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MHA issues revised SOP for movement of stranded migrant workers by trains

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs today issued revised Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for the movement of migrant workers by Shramik special trains, who are stranded at different places in the country due to lockdown.

According to the revised SOP order, the movement of Shramik special trains shall be permitted by the Ministry of Railways (MoR), in consultation with the Ministry of Home Affairs.

All states should designate nodal authorities to make necessary arrangements for receiving and sending such stranded persons, as per SOP.

The train schedule including stoppage and destination will be finalised by the Railways Ministry on the requirements as communicated by the states/UTs for making suitable arrangments.

The Railway Ministry will do publicity of train schedule, protocols for entry and movement of passengers, services to be provided in coaches, and arrangements with states and union territories for booking of tickets, it said.

The sending states and union territories and railways ministry would ensure that all passengers are compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to board the train.

Apart from that, during boarding and travel on trains, all passengers will have to observe social distancing. On arrival at their destination, the travelling passengers will have to adhere to such health protocols as are prescribed by the destination state and union territories, the SOP added.

India fares better than other countries in containment of COVID-19

New Delhi (NVI): India has fared better than other countries in containing the coronavirus spread through its pre-emptive and pro-active approach for prevention and management of the deadly disease, according to the Health Ministry.

In terms of confirmed cases per lakh population, India has so far about 7.1 cases per lakh population in comparison to approximately 60 cases per lakh population for the world, the Ministry said.

As per the WHO situation report, the countries having the highest per lakh population are Spain with 494 cases per lakh population, 431 cases in the US, 372 cases in Italy, 361 cases in the UK, 210 cases in Germany and 209 cases per lakh population in France.

The Health Ministry said that coronavirus management efforts are being regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level. Aggressive and early measures so far have shown encouraging results.

During last 24 hours, a total of 2,350 COVID-19 patients have been cured. Thus, so far, a total of 39,174 patients have been cured of COVID-19. This means a recovery rate of 38.73% amongst COVID-19 patients. The recovery rate is improving continuously, the ministry said in a statement today.

India currently has 58,802 active cases. These are all under active medical supervision. Of the active cases, only approx. 2.9% of the cases are in ICU, it said.

In terms of case mortality per lakh population, India has so far about 0.2 deaths per lakh population vis-a-vis approx. 4.1 deaths per lakh population for the world as a whole, the ministry said in its fresh statement.

It said that a record number of 1,08,233 samples were tested yesterday in the country. So far a total of 24,25,742 samples have been tested.

MHA asks states to run more special trains, buses for migrant workers

MHA

New Delhi (NVI): The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that proactive coordination is required between States and the Railways Ministry to run more trains for migrant workers, besides more buses for smooth transport of these people.

In a letter to State Chief Secretaries, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla asked states to create rest places with food, etc., for people on foot till they are guided to bus/rail stations.

Apart from that, the Home Secretary asked States to dispel rumours and give clarity on train/bus departures.

In the official letter, he said that the fear of Covid-19 infection and apprehension of loss of livelihood are the main driving factors for the movement of stranded workers towards their homes.

The MHA also released Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) today for the movement of stranded workers by trains. Under the guidelines, the states will share requirement for trains with the Rail ministry and make suitable arrangements for sending or receiving people.

The Government also said that to avoid any confusion among migrants, Railways will publicise train schedules and other information including ticket booking. Besides, health protocols will have to be strictly followed.

The country is under the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown now that is slated to end on May 31. In its fresh guidelines, Centre has eased some restrictions.

State-wise details of Covid-19 cases in India

(Representational/file photo)

New Delhi (NVI): India has entered into the fourth phase of nationwide lockdown which will be in force till the end of this month. 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 total number of confirmed cases at present is 1,01,139 with 3,163 deaths so far, according to the Union Health Ministry.

Total positive cases in States/UTs:

Andaman and Nicobar Islands- 33

Andhra Pradesh- 2,474

Arunachal Pradesh- 1

Assam- 107

Bihar- 1,391

Chandigarh- 196

Chhattisgarh- 93

Dadar Nagar Haveli- 1

Delhi- 10,054

Gujarat- 11,745

Goa- 38

Haryana– 928

Himachal Pradesh- 90

Jammu and Kashmir- 1,289

Jharkhand- 223

Karnataka- 1,246

Kerala- 630

Ladakh- 43

Madhya Pradesh- 5,236

Maharashtra- 35,058

Manipur- 3

Meghalaya- 13

Mizoram- 1

Odisha- 876

Puducherry- 18

Punjab- 1,980

Rajasthan- 5,507

Tamil Nadu- 11,760

Telangana- 1,597

Tripura- 167

Uttarakhand- 93

Uttar Pradesh- 4,605

West Bengal – 2,825

State/UT wise total death toll:

Andhra Pradesh- 50

Assam- 2

Bihar- 9

Chandigarh- 3

Delhi- 168

Gujarat- 694

Haryana- 14

Himachal Pradesh- 3

Jammu and Kashmir- 17

Jharkhand- 3

Karnataka- 37

Kerala- 4

Madhya Pradesh- 252

Maharashtra- 1,249

Meghalaya- 1

Odisha- 4

Puducherry- 1

Punjab- 37

Rajasthan- 138

Tamil Nadu- 81

Telangana- 35

Uttar Pradesh- 118

Uttarakhand- 1

West Bengal- 244

A total of 39,174 people have been cured or discharged from hospitals in India. There are around 58,802 active cases currently, according to the Health Ministry.

J&K records 17th death due to coronavirus

Abid Bashir

Srinagar (NVI): A 55-year-old man from north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, tested positive for the deadly virus a few days back, breathed his last at SKIMS, Soura in Srinagar, after suffering a sudden cardiac arrest, according to health officials.

The union territory witnesses its 17th death due to the novel coronavirus, just a day after J&K reported three Covid-19 deaths in a single day.

Medical Superintendent of SKIMS, Soura, Dr Farooq Ahmed Jan said that the deceased had tested positive for the virus a few days ago. “He died of a cardiac arrest early morning today,” he said, adding, “He had a cancer history as well.”

The total number of Covid-19 deaths in Jammu and Kashmir has now reached 17, of which 15 are from Kashmir and two are from the Jammu region.

Yesterday, J&K recorded three deaths, all from south Kashmir including two elderly men and a woman with a cancer history.

Meanwhile, hospital sources at SKIMS said that the body of today’s Covid victim is being dispatched to his native village in Rafiabad, Baramulla while following the guidelines. They said that only a few close relatives of the deceased will be allowed to participate in his funeral.

Coronavirus cases exceed 4.8 million worldwide

Coronavirus cases

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases have now surpassed 4.8 million around the globe with the virus claiming more than 3,18,000 lives till now, according to John Hopkins University tally.

In the US, the total coronavirus infections has crossed 1.5 million with more than 90,000 casualties being reported as the country reopens.

The US has set aside USD 11 billion to ramp up coronavirus testing as the country reopens.

Meanwhile, the coronavirus is spreading fast in the most remote parts of Brazil’s Amazon rainforest among the indigenous people, that evacuation of the most seriously-ill patients by plane has to be carried out.

In another development, just one week after a third of French schoolchildren went back to school in an easing of the coronavirus lockdown, there has been a worrying flare up of about 70 COVID-19 cases linked to schools

Morocco has extended its national lockdown to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus till June 10, according to media reports.

More than 1.7 million people have recovered or have been cured around the globe so far.

India’s COVID-19 tally crosses 1 lakh, death toll at 3,163

New Delhi (NVI): The total number of coronavirus cases in India has increased to 1,01,139, while the death toll rose to 3,163, Union Health Ministry said today.

In the last 24 hours, 4,970 new COVID-19 cases and 134 deaths have been recorded, ministry said.

With 35,058 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far, Maharashtra remains worst-affected states in the country, followed by Tamil Nadu with 11,760 cases and Gujarat with 11,745 cases.

Delhi reported 10,054 cases, including 168 deaths so far.

Maharashtra has also reported the highest number of deaths, 1249, followed by 694 in Gujarat, the Health Ministry data shows.

The other states with high number of cases are Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.

Meanwhile, the government has claimed that India’s coronavirus ratio is lowest in world. Besides, it has also said that the country’s recovery rate stood at 38.29 per cent at present.

So far, number of active cases stands at 58,802 and 39,173 people have been cured/discharged.

PM seeks advice for May 31 ‘Mann Ki Baat’

File Photo

New Delhi (NVI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi has invited “ideas” and “inputs” for his next episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on May 31 which also coincides with the end of lockdown 4.0.

It will be the 65th episode of the PM’s monthly radio program ‘Mann Ki Baat’.

“I look forward to your ideas and inputs for this month’s #MannKiBaat, which will take place on the 31st. You can: Record a message by dialing 1800-11-7800. Write on NaMo App or MyGov,” the PM tweeted.

On the last day of lockdown 4.0 i.e., on 31 May, PM Modi will talk to the people through the radio. During the lockdown period, for the third time, the PM will speak in ‘Mann Ki Baat’ with citizens.

The Central Government on Sunday gave an order to extend the lockdown by two weeks, till May 31.

Coronavirus cases in Afghanistan cross 7,000 as 408 more test positive

(Pic Courtesy: TOLO news)

New Delhi (NVI): At least 408 new coronavirus positive cases have been reported in Afghanistan in the past 24 hours, taking the total to 7,072 across the country, according to Afghan media reports.

According to the country’s Ministry of Public Health, three people lost their lives over the past 24 hours and 23 more recovered.

Among the new COVID-19 cases reported in the last 24 hours, 162 were recorded in Kabul, 95 in Herat, 31 in Balkh, 20 in Takhar, 19 in Khost, 18 in Parwan, 15 in Paktia.

In addition to this, 7 cases were recorded in Logar, 8 in Wardak, 6 in Baghlan, 1 in Laghman, 5 in Ghor, 3 in Kunduz, 3 in Panjshir, 2 in Kapisa, 4 in Paktika, 4 in Kunar and 5 in Daikundi.

Meanwhile, the Afghan health officials again called on people in the country to take the virus seriously to curb its further spread, as per media reports.

At least 23,497 people have been tested for coronavirus in the country, the ministry said.

So far, 801 patients have been cured or discharged, while 173 died from the pandemic.

UK to invest $159 mn for Covid-19 vaccine development and manufacturing

New Delhi (NVI): The United Kingdom has announced an investment of USD 159.80 million (£131 million) to further boost coronavirus vaccine development and manufacturing, the British High Commission said today.

The funding has been announced by the UK to accelerate the construction of the new Vaccines Manufacturing and Innovation Centre (VMIC) and to establish a rapid deployment facility for vaccine manufacturing this summer, BHC said in a statement.

The additional funding for the VMIC will ensure it opens in Summer 2021, a full 12 months ahead of schedule, it said.

“The not-for-profit Centre is a key component of the UK’s coronavirus vaccine programme, ensuring that once a vaccine is available it can be produced quickly and in mass quantities. Not only will the VMIC boost the UK’s long-term capacity against future viruses, it will also accelerate the production of vaccines for existing illnesses such as the flu virus,” BHC said in a statement.

While the Centre is being built, the rapid deployment facility will open this summer and will support efforts to ensure a vaccine is widely available as soon as possible.

Apart from that, the UK has separately announced new funding of £84 million for vaccines being developed by the University of Oxford and Imperial College London.

UK Business Secretary Alok Sharma said: “As the biggest contributor to the international coalition to find a vaccine, the UK is leading the global response. Once a breakthrough is made, we need to be ready to manufacture a vaccine by the millions. The new Vaccine Manufacturing and Innovation Centre and temporary facility will build ‘fill and finish’ capacity, bringing the UK vaccine programme together from discovery to distribution.”

Jan Thompson, Acting High Commissioner to India, said: “This latest investment reaffirms the UK’s global commitment to fight this pandemic. We will continue to work closely with our international partners, including here in India, to find a vaccine and ensure it is rapidly available at scale. As the Prime Minister has said, the search for a coronavirus vaccine is the most urgent shared endeavour of our lifetimes.”

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