CVCs identified as dedicated Covid hospitals should continue providing uninterrupted vaccination services
New Delhi: The Union Health Ministry has asked states and union territories to ensure that restrictions on movement imposed by them for COVID-19 control do not adversely impact the inoculation exercise.
In a letter to states and UTs, Additional Secretary in the Health Ministry Manohar Agnani said that in view of rising COVID-19 cases, various measures are being undertaken to control the spread of coronavirus infection which also includes curfews and partial/complete lockdown in some states and districts for variable periods.
Similarly, for management of coronavirus infected patients certain hospitals are being earmarked as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals for management of only COVID-19 cases.
"In this regard it is advised COVID-19 vaccination services should not be affected by COVID-19 curfews/lockdowns and the movement of beneficiaries to and fro COVID-19 Vaccination Centres (CVCs) should not be restricted during such interventions.
"Similarly, those CVCs which have been identified as dedicated COVID-19 hospitals should continue providing uninterrupted COVID-19 vaccination services. Vaccination services should be provided in a separate building/block in these hospitals that is directly separated from the building/block where management of COVID-19 patients is being done," he said.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus India Cases:
Rajasthan Government Orders Closure Of Offices, Markets Till May 3
In a bid to contain the spread of coronavirus, the Rajasthan government ordered the closure of offices and markets from Monday to May 3, according to a release. Called the
"Jan Anushasan Pakhwada'' (public discipline fortnight), only shops and offices providing essential services will open during the 15-day period, the release issued by Home Secretary Abhay Kumar said. The sale of fruits and vegetables will be allowed till 7 pm. Those entering Rajasthan will have to show a negative RT-PCR report issued 72 hours prior to the travel.
Jharkhand Seeks Centre's Permission To Import Remdesivir From Bangladesh
The Jharkhand government has reached out to some pharma companies in Bangladesh for importing the antiviral drug Remdesivir, which is used in the treatment of serious Covid patients, Chief Minister Hemant Soren tweeted on Sunday. He said the state government has sought the centre's permission for buying the drug from abroad.
Read Here Maharashtra: State Government's statewide restrictions till May 1 in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.
Maharashtra: State Government's statewide restrictions till May 1 in the wake of the COVID-19 situation.
Oxygen For Industrial Use To Be Diverted For Covid Patients Amid Spike
The supply of oxygen meant for industries will now be diverted for medical use in the country as it battles a record surge in the COVID-19 cases in the deadly second wave of the pandemic, said a letter from the government to the chief secretaries of all the states.
Read Here Maharashtra: With a surge in coronavirus cases, Pune-based hospital runs short of oxygen.
Amid Soaring Covid Cases, Arvind Kejriwal's Shocking Claim On Oxygen
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Sunday alleged that the Centre has reduced Delhi's quota of medical oxygen and diverted it to other states. He also wrote to Union minister Piyush Goyal, alleging that 140 Metric Tonnes of Oxygen meant for Delhi was diverted to other states and should be restored. The national capital, he said, is facing an acute shortage of oxygen, and declared the issue has become "an emergency".
Read Here People coming to Chhattisgarh to undergo mandatory COVID-19 test, says Chief Minister
The Chhattisgarh government has mandated a COVID-19 test for all passengers at airports, railway stations, bus stands and inter-state borders coming to the state amid the increasing number of coronavirus infections.
Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel on Sunday reviewed the current status of coronavirus infection in 10 districts of the state, preventive measures and arrangements made for the treatment of patients in a virtual meeting held at his residence office.
"Amid increasing COVID-19 caseload, passengers coming from outside to be tested at airports, railway stations, bus stands and inter-state borders. Testing to be done in rural areas as well," said Mr Baghel.
Kerala universities postpone exams amid COVID-19 surge
Following the intervention of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammad Khan, all exams being scheduled by the universities from Monday have been postponed in the wake of the COVID-19 surge in the state.
Among those universities that postponed various exams include APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University, Kerala University, Calicut University, Mahatma Gandhi University, Kochi, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kerala University of Health Sciences, Malayalam University and Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
"Vice-Chancellors have been requested by the Governor to postpone all offline exams. The Governor has suggested that fresh dates be given based on the prevailing conditions," said the Kerala Governor''s office.
"In view of the directions from the Chancellor and considering the representations from student organisations, Vice-Chancellor has directed to postpone all scheduled examinations of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University," said a release issued by Controller of Examinations of the University.