A COVID-19 infected person not following any social distancing measure can spread it to as many as 406 people in 30 days, said Health Ministry spokesperson Lav Agarwal on Thursday. He was quoting a study conducted at a stem cell research laboratory in the United States’ University of California San Diego.
The projections have been made by a team led by scientist Robert A.J. Signer, according to which 75% reduction in social exposure could restrict the spread to just 2.5 people in 30 days.
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:
Haryana government makes COVID-19 treatment free for BPL patients in private hospitals
Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Friday announced that the state government will bear all expenses of COVID-19 patients belonging to below poverty line (BPL) category undergoing treatment in private hospitals.
Earlier, the state government had announced financial assistance of up to Rs 35,000 to BPL patients.
"All the BPL families who are not covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme would be eligible to get this benefit and the deputy commissioner will ensure that this financial assistance scheme reaches the grassroots level," said the Chief Minister while chairing a COVID-19 review meeting with the DCs and administrative secretaries held through video-conference.
Giving further details, an official statement said Khattar told the DCs to ensure that every patient who is eligible for this benefit should get it on a priority basis.
Deputy Chief Minister Dushyant Chautala, Health and Home Minister Anil Vij also joined the meeting from Chandigarh and Ambala, respectively.
Along with treatment of COVID patients, the CM said focus should also be put on making adequate arrangements to deal with the patients suffering from post-COVID complications, including keeping a close vigil on black fungus cases.
"Every DC has to now act like a field commandant and should ensure proper implementation of the schemes and strategies executed by the government to the grassroots levels,” he said. - PTI
Kerala lockdown extended till May 30
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said COVID-19 lockdown regulations would continue in Kerala till May 30.
The government has eased triple lockdown restrictions in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur following a marginal drop in new cases.
Coronavirus | Kerala lockdown extended till May 30
GST on oxygen concentrators imported for personal use 'unconstitutional', says Delhi High Court
The Delhi High Court held the Government’s action of imposing Goods and Services Tax on Oxygen concentrators imported for personal use as ‘unconstitutional’ and said persons looking to import oxygen concentrators should furnish an undertaking that the devices won't be used for commercial purposes.
A Bench of Justices Rajiv Shakdher and Talwant Singh held that oxygen concentrators constitute a life-saving device during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and therefore, should be treated on par with life-saving drugs. "Oxygen concentrator, on the face of it, is a life-saving device," Justice Shakdher said.
GST on oxygen concentrators imported for personal use 'unconstitutional', says Delhi HC
Thailand reports 1st cases of B.1.617coronavirus variant
Thailand said it has detected its first locally transmitted cases of the B.1.617 coronavirus variant, first emerged in India, as it announced the formal rollout of its national vaccination plan next month.
The Centre for COVID-19 Situation Administration said 15 cases of the coronavirus variant were found in a camp for construction workers in Bangkok. CCSA spokesperson Taweesilp Visanuyotin said all 15 were sent to a hospital and isolated.
The government has banned the arrival of any non-Thais from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal in an effort to prevent the spread of the variant.
Uttar Pradesh to declare black fungus as notifiable disease
The Uttar Pradesh government will declare black fungus as a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act later in the day, a senior official said after Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath issued directions in this regard.
The Union Government had on Thursday urged States and Union Territories to make mucormycosis or black fungus a notifiable disease under the Act, stating that the infection is leading to prolonged morbidity and mortality among COVID-19 patients.
Table Tennis association announces financial assistance
the Table Tennis Federation of India (TTFI) has finalised financial assistance to its Covid-affected players and coaches.
The TTFI’s Executive Board meeting, chaired by TTFI President Dushyant Chautala on Monday, decided to consider all the players ranked among the top-16, at any time, and those coaches who have accompanied the National teams to be the beneficiaries.
Covid-19 | Table Tennis association announces financial assistance
Record 20.61 lakh COVID tests done in day; daily positivity rate dips at 12.59%: Govt
More than 20.61 lakh tests for detection of COVID-19 were conducted in a span of 24 hours in the country, the highest-ever tests done in a single day, while the daily positivity rate has declined to 12.59 per cent, the Union health ministry said on Friday.
India's COVID-19 daily recoveries continued to outnumber the daily new cases for the eighth consecutive day, with 3,57,295 patients recuperating in a span of 24 hours.
The cumulative recoveries have reached 2,27,12,735 in the country, it said.
According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 32,44,17,870 samples have been tested for the novel coronavirus infection till May 20 with 20,61,683 samples being tested on Thursday.
Coronavirus | Record tests done in a day; daily positivity rate dips, says government
Karnataka CM says holding discussion on extending lockdown, decision soon
Amid all indications that the Karnataka government will be extending the lockdown as the state battles second wave of COVID-19, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Friday said he is holding discussions in this regard and will take a decision soon.
The state is currently under complete lockdown till May 24.
"We will sit and discuss tomorrow, tonight also I'm meeting Ministers, we will take a decision," Yediyurappa told reporters to a question on extending the lockdown.
Responding to a similar question from reporters, Health Minister K Sudhakar said, "several Ministers are of the same opinion, the Chief Minister is also of the same mindset, and a final decision will be taken by May 22 or 23." There is also intense speculation whether the lockdown will be extended for seven or 14 days.
The Karnataka government had initially announced 14 days "close down" from April 27, but subsequently imposed a complete lockdown from May 10 to May 24, as the COVID cases continued to spike.
COVID-19 could become like common cold in future: study
The novel coronavirus responsible for COVID-19 could cause no more than common cold-like coughs and sniffles within the next decade, according to a study.
The research, published in the journal Viruses, makes this likely prediction based on mathematical models that incorporate lessons learned from the current pandemic on how our body's immunity changes over time.
"This shows a possible future that has not yet been fully addressed," said Fred Adler, a professor of mathematics and biological sciences at the University of Utah in the US.
"Over the next decade, the severity of COVID-19 may decrease as populations collectively develop immunity," Adler said.
The study suggests that changes in the disease could be driven by adaptations of our immune response rather than by changes in the virus itself.
Although the SARS-CoV-2 virus is the best-known member of the family, other seasonal coronaviruses circulate in the human population, and they are less dangerous.
The researchers noted that some evidence indicates that one of these cold-causing relatives might have once been severe, giving rise to the "Russian flu" pandemic in the late 19th century.
Have to fight on many fronts, PM Modi tells doctors, frontline workers
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his interaction with doctors, paramedical staff and other frontline health workers of Varanasi on Friday via video conferencing on Friday, May 21, 2021 said the COVID-19 second wave had put health system under pressure. "We have to fight on many fronts", Mr. Modi said even as he choked with emotion while thanking doctors, frontline workers
Mr. Modi also hinted that the fight against COVID-19 wiill be a long process. —PTI
Covid-19 | PM Modi lauds doctors, frontline workers of Varanasi
Centre asks States to check facilities for vulnerable groups amid COVID-19
The Home Ministry has written to States to review the facilities for vulnerable groups impacted by COVID-19, such as children who have been orphaned, senior citizens and members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who may need guidance to access government support facilities.
Centre asks States to check facilities for vulnerable groups amid COVID-19
Prevention continues to be best cure for COVID-19, says Prof. Anjan Trikha
Only three therapies — oxygen, steroids and blood thinners — have shown strong and consistently positive impact in COVID-19 treatment, says Prof. Anjan Trikha, Chairperson, Clinical Managerial Group, Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre, Designated Covid Hospital AIIMS, Delhi.
Also read: Doctors felled by the virus they fight for their patients
He also cautions against misuse of medicines, stating that abuse can cause more problems than benefits.
Prevention continues to be best cure for COVID-19, says Prof. Anjan Trikha of AIIMS
Ready to scale up technical collaboration with India: IMF
The International Monetary Fund stands ready to strengthen its dialogue and scale-up its technical collaboration with India, spokesperson Gerry Rice has said, observing that the human tragedy is a stark reminder that the pandemic continues to be a grave threat globally.
“Our great sympathies and support to the people of India, and what is happening there relative to the pandemic, to those who have lost their lives and are suffering as a result of the COVID-19 crisis,” Rice, who is the director of the communications department at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told reporters during a news conference here on Thursday.
COVID-19 | Ready to scale up technical collaboration with India: IMF
Singapore reports 41 new COVID-19 cases
Singapore has reported 41 new cases of the coronavirus, taking the total number of infections in the nation to 61,730, a media report said on Friday.
Singapore also reported the death of a 70-year-old person in the last 24 hours due to coronavirus, The Strait Times reported.
Singapore reports 41 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours: report
Ventilation is the key, says government
Aerosols could be carried in the air for up to 10 metres and improving the ventilation of indoor spaces would reduce transmission, a government advisory on stopping the spread of COVID-19 said on Thursday.
“Ventilation can decrease the risk of transmission from one infected person to the other. Just as smells can be diluted from the air through opening windows and doors and using exhaust systems, ventilating spaces with improved directional air flow decreases the accumulated viral land in the air, reducing the risk of transmission. Ventilation is a community defense that protects all of us at home or at work,” it stated..
Also read: CDC says revised guidance on coronavirus spread posted in error, removes it
The advisory, issued by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, said there was need to remember the simple measures that could reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Coronavirus | Aerosols can travel up to 10m; ventilation is the key, says government
(With inputs from our Correspondents and agencis)
