Updates on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
So far, a total of 11,706 people have been cured. This takes our total recovery rate to 27.52%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 42,533. Since yesterday, an increase of 2,553 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India. Outcome ratio (Recovered vs. Death) for all closed cases, which indicates the clinical management status in the hospitals shows that there is an improvement in the country compared to that prior to 17th April, 2020 (Outcome ratio was 80:20) while as of today it is 90:10.
Central teams being deployed to districts with highest number of COVID19 cases
As many as twenty (20) Central Public Health Teams from the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare have been formed and are being sent to the 20 districts that are reporting the maximum number of COVID-19 cases in the country.
Government of India to facilitate return of Indian Nationals stranded abroad
Government of India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships. The SOP has been prepared in this regard.Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens. This facility would be made available on payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. The travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7.Medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel..
Blood donation saves lives, let’s raise awareness for blood donation & ensure that the needy have timely & affordable access to safe and quality blood: Dr Harsh Vardhan
While talking about the present situation in the country the Union Minister added “During the difficult times of COVID-19 we are able to manage the critical supply of blood to the needy patients. He said he called the meeting of Red Cross officials to mobilise voluntary blood donation and helped them by arranging 30,000 passes for Red Cross Society workers and their vehicles engaged in promoting voluntary blood donation.”
Dr. Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness and containment measures taken for the management of COVID-19 in Madhya Pradesh through Video Conferencing
Expressing the concern of high fatality rate due to COVID-19, Dr. Harsh Vardhan stated, “It is painful to know that in few districts the fatality rate is higher than the national average”. He exhorted that State also needs to focus on the non-affected districts by conducting search, surveillance and testing of SARI / Influenza Like Illness cases, as this may avoid the further spreading of cases in other areas.He advised that State needs to ensure that non-COVID-19 services are not hampered due to emphasis on COVID-19 management.
India Salutes Corona Warriors Indian Navy Salutes the Corona Warriors on Land, Air and High Seas
Indian Navy joined the entire nation to express gratitude and salute the Corona Warriors on Sunday. Expressing gratitude and appreciation of the entire nation – while representing the Indian Armed Forces – towards the determination and committed efforts of our Corona Warriors – the medical professionals, health workers, policemen, government staff and media, for their relentless efforts against Covid-19 on 03 May 20 through a number of activities on ground, in air and on water.
Raksha Mantri lauds Armed Forces for ‘Armed Forces Salutes Corona Warriors’ gestures
ShriRajnath Singh has appreciated efforts of the Armed Forces for carrying out hundreds of activities at various locations across the country on ground, in water and air to Salute the Corona warriors who have been steadfastly fighting to stop the spread of the virus. Armed Forces paid rich tributes to India’s Corona Warriors on Sunday in a unique military way. From Srinagar to Thiruvananthapuram and Dibrugarh to Kachchh, the Army carried out various activities like laying wreath at the Police Memorials, honouring and felicitating health professions and emergency supply operatives. Visits to hospitals were carried out over hundreds of towns in all states from the local Army formations all over the Nation in small and big numbers by Army teams along with military bands which played patriotic tunes as a tribute to the Nation’s frontline warriors against Corona.
Firms Selling Fake PPE Kits Using Brand Name “Khadi”; KVIC Mulls Legal Action
It has come to the notice of Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) that certain unscrupulous business firms are manufacturing and selling personal protective equipment (PPE) kits, fraudulently using its registered trademark logo of ‘Khadi India’. The KVIC clarifies that it has, so far, not launched any PPE kit in the market. It must be clarified that KVIC specifically uses double-twisted hand-spun, hand-woven Khadi fabric for its products and hence, the kits made of non-woven material like polyester and polypropylene are neither Khadi products nor KVIC approved products.
Empowered Group 6 Engages CSOs/NGOs/Industry/Intl Organisations in India’s fight against COVID-19
As the country faces an unprecedented challenge with the Covid-19 global pandemic affecting our nation, the Empowered Group 6 (EG 6) constituted by Government of India and chaired by CEO, NITI Aayog is playing a key role in galvanizing Civil Society Organisations, NGOs and development partners, Industry partners, and International Organisations to create synergies with the Government of India.
DRDO develops UV Disinfection Tower
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Ultra Violet (UV) Disinfection Tower for rapid and chemical free disinfection of high infection prone areas. The equipment named UV blaster is a UV based area sanitiser designed and developed by Laser Science & Technology Centre (LASTEC), the Delhi based premier laboratory of DRDO
ShriNarendra Singh Tomar launches “The Saras Collection” on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal
Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj and Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare, ShriNarendra Singh Tomar, launched “The Saras Collection” on the Government e Marketplace (GeM) portaltoday. A unique initiative of GeM and the DeenDayalAntyodayaYojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, the Saras Collection showcases daily utility products made by rural self-help groups (SHGs) and aims to provide SHGs in rural areas with market access to Central and State Government buyers.
Government takes up immediate measures for livelihood and security of tribal gatherers and artisans in the backdrop of situation arising out of COVID-19
In light of the unprecedented hardship faced by the tribal artisans, Government is taking several immediate initiatives to provide support to the tribal gatherers and tribal artisans.
Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2020, scheduled on 31st May deferred
Taking notice of the extension of restrictions, the UPSC has decided that it will not be possible to resume examinations and interviews for the present. The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, 2020, scheduled to be held on May 31, 2020 therefore stands deferred.
PM Jan Aushadi Kendras are playing a vital role in COVID-19 Situation :MansukhMandaviya
ShriMansukhMandaviya, Minister of State (IC) for Chemicals & Fertilizers has said that Jan Aushadi Kendras are playing a vital role in COVID-19 situation as around 10 lakh persons per day are visiting 6000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras to source quality medicines at affordable prices. These Kendras are also selling Hydroxychloroquinine.
Dr Harsh Vardhan connects with Department of Science & Technology on COVID-19 preparations
Union Minister of Science & Technology, Health & Family Welfare and Earth Sciences, Dr. Harsh Vardhan interacted with Heads of all Autonomous Institutions and Subordinate offices of Department of Science & Technology on the occasion of 50th DST Foundation Day about their S&T initiatives, particularly in relation to their endeavours for combating the COVID-19 outbreak. The Minister also launched “COVID KATHA”, a multimedia guide on COVID-19 on the occasion.
Cotton procurement through MSP operations continuing at 34 centres in Maharashtra; Total 36,500 quintals of Kapas equivalent to 6900 bales procured during lockdown period
Around 77.40 % of total Kapas produced in Maharashtra had already arrived in the markets and been sold till 25th March, 2020; Cotton Corporation of India procured. 91.90 lakh quintals of Kapas equivalent to 18.66 lakh bales of cotton valuing Rs.4995 crores from cotton farmers. Steps have been taken to clear the outstanding payment to the farmers for the procured Kapas. Out of total procurement value, a sum of Rs.4987 crores has already reached the farmers’
Local administrations in all parts of the country continue taking initiatives to help the public during the situation arising from COVID-19
Various initiatives include setting up control rooms for helping stranded people, tracing travel routes and contact persons of those in quarantine and those who crossed borders including lorry drivers, mitigating doubts; prescribing procedures for handling, treatment and disposal of bio-medical waste; and making arrangements for purchasing and selling of farm produce
Extension of the last date of Invitation of Nominations for Sardar Patel National Unity Award till 30th June, 2020
Government of India has instituted Sardar Patel National Unity Award as the highest civilian award in the name of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, for contribution in promoting unity and integrity of India.The award seeks to recognize the notable and inspiring contribution made by individuals or institutions or organizations in this field and reinforces the value of strong and united India.