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Coronavirus cases reach 13,770 in Bangladesh

(Image source: United News of Bangladesh)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of deaths from coronavirus continues to rise in Bangladesh as 8 more people died during the period, taking the total casualties in the country to 214.

Besides, a whopping 636 new cases of coronavirus infection were reported during this period, raising the number of such cases in the country to 13,770, according to United News of Bangladesh.

Across the country, there are 615 institutions currently ready to accommodate around 30,955 people for institutional quarantine.

So far, a total of 2,414 people have recovered from the deadly virus.

In addition to this, second batch of 129 Indians, stranded in Bangladesh due to the coronavirus-linked global travel restrictions, left for home today on board a special Air India flight.

The evacuation flight carrying the Indian students from Dhaka will land in Delhi directly.

Taiwan donates 1 mn face masks to India

New Delhi (NVI) Taiwan has provided one million face masks to India to help protect frontline medical personnel, reflecting the spirit of “Taiwan can help! And Taiwan is helping” and calling for greater international cooperation.

The masks were brought to India by a special chartered flight on May 4, 2020, and were handed over by Taipei Economic and Cultural Center in India Ambassador Chung-Kwang Tien to Neel Kamal Singh, Deputy Secretary-General of Indian Red Cross Society on May 8 at a ceremony.

Taiwan’s first large-scale humanitarian assistance initiative was launched in April in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

Taiwan has so far donated nearly 25.5 million face masks and other medical supplies to the United States, European Union member states, other European nations, diplomatic allies, 18 countries across Indo-Pacific and some African and Middle East countries.

“Taiwan has shown to the world that due to the preemptive preparations, the right policy implemented by the Government, the trust established by the people towards the Government and the lesson learned after the 2003 SARS, Taiwan has been recognized and praised greatly by international communities and countries around the world in terms of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tien said.

He complimented the extraordinary efforts made by the Indian Government in curtailing the spread of COVID-19 and also conveyed Taiwan’s concern and best wishes to the Government and Indian citizens.

The Ambassador expressed strong confidence that India will prevail over the challenges and restore momentum and economic growth, the Government of Taiwan will continue to evaluate the evolution of the pandemic, its domestic demand, and situations of friendly countries to make a further timely contribution to the international community.

Deputy Secretary-General Singh commended that Taiwan has set a norm in epidemic prevention and containing.

He also expressed a deep appreciation for Taiwan’s timely donation and guaranteed that Indian Red Cross Society will properly allocate the masks to frontline medical personnel to help protect them during combating the pandemic.

253 new COVID-19 cases in Afghanistan, tally hits 4,033

New Delhi (NVI): Afghanistan witnessed a rise in coronavirus cases with 253 new cases, taking the overall tally to 4,033 across the country, according to Afghan media reports

In the last 24 hours, six COVID-19 patients died, bringing the total deaths in the country to 115.

Of the 253 new cases, 71 were reported in Herat, 43 in Balkh, 39 in Nangarhar, 24 in Takhar, 22 in Jawzjan, 16 in Paktia, 11 in Laghman, 11 in Kunduz, 8 in Ghazni, 4 in Kabul, 4 in Bamiyan, 1 in Panjshir, 1 in Kunar and 10 in Nuristan.

Meanwhile, Public Health Minister Ferozuddin Feroz, who tested positive for COVID-19 is in very good condition, as per media reports.

He said that there are now 3,230 beds available across 34 provinces, referring to increased health capacity.

Over 15,560 samples have been tested so far, which analysts say is too low a number when compared to the country’s population.

So far, 502 patients have been cured or discharged across the country.

India unlikely to be hit as bad as some developed nations: Minister

New Delhi (NVI): India is unlikely to see a situation that has been witnessed in the developed nations badly hit by coronavirus but preparations have been made for the worst situation, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said today.

He said the COVID fatality rate in India is as low as 3.3 per cent, while the recovery rate has risen to 29.9 per cent, which are very good indicators.

India has so far reported 59,662 cases of COVID-19, of which 17,847 patients have recovered while 1,981 have died.

“The fatality rate in the country is around is 3.3 per cent and recovery rate is 29.9 per cent. As of yesterday, there were 2.41 per cent active COVID-19 patients in ICU,” Vardhan said.

He said the testing capacity has also increased in the country, which is 95,000 tests per day with 332 government laboratories and 121 private laboratories. Cumulatively, 15,25,631 tests have been conducted so far, the minister said.

He said appropriate measures are being taken to combat COVID-19 and with the collaborative efforts of both the Centre and States.

In addition, the Centre is extending support by providing sufficient number of masks and Personal Protective Equipments, Ventilators etc. to the States/ UTs/Central Institutions, the Union Minister said.

Vardhan, while reviewing COVID-19 management in the eight states of North East through video conferencing, advised them to ensure that the returning migrant labourers and those returning from abroad are screened and quarantined as per the guidelines by Ministry of Health.

He said four states — Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya — have not reported new cases in the last 28 days, leaving only Assam and Tripura with active cases.

Yesterday, Joint Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said people must learn to start living with coronavirus. He added that preventive guidelines against the virus need to be implemented as behavioral changes.

Pakistan eases lockdown partially even as COVID-19 cases spike

COVID-19: Pakistan imposes mini-lockdown in Islamabad

New Delhi (NVI): Provincial governments of Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan announced partial easing of lockdown measures imposed to curb the spread of the virus, even as coronavirus cases surged to a record high in the last 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the total number of positive cases of coronavirus increased by more than 1,500, taking the total cases to 28,554 with at least 623 fatalities being recorded so far.

Looking at the breakdown of cases, Sindh province has reported 10,771 coronavirus cases, highest among all the provinces, while Punjab has 10,471 positive cases.

On the other hand, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa has recorded 4,327 cases, Balochistan is at 1,876, Gilgit-Baltistan at 421, Islamabad at 609 and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is at 79 cases so far, according to Geo News.

Over 7,500 patients have recovered from the deadly virus so far.

Minorities equally contributing in the fight against COVID-19: Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi

New Delhi (NVI): More than 1,500 Health Care Assistants, who have been trained under skill development programme of Minority Affairs Ministry, are assisting in treatment and well-being of Corona patients, Union Minister for Minority Affairs, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi today said.

Naqvi said, “These Health Care Assistants include 50 per cent girls who are helping in treatment of coronavirus patients in various hospitals and health care centres across the country.

He further added that this year, more than 2,000 other Health Care Assistants will be trained by the Minority Affairs Ministry. The Ministry is providing one-year training through various health organisations and reputed hospitals of the country.

The Union Minister said that different waqf boards across the country have contributed Rs 51 crore in PM and CM relief funds with the support of various religious, social and educational organisations. Waqf boards are also distributing food and other essential commodities among the needy.

In addition to this, 16 Haj Houses across the country have been given to state governments for quarantine and isolation facilities for the virus affected people. Various state governments are utilising the facilities at these Haj Houses according to their needs.

Naqvi further informed that face masks have been prepared on a large scale under SeekhoAurKamao skill development program of the Minority Affairs Ministry. The Ministry will also launch “JaanBhi, Jahan Bhi” awareness campaign to make the people aware of social distancing and other guidelines for safety from Corona.

Coronavirus cases in Nepal rise to 109

New Delhi (NVI): Nepal has confirmed 7 new coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 109 across the country, according to local media reports

The Ministry of Health and Population spokesperson said that 3 new patients have been confirmed in Bhulke of Udayapur, 3 in Kapilvastu, and one in Chhapkaiya, Birgunj of Parsa district this morning.

These new cases include 3 women and 4 men aged between 17 and 65 years.

The health condition of everyone is normal and is under medical observation, as per the ministry report.

Meanwhile, Nepal is among the countries that has the least number of cases of the deadly coronavirus.

So far, the number of patients cured and discharged stands at 30 but 3 of them have tested positive again.

Fact Check: Audio about govt providing Rs 3 lakh for every COVID patient is fake

Health Ministry
Representative Image

New Delhi (NVI): An audio message is being circulated on social media claiming that the Central Government is giving Rs 3 lakh for every COVID-19 positive patient to the state governments, is a fake message.

The Fact Check Unit of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) said that it has clarified with the Ministry of Health in this regard and it is to be informed that no such scheme has been announced by the Centre.

PIB, through its Fact Check twitter handle retweeted @ROBChandigarh tweet and said, the claim made is false and baseless.

The tweet read, “Claim: An audio message is shared on social media claiming that central govt is giving Rs 3 lakh per #COVID19 patient to State Govts to look after patient.

#FactCheck: Claim made is FALSE & Baseless. @MoHFW_INDIA has clarified that there is No such scheme by Central Govt.”

 

PIB has initiated a Fact Check handle to check such viral fake messages. One can also submit such messages or claims on PIB’s official website.

CBDT spells out residential status for NRIs due to lockdown

New Delhi (NVI): The lockdown period will not be counted to determine the residency status of NRIs, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said today.

Since the lockdown was announced in India and flight operations were suspended, NRIs who came to the country before the lockdown, do not have an option to return till travel restrictions are lifted.

However, the number of days they stay in India decides their liability of income-tax compliance, stated in recent amendments introduced by the Finance Act 2020 related to the tax residency rules can be a concern for some NRIs, CBDT in a statement said.

In order to mitigate the hardships of these individuals, the CBDT has issued the order under section 119 of the Act with this Circular, it added.

It said various representations have been received stating that there are a number of individuals who had come on a visit to India during the previous year 2019-20 for a particular duration and intended to leave India before the end of the previous year for maintaining their status as a non-resident.

In respect of an individual who has come to India on a visit before 22nd March, 2020, the circular stated the following:

a. Has been unable to leave India on or before 31st March 2020, his period of stay in India from 22nd March, 2020 to 31st March, 2020 shall not be taken into account;

b. Has been quarantined in India on account of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) on or after 1st March, 2020 and has departed on an evacuation flight on or before 31st March, 2020 or has been unable to leave India on or before 31st March, 2020, his period of stay from the beginning of his quarantine to his date of departure or 31st March, 2020, as the case may be, shall not be taken into account;

c. Has departed on an evacuation flight on or before 31st March, 2020, his period of stay in India from 22nd March, 2020 to his date of departure shall not be taken into account.

Health Ministry issues revised COVID-19 patient discharge rules

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): The Union Health Ministry has revised its discharge guidelines for coronavirus disease patients.

As per the new guidelines, the COVID-19 patients will be categorised into into 3 categories in the country which are- Very mild/mild, moderate and severe.

According to the rules till now, a patient was considered fit to be discharged if he or she tested negative on day 14 and then again in a span of 24 hours.

“The revised discharge policy is aligned with the guidelines on the 3 tier COVID facilities and the categorization of the patients based on clinical severity,” the document said.

Based on the categories of the revised guildelines:

1. Mild/very mild/pre-symptomatic cases

Such cases admitted to a Covid-19 care facility will undergo regular temperature and pulse oximetry monitoring.

The patient can be discharged after 10 days of symptom onset and no fever for 3 days. There will be no need for testing prior to discharge.

2. Moderate cases admitted to dedicated Covid-19 Health Centre (Oxygen beds)

Patients whose symptoms resolve within 3 days and they maintain saturation above 95% for the next 4 days

Cases clinically classified as “moderate cases” will undergo monitoring of body temperature and oxygen saturation.

If the fever resolves within 3 days and the patient maintains saturation above 95 per cent for the next 4 days (without oxygen support), such patient will be discharged after 10 days of symptom onset as per the guidelines laid down by the Health Ministry.

3. Severe cases including immunocompromised (HIV patients, transplant recipients, malignancy)

Discharge criteria for severe cases will be based on clinical recovery and patient tested negative once by RT-PCR (after the resolution of symptoms).

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