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Sigh of relief: Delhi, Maharashtra see slight dip in Covid cases; curbs continue

corona

Mumbai on Tuesday reported 11,647 new Covid-19 cases and two deaths, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said in a health bulletin. The test positivity rate fell from 28 per cent on Monday to 18.7 per cent.After reporting the highest number of cases in a single day on Friday, the tally of Covid-19 cases continued to dip in Mumbai on the fourth consecutive day.

With 29,671 patients being cured from the disease and eight related fatalities, the total recoveries and the death toll touched 66,02,103 and 1,41,647, respectively.

For the first time in 14 days, daily cases of Covid-19 in India decreased on Monday due to lower testing and detection on Monday due to lower testing and detections over the weekend but deaths from the virus continued to creep up.

According to the city’s health bulletin’s latest updates, 17 Covid-19- related deaths were reported in the same time span, pushing the death toll in the national capital to 25,177.

The capital currently has 65,803 active cases of which 44,028 are in home isolation. The current positivity rate stood at 25 per cent.

Delhi saw fewer cases on Monday with the number of tests conducted the previous day being lower than the day before.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) suspended dine-in facilities at restaurants and closed bars in view of the rising Covid cases in the city, but decided against imposing a full lockdown yet.

India registered 1,68,063 new COVID-19 cases, 6.4% lower than the previous day. Around 277 people succumbed to COVID-19 in the last one day, taking the tally to 4,84,213, revealed the country’s health ministry on Tuesday.

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Covid19 update: India reported 3,11,170 new cases of Covid19-Delhi extends lockdown for one more week

India-covid

Taking the total tally to 2.46 crore, India reported 3,11,170 new cases of Covid19 in the last 24 hours. Across the country, 4077 deaths were reported, and hence the toll now stands at 2,70,284 while the active caseload stands at 26.18 lakh. On Sunday, India also reported 3,62,437 discharges.

Rajeev Satav, Rajya Sabha MP of Congress, who had contracted Covid19, died on Sunday. The news was announced by Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala over Twitter.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

Meanwhile, to combat the second wave of the pandemic, the lockdown in Delhi has been extended for one more week till May 24.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said, “We are extending the lockdown for one more week. Instead of tomorrow, lockdown is extended till next Monday, 5 am in Delhi.”

For seven days in a row, the seven-day average of daily cases has fallen. The positivity rate over the past week has dipped below 20% and the active cases have decreased by over 1.5 lakh during this period.

Also Read: Issues faced by India in dealing with Covid 19 resurge- Is it too late to contain the Second Wave

The West Bengal government on Saturday extended the lockdown in the state till May 30, amid a spike in the number of coronavirus infections. This came after the state registered its highest single-day spike of 20,846 fresh COVID-19 cases on Friday, taking the tally to 10,94,802.

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A new surge in the cases of Mucormycosis-what do doctors say

The surge in Covid-19 cases has led to several people being prescribed steroids and immuno-modulators that leave some people vulnerable to other pathogens. As a result, hospitals are recording a spike in cases of Mucormycosis, a potentially deadly fungal infection, which infects such immune-compromised individuals with higher probability and efficiency.

Also known as black fungus, Mucormycosis has been seen among those who have uncontrolled diabetes, whose immunity is compromised or those who are given excessive steroids or immune-modulating drugs such as tocilizumab, doctors said.

They added that, if left untreated, its fatality rate can be up to 80%. If not detected early, it can affect the orbit of the eyes and the mouth, resulting in people losing their vision or use of their jaw during debridement, the process of removing dead tissue from infections or wounds.

At least 10 patients suspected to have contracted Mucormycosis are currently admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). Doctors said that the centre used to see only two such cases a month previously.

Also Read: Mucormycosis, a rare Fungal Infection linked to COVID-19 having 50% mortality rate: Symptoms and Prevention

Cases & reports of opportunistic infections like Mucormycosis are found from Gujarat and other areas where tocilizumab was used a lot. Many Covid-19 patients either have underlying diabetes or their blood sugar levels became uncontrollable because of the steroids given for treatment. Some of them receive medicines, such as tocilizumab and itolizumab, which further the aggressive decline in the immune system. All this leads to a very high chance of opportunistic infections like Mucormycosis.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

Dr. Alok Thakar, head of the ENT department at AIIMS, said, “We are seeing a surge over the last week or so. The last time we saw a surge in mucormycosis cases was when Covid-19 cases increased but this time, the number of cases is greater. Since last year, we are treating probably three to four patients a month and now, we are treating four patients a day at times. For the last three days, we have been getting four to five patients a day.”

Thakar further said that people should maintain basic hygiene after recovering from Covid-19 to ensure that they do not get any infections; stay away from soil, and also regularly test their blood sugar levels.

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COVID Crisis: Delhi on road to recovery; gears up for third wave

Arvind Kejriwal

Delhi on Monday reported 12,651 new infections, the lowest in four weeks, even as the positivity rate slid to 19.10 per cent. The city’s COVID-19 positivity rate is at its lowest since April 16, according to a health bulletin issued by the Delhi government.

The national capital reported 13,306 recoveries in 24 hours. The cumulative caseload of Delhi stands at 13,36,218, while the death has jumped to 19,663. Delhi’s active caseload has escalated to 85, 258 and recoveries have increased to 12,31,297, as of May 10.

Following the dip, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal is gearing up to prepare for the third wave of Covid-19.

Speaking to reporters in Delhi, Kejriwal said that the national capital is preparing for 30,000 Covid-19 cases in the next wave. “In this wave, Delhi recorded maximum 28,000 cases in a day. The scale at which we’re creating infrastructure, we’ll be able to deal even if 30,000 daily cases are reported in next wave,” he said.

He also added that the Delhi government has requested the Centre to give the city more Covid-19 vaccines to boost the vaccination drive further.

Earlier in the day, Health Minister Satyendar Jain said Delhi has only one day’s Covaxin stock left and its Covishield doses will last for just three to four days.

Overall, 38,77,400 people have received vaccines to date. Out of the total doses, 30,16,157 have received the first dose and 86,12,43 have received the second dose of vaccine against coronavirus, according to government data released on Monday.

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Path from Vaccine maitri to waiting for Sputnik-V shipments from Russia- India set to receive first doses of Sputnik-V

As Covid-19 cases and deaths have surged in India, on Saturday, the country is set to receive its first doses of Sputnik-V, the Russian-made vaccine against the coronavirus disease. More than 300,000 new infections have been reported daily for nine days in a row, with 386,452 cases reported on Friday.

This delivery of Sputnik V is part of a larger partnership between Moscow and New Delhi to produce 850 million Sputnik vaccines. Priced at $10 a shot, this vaccine is a cheaper alternative to the Western substitutes. Further shipments could ease the current public health crisis, over the coming months, provided the government can administer the shots quickly.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

On March 11 the ‘Vaccine Maitri’ programme completed 50 days. By that time, India had supplied around 60 million doses of Made-in-India Covid vaccines to 70 countries across the world. The central government was slurping its fingers in self-adulation and an unabashed dose of hubris. By April end, the situation changed to a diametrically opposite situation. India is now looking forward to vaccine shipments from other countries.

Also Read: Issues faced by India in dealing with Covid 19 resurge- Is it too late to contain the Second Wave

Shortage of vaccines and a high infection rate will likely hamper vaccination efforts. The Sputnik deal, in the medium-term, along with other foreign aid, will likely curb the second wave by Autumn. The second wave of Coronavirus may also delay India’s economic recovery if the government re-imposes lockdown restrictions. There would be economic dampening if the variant spreads to other countries, prompting further outbreaks and lockdowns that damage global trade.

Far from being a self-reliant source of vaccine, the international image of India has been transformed into that of desperation. Any country’s vaccine manufacturing capabilities is measured by its flu-shot producing capacity and the agility with which it can be used for Covid19 vaccines. Seasonal flu is not a common vaccine in India and consequently share of India to the global output is at around 21%. That far away from what it takes to be self-reliant or the hubristic atma-nirbhar in vaccine production. The scenario in medical Oxygen production is even murkier.

Therefore, India is now waiting for shipments, and aid from other countries like Russia, US, and other powers from EU.

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Covid 19 control room set up by the government of Haryana to mainly monitor the supply of Oxygen

Haryana Covid

The Haryana government has set up a control room at Civil secretariat in Chandigarh to ensure equitable distribution and an adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen in the state, in wake of a rise in Covid-19 cases.

Government of Haryana also said that all efforts are being made to increase the production of medical oxygen.

An official statement said that amid a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases and while realizing the need to meet the current surge in demand for medical oxygen across the state, the Haryana government has set up the control room at the Civil Secretariat.

Also Read: Issues faced by India in dealing with Covid 19 resurge- Is it too late to contain the Second Wave

The statement also added, “Further, to ensure equitable distribution of oxygen allocated by the government of India for Haryana and ensuring adequate and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen within the state, a state-level oxygen control room has been set up.”

The newly set up control room is also mandated to perform other vital functions, including ensuring safe movement of oxygen tankers from manufacturing plants to districts. It is also mandated to ensure that each district is informed of daily allocation issued by the health department.  The statement also added that the control room will further ensure that each district issues its own distribution plan and operates an early warning system.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

On Monday, the state of Haryana recorded the biggest single-day jump in Covid19-related fatalities with 75 deaths while the state also registered yet another big jump in infections with 11,504 new cases.

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Covid19: Daily infection rate crossed 3.5 lakh amid Oxygen deficiency- the virus now has a BRN of 9-10

coronavirus infections

On Monday, 352,991 fresh coronavirus infections were reported in India, taking the cumulative caseload to 17,313,163, as per the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare. Amid a back-breaking situation of oxygen shortage and a faltering health system in India, the country saw 2,812 deaths in the highest single-day spike. As of now, the death toll from the deadly infection of Covid19 stands at 195,116. India now has more than 2.8 million active cases.

Also Read: Issues faced by India in dealing with Covid 19 resurge- Is it too late to contain the Second Wave

Hospitals in Delhi and other places across the country are turning away patients after running out of medical oxygen and beds. Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has extended a lockdown in the capital that had been due to end on Monday for a week. Doctors at All India Institute of Medical Sciences have found out that one patient is now infecting up to nine in 10 contacts, compared with up to four last year. In virological & epidemiological terms, this means that this recent wave is seeing a Basic Reproduction Number or R0 of 9-10.

On Sunday, Maharashtra logged 832 Covid19 related fatalities, which is the highest-ever single-day spike since the pandemic started to grapple the world early last year. After the inclusion of today’s count, the death toll in the state has reached 64,760.  Today as many as 66,191 fresh Covid-19 cases were reported from Maharashtra.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

In India, the six most affected states by total number of cases are Maharashtra (4,161,676), Kerala (1,322,054), Karnataka (1,247,997), Tamil Nadu (1,037,711), and Andhra Pradesh (997,462), Uttar Pradesh (976,765) and Delhi (956,348).

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Covid19 vs election: Rahul Gandhi cancels Congress rallies in Bengal while BJP continues unabated

Indifferent to the second wave of Covid19, Modi has been addressing public rallies in West Bengal for the eight-phase assembly election in the state. Calls of cancelling the rallies or clubbing of the remaining phases have not been responded to directly by the election commission of India which has just cut short the time of campaigning.

Also Read: Will Election commission club remaining phases of Bengal election as Covid19 resurges

Meanwhile, on Sunday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi decided to suspend all his public rallies scheduled for West Bengal polls amid an alarming rise in cases of Covid-19.

Mr. Gandhi also advised all other politicians to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies.

In this regard, he stated on Twitter, “In view of the Covid situation, I am suspending all my public rallies in West Bengal. I would advise all political leaders to think deeply about the consequences of holding large public rallies under the current circumstances.”

Indian National Congress has been critical of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for holding political rallies amid the rise in coronavirus cases in the country.

Also See: Would West Bengal election really be a three-way fight after the defections?

Recently, Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram has accused the prime minister of shocking callousness for holding big political rallies in poll-bound West Bengal amid the rise in COVID-19 cases.

He said that the prime minister should be at his job, sitting at his desk and coordinating with chief ministers in handling the COVID pandemic.

Also See: New mutants of Coronavirus

A massive surge in coronavirus cases has been witnessed in India. As per data on Covid19 daily infections, a record single-day rise of 2,61,500 coronavirus infections has taken the country’s total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,47,88,109. The active cases have surpassed the 18-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

Also see: Trilateral fight in West Bengal election 2021

After the fifth-phase of West Bengal election which saw 78.36% voter turnout, the sixth phase for 43 seats will be held on April 22, seventh phase on April 26 for 36 seats, and the last and eighth phase would be on April 29 for 35 seats. The results of the election will be declared after vote counting on May 02.

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Covid19 update: From office of UP CM to Maharashtra, & from New Delhi to fast tracking of approval of foreign vaccines

yogi-adityanath-ani-2

India is witnessing a second wave of the Covid19, which is known to have an increased transmissibility. The Union health ministry said that 10 states including Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and others have recorded a steep rise in their daily new cases.

After three people in the office of Yogi Adityanath tested positive for Covid19 over the past three days, he went into self-isolation on Tuesday. CM Adityanath conducted his daily meeting with Team-11 virtually through video-conferencing on Tuesday morning.

On Tuesday evening, he tweeted, “Some officials have tested Covid positive in my office. These officers have been in touch with me therefore as a precaution, I have isolated myself and will carry out all work virtually.”

Also See: The New mutants of the Covid19 virus

Indian government officials, just a few short weeks ago, were patting themselves on the back under a cloud of unwarranted, unsolicited, and unwise hubris on the so-called victory over the pandemic. They also stated with a stratospherically high amount of self-praise that India was the “pharmacy of the world,” and also went ga-ga about its cheaply produced vaccines that would help fight the pandemic globally. The union health minister had declared that the country had entered “the endgame” of its own battle against the pandemic. Reserve Bank of India announced in an unusually enthusiastic tone that India had “bent [the Covid-19 curve] like Beckham” and that “soon the winter of our discontent will be made glorious summer.” At present, such claims sound extremely foolish in the midst of the second wave.

Also Read: Export of Remdesivir & its APIs banned when states are facing shortage of vaccine

On Tuesday, New Delhi recorded the highest-ever spike of 13,468 Covid-19 cases, and 81 deaths, when the country witnessed more than 1.6 lakh new cases (1,61,736). This made New Delhi the worst-affected city in the country. In Mumbai, the highest single-day spike stood at 9,986 cases till Tuesday, followed by Bengaluru (6,387 cases), Chennai (2,105) and Kolkata ( 1,271 cases).

On Tuesday, the state of Uttar Pradesh reported the highest-ever single-day spike of 18,021 coronavirus cases while 85 fatalities took the death toll in the state to 9,309.

In a parallel development in Maharashtra, ruling out a complete lockdown, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday said that the state government will impose Section 144 for 15 days from 8 pm Wednesday. Thackeray said that emergency services will remain open between 7 am and 8 pm daily.

At a press conference, the chief minister said, “The war has begun again.”

“Now is the time for action,” he further added. He also stated, “I am not saying a lockdown just now, but strict restrictions. I know bread and butter is important but saving lives is important.” The CM of Maharashtra also acknowledged the need for more oxygen, saying that supplies would be sought through the military.

The latest curbs in Maharashtra come on a day when the state recorded over 60,000 fresh Covid-19 cases.

Also Read: Issues faced by India in dealing with Covid 19 resurge- Is it too late to contain the Second Wave

In another news, Centre has fast-tracked the emergency approval for foreign-produced Covid-19 vaccines that have been granted similar clearances in other countries. This decision by the GOI came after an expert panel recommended that Covid-19 vaccines which have been developed and are being manufactured in foreign countries and which have been granted emergency approval for restricted use by authorities in the US, Europe, the UK, Japan or which are listed in the WHO Emergency Use Listing may be granted emergency use approval in India.

On Tuesday, Kerala health minister KK Shailaja informed that the state has received two lakh more doses of Covid-19 vaccine. Chief Minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday had requested Centre to provide 50 lakh vaccine doses to the state.

Places like Ghaziabad & Noida, failed to meet the vaccination targets on the first day of Tika Utsav.

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Mamata Banerjee to skip Modi’s meet with CMs on COVID situation

modi mamta

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will skip the virtual meeting called by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today to discuss the Covid-19 situation with state Chief Ministers, as the country is witnessing a sharp spike in daily Covid-19 cases.

Chief Secretary Alapan Bandyopadhyay is likely to attend the meeting in place of the chief minister.

Banerjee’s decision to skip the Covid-19 meet with PM Modi comes in the backdrop of ongoing assembly elections in West Bengal in which her ruling Trinamool Congress party (TMC) is engaged in a fierce battle with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Voting for 294-member assembly elections is underway in West Bengal. It is taking place in eight phases and three phases have already taken place. It will conclude on April 29 and the counting will take place on May 2.

Earlier this week, the prime minister also chaired a high-level meeting to review the Covid vaccination program in the country.

Modi had said the five-fold strategy of testing, tracing, treatment, COVID-appropriate behaviour and vaccination, if implemented with utmost seriousness and commitment, would be effective in curbing the spread of the pandemic, according to an official statement that was released after the meeting.

India registered a record single-day spike of 1,26,789 new COVID-19 cases, pushing its infection tally to 1,29,28,574, while the number of active cases too went upwards to breach the nine lakh mark again, Union Health Ministry data showed.