(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours and
Fact checks undertaken by PIB)
Updates on COVID-19 from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
An increase of 1211 new Covid-19 cases and 31 deaths has been reported for COVID-19 since yesterday. As many as 1036 persons have been cured/discharged after recovery. As of now, a total of 602 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals with 1,06,719 isolation beds and 12,024 ICU beds have been developed.
For details: Prime Minister announces extension of nationwide lockdown till 3rd may Prime Minister addressed the nation today about India’s fight against COVID-19. He announced extension of lockdown till 3rd May, and ease of certain restrictions in low risk areas from 20 April. The PM said that High Risk Areas and Hotspots will be under constant vigil. He sought support for seven things including taking care of elderly and adhering to social distancing and lockdown. Prime Minister said India has benefitted from Lockdown. He said notwithstanding the economic travails being faced, it is clearly the correct path as it protected so many lives in the country. For details: Text of PM’s address to the Nation For details: All passenger train services cancelled till 3rd May in view of COVID 19 lockdown All ticket counters for bookings including UTS &PRS , will remain suspended till further orders. No advance reservation of train tickets, including E tickets, till further advice, however, facility of online cancellation will remain functional. Full refund for reservation made for the trains cancelled. Full refund will also be there for those cancelling the advance bookings of tickets for trains not yet cancelled For details: The decision to extend the Nation-wide lockdown to fight COVID-19 till 3rd May taken to protect lives of the People: ShriAmit Shah Union Home Minister ShriAmit Shah has expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Prime Minister for the decision and said that the decision by the Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi to extend the lockdown, put in place to fight and end COVID-19, till 3rd May, has been taken to protect lives of the people of the country. For details: FCI transports 1,000 train loads in 20 days during lockdownFood Corporation of India has achieved a rare distinction of transporting more than 1,000 train loads (rakes) carrying about 3 Million Metric Tonnes of food grains during the lockdown period since 24.03.2020. It has also been able to unload about 950 rakes (about 2.7 MMT) during the same period. On an average, FCI is loading and unloading about 3 Lakh Metric Tonnes (about 60 Lakhs bags of 50 Kg each) every day since the start of lockdown, which is almost double its normal average.
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20 control rooms set up to address wage related grievances of workers Ministry of Labour and Employment has set up 20 control rooms under the Office of Chief Labour Commissioner (CLC) (C) on pan India basis due to issues arising in the backdrop of Covid-19. For details: ESIC Further Extends Period for Filing ESI Contribution The country is dealing with a very challenging situation due to COVID-19 Pandemic. Many establishments are temporarily closed and workers are unable to work. In line with the relief measures being extended by Government to business entities and workers, Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has undertaken relief measures for its stakeholders specially Employers and Insured Persons, besides strengthening its medical resources to fight COVID-19. For details: ShriGadkari assures industry representatives of full government support for restarting enterprises after COVID-19 lockdownUnion Minister for Road Transport & Highways and MSMEs ShriNitinGadkari has assured the industry of full cooperation from the government in restarting their enterprises after the lockdown is lifted post COVID-19. Interacting with FICCI representatives on a web based seminar today, the Minister informed them about the various financial decisions taken by the government in this direction.
For details: Press Statement from Central Administrative Tribunal For details: Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Ministry takes multiple steps to help the nation fight Covid-19 1,75,000 health sector professionals trained under MSDE Skill ecosystem provided to States. States offered the facilities of 33 Field institutes for the purpose of Quarantine Centres /Isolation Wards. About 5 lakh masks prepared by Jan ShikshanSansthan.For details:
Government initiates dialogue to resurrect agri sector exports in the aftermath of current COVID-19 crisis Secretary, Department of Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare, held a video conference to gain a first- hand account of the problems being faced by the exporters of Agri and Allied commodities and initiate necessary steps by making meaningful interventions for early redressal of their problems to help them sustain though the current Covid-19 crisis.For details:
Indian Navy ensures 24 x 7 operations from Visakhapatnam airfield in support of air operations during COVID-19 lockdown With the nationwide lockdown to prevent spread of virus during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, INS Dega of Eastern Naval Command (ENC) ensured that the joint-user airfield at Visakhapatnam remains open round the clock. For details: Agriculture Minister reviews ICAR activities during lockdown ShriNarendra Singh Tomar reviewed activities of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in helping farmers overcome the problems arising due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and the nationwide lockdown. While three ICAR institutes are engaged in COVID-19 testing on humans, ICAR has undertaken several efforts to help farmers during lockdown and given advisories to crores of farmers across the country. For details: Several steps initiated during current Covid-19 lockdown to decongest wholesale markets & to make supply chain agile under e-NAM: ShriNarendra Singh TomarThe Minister said that e-NAM is being expanded to cover additional 415 mandis which will take the total number of e-NAM mandis to 1000 soon. He also added that this online platform will prove to be a giant leap in reforming the agriculture market in India.He further said that we have more than 1.66 crore farmers and 1.28 Lakh traders registered on e-NAM platform.
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Several Steps taken to facilitate the farmers and farming activities at field level during the lock down period Rs. 16,621 crores released under PM-KISAN Scheme to 8.31 crore farmer families. 3,985 MT of pulses dispatched for delivery to the States/UTs under PM-GKYFor details:
Pharma Secretary Holds VC with representatives of Drugs and Pharma Industry and their Associations.Indian Pharma industry is producing enough stocks of essential medicines particularly HCQ to meet both domestic demand and to meet export obligations. The production and transportation is being ensured throughout the country by the Department with help of State/UT administrations. This position emerged after a Video Conferenceheld under chairmanship of Secretary of Department of Pharmaceuticals, Dr P D Vaghela to review the operations and issues of the pharmaceutical and Medical Devices industry.
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Delivery of Medicines through Speed PostMinister of Communications, Law & IT Sh. Ravi Shankar Prasad has instructed Secretary Posts to ensure that delivery of medicines through Speed Post is given the highest priority during lockdown. He has further directed that all employees of Department of Posts are sensitised so that no one should face difficulty in receiving or sending medicines during lockdown.
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Shri Ram Vilas Paswan holds video conference with Food Ministers of States and UTs to review foodgrains distribution during lockdown Centre asks States/UTs to check hoarding and ensure fair prices of essential commodities during the lockdown. Wheat procurement for RMS 2020-21 to commence from 15th April, 2020For details:
Clarification on passing of ordinary and special resolutions by companies under the Companies Act, 2013 and rules made thereunder on account of the threat posed by COVID-19For details:
Office of Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India issues simple guidelines, for controlling spread of COVID-19 in densely populated areasFor details:
DRDO develops kiosk for COVID-19 sample collection The unit has been developed by DRDL in consultation with the doctors of Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), Hyderabad. The COVSACK is a kiosk for use by healthcare workers for taking COVID-19 samples from suspected infected patients. Patient under test walks into the Kiosk and a nasal or oral swab is taken by health care professional from outside through the built in gloves.For details:
Village Panchayats undertake various measures to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the countryFor details:
Strategies and Solutions employed by PCMC to counter the COVID-19 pandemic PimpriChinchwad Municipal Corporation has performed incredibly well in waste management and sanitation services. More recently, PCMC has caught the eye for being swift and vigilant in their response to fighting against the COVID-19 pandemic.CMC has initiated several innovative and important initiatives to counter the spread of the virus.For details:
Fit India and CBSE organise first-ever live fitness sessions for school students in the second phase of lockdown, After the massive response to the live fitness sessions under Fit India Active Day programme launched by Fit India, the Government of India’s flagship fitness movement is yet again set to start a new series of fitness sessions. This time it willbe organised in partnership with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for school children from across the country. During the programme guidelines of Ministry of AYUSH to stay healthy will be shared with students.For details:
NIOS of HRD Ministry initiates a unique method to ensure effective schooling to reach the unreached directly at door step In wake of COVID-19, innovations by NIOS in telecast of Live sessions through Skype in association with KVS, NVS and CBSE & NCERT through SwayamPrabha DTH ChannelsFor details:
OFB to manufacture 1.10 lakh ISO Class 3 coveralls Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has started supply of coveralls conforming to ISO Class 3 exposure standards. Manufacture of initial order of 1.10 lakh from HLL Lifecare Limited (HLL) is in full swing. This order will be completed in 40 days.For details:
Ministry of Tourism launches its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series from today The Ministry of Tourism has launched its "DekhoApnaDesh" webinar series from today to provide information on the many destinations and the sheer depth and expanse of the culture and heritage of our Incredible India.For details:
NFL making available urea fertilisers to farmers unhindered Despite National level COVID -19 lockdown National Fertilizers limited- NFL is ensuring adequate supply of fertilizers to farmer community working at over 100 per cent capacityFor details:
INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES
Arunachal Pradesh: A person who illegally entered through Hollongi Check post area in Arunachal Pradesh was sent for medical check up and later quarantined. Assam: In Assam, a team from IIT Guwahati have developed an antimicrobial spray based coating for PPE kits to kill and prevent the spread of microbes once they come in contact with the coated PPE surface. Manipur: CM reviews distribution of rice to the public under PMGKY in all districts. Mizoram: 32 Kgs of ICMR Testing Kits arrived by IAF Dornier Aircraft today and sent to Zoram Medical College, Aizawl, Mizoram. Nagaland: Nine Opposition party MLAs have been made part of COVID-19 monitoring team in Nagaland. State govt clarifies revealing identity of first COVID-19 patient of Nagaland was necessary to facilitate contact tracing. Sikkim: Govt decides to extend the lockdown till 3rd May, 2020, may consider relaxation after 20th April. Tripura: CM receives 6000 suggestions when he asked people to share the work government should do after withdrawal of lockdown. Kerala: State Finance Minister urges Centre to take steps to resolve the financial needs of the State govts& sanction loans to States through RBI. State to continue current restrictions until new guidelines are issued. Till yesterday evening, total recoveries 197; undergoing treatment 178; under observation 1,12,183. Tamil Nadu: Nellore doctor’s body who died of Covid cremated in Chennai amidst tight security after locals protest. Chennai Corp. to start testing residents from Wednesday. Chennai Police book & seize vehicles of those not wearing masks. Total +ve cases till now 1173; cured 58; deaths 11. Karnataka: 11 new cases so far today. Total Covid confirmed cases till now 258; death toll reach 9; number of patients cured and discharged 65. Andhra Pradesh: State cancels Class X exams; students advised to listen to online classes. Migrant workers at a quarantine center at Gooty in Anantapur clash with Police. Total +ve cases in the State reach 473; death toll 9; cured 14. Districts leading in +ve cases: Guntur (109), Kurnool (91), Nellore (56), Prakasam (42), Krishna (44), Kadapa (31). Telangana: State marks 126 localities in the city as containment clusters. Migrant labourers try to leave Hyderabad city after lockdown gets extended. Total cases in the State rise to 592 of which 103 have been cured, while 472 are undergoing treatment. Maharashtra: 121 new coronavirus cases in Maharashtra; state tally surges to 2,455.Among the new cases that were reported on Tuesday, 92 were from Mumbai, 13 from Navi Mumbai, 10 from Thane city, five from Vasai-Virar and one from Raigad. Gujarat: State recorded 45 new Covid-19 positive cases, taking the total tally to 617. The cases include 31 from Ahmedabad, Surat 9, Mehsana 2 and one each from Bhavnagar, Dahod and Gandhinagar. (Principal Secretary, Health) Rajasthan: 72 new cases have been reported today in Rajasthan so far, including 71 in Jaipur and 1 in Jhunjhunu. The total number of positive cases in the state has risen to 969, according to Rajasthan Health Department MP: In Madhya Pradesh 1171 samples were tested and 126 new positive cases were found marking the highest single day tally. 98 of these are from Indore, 20 are from Bhopal. The total tally in the state is 730. Goa: No new cases were reported as of this morning in Goa keeping the tally of active cases at 2. Out of 7 positive cases reported, five have already recovered.
Fact Check on #Covid19
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