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Coronavirus cases in Pakistan exceed 2.34 lakh; death toll tops 4,800

New Delhi (NVI): Pakistan reported 2,691 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the lowest in weeks, taking the nationwide tally to 2,34,283.

Meanwhile, 77 people lost their lives due to the deadly contagion, taking the total number of fatalities to 4,839.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 96,236 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 82,669 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 28,236 cases, Balochistan is at 10,841, Gilgit-Baltistan at 1,587, Islamabad at 13,557 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 1,383 cases so far, according to media reports.

A total of 1,34,957 patients have recovered from the disease so far, making it almost half of the total cases.

Meanwhile, in a significant step towards making Pakistan self-reliant in production of medical equipment, Prime Minister Imran Khan inaugurated the country’s first indigenous ventilators’ manufacturing facility, Dawn News reported.

-CHK

Nepal coronavirus tally crosses 16,000-mark

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New Delhi (NVI): Nepal’s coronavirus infection tally has crossed the 16,000-mark and stands at 16,168 today, with the confirmation of 204 new cases, according to local media reports.

The country’s Ministry of Health and Population said, 688 individuals recovered in the past 24 hours. A total of 7,499 or 46.4 percent of the total infected individuals are said to have returned home after recovering.

The ministry also said that, COVID-19 has spread to all 77 districts of the country.

Besides, four districts have no cases of coronavirus infection, the districts are Tehrathum, Bhojpur and Solukhumbu districts in Province 1, and Humla in Karnali Province.

So far, 261,861 PCR tests have been conducted across the country to detect the infection.

Meanwhile, 35 people have died due to the coronavirus in Nepal, which is among the lowest as compared to other countries.

-RJV

Govt plans to develop around 194 lighthouses to boost tourism in India

A lighthouse in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.

New Delhi (NVI): Union Minister of State for Shipping, Mansukh Mandaviya, today held a high level meeting, for developing around 194 existing lighthouses across India as major tourist attractions.

Mandaviya said it will boost the tourism activities in lighthouses surrounding areas and give an opportunity to know about the enriched history of these lighthouses.

A detailed action plan to develop lighthouses as tourism spots was presented. Mandaviya advised officials to identify the lighthouses which are more than a 100 years old.

He put impetus on creating museums to showcase the history and working of lighthouses, equipment used in lighthouse operations etc.

As per the master development plan of lighthouses, some key attractions are museums, aquarium, children play area and gardens, along with water bodies.

The minister also took stock of the progress for developing tourist activities at Gopnath, Dwarka and Veraval lighthouses of Gujarat.

The Union Minister further instructed the official to prepare a detailed presentation on the project at the earliest.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary, Shipping Ministry and Directorate General of Lighthouses and Lightships along with the other stakeholders.

-CHK

73 countries at risk of running out of HIV medicines due to Covid-19: WHO

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New Delhi (NVI): As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to impact health services across the world, the WHO has said that 73 countries are at the risk of running out of stocks of antiretroviral (ARV) medicines.

According to a new WHO survey conducted ahead of the International AIDS Society’s biannual conference, twenty-four countries reported having either a critically low stock of ARVs or disruptions in the supply of these life-saving medicines.

The survey follows a modeling exercise convened by WHO and UNAIDS in May which forecasted that a six-month disruption in access to ARVs could lead to a doubling in AIDS-related deaths in sub-Saharan Africa in 2020 alone.

“In 2019, an estimated 8.3 million people were benefiting from ARVs in the 24 countries now experiencing supply shortages.

This represents about one third (33%) of all people taking HIV treatment globally. While there is no cure for HIV, ARVs can control the virus and prevent onward sexual transmission to other people,” the WHO said in its report.

Coupled with limited access to health services within countries as a result of the pandemic, a failure of suppliers to deliver ARVs on time and a shut-down of land and air transport services, were among the causes cited for the disruptions in the survey.

“The findings of this survey are deeply concerning,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General adding that countries and their development partners must do all they can to ensure that people who need HIV treatment continue to access it. “We cannot let the COVID-19 pandemic undo the hard-won gains in the global response to this disease,” he said.

According to data released from UNAIDS and WHO, new HIV infections fell by 39 per cent between 2000 and 2019. HIV-related deaths fell by 51 per cent over the same time period, and some 15 million lives were saved through the use of antiretroviral therapy.

However, progress towards global targets is stalling. Over the last two years, the annual number of new HIV infections has plateaued at 1.7 million and there was only a modest reduction in HIV-related death, from 7,30,000 in 2018 to 6,90,000 in 2019.

Despite steady advances in scaling up treatment coverage – with more than 25 million people in need of ARVs receiving them in 2019 – key 2020 global targets will be missed.

Besides, HIV prevention and testing services are not reaching the groups that need them most and improved targeting of proven prevention and testing services will be critical to reinvigorate the global response to HIV.

WHO recently developed guidance for countries on how to safely maintain access to essential health services during the pandemic, including for all people living with or affected by HIV.

The guidance encourages countries to limit disruptions in access to HIV treatment through ‘multi-month dispensing’, a policy whereby medicines are prescribed for longer periods of time – up to six months. So far, 129 countries have adopted this policy.

In addition, countries are also mitigating the impact of the disruptions by working to maintain flights and supply chains, engaging communities in the delivery of HIV medicines, and working with manufacturers to overcome logistics challenges.

-RJV/ARK

India has lowest Covid-19 cases per million globally: WHO report

New Delhi (NVI): According to the World Health Organization (WHO) Situation Report published recently, India has one of the lowest cases of COVID-19 per million population. India’s cases per million population are at 505.37 while the global average is at 1453.25, the Ministry of Health said today.

Citing the WHO Situation Report, the Health Ministry said that the Latin American country Chile has witnessed 15,459.8 cases of Covid-19 per million population, while Peru 9070.8, US 8560.5, Brazil 7419.1 and Spain 5358.7.

Likewise, the UK has witnessed 651.4 cases of COVID-19 related deaths per million population.

The WHO Situation Report also shows that India has one of the lowest deaths per million population. India’s cases of death per million population is 14.27 while the global average is more than its four times, at 68.29.

Meanwhile, India has ramped up the hospital infrastructure to adequately and effectively manage the cases. The preparedness included arrangement of oxygen support, ICU and ventilator facilities. As on July 7, 2020, there are 1201 dedicated Covid Hospitals, 2611 dedicated Covid Healthcare Centres and 9,909 Covid Care Centres to look after Covid patients from those with very severe to very mild symptoms, the ministry said in a statement.

During the last 24 hours, a total of 15,515 Covid-19 patients have been cured, taking the cumulative figure of recovered cases among Covid-19 patients to 4,39,947 as of today.

The statement further said, “Coordinated efforts at all levels of the national and state governments for prevention, containment and management of COVID-19 are showing encouraging results with consistently increasing gap between recoveries and active cases. As on date, there are 1,80,390 recovered cases more than the active COVID-19 cases. The recovery rate among COVID-19 patients has increased to 61.13 per cent today.”

At present, there are 2,59,557 active cases and all are under medical supervision. During the last 24 hours, 2,41,430 samples have been tested. With this, the nationwide samples tested for COVID-19 stands at 1,02,11,092.

The ministry further said that the testing capacity has increased in the country, with 793 labs in the government sector and 322 private labs in the private sector. There are as many as 1,115 labs in the country.

Of these, 372 government labs and 226 private labs can conduct Real-Time RT PCR based testing.

Similarly, TrueNat based testing can be done by 388 government and 35 private labs and CBNAAT based testing can be conducted in 33 government and 61 private labs, the ministry added.

-RJV/ARK

Jailed Unitech promoter gets bail

New Delhi (NVI): The Supreme Court has granted interim bail to Unitech promoter Sanjay Chandra who has been in jail for 3 years for allegedly duping over 500 home buyers in proposed housing projects in Gurugram.

A bench headed by justice DY Chandrachud allowed Chandra’s plea where he had said that both his parents are Covid-19 positive and in hospital.

Chandra and his brother, Ajay, were sent to jail in 2017 in connection with a cheating case registered against them by investors in Wild Flower Country and Anthea housing projects.

Over 150 home buyers had lodged a criminal case against the firm in 2015 for its real estate projects, alleging that the builders had not delivered possession and cheated the public at large.

The Chandra bothers are lodged in Tihar jail.

-CHK

Here’s the State-wise distribution of Covid-19 cases in India

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New Delhi (NVI): Even as the number of samples tested for coronavirus in India has crossed the 10 million (1 crore) mark, the country continues to witness a surge in Covid-19 cases, with its overall position at number 3 globally now.

India has recorded over 7 lakh cases so far, with the overall tally at 7,19,665, according to the latest data by the Health Ministry. 22,252 fresh cases have been recorded since yesterday and the death toll has climbed to 20,160 with 467 new fatalities.

With 2,11,987 COVID-19 cases, Maharashtra has reported the highest number of infections, followed by Tamil Nadu (1,14,978), and Delhi (1,00,823).

Here are the total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 141

Andhra Pradesh- 20,019

Arunachal Pradesh- 270

Assam- 12,160

Bihar- 12,125

Chandigarh- 489

Chhattisgarh- 3,305

Dadar Nagar Haveli & Diu – 297

Delhi- 1,00,823

Gujarat- 36,772

Goa- 1,813

Haryana– 17,504

Himachal Pradesh- 1,077

Jammu and Kashmir- 8,675

Jharkhand- 2,847

Karnataka- 25,317

Kerala- 5,622

Ladakh- 1,005

Madhya Pradesh- 15,284

Maharashtra- 2,11,987

Manipur- 1,390

Meghalaya- 80

Mizoram- 197

Nagaland- 625

Odisha- 9,526

Puducherry- 802

Punjab- 6,491

Rajasthan- 20,688

Sikkim- 123

Tamil Nadu- 1,14,978

Telangana- 25,733

Tripura- 1,680

Uttarakhand- 3,161

Uttar Pradesh- 28,636

West Bengal – 22,987

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 239

Arunachal Pradesh- 2

Assam- 14

Bihar- 97

Chandigarh- 6

Chhattisgarh- 14

Delhi- 3,115

Goa- 7

Gujarat- 1,960

Haryana- 276

Himachal Pradesh- 11

Jammu and Kashmir- 138

Jharkhand- 20

Karnataka- 401

Kerala- 27

Ladakh- 1

Madhya Pradesh- 617

Maharashtra- 9,026

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 38

Puducherry- 12

Punjab- 169

Rajasthan- 461

Tamil Nadu- 1,571

Telangana- 306

Tripura- 1

Uttar Pradesh- 809

Uttarakhand- 42

West Bengal- 779

A total of 4,39,948 people have been cured or discharged, with 15,515 treated in the last 24 hours. Total active cases now stand at 2,59,557.

-ARK

Remote prefecture in Tibet connects with rest of China through Ngari Gunsa Airport

New Delhi (NVI): Ngari Gunsa airport, a dual-use military and civil airport constructed by China in Tibet Autonomous Region has now connected Ngari, a remote prefecture in the region to the rest of China, says a report by People’s Daily.

The development carries significance as it comes amid the ongoing stand-off between India and China over border row in Ladakh. Even as troops on both sides have stepped back at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), both the countries have spiked up efforts to boost border infrastructure in case of any emergency.

Ngari prefecture is home to over 1,20,000 permanent residents, covering an area of 3,04,000 square kilometers, according to the report. It is nicknamed the “top of the roof of the world” for its average altitude of over 4,500 meters. The airport is located t 14,002 feet which makes it among the highest in the world.

Shiquanhe township is the seat of the Ngari administrative office, which is over 1,300 kilometers from its nearest city, Hotan in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to the north, 1,400 kilometers from Tibet’s capital Lhasa, and 5,100 kilometers from Beijing.

Before the Ngari Gunsa Airport, roads were the major way of transportation for the people in Ngari to go to Hotan, and Tibet’s Shigatse and Lhasa before. The airport, southwest to Shiquanhe township, was officially put into operation in 2010, an executive at the airport was quoted as saying by the daily, adding that the trip to Lhasa would always take at least 40 hours.

The airport also shortens the travel time between Ngari and Lhasa from over 40 hours to two hours, and allows residents in the prefecture to arrive in China’s major cities within one day.

Although Ngari airbase is close to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the fighter jets deployed at such a high altitude can only carry limited war-loads and fuels.

In the worst ever flare-up of tensions between India and China at LAC since 1967, troops from both sides engaged in a violent clash with each other in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh on June that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers.

The two countries have engaged in military and diplomatic level talks in the past few weeks to normalise the situation along LAC.

Tibet is at the core of India’s ongoing border tensions with China as the region has witnessed years of oppression by Beijing. India has hosted the Dalai Lama, the Tibetan spiritual leader for years, apart from giving refuge to lakhs of Tibetans.

On Monday, the members of Tibetan government-in-exile celebrated the 85th birthday of the Dalai Lama at Dharamsala in Himachal Pradesh. Dharamsala also hosts the seat of Tibetan Government in exile.

-RJV/ARK

Odisha: Covid antigen tests to start at Ganjam, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack today

Subrat Kumar Sarangi

Bhubaneswar (NVI): With a surge in Covid-19 cases at hospitals and hotspot districts in Odisha, the State Government has planned to conduct rapid antigen tests at all containment zones and points of care at district level.

The district authorities in Ganjam are also set to roll out rapid antigen tests from today, as coronavirus cases in the district continue to increase day by day.

The authorities will also start door-to-door screening for urban areas, as teams have been formed with 200 members to carry out massive screening. Screening areas will be put to shutdown for 3-4 days as per requirement.

The state government has planned to procure about one lakh Standard Q Covid-19 Ag (antigen) detection kits out of which 5,000 kits have already arrived here and the other 20,000 kits are expected to reach in the next few days with the cost of each kit at Rs 450.

These kits have been developed by South Korean Company, S D Biosensor whose manufacturing unit is at Manesar, Gurugram.

Pradipta Kumar Mohapatra, Additional Chief Secretary to Health and Family Welfare department said that out of 5,000 antigen kits, 2,500 have been sent to Ganjam. 2,000 kits have been sent to SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack. The rest 500 kits have been kept for Bhubaneswar.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has advised all the states to go for the kits from the manufacturer. They said these kits come with an inbuilt testing device for sample collection.

Antigen tests are a useful tool for early diagnose of coronavirus infection and results of the tests will be known within 15-30 minutes, ICMR said.

-RJV/ARK

COVID-19: Out of 4 lakh tests in J&K, only 2.1 percent cases positive

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): In Jammu and Kashmir, at least 4 lakh people have been tested for coronavirus till date out of which 2.1 percent have tested positive, according to officials figures.

Figures available with the NVI suggest that in total 3,99,385 people were tested across J&K in the past 4 months. “Of the total tests done so far, only 2.1 per cent tested positive so far. This means the situation is not grim in J&K yet, but there is no room for complacency,” an official in the LG GC Murmu led administration said.

He said 3,90,956 samples have been tested as negative till July 5. The figure, he said excludes, the tests done at private clinics in J&K.

Director, Health Services Kashmir, Samir Mattoo said that nearly 1,80,000 people have been tested so far for COVID-19 in the Valley alone. “Six thousand among them tested positive,” he said. “Thank God, the situation is under control. thigs in Kashmir didn’t go the way they happened in Italy, US and China.”

He further added that the health department has intensified the sampling and testing over the last two days in Kashmir.

In Jammu region, close to 2.40 lakh tests have been conducted so far. Since Unlock-2, Covid positive cases have shown a steep surge in J&K as on an average 150 to 200 positive cases are being reported every day in the UT.

The pandemic also claimed lives of 139 people in J&K in the last 24 hours, of which 125 died in Kashmir and 14 in Jammu region.

According to the health experts, all those who died of coronavirus, were in the age group of 55 to 80 and 90 percent of them had underlying medical issues that include hypertension, Community Acquired Punemonia Disease(CoPD), Diabtes, Chest congestion, heart ailments and breathing issues.

Associate Professor at the Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, Nisarul Hassan said that despite Unlock-2, the Novel Coronavirus has been mild in J&K.

“There were apprehensions that when people would start coming out of their homes, go to offices, markets and other places after unlock-2, cases would show spurt and people may die on roads. But nothing of that sort has happened so far even though the virus is in the community already,” Hassan said.

He added that though there is an increase in the number of positive cases and death figures have slightly gone up, still the virus is not in its aggressive mode in the UT.

-CHK

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