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Delhi’s air quality remains in ‘very poor’ category, ‘severe’ in some areas

Relief for Delhi as air quality improves to 'moderate' level
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The air quality in national capital deteriorated today with some places falling under ‘severe’ category as the level of pollutants has been on the rise.

According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data, the city’s overall air quality index (AQI) stood at 400 at around 10 am.

An AQI at 440 was recorded in Bawana, 443 in Mundka, 420 in Pratapganj, all three under ‘severe’ category, and 329 in Lodhi Road (very poor), as per the CPCB mobile app SAMEER.

Jahangirpuri and ITO also recorded ‘severe’ levels of air pollutants. Apart from that, the national capital witnessed a thin layer of smog this morning.

The neighbouring region of Noida and Gurugram also registered air quality in the ‘severe’ and ‘very poor’ category this morning with an AQI of 414 and 290 respectively.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ monitoring system SAFAR had predicted that the AQI is likely to improve towards the lower end of ‘very poor’ by Wednesday evening and likely to stay at ‘very poor’ to the higher end of poor on November 26.

The current deterioration in Delhi’s air quality was largely due to weather conditions adverse to the dispersal of pollutants and local pollution sources.

In addition to this, PM2.5 now remains the lead pollutant instead of PM10 as a characteristic of wintertime.

An AQI between 0 and 50 is considered “good”, 51 and 100 “satisfactory”, 101 and 200 “moderate”, 201 and 300 “poor”, 301 and 400 “very poor”, and 401 and 500 “severe”.

In order to improve the capital’s air quality, Delhi government recently installed 23 anti-smog guns, at key intersections and construction sites across the city and assured that this number will be increased, if necessary.

-RJV

Coronavirus cases exceed 59.7 mn globally; death toll mounts to 1.4 mn

New Delhi (NVI): More than 59.7 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll is nearing 14,09,208, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 37.4 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

In the US, the number of coronavirus infections have surpassed 12.5 million while the number of fatalities due to the deadly contagion have crossed 2,59,000.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases have crossed the 61 lakh-mark while the number of deaths have surged past 1,70,000 in the country.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s health ministry on Tuesday reported 10,794 additional cases of the novel coronavirus and 813 more deaths in the country, bringing the official number of cases to 1,060,152 and the death toll to 1,02,739.

China recorded five new Covid-19 cases on November 24, down from 22 a day earlier, the national health authority said on Wednesday.

Furthermore, in France, President Emmanuel Macron announced a three-stage easing of the country’s month-long lockdown, beginning this weekend with the reopening of “non-essential” businesses such as hairdressers and clothes shops, which will have to observe strict distancing rules and close at 9pm.

Russia’s deputy prime minister, Tatiana Golikova, said on Tuesday the country’s coronavirus situation was becoming “more complicated” with the onset of autumn and winter. Russia recorded a record 25,173 new daily infections on Monday.

-CHK

COVID cases in India climb to over 92 lakh

COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): India has registered 44,376 new infections of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, pushing the overall caseload to 92,22,217, according to the Ministry of Health.

The country’s death toll due to the virus rose to 1,34,699, with 481 patients succumbing to the infection since yesterday.

So far, a total of 86,42,771 patients have been cured or discharged, while the active cases stands at 4,44,746, as per the ministry data.

However, the national recovery rate slipped to 93.72 percent and mortality rate remained at 1.46 percent.

In the worst-affected Maharashtra, COVID-19 confirmed cases increased to 17,89,800 which include 46,683 deaths. The active cases in the state stand at 83,221 and 16,58,879 recoveries.

Maharashra is followed by Karnataka (8,76,425), Andhra Pradesh (8,63,843), Tamil Nadu (7,73,176), Kerala (5,71,873) and Uttar Pradesh (5,31,050).

Meanwhile, the national capital has registered 5,40,541 COVID-19 cases, while 8,621 people have died of the virus in Delhi.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, over 13.48 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to November 24. Of these 11,59,032 samples were tested yesterday,

Furthermore, the passengers travelling from Delhi, Rajasthan, Goa and Gujarat will have to undergo mandatory RT-PCR test on arriving at Mumbai from today, as per the notification by Maharashtra government.

 

-RJV

Ahmed Patel dies after battling COVID

Ahmed Patel dies after battling COVID
Ahmed Patel

New Delhi (NVI): Congress veteran Ahmed Patel passed away in wee hours today losing his nearly two month battle against COVID-19.

Patel died at the age of 71 due to multi organ failure while being admitted to Medanta Hospital in Gurugram.

His son Faisal Patel confirmed the news on Twitter early today.

“With profound grief and sorrow, I regret to announce the sad and untimely demise of my father, Mr. Ahmed Patel at 25/11/2020, 03:30 AM. After testing positive for COVID-19 around a month back, his health worsened further due to multiple organ failures. May Allah grant him Jannatul firdaus, inshallah,” he tweeted, requesting all their well-wishers to adhere to the COVID-19 regulations by avoiding mass gatherings and follow social distancing at all times.

Patel had tested positive for the COVID-19 on October 1 and was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit of Medanta Hospital on November 15.

Grieving the loss of the Congress veteran, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and said, “Saddened by the demise of Ahmed Patel Ji. He spent years in public life, serving society. Known for his sharp mind, his role in strengthening the Congress Party would always be remembered.

“Spoke to his son Faisal and expressed condolences. May Ahmed Bhai’s soul rest in peace,” he added.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi also mourned Patel’s demise and said, “It is a sad day. Ahmed Patel was a pillar for the Congress Party. He lives and breathed the Congress ans stood with the party through its most difficult times.He was a tremendous asset,” he tweeted.

Born on August 21, 1949, at Piraman village near Bharuch in Gujarat. Patel was a Rajya Sabha MP from Gujarat and a serving political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi.

-RJV

Balancing supply chain a major challenge during Covid-19 pandemic: Med device experts

New Delhi (NVI): The Indian medical devices market, which was supposed to grow to USD 50 billion by 2025, are finding it difficult to make informed decisions about their products, supply chains, and regulatory obligations in the midst of uncertainties created by the COVID-19 pandemic, as per the experts in the field.

Medical devices provide a great opportunity but it brings challenges with it. Regulations, innovations and the ecosystems are the three critical elements that drive this industry.

To bring to the discussion about the challenges and opportunities in the medical devices industry amidst COVID-19, ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020′ was organised by HEAL Health Connect Solutions in association with ESI MedTech Solutions and the knowledge partner HEAL Foundation.

Moderating the session and speaking on the sustainability of medical supplies and equipment to treat patients in the face of supply chain disruption during the 3rd session of ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020’ — the 11th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Vivek Tiwari, Founder & CEO, Medikabazaar said, “India is the 4th largest medical technology market in Asia. With liberalising the government policies, up to 100% Foreign Direct Investment is permitted in Medical devices through the automatic route. Strong FDI inflows reflect the confidence of global players in the Indian Medical Devices market.

“Taking advantage of this lucrative opportunity, an increasing number of MNCs are setting up their manufacturing bases in India. With a large number of private players making their foray into healthcare, there is a growth in the number of hospitals, diagnostic centres and specialised facilities.

“There is good policy support for the industry like ‘Make in India’, ‘Medical Devices Rule of 2017’ and ‘Medical Devices Amendment Rules 2020. There is Production Linked Incentive Schemes (PLI) for Medical Devices, 2020 and the funding of Medical Devices Parks in the country. Financing common infrastructure facilities in 4 medical device parks of INR 400 crore. It is expected to reduce the manufacturing cost of medical devices in the country. The growth drivers largely for Indian Medical Devices manufacturing sector are — Indian Medical Tourism, Public-Private Partnership (PPP) and Awareness in public about health.

“However, the greatest challenge for the medical device manufacturing industry during COVID-19 has been the balancing of the supply chain. Medical devices provide a great opportunity with challenges associated. Regulations, Innovations and Ecosystems are the three critical elements that drive this industry.”

Speaking on the ongoing series of COVID FIGHTERS PUBLIC HEALTH SAFETY MOVEMENT during ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020’ — the 11th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Dr Swadeep Srivastava, Managing Partner, HEAL Health Connect Solutions, said, “We are going to complete 250 days of ‘COVID Fighters Public Health Safety Movement’.

During this period, we have been able to bring on board more than 150 public health experts through 20 webinars including 2 India Health e-Summits, 1 Patients’ Rights e-Conclave, Pharma Excellence eSummit & Awards, India Immunity eSummit & Awards, COVIDiabetes eSummit and today we are organising India MedTech E-Summit & Awards, whose nomination date has been extended to 30th Nov’2020. There has been over 50 niche sessions and 10 keynote addresses with over 300 media coverages of the issues raised.

Speaking on the need for establishing medical technology parks during the 3rd session of ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020’ — the 11th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Dr Jitendra Sharma, MD & CEO, Andhra Med Tech Zone, said, “Of course we need to establish medical technology parks because we have lost on a number of things. We have lost big time care on cancer; we have lost on cardiac care; we have lost on gastroscopy. All these were strong baseline diseases in India. Besides telemedicine care, we are lacking in lots of things. If it is not regulated, there might be a bigger calamity than COVID-19. We need quick innovations around it. Industry and regulators must come forward in consonance. Innovations seem to be the quickest solution.”

Deliberating on the education on regulatory processes and facilitating quicker introduction in the market during the 3rd session of ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020’ — the 11th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Mr Anil Jauhari, Former CEO, NABCB, India, Member, UNFCCC, CDM, Accreditation Panel, said, “The absence of a regulatory mechanism has been a problem. And the Medical devices not being regulated is unfortunate.

“As of now, we don’t have a fully regulated medical devices sector, and we are not slated to be fully regulated until 2023. However, the publication of medical devices is a good step in the right direction. We require more cohesive thinking because we are not moving in a single direction but in multiple directions. Simply, if you are regulated, your products will be recognised in foreign countries.”

Throwing light on the importance of digital solutions in Medical devices sector during the 3rd session of ‘India Med Tech E-Summit 2020’ — the 11th Episode of HEAL-Thy Samvaad, Mr Soura Bhattacharyya, Co-Founder & CEO, Lattice Innovations Pvt. Ltd., said, “The post-COVID-19 situation will require hospital beds to beds at home. There has been a tremendous shortage of beds and a huge gap in demand and supply. Now self-care at home should be promoted as the demand for telemedicine has been increasing, which will help in this direction. As far as the manufacturing of medical devices is concerned, we need to imitate smartly and innovate creatively. Innovation is essentially required.”

-ARK

Nagrota encounter: India launches exercise to expose Pak hand in terror

NIA to probe Nov 19 Nagrota terror attack

New Delhi (NVI): After a major terror attack was foiled by security forces by killing four Pakistani terrorists in Nagrota last week, the government has not left it there but has launched a diplomatic offensive to expose Pakistan’s complicity in it.

According to officials, the aborted terror attack could have been on the scale of Pulwama terror attack of February last year, in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed.

While the terrorists this time could not carry out their evil designs as all the four were killed, they left clear evidence regarding Pakistani link. The evidence is in the form of messages received on the communication sets of the slain terrorists besides medicines, clothing and shoes which were all made in Pakistan.

In addition, security forces have detected a tunnel at the International Border in Samba district of Jammu, which was used by the terrorists to infiltrate from Pakistan.

Armed with these pieces of evidence, India has started apprising the world community about the foiled plan of Pakistan-based terrorist outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad which had complicity of the Pakistani establishment, particularly its notorious intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla has briefed Delhi-based envoys of some countries, including the US, France and Russia, and is expected to carry on with the exercise in the coming days.

India is also expected to provide the dossier of evidence to the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), which will be reviewing in about two months whether Pakistan has ended support to terrorism.

As of now FATF has retained Pakistan in the ‘Grey List’, which means it is under close scrutiny, and if it does not comply with all the 27 tasks mandated by the global body, Pakistan can be put in the ‘Black List’.

Pakistan has so far completed 21 tasks and if it is black listed, it will be ineligible to receive aid and loans from global financial bodies like World Bank, International Monetary Fund and Asian Development Bank.

India has also lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the failed terror attack and conveyed to it that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national security in the fight against terrorism.

The terror plot was foiled when security forces intercepted a truck on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Nagrota area of Jammu and Kashmir and killed four terrorists travelling in it in an encounter. The truck was on its way to Kashmir from Jammu. After the encounter, security forces recovered a huge cache of arms and ammunition, including 11 AK rifles with loaded magazines, 3 pistols, 29 hand grenades and large quantity of RDX.

BSF troops hold flag meet with Pak Rangers in Samba to handover intruder’s body

Neyaz Elahi

Samba (NVI): The Border Security Force (BSF) today conducted a flag meeting with Pakistan Rangers near border post number 64 in Jammu’s Samba in connection with handing over the body of a Pak intruder who was shot down by BSF while trying to infiltrate into this side of fence yesterday.

The 48th battalion of BSF shot dead a person who was allegedly trying to infiltrate along IB in the Samba sector of Jammu region.

The deceased has been identified as Abdul Hamid, a resident of Chaman Khurd, Shakargarh, Pakistan.

According to sources, 11 troops of BSF and 15 troops of Pak Rangers participated in the flag meeting. During the meet, BSF troops asked Pak Rangers to identify the deceased and provide documents in support.

After receipt of documents pertaining to the identification of the deceased, the dead body was handed over to Pak Rangers on proper receipt and with full honor.

As per the sources, the meeting culminated in a cordial atmosphere.

-ARK

No part of Afghanistan untouched by 400 plus projects by India: Jaishankar

New Delhi (NVI): External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said that no part of Afghanistan is today untouched by 400 plus projects undertaken by India in all 34 provinces of the country while highlighting that India’s development portfolio in Afghanistan has amounted to over US$ 3 billion.

Jaishankar was speaking at the 2020 Afghanistan Conference organized virtually in Geneva from 23-24 November 2020. The EAM added that more than 65,000 Afghan students have studied in India.

He said that India is an “important stakeholder” in Afghanistan and looks forward to walk hand in hand with people of Afghanistan and world community in working towards a peaceful, prosperous, sovereign democratic and united Afghanistan.

Reiterating India’s commitment towards progress and infrastructure growth in Afghanistan, the EAM announced that India had just concluded with Afghanistan an agreement for the construction of the Shatoot dam, which would provide safe drinking water to 2 million residents of Kabul city.

India had earlier built the 202-km Phul-e-Khumri transmission line that provided electricity to Kabul city. Jaishankar also announced launch of Phase-IV of the High Impact Community Development Projects in Afghanistan, which envisages more than 100 projects worth US$ 80 million that India would undertake in Afghanistan.

In his statement, EAM emphasized India’s long term commitment to the development of Afghanistan and the benefit of its people as a contiguous neighbor and strategic partner.

The Foreign Minister’s remarks came against the backdrop of mounting global concern over increased attacks by the Taliban.

“India has invested heavily in peace and development in Afghanistan and believes that the gains of the last two decades must be preserved and the interests of minorities, women and vulnerable sections must be ensured,” the EAM said while expressing concern regarding the increasing level of violence in Afghanistan and reiterated India’s call for an immediate and comprehensive ceasefire.

The EAM also pointed out that Afghanistan’s growth has been constrained by its land locked geography and highlighted India’s efforts to provide an alternate connectivity through Chabahar port and a dedicated Air Freight Corridor between India and Afghanistan.

“India’s humanitarian assistance of 75,000 tonnes of wheat to strengthen food security of Afghanistan during the Covid pandemic has been transported through Chabahar port,” the External Affairs Ministry said in a statement.

-ARK

Russia’s Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine found 95% effective

Argentina first in Latin America to approve Russian Sputnik V vaccine

New Delhi (NVI): Russia’s Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine is 95 per cent effective according to a second interim analysis of clinical trial data, its developers said today.

“The preliminary data on volunteers on the 42nd day after the first dose (equivalent to 21 days after the second dose), when they have already formed a stable immune response, indicates the efficacy rate of the vaccine is above 95%,” read the official statement.

The two-dose vaccine will be available in international markets for less than USD 10 (8.40 euros) per dose, they said, and will be free for Russian citizens.

It can be stored at between two and eight degrees Celsius (between 35.6 and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit), instead of the temperatures below freezing required for some other vaccines, the statement said.

It has been manufactured by the Gamaleya Research Institute in collaboration with the Russian Health Ministry. Gamaleya Center experts confirmed the high efficacy of the Sputnik V vaccine after double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled Phase 3 clinical trials.

As per the protocol of Phase III clinical trials of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, its interim efficacy is calculated at three statistically significant representative checkpoints – upon reaching 20, 39 and 78 cases of novel coronavirus infection among volunteers, both in the placebo group and in the group that received the vaccine.

The second interim analysis of the Sputnik V vaccine efficacy was carried out on the basis of 39 confirmed cases identified in the placebo group (31 cases) and in the vaccine group (8 cases). The ratio of the placebo group to the vaccinated group is 1 to 3.

Russia said that the next interim data analysis will be conducted upon reaching the third checkpoint of 78 confirmed coronavirus cases among the study participants.

Subsequently, the final data analysis will be available by the end of Phase III clinical trials.

Currently, Phase III clinical trials are approved and are ongoing in Belarus, the UAE, Venezuela and other countries, as well as Phase II-III in India.

-CHK

Cyclone Nivar: Tamil Nadu declares public holiday for tomorrow

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): Tamil Nadu government has announced a public holiday for tomorrow as the state braces for the cross over of Cyclone Nivar late in the evening on November 25.

All government offices would remain closed across Tamil Nadu on November 25. However, essential services will continue to function, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said.

Nivar is likely to intensify into a cyclonic storm during the next 12 hours, and further into a severe cyclonic storm during the subsequent 24 hours, according to India Meteorological Department (IMD).

IMD has has forecast widespread rainfall and thunderstorms over coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Karaikal from November 24 and November 26, over south coastal Andhra Pradesh and Rayalaseema on November 25 and 26 and southeast Telangana on November 26.

In addition to this, the weather department has issued a red alert for Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, while a yellow alert has been issued for coastal Andhra Pradesh and Telangana.

According to the IMD, the cyclone will cross as a severe cyclonic storm with a wind speed of 120-130 kmph gusting to 145 kmph.

The storm lay centered over southwest Bay of Bengal, about 370 km east-southeast of Puducherry and 420 km south-southeast of Chennai at 2.30 pm on Tuesday.

Furthermore, IMD has suggested complete suspension of fishing activity in the west-southwest regions of the Bay of Bengal till November 25. Section 144 has been imposed in Puducherry to prevent loss of life and ensure the safety of the public.

Following heavy rainfall across coastal and north interior Tamil Nadu, the Southern Railway has fully cancelled 12 trains on November 25.

Meanwhile, 22 NDRF teams have been pre-positioned wherein 12 teams have been deployed in Tamil Nadu, 3 in Puducherry and 7 in Andhra Pradesh, while teams have also been kept on reserve at Guntur, Thrissur and Mundili to meet additional requirements.

The teams are all equipped with wireless and satellite communication, tree cutters, pole cutters and PPE kits.

-CHK

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