Friday, September 4, 2026
Home Blog Page 1378

COVID cases in India rise to 1.38 lakh; death toll at 4,021

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 1,38,845 while the death toll due to the virus has gone up to 4,021, according to the Union Health Ministry.

In the past 24 hours, 6,977 fresh COVID-19 infections and 154 more deaths were reported.

With 50,231 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains the worst-affected state in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 16,277 cases and Gujarat with 14,056 cases.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of deaths, 1,635, followed by 858 in Gujarat and 290 in Madhya Pradesh.

The coronavirus cases in Delhi have increased to 13,418, according to the Health Ministry data.

The other states with high number of cases are Rajasthan (7,028), Madhya Pradesh (6,665) and Uttar Pradesh (6,268).

So far, 57,720 coronavirus patients have been cured or discharged.

A total of 28,34,798 samples of coronavirus have been tested so far, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, domestic flight services resumed from today, after two months of suspension due to coronavirus-induced lockdown.

J&K: 52 more test positive for Covid-19, tally climbs to 1621

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir Government today said that 52 new coronavirus cases were recorded in the Union Territory today, taking the total number of positive cases to 1621.

The government, in its official bulletin, said that of the total 52 total cases, 22 are from Jammu division and 30 from Kashmir. Out of 1,621 positive cases, 791 are active cases. 809 have recovered and 21 have died of which two deaths were reported in Jammu and 19 in Kashmir.

Moreover, 35 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals, 3 from Jammu division and 32 from Kashmir division.

The daily health bulletin further said that out of 1,30,433 test results available, 1,28,812 samples have been tested negative till May 24.

Additionally, till date, 1,32,594 travellers and persons in contact with suspected cases have been enlisted for surveillance which included 31,816 persons in home quarantine including facilities operated by government, 71 in hospital quarantine, 791 in hospital isolation and 28,600 under home surveillance. Besides, 71,295 persons have completed their surveillance period.

Providing district-wise breakup, the bulletin said that Bandipora has 139 positive cases with 9 active cases, 129 recovered, 1 death; Srinagar has 179 positive cases with 48 active cases, 125 recovered (including 6 cases recovered today), 6 deaths; Anantnag district has 273 positive cases (including 1 case reported today), with 160 active, 109 recovered,  4 deaths; Baramulla has 137 positive cases (including 1 case reported today) with 35 active, 98 recovered, 4 deaths; Shopian has 128 positive cases (including 1 case reported today) with 21 active, 107 recovered (including 1 case recovered today).

Kupwara has 164 positive cases (including 1 case reported today) with 94 active, 70 recovered; Budgam has 64 positive cases, with 15 active and 47 recovered cases (including 12 cases recovered today) and 2 deaths; Ganderbal has 27 positive cases with 3 active cases and 24 recoveries (including 9 cases recovered today); Kulgam has 224 positive cases (including 26 reported today), with 207 active and 15 recoveries (including 3 recoveries today) and 2 deaths and Pulwama reported 25 positive cases with 15 active, 10 recovered (including 1 case recovered today).

In Jammu division, district Jammu has 78 positive cases (including 6 cases reported today) with 43 active cases and 34 recoveries (including 3 cases recovered today) and 1 death; Udhampur has 35 positive cases (including 2 cases reported today) with 13 active cases, 21 recovered and 1 death; Samba has 27 positive cases (including 7 cases reported today) with 20 active and 7 recoveries; Rajouri has 13 positive cases (including 3 cases reported today) with 9 active cases and 4 recovered.

Kathua has 45 positive cases (including 4 cases reported today) with 39 active cases and 6 recovered; Kishtwar has 8 positive cases with 7 active cases and 1 recovered; Ramban has 44 positive cases with 43 active and 1 recovered; Reasi has 4 positive cases with 3 active and 1 recovered, Poonch has 6 active cases while Doda has 1 active case.

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

The advisory has informed the public to maintain physical distance of at least two metre from others, frequently cleaning hands with an alcohol-based hand sanitiser or washing them with soap and water besides following good respiratory etiquettes and hygiene which is the best way to protect themselves from COVID-19.

“People are strongly advised to avoid going to crowded places, as they are more likely to come into close contact with someone who has COVID-19 and it is more difficult to maintain physical distance with others at these places”, the bulletin said. As a measure for social distancing in public places and workplaces, wearing a face cover is compulsory.

The bulletin again stressed that early detection of COVID-19 can prevent the spread of disease so all people need to be responsible for the well-being of themselves and everyone around. “Not disclosing symptoms could put life of individuals and their families at risk. In case of symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, report early. Do not fear, call COVID-19 helpline numbers and seek medical advice,” it read.

The advisory has further exhorted the people not to step out of home, unless absolutely necessary. “If you have to move out for unavoidable reasons, ensure that you wear a mask and practice social distancing, personal hygiene and frequent handwashing with soap and water,” the bulletin stated.

The government said that public is advised to strictly follow the advisories issued by the government from time to time and rely only on the information released by the government through the daily media bulletin to print and electronic media. It said that people are also advised to refrain from spreading rumours and pay no heed to them at the same time.

MHA issues revised SOP for movement of Indians stranded abroad

Representational Image

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) today issued fresh Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country as well as for those stranded in India desirous to travel abroad.

The new SOP from Home Ministry came hours after the Health Ministry issued guidelines for domestic travel and international arrivals, as domestic flight operations are resuming tomorrow.

In the MHA order, the SOPs were classified as “movement of Indian Nationals stranded outside the country and of specified persons to travel abroad”.

The Home Ministry has said that it will facilitate the movement of such Indian nationals who need to visit India in medical emergencies or the death of a family member. The international travel of passengers stands prohibited as per MHA’s previous orders related to lockdown measures.

“Such persons will register themselves with the Indian Missions in the country where they are stranded, along with necessary details as prescribed by MEA,” the MHA order read.

They will travel to India by non scheduled commercial flights as allowed by Ministry of Civil Aviation (MOCA); and ships as allowed by Department of Military Affairs (DMA)/Ministry of Shipping (MOS), the ministry said in a statement. “Only those crew and staff, who are tested COVID-19 negative, will be allowed to operate these flights/ships,” the ministry added.

The cost of travel, as specified by the carrier will be borne by such travellers. All travellers will also be required to give an undertaking that they are making the journey at their own risk.

J&K: 89,773 residents evacuated so far by 28 special trains, 4 flights

Jammu (NVI): Over 89,773 residents of Jammu and Kashmir, stranded outside the UT due to lockdown imposed in the wake of the global pandemic, have been brought back home by the J&K government through 28 COVID special trains, 4 flights and scores of buses, officials said today.

All these residents, who also include students, were brought back after strictly observing all necessary preventive measures regarding coronavirus.

The figures also include around 3300 J&K residents including 1200 students who were stranded in various parts of Maharashtra, evacuated by four Shramik special trains during the past 10 days.

Meanwhile, about 652 passengers including students reached Srinagar Airport today under Vande Bharat Mission through COVID special flights, the J&K administration said.

“The Jammu and Kashmir district administrations have received 28 COVID special trains from different states and UTs, so far, with about 23,097 stranded passengers while about 66024 persons have been evacuated by the government through Lakhanpur till date,” the UT government said in a statement.

23,097 stranded residents have arrived through 28 special trains at Jammu and Udhampur railway stations.

Nearly, 650 stranded passengers have entered through Lakhanpur from May 23 to May 24 morning while 767 passengers have reached today in the 11th Delhi COVID special train at Jammu and about 408 passengers have reached at Udhampur railway stations from Thane, the UT government said in a statement.

So far, 11 trains have reached Jammu with a total of 9634 stranded passengers belonging to different districts while 13,463 passengers have reached Udhampur in 17 special trains, so far.

As per the official communiqué, of 66024 returnees evacuated through Lakhanpur till May 24, 2020 (morning) included 15491 from Punjab; 20344 from Himachal Pardesh, 21 from Andhra Pardesh, 6479 from Delhi, 1348 from Gujrat, 2688 from Rajasthan, 3784 from Haryana, 149 from Chattisgarh, 3351 from Uttarakhand, 1007 from Maharashtra, 4269 from Uttar Pradesh, 63 from Odisha, 252 from Assam and 982 from Madhya Pradesh, 88 from Dehradun, 1104 from Chandigarh, 682 from Telengana, 106 from Karnataka, 13 from Tamilnadu, 52 from Chennai, 296 from Bihar, 155 from West Bengal, 26 from Jharkhand, 3 from Nepal and 3271 from other states and UTs.

Pertinently, the district administrations of Jammu, Udhampur, Kathua and Srinagar have put in place elaborate arrangements and facilities for safe and successful boarding and de-boarding of returnees at the Railway stations and airport and their journey towards their home districts.

Besides, 100 per cent sampling of returnees is being done at the kiosks established at the stations and it is ensured that the people in the administrative quarantine go home only after they are tested negative for coronavirus, the government said.

“The administrations are strictly adhering to the guidelines issued by MHA and MoFHW regarding COVID-19. It is being ensured that during the boarding and de-boarding process the passengers observe social distancing and wear masks. Besides, complete protection of the administrative staff and others on duty is being ensured,” an official statement read.

Principal Secretary PDD, Rohit Kansal; Commissioner Secretary, Industries and Commerce, Manoj Kumar Dwivedi and Chief Electoral Officer, Hirdesh Kumar, who are the Nodal Officers for management of return of stranded people at Jammu, Udhampur and Kathua respectively, are personally monitoring the facilities being extended to the passengers during their de-boarding and movement to their home districts.

Over 37 lakh passengers ferried by 2813 Shramik Special trains

80 per cent of total Shramik Special trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Indian Railways has run more than 2813 Shramik Special trains, carrying over 37 lakh stranded migrants since May 1, the Rail ministry said today.

Nearly 60 per cent trains originated from Gujarat, Maharashtra and Punjab and are majorly destined for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, the ministry said in a statement.

Apart from this, 80 per cent of total Shramik Special trains are destined for various destinations in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar (1301 for UP and 973 for Bihar).

Most of the destinations in UP are around Lucknow – Gorakhpur sector and in Bihar around Patna. Of 565 trains on run since yesterday, 266 were going to Bihar and 172 to Uttar Pradesh, the ministry said.

However, convergence of trains to these destinations caused congestion in the network. Further, increased time taken in de-boarding of passengers due to the various health and social distancing protocols at the stations is leading to congestion at terminals which further affects network congestion, the ministry added.

Few trains were diverted via Mathura, Jharsuguda to ease the congestion. Further, route rationalisation order has been issued to avoid congestion on routes with heavy traffic, the ministry said. Round the clock monitoring at Railway Board level, Zonal Railway level and Divisional level is being done to ensure that trains are not delayed.

“The train running staff have also been sensitised to ensure punctual running of Shramik special trains. With these efforts, the congestion position has eased considerably and the mobility of trains has drastically improved,” the ministry added.

Due to the surge in east bound trains leading to network congestion, trains got delayed and this affected the meals distribution schedule, the ministry said. IRCTC and Railways have mobilized resources to ensure regular supply of meals and water to the Shramik Special trains and minimize inconvenience to the passengers, it added.

These trains are being operated primarily on the requests of the states, which want to send migrant workers to their native places.

While Railways is bearing 85 per cent of the total cost of running each train, the rest is being borne by the states in the form of fares.

Health ministry issues guidelines for domestic travel, international arrivals

Travel ban
Representational/ file image

New Delhi (NVI): With domestic flight operations resuming tomorrow, the Ministry of Health today released fresh guidelines, requesting travellers to strictly follow self-regulatory norms to help combat Covid-19.

The Ministry has issued guidelines for domestic travel that includes air, train and inter-state bus travel, as well as international arrivals.

As per the guidelines, all passengers shall be advised to download Arogya Setu App on their mobile devices. Do’s and don’t shall be provided along with tickets to travellers by the agencies concerned.

“The States/UTs shall ensure that all passengers shall undergo thermal screening at the point of departure and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the flight/train/bus,” read the guidelines.

Airports/railway stations/bus terminals should be regularly sanitised/disinfected and availability of soaps and sanitisers shall be ensured, the Health Ministry said.

Union Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri also shared the Health Ministry’s guidelines, urging travellers to follow the norms.

“According to the guidelines, asymptomatic domestic passengers will be permitted to go with the advice that they shall self-monitor their health for 14 days. In case, they develop any symptoms, they shall inform the district surveillance officer or the state/national call center,” Puri tweeted.

In case of international travellers, they shall give an undertaking that they would undergo mandatory quarantine for 14 days including 7 days paid institutional quarantine at their own cost, followed by 7 days isolation at home with self-monitoring of health.

At the time of boarding the flight/ship, only asymptomatic travellers will be allowed to board after thermal screening.

“Passengers arriving through the land borders will also have to undergo the same protocol as above, and only those who are asymptomatic will be enabled to cross the border into India,” read the guidelines.

In another tweet, Puri informed that home quarantine may be permitted for international travellers for 14 days, only for exceptional and compelling reasons such as cases of human distress, pregnancy, death in family, serious illness and parent(s) accompanied by children below 10 years, as assessed by the receiving states.

The minister further said that prescribed clinical protocol will be followed in case any domestic or international traveller shows symptoms of COVID19. “States can also develop their own protocol for quarantine & isolation as per their own assessment,” he said.

Srinagar gunfight: Two civilians injured in house collapse die

A house was damaged in the encounter.

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two civilians, who were seriously injured in a house collapse during the May 19 encounter between terrorists and security forces in Srinagar, breathed their last today in a city hospital, health officials said.

They were injured in a house collapse during encounter in Nawa Kadal area in which two terrorists, including Hizbul Mujahideen’s divisional commander Junaid Sehrai were killed.

With these two deaths, the total number of people who died after being injured in the house collapse at the encounter site, has reached to three.

Health officials said those who died today at SMHS Hospital were 65-year-old Manzoor Ahmed and 35-year-old Fayaz Ahmed.

“The two were injured in a house collapse at Nawa Kadal a few days ago,” Medical Superintendent SMHS hospital, Dr Nazir Choudhary told NVI.

India to provide locust control pesticide to Iran

India has also reached out to Pakistan to combat the desert locust wave sweeping across the Afro-Asian region. (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): India has reached out to Iran to counter locust invasion which threatens to destroy crops in the country amid Covid-19 pandemic.

Hindustan Insecticides Limited (HIL) is now in process of production and supply of 25 MT Malathion Technical for supply under locust control programme to Iran under Government to Government arrangement, the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers said in a statement today.

Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA ) has approached HIL for manufacturing and supply of the said commodity to Iran.

Credit rating of the Central PSU has also been upgraded to BBB- from BB, which is a stable investment grade.

The company has exported 10 MT of fungicide – Mancozeb to Latin American country, Peru and another 12 MT will be exported in the next one week.

HIL has also signed an agreement with the Ministry of Agriculture and Famers Welfare for the supply of Malathion Technical to Rajasthan and Gujarat for the Locust Control Programme. HIL had manufactured and supplied 67 MT of Malathion Technical till last week.

India has also reached out to Pakistan to combat the desert locust wave sweeping across the Afro-Asian region. The border Indian states of Gujarat and Rajasthan have also been badly hit due to the locust menace.

These refugees in Kenya have access to fresh produce amid Covid-19 lockdown

Aubergines are harvested and sold at the nearby market.(Source: WFP)

New Delhi (NVI): Despite supply chain disruptions due to Covid-19 pandemic, refugees at Kalobeyei settlement and Kakuma camps in Kenya have access to fresh vegetables as they grow their own!

Supported by the World Food Programme, these refugees are able to grow fresh crops. WFP’s support to these refugees is proving vital during the pandemic when many countries in Africa and in the world are under the threat of a catastrophic hunger.

Kalobeyei is about 20-minutes from the Kakuma refugee camps in the arid Turkana county, northwestern Kenya. It was established with local authorities as an integrated settlement where the local people and refugees live side by side, unlike the camps.

Most fresh food vendors in Kalobeyei and Kakuma markets are women, and the majority are refugees, according to a WFP report. A variety of produce is available at these food markets as people from diverse nationalities are living in the settlement. The markets cater to distinct tastes and cultures. One can even find fresh spices here, grown by refugees themselves.

(Source: WFP)

Before the pandemic outbreak, vendors at these markets sold cabbage and tomatoes sourced from as far as Kitale market, 400 km away; and red onions from across the border in Uganda’s Moroto, a town about 260 km away, reports WFP.

However, due to movement restrictions in the wake of Covid-19, supply from Kitale and Uganda has been disrupted. Due to the dusk to dawn curfew, trucks would take a long time to reach Kakuma. This also means that the produce will cost more and by the time it arrives at the stall, it would be no longer fresh.

On the brighter side, the disruption in supply chain through traditional channels has led to an increase in demand for vegetables grown locally such as a variety of leafy vegetables, eggplant, and okra freshly plucked from gardens around the settlement.

Other crops sold at these market places include matembele (sweet potato leaves), murere, cassava leaves, amaranth, pumpkin leaves, and cowpea leaves — all grown in Kalobeyei. With less produce arriving from outside, the demand for these locally grown vegetables is growing and so are the prices.

Crops are now being grown on the side of a dam built in the area by WFP. A water storage tank was also built by WFP for the residents.

Back in 2016, when Kalobeyei settlement was opened, there was little infrastructure and the arid landscape did not give much scope for farming. However, with support from the European Union, the World Food Programme (WFP) built water harvesting structures, gardens, shops, and modern markets.

A lot of transformation has taken place in these past four years. Refugees and the host population can now irrigate small plots growing vegetables for consumption and sale, operate businesses and run grocery stalls in the local markets.

WFP has built three modern markets — two in Kalobeyei settlement and one in Kakuma town. The open-air market structures are covered with a high roof protecting traders against the harsh sun or rain while allowing ample air circulation. These structures currently host 122 traders, most of them drawn from the refugee community.

LeT module busted in J&K’s Budgam, 4 OGWs arrested

Terrorist arrested
Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Jammu and Kashmir police today busted a Lashkar-e-Taiba module, arresting four persons who were working as Over Ground Workers (OGWs) in Central Kashmir’s Budgam district.

The police in a statement issued here said that four persons were arrested for working as OGWs for the Lashkar outfit and were providing logistic support to militants. A police official said that the module was busted by joint teams of security forces after acting on a specific lead.

“On a credible input, Budgam police along with 53 RR arrested four militant associates identified as Waseem Ganie, son of Abdul Aziz Ganie,  Farooq Ahmad Dar, son of Muhammad Sultan Dar, Muhammad Yasin, son of Bashir Ahmad and Azharudin Mir, son of Ali Muhammad Mir, all residents of Beerwah area of Budgam,” a police spokesman in a statement said.

Arms, ammunition and other incriminating material have been recovered from their possession.

The police official said that all the four persons arrested were involved in providing logistic support and shelter to the active militants of LeT operating in the area.

A case under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Beerwah and further investigation is in progress, they said.

Pertinently, this is the third militant module busted in Budgam district of Kashmir since May 16. Earlier, on May 16, a Lashkar module was busted in Arizal, Budgam where five militant associates were arrested and on May 20, four Lashkar associates were arrested in Magam area of Budgam district.

1...1,3771,3781,379...1,726Page 1,378 of 1,726

MUST READ