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House-to-house survey, more doctors, ICU beds: MHA steps in to tackle Covid in Delhi

House-to-house survey, more doctors, ICU beds: MHA steps in to tackle Covid in Delhi

New Delhi (NVI): Following a high-level meeting, held on November 15 to review the Covid situation in Delhi, the Ministry of Home Affairs today announced a slew of measures to tackle the surge in new coronavirus cases in the national capital.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah had chaired an emergency meeting on Sunday, following which an action plan was made to contain the Covid infections from spreading further.

Notably, the national capital witnessed an alarming increase in new cases recently, as 6,396 cases were reported Tuesday, up from 3,797 infections on Monday. Delhi’s Covid-19 caseload tally stood at 4,95,598 on Tuesday including 7,812 deaths.

The Home Ministry had also shared details of measures under a 12-point action plan being undertaken to bring the situation under control. Today, the Ministry shared all these measures in detail on its official Twitter handle.

These include conducting house-to-house survey, more doctors and paramedics, deploying mobile testing vans, increasing number of ICU beds, ventilators and BIPAP machines, increasing daily testing capacity, etc.

“Following Union Home Minister @AmitShah holding meeting on Delhi COVID situation on Nov 15 slew of measures underway. DRDO to add 250 ICU beds to its already existing 250 ICU beds & also to create 35 BIPAP beds in next 3 to 4 days at its COVID hospital near Delhi airport,” MHA said in a series of tweets.

In another step, 45 doctors and 160 para-medics from CAPFs have reached Delhi for deployment at DRDO hospital near Delhi airport already and at COVID care centre at Chhatarpur. Remaining doctors and medics are expected to reach Delhi in next few days, MHA said.

Apart from that planning for house to house survey in Delhi is in advanced stage. The survey is expected to begin by the weekend and completed by 25 November. In this regard, an orientation meeting of DCs/DCs (MCD) and other stakeholders has been held by the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

Under Home Minister Amit Shah’s directions after the Sunday meeting, also attended by Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Delhi government are now working together to enhance RT-PCR testing capacity to 60,000 tests by end of November. Testing capacity in Delhi already enhanced by 10,000 tests per day on November 17.

“To bring testing closer to Delhi residents as directed by Union Home Minister @AmitShah, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to help Govt of NCT of Delhi in deploying 10 mobile testing labs for COVID with total capacity of 20,000 tests in phased manner beginning next week,” MHA said in a tweet.

“ICMR also to help in augmenting capacity by 2,000 tests of existing Delhi labs by deploying more manpower, increasing number of shifts & placing more equipment & thru engagement with pvt sector labs. Aiming to reach testing level of 60,000 RT-PCR tests per day by November end,” it added.

5 RT-PCR labs including at AIIMS, Delhi have already started functioning round the clock, according to the Ministry.

MHA has also constituted 10 multi-disciplinary teams to visit more than 100 private hospitals in Delhi for assessing bed utilization and testing capacity and to identify extra ICU beds on directions of Home Minister. Visits by teams are underway.

In addition to this, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has dispatched 250 ventilators from Bengaluru. They are expected to reach Delhi by weekend. Ministry of Health has also delivered 35 BIPAP machines to DRDO COVID facility near Delhi airport. 25 BIPAP machines for Delhi Govt are to be provided by the Health Ministry.

Apart from that, Indian Railways is also making available train coaches with 800 beds at Shakur Basti railway station. Doctors and para-medics from CAPFs will man these coaches as COVID care cum isolation facility, as per the MHA directions.

-ARK

Global response to climate change failing people most at risk, says Red Cross

Global climate change response failing people most at risk
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): The global efforts to tackle climate change are now failing to protect the people who are at most risk, the International Red Cross said in a report, noting that climate-related disasters have killed over 4 lakh people in the past decade.

The Red Cross also called upon government’s for urgent action to stop a rise in climate disasters and appealed for more smart financing to protect the most vulnerable communities.

A report by the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)— shows that the countries most affected by climate-related disasters receive only a fraction of the funding available for climate change adaptation and thus struggle to protect people from the aggravating effects of climate change.

Over the past decade, 83 per cent of all disasters were caused by extreme weather and climate-related events such as floods, storms and heatwaves, the report said, adding that, “Together, these disasters killed more than 4,10,000 people and affected a staggering 1.7 billion people.”

IFRC’s Secretary General Jagan Chapagain said, “Our first responsibility is to protect communities that are most exposed and vulnerable to climate risks.”

“However, our research demonstrates that the world is collectively failing to do this. There is a clear disconnection between where the climate risk is greatest and where climate adaptation funding goes. This disconnection could very well cost lives,” he added.

Moreover, the failure to protect the people most vulnerable to climate change is especially alarming given the steady increase in the number of climate and weather-related disasters.

According to the report, the average number of climate and weather-related disasters per decade has increased nearly 35 per cent since the 1990s.

Furthermore, the report titled — World Disasters Report 2020: Come Heat, or High Water — noted that the massive stimulus packages that are currently being developed around the world in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are an opportunity to address and reduce climate vulnerability.

A recovery that protects people and the planet would not only help to reduce today’s risks but would also make communities safer and more resilient to future disasters, it said.

The IFRC also said that smart financing focused on early warning and anticipatory action to reduce risks and prevent disasters before they happen and risk reduction measures would both play a major role in protecting the most exposed communities.

Chapagain further said, “Climate adaptation work can’t take a back seat while the world is preoccupied with the pandemic: the two crises have to be tackled together.”

“We must significantly scale up investment in climate smart actions that strengthens risk reduction and preparedness, alongside climate-smart laws and policies,” he added.

-RJV

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

Covid-19 cases
Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has crossed the 89 lakh-mark and stands at 89,12,908 after 38,617 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data.

The country’s death toll stands at 1,30,993 after 474 new fatalities were reported during the same period.

In the worst-affected Maharashtra, COVID-19 confirmed cases jumped to 17,52,509 which include 46,102 deaths. The active cases in the state stand at 82,904 and 16,23,503 recoveries.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 4,574

Andhra Pradesh- 8,56,159

Arunachal Pradesh- 15,868

Assam- 2,10,696

Bihar- 2,27,018

Chandigarh- 16,022

Chhattisgarh- 2,13,365

Dadra and Nagar Haveli– 3,297

Delhi- 4,95,598

Gujarat- 1,90,361

Goa- 46,182

Haryana– 2,04,477

Himachal Pradesh- 30,740

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,03,581

Jharkhand- 1,06,491

Karnataka- 8,64,140

Kerala- 5,33,500

Ladakh- 7,563

Madhya Pradesh- 1,85,446

Maharashtra- 17,52,509

Manipur- 22,208

Meghalaya- 10,791

Mizoram- 3,481

Nagaland- 10,188

Odisha- 3,10,052

Puducherry- 36,409

Punjab- 1,42,597

Rajasthan- 2,30,180

Sikkim- 4,548

Tamil Nadu- 7,61,568

Telangana- 2,59,776

Tripura- 32,112

Uttarakhand- 68,887

Uttar Pradesh- 5,14,270

West Bengal – 4,38,217

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 61

Andhra Pradesh- 6,890

Arunachal Pradesh- 48

Assam- 966

Bihar- 1,194

Chandigarh- 252

Chhattisgarh- 2,623

Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 2

Delhi- 7,812

Goa- 667

Gujarat- 3,815

Haryana- 2,063

Himachal Pradesh- 462

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,604

Jharkhand- 931

Karnataka- 11,557

Kerala- 1,915

Ladakh- 94

Madhya Pradesh- 3,102

Maharashtra- 46,102

Manipur- 225

Meghalaya- 102

Mizoram- 5

Nagaland- 53

Odisha- 1,560

Puducherry- 608

Punjab- 4,510

Rajasthan- 2,089

Sikkim- 92

Tamil Nadu- 11,513

Telangana- 1,415

Tripura- 362

Uttar Pradesh- 7,412

Uttarakhand- 1,119

West Bengal- 7,766

However, a total of 83,35,109 people have been cured and discharged. The total active cases stands at 4,46,805 in the country.

-CHK

PM condoles Vadodara accident deaths

Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi (file pic)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed grief over the death of 11 people in a road accident at Waghodia Crossing Highway in Gujarat’s Vadodara.

In a tweet, PM Modi said “Saddened by the accident in Vadodara. My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Praying that the injured recover soon. The administration is providing all possible assistance at the site of the accident.”

At least eleven people have been killed while 15 sustained injuries after a truck collided with a trailer in Vadodara’s Wadodia during the wee hours today.

The victims were going to visit Pavagadh, a famous religious place from Surat when the accident took place. However, the injured were immediately taken to SSG Hospital in Vadodara.

Reportedly, an investigation is underway to find out the cause of the accident.

Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani also expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident.

“Saddened by the loss of lives due to a road accident near Vadodara. Instructed officials to do needful. May those who have been injured recover at the earliest. I pray for the departed souls. Om Shanti,” Rupani tweeted.

-RJV

South Australia imposes six-day lockdown to curb COVID outbreak

Coronavirus

New Delhi (NVI): South Australia has announced a six-day lockdown to help contain a growing cluster of Covid-19 infections, imposing the nation’s strictest state-wide stay-at-home orders since the pandemic began.

After seven months of no community transmission, the curbs come after 22 people in the state capital Adelaide were infected, after a cleaner at a quarantine hotel was exposed to the virus.

Health authorities say the circuit breaker measures are necessary to avoid a wider outbreak.

From midnight, the state will come to a standstill, with pubs, cafes, takeaway food, and universities to shut.

Only one person from each household will be allowed to leave home each day, and only for specific purposes, authorities said. Schools and universities will also close and mask-wearing will be mandatory.

“Time is of the essence,” state Premier Steven Marshall said on Wednesday. “And we must act swiftly and decisively, we cannot wait to see how bad this becomes.”

On Monday, South Australia saw cases jump from three to 17 overnight, prompting nearly all other states and territories to immediately close internal borders to the country’s new “hotspot.”

Meanwhile, Australia’s second most populous state of Victoria has only recently emerged from one of the world’s longest and toughest lockdowns.

The 4.9 million residents of the state capital Melbourne were under “stay at home” orders for 112 days.

On Wednesday, Victoria recorded its 19th consecutive day of no coronavirus deaths or new cases.

Australia, a nation of around 25 million people, has recorded just over 27,700 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic – significantly fewer per capita than most developed countries.

The country has taken a lockdown approach combined with rigorous testing and tracing to contain the virus.

Notably, South Australia’s wide-ranging restrictions will be the country’s swiftest and most stringent lockdown.

-CHK

Delhi’s air quality continues to be in ‘moderate’ category

New Delhi (NVI): The national capital’s air quality continued to remain in the “moderate” category for second consecutive day this morning, as stronger winds helped bring down pollution levels.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), the overall air quality index (AQI) in Delhi was recorded 189 at around 8 am.

An AQI of 203 was reported in Anand Vihar, while Nehru Nagar and RK Puram reported AQIs of 227 and 217 respectively, all in the ‘poor’ category. In Lodhi Road, an AQI of 102 (moderate) was recorded, as per the data from CPCB.

The air quality was at ‘moderate’ levels in the neighbouring cities of Noida, Greater Noida, Ghaziabad and Faridabad this morning.

Earlier on November 15, the AQI reading in the national capital was 435 in the ‘severe’ category, which improved to ‘poor’ (221) on November 16 and ‘moderate’ (171) on Tuesday.

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”.

Officials at air monitoring stations have said that due to high wind speeds throughout the week and the negligible stubble burning activity, the air quality is expected to remain in the range of ‘moderate’ to ‘poor’ category.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Earth Sciences’ air monitoring agency SAFAR also predicted that, the air quality can slip into the poor category today.

“The AQI is likely to marginally deteriorate and in moderate to the poor category is forecast for today. AQI is forecast to further deteriorate to the higher end of poor to lower end of very poor category on 19 and 20 November,” it said.

-RJV

J&K: Avalanche hits Army post in Kupwara, 1 dead, 2 injured

Lubna Fayaz

Srinagar (NVI): A soldier was killed and two others were injured after an avalanche hit an Army post in Tangdhar sector of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Wednesday.

According to the official sources, Army unit of 7 RR was swept by an avalanche this morning at a forward area in Tangdhar sector along the Line of Control (LoC).

“Three soldiers came under the avalanche. However, following the efforts of jawans, all of them were evacuated and were shifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, one soldier succumbed to his injuries,” the officials said.

The deceased soldier has been identified as Nikhil Sharma by the officials.

-CHK

Coronavirus cases surpass 55.5 million worldwide

coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): More than 55.5 million people around the world have been confirmed to have the coronavirus, while the death toll is nearing 13,37,559, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally. Over 35.7 million patients have recovered from the deadly disease globally.

In the US, the number of coronavirus infections have surpassed 11.35 million while the number of fatalities due to the deadly contagion have crossed 2,48,000.

Brazil’s coronavirus cases have exceeded 5.9 million while the number of deaths have surged past 1,66,600 in the country.

Mexico’s health ministry reported 1,757 new infections and 165 further deaths, bringing the official totals to 1,011,153 cases and 99,026 deaths.

Meanwhile, Italy has registered 32,191 new coronavirus infections over the past 24 hours, the health ministry said on Tuesday, up from 27,354 the day before. The ministry also reported 731 Covid 19-related deaths, up from 504 the previous day and the highest daily toll since 3 April, when the country was in full national lockdown.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany has increased by 17,561 to 8,33,307. Deaths rose by 305 to 13,119, the tally showed.

South Korea reported on Wednesday 313 new daily Covid-19 cases, the highest since August, as cluster infections continued to emerge from offices, medical facilities and small gatherings, prompting authorities to tighten social distancing rules.

Iran’s daily new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours hit 13,352 on Tuesday, a new record, the government announced. The number of deaths in the previous 24 hours reached 482. The total death toll has now reached 42,461, the highest in the middle east.

-CHK

UP govt issues advisory for Chhath Puja

Delhi bans Chhath puja at public places
Chhath Puja involves worship of the Sun God at a water body (File photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The Uttar Pradesh government today issued an advisory for the upcoming festival of Chhath Puja, in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.

The state government has urged devotees to perform rituals of Chhath Puja at home as much as possible to avert the risk of getting infected by deadly virus.

According to the advisory, the government did not ban the celebrations on the banks of rivers and waterbodies, but encouraged people to celebrate the festival at their home.

Moreover, the threat of coronavirus is not yet over. So, people should follow COVID-19 protocols such as maintaining social distance and wearing masks while celebrating the festival, the advisory said.

The government has also sought cooperation of the people for the celebrations and ensured that all arrangements will be in place for the devotees.

Under the advisory, it has directed districts’ administrations to set up changing rooms and toilets for women at the ghats. Also, ambulances will be stationed at the ghats to ferry people in case of emergency.

Besides, the officials have been directed to ensure proper barricading at ponds and waterbodies. CCTVs will also be installed at the ghats for monitoring the movement of people.

The festival is dedicated to lord Sun and Chhathi Maiya celebrated with joy and enthusiasm, especially in state of Bihar, UP and Jharkhand.

However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some states have also placed a ban on public festivities.

-RJV

 

India’s COVID tally crosses 8.9 million; death toll tops 1.30 lakh

(File/Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): India coronavirus tally has crossed the 8.9 million mark and currently stands at 89,12,908, with a single-day rise of 38,617 new cases in last 24 hours, Union Health Ministry said.

The country’s death toll has reached to 1,30,993, with 474 new fatalities being reported in the same period.

So far, a total of 83,35,110 patients have been cured or discharged so far, while the active cases stands at 4,46,805, as per the ministry data.

In the worst-affected Maharashtra, COVID-19 confirmed cases jumped to 17,52,509 which include 46,102 deaths. The active cases in the state stand at 82,904 and 16,23,503 recoveries.

Maharashra is followed by Karnataka (8,64,140), Andhra Pradesh (8,56,159), Tamil Nadu (7,61,568), Kerala (5,33,500) and Uttar Pradesh (5,14,270).

Meanwhile, the national capital has registered 4,95,598 COVID-19 cases, while 7,812 people have died of the virus in Delhi.

 

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) data, more than 12.74 crore samples tested for COVID-19 up to November 17. Of these 9,37,279 samples were tested yesterday.

Furthermore, the Union Health Ministry yesterday reiterated the need to be careful and implement COVID-19 appropriate behaviour. In view of the festive season, it said, the effects of Durga Puja and Diwali may be seen in coming weeks. We have to keep watching new cases very carefully.

-RJV

 

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