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J&K records 17th death due to coronavirus

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A 55-year-old man from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, tested positive for the deadly virus a few days back, breathed his last at SKIMS, Soura in Srinagar, after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, according to health officials.

The union territory witnesses its 17th death due to the novel coronavirus, just a day after J&K reported three Covid-19 deaths in a single day.

Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Soura, Dr Farooq Ahmed Jan said that the deceased had tested positive for the virus a few days ago. “He died of a cardiac arrest early morning today,” he said, adding, “He had a cancer history as well.”

The total number of Covid-19 deaths in Jammu and Kashmir has now reached 17, of which 15 are from Kashmir and two are from the Jammu region.

Yesterday, J&K recorded three deaths, all from south Kashmir including two elderly men and a woman with a cancer history.

Meanwhile, hospital sources at SKIMS said that the body of today’s Covid victim is being dispatched to his native village in Rafiabad, Baramulla while following the guidelines. They said that only a few close relatives of the deceased will be allowed to participate in his funeral.

Coronavirus cases exceed 4.8 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases have now surpassed 4.8 million around the globe with the virus claiming more than 3,18,000 lives till now, according to John Hopkins University tally.

In the US, the total coronavirus infections has crossed 1.5 million with more than 90,000 casualties being reported as the country reopens.

The US has set aside USD 11 billion to ramp up coronavirus testing as the country reopens.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus is spreading fast in the most remote parts of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest among the indigenous people, that evacuation of the most seriously-ill patients by plane has to be carried out.

In another development, just one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there has been a worrying flare up of about 70 COVID-19 cases linked to schools

Morocco has extended its national lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus till June 10, according to media reports.

More than 1.7 million people have recovered or have been cured around the globe so far.

India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1 lakh, death toll at 3,163

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has increased to 1,01,139, while the death toll rose to 3,163, Union Health Ministry said today.

In the last 24 hours, 4,970 new COVID-19 cases and 134 deaths have been recorded, ministry said.

With 35,058 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains worst-affected states in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 11,760 cases and Gujarat with 11,745 cases.

Delhi reported 10,054 cases, including 168 deaths so far.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of deaths, 1249, followed by 694 in Gujarat, the Health Ministry data shows.

The other states with high number of cases are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the government has claimed that India’s coronavirus ratio is lowest in world. Besides, it has also said that the country’s recovery rate stood at 38.29 per cent at present.

So far, number of active cases stands at 58,802 and 39,173 people have been cured/discharged.

PM seeks advice for May 31 ‘Mann Ki Baat’

File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited “ideas” and “inputs” for his next episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on May 31 which also coincides with the end of lockdown 4.0.

It will be the 65th episode of the PM’s monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

“I look forward to your ideas and inputs for this month’s #MannKiBaat, which will take place on the 31st. You can: Record a message by dialing 1800-11-7800. Write on NaMo App or MyGov,” the PM tweeted.

On the last day of lockdown 4.0 i.e., on 31 May, PM Modi will talk to the people through the radio. During the lockdown period, for the third time, the PM will speak in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ with citizens.

The Central Government on Sunday gave an order to extend the lockdown by two weeks, till May 31.

Coronavirus cases in Afghanistan cross 7,000 as 408 more test positive

(Pic Courtesy: TOLO news)

New Delhi (NVI): At least 408 new coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 7,072 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

According to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, three people lost their lives over the past 24 hours and 23 more recovered.

Among the new COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, 162 were recorded in Kabul, 95 in Herat, 31 in Balkh, 20 in Takhar, 19 in Khost, 18 in Parwan, 15 in Paktia.

In addition to this, 7 cases were recorded in Logar, 8 in Wardak, 6 in Baghlan, 1 in Laghman, 5 in Ghor, 3 in Kunduz, 3 in Panjshir, 2 in Kapisa, 4 in Paktika, 4 in Kunar and 5 in Daikundi.

Meanwhile, the Afghan health officials again called on people in the country to take the virus seriously to curb its further spread, as per media reports.

At least 23,497 people have been tested for coronavirus in the country, the ministry said.

So far, 801 patients have been cured or discharged, while 173 died from the pandemic.

UK to invest $159 mn for Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing

New Delhi (NVI): The United Kingdom has announced an investment of USD 159.80 million (£131 million) to further boost coronavirus vaccine development and manufacturing, the British High Commission said today.

The funding has been announced by the UK to accelerate the construction of the new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) and to establish a rapid deployment facility for vaccine manufacturing this summer, BHC said in a statement.

The additional funding for the VMIC will ensure it opens in Summer 2021, a full 12 months ahead of schedule, it said.

“The not-for-profit Centre is a key component of the UK’s coronavirus vaccine programme, ensuring that once a vaccine is available it can be produced quickly and in mass quantities. Not only will the VMIC boost the UK’s long-term capacity against future viruses, it will also accelerate the production of vaccines for existing illnesses such as the flu virus,” BHC said in a statement.

While the Centre is being built, the rapid deployment facility will open this summer and will support efforts to ensure a vaccine is widely available as soon as possible.

Apart from that, the UK has separately announced new funding of £84 million for vaccines being developed by the University of Oxford and Imperial College London.

UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “As the biggest contributor to the international coalition to find a vaccine, the UK is leading the global response. Once a breakthrough is made, we need to be ready to manufacture a vaccine by the millions. The new Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre and temporary facility will build ‘fill and finish’ capacity, bringing the UK vaccine programme together from discovery to distribution.”

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: “This latest investment reaffirms the UK’s global commitment to fight this pandemic. We will continue to work closely with our international partners, including here in India, to find a vaccine and ensure it is rapidly available at scale. As the Prime Minister has said, the search for a coronavirus vaccine is the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.”

Covid-19: J&K records 3 deaths in a single day, 106 new positive cases

Over 3,200 cops COVID positive in J&K and 15 succumbed to virus
File photo

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory today witnessed three Covid-19 deaths amid yet another spike in the coronavirus cases as 106 more people tested positive, taking the UT’s tally to 1,189.

Officials said that 106 patients were tested positive for Covid-19 since the last update in J&K that includes 94 from Kashmir division and 12 from Jammu division. Among the new cases are 55 cops including a police officer and five medicos as well.

Dr Salim Khan, Nodal officer for COVID-19 at GMC Srinagar said that a 75-year old male patient from Hillar area of Kokernag in Anantnag district, a 65-year-old female patient from Souch area of Kulgam and a 75-year-old lady from Kokernag, Anantnag died at CD hospital. “All the three deceased were positive for Covid-19,” the doctor said.

He said that the 75-year-old man from Kokernag, Anantnag was admitted to SMHS where he was tested positive and later shifted to CD hospital where his latest reports also came positive for COVID-19.

He said that a 65-year-old female from South Kashmir’s Kulgam was admitted in Surgical ICU at SMHS hospital as a case of Sub Dural Hemorrhage (SDH) and was shifted to CD hospital after her reports came positive and she died instantly after admitting her at CD hospital due to cardiac arrest.

He said that the third victim, a woman from Kokernag, Anantnag had a last stage thyroid cancer and was admitted in SMHS from where she was shifted to CD hospital after her reports came positive for COVID-19. With the fresh three deaths in a day, a total number of Covid-19 deaths in UT has reached 16, of which two took place in Jammu and 14 in Kashmir.

As per officials figures, 173 positive cases including two deaths and 61 recoveries are from Anantnag, 169 including five deaths and 96 recoveries are from Srinagar, 159 including one death and 9 recoveries are from Kulgam, 137 including and 128 recoveries are from Bandipora, 119 including 81 recoveries are from Baramulla, 109 including 75 recoveries are from Shopian, 101 including 48 recoveries are from Kupwara, 58 including 30 recoveries are from Budgam, 24 including 15 recoveries are from Ganderbal and 17 including 6 recoveries are from Pulwama.

In Jammu division, 47 including 27 recoveries and one death are from Jammu district, 34 including 1 recovery is from Kathua, 26 including 1 death and 1 recovery is from Udhampur, 24 including 1 recovery is from Ramban, 13 including 6 recoveries from Samba, 7 including 4 recoveries from Rajouri, 3 each from Poonch and Reasi with 1 recovery in Reasi, 3 from Kishtwar including 1 recovery and 1 from Doda.

As per the daily information bulletin, 1,14,788 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while as 29,208 persons have been kept under home quarantine. Besides, 665 persons are in hospital isolation while as 89 persons are under hospital quarantine.

According to the bulletin, 66,511 persons have completed the surveillance period and 18,300 persons are under home surveillance.

So far, results of 88,601 samples are available out of which 87,312 stand negative while 1,289 have been tested positive. Among the positive cases, 665 are active and 609 persons have recovered and 15 persons have died.

J&K to get Ola, Uber type radio taxi service soon

Representational Image (Twitter)

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir government today said that radio taxi service on patterns of Ola and Uber will soon be started across the Union Territory, in order to strengthen the public transport system in the UT.

Unlike the rest of the country, there are no radio taxi services like Ola and Uber in J&K.

The decision to introduce radio taxis in UT was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by the Principal Secretary Transport, Asgar Samoon here.

“He stated that radio taxi service shall ensure better transport facility with safety of passengers besides creating employment avenues for locals. Samoon said that technocrats, drivers, owners of taxis and auto-rickshaws will be roped in this service, which will be operated through a Google-enabled app on patterns of Ula and Uber services,” an official spokesman said.

Samoon, according to the official spokesman said that Taxi service rules have been notified already and all related work is in progress to launch it soon in J&K.

The spokesman said that directions were also passed by the Principal Secretary to the management of SRTC to ensure early procurement of new buses including electric-ones.

“Samoon asked them to deploy bus services on various routes including Gurez, Ladakh and other remote areas to ensure better transport facility to the travelers,” an official statement read.

At the outset, the Principal Secretary while taking a detailed review of Road Safety Funds emphasized on the deployment of all safety equipment including 110 bikes procured last year.

“This year with the delay in the tendering process, Samoon said that an amount of Rs. 10 crore as Road Safety Fund will be released to DCs Rs 50 lakh each for road safety management in their districts.  He instructed for use of radons, identification of black sports, installation of cameras and other necessary equipment to avoid the occurrence of accidents across the J&K,” the official statement said.

Lockdown 4.0: List of activities allowed and not allowed till May 31

(Source: Twitter @DCPSouthDelhi)

New Delhi (NVI): With the Centre extending lockdown for two more weeks till May 31 to curb the spread of coronavirus, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has laid new guidelines for the activities permitted and prohibited across the country.

Only “essential services” will be permitted in containment zones but for the rest of India, regardless of the colour classification of districts, all activities other than those specifically prohibited will now be allowed, subject to physical distancing norms.

MHA has also said that the onus is on the state governments to decide various zones, taking into consideration parameters shared by the Health Ministry.

List of activities permitted with restrictions, except in containment zones:

  • Inter-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, with mutual consent of the state(s)/UT(s) involved.
  • Intra-state movement of passenger vehicles and buses, as decided by the states and UTs.
  • Movement of stranded people including migrants, students allowed
  • Movement of stranded Indians abroad to continue
  • Shops and markets to open with staggered timings, so as to ensure social distancing
  • Opening up of sports activities only for sportsperson – spectators will not be allowed in these complexes

List of activities that will remain prohibited throughout the lockdown:

  • All domestic and international air travel of passengers, except for domestic medical services, domestic air ambulance and for security purposes or purposes as permitted by MHA.
  • Metro rail services
  • Schools, colleges, educational/training/coaching institutions etc will remain closed. Online/distance learning shall continue to be permitted and shall be encouraged.
  • Hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services, except those meant for housing health/police/ government officials/healthcare workers/stranded persons including tourists and for quarantine facilities and running of canteens at bus depots, railway stations and airports. Restaurants shall be permitted to operate kitchens for home delivery of food items.
  • All cinema halls, shopping malls, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theaters, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls and similar places. Sports complexes and stadiums will be permitted to open; however, spectators will not be allowed.
  • All social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/religious functions/other gatherings and large congregations.
  • All religious places/places of worship shall be closed for public. The religious congregation are strictly prohibited.

Night curfew:

The movement of individuals shall remain strictly prohibited between 7 pm to 7 am, except for essential activities.

Cyclone Amphan: PM reviews preparations; 25 NDRF teams deployed

(Updating earlier copy)

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi today chaired a high-level meeting with MHA and NDRF to review the response measures against cyclone ‘Amphan’ developing in the Bay of Bengal.

“Prime Minister took full stock of the situation and reviewed the response preparedness as well as the evacuation plan presented by the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF),” the PMO said in a statement.

During the presentation of the response plan, DG NDRF informed that 25 NDRF teams have been deployed on the ground while 12 others are ready in reserve. 24 other NDRF teams are also on standby in different parts of the country, PMO said.

The meeting was attended by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Principal Advisor to Prime Minister- PK Sinha, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, besides other senior officers from the Government.

The meeting was held at 4 PM today in view of the approaching cyclone ‘Amphan’, which may highly affect coastal areas in West Bengal, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

At this time, when the country is already under an extended lockdown to tackle the spread of Covid-19, it will be a challenging task for the government in these states as well as NDMA, to evacuate people from coastal areas.

The cyclone had already intensified into a ‘Super Cyclonic Storm’ at 11:30 am today. “The Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm ‘AMPHAN’ (pronounced as UM-PUN) intensified into Super Cyclonic Storm at 1130 IST of today, the 18th May, 2020,” IMD tweeted earlier today.


Apart from this, IMD has issued a weather warning for West Bengal and north Odisha coasts. The cyclonic storm is expected to make landfall in Bengal on Wednesday.

Earlier, MHA also issued a warning, saying that the cyclone will hit West Bengal and Bangladesh coasts as a ‘very severe cyclone’ with wind speed up to 185km per hour on Wednesday.

IMD had issued a yellow alert yesterday. The cyclone is likely to cross West Bengal and Bangladesh by May 20 evening, IMD said. Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal are likely to be affected while Odisha also braces for a severe storm. IMD has also predicted heavy rainfall in these areas and 12 coastal districts are on alert.

Twelve coastal districts in Odisha— Ganjam, Gajapti, Puri, Jagatsinghpur, Kendrapara, Bhadrak, Balasore, Mayurbhanj, Jajpur, Cuttack, Khurda and Nayagarh—are on high alert.

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