Home Blog Page 4372

PM Modi urges states to refrain from imposing lockdown, only use it as a “last resort” to contain Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
-
0
PM Modi urges states to refrain from imposing lockdown, only use it as a “last resort” to contain Coronavirus

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation today on the surging COVID-19 cases as India faces a second wave of the pandemic. The PM reassured about the availability of critical medicines and other materials needed to treat the viral infection, and urged state governments to only impose lockdown as a “last resort”, signalling the Central government’s reluctance on imposing lockdowns. “We have to save the country from lockdown”, the PM said.

“I urge states to use lockdown only as a last resort,” PM Modi said in his address to the nation. He added that the state governments should try their best to avoid lockdown, and focus on micro containment zones instead. 

The PM said that the country is fighting a very big war against Coronavirus, as the second wave of the pandemic arrived at the country like a storm while the situation was under control till a few weeks ago. ‘I am fully aware of the pain you have faced, the pain you are facing’, the PM said.

Talking about the challenge faced in many parts of the country in the availability of medical oxygen, the PM said that efforts are being undertaken at various levels to increase the production and supply of oxygen. He informed that initiatives like new oxygen plants in the states, supply of one lakh new cylinders, diverting oxygen used in industrial units for medical use, oxygen rail etc are being undertaken to address the issue.

He said that scientists in the country have developed two vaccines in a very short time by working day and night. India has the cheapest vaccines in the world, and we have vaccines compatible with the cold chain system of the country, the PM said. He further said that India was able to start the world’s largest vaccination program using two made in India vaccines with the help of a team effort, and India was the fastest to administer 10 crore, 11 crore and now 12 crore doses of vaccine.

PM Modi further added that from May 1 onwards, any person over the age of 18 is eligible to get the Coronavirus vaccine. The PM hailed this expansion in the vaccination drive, remarking that half of India’s vaccine production will be handed out to the state governments in order to strengthen the immunization efforts.

The PM also spoke about migrant workers, requesting the state governments to sustain the confidence of migrant workers, and cautioning them to stay where they are, so as to mitigate the spread of Coronavirus in the country.

PM Modi also recognized the role of the private sector in India’s war against COVID-19, pushing for a more proactive relationship in face of the upcoming mass vaccination drive.

West Bengal: Election Commission announces by-poll on Eid, opposition slams poll panel for ‘bias against Muslims’

OpIndia Staff
-
0
West Bengal: Election Commission announces by-poll on Eid, opposition slams poll panel for ‘bias against Muslims’

In West Bengal, the Election Commission announced by-polls to two seats on May 13, 2021, which incidentally is the same day when the Muslim festival Eid-ul-Fitr will be celebrated across the country. The EC’s decision has left opposition parties including Congress, TMC and the Left extremely miffed who are now doubting EC’s ‘intent’. They have come out to openly slam the poll panel for its decision, accusing it of being biased against Muslim voters, reports Times Now.

These deferred elections are being held because polling to these two seats was postponed following the death of two of the candidates. Incidentally, the Muslim festival Eid ul Fitr is falling on the same day the EC has chosen for the by-polls in the 2 substantially Muslim dominated districts, Samsergang and Jangipur.

Reportedly, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee has written to the poll panel accusing it of forgetting the occasion and being biased against Muslim voters. Besides, the Left, Congress and many Muslim bodies like Bengal Imams Association have also raised their concerns about this matter.

Meanwhile, BJP has hit back saying that holding polls on festivals is not something unusual. The EC has past precedence of holding elections during Hindu festivals like Bihu and Chithirai where nobody took an objection to it, said BJP.

Commenting on oppostion’s hue and cry over EC’s decision, BJP Kolkata Spokesperson Sourav Sikdar said that election is the biggest festival of democracy and the date clash with Eid shouldn’t be made an issue.

To which Congress Leader, Kamru Z Choudhary stated that there’s no opposition to the election date. However, it would have been better if the EC had been more sensitive to the sentiments of a community.

TMC, Cong, Left parties along with other Muslim bodies have appealed to Election Commission to review this decision to hold by-polls on Eid day.

Re-polling in Assam conducted by Election Commission on the last day of Bohag Bihu festival

While opposition parties cry foul it becomes imperative to know that the re-polling in four polling stations under three Assembly constituencies in Assam took place today. The Election Commission had ordered re-polling in these polling stations following irregularities on April 1, the polling day. Incidentally, today is the last day of celebrations of the Rongali or Bohag Bihu festival which commenced on April 14, 2021, in Assam. Bihu is the most important festival of the state.

2019 Tamil Nadu poll date had clashed with the annual Chithirai festival in Madurai

Similarly, in 2019, the annual Chithirai festival in Madurai which had begun on April 7 and ended on April 19 that year, had coincided with the date of polling in Tamil Nadu. The polls were conducted nevertheless. The Election Commission of India had ruled out the possibility of postponing the date of polling in Madurai due to the Chithirai festival. However, owing to the date clash, EC had granted Madurai voters two extra hours to exercise their franchise.

Election Commission declares by-polls to 2 seats in WB after Congress and RSP candidate die of Covid

The Election Commission has declared May 13 as the date of by-poll to Samsergang and Jangipur after Congress’ Samsergang candidate Rezaul Haque and Revolutionary Socialist Party’s (RSP) Jangipur candidate Pradip Kumar Nandi had died due to Covid-19.

The poll panel picked April 29 for Congress’ and RSP’s new candidates to file their nominations. Eventually, it announced that the by-polls to these two seats would be conducted on May 13.

AAP supported farmer protests hampering war against Covid-19, oxygen supplier writes to GOI saying tankers delayed due to roadblocks by protestors

OpIndia Staff
-
0
AAP supported farmer protests hampering war against Covid-19, oxygen supplier writes to GOI saying tankers delayed due to roadblocks by protestors

While the Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has been saying for the last two days that Delhi is facing an acute shortage of oxygen, it has been revealed that the supply of the vital gas has been disrupted by the ongoing farmer protests in and around Delhi, which is being supported by the AAP govt.

On Monday night, the Delhi police had created a green corridor to enable fast transport of oxygen to Sri Action Balaji Hospital in the city, where the oxygen levels had reached a critical point. A dedicated corridor was created by the police for two oxygen tankers carrying 19,500 litres of liquid oxygen from the UP and Haryana borders. While the police had said that the tankers were stuck at the two borders due to ‘traffic jam’, a letter written by the supplier of the oxygen has now revealed the real reason: the tankers were stuck at the farmer protest sites at the border points.

According to a letter sent by Inox Air Products, a supplier of oxygen, to the central govt, they are facing blockages while transporting oxygen from their plants in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh to Delhi due to the highway blockades enforced by the protestors. They mentioned the incident yesterday, when the Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in Paschim Vihar had almost run out of oxygen. According to the company, this happened as the delay of liquid medical oxygen to the hospital was delayed by 2 hours due to the blockade of NH24 on the Delhi-UP border at Ghazipur by the farmers. According to the company, their vehicles are having to travel an additional distance of 100 kms from their unit in Modinagar, Uttar Pradesh to reach hospitals in Delhi.

The letter by Inox Air Products Pvt Ltd further added that its oxygen supply from IOC facilities is also hampered due to the farmer protests. The company has been asked by the union govt to lift liquid oxygen from Indian Oil Corporation’s Panipat unit, but while transporting oxygen from there to Delhi, they are facing delays due to the blockage at the Singhu border.

Due to this situation, the company requested the union govt to extend support for making green corridors for the movement of tankers and trucks carrying oxygen.

‘Won’t interfere in ongoing polls’, Supreme Court junks petition filed by TMC leader seeking 100% VVPAT verification of votes

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Won’t interfere in ongoing polls’, Supreme Court junks petition filed by TMC leader seeking 100% VVPAT verification of votes

The Supreme Court of India on Monday dismissed a plea seeking 100 per cent matching of the voter-verifiable paper audit trail (VVPAT) slips with the electronic voting machines (EVMs) vote count to ensure transparency in the elections. The court said that it will not interfere in the middle of the poll process.

“We are not going to interfere in the middle of the election process,” a bench comprising Chief Justice S A Bobde and Justices A S Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian noted.

“The special leave petition is dismissed. As a sequel to the above, pending interlocutory applications, if any, stand disposed of,” the bench said in its order.

The judgment came in the wake of the ongoing election process in the state of West Bengal. The election process for the other four states has already been over and the counting of the votes for all the seats will be held on May 2.

The plea was filed by Trinamool Congress leader Gopal Seth, who had approached the top court after being rebuffed by the Calcutta High Court.

In the petition to the Supreme Court, the counsel contended that the high court had said that the apex court had earlier passed the order on this. However, the bench of the Supreme Court did not entertain his requests and dismissed the plea.

The Supreme Court in 2019 had rejected a plea filed by several political parties for 50 per cent VVPAT verification during the Lok Sabha elections.

In 2019, the Supreme Court had rejected a plea by several political parties for 50% VVPAT verification during the Lok Sabha elections. However, the top court had then directed the EC to increase random matching of VVPAT slips with EVMs to five polling booths per assembly segment.

After getting vaccinated himself, Rakesh Tikait says the Modi government will be responsible if farmers get COVID-19

OpIndia Staff
-
0
After getting vaccinated himself, Rakesh Tikait says the Modi government will be responsible if farmers get COVID-19

Amidst the alarming surge of COVID-19 cases in Delhi, BKU spokesperson and self-proclaimed ‘farmers’ leader Rakesh Tikait held the central government responsible if farmers protesting at the borders of the national capitals are infected with the coronavirus. Even as Delhi is under a strict 6-day lockdown, Tikait insisted that it cannot be a reason to put the ‘farmers’ protest on hold.

Tikait, who has gotten vaccinated himself, said that it is the central government’s responsibility that farmers protesting along the Delhi borders do not contract the coronavirus.

Speaking with Republic Media Network, Tikait said, “Responsibility lies solely with the government if the farmers get infected with the virus. When the COVID-19 cases are rising across the country, who is responsible for it? Are farmers responsible for that too?”

He further added, “If there is a disease, then the government should ensure treatment for it and build hospitals for it. Politicians are collecting funds for other purposes. They are conducting rallies and contesting elections.”

A couple of days ago, while on his visit to Jammu, Rakesh Tikait had asserted that the ‘farmers’ agitation was not Shaheen Bagh that can be ended in the name of coronavirus.

It is worth noting that Rakesh Tikait, who is spearheading the ‘farmers’ protests and insisting that the protests should not stop because of the coronavirus outbreak, has himself got vaccinated at a hospital near the Delhi-UP border on Tuesday. Tikait took the first dose of coronavirus vaccine at a hospital situated near the Ghazipur border protest site on April 13. 

While the national capital went under a 6-day lockdown, Tikait asserts that farmers, many of whom may not have got vaccinated, persist with their protests along the border, even if that means exposing themselves to the coronavirus that is spreading at an alarming rate, especially in Delhi.

In the meantime, Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), a Punjab-based farmers group that had demanded the release of suspects in both the Elgar Parishad case and the Delhi riots case, has announced a march to Delhi on April 21 in order to protest against the Farm laws. This march comes at a time when Delhi is going through a surge in Coronavirus cases, with testing facilities getting overwhelmed. Yogendra Yadav, the icchadhari protestor, has now alleged that the Modi government is trying to quell the protest in the name of COVID-19 and that is something he will not let happen.

‘Farmers’ to march from Punjab to Delhi amid Covid surge, Yogendra Yadav says they will not let govt quell the protest in the name of COVID-19

OpIndia Staff
-
0
‘Farmers’ to march from Punjab to Delhi amid Covid surge, Yogendra Yadav says they will not let govt quell the protest in the name of COVID-19

Bhartiya Kisan Union (Ekta Ugrahan), a Punjab-based farmers group that had demanded the release of suspects in both the Elgar Parishad case and the Delhi riots case, has announced a march to Delhi on April 21 in order to protest against the Farm laws. This march comes at a time when Delhi is going through a surge in Coronavirus cases, with testing facilities getting overwhelmed.

According to their statement, the farmer union leaders said apart from farmers, women, tribals, unemployed people and socially disadvantaged groups will also participate in the march.

Several other farmer groups are also doing preparations for a march to Delhi. Kul Hind Kisan Sabha, a farmer union, is organizing farmer meets at the village level in order to increase participation at the protest in Delhi.

“Rumours are being spread that farmers have started leaving the protest sites. Farmers have not lost hope and will leave their villages on April 21 after the harvest season is over. We will implement whatever directions will be issued by the Samyukt Kisan Morcha,” said Karmvir Kaur Mahewhwari, an activist of Kul Hind Kisan Sabha.

On Monday, the Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM) decided to launch the ‘Phir Delhi Chalo’ movement from April 24, marking 150 days since the start of the Farmer protests. The SKM is a joint forum of farm unions that spearheads the farmer’s protest.

According to SKM Member Ashish Mittal, as farmers were away for wheat harvesting, the focus of SKM would first be on calling them back. He also said that BKU (Ugrahan) had called upon its members to start reaching the Tikri border from April 21.

Amid rising Coronavirus cases, the Centre and Haryana government have urged farmers to vacate the protest sites, but protesting farmer union leaders have urged the opposite

“Now that the reaping season is over, we are asking farmers to return. Repeated requests from ministers asking us to move out are just a prelude to an effort at uprooting us,” said Yogendra Yadav, president of Jai Kisan Andolan.

Yogendra Yadav further alleges that the government is hatching a conspiracy in the garb of anti-Covid measures to quell their protest. “They used the same trick last year. We will not let it happen,” he said. 

“We will spread awareness about health and hygiene protocols one needs to adopt in view of Covid-19. All our colleagues will be asked to wear masks,” added Yadav.

The farmer leaders also said that they will set up vaccination camps at all protest sites. Anyone above 45 years can walk in and get vaccinated, they say, in addition to ambulances being available.

Thousands of farmers are protesting mainly at three sites around Delhi– Tikri, Singhu, and Ghazipur, since late November. The protestors are mainly from Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh.

Sanjay Raut threatens Kannadigas in Mumbai, BJP terms his remarks ‘anti-national’: Here is what happened

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Sanjay Raut threatens Kannadigas in Mumbai, BJP terms his remarks ‘anti-national’: Here is what happened

Earlier today, Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut, who is known for his indiscreet utterances, threw open a can of worms when on Sunday he issued a warning alleging that Kannadigas in Mumbai may find it difficult to do business if clashes between the linguistically divided groups were to reach the financial capital.

Raut made the above remarks in reference to the enduring linguistic disputes in Belagavi and the bordering districts that are a bone of contention between Maharashtra and Karnataka since the linguistic reorganisation of the states.

In an editorial published on April 18 in the Shiv Sena mouthpiece Saamana, Sanjay Raut urged Uddhav Thackeray-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government to open an office in Belagavi in Karnataka and claimed that when Marathi-speaking people are attacked in this border district, Shiv Sainiks retaliate by vandalising transport buses belonging to Karnataka coming into their state.

The Rajya Sabha member further added that if such an incident happened in Mumbai, then it would be “difficult for Kannadigas here (Mumbai) to conduct their trade and business,” though he clarified that “one should not stoop down to that level”. Nevertheless, the subtle threat dished out to Kannadigas in Maharashtra was hard to miss.

BJP terms Sanjay Raut’s remarks on Kannadigas ‘anti-national’

Raut’s threat elicited a sharp reaction from the BJP, along with fellow Kannadigas who took to Twitter to condemn the divisive language used by Mr Raut against the Kannadigas. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya denounced Sanjay Raut’s remarks on Kannadigas and raised question over the silence of the Maha Vikas Aghadi leaders on the issue, saying that it shows “their love for power is more than love for Karnataka”.

“Shiv Sena-NCP-Congress govt (in Maharashtra) is proving to be a disgrace to the country every day. When the country has to stand united in the hour of distress, MVP leaders are dividing people on issues of language,” he tweeted.

Surya also warned the Maharashtra government that the comments passed by Sanjay Raut on Kannadigas would not be taken lightly by the youth of India, reminding them that India has rejected politicians who had espoused the language of hate and division.

Social media users slam Sanjay Raut for threatening Kannadigas working in Mumbai

Raut is also facing flak from several social media users who slammed him for having a parochial outlook and exhibiting xenophobic tendencies.

One social media user rightly pointed out that Mumbai is what it is because of the outsiders. She further added that if the city were left to be governed by the likes of Sanjay Raut and his ilk, it will soon run into the ground.

Another social media user pointed out that Sanjay was simply trying to sow discord in the society with his inflammatory remarks.

Some users were flummoxed as to why the Indian Constitution still allowed people like Sanjay Raut to remain on a constitutional post. “Are we a banana republic?” one of them questioned.

Another social media user said Maharashtra’s health infrastructure is crumbling under the weight of the COVID-19 outbreak but Sanjay Raut wants to politicise and polarise.

Maharashtra and Karnataka are at loggerheads over the territorial claims on some areas, including Belagavi, Karwar and Nippani, which are part of Karnataka. Maharashtra has claimed that the region belongs to it, contending that the majority of the population in these areas are Marathi-speaking.

Nagpur: Cops forcibly take oxygen cylinders from a plant in order to save Covid patients, inquiry launched

OpIndia Staff
-
0
Nagpur: Cops forcibly take oxygen cylinders from a plant in order to save Covid patients, inquiry launched

A team of police personnel from Jaripatka Police station in Nagpur are facing an inquiry after using heavy-handed forceful tactics in order to arrange oxygen cylinders for fifteen critical COVID-19 patients admitted in an ICU at a private hospital. The police officers gave oxygen cylinders to the hospital which barely had two hours of oxygen supply left.

Shortly after Sunday midnight, the Nimunabai Tirpude Hospital sent Jaripatka Police Station a message informing the police that the lives of 15 COVID-19 patients are at risk because the oxygen supply may not last beyond 5 AM. According to Dr. Shivaji Supalkar of the Tirpude Hospital, the regular oxygen plant which supplied the hospital did not respond to repeated pleas, going as far as to disallow the hospital vehicle from entering its premises.

However, as per reports, the hospital authorities did not inform the Collector or the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) control room about their need for oxygen. Instead, they raised their issue on a social media group comprising nodal officers and other senior officials of the civic body and the district administration. NMC Additional Commissioner Jalaj Sharma directed the hospital to pick up 10 oxygen cylinders from a plant in Hingna. By that time, the hospital had already informed the Jaripatka police station about their situation.

Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Mahadeo Naikwade, who was on duty at the time, alerted the control room about the hospital’s grave oxygen situation. The control room told Naikwade about another oxygen plant in Yashodhara Nagar, where PSI Naikwade showed up with his team.

Initially, the Yashodhara Nagar plant refused to hand over any spare oxygen tanks because of an earlier direction from the Collector to only supply oxygen cylinders as per the quota allotted. However, PSI Naiwakde, who was reportedly emotionally moved by the situation, forcefully took 7 oxygen cylinders and delivered them to Tirpude Hospital, in what was a virtual robbery.

Though he may have acted with noble intentions, the action did not please senior officials due to violations involved including that of the Collector’s orders.

Hospital authorities say they were panicked by the dire situation and approached the police fearing anger from the patient’s relatives if something untoward happened. “The PSI’s act ensured oxygen for our patients and we are ready to pay whatever amount is due. The cylinders helped us continue till our normal supply was restored,” said Dr. Supalkar.

Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police Neelotpal says that an inquiry has been instituted under the concerned Assistant Commissioner of Police.

India Today shares prescription medicines containing steroids, which could be fatal for some, for ‘home treatment’ of Covid-19

OpIndia Staff
-
0
India Today shares prescription medicines containing steroids, which could be fatal for some, for ‘home treatment’ of Covid-19

On Tuesday (April 2020), India Today stirred controversy by sharing prescription medicines for the general public for the treatment of Coronavirus infection at home.

In an article titled, “How to treat yourself at home if you have Covid-19? Medical experts share tips”, India Today cited one Canada-based infectious disease physician named Dr Zain Chagla to urge people to ‘self-medicate’ in the face of the Coronavirus crisis. The article suggested a list of medicines that are used in the treatment of Covid-19, but which can trigger dangerous side effects if administered without medical supervision.

One of the medications involved inhaling 2 puffs of Budesonide (steroid) twice a day if the oxygen saturation level was above 92%. Citing Zain Chagla, India Today wrote that Dexamethasone (steroid) 6 mg must be taken daily for 10 days if oxygen saturation level dropped below 92%. India Today also cited Lt. Gen Dr Ved Chaturvedi of the Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Dr Vikramjeet Singh of Aakash Healthcare but unlike Dr Zain Chagla, they did not prescribe any medicine.

Screengrab of the article by India Today

Lt. Gen Dr Chaturvedi and Dr Singh said that there is a scarcity of hospital beds and a Coronavirus patient can choose home isolation over hospitalisation, provided the symptoms range from mild to moderate. However, India Today went a step ahead and quoted Dr Zain Chagla to list the names of even steroidal medicines as a quick fix for Coronavirus infection. Administering prescription medicines without considering the medical history of a patient can be fatal and life-threatening. The irresponsible reporting by India Today sets a dangerous precedent for the general public, who often get carried away with information they read online.

Both Budesonide and Dexamethasone must be taken only under medical supervision. The same list of medication was also shared yesterday by the controversial physician, Dr Kafeel Khan. After being called out on social media, he posted another tweet saying that Dexamethasone should only be consumed under trained medical supervision. But by then, it was too late and the tweet had received hundreds of retweets and thousands of ‘likes’. As a responsible media platform, we urge people to consult a physician before following any recommendation on social media.

No lockdown in UP yet: Yogi Adityanath on action mode, list steps taken to curb Chinese coronavirus pandemic

OpIndia Staff
-
0
No lockdown in UP yet: Yogi Adityanath on action mode, list steps taken to curb Chinese coronavirus pandemic

The Supreme Court today granted an interim stay on the Allahabad High Court order calling for a lockdown in the State of Uttar Pradesh on account of the COVID-19 situation. Prior to the SC order, the Yogi Adityanath government had also batted against Allahabad High Court’s proposal to put 5 cities of UP under complete lockdown.

“There is no need to impose a complete lockdown. Weekend lockdowns will continue to curb the spread of COVID-19”, the CMO had said.

The Uttar Pradesh CM had said in an official statement: “The state government is working with full commitment to control coronavirus infections and a strategy is being worked on for extensive testing, tracking and tracking of continuous supply of oxygen along with the availability of ICU beds for prevention of Covid-19.”

CMO listed steps taken to tackle Covid

Today, the CMO listed a series of steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government to tackle the rising Covid-19 cases in the state.

Among the steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government to tackle the coronavirus crisis, Yogi Adityanath said that in districts where there are more than 500 active cases, public activities will be restricted except for essential services from 8 pm to 7 am. This rule will be implemented with immediate effect, said CMO.

Moreover, weekend curfews will continue to be in place to check the spread of the pathogen in the state.

Yogi Adityanath specified that special arrangements have to be made at border areas to make sure that the migrant workers returning from Delhi, Maharashtra and Rajasthan are tested before entering the state, but at the same time, he asked authorities to make sure that the migrants do not face any difficulty in returning to their native place.

“Necessary action should be taken in coordination with the state Home Department and Transport Department to ensure that proper arrangement for testing and treatment of these migrant workers are in place at border areas, stated the CM.

The UP CM furthered that the state should ensure all necessary security arrangements for the police force and other personnel working for the ongoing panchayat elections. He ordered that the candidates in the ongoing panchayat elections will be allowed to campaign only in groups of five.

Double the number of Covid beds

Uttar Pradesh government recognised the need to double the number of Covid beds in all districts of the state including Lucknow, Kanpur Nagar, Prayagraj, Varanasi, Jhansi, Gorakhpur, and Meerut districts. The government has informed that 200 beds equipped with oxygen facilities would be increased in each of these districts with immediate effect.

CM Yogi Adityanath has ordered the deployment of an officer of Secretary level in each district who would overlook the expansion of hospital beds in these districts. He said that in this regard, the medical education minister and health minister should ensure prompt action by communicating with the district administration in all the districts of the state.

Yogi Adityanath furthered that authorities have been ordered to increase the number of dedicated Covid Hospitals in Lucknow, and prepare King George’s Medical University (KGMU) and Balrampur Hospital as designated Covid Hospitals. Besides, Era Medical College, TS Mishra Medical College, Integral Medical College, Hind Institute of Medical Sciences and Mayo Institute of Medical Sciences will also be expanded as dedicated Covid Hospitals.

He added that a new consignment of 20,000-30,000 Remdesivir vials reached the state on Monday. The chief minister said three new oxygen plants will also be set up at different places in the state each week. 

“With DRDO’s help, a new oxygen plant with a capacity of 220 cylinders will be installed and made operational in the next 2-3 days. The government of India has allocated 750 MT oxygen,” Yogi said. 

He added that before any medical college is recognized in the state, it should be ensured that the respective college has its own oxygen plant. The CM has also ordered that all vehicles carrying oxygen will have to be GPS-tracked, oxygen plants will be provided police protection and steps will be taken to prevent black marketing. He also ordered that oxygen plants should take up supply to the nearest hospital and all hospitals with L1, L2, and L3 facilities will be tracked separately for oxygen demand and supply, ensuring a backup of at least 36 hours.

50 per cent of 108 ambulances will be dedicated for Covid-19 patients and rapid testing will begin at airports, bus and railway stations of inter-state passengers, he added. 

Data showed on Monday Uttar Pradesh recorded 28,287 Covid-19 cases, which have pushed the tally of infection in the state to 879,831. The state currently has 208,523 active cases. The deaths rose by 167, the highest daily rise so far, to reach 9997. A health bulletin said the number of recoveries has increased with over 10,978 patients discharged in a day and that 661,311 people have recuperated so far from the disease in the state.

1...4,3714,3724,373...7,657Page 4,372 of 7,657