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Army officer, soldier killed in avalanche in north Sikkim

(Representational Image)

New Delhi (NVI): A Lieutenant Colonel and a soldier lost their lives yesterday after a patrolling cum snow clearance party came under a heavy avalanche in north Sikkim, Army said today.

The deceased officer has been identified as Lieutenant Colonel Robert TA and Sapper Shanmukha Rao.

“Inspite of the best efforts of the rescue team and local formation an officer Lieutenant Colonel Robert TA and Sapper/ OPEM Sapala Shanmukha Rao who were trapped under the ice lost their lives,” Army said in a statement, adding that all other members of the team are safe.

The two personnel were part of an 18-member group that came under the avalanche.

Army soldier tests Covid positive

Amshipora encounter

New Delhi (NVI): An Indian Army soldier has been tested positive for Covid-19 at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi, Defence spokesperson said.

The affected area of Sena Bhawan has been closed for sanitisation and disinfection, he said.

Action as per protocol such as contact tracing and quarantine are in progress, he added.

On April 28, an employee working at NITI Aayog Bhavan in the National Capital was tested positive for COVID-19 and the building was sealed for disinfection and sanitisation.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

New Delhi (NVI): After the first confirmed coronavirus case in India, which was reported in the state of Kerala on January 30, the virus has tightened its grip across the country, with Maharashtra, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh being the most affected states.

The country has now entered the last week of the third phase of the nationwide lockdown that is slated to end on May 17. The total number of confirmed cases have been reported at 81,970 with 2,649 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 2,205

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 87

Bihar- 994

Chandigarh- 191

Chhattisgarh- 60

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 8,470

Gujarat- 9,591

Goa- 14

Haryana– 818

Himachal Pradesh- 74

Jammu and Kashmir- 983

Jharkhand- 197

Karnataka- 987

Kerala- 560

Ladakh- 43

Madhya Pradesh- 4,426

Maharashtra- 27,524

Manipur- 3

Meghalaya- 13

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 611

Puducherry- 13

Punjab- 1,935

Rajasthan- 4,534

Tamil Nadu- 9,674

Telangana- 1,414

Tripura- 156

Uttarakhand- 78

Uttar Pradesh- 3,902

West Bengal – 2,377

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 48

Assam- 1

Bihar- 7

Chandigarh- 3

Delhi- 115

Gujarat- 586

Haryana- 11

Himachal Pradesh- 2

Jammu and Kashmir- 11

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 35

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 237

Maharashtra- 1,019

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 3

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 32

Rajasthan- 125

Tamil Nadu- 66

Telangana- 34

Uttar Pradesh- 88

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 215

A total of 27,920 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 51,401 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

International Day of Families 2020: Importance of a family amid COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): May 15 is celebrated as ‘International Day of Families’ every year. ‘Family’ is one word, but there are many emotions attached to it.

This year, the day resonates amid the current coronavirus pandemic, as people realise the importance of their families in these tough times.

This year’s theme is ‘Families in Development: Copenhagen & Beijing+25’.

“This year’s 25th anniversary of Copenhagen Declaration and Beijing Platform for Action comes at a time of one of the most challenging global health and social crises,” the UN said in a statement.

UN said that the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic brings into sharp focus the importance of investing in social policies protecting the most vulnerable individuals and families.

“It is the families who bear the brunt of the crisis, sheltering their members from harm, caring for out-of-school children and, at the same time, continuing their work responsibilities,” it said.

The Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 and reflects the importance the international community attaches to families.

Every year, this day is observed to celebrate and spread awareness about the benefits of the family systems to the masses.

The day is being marked as Family Day since 1995 to celebrate the importance of families, people, societies and cultures around the world.

Each year, this day is also used as a platform to highlight the various issues plaguing families around the globe and the necessary measures that can be taken to resolve these issues.

According to the United Nations (UN), “This day provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.”

The symbol for the International Day of Families consists of a solid green circle with an image in red. The image consists of elements of simple drawings of a heart and a house. It indicates that families are the center of society and provide a stable and supporting home for people of all ages.

Coronavirus death toll surges past 3 lakh globally

New Delhi (NVI): The death toll due to the coronavirus contagion has now surpassed three lakh globally while the number of infections has crossed 4.4 million, according to John Hopkins University tally.

The number of coronavirus cases in Russia has surpassed 250,000, but daily new infections fell below 10,000 for the first time in nearly two weeks.

First coronavirus case has been detected in a Rohingya refugee in the sprawling camps in southern Bangladesh, according to the officials.

Slovenia today officially called an end to its coronavirus epidemic, becoming the first European country to do so.

In the US, more than 1.4 million cases have now been recorded with the death toll standing at over 85,000.

In addition to this, nearly three million laid-off workers in the US have applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the total, since coronavirus shutdowns began two months ago, to over 36 million.

A WHO modelling study indicates the coronavirus could kill 150,000 people in Africa and infect 231 million people in a year unless urgent action is taken.

Authors of the research say even though many African nations have been swift to adopt containment measures, health systems could still quickly become overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, about 1.6 million people have recovered.

Covid-19 cases in India climb to 81,970, death toll at 2,649

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 81,970 and fatalities from the virus have gone up to 2,649, according to the Union Health Ministry.

In the last 24 hours, 3,967 new coronavirus cases reported in the country.

In Maharashtra, the Covid-19 cases climbed to 27,524, followed by Tamil Nadu that has 9,674 cases and Gujarat with 9,591 cases so far.

The state of Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of deaths, as many as 1,019, which is followed by Gujarat (586) and Madhya Pradesh (237), according to the Health Ministry data.

At least 8,470 people in the national capital have been infected with coronavirus.

The other worst affected states are Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, ministry said.

Meanwhile, the total number of samples tested for the virus stood at 19,47,041 at last count.

Apart from this, the Maharashtra government is most likely to extend the lockdown in the state till May 31 even as the Centre is yet to make an announcement of extension.

At least 27,919 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

J&K to get Anti Narcotics Task Force soon

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The Jammu and Kashmir administration, led by Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu, today accorded sanction to set up first-ever Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in the UT to tackle the menace of drug abuse and drug trafficking.

J&K Home Department issued an order to announce the setting up of the ANTF.

The order read that the sanction has been accorded to set up Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) under the overall superintendence and control of the Inspector General of Police, Crime, Jammu and Kashmir.

The Home Department has also created one post of Superintendent of Police, two posts of Deputy Superintendents of Police, nine posts of Inspectors, eighteen posts of Sub Inspectors, eighteen posts of Assistant Sub Inspectors and fifty-two posts of selection grade constables and constables, who will all be part of ANTF.

The Home Department in its order has further stated that it shall be ensured that 50 per cent of Sub Inspectors to be posted to the new force shall be direct recruits.

A police spokesman said that J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh has thanked LG Murmu for the creation of ANTF on the police proposal, stating that the Force will help in fighting the drug menace in the UT.

“This will be yet another special wing within the police department to deal with the crimes related to drugs and their trafficking,” the spokesman said in a statement.

India committed to maintain peace on border with China: MEA on LAC face-off

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): India today said that it remains committed to the objective of maintaining peace and tranquility in the India-China border areas, days after face-offs between Indian and Chinese soldiers.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said that such face-offs could have been avoided if both sides had a common perception of LAC (Line of Actual Control).

“Occasionally however on account of difference in perception of the alignment of the Line of Actual Control (LAC), situations have arisen on the ground that could have been avoided if we had a common perception of the LAC,” he said.

To recall, Indian and Chinese troops clashed with each other on May 5 in Pangong Tso area in Eastern Ladakh.

There was a similar face-off four days later near Naku La pass in North Sikkim. Some soldiers from both sides had sustained minor injuries in the clash.

Responding to media queries on the developments on LAC, the MEA spokesperson also referred to the informal summits between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Wuhan (2018) and in Chennai (2019).

He said that the two leaders had reaffirmed that both sides will continue to make efforts to ensure peace and tranquility in the border areas. “This is essential for the overall development of the bilateral relations,” he added.

“The two leaders had also directed their militaries to earnestly implement various confidence building measures agreed upon between the two sides, including the principle of mutual and equal security, and strengthen existing institutional arrangements and information sharing mechanisms to prevent incidents in border regions. As a result, India-China border has largely been peaceful,” Srivastava said.

The MEA spokesman added that the two sides have established mechanisms to resolve such situations as and when they arise including Border Personnel Meeting, Flag Meetings, and Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs as well as diplomatic channels.

Indian and Chinese soldiers have clashed with each other in the past as well. In 2017, Indian and Chinese troops were locked in a 73-day standoff in Doklam after the Indian side stopped the construction of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army.

Pregnant woman among 12 new Covid cases in J&K, tally at 983

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A pregnant woman is among 12 people who tested positive for the novel Coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the total number of cases in the UT to 983, officials said.

They said that among the new 12 cases, nine tested positive in Kashmir and three in Jammu division. The officials said that five cases were tested positive at SKIMS, four at Lal Path Lab and three at Government Medical College Jammu.

The officials said that new positive cases include a 25-year-old pregnant lady from Handwara area of north Kashmir, who had visited SDH Sopore for gynecological consultation, a few days before where her samples were taken.

The government said that 19 patients, who were earlier tested positive, were discharged from various hospitals. Of the total 983 cases in J&K, 882 are from Kashmir and 101 from Jammu region.

The Bulletin further said that out of 63,515 test results available, 62,532 samples have tested as negative till May 14, 2020.

Besides, till date, 10,3290 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 26,603 persons in home quarantine, including facilities operated by government, 152 in hospital quarantine, 487 in hospital isolation and 12,383 under home surveillance. Besides, 63,654 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the bulletin said that Bandipora has 134 positive cases with 16 active cases, 117 recovered (including 09 recoveries today), 1 death; Srinagar has 142 positive cases (including 05 reported today) with 54 active, 84 recovered, 4 deaths; Anantnag district has 145 positive cases with 121 positive cases, 23 recovered (including 06 recoveries today), 1 death; Baramulla has 110 positive cases with 50 active, 57 recovered, 3 deaths; Shopian has 107 positive cases (including 2 new cases reported today) with 47 active cases, 60 recovered.

Kupwara has 83 positive cases with 38 active, 45 recovered; Budgam has 52 positive cases with 34 active and 18 recovered cases (including 4 recoveries today); Ganderbal has 23 positive cases with 9 active cases and 14 recoveries; Kulgam has 72 positive cases with 66 active and  6 recoveries; Pulwama has 14 positive cases (including 1 case reported today) with 10 active, 4 recovered.

In Jammu region, district Jammu has 38 positive cases with 11 active cases and 26 recoveries and 1 death; Udhampur has 23 positive cases (including 1 reported today) with 3 active cases, 19 recovered and 1 death; Samba has 11 positive cases with 7 active and 4 recoveries; Rajouri has 4 positive cases who all have recovered; Kathua has 17 positive cases with 16 active and 1 recovered; Kishtwar had only 1 positive case who has recovered; Ramban has 4 positive cases (including 3 reported today) with 3 active and 1 recovered while Reasi has 3 positive cases with 2 active cases and 1 recovered today.

The Bulletin said that the breakup represents districts from which the patients have been traced or are ordinarily residing.

As per the bulletin, the public in general has been informed that smokers are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection. “Stop smoking now; the act of smoking means that fingers (and possibly contaminated cigarettes) are in contact with lips which increase the possibility of transmission of virus from hand to mouth, smokers may also already have lung disease or reduced lung capacity which would greatly increase risk of serious illness, smoking products such as water pipes often involve the sharing of mouthpieces and hoses, which could facilitate the transmission of COVID-19 and conditions that increase oxygen needs or reduce the ability of the body to use it properly will put patients at higher risk of serious lung conditions such as pneumonia,” the bulletin said.

“The best way to protect yourself against COVID-19 is by maintaining physical distance of at least 2 metre from others and frequently cleaning your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water”, it read.

413 new COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan, tally hits 5,639

Representational Image (Credit: TOLO News)

New Delhi (NVI): At least 413 new coronavirus cases have been reported in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, taking the tally of total Covid-19 cases to 5,639 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

Among the new cases, 188 have been reported in Kabul, 34 in Kandahar, 35 in Ghazni, 30 in Nangarhar, 24 in Balkh, 25 in Baghlan, 20 in Samangan, 15 in Paktia, 9 in Wardak, 7 in Logar, 5 in Nimruz, 5 in Laghman, 2 in Panjshir, 1 in Faryab, 3 in Zabul, 4 in Paktika, 5 in Sar-e-Pul and 1 in Nuristan.

Meanwhile, Afghan capital Kabul is still one of the worst hotspots for COVID-19.

In the past 24 hours, four people have died, bringing the death toll to 136, as per media reports.

Over 19,732 samples have been tested so far, which analysts say is too low a number when compared to the country’s population.

So far, 691 patients have been cured or discharged across the country.

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