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Coronavirus can spread up to 13 feet from infected patients: Study by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan hospital shows

OpIndia Staff
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Coronavirus can spread up to 13 feet from infected patients: Study by Chinese scientists in a Wuhan hospital shows

The Wuhan Coronavirus has dragged the world into severe darkness and distress leading to infect a massive population of more than 1.6 million people across the world and claimed the lives of 102,774 individuals across the world. While till now it was believed that the coronavirus can travel in the air up to 3 feet after it is released through sneeze or cough of an infected person, and people should maintain a distance of around 6 feet to be on the safer side, now researchers from Beijing have revealed in a study that the novel coronavirus can travel up to 13 feet from the infected patient’s body. The new report was established after examining air samples from the hospital wards that the virus can be present up to 13 feet (about four meters) of the patient that is twice the current earlier guidelines suggest.

The preliminary research was conducted by Chinese researchers which were published on Friday on Emerging Infectious Diseases, a journal of US center for disease control and prevention.

The researchers at the Academy of Military Medical Sciences in Beijing tested the surfaces and air samples from the Intensive Care Unit and general ward where patients of Coronavirus had been admitted at the Houshenshan Hospital in Wuhan. The hospital admitted 24 patients between 19 February and 2 March.

They observed that the virus was heavily concentrated on the floors of the wards, perhaps because of the gravity and airflow causing most droplets containing the virus to float to the ground.

Areas like computer mice, trash can, bed rails, and doorknobs were most affected.

The researchers even revealed “Furthermore, half of the samples from the soles of the ICU medical staff shoes tested positive. Therefore, half of the samples from the soles of the medical staff shoes might function as a carrier.”

The researcher team also revealed that the droplets of the virus become suspended and remain airborne for several hours, unlike cough or sneeze droplets that fall to the ground within seconds. The team observed so-called aerosol transmission of Coronavirus, when the droplets of the virus are so fine they become suspended and remain airborne for several hours. They asserted that they found virus-laden aerosols were mainly found in 13 feet and also 8 feet upstream.

Although the team said that it is unclear if these ultra-fine particles are infectious.

They also offered advice, “Our findings suggest that home isolation of persons with suspected COVID-19 might not be a good control strategy” given the levels of environmental contamination.

Aerosolization of the coronavirus is a contentious area for scientists who are researching on it because it is now clear how infectious the disease is.

The Chinese coronavirus has infected 1,699,490 people across the world, and 102,774 people have succumbed to virus. While 377,040 have been recovered.

Delhi: 52 of 102 people evacuated from 13 mosques in Chandni Mahal test positive for Coronavirus, three deaths in three days

OpIndia Staff
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Delhi: 52 of 102 people evacuated from 13 mosques in Chandni Mahal test positive for Coronavirus, three deaths in three days

The authorities have detected 102 people in 13 mosques in the Chandni Mahal area of Delhi. 52 of them have tested positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus. Furthermore, three of them have died in three days due to the virus, an official informed on Saturday.

“Interactions between those who have tested positive and the other residents cannot be ruled out,” the District Magistrate said. Chandni Mahal has been declared a containment zone by the Delhi Government, the announcement was made late on Friday night. Security personnel have been deployed in the area. The administration will now sanitize the entire area and essential commodities will be delivered to the homes of the residents.

The people who were evacuated from the Mosques are reportedly members of the Tablighi Jamaat. Orders have been issued to trace possible Wuhan Coronavirus suspects. Meanwhile, with 183 cases having been reported in the past 24 hours, the highest jump in a single day, Delhi has crossed the 900-mark. According to the bulletin issued by Delhi’s Health Department, of the 903 cases, 584 are linked to Tablighi Jamaat’s Markaz Nizamuddin, which has emerged as the largest vector of the virus in India.

While people associated with the Tablighi Jamaat are testing positive for the Wuhan Coronavirus all across India, 200 of them have suddenly disappeared in Uttar Pradesh and their mobile phones have been switched off. Moreover, around 300 people who were in contact with those Jamaatis have also switched off their phones.

MHA writes to West Bengal govt led by Mamata Banerjee against dilution of lockdown, police allowing religious congregations: Read full​ letter

OpIndia Staff
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MHA writes to West Bengal govt led by Mamata Banerjee against dilution of lockdown, police allowing religious congregations: Read full​ letter

The country is fighting against all odds to arrest the unprecedented public health emergency that the country has seen as the Wuhan Coronavirus spreads globally. To arrest the spread of Coronavirus, the central government had imposed a nationwide lockdown that was to end on the 14th of April. There are speculations now that the lockdown is going to be extended to arrest the spread of the Chinese Virus. However, amidst the lockdown, the conduct of the West Bengal government led by Mamata Banerjee has been questionable to say the least. Now, the Ministry of Home Affairs has written a letter to the West Bengal government calling out its irresponsibility and the gradual dilution of lockdown that is taking place in West Bengal.

Letter written by MHA to West Bengal government

The letter says that as per inputs received from security agencies, gradual dilution of lockdown has been reported from West Bengal with an increased number of exceptions being granted which are in excess of what has been sanctioned by the central government.

As an example, the MHA letter cites lack of control on mutton, fish markers etc functioning unabated and people thronging to such markets in complete violation of social distancing norms set by the government. It also says that non-essential shops have been allowed to function in the state.

The letter cites certain areas like Metiabruz, Raja Bazaar, Narkel Danga, Topsia, Ikbalpul etc. Incidentally, these areas have a high concentration of Muslim population.

It also mentions that “religious congregations” have been allowed in the state and the ration is being distributed by political leaders which may be leading to more infections of the Coronavirus.

Read: West Bengal: Hundreds of people gather in a mosque in Murshidabad for Friday prayers defying lockdown orders

Invoking the Disaster Management Act, the letter says that these actions are in violation of the guidelines released by the Ministry and are liable for penal action.

The ministry then demands that strict action be taken and that a report be sent to the ministry regarding the matter.

For some time, it has been suspected that the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government was fudging its data on the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic. We had reported on the 6th of April that at least eleven people who had tested positive for the virus had died in the state and yet, the official records of the state claimed that the figure was only three. Now, a report on The Statesmen claims that the Kolkata Municipal Corporation recorded ten deaths due to the virus while the West Bengal Health Ministry led by Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee continued to claim that only five people had succumbed to the disease.

Read: At least 11 Coronavirus positive patients die in West Bengal, but official count stands at 3: Here are the details

The report by Subhendu Maiti on The Statesman says that the list of deaths due to the Wuhan Coronavirus compiled by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation says that ten patients died of the disease across government and private hospitals such as the NRS Hospital, R.G.Kar Medical College, M.R.Bangur Super Speciality Hospital, AMRI Hospitals at Salt Lake, Peerless Hospital and Zenith Super Specialty Hospital. The deceased were buried or cremated as per their religious beliefs between the 23rd of March and 6th of April, the report mentioned.

In a significant incident on the 2nd of April, after an expert committee announced that seven people had died due to the Chinese Coronavirus in Bengal, Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha quickly issued an “explanation” to claim that the number of deaths was in, fact, three. Subsequently, the expert committee was formed to determine the official cause of death. All of this is a matter of significant concern as there appears to be a dedicated attempt underway to fudge data regarding the pandemic in the state. Given the seriousness of the question, it remains to be seen whether Mamata Banerjee and her government decide to course correct now that the cat is out of the bag.

An overwhelming majority of the country favour extension of coronavirus lockdown: Jan Ki Baat survey

OpIndia Staff
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An overwhelming majority of the country favour extension of coronavirus lockdown: Jan Ki Baat survey

As speculations grow that the 21-day nationwide lockdown imposed by Prime Minister Modi to fight the menace of Wuhan coronavirus will be extended after it ends on 14th April, a survey conducted by Jan Ki Baat to gauge the public sentiment about the extension of the lockdown has concluded that an overwhelming majority of the country, both from the urban centres as well as rural areas, has come out in favour of extending the lockdown to ward off the threat posed by the coronavirus.

With a sample of 4000, picked randomly and representative of the demographic and age profile of the country, the survey has sought to study the pulse of the people to extend the lockdown as well as to establish perception about the effectiveness of the state-wise lockdown response among the people. In all, residents from 16 states have been surveyed. They are:- Madhya Pradesh, Delhi, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, Kerala, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Goa, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Karnataka.

Respondents were asked with two questions- How their states have fared to the crisis of COVID-19 and What’s their opinion on the extension of lockdown. According to the responses received, a large majority of the sample size have advocated the extension of the lockdown. About 78 per cent people across the country favour the extension. While in urban areas, the percentage of those agreeing to extend the lockdown is manifestly higher at 82 per cent, given that urban centres are more susceptible to the virus because of large population and complications in executing social distancing measures. 74 per cent of the rural population think that it would be premature to relax restrictions and the fight against the coronavirus should be continued in earnest by extending the lockdown.

Picture Courtesy: Jan Ki Baat

Amongst the states, Odisha leads the list with 90 per cent of the respondents from Odisha favouring the extension of lockdown. The lowest response is from Haryana where 60 per cent of the surveyees have asserted that they favour lockdown extension. Maharashtra, one of the states most ravaged by the coronavirus onslaught, has seen its 86 per cent of the respondents endorsing the lockdown extension. Another state, Kerala, where the cases of COVID-19 are surging alarmingly, only 70 per cent of the respondents are in favour of extension while remaining 30 per cent think that extension of lockdown is not necessary.

Picture Courtesy: Jan Ki Baat

Odisha trumps all other states on the question about the satisfaction over the state-implemented measures during the lockdown. An astounding 85 per cent of the survey respondents from Odisha have claimed that they are highly satisfied with lockdown put into effect in their state. The lowest confidence among the respondents is from the state of West Bengal where only 38 per cent of the total surveyees have expressed their content with the government measures. It is pertinent to note that Odisha has been under a strict lockdown since PM Modi’s announcement of 21-day lockdown. On the other hand, West Bengal, whose TMC government has often been at loggerheads with the centre, had been lax in enforcing the lockdown in the state.

PM Modi met chief ministers of states and union territories today via video conferencing to review the nationwide lockdown amidst coronavirus outbreak and decide about the future state and extent of lockdown after April 14 when the lockdown ends. After discussing the revised strategy for the lockdown with the state and UT chief ministers, PM Modi is also scheduled to have a follow-up meeting in the Prime Minister Office with all the government of India’s stakeholders on April 12. Following this meeting, PM Modi is expected to announce the future state of the national lockdown. Although Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal has already thanked the prime minister for ‘extending the lockdown’.

Arvind Kejriwal ‘leaks’ decision taken in PM’s meeting with CMs, thanks PM Modi for ‘decision to extend the lockdown’ to contain coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Arvind Kejriwal ‘leaks’ decision taken in PM’s meeting with CMs, thanks PM Modi for ‘decision to extend the lockdown’ to contain coronavirus

While the nation waits for the decision of the central govt on the lockdown to be announced, Delhi Chief Minister tried to preempt the same by saying that the lockdown has been extended. Today the prime minister had a detailed meeting with all the chief ministers of the country to discuss whether to extend or lift the 21-day lockdown which is coming to an end on 14th April. Prime minister Modi is expected to make an announcement on the same before 14th after more rounds of discussions with other stakeholders.

It is reported that several states have requested for extension of the lockdown as the number of new Coronavirus cases is rising in many places. Delhi government has also asked for an extension of the lockdown, after it saw an explosion in Covid-19 numbers, mostly due to the Tablighi Jamaat meet March.

Although the central govt or the PM has not made any official announcement, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal posted a tweet suggesting the lockdown has been extended. He wrote, “PM has taken correct decision to extend lockdown. Today, India’s position is better than many developed countries because we started lockdown early. If it is stopped now, all gains would be lost. To consolidate, it is important to extend it.”

According to some media reports, several states have asked for a two-week extension of the lockdown, and that demand may be accepted by the central govt. On the other have some other states are preferring a less restrictive lockdown after 14th April, as it has started impacting the livelihood of people and the economy as a whole.

While the lockdown may actually be extended as the Coronavirus spread continues in several states, the final decision will be taken by the central govt, and most likely the announcement will be made by the Prime Minister himself, as he had announced the lockdown and the one-day Janata Curfew earlier. For the Delhi CM to ‘leak’ the decision of the meeting is being seen as immature, as the PM’s meeting with CMs is supposed to be confidential.

UP Congress leader Sachin Chaudhary arrested by Amroha police for holding unauthorised press con, inciting public sentiment over Coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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UP Congress leader Sachin Chaudhary arrested by Amroha police for holding unauthorised press con, inciting public sentiment over Coronavirus

The Amroha Police have arrested Uttar Pradesh Congress leader and state secretary Sachin Chaudhary for holding an unauthorised press conference and inciting public sentiments by his statements over coronavirus issue. He is also booked for using indecent language against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Congress leader Chaudhary is charged under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code for holding a press conference during the nationwide lockdown and thereby violating the restrictions placed by the government amidst the coronavirus outbreak.

Sachin Chaudhary’s wife, Abha Chaudhary posted a tweet raising concern about her husband who had gone to Amroha to provide ration to the destitute but has not returned as Amroha Police have arrested him without mentioning the crime committed by him.

However, Amroha Police responded, claiming that Chaudhary has been arrested for carrying out an unapproved press conference in which he had rendered details about the coronavirus and incited public sentiments. The police further added that Chaudhary has also been accused of making indecent remarks against Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and PM Modi. A case has been registered against Chaudhary at Amroha police station, the official Twitter account of Amroha Police mentioned.

How the opposition to the polio vaccine by Islamic fundamentalists undermined the world’s effort to curb the deadly disease

OpIndia Staff
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How the opposition to the polio vaccine by Islamic fundamentalists undermined the world’s effort to curb the deadly disease

The manner in which religious bigotry assists the spreading of deadly epidemics has been amply evidenced by the conduct of the Tablighi Jamaat in the wake of the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic. At every step of the way, Muslim bigots have undermined the Indian state’s efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic. It’s not just the health and safety of India that Islamic fundamentalists have jeopardized. Iran, Pakistan and really, the entire South Asian region has been threatened by the conduct of the Islamic fundamentalists. However, it is not just the Chinese Virus that has received a boost due to their conduct. Over the years, even immunization to polio through the polio vaccine has been undermined due to the rabid opposition of Islamic fundamentalists to it.

In January 2020, it was reported that nearly 5 lakh children in Kerala have missed out on getting Pulse Polio drops as parents were not ready to take the children to the centres in Muslim-majority areas of Malappuram district. Malappuram in Kerala has one of the highest concentration of Muslim population and according to Census data nearly 70% of residents of the district are Muslims. The same month, a senior Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) worker and an Anganwadi worker was brutally thrashed by a Muslim family in Irukkuzi in Kollam district of Kerala after being mistaken as CAA-NRC officials. The victim was with a group of other ASHA workers to administer polio vaccine in the statewide drive held on January 19.

As early as in 2006, Time Magazine noted in a report, “This year, however, things have gone horribly wrong with India’s polio elimination campaign; 325 cases have been reported already, and at least 23 of them have been fatal. What’s caught people’s attention is that 70% of those infected with polio this year are Muslim, even though Muslims account for only 13% of India’s population. What’s even stranger, and frightening, is the reason: some Muslims believe that the polio drops are part of a conspiracy to sterilize their children, and are refusing to let them be vaccinated.”

The resistance is driven by suspicion that the vaccines will affect the fertility of the Muslim population. Apart from India, in Nigeria as well, the polio vaccine has faced quite a stiff resistance from the Muslims in the country. Ultimately, Muslim clerics had to be roped in to assist the administration’s efforts to curb the deadly disease. It has had some sort of positive impact in reducing the spread of polio.

A study published in 2009 noted that, “Religious opposition by Muslim fundamentalists is a major factor in the failure of immunization programs against polio in Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan.” The study observed that the “religious conflict in the tribal areas of Pakistan is one of the biggest hindrances to effective polio vaccination.” It stated, “Epidemiologists have detected transmission of wild poliovirus from polio-endemic districts in Afghanistan, most of which are located in the southern region of this country bordering Pakistan, to tribal areas of Pakistan (4). This transmission has resulted in new cases of polio in previously polio-free districts.” The study also said that the local Taliban had issued fatwas declaring vaccination to be an American ploy to sterilize Muslims.

Vaccination officials have also been assassinated or kidnapped or thrashed. The study said, “Vaccination campaigns in Nigeria and Afghanistan have also been hampered by Islamic extremists, especially in the Nigerian province of Kano in 2003, which has resulted in the infection returning to 8 previously polio-free countries in Africa”. The study called for further investigation into the Muslim attitudes toward vaccination.

Another article in The Journal of pharmacy technology in May 2014 discussed the manner in which Islamic fundamentalism has undermined the campaign against polio through the polio vaccine. The article said, “In spite of infertility issue, some Islamic scholars, medical associations and extremists have the arguments that polio vaccine is made from monkey kidney cells, pork, fecal matter and live polio virus which are haram at all for Muslims.”

The article also said, “In 2009 and then 2010, only four countries in the world, viz., Afghanistan, India, Nigeria and Pakistan remain polioendemic due to disagreement with vaccination by some Muslim orthodox communities. The tenacious polio transmission in northern India, northern Nigeria and the border line between Pakistan and Afghanistan appears in peril for polio eradication initiatives.”

Muslims are known to have an extremely negative attitude towards all forms of vaccination, not just the polio vaccine, as they believe it will affect their fertility. In rural Pakistan, Muslim locals have even killed and tortured health workers trying to administer vaccines to children against deadly diseases. Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria are the only nations in the world where polio has still not been eradicated. In Indonesia, Muslim clerics had even issued a ‘Vaccine Fatwa’, claiming that the Measles-Rubella vaccine carries products derived from pig’s body, hence they are ‘haram’.

In India, there have been instances when the vaccines are also dubbed as ‘RSS Vaccine’, alleging it is an RSS conspiracy to make Muslim children impotent. The dangerous phenomenon of Muslim communities objecting to vaccinations was also seen in the state of Uttar Pradesh in 2018 when many madrassas across the state of Uttar Pradesh had denied permission to health department officials to enter their campuses to administer Measles-Rubella vaccines to students after falling for rumours claiming vaccination could expose children to deadly and contagious diseases and also could make children impotent.

Maharashtra: With rising number of cases, sealed hospitals and over 100 health staffs tested positive, Mumbai stares at a major crisis

OpIndia Staff
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Maharashtra: With rising number of cases, sealed hospitals and over 100 health staffs tested positive, Mumbai stares at a major crisis

Amid the coronavirus scourge, Mumbai in Maharashtra is grappling with various kinds of emergencies. Along with the rising number of cases, the city is also having to deal with a dearth in hospital beds as many hospitals have been affected due to possible exposure to coronavirus patients. More than 100 medical staffers at the hospital, including doctors, nurses and technicians have been tested coronavirus positive, forcing many city hospitals to declare themselves as ‘containment zone’.

On Friday, another 19 health workers tested positive from hospitals, taking the count of affected medical staff to nearly 100 in Mumbai, likely to be the highest in India. Alarmed by the spread of infection among frontline workers, private hospitals have been asked to urgently provide safety kits, additional remuneration and transport.

At Bhatia Hospital, under containment since Wednesday, 14 staffers, including 10 nurses, two doctors and a physiotherapist, tested positive, leading to it being sealed. 

Two nurses tested positive at Dadar’s Shushrusha Hospital. It has been asked to stop new admissions and discharge all patients within 48 hours.

A nurse and a technician from Breach Candy Hospital tested positive for coronavirus, following which the hospital was asked not to admit any new patients on Thursday.

Read: Maharashtra cop, who nabbed 21 foreign Tablighi Jamaat members hiding in a mosque, tests positive for Coronavirus

In Mulund’s Spandan Hospital, 65 doctors, nurses and other staff have been sent in quarantine as their test results are awaited. Till now, one nurse has tested positive. The hospital is likely to remain shut till the quarantine period for staff is over and test results are out.

The 250-bed Saifee Hospital, which was among the first to face the Covid-19 scare and closure of OTs and diagnostic units, now will only be admitting coronavirus patients.

The Khar Hinduja Hospital too, is running minimal services after several of their staffers were placed under quarantine.

In addition, a dozen other mid-level and small nursing homes across the city have shut operations after patients accidentally tested positive and their staffers had to be quarantined.

Those nursing home not hit by the infection are also running to half their strength as many staffers haven’t been able to commute.

With major hospitals like Jaslok, Wockhardt and Bhatia shutting operations and Breach Candy running a bare minimum of services, at least 800-900 beds are currently out of circulation in south Mumbai alone.

Read: The Life and Crimes of the Tablighi Jamaat amidst the Wuhan Coronavirus pandemic: All You Need To Know

The development has led to questions about safety protocols followed in the hospitals. A civic official said with the right protocols, some infections can be avoided. “Kasturba Hospital, for instance, has not reported any infections among doctors and staffers,” he said.

A senior management official of a private hospital said, “A few cases of infections in hospitals were expected since we are actively handling coronavirus patients. However, the initial shortage of PPEs and bulk infections in some hospitals has made the situation messy”.

Commenting on the situation, BMC commissioner Praveen Pardeshi said private hospitals are much needed in these times. “Some patients would prefer to go to private hospitals and many of them are doing a good job in handling Covid-19 patients,” he said, adding that in case a hospital gets infected, there are protocols of testing those and disinfecting the premises completely. “After this is done, the hospital can again start functioning,” he said.

A nurse from one of the south Mumbai hospitals said a lot of the blame lies with the hospital management who were caught napping when the cases sprung up. “Despite our pleas, PPEs were reserved for those working in Covid-19 wards. Even those showing symptoms were put on shifts till they were too sick,” said the nurse.

Mumbai’s situation is intriguing when compared with several cities and even states. Recording more than 100 cases daily over the past 2 two days is an indication of the spread peaking. The next five days are going to be crucial for Maharashtra, especially Mumbai, as the coronavirus trajectory during this period will determine whether Mumbai fares better or faces a situation akin to New York.

“Studying global trends and the spread of the disease, so far, in Mumbai, we can say that we may possibly even get 200 to 300 cases per day in the next five-six days. We are geared up for that but expect and hope that the numbers will fall after this six-day period. However, if this peak or surge continues for the next 10 days, then we may see a situation similar to that in Italy or New York,” said a health department official.

As of April 11 (Saturday), Maharashtra had 1,574 positive cases and 110 deaths while the nationwide toll stood at 239. This suggests Maharashtra that has 21.13 per cent of the country’s cases accounts for 46 per cent of the deaths across the nation.

Rahul Gandhi did not inspire Bhilwara Model, people greatly inspired by PM Modi: Village Sarpanch takes on Sonia Gandhi for her ‘putra moh’

OpIndia Staff
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Rahul Gandhi did not inspire Bhilwara Model, people greatly inspired by PM Modi: Village Sarpanch takes on Sonia Gandhi for her ‘putra moh’

Bhilwara’s Devriya village Sarpanch, Kismat Gurjar, released a video and has hit out at Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi for attributing Bhilwara’s successful action plan, now famously called as the ‘Bhilwara Model’, to contain the deadly Coronavirus, which has ensured that the district hasn’t reported a single new coronavirus case in 10 days, to Congress member and son Rahul Gandhi.

Taking to Twitter on Saturday, Kismat Gurjar, said that she is hurt because Sonia Gandhi, instead of giving credit for the successful implementation of the drive to local authorities and people of the district she is attributing it to her son or the Congress led-state government. She added that PM Modi’s appeal has immensely inspired the district, which has worked together as one force to eradicate the pandemic from their village and they are the ones who should be given the credit.

“The way Soniaji has praised and credited Rahulji for Bhilwara’s success in tackling the crisis has hurt me. Today what is being called the ‘Bhilwara model’ actually the farmers, women, local people and local authorities are behind its success. That determination and discipline locals have shown is the reason behind this success, but for long the state government is trying to take credit for this. And today, Rahul is being praised, which is hurtful”.

She furthers that the people of the entire district are really inspired by PM Modi’s appeal. They have abided strictly to his lockdown and social distancing orders. They have also maintained proper hygiene.

Read: 5 point agenda suggested by Sonia Gandhi, President of Congress, to fight Coronavirus: Juvenile, disconnected and petty

“This is not the time to play petty politics but a time when everyone should work watchfully and patiently in complete unison”, said Kismat Gurjar.

Earlier also, Gurjar had shared a video of herself sanitizing her village. “Doctors and police personnel are engaged in saving the country from corona infection, so why should I stay behind”? Comparing herself to the squirrel which helped Lord Sri Rama build the bridge to Lanka in Ramayan, she said that she has tried to make a small contribution.

Credit it to a strict lockdown, strategic containment plan, or committed healthcare work, the Bhilwara district in Rajasthan, till recently an emerging hotspot of coronavirus infections, has not reported any new coronavirus infections in the last 10 days.

Acting Congress President had claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s timely intervention had prevented the coronavirus outbreak spreading in Bhilwara.

The Print had reported on April 10 that Sonia Gandhi said in the Congress meeting with state Congress chiefs that it was Rahul’s timely intervention that helped Bhilwara tackle spread of coronavirus in the district.

The report published by ThePrint on April 10

By the end of March, Rajasthan’s Bhilwara district was on the cusp of a large-scale outbreak of the novel coronavirus. However, since March 30, Bhilwara witnessed a turnaround in the number of cases. The city has so far not reported any new case in the past 10 days. The credit of which can go to the administration headed by Rajendra Bhatt and his team that comprises IAS officer Tina Dabi.

A ‘ruthless containment’ strategy, timely action, comprehensive screening and strict enforcement of curfew and lockdown restrictions helped Bhilwara immensely. Notably, Bhilwara had issued a total lockdown days before Prime Minister Narendra Modi issued the 21-day lockdown.

Lockdown restrictions, which were place since March 20, were tightened to curfew-like levels from April 3. Between March 20 and April 2, stores selling essential commodities were allowed to stay open. However, on April 3 even these stores were ordered shut and only home delivery of essentials is currently allowed. And, nobody is permitted to venture out of their homes without prior permission.

According to the health department, more than 6,50,000 homes and 24 lakh people were screened in urban and rural Bhilwara, covering everybody in the district, making it an unprecedented exercise in healthcare.

In the last 10 days, Bhilwara has seen no new case of the novel coronavirus, rescuing the district from an unimaginable disaster. Such has been the district’s success that the central government has advised other similar affected areas of the country to learn and implement the strategies employed by the Bhilwara district.

Madhya Pradesh youth Sameer Khan, who had mocked face masks on TikTok, posts video wearing mask to inform that he has coronavirus

OpIndia Staff
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Madhya Pradesh youth Sameer Khan, who had mocked face masks on TikTok, posts video wearing mask to inform that he has coronavirus

Ever since the Wuhan Coronavirus had hit the world, one very worrying aspect of this has been TikTok videos by Muslim youths promoting to defy all norms to avoid getting or spreading the virus, and claiming that religious Muslims will not be infected by it. Thousands of videos were posted on the popular video sharing app TikTok where Muslims had made various claims like the Coronavirus is the NRC of Allah, that if one prays to Allah regularly then the virus can’t attack them etc.

One such user, Sameer Khan, had posted a similar video, where he had mocked the use of masks, claiming that a he does not need a piece of cloth to protect himself. In the video that he had uploaded few weeks ago, when someone from background asks why he is not wearing to protect from virus, he had answered, ‘what is there to trust on a piece of cloth, if you want to have trust, have it on the God’.

But now he has posted a video, wearing a mask on his face and cap on head, lying in a hospital bed, telling that times are bad for him.

@sameerking613

♬ original sound – Abhishek Mishra – Abhishek Mishra

In another video, Sameer, who uses the user name Sameer King on the app, informed that he would not be able to post TikTok videos because doctors have told him that he has coronavirus. He asked his fans to keep supporting him and pray for him.

@sameerking613

please bhai log duaa karna mere liya?

♬ original sound – Sameer King – Sameer King

According to reports, Sameer is the first Covid-19 patient in Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, who was tested positive yesterday. 25-year-old Sameer was initially isolated at the TB Hospital in Sagar two days ago when he had symptoms of Coronavirus. After the report from AIIMS Bhopal said that he has Covid-19, he has been admitted at the Covid Hospital of the Bundelkhand Medial College.

After his report came positive, Sagar administration ordered to seal the entire area, and people who came in contact with him are being monitored. According to authorities, Sameer is at present stable and there is no cause for worry. It is suspected that he got the infection at a hospital in Jabalpur, which he had visited a few days ago where his sister was admitted for delivery.

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