India counted 3.26 lakh new cases of the novel coronavirus on Thursday, and 3,890 deaths. The country’s caseload of 2,40,46,809 now includes 37,04,893 active cases, 2,00,79,599 recoveries and 2,62,317 deaths.
India’s coronavirus numbers over the last two weeks suggest the second wave may have reached its peak, or will in the next few days. However, the end of the second wave may still be a long distance away. India’s cases, which touched 4.14 lakh last Thursday, have dropped significantly in the last one week.
Top 10 Developments:
- Days after the deaths of 26 COVID-19 patients at the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) allegedly due to shortage of medical oxygen, an oxygen tank with a capacity of 20,000 litres is being installed at the state’s largest COVID facility, said Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday.
- Days after reports of bodies of suspected COVID-19 patients found floating in the river Ganga in Uttar Pradesh’s Ghazipur surfaced, the district administration has decided to provide a financial help of Rs 5,000 to those unable to bear cremation expenses and appealed public to refrain from water burial.
“If any person is unable to bear expenses of cremation of the body of their relative or family member and goes to any crematorium, we will provide them with Rs 5,000 immediately and bear all expenses of cremation,” Ghazipur DM MP Singh said. “Ghazipur administration has capped price of firewood at Rs 650/quintal. ‘Dom raja’ would not take more than Rs 500 for cremating a body. We are setting up a control room at each crematorium where police personnel and lekhpal would be stationed,” Singh added. - Odisha State Medical Corporation (OSMC) has invited online global bids from manufacturers through e-Tender portal for supply of 3.80 crore COVID-19 vaccines. In a bid to increase the vaccination drive against COVID-19, the Odisha Government has floated a global e-Tender for the supply of COVID-19 vaccine to the State. Bidders are required to supply the vaccine in four phases and State shall issue separate purchase order for each of them.
- The first batch of 10,000 doses of 2DG medicine for treating COVID-19 patients would be launched early next week, informed Defence Research and Development Organisation officials on Friday. The official informed, “The first batch of 10,000 doses of 2DG medicine for the treatment of COVID-19 infected patients would be launched early next week and will be given to patients.” “The drug manufacturers are working on ramping up the production of the medicine for future use. The drug has been developed by a team of DRDO scientists including Dr Anant Narayan Bhatt”, informed DRDO officials.
- The Delhi Cabinet on Friday approved Rs 5,000 financial assistance to drivers and permit holders of autorickshaws, e-rickshaws, taxis, Phat Phat Sewa, eco-friendly Sewa, Gramin Sewa and maxi cabs in view of the financial hardships they might be facing due to the COVID pandemic. The Delhi Cabinet on Friday okayed Rs 5000 financial assistance to all individuals holding Public Service Badge (Drivers) of para-transit vehicles and permit holders of para-transit public service vehicles.
- Contributing to the nation’s fight against the COVID-19, Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJKs), Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), distributors and other stakeholders joined hands to make available the essential medicines and other items at affordable prices.
- Karnataka received a fresh stock of 75,000 doses of COVID vaccines on Friday, informed the state Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar. Taking to Twitter, the health minister wrote, “Karnataka received 75,000 doses of Covaxin from the Union Govt today.” He further informed that so far Karnataka has received 1,10,49,470 doses of vaccines, out of which 99,58,190 doses were of Covishield and 10,91,280 doses of Covaxin. Dr K Sudhakar also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Health Minister Dr Harshvardhan in his tweet.
- To combat the second wave of COVID-19, the Indian government has so far dispatched 10,796 oxygen concentrators, 12,269 oxygen cylinders, 19 oxygen generation plants, 6,497 ventilators/Bi-PAP, and about 4.2 lakhs Remdesivir vials to various states and union territories (UTs) which were received as foreign aid. An official press release stated that these items were delivered between April 27 and May 13 this year. It said that major consignments were received on May 12 and 13 from countries like Indonesia, Luxembourg, Oman, South Korea, UK, USISPF, Finland, and Greece which included 1,506 oxygen concentrators, 434 oxygen cylinder, and 58 ventilators/ BiPAP/ CPAP.
- Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Friday requested the Centre to revise the oxygen allotment amid the rising number of active COVID-19 cases in the state. In a series of tweets, the chief minister informed that Rajasthan has the fourth-highest active cases of coronavirus with the figure reaching 2.11 lakhs. He wrote, “Rajasthan now has the 4th highest active cases at 2.11 lac, which is 5.72 per cent of the total active cases of the country.”
- An aircraft from Kazakhstan, carrying a consignment of 105 ventilators, 7,50,000 masks/respirators, and other medical equipment arrived in New Delhi on Saturday morning, as part of global assistance to India to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking to Twitter, External Affairs Ministry (EAM) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for their support. “Continuing cooperation with our Strategic Partner. Aircraft arrives carrying consignment of 105 ventilators, 750000 masks/respirators and other medical equipment from Kazakhstan. Grateful to Kazakhstan for the support,” EAM spokesperson tweeted.