A healthcare worker stands at the entrance of an oxygen hub — a facility that provides free O2 to Covid-19 patients — in Kolkata on Sunday. (Express Photo: Partha Paul)Karnataka has recorded 25,311 fresh cases and 529 deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s positivity rate is at 23.28% now. A total of 5,701 new infections were reported from Bengaluru. Meanwhile, the number of fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours are 1,550 in Delhi, 1,057 in Mumbai, 3,121 in Kolkata and 4,985 in Chennai.
AIIMS Director Dr. Randeep Guleria on Monday said though it has been said that children will be infected the most during the third wave, the Pediatrics Association has said that this is not based on facts. It might not impact children and so people should not fear, he added.
More than 1.80 crore Covid-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs and they will receive over 48 lakh doses in the next three days, the Union Health Ministry said on Monday. The Centre has so far provided, both through the free of cost category and through direct state procurement category, more than 21.80 crore vaccine doses to states and UTs. Of this, the total consumption, calculated based on average up to May 23, including wastages is 20,00,08,875 doses the ministry said.
Meanwhile, the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Indian drug firm Panacea Biotec on Monday announced the launch of production of the Sputnik V vaccine in India. Panacea Biotec will now produce 100 million doses of Sputnik V per year. The first batch of the Covid-19 vaccine produced at Panacea Biotec’s facilities at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh will be shipped to the Russia’s Gamaleya Center for quality control. Full-scale production of the vaccine is expected to start this summer, RDIF and Panacea Biotec said in a joint statement.
The Bihar government on Monday extended the ongoing lockdown by a week to combat the spread of Covid-19. Chief Minister Nitish Kumar took to Twitter to confirm that the lockdown has been extended. Earlier, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said all 400 vaccination centres in the national capital have been shut for people in the 18-44 age group owing to a shortage in supply. Besides this, the inoculation drive has also been suspended for people above 45 who are looking for Covaxin, he added.
Government teacher Anita sanitizes children's hands as she had tested positive after UP Panchayat polls. (Express Photo by Praveen Khanna)
Cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country exceeded 19.84 crores (19,84,43,550) as per the 8 pm provisional report, states the Union Health Ministry. (ANI)
A total of 574 cases of black fungus infection reported in Pune, out of which 25 patients succumbed to the disease, says the district administration. (ANI)
Dr K Sudhakar, Karnataka Health Minister, says, “We have recruited 1,763 doctors and general practitioners to strengthen the health sector. As far as mucormycosis cases are concerned, 446 people have been infected, 433 hospitalised and 11 are in home isolation. A total of 12 deaths reported.” (ANI)
Pune Municipal Corporation says vaccination at all government centres in the city to remain closed tomorrow, due to shortage of vaccines. (ANI)
Roche India and Cipla Ltd on Monday announced that the first batch of the antibody cocktail, casirivimab and imdevimab, is now available in India while a second batch will be made available by mid-June.
In total, they can potentially benefit 2,00,000 patients as each of the 1,00,000 packs available offers treatment for two patients. Cipla will distribute the product by leveraging its strong distribution strengths across the country.
The drug will be available at hospitals and Covid-19 treatment centres. The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation had recently provided an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for the antibody cocktail in India, read a statement issued. (ENS)
Mumbai has reported 1,057 fresh cases and 48 deaths in the last 24 hours.
West Bengal has reported 17,883 new cases and 153 deaths in the last 24 hours. A total of 3,121 fresh infections and 35 deaths were reported in Kolkata.
Tamil Nadu reported 34,867 fresh cases, 404 deaths and 27,026 recoveries. Out of these, 4985 cases and 81 deaths were reported in Chennai.
Karnataka reported 529 Covid deaths, out of which 315 were from Bengaluru (Urban & Rural) alone. Meanwhile, the city reported 5,701 new cases and 34,378 recoveries. A total of 25,311 new cases were recorded in the entire state.
Himachal Pradesh government extends 'Corona Curfew' till 6 am of May 31. (ANI)
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan writes to PM Narendra Modi, saying that the central government should float a global tender to procure COVID-19 vaccines and provide them to all states free of cost.
During a meeting with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) on the status of application for WHO’s Emergency Use Listing (EUL) of Covaxin, it was noted that the vaccine had already received regulatory approval from 11 countries.
There was also interest from other 11 companies in 7 countries for technology transfer and production of Covaxin. On the issue of WHO’s authorization for EUL, BBIL noted that they had submitted 90% documentation required. Remaining is expected to be submitted in June.
BBIL is confident about obtaining WHO EUL subsequently, given its experience of getting its other vaccines pre-qualified by WHO. BBIL is in the final stages of submission of required documents for Covaxin’s regulatory approvals in Brazil and Hungary.
They have held extensive bilateral consultations with Hungary and Brazil. BBIL is in final stages of negotiations with US's FDA for conducting small-scale Phase-III clinical trials in the US. BBIL clarified that all regulatory approvals have retrospective and prospective effect. (ANI)
Acting on the recommendation of the Karnataka State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (KSCPCR) to ramp up childcare infrastructure for children infected by Covid-19, three quarantine centres (QCs) and a Covid Care Centre (CCC) have begun operations in Bengaluru.
Set up by voluntary organisations and child welfare experts, these facilities are expected to help children whose parents are hospitalised or have passed away due to the pandemic, referred by the 1098 helpline or Child Welfare Committee (CWC) – due to various other situations, and residents of Child Care Institutions (CCI) who contract the infection. Read more
Goa reports 1401 fresh cases, 2362 recoveries and 38 deaths in the last 24 hours.
Kerala reported 17,821 fresh cases, 36,039 recoveries and 196 deaths in the past 24 hours. The number of active cases and death toll stand at 2,59,179 and 7554 respectively. (ANI)
Delhi High Court asks Centre to file a status report indicating expected supply, manufacturers and govt attempt for facilitating imports and the allocation made to Delhi. HC says it appears that the present production and imports of medicine to treat Black Fungus may fall short not only for Delhi but for the whole country. (ANI)
In a viral video, a man was seen being assaulted by a BBMP booth-level officer after he mistook a queue for Covid-19 testing to be that for vaccination. He was allegedly assaulted when he refused to undergo test. FIR registered under multiple sections of IPC.
Reacting to the incident, BBMP Commissioner said, “We regret the incident at Nagarathpet testing booth. There's no question of forceful testing. We condemn any physical altercation that happened. Inquiry would be conducted to find out what led to this, who is responsible and also to prevent any such recurrence.” (ANI)
After Moderna, Pfizer also declines Punjab’s request for direct procurement of vaccines.
We’re coordinating with (Pfizer & Moderna) on central level in two ways — approval and procurement, says Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry. “It depends on surplus how much they can provide to India. They'll come back to the Government of India, will ensure and facilitate. On that basis we may be able to supply to states,” he adds. (ANI)
Andhra Pradesh reports 12,994 new cases, 18,373 recoveries, and 96 deaths in the past 24 hours. (ANI)