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COVID-19 mythbusters: Is non-vegetarian diet unsafe at this time?

Representative image

New Delhi (NVI): There is a lot of misinformation on social media regarding dos and don’ts amid the COVID-19 outbreak. These myths are spread online through Whatsapp and various other social media platforms.

The Government is trying to clear the air around such myths by putting up information on its official social media handles and websites.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has released some FAQs and facts, information for which was given by All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS):

1) Does the disease spread through food especially eating chicken, eggs and meat?
FACT: There is no conclusive evidence that properly cooked food transmits the disease.

2) Does the disease spread through pets?
FACT: The transmission of the disease has not been seen through pets.

3) Does the dead body of a person infected with coronavirus transmit the infection?
FACT: There is no transmission of coronavirus infection from the dead body of the person.

The Government has urged people to keep away from any kind of misinformation while also asking them to not forward it to others. People can visit official websites or social media handles of Health Ministry, PIB, ICMR for obtaining authentic information.

Lockdown 2: MHA issues fresh guidelines for additional activities

Ceasefire Agreement

New Delhi (NVI): On the third day of the nationwide lockdown, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order to include new activities in the guidelines that will be allowed amid lockdown in different parts of the country.

As per the guidelines, the government has permitted certain activities to resume services after April 20, which includes the non-banking finance corporations and micro-finance institutions and cooperative credit societies from the financial sector.

This will be applicable for financial institutions in all states and union territories (UTs).

MHA also permitted activities which include, collection, harvesting and processing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP)/Non Timber Forest Produce (NTFP) by Scheduled Tribes and other forest dwellers in forest areas.

Similarly, bamboo, coconut, arecanut cocoa, spices plantation and their harvesting, processing, packaging, sale and marketing, to be carried out during the lockdown.

Construction activities in rural areas, includes, water supply and sanitation, laying/erection of power transmission lines and laying of telecom optical fiber and cable have also been exempted from the lockdown.

 

Earlier on Wednesday, the ministry had announced a series of exemptions given on different services during lockdown 2.0.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended the nationwide lockdown till May 3, to curb the spread of coronavirus across the country.

J&K: 2 militants killed in encounter in Shopian district

Representational Image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Two militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Dairoo village in South Kashmir’s Shopian district today, police said.

A police officer told NVI that the encounter broke out after security forces launched a massive search operation in village Dairoo, Keegam in Shopian district early this morning.

“When the joint team of security forces zeroed on a house where militants were believed to be hiding, the militants opened heavy fire triggering a fierce gun-battle,” he said.

After heavy exchange of fire, one militant was killed, while the second one continued to fire intermittently. “At 9am, final assault was launched in which the second militant was also killed,” he said.

Kashmir Zone police confirmed on its Twitter handle that two militants have been killed. “Shopian encounter update: two unidentified militants killed. Further details awaited,” they said.

In the operation, joint teams of police, Army and the CRPF participated. A police source said that the operation was over and the bodies of two slain militants have been recovered. “It seems both are locals associated with the Hizbul Mujahideen. Final confirmation is still awaited as we are verifying their details,” he said.

He said that cordon continues to remain on in the area and search at the encounter spot is on. “We have recovered two weapons from the slain militants,” the police source said.

Meanwhile, police have urged people of Dario not to go closer to the encounter site till the spot is properly sanitised.

Coronavirus cases top 2.1 million globally

Coronavirus cases
(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of infections from the novel coronavirus has now reached 21,52,000, with nearly 1,45,000 deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University tally.

Nearly 5,44,000 infected people have recovered from the deadly virus around the world so far.

In addition to this, US President Donald Trump has announced “a phased approach” to ease restrictions of movement on Americans, even as the coronavirus death toll in the country continues to rise nearing 35,000, and with cases soaring to 6,67,000.

Meanwhile, nearly 5.2 million more Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, bringing the four-week total to 22 million – the worst stretch of US job losses on record, US government reported.

The UK government has also said a lockdown imposed to curb the spread of the coronavirus will remain in place for at least three more weeks.

The Canada government has also increased its lockdown, according to media reports.

The global health emergency could also lead to deep economic recession that could result in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of children worldwide, according to the United Nations.

Coronavirus cases in India rise to 13,387; Death toll 437

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has gone up to 13,387 while the death toll has risen to 437, Union Health Ministry confirmed today.

In the last 24 hours, 1,007 fresh COVID-19 infections and 23 deaths were reported in the country.

According to the Health Ministry data, the confirmed cases of COVID-19 include 13,311 Indians and 76 foreign nationals.

Maharashtra has recorded the highest number of cases at 3,205, followed by Delhi at 1,640 and Tamil Nadu at 1,267.

Meanwhile, the states of Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have also registered more than 1,000 positive cases.

The central government has identified 170 districts as hotspots, where the lockdown would be enforced more stringently.

At least 1,748 patients have been cured of the virus or discharged.

L’Oreal joins India’s Covid-19 fight

New Delhi (NVI): L’Oreal India today announced its initiatives to support the country in the fight against COVID-19 pandemic, including donation of hand sanitiser, PPE equipment and providing food and essentials to migrants and their families.

This commitment is made in addition to L’Oréal’s global Solidarity Program which includes a donation to non-profit organisations.

The French cosmetics giant said that it will donate 60,000 litres of hand sanitizer to public health authorities, police & NGOs in the country. Besides, it will donate personal protective equipment (PPE) to Primary Health Centres.

Apart from that, the personal care brand will be donating ‘Care Packages’ to healthcare workers on the frontline and matching employee contribution to PM CARES Fund.

South Korea conducts elections amid Covid-19 outbreak

South Korean President Moon Jae-in

New Delhi (NVI): At a time when the whole world has been brought to a standstill by coronavirus, South Korea went ahead and held general elections.

The development takes place even as the countries around the world are facing lockdown with restrictions on public gatherings.

The constant surge in coronavirus cases and deaths across the world has kept people indoors, with many placed under quarantine and isolation.

South Korea has now become the only country to conduct national elections since the pandemic began in China’s Wuhan in December last year.

The country went to polls yesterday, with millions of people wearings masks and standing at least one metre apart, while strictly following the social distancing norms, according to reports.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in’s party has won the elections with a landslide victory, as the results came-in today.

MHA says video conference app Zoom not safe, issues advisory

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today said that video conferencing app Zoom is not safe as it is vulnerable to cyberattacks while asking government officials not to use the platform for official purposes in an advisory.

The ministry’s advisory bears significance as many companies are asking their employees to work from home amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Cyber Coordination Centre (CyCord), under MHA, issued the advisory, along with details of protective measures to be taken by individuals.

“The broad objective of this advisory is to prevent any unauthorized entry into a Zoom Conference Room and prevent the unauthorized participant to carry out malicious attacks on the terminals of other users in the conference,” the MHA said in a statement.

Earlier, India’s nodal cybersecurity agency – Computer Emergency Response Team of India (CERT-in) had also cautioned that the video conferencing app Zoom is not safe and vulnerable to cyber-attacks.

Twin sisters among 14 new Covid cases in Kashmir, J&K tally at 314

J&K Govt bans private practice by all SKIMS medical professionals
SKIMS, Srinagar (File)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Fourteen more people were tested positive for novel coronavirus in Kashmir today, including twin sisters. With fresh cases showing a spurt, the total number of positive Covid-19 cases has jumped to 314 in J&K Union Territory.

“14 new cases- all from Kashmir Division. Total cases now 314. Jammu Division-54 and Kashmir Division-260,” Rohit Kansal, government spokesman tweeted.

With 38 recoveries and four deaths reported in J&K Union Territory so far, the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir is 272.

Officials told NVI that the fresh 14 cases include twin sisters who have a history of contact with positive cases.

Dr G H Yatoo, Nodal officer for Covid-19 at SKIMS hospital in Soura, Srinagar said that 11 persons were tested positive at SKIMS today and among them, 10 are from Bandipora and one Ganderbal district.

As per officials figures, 78 positive cases including one death and 12 recoveries are from Srinagar, 66 including eleven recoveries and one death are from Bandipora, 42 including one death are from Baramulla, 12 including three recoveries from Budgam, three from Pulwama including one recovery, 14 from Shopian including two recoveries, 25 from Kupwara, 13 from Ganderbal, 4 from Kulgam and two from Anantnag in Kashmir division.

As per the daily information bulletin, 58,076 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 7,463 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 272 persons are in hospital isolation. It said that 265 persons are under hospital quarantine.

The bulletin said that 20,706 persons have completed surveillance period and 29,366 persons are under home surveillance. “Out of 5,680 the number of samples tested negative stands at 5366 while as 314 have been tested positive, among them 272 are active and 38 persons have recovered and 4 have died,” the bulletin said.

Army Chief General MM Naravane reviews security situation in Kashmir

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Army Chief General MM Naravane today arrived in Kashmir to review the security situation in the Valley amid escalation in ceasefire violations on the Line of Control.

General Naravane exhorted the troops to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges at all times.

Defence spokesperson in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia told NVI that the Army chief reached Kashmir today on a two-day visit and reviewed the prevailing security situation. He arrived in the valley amid COVID-19 pandemic which has affected Kashmir also.

“He was accompanied by the northern army commander, Lt Gen YK Joshi and Srinagar based 15 Corps Commander, Lt Gen BS Raju,” Colonel Kalia said. He said that General Naravane visited the formations and units in the hinterland today.

“While interacting with jawans, the army chief highlighted that it was the dawn of a new era of development, peace and prosperity in Kashmir and applauded them for their high level of morale and motivation,” the defence spokesperson said.

He said that the Army chief further reinforced the need to be prepared to meet emerging security challenges effectively at all times. “General Naravane extolled the close coordination among all government agencies towards maintaining vigil and peace in the valley and reaching out to the people wholeheartedly to combat the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic together,” he said.

Later in the day, the army chief visited 92 Base Hospital in Srinagar, where he appreciated the excellent work and vital critical care being provided by the doctors and support staff.

“He commended them for being the lifeline of the Valley. He was then briefed by the GoC 15 Corps in Srinagar on the overall situation pertaining to the Line of Control and the hinterland,” Colonel Kalia said.

The army chief also met members of the civil society later in the evening today, the defence spokesperson said.

Tensions along the border have escalated after the recent infiltration bid by Pakistan along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district, which was foiled by the Indian Army. Five militants were killed in the operation as the Army lost its five soldiers from elite Special Forces.

In another incident on Sunday, three civilians including a woman and a minor boy were killed in heavy mortar shelling by Pakistan at Chowkibal area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

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