Brazil’s death toll in the coronavirus pandemic surpassed 4,00,000 on April 29, as the country struggled to secure enough vaccines and the Senate investigated whether President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has exacerbated the crisis.
Indian, on the other hand, for the third consecutive day, recorded over 3,000 deaths due to COVID-19, with 3,443 fatalities until 11 p.m. IST on April 29. The country accounted for nearly one in every four deaths in the world due to the virus as on April 28. The country has so far reported a total of 1,87,55,126 cases and 2,08,255 deaths.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Watch | Can people contract COVID-19 after inoculation?
Watch | Can people contract COVID-19 after inoculation?
West Bengal shuts down malls, restaurants; restricted timings for marketplaces
The West Bengal government has shut down shopping malls, restaurants, beauty parlours, gyms, spas, and swimming pools amid rising COVID-19 cases, said an official.
All social, cultural, academic and entertainment-related gatherings and congregations stand prohibited in Bengal until further orders.
Bazars, marketplaces in Bengal to operate from 7am-10am and 3pm-5pm; home deliveries permitted. Medical shops, medical equipment outlets, grocery stores will be kept out of purview of Bengal government order on COVID-19 restrictions.
- PTI
Centre's priority is to continue vaccinating those most vulnerable: Health Ministry
The Union Health Ministry is holding a press briefing in Delhi. Updates:
"Orders for 1,27,000 oxygen cylinders were placed on 21 April, 500 PSA oxygen plants sanctioned, 3500 tons of oxygen being imported," says Lav Agarwal, joint secretary.
"11.75 crore people above 45 have been vaccinated with at least one dose. Vaccine will again be a limited quantity and Centre's priority is to continue vaccinating those most vulnerable.
"Based on some studies, 1 tablet of ivermectin for 3-5 days may have some value in mild/asymptomatic patients. Inhaled steroids such as budenoside are helpful and some good studies are there to establish this," says Dr Randeep Guleria," director of AIIMS.
Agarwal: "We've seen three kinds of behavior among people:
1) misplaced bravery - Corona is a scam, We've had enough, I don't need a mask
2) misplaced fear - I came in contact with a case, I'm infected and will surely die. I need remdesivir
3) Aware and alert - getting infection can be minimized by wearing a mask and will follow the guidelines.
"The virus has not gone into fatigue even if we have. Fear and panic aggravates ongoing agony. Laxity will impact everyone in society."
Mentoring sessions for doctors in smaller cities
"The pandemic is spreading to tier 2 and tier 3 cities and it's possible that doctors there have limited idea on how to treat Covid. For this, we have made 14 regional training centers to conduct mentoring sessions and train doctors every where on Covid management," says Dr Guleria.
"We have released guidelines on how Covid can be managed in children, because there are now relatively more instances among children."
"We need to break the chain. If cases continue to rise in the way they're now, the Health infrastructure cannot manage. Let's not misuse drugs and educate those not wearing masks to do so."
- Jacob Koshy
Telangana extends night curfew till May 8
The Telangana government on Friday extended the night curfew (from 9 PM to 5 AM the next day) till May 8 (5 AM), an official order said.
The State government had earlier imposed the restrictions from April 20 to May 1 (5 AM) to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The government also issued an order imposing restriction on screening of movies in view of the night curfew.
During the curfew period all offices, firms, shops, establishments, restaurants etc shall close at 8 PM except hospitals, diagnostic labs, pharmacies and those dealing with supply of essential services such as media, e-commerce deliveries and petrol pumps among others.
Movement of all people shall be prohibited from 9 PM onwards barring government officials, medical personnel and those coming from or going to airports, railway stations, and bus stands on production of valid tickets, among others.
There would be no restriction on inter-state and intra-state movement or transportation of essential and non- essential goods and no separate permission or pass would be required for such movement.
Public transport services including autos and taxis shall be allowed to function within stipulated time for the transportation of exempted categories of people during the period of night curfew.
- PTI
Maharashtra has capacity to carry out 8 lakh vaccinations in a day, says Health Minister
Despite an acute paucity of vaccines, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray was eager to kickstart the third phase of the vaccination drive for citizens between 18-44 years on the occasion of ‘Maharashtra Day’ on May 1, said Health Minister Rajesh Tope.
Remarking that Maharashtra had the capacity to conduct eight lakh vaccinations in a day, Mr. Tope said he hoped that the Centre would give Maharashtra more vaccines keeping in mind its inoculation capabilities.
Goa goes into lockdown; test positivity rate at 50%
Amid an extremely high test positivity rate of over 50 %, Goa went into a four-day-long "lockdown" to curb COVID-19 cases as people stayed indoors, while streets were largely bereft of vehicles in the tourist state on Friday.
The tiny coastal state, with a population of around 16 lakh, has been witnessing an unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases during the second wave of the infection.
In a development that will worry the administration in Goa, the state reported over 50 % test positivity rate on Thursday when out of 5,910 samples tested for coronavirus, 3,019 returned positive, health department data showed. - PTI
COVID-19 vaccination for people above 18 years deferred in several States
Several States including Delhi, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu have deferred the third phase of COVID-19 vaccination drive, which is scheduled to be rolled out for all adults from May 1. Punjab, Gujarat, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh too have flagged shortage of vaccine.
COVID-19 vaccination for people above 18 years deferred in several States
TN launches Twitter handle for those seeking beds
The State government has launched a new Twitter handle @104_GoTN for the benefit of people seeking beds for patients with COVID-19.
Those seeking beds may also use the hashtag #BedsForTN to maximise reach and filter messages, a release has said.
The Twitter handle aims is to offer a platform for individuals to request beds in private and government hospitals, when needed for COVID-19 patients.
Coronavirus | TN launches Twitter handle for those seeking beds
Study discusses association between BMI and COVID severity
Being overweight is associated with an increased risk of worse outcomes from COVID-19, including higher ICU admissions, according to a study published in The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology journal.
The researchers from the University of Oxford in the UK noted that this is the first large study to report the effect of bodyweight on risk of worse outcomes from COVID-19 across the full range of body-mass index (BMI).
Study discusses association between BMI and COVID severity
Weekend lockdown in nine districts of Haryana from 10 pm on April 30 till 5 am on May 3. The districts are: Gurugram, Faridabad, Sonipat, Rohtak, Karnal, Panchkula, Hisar, Sirsa, and Fatehabad. People not allowed to step out of their homes except in case of few exemptions.
Goa govt ramps up bed capacity at hospitals as COVID-19 cases rise
Considering the spike in COVID-19 cases, the Goa government on Friday converted an examination hall at the Goa Medical College and Hospital near here into a 150-bed coronavirus treatment facility.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant and state Health Minister Vishwajit Rane inspected the facility, which is taking shape in a record period of time.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said, "This will be a ward with 150 beds, equipped with oxygen. The facility will be ready by evening." Apart from this, 300-bed facility in the GMCH complex will be ready in the next four days, he said.
Bihar Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh dies of COVID
Bihar Chief Secretary Arun Kumar Singh died of COVID on Friday in a private hospital in Patna. Mr. Singh who had tested positive recently was undergoing treatment at Paras hospital where he died Friday
Delhi LG tests positive for COVID-19
Delhi Lt Governor Anil Baijal on Friday said he has tested positive for COVID-19 with mild symptoms.
"I have tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms. Have isolated myself since the onset of symptoms and all those who were in contact with me have been tested.Will continue to function and monitor the situation in Delhi from my residence," he tweeted.
Mr. Baijal and his wife took first dose of vaccine last month.
DRDO hands over 75 oxygen cylinders to Delhi govt
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over 75 oxygen cylinders to the Delhi government to help it augment oxygen supplies to various hospitals.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the DRDO is arranging oxygen cylinders to address requirements of various hospitals.
ESIC starts dashboard for COVID-19 beds
The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has started an online dashboard to show the number of beds available at its ESI hospitals, the Labour and Employment Ministry said on Thursday.
In a statement, the Ministry said many ESI hospitals were treating COVID-19 patients and the “need of the hour is to increase the number of beds for COVID care”. “Due to demand and supply gap, beds are not available for COVID care. Even if beds are available, the real-time information is not readily available to the needy and those facing emergencies,” it said, adding that the ESIC had worked to quickly set up the dashboard.
The total number of beds, occupied beds and vacant beds at participating ESI hospitals can be checked on the dashboard -
(esic.in/Dashboard/CovidDashBoard.aspx).
Panel nod for Sputnik trials by Hetero Pharma
A subject expert committee has recommended to the Central Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) to grant permission to Hetero Biopharma to conduct Phase III trial of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine.
The Hyderabad-based firm figures in the small list of companies in the country with whom Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) has formed manufacturing partnership for Sputnik V.
Recommending that Hetero Biopharma be permitted to take up the Phase III trial, the Committee prescribed two conditions. The “immunogenicity samples should be taken at Day 21, 28 and 42. Neutralizing antibodies and gamma interferon should be assessed during the study. Accordingly, CDSCO may grant approval for conduct of clinical trial,” said the minutes of the meeting held last week.
Karnataka alters rules for issuing BU numbers
Recently, actor Pavan posted a video on how citizens with negative RT-PCR reports, but with CT scans detecting COVID-19 infection, are not given BU numbers for hospitalisation. Taking cognisance of such cases and false negative reports that are being increasingly reported in the city, the Karnataka government has tweaked existing protocols to ensure that such citizens are given BU numbers to enable hospitalisation and immediate medical attention.
An order, issued by the Department of Health and Family Welfare on Wednesday, however, offers no solace to scores of families who have lost their loved ones due to complications and delay in hospitalisation for want of patient numbers.
This decision will help COVID-19 infected persons get timely admission and treatment, especially those who seek treatment in government hospitals and private hospitals through SAST reference.
Cycling community volunteers to deliver medicines during COVID-19 lockdown
A section of Bengaluru’s cycling community is volunteering to deliver medicines and other essentials to senior citizens and other vulnerable groups.
Relief Riders, headed by Bengaluru’s bicycle mayor Sathya Sankaran, will be of service from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day. They can be contacted to get groceries, medicines and other essentials delivered home. They can also check on people with physical and cognitive disabilities.
Relief Riders was formed by the city’s Cycle To Work group during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. With the city in the midst of a two-week lockdown, the cyclists have resumed their voluntary service.
Kanpur official warns of strict action against doctors who resign
The district administration in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur, the second worst COVID-affected district, has warned of strict action against doctors who are allegedly resigning to avoid working during the pandemic.
The warning was issued by Kanpur DM Alok Tiwari after some cases came up where doctors in private and government hospitals were resigning.
Mr. Tiwari said a probe would be launched against such doctors who quit their jobs just to avoid working during the pandemic or are “seeking unduly high salary” to work. If the probe finds them guilty, strict action would be taken against such doctors, he said.
Odisha couple end life following multiple infections in family
Distressed over multiple COVID-19 infections in the family, a couple in Odisha’s Nayagarh district ended their lives on Thursday evening. The State’s daily spike touched an all-time high with 8,681 persons testing positive for coronavirus on Friday.
The deceased couple, aged over 50, were from Beguniapatna village. While the wife tested positive, the husband had flu-like symptoms, villagers said. Their son, who was also infected with COVID-19, was on oxygen support in a hospital at Puri.
“Preliminary investigation shows the couple was under tremendous mental stress after the wife tested positive. We have no idea if the husband was COVID-19 positive. Neighbours and relatives said that they ended their life due to COVID-19 and we also found no other compelling reasons,” said J. P. Panda, inspector-in-charge of Ranapur police station in Nayagarh.
(Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling State health helpline 104 or Centre's mental health rehabilitation helpline KIRAN at 1800-599-0019)
Karnataka to consider oxygen making in sugar factories
The Karnataka State government is exploring an option of allowing sugar factories produce oxygen.
Murugesh Nirani, minister for mines and geology, told journalists in Bagalkot on Thursday that the government would soon convene a meeting of officers and sugar factory managers to discuss the issue.
This follows the experiment in Maharashtra where two factories have begun producing oxygen. One factory in Osmanabad is producing 20 tonnes of oxygen by modifying some equipment. Another has begun on a pilot basis on Friday.
Senior officers tell me that sugar mills producing Ethanol can produce oxygen easily. I have asked senior them to explore the possibility and encourage sugar mills to do so, he said.
India's oxygen crisis to ease by mid-May, output to jump 25%: Linde Plc
India's severe medical oxygen supply crisis is expected to ease by mid-May, a top industry executive told Reuters, with output rising by 25% and transport infrastructure ready to cope with a surge in demand caused by a dramatic rise in coronavirus cases.
Dozens of hospitals in cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai have run short of the gas this month, sending relatives of patients scrambling for oxygen cylinders, sometimes in vain.
Medical oxygen consumption in India has shot up more than eight-fold from usual levels to about 7,200 tonnes per day this month, said Moloy Banerjee of Linde Plc, the country's biggest producer.
"This is what is causing the crisis because no one was prepared for it, particularly the steep curve up," Mr. Banerjee, who heads the company's South Asia gas business, told Reuters onThursday.
Indian envoy interacts with U.S. business community on COVID-19 relief efforts
India's Ambassador to the U.S. Taranjit Singh Sandhu held an interaction with members of the business community on the current COVID-19 pandemic situation in the country.
The virtual meeting was hosted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Thursday.
During the talks, Mr. Sandhu appraised the business community of the items that India is trying to identify and source, including oxygen concentrators, cylinders, ventilators and oxygen generation plants and COVID-19-related drugs like remdesivir and tocilizumab.
"Appreciated the Chamber for coordinating the swift response and resource mobilization by the U.S. business community in support of India to meet the Covid challenge," Mr. Sandhu said in a tweet.
Former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee passes away
Eminent jurist and former Attorney General of India Soli Sorabjee passed away on Friday due to COVID-19 complications.
Mr. Sorabjee was born on March 9, 1930 in erstwhile Bombay to a Parsi family. He was a product of the St. Xavier’s College and the Government Law College. He was admitted to the Bar in 1953.
He appeared in several historic cases, including the Kesavananda Bharati case or the Basic Structure Doctrine case. He received the Padma Vibhushan for championing free speech and human rights. Even recently, he raised his voice against students of Jawaharlal Nehru University being slapped with sedition for expressing their dissent.
‘Don’t turn up at hospitals tomorrow for COVID vaccination’, Karnataka Health Minister tells beneficiaries aged 18-44
Officially announcing that the fourth phase COVID-19 vaccination for those in the age group of 18 to 44 years will not take off on May 1 as announced in the State, Health and Medical Education Minister K. Sudhakar on Friday appealed to these beneficiaries to refrain from visiting hospitals for vaccination from May 1.
“We have placed orders for one crore doses of vaccine and the manufacturers are yet to officially give us confirmation as to when they will be able to deliver. Till we intimate you, please do not visit hospitals although you have enrolled on the CoWIN portal,” the Minister said.
He said the State will seek the Centre’s intervention in getting the stocks on priority as the surge in Karnataka is high. The State has an estimated 3.5 crore people in this category.
Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa had on Thursday said that the fourth phase of vaccination will be taken up in stages in the State.
ABVP members seen inside COVID-19 ward in viral video, hospital says permission wasn’t given
A video showing members of RSS-affiliated Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) in PPE kits purportedly inside the COVID-19 ward of Doon Medical College Hospital here and offering juice to patients has gone viral on social media.
Principal of Doon Medical College Ashutosh Sayana said the ABVP had taken permission to help the hospital administration in maintaining order but it had not been allowed to enter the high-risk COVID-19 ward.
In the video that went viral on April 29, the men with ABVP stickers pasted on their PPE kits are seen removing oxygen pipes of the patients and handing them glasses of juice.
According to coronavirus guidelines, no one other than the medical staff on duty can enter a COVID-19 ward.
2 inmates of Tihar succumb to COVID-19
Two COVID-19 positive inmates of Tihar jail died at a hospital in east Delhi on Thursday, officials said.
The deceased have been identified as Kamaljeet (75) and Kehkashan (41), they said. “Murder convict Kamaljeet of central jail number 3, Tihar, tested positive for COVID-19 on April 16. He was admitted to GTB Hospital on April 21 and died on Thursday. Kehkashan of central jail number 6, Tihar, was tested positive on April 17 and was admitted to GTB Hospital on April 22. She also died on Thursday. She was lodged in the jail in a cheating case,” a senior jail official said.
Six inmates have died due to the virus since the pandemic began last year. Of them, four died this year. Two COVID-19 positive inmates of Mandoli Jail had died on June 15 and July 4 last year.
