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Danger of virus far from over, constant vigilance important: PM

At Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's office (Source: Twitter @pibchennai)

New Delhi (NVI):  As per experts, the impact of coronavirus will remain visible in the coming months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today in a virtual interaction with Chief Ministers, while asserting that social distancing will help in winning the long battle against the pandemic.

PM Modi today held a meeting with state CMs via video to discuss the emerging situation and plan ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

Reiterating the mantra of ‘do gaz doori’, he said that “masks and face covers will become part of our lives in the days ahead”. He pointed out that many people are self-declaring whether they have cough and cold or symptoms, and that this is a welcome sign, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement after the meeting.

The Prime Minister also said that lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months.

“India’s population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries. The situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people,” he said.

At the same time, he forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.

Chief Ministers of nine states– Meghalaya, Mizoram, Puducherry, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar, Haryana and Gujarat– participated during the virtual meeting, while the rest had the option to send the Chief Secretary as a representative.

The PM also said that the economy cannot be ignored as “we continue the fight against COVID-19”. He emphasized on the importance of usage of technology as much as possible and also to utilize time to embrace reform measures.

He emphasized on the significance of ensuring that more people download the AarogyaSetu app to bolster the efforts of the country in the battle against COVID-19.

He said: “we have to be brave and bring in reforms that touch the lives of common citizens.” He also suggested that people associated with Universities can be integrated on devising ways to fight the pandemic and strengthen research as well as innovation.

The PM highlighted the importance for states to enforce guidelines strictly in the hotspots i.e. the red zone areas. He stated that the efforts of the states should be directed towards converting the red zones into orange and thereafter to green zones.

The Prime Minister said that a final decision on the way forward can be taken only after May 3. He also indicated that lockdown will continue in hotspots while asking Chief Ministers to keep an action plan ready after considering the gravity of the situation in their respective states.

On the issue of getting back Indians who are overseas, the PM said that this has to be done keeping in mind the fact that they don’t get inconvenienced and their families are not under any risk. He also urged Chief Ministers to factor in the changes in weather – advent of summer and monsoon – and the illnesses that can potentially come in this season, while strategising ahead.

Home Minister Amit Shah, who also participated in the virtual interaction, reaffirmed the need to enforce lockdown so that maximum lives are saved.

During the meeting, the Chief Ministers highlighted the efforts undertaken by them in containing the virus. They spoke about the need to keep a close vigil on international borders, and also on addressing the economic challenge and ways to further boost health infrastructure. The leaders expressed gratitude towards the police force and medical staff for the exemplary work done by them in the fight against COVID-19.

This was the fourth such interaction of the Prime Minister with the Chief Ministers, the earlier ones had been held on 20th March, 2nd April and 11th April, 2020.

The 19-day extended lockdown will be over on May 3. The Centre has given some relaxations in the lockdown by allowing standalone shops across the country to open but restrictions are in place in containment zones.

The total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 27,892 today with 872 fatalities so far.

J&K: 3 militants killed in Kulgam district; ops underway

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Three militants were killed in a gunfight at Lower Munda area of Kashmir’s Kulgam district today, the Army officials said.

The news comes nearly 12 hours after the security forces killed four militants in an encounter in the same district.

A senior police officer said that the operation was concluded after the three militants were killed in Lower-Munda Qazigund. “The operation is over but searches are being conducted,” he said.

Earlier, a joint team of Army, Special Operation Group (SOG) of police and CRPF, acting on specific information, launched a search operation. As the forces intensified the searches, the militants in hiding opened fire triggering an encounter.

Defence Spokesman in Srinagar Colonel Rajesh Kalia told NVI that three militants have been killed in the Lower Munda gunfight.  “Operation in the area is still going on,” he said.

Meanwhile, in the wake of encounter, the authorities in Kulgam district have snapped the internet services as a precautionary measure.

In the last 24 hours, five militants have been killed, whereas ever since the Covid-19 outbreak in Kashmir on March 18, 30 militants have been killed in various encounters so far.

 

Coronavirus cases nearing 3 million globally; Italy to ease restrictions from May 4

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of positive coronavirus cases around the world have surpassed 2.97 million with the number of deaths exceeding the 2 lakh mark today, according to John Hopkins University tally.

The lockdown restrictions will be eased in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Iran and Spain as daily cases and death slow.

Meanwhile, Italy has announced that it will ease its 2-month old lockdown controls from May 4.

In addition to this, more than 54,000 people have died in the United States, representing more than a quarter of all deaths worldwide. The total number of positive cases in the US has also crossed 9,65,000.

(Read more for additional information on coronavirus and related topics)

The UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, will return to work from today after recovering from coronavirus.

China’s National Health Commission today said that the mainland had confirmed just 3 new cases of coronavirus and no new deaths.

Covid-19 cases in India rise to 27,892; death toll 872

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India rose to 27,892 with 872 fatalities, Union Health Ministry said this morning.

In the last 24 hours,1,396 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the country.

Maharashtra, the worst affected state by COVID-19, has risen to 8,068 with 342 deaths, ministry said.

With 3,301 coronavirus cases, Gujarat remains the second-most affected state in the country, followed by Delhi, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will today interact with Chief Minister’s of all states by video conferencing and discuss on current situation.

So far, number of active cases stands at 20,835 whereas 6,184 people have been cured/discharged.

COVID-19 could push 265 mn people into acute hunger by end of 2020: WFP

Representational Image (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger, pushing it to more than a quarter of a billion by the end of 2020.

The UN body and other partners released a new report on food crises around the world on April 21. According to a WFP projection, the number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC/CH 3 or worse) stands to rise to 265 million in 2020, up by 130 million from the 135 million in 2019, as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19.

The estimate was announced alongside the release of the Global Report on Food Crises, produced by WFP and 15 other humanitarian and development partners.

WFP’s Chief Economist, Arif Husain said: “COVID-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions who are already hanging by a thread. It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage. Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs. It only takes one more shock-like COVID-19 – to push them over the edge. We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe.”

Some 265 million people in low and middle-income countries will be in acute food insecurity by the end of 2020 unless swift action is taken, according to WFP.

As per Global Report on Food Crises, the majority of people suffering acute food insecurity in 2019 were in countries affected by conflict (77 million), climate change (34 million) and economic crises (24 million people).

South Sudan had 61 percent of its population in a state of food crisis (or worse) in 2019. Six other countries also had at least 35 percent of their populations in a state of food crisis: Sudan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Syrian Arab Republic and Haiti, the report said.

Apart from that, 10 countries constituted the worst food crises in 2019: Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Ethiopia, South Sudan, Syria, the Sudan, Nigeria and Haiti, as per Global Report on Food Crises.

These ten countries accounted for 66 percent of the total population in Crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) or 88 million people, it said.

Considering the situation, WFP has said that it is vital that the food assistance programme be maintained, including its own programmes which offer a lifeline to almost 100 million vulnerable people globally.

Four militants killed, army officer injured in encounter at Kashmir’s Kulgam

July 18 Shopian encounter: Army completes summary of evidence
An encounter site in Kashmir (File Pic)

(Updating earlier copy)

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Four militants were killed and an army officer sustained injuries in an encounter that took place at South Kashmir’s Kulgam district this evening, police said.

A police officer said that acting on a specific lead about the presence of militants in Gudura area of Kulgam district, a joint operation was launched by the Army and the Police. “It was a close fight with the militants. In a brief shootout, two unidentified militants were killed while as an army officer sustained a bullet wound and is stable,” he said.

In the combing operation, two more hiding militants fired at the security forces triggering a fresh gunfight but they were also neutralised. “Two more militants were killed and four were killed in total,” a police official said. Kashmir Zone Police also tweeted on the encounter.

Earlier, Inspector General of Police Kashmir zone, Vijay Kumar also spoke on the incident. “It was a brief shootout between militants and security forces,” he said.

Defence sources said that the army officer who sustained bullet wounds in his leg was immediately rushed to the army hospital for treatment where his condition is stated to be stable. Defence spokesperson in Srinagar, Colonel Rajesh Kalia said the operation was still on in the area. With the killing of four militants at Kulgam, the number of militants killed since the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic in Kashmir has reached 27.

Barrack damaged in fire at Army camp in Kashmir’s Bandipora

Srinagar (NVI): A big fire erupted at an army camp in Watlab area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district this evening in which a barrack was completely damaged, defence sources said.

They told NVI that a fire broke out at the Watlab army camp. “Thick smoke cover emanated from one of the barracks of the camp and within no time there was a big blaze,” sources said. They said that fire tenders were rushed to the spot immediately.

However, the cause of the fire was not immediately known. A police officer also confirmed the incident stating that fire tenders have reached the spot and were on job. “There is no loss of life reported in the incident. One barrack suffered damage in the fire that has been controlled,” the police officer said.

J&K: Covid deaths reach 7 as samples of deceased pregnant lady test positive

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): The Covid-19 death toll in Jammu and Kashmir reached seven today after the samples of a deceased pregnant lady turned out to be positive, officials said.

A pregnant woman, who gave birth to twins at a hospital in Anantnag on Saturday, had died soon after she was operated upon. The doctors, while suspecting the woman as Covid-19 positive had taken her samples, the results of which came as positive today.

The authorities had ordered a probe into the death of the pregnant lady after her relatives had alleged delayed treatment at a maternity hospital at South Kashmir’s Anantnag.

The woman, who hailed from Kharpora village that has been declared as a red zone by the administration, was admitted at Child and Maternity Hospital Anantnag on Saturday. Family members alleged that since she hailed from a red zone area, doctors were hesitant to treat her. “The delay in her treatment caused her death,” a family member said.

However, when she was operated, she breathed her last soon after giving birth to twins. The doctors at the hospital took her samples and the same were sent to Chest Disease hospital, Srinagar. “The sample results of woman who died yesterday have come as positive,” a senior doctor at the CD hospital told NVI.

With the woman’s death, the number of Covid-19 deaths in J&K has reached seven including another woman from Jammu region. Sources said that two doctors and paramedics team who attended to the woman at the hospital at Anantnag have been put under quarantine. Many of her family members have been also put under quarantine.

Lockdown impact: Air pollution in north India drops to a 20-year low

Representational Image (Source: Twitter)

New Delhi (NVI): Over a month into the lockdown, the country has witnessed a dramatic decline in air pollution levels, especially in northern India, which has been battling hazardous air for years.

North India, which also includes New Delhi, has seen a drastic drop on air pollution levels due to the coronavirus lockdown, according to a recent report by US space agency NASA.

The report suggests that aerosol levels in North India are at a 20-year low for this time of the year. NASA has also released satellite images showing aerosol levels in northern India during the same six-day period of March 31 to April 5 from 2016 to 2020.

Aerosols are tiny solid and liquid particles suspended in the air that reduce visibility and are harmful for human lungs and heart.

The majority of aerosols are produced by motor vehicles, coal-based powerplants, and other industries that produce nitrates and sulphates. With the lockdown bringing industrial operations traffic to a halt, there has been a significant drop in pollution levels, leading to clear skies and an improved air quality index.

Apart from the National Capital, the Indo-Gangetic plains also stretch across North India, which have the presence of two rivers– Ganga and Yamuna– both of which have suffered from high pollution levels due to sewage and tannery waste for years.

Interestingly, both these rivers, which also hold a spiritual significance in Hindu culture, have shown an improvement in their water quality during the lockdown. Recently, the Central government has also decided to monitor the lockdown impact on both rivers.

According to reports, water samples have been collected from Delhi for the Yamuna and all Ganga basin states, and are in the process of being analysed.

One of the primary reasons for this is no industrial activity or other human activities at ghats or along river banks.

Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer, Susanta Nanda today shared a video on Twitter showing clear waters of river Ganga at Rishikesh in Uttarakhand.

Similarly, the waters of both the rivers have also become much clearer at Prayagram in Uttar Pradesh.

India entered a 21-day lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus on March 24 after it was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It was further extended by 19 days on April 14 (to May 3) after recommendations from States and experts.

J&K: Pregnant woman among 27 new positive Covid cases, tally at 523

Representational image

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): Twenty-seven people including a pregnant woman, a pharmacist and a five-year-old girl tested positive for coronavirus in Jammu and Kashmir today, taking the total tally to 523 cases in the Union Territory.

Government spokesman Rohit Kansal tweeted: “Total cases now 523. But don’t let this number daunt you. This includes 137 recoveries too. Total Active positive cases are 380. We will keep doing aggressive testing and strict containment. And you have to support by #Stayingathome.”

Officials said that all the 27 cases are from Kashmir while no fresh Covid-19 case was reported from Jammu today. They said that 16 cases were tested positive at SKIMS, Soura lab and 11 at Chest Diseases Hospital, Srinagar.

The officials said that among the new cases is an expecting mother from Srinagar’s downtown who had contracted the virus from a Covid-19 positive neighbor, a health worker from Anantnag district, and a minor girl.

Pertinently, J&K has reported six deaths so far, five from Kashmir and one from Jammu.

Among 27 cases reported today, nine are from south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, followed by Bandipora with eight new cases, seven in Baramulla, two in Srinagar and one in Kupwara district.

A doctor at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial hospital said that two fresh Covid-19 positive patients were admitted at the hospital today including a woman who is five months pregnant and a shopkeeper belonging to Srinagar’s downtown area.

Officials from Bandipora said that out of 8 new cases, 7 belong to Gund Jahangeer village while one is from Wusan Goshbug village. They said that from Baramulla district, one of the new positive patients was a minor girl aged 5, a resident of Gund Jahangeer village.

Officials from Anantnag said that a pharmacist is among the new nine positive cases. As per the COVID bulletin, Bandipora is topping the list of positive cases in Kashmir with 124 cases. “Srinagar has 85, Shopian 63, Baramulla 62, Anantnag 48,  Kupwara 47, Ganderbal 14, Budgam 14, Kulgam 6, and Pulwama 3,” the bulletin read.

In the Jammu region, the bulletin reads that Jammu district has 26 cases, Udhampur 20, Samba 4, Rajouri 4, Kathaua 1, Kishtwar 1 and Ramban 1. “The total number of positive cases in J&K are 523 of which 380 are active cases. 137 people have recovered and six people have died so far,” the bulletin said.

It further stated that 66,977 people have been enlisted for observation while as 6,232 have been kept under home quarantine. “380 people are in hospital isolation and 258 are under hospital quarantine. Surveillance of 49,338 people has been completed. 10,763 persons are under home surveillance,” the bulletin read.

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