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Plans to provide Covid vaccines to around 25 cr people by July 2021: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan (file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The government expects to receive 400-500 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines, covering approximately 20-25 crore people in the country by July 2021, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Singh said today while outlaying the Centre’s plan to distribute the vaccines once they are ready.

Dr Vardhan was answering a question on the administration and management of Covid vaccines, in the fourth edition of “Sunday Samvad”, his weekly social media interaction with the public.


The Health Minister said that the Government is working round the clock to ensure there is fair and equitable distribution of vaccines once they are ready.

“There is a high-level expert body going into all aspects of the vaccine. Lists of cities and groups which will require vaccine administration on top priority are being drawn up by Health Ministry in association with State Governments,” Vardhan said in his weekly program.

For this, he said, the States have been given time upto October-end to submit lists of priority population groups for receiving the vaccine, where priority shall be given to frontline health workers.

“The list of frontline health workers include both government as well as private doctors, nurses, paramedics, sanitary staff, ASHA workers, surveillance officers, and any other frontline workers who are involved in tracing, testing and treatment of patients,” he added.

The Minister also assured another respondent that there would be no diversion or black-marketing. “Vaccines will be distributed as per pre-decided priority and in a programmed manner. To ensure transparency and accountability, details of the entire process will be shared in the coming months,” he said while stressing on the need to prioritize health care workers and adults or those have underlying health conditions.

India’s Covid-19 tally has crossed 65-lakh mark, with a spike of 75,829 new cases and 940 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The country is currently at the second spot in the number of Covid-19 cases, after the US.

-ARK

J&K: Terror hideout busted in Poonch; arms, ammo recovered

Kashmir terror attack
Representational Image

Srinagar (NVI): Security forces today busted a terrorist hide-out and recovered arms and ammunition during a Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) in Surankote area of Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

“CASO was launched in Girjin area of Surankote over some specific inputs during which a hideout was busted and one AK rifle, bullets and a revolver have been recovered,” a police official said.

Army and Police teams launched the operation this morning which was going on when the last reports came in.

-ARK

Mecca reopens after Saudi Arabia eases Covid-19 restrictions

New Delhi (NVI): Saudi authorities have eased Covid-19 restrictions and resumed the year-round Umrah pilgrimage in Mecca, Islam’s holiest site, as a very small and limited number of people circled the sacred Kaaba today.

The Mecca shrine was opened after seven-month coronavirus hiatus.

Worshippers entered the grand mosque in batches and offered prayers while maintaining social distancing, reports in foreign media said.

Millions of Muslims from across the globe throng the holy site to perform the annual umrah, pilgrimage that can be undertaken any time, but it was suspended after the coronavirus pandemic gathered pace in March.

The Muslim holy place was shut since March to prevent the Covid-19 transmission.

According to Saudi authorities, Umrah will be allowed from Sunday. However, in the first phase, only 6000 pilgrims per day would be allowed.  During this phase, only the residents and citizens within Saudi Arabia would be allowed to perform Umrah. The pilgrimage also involves circumambulation around the cube-shaped black monument Kaaba.

Saudi authorities have also said that the devout would be allowed in carefully crated batches and they would follow social distancing modules. The Kaba circumambulation would also begin from today, as per the Saudi authorities.

-ARK

Glider crash kills 2 Navy officers in Kochi

New Delhi (NVI): Two Naval officers were killed after their glider crashed while on a routine training sortie on the outskirts of Kerala’s Kochi this morning.

The glider crashed near the Thoppumpady bridge in Kochi. Lt Rajeev Jha (39) and Petty officer (Electrical Air) Sunil Kumar (29) took off from the INS Garuda on a routine training sortie, the Navy said in a statement, adding that the glider crashed at around 7 am.

While Jha belonged to Uttarakhand, Kumar was from Bihar. Jha is survived by his wife and two children and Kumar was unmarried.

Both were rushed to INHS Sanjivani but doctors there declared them brought dead. Meanwhile, the Southern Naval Command ordered an inquiry into the incident.

-ARK

India’s Covid testing capacity up from 1 in Jan to over 7.7 cr in Oct  

India reports less than 50,000 daily Covid cases for 8th day
Representational image

New Delhi (NVI): India has exponentially scaled up its Covid-19 testing capacity from one in January to more than 7.7 crore in October, the Union Health Ministry said today.

With progressively falling Positivity Rate, testing has worked as a highly effective tool to limit the spread of Covid-19 infection, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry also that the increased pace of testing has led to “early identification, prompt isolation, and effective treatment of COVID-19 cases. These have eventually resulted in a sustained low Fatality Rate.”

7,78,50,403 tests for COVID-19 were conducted in the country yesterday, which marks a new high, it said.

Apart from that, India has maintained its steady trend of clocking less than 10 lakh active cases, for 13th consecutive day.

The number of active cases today is 9,37,625. This is 7371 cases less than yesterday.

In addition to this, despite the extended weekend, India has posted high daily testing numbers over Thursday-Friday-Saturday with 10,97,947, 11,32,675 and 11,42,131 tests respectively, the Health Ministry said.

There has been an exponential rise in India’s daily testing capacities. More than 15 lakhs tests can be conducted every day. An average of 11.5 lakh tests were done on a daily basis during the past ten days.

From merely one in January 2020, India’s total tests have crossed 7.89 crore so far. There has been a commensurate dip in the Positivity Rate. With progressively falling Positivity Rate, testing has worked as a highly effective tool to limit the spread of COVID-19 infection, as per the release.

India’s steady trend of posting high level of daily recoveries also continues with 82,260 recoveries registered in the last 24 hours in the country. In contrast, 75,829 new cases have been reported. The new recoveries have exceeded the new cases in the recent days, it said.

India’s total recoveries have crossed 55 lakh (55,09,966) today. Higher number of single day recoveries is reflected in the continuous increase in the national recovery rate, which is at present 84.13%.

75.44% of the newly recovered cases are recorded in 10 States/UTs.

Being the leading State with highest number of active cases, Maharashtra has also contributed the highest number to the newly recovered cases followed by Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

10 States/UTs account for 77.11% of the active cases in the country. As on date, the percent contribution of active cases to the positive caseload of the country has reduced to only 14.32%.

78% of the new cases are concentrated in ten States/UTs. Maharashtra contributed more than 14,000 to the new cases. Karnataka and Kerala reported 9886 and 7834 new cases, respectively.

Less than a 1000 deaths (940) have been registered in the last 24 hours.

80.53% of new reported fatalities are from 10 States and UTs. 29.57% of deaths reported yesterday are from Maharashtra with 278 deaths followed by Karnataka with 100 deaths. Maharashtra’s contribution to death toll has been on a decline.

-ARK

UPSC civil services prelims exam today

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination is being held today, after the Supreme Court refused to postpone it due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The exams will be allowed to be conducted with Covid-19 safety guidelines.

The Delhi government and police personnel have been asked by the UPSC not to prevent any candidates from reaching the exam centre today even if the centres were located in containment zones.

As per reports, over 10 lakh candidates are appearing in the exam for selection to Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and other Civil Services.

Selection to the civil services is done through a preliminary exam, a main exam and an interview which are conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

-ARK

Global Covid cases top 34.7 mn; more than 10,31,500 deaths

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases worldwide have topped 34.7 million while more than 10,31,500 people have lost their lives due to the virus, according to the latest figures by US-based Johns Hopkins University.            

The total number of cases stood at 3,47,91,855 and the fatalities rose to 10,31,528, as per the University’s Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE).

The US remains the worst-hit country in the world’s with highest number of cases and deaths at 7,379,614 and 209,335, respectively.

India comes in second place in terms of cases at 6,473,544, while the country’s death toll rose to 1,00,842 as per latest Health Ministry updates.

Apart from that, Brazil accounts for the second highest number of fatalities at 1,45,388 and is at third place in overall Covid-19 tally.

The other top 15 countries with the maximum amount of cases are Brazil (4,880,523), Russia (1,198,663), Colombia (848,147), Peru (821,564), Argentina (790,818), Spain (789,932), Mexico (757,953), South Africa (679,716), France (629,492), the UK (482,654), Chile (468,471), Iran (468,119), Iraq (375,931), Bangladesh (367,565), and Saudi Arabia (335,997), the CSSE figures showed.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump, who was diagnosed with Covid-19 on Thursday, said in a video on Twitter that he felt “much better” and hoped to be “back soon”. Trump shared the video from his hospital room.

-ARK

India’s Covid tally crosses 65-lakh mark; 75,829 new cases

New Delhi (NVI): With a spike of 75,829 new cases and 940 deaths reported in the last 24 hours, India’s Covid-19 tally today crossed the 65-lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry.

The overall tally now reaches 65,49,374 including 9,37,625 active cases, 55,09,967 recoveries and 1,01,782 deaths as per the Health Ministry data.

Apart from that, the Centre has said that the testing capacity in the country has been ramped up at a significant pace to reach over 7.7 crores in October from just one in January this year.

So far, more than 55 lakh people have recovered from the virus in India. The recovery rate is around 83% now.

The Health Ministry also said today that India’s COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 84.13%. It said there has been a steady improvement in the country’s recovery rate since lockdown initiation on March 25.

In another development, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination will be held today, after the Supreme Court refused to postpone it due to the virus outbreak. The exams will be allowed to be conducted as long as the safety guidelines are followed.

The UPSC was also told to ask the Delhi government and police personnel not to prevent any candidates from reaching the exam centre on Sunday even if the centres were located in containment zones.

-ARK

Panchayats in J&K to be a new model of equitable development: J&K LG

Manoj Sinha
File Photo: LG J&K Manoj Sinha

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Panchayats in J&K to be a new model of equitable development and growth, where people will decide their own priorities and administration will be the facilitator. No hollow announcements, will deliver what I promise, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha said

Sinha, while addressing a gathering at Nesbal village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, on the occasion of Back to Village-3 program, said, “I want the Socio-Economic growth of Jammu Kashmir to become an example, a benchmark, for other states of the country. It is my promise, and I will work day and night to ensure that J&K very soon becomes a shining example of equitable growth.”

He said that the farmers, artisans, labourers, start-ups, entrepreneurs, everyone will benefit from the ongoing and upcoming schemes. People will get services at doorsteps; grievance redressal and on-spot delivery of public services is going to be institutionalized, while timelines of projects will be strictly monitored and no undue delays will be tolerated.

While addressing a gathering of enthusiastic locals, the Lt Governor observed that the soul of ‘Back to Village’ lies with people’s participation. B2V is not merely a demand-delivery mechanism but a new development model; a mechanism to designate funds, functions, functionaries to the grassroots, Sinha added.

Speaking about youth welfare and empowerment, the Lt Governor underlined the need to change the narrative. “Proper opportunity to youth in sports, education, entrepreneurship, employment, and other fields will certainly open the door of development”, he added.

During the visit, the Lt Governor said that fruit production and allied activities including building storage facilities would be encouraged and accentuated in the region.

‘Works on four power stations are underway, which once completed, would greatly alleviate the power issues of the district. Similarly, directions have been passed to expedite 80 important projects and complete them in a time-bound manner’, remarked the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor observed that many works from earlier phases of Back to Village have either completed or are on the verge of completion. Sufficient review of the earlier phases and the observations have been considered while planning B2V3 to make it the best of the three.

“54 schemes and funds to the tune of Rs 2.5 crore per district and Rs 10 lakh per Panchayat has been earmarked to be delivered during the B2V3. Only the village should decide their priorities and works requiring immediate attention,” the LG stated

On the world-famous Wular Lake of the district, the Lt Governor said that experts have been consulted for the conservation and sustainability of the lake. “Financial and technical aspects of the project are about to be finalized and the work on it is to be started very soon to rejuvenate this world-famous tourist attraction,” he said.

On the overall development of J&K, the Lt Governor said that the government intends to route funds under various schemes to be utilized in consultation with panchayats to ensure that villages of J&K lead in quality of living, education, health, employment, and with respect to business growth indicators in the entire nation.

The Lt Governor said that a massive economic package has already been sanctioned for relief & revival of the business sector in J&K.

“The ill effects of COVID are being mitigated gradually and sincere efforts are being put to revitalize the incomplete projects to finish them at the earliest. The upcoming Industrial Policy, which will be among the best in the country, is also going to be announced soon which would significantly change the villages of J&K,” Manoj Sinha said.

Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, briefed the Lt Governor about the developmental indicators of the district. He informed that the first rural BPO of J&K has been established at Bandipora in February 2019.

While apprising the Lt Governor about the achievements being made during Jan Abhiyan, he informed that 100 per cent saturation of KCC has been achieved in the district with 53,499 registered farmers given benefits; around 1,06,000 Domicile Certificates were issued during Jan Abhiyan through Panchayat wise camps; Aadhaar seeding of 91 per cent ration cards in the district was completed; 27,000 students were given benefits of scholarships; 100 per cent saturation as per target achieved for the old-age pension and widow pension and 30 km of road length macadamized during the last 20 days with a total 120 km macadamized so far this year.

-CHK

COVID-19: 19 fatalities, 975 fresh positive cases take J&K tally to 78,228

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir today witnessed 19 deaths due to Covid-19, taking the total death toll in the union territory (UT) to 1,231 while 975 fresh positive cases take the tally of total cases to 78,228.

Officials said that among 975 new cases, 384 belong to Kashmir division while 591 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 47,071 including 39,455 recoveries and 855 deaths while total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 31,157 including 21,896 recoveries and 376 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 15,664 including 6,761 from Kashmir division and 8,885 from Jammu division.

With 1,399 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 61,351 which is 78.42 per cent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 150 from Srinagar, 43 from Budgam, 32 from Baramulla, 39 from Pulwama, 28 from Anantnag, 22 from Bandipora, 52 from Kupwara, 11 from Ganderbal, 05 from Kulgam and 03 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 591 from Jammu division include 403 from Jammu, 29 from Rajouri, 39 from Udhampur, 19 from Kathua, 11 from Doda, 30 from Samba, 32 from Poonch, 06 from Ramban, 13 from Reasi and 09 from Kishtiwar,” officials disclosed.

Notably, in the last 24 hours, 19 people who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died which includes 8 from Kashmir division and 11 from Jammu division.

As per the media bulletin, patients who have died include four from Srinagar and one each from Budgam, Pulwama, Bandipora and Kupwara in Kashmir division while 11 from Jammu division include four from Jammu district, three from Rajouri, two from Kishtiwar and one each from Kuthua and Doda.

As per officials figures, 15,376 positive cases including 299 deaths and 13,099 recoveries are from Srinagar, 5,023 including 86 deaths and 4,113 recoveries are from Budgam, 4,523 including 3,007 recoveries and 124 deaths are from Baramulla, 4,035 including 3,561 recoveries and 70 deaths are from Pulwama, 3,595 including 66 deaths and 3,067 recoveries are from Anantnag, 3,514 including 3,060 recoveries and 38 deaths are from Bandipora, 3,717 cases including 2,903 and 68 deaths are from Kupwara, 2,957 including 2,650 recoveries and 29 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,290 including 2,137 recoveries and 43 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,041 including 1,858 recoveries and 32 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 14,262 including 10,465 recoveries and 200 deaths are from Jammu district, 2,754 including 1,966 recoveries and 35 deaths are from Rajouri, 2,342 including 1,871 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Udhampur, 2,119 including 1,700 recoveries and 25 deaths are from Kathua, 2,271 including 1,317 recoveries and 33 deaths are from Doda, 1,832 including 1,135 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Samba, 1,842 including 901 recoveries and 16 deaths are from Poonch, 1,388 including  1,137 recoveries and 10 deaths are from Ramban, 1,023 including 685 recoveries and 06 deaths are from Reasi and 1,324 including 719 recoveries and 09 deaths are from Kishtwar.

As per the daily information bulletin, 5,89,383 people in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 21,523 people have been kept under home quarantine besides that 15,646 people are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 5,02,061 people have completed surveillance period and 48,922 people are under home surveillance. So far, results of 1,685,809 samples have been made available.

-CHK

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