India ought to realistically expect around a 1.3 billion doses of vaccines from August to December and not the 2 billion that the Centre has projected, said epidemiologist, public health expert and author Dr. Chandrakant Lahariya, in an interview to The Hindu.
Dr. Lahariya, who was formerly with the World Health Organisation, said that there was no evidence so far that a potential third wave would make more children seriously ill with COVID-19.
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Here are the latest updates:
'Signs of positive cases stabilising in the country'
NITI Aayog member (Health) V.K. Paul said at a press conference that there were positive signs of COVID cases stabilising in some areas of the country. "We have to continue working at breaking the transmission," he added.
Lav Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while addressing the press meet, said that 18 States showed a test positivity of more than 15%. A test positivity between 5% and 15% was prevalent in 14 States.
Eight States had more than one lakh active cases. 20 States in the country had active cases less than 50,000.
382 districts in the country showed a test positivity rate greater than 10%.
A total of 18.41 crore vaccine doses have been administered till now, he said.
Lactating mothers can continue to feed their children after vaccination, Mr. Paul said.
Children usually have a mild form of the infection, hence the mortality is less, he said. "But we have to be ready to take care of them at hospitals also and any risk to them has to be taken seriously," he added.
Mr. Paul said that steroid abuse was leading to several cases of black fungus.
Lav Aggarwal said that talks were on regarding vaccination passport but there was no consensus. "WHO is looking at it. However, as of now, a negative test is required," he added.
- Bindu Shajan Perppadan
TN extends lockdown till May 31
The DMK government has decided to extend the COVID-19 lockdown’s stringent measures for a week from May 24. This will be followed by a lockdown for another week with some relaxations. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin made this announcement on Saturday afternoon.
On Sunday, May 23, shops will function from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, who chaired a meeting with the MLAs of all parties, discussed the ways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the MLAs have offered support to the government’s decision. A resolution was adopted at the meeting to this effect.
The current lockdown comes to an end on the morning May 2
Week-long lockdown without any relaxations in TN from May 24
Ensure availability of medicines for treatment of black fungus, Sonia tells Modi
Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has urged him to ensure there is adequate production of essential medicines and free care for those in need of treatment for mucormycosis (black fungus).
The Centre has asked States to declare mucormycosis an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act. - Sobhana K. Nair
Ensure availability of medicines for treatment of black fungus, Sonia tells Modi
Madhya Pradesh declares black fungus a notified disease
The Madhya Pradesh government has declared black fungus or mucormycosis a notified disease in the State.
The State Public Health and Family Welfare Department on Friday issued an order, in which it notified black fungus under the provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act and the Madhya Pradesh Public Health Act.
Madhya Pradesh declares black fungus a notified disease
Railways cancel seven special trains from the East Coast to Kerala
Railways cancel seven special trains from the East Coast to Kerala
Govt agreed to priority vaccination demand for oxygen tanker drivers: AIMTC
Apex transporters' body All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC) on Saturday said the central government has agreed to its demand of priority vaccination for drivers operating tankers with liquid medical oxygen amid the pandemic.
The AIMTC had earlier this month during a meeting with senior officials of the Commerce and Industry Ministry had sought vaccination of drivers of oxygen tankers on a priority basis, it said.
"The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has considered the AIMTC demand and urged all state transport secretaries to carry out "special vaccination drive" for liquid oxygen tanker drivers," AIMTC Core Committee Chairman Bal Malkit Singh said in a statement on Saturday.
The ministry has also asked the states to give priority in admission and treatment to such drivers in hospitals, if they get infected with COVID-19, the statement said. — PTI
Second wave in India a warning of possible events in the developing world, says IMF
Observing that the ongoing "catastrophic" second wave of COVID-19 in India is a sign that the worst may be yet to come, the IMF has said that the situation in the country is a warning of the possible events in low- and middle-income nations that have seemingly escaped the pandemic till now.
A report co-authored by International Monetary Fund (IMF) economist Ruchir Agarwal and its Chief Economist Gita Gopinath on Friday also said that under the business-as-usual scenario, the vaccine coverage in India is expected to remain under 35 per cent of the population by the end of 2021.
COVID-19 | Second wave in India a warning of possible events in the developing world, says IMF
Canada extends flight ban from India and Pakistan until June 21
Canada has extended the ban on direct flights from India and Pakistan by one more month until June 21 in a bid to arrest the spread of new variants of the COVID-19, according to an official announcement.
The ban on flights from India and Pakistan was extended as the previous 30-day ban, first imposed on April 22, was set to expire on Saturday, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) News reported.
Cargo flights, however, will be permitted in order to maintain shipments of essential supplies, such as vaccines and personal protective equipment, it said on Friday.
"The Minister of Transport is of the opinion that it is necessary for aviation safety and the protection of the public," according to a notice to airmen.
As the ban applies to direct flights from both countries, passengers can still fly to Canada from India or Pakistan by arriving via a third country. They will need to produce a negative result on a COVID-19 test taken at their last point of departure before being allowed to enter Canada, according to the report. — PTI
India records 2.57 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases, 4,194 fatalities
The daily rise in coronavirus cases in India remained below the 3 lakh-mark for the sixth consecutive day, with 2.57 lakh new cases recorded in a single day, the Union Health Ministry said on Saturday, May 22, 2021.
With the fresh cases, India's tally of COVID-19 cases climbed to 2,62,89,290.
The death toll due to the disease rose to 2,95,525 with 4,194 fresh fatalities, the ministry data updated at 8 am showed.
The active cases further reduced to 29,23,400 comprising 11.12 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate improved to 87.76 per cent.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease in the country surged to 2,30,70,365, while the case fatality rate stood at 1.12 per cent, the data stated.— PTI
Delhi High Court quashes GST on oxygen concentrators
The Delhi High Court on Friday held the Government’s imposition of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on oxygen concentrators imported for personal use as ‘unconstitutional’ and said oxygen concentrators constitute a life-saving device during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a George Floyd moment for the citizens of this country. The refrain is — ’I can’t breathe’ — albeit, in a somewhat different context and setting; although in circumstances, some would say, vastly more horrifying and ghastlier. Chased and riven by the merciless novel coronavirus, the citizenry has been driven to desperation and despair,” the judgement from the HC Bench of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Talwant Singh noted.
Delhi High Court quashes GST on oxygen concentrators
India can expect around 1.3 billion doses of vaccines, says epidemiologist
The estimate that had been made by Dr. V.K. Paul, who heads India’s COVID-19 task force, is premised on vaccines from eight companies. Four of those vaccines (Biological E, Zydus Cadila, Genova Biopharma and Bharat Biotech Nasal) are in various phases of clinical trials, some in phase 1-2, said Dr. Lahariya and their success and eventual licensing could not be predetermined.
COVID-19 health consultants to be hired for Rajasthan villages
Amid the surge in COVID-19 positive cases in villages, action has been initiated for appointing health consultants and health assistants in Rajasthan’s rural areas following a recommendation by medical bodies and research institutions. As many as 1,000 consultants will be hired in the State by July 31 this year.
Both consultants and assistants will be selected by the Civil Defence Department on the lines of volunteers hired for disaster relief work, Medical and Health Minister Raghu Sharma said here on Friday. The new healthcare workforce will help in the household surveys to identify and treat the patients.
COVID-19 health consultants to be hired for Rajasthan villages
Pune ASHA workers demand better amenities to fight pandemic
With rural areas of Pune and Maharashtra witnessing a surge in COVID-19 cases, the role of ASHA workers in tackling the pandemic has never been more critical. However, with a few public transport options owing to the lockdown, many workers are compelled to walk six-eight km in hilly areas to monitor and check on villages and hamlets in these inaccessible places in the Pune rural region.
These workers have been demanding that the administration provide them with two-wheelers to assist them in their door-to-door monitoring and help screen potential cases.
Amid case surge in rural hinterland, Pune ASHA workers demand better amenities to fight pandemic
Viral conjunctivitis can be early sign of COVID-19, say ophthalmologists
Ophthalmologists at private hospitals have been noticing that some people who come in with complaints of conjunctivitis develop COVID-19. They say it is likely to be the earliest sign of the novel coronavirus infection, which could often be missed.
During the second wave of COVID-19, ophthalmologists found out that conjunctivitis could be the first sign of COVID-19, said Mohan Rajan, chairman and medical director of Rajan Eye Care Hospital.
Viral conjunctivitis can be early sign of COVID-19, say ophthalmologists
Karnataka lockdown extended till June 7
In the wake of COVID-19 continuing to spread and claim lives, particularly in rural areas, the State government has extended the lockdown by two more weeks, till June 7.
After holding an hour-long meeting with Ministers and officials on Friday, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said the decision was taken after considering the suggestions made by health experts. All existing lockdown restrictions will be in force till June 7. All essen
tial goods and services, such as food, medicines, milk, and fruits and vegetables, will be available for four hours from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Karnataka lockdown extended till June 7
(With inputs from our Correspondents and agencies)
