Coronavirus updates | April 28, 2021

Many countries are sending emergency use equipment to India to fight COVID-19

April 28, 2021 09:01 am | Updated 10:56 pm IST

Healthcare workers checking temperature and oxygen level at a special fever camp being conducted by Chennai Corporation at Kodambakkam in Chennai on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Healthcare workers checking temperature and oxygen level at a special fever camp being conducted by Chennai Corporation at Kodambakkam in Chennai on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

Around 15 countries including the US, Russia, France and the United Kingdom are rushing critical emergency use equipment to enable India counter the COVID-19’s deadly second wave. A compilation from the Ministry of External Affairs showed that countries are sending hundreds of oxygen concentrators, respirators and large quantities of liquid oxygen to help ease the difficult situation facing India.

You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here . A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.

Here are the latest updates:

 

India

MSN Labs unveils higher strength Favilow tablets for COVID-19 treatment

Drugmaker MSN Laboratories has launched Favilow, its branded generic of antiviral drug Favipiravir, in a higher strength of 800 mg.

Used in the treatment of mild and moderate COVID-19 flu, Favilow was launched last year by the company in August, in the strengths of 200 and 400 mg. Favilow 800 mg is priced at ₹144 per tablet and will be available across pharmacies. - Ravikumar N.

WHO

Indian COVID-19 variant found in at least 17 countries, says WHO

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that a variant of COVID-19 feared to be contributing to a surge in coronavirus cases in India has been found in over a dozen countries.

The U.N. health agency said the B.1.617 variant of COVID-19 first found in India had as of Tuesday been detected in over 1,200 sequences uploaded to the GISAID open-access database "from at least 17 countries".

"Most sequences were uploaded from India, the United Kingdom, USA and Singapore," the WHO said in its weekly epidemiological update on the pandemic.

 

Kerala

Kerala SSLC IT practical exams postponed

Close on the heels of postponement of the Plus Two higher secondary and vocational higher secondary practical examinations, the SSLC IT practical examinations have also been postponed in the State.

The IT practical examinations were scheduled to begin on May 5. The new dates will be intimated later. - Roshni R.K.

 

Maharashtra

Maharashtra govt. gives nod to free vaccination of citizens above 18 years

While officially announcing the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government’s decision to provide free vaccination for all citizens between 18-44 years, State Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday said that the government could not commence on the third phase of the COVID-19 vaccination drive from May 1 owing to the sheer paucity in the number of available vaccine doses.

Following an important cabinet meeting today, Mr. Tope said that the State exchequer would be bearing the estimated expenditure of ₹6,500 crore to inoculate around 5.71 crore citizens in the 18-44 age group. The government planned to complete the drive over the next six months, informed the Health Minister.

New Delhi

It appears Centre wants people to die, says Delhi HC on new protocol on Remdesivir use

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday said it appeared that the Centre wanted people to die as according to the new protocol on use of Remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment, the drug was to be given only to those on oxygen support.

"This is wrong. This is a complete non-application of mind. Now people who do not have oxygen will not get Remdesivir either. It appears you want people to die," Justice Prathiba M Singh said to the central government.

Gujarat

Only 152 oxygen beds available for COVID-19 patients in Ahmedabad

With only 152 oxygen beds available at hospitals, the civic body in Gujarat’s Ahmedabad city has appealed to citizens to avoid stepping out of their homes unless absolutely necessary, an official said on Wednesday.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) had doubled the overall bed capacity at hospitals in a month and half, and added more than 2,000 oxygen beds in the last 15 days alone.

 

Goa

Goa: COVID-19 treatment at private hospitals to be covered under govt insurance scheme

The Goa government on April 28 announced that COVID-19 treatment in private hospitals will be covered under its flagship medical insurance scheme.

Speaking to reporters in Panaji, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the treatment of COVID-19 patients at private hospitals will be covered under the ‘Deen Dayal Swasthya Seva Yojana’ (DDSSY).

New Delhi

IAF on 24X7 readiness to help in COVID-19 relief operations: Bhadauria tells PM

The Indian Air Force has ordered round-the-clock readiness of its entire heavy-lift fleet and substantial numbers of its medium-lift fleets to rapidly meet COVID-19 related tasks across the country and overseas, Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also told Mr. Modi that the Air Force is deploying big as well as medium-sized aircraft to cover all terrains, the PMO said in a statement.

 

Puducherry

Lockdown restrictions in Puducherry extended till May 3

The territorial administration has decided to extend lockdown restrictions up to May 3 in view of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the Union Territory.

Gathering and congregation of people in any form is strictly prohibited till May 3, Secretary (Revenue) Ashok Kumar said in an order.

 

Covaxin

Covaxin found to protect against double mutant variant

A study has found that people who have been vaccinated with Covaxin have protection against the double mutant (B.1.617) variant first found in India. A preprint of the study carried out by ICMR and Bharat Biotech researchers has been posted in biorXiv. Preprints are yet to be peer-reviewed and published in medical journals.

So far 21 countries have detected the B.1.617 variant, most of which have been reported from India.

The researchers used the sera collected from 28 people who had participated in the Covaxin phase-2 trial. They also collected sera samples from 17 people who were infected with older strains of SARS-CoV-2 virus and had recovered.  

“The study found that the neutralising capacity against the double mutant (B.1.617) variant was found to be good in both groups — people who have received the vaccine and those who have recovered from COVID-19,” says Dr. Samiran Panda, a senior scientist at ICMR and one of the co-authors of the preprint. “Compared with people who have recovered from COVID-19, the ability of the sera of vaccinated people to neutralise the B.1.617 variant was found to be two-fold less.” — R. Prasad

 

Karnataka

Rope in retired doctors, medical students for treating COVID patients: Siddaramaiah

As Karnataka is facing a severe shortage health infrastructure for providing treatment to COVID-19 patients, Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Wednesday said the State government should hire the services of retired doctors and para-medical staff, including nurses, on temporary basis to mitigate the problems created by the pandemic.

In a letter to Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, the Congress leader has given 11 suggestions for management of the COVID-19 situation in the State and asked the government to rope in final-year MBBS and para-medical students for providing treatment for patients under the guidance of experienced doctors. Almost every district has government and private medical colleges.

Kerala

Kerala to purchase one crore vaccines

Kerala has decided to purchase one crore COVID-19 vaccines directly from manufacturers and to make it free of cost to citizens as announced in the budget.

The Cabinet meeting, chaired by the Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan here on Wednesday, took this crucial decision hours before the online registration for vaccination for those above 18 years is to begin in the country. Of the one crore vaccines to be purchased, 70 lakh doses will be Covishield and 30 lakh Covaxin. The first 10 lakh dose is to be purchased next week.

 

New Delhi

Only one-third beds in ITBP COVID-19 care centre taken as oxygen supply ‘limited’

Only one-third of the total 500 oxygen beds at the ITBP operated COVID-19 care centre in south Delhi are occupied as the border guarding force said the capacity to admit coronavirus infected patients at the facility is “limited” due to supply of oxygen.

The paramilitary force said there is a huge influx of patients demanding admission at the facility and it has requested the Delhi government to increase oxygen supply so that admissions are increased.

 

Hospital directory

'Truecaller' launches Covid hospital directory

Telephone search engine and caller ID service provider, Truecaller on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, launched a Covid-19 Hospital Directory allowing users in India to easily find hospitals and care facilities in their area.

The directory is built right into the app and can be accessed from either the menu or the dialer, it said in a statement.

"The directory includes telephone numbers and addresses of covid designated hospitals from multiple states across the country, sourced from official governmentdatabases", it said.

Arunachal Pradesh

Goof-up in Arunchal Pradesh COVID-19-positive list

Health officials in Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Dibang Valley have ordered a re-test on 11 people who found themselves on the COVID-19-positive list despite testing negative, local dailies in the State reported.

District Medical Officer R. Tatan attributed the faux pas to a clerical error and said officials with the Integrated Disease Surveillance Project have been asked to conduct a re-test on the 11. The error was made on April 26.

 

Singapore

Singapore C-130 aircraft to deliver critical supplies to India

To speed up delivery of emergency supplies to India, Singapore has deployed two of its Air Force transport aircraft to transport oxygen cylinders and other critical supplies which will arrive in India later on Wednesday, April 28, 2021.

“Last year, India helped the world and Singapore by exporting essential medicines and supplies. Now we stand with India as you fight COVID. Singapore Minister Maliki Osman flagged off two of RSAF’s C-130s, arriving in India today with 256 oxygen cylinders to support last mile oxygen delivery,” Singapore High Commission in India said on twitter on Wednesday morning.

 

National

Vaccine registrations for 18-44 age group to begin today at 4 p.m.

People waiting to get their second dose of vaccine at a health centre in Virugambakkam, Chennai on April 27, 2021.

People waiting to get their second dose of vaccine at a health centre in Virugambakkam, Chennai on April 27, 2021.

 

Registrations for vaccine appointments for those aged above 18 will begin at 4 p.m. on April 28, a Health Ministry spokesperson has confirmed to The Hindu .

A notification from MyGov.in, the Centre’s official data repository, also confirmed the 4 p.m. slot, adding, “Appointments at State government centres & private centres depending on how many vaccination centres are ready on 1st May for vaccination of 18 plus”.

PIL on vaccine prices

PIL seeks sale of vaccines at ₹150

A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the different rates for COVID-19 vaccines for the Centre and state governments and requesting direction to the Serum Institute of India (SSI) and Bharat Biotech to sell their vaccines at a uniform rate of ₹150 per dose.

The PIL, filed on April 24 by advocate Fayzan Khan and three law students, said the vaccine is presumed to be an essential commodity and hence its management and distribution cannot be left in the hands of private companies.

"These pharma giants are milking the fear psychosis of the increased death rates due to COVID-19," it said.

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu to procure 1.5 crore COVID-19 vaccines in first phase

As it gears up to organise free vaccination camps for those in 18-45 age group, the Tamil Nadu governement has ordered for the procurement of 1.50 crore COVID-19 vaccines in the first phase.

According to an official release, the orders have been made by the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC). So far, 55.51 lakh people have taken COVID-19 vaccine shots across the State.

Chennai

No approval needed to start COVID Care Centres: Greater Chennai Corporation

Greater Chennai Corporation has allowed private hospitals to start COVID Care Centres (CCC) with private hotels without approval from the civic body.

GCC Commissioner G. Prakash on Wednesday said that the centres can be started with necessary facilities forthwith and only an intimation to the civic body would do. The commissioner said that the CCCs can be started straightaway and the same can be intimated to the corporation via email to the id jagadeesan.gcc@gmail.com

 

South Korea

South Korea to send medical items to help India

South Korea on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, said it will provide India with oxygen concentrators, COVID-19 diagnostic kits and other aid items to help the South Asian nation with the world's worst surge in coronavirus infections.

Health official, Yoon Taeho said on Wednesday that the government will also allow irregular flights to bring back South Korean nationals from India. He says those returning will undergo virus tests three times and be placed under a quarantine.

Mr. Yoon didn't elaborate on the amount of aid items South Korea will send to India. The country's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday that the amount of material it was considering sending to India would be “considerable.” Earlier Wednesday, South Korea reported 775 new virus cases, taking the country's total to 120,673, with 1,821 deaths.

Odisha

Odisha records 38% jump in cases

Odisha on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, recorded a massive 38.08% jump in COVID-19 cases with 8,386 persons found to be infected with coronavirus. 

It is for the first that the State has breached 8000-mark causing a significant worry for the government. The State reported an increase of 2,313 cases – highest ever single day growth — over 6,073 cases reported on Tuesday.   

Khordha, of which capital city of Bhubaneswar is a part, is the worst affected district reporting 1840 cases alone. Khordha is followed by Sundargarh with 933 cases and Jharsuguda 433 cases respectively. 

 

Maharashtra

Ensure speedy vaccination in Maharashtra: Sonia

Even as the tripartite Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government double thinks on free vaccination in Maharashtra, Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday directed senior party leader and State Revenue Minister Balasaheb Thorat to ensure speedy completion of vaccination in the State.Mr. Thorat has already said the party’s stand was to ensure free vaccination in the State.

 

Tamil Nadu

A worrying signal from the Secretariat

An increase in COVID-19 cases among the employees of the Secretariat has become a cause for concern. A section of them wonders why the government has not deployed the staff in rotation as it did during the first wave last year.

“Last year, when there was a spurt in the cases, the government decided to allow only 50% of the staff to go to offices. This year, a huge number of cases are reported every other day, but the government is yet to decide [on the rotation],” said G. Venkatesan, former secretary of Tamil Nadu Secretariat Association.

 

Karnataka

Doctors divided over use but scramble for Remdesivir continues

The scramble for Remdesivir, the anti-viral drug used in COVID-19 management, is increasing by the day even as doctors are divided on its use. While a few doctors are of the opinion that not all require this drug, many say it hastens recovery and helps bring down the viral load if given early.

With demand exceeding supply, families of patients admitted in private hospitals are under great distress. While the government is supplying the drug to patients admitted under government quota, many hospitals are asking the families of others to procure it on their own.

 

Rajasthan

Rajasthan apprises Centre of shortage of medical oxygen, essential medicines

Amid the spiralling number of COVID-19 positive cases, a Group of Ministers (GoM) from Rajasthan visited New Delhi on Tuesday to apprise the Centre of the shortage of medical oxygen and essential medicines, which was posing a difficulty in the treatment of serious patients. The State recorded the highest single-day rise in the death toll with 121 persons succumbing to the infection.

New Delhi

‘Delhi to import oxygen tankers from abroad’

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday said that the Delhi government would, with the help of the Centre, import 21 ready-to-use oxygen plants from France and 18 oxygen tankers from Bangkok, to ensure a steady supply of oxygen in hospitals across the Capital.

He thanked the Centre for allotting five additional oxygen tankers to Delhi and said that within the next month, the Delhi government will install 44 oxygen plants out of which eight plants will be installed by the Central government.

 

( With inputs from our Correspondents and agencies )

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