delhi. According to the latest data, more than 5,000 beds are available: Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal on Covid-19 situation. (ANI)