Covid LIVE: Postpone all offline exams scheduled in May, says Education Min

Coronavirus live updates | Statewise list of fresh Covid-19 cases: Maharashtra reported 56,647 infections, followed by Karnataka (37,733), Uttar Pradesh (30,983). Stay tuned for corona-related news

8:18 PM

Postpone offline exams in May but online exams may continue, says govt

Due to second wave of Covid-19, Ministry of Education on Monday urged for the postponement of all offline examinations scheduled in the month of May, 2021. In a letter addressed to all the heads of centrally funded institutions, Secretary,  Higher Education Amit Khare has urged the institutions to postpone all offline examinations scheduled in the month of May, 2021. However, the online examinations may continue. The letter also stated that the decision will be reviewed in the first week of June 2021.

7:52 PM

Maharashtra sees sharp dip in daily cases

6:42 PM

Will create a paediatric covid care ward anticipating the next wave, says Aaditya Thackeray

Shiv Sena's Aaditya Thackeray on Monday explained in a series of tweets how the Maharashtra govt is gearing up to tackle the third wave of coronavirus in the state. 

4:52 PM

No advantage in doing CT scan if you have mild symptoms, says AIIMS chief

4:40 PM

Some states are showing early signs of decrease in daily new cases, says govt

4:37 PM

10 states showing increase in cases, says govt

4:21 PM

12 states have over 100,000 active cases, says govt

3:19 PM

NEET-PG exam will not be held before August 31, says PMO

A decision was taken to postpone NEET-PG for at least 4 months and the exam will not be held before August 31, 2021. Students will also be given atleast one month of time after announcement of exam before it is conducted. This will make a large number of qualified doctors available for Covid duties, said government on Monday. The decision was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the growing need of adequate human resources for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, said PMO. Read more about the decisions taken today here.

2:15 PM

Partial curfew in Andhra for 2 weeks from May 5

Andhra Pradesh government will impose partial curfew in the state for 14 days starting Wednesday. Shops to be open only from 6 am to 12 pm. 

 

Thereafter, only essential services will be allowed.

1:59 PM

Chamarajnagar tragedy: IAS officer to submit probe report in 3 days

IAS officer Shivayogi Kalasada to conduct probe into the death of 24 patients at Chamarajanagar District Hospital, to submit the report within 3 days.

 

This, after Chamrajnagar District Incharge Minister S Suresh Kumar ordered inquiry into the death of 24 patients at the district hospital and said, "Strict action will be taken against those who are responsible for the shortage of oxygen supply to the hospital."

1:24 PM

SBI has allocated Rs 71 crore to undertake various support initiatives to help India combat Covid-19

SBI has allocated Rs 71 crore to undertake various support initiatives to help India combat Covid-19

12:48 PM

Coronavirus LIVE: 24 dead in Karnataka hospital due to oxygen shortage

As many as 24 patients including 23 suffering from Covid-19 died in Karnataka''s Chamarajanagar due to alleged oxygen shortage in the district hospital in the last 24 hours, officials said.

A pall of gloom descended on the Chamarajanagar district hospital as the grieving kin of the deceased gathered after hearing the news.

 

Family members of the dead also staged a demonstration at the hospital and alleged there was a shorten of oxygen and raised slogans.

 

Chamarajanagar district in-charge Minister S Suresh Kumar, who is also the Primary and Secondary Education Minister, said he has ordered a death audit report from the district administration into the incident.

 

He, however, maintained that all the deaths did not occur due to oxygen shortage.

 

"It''s not appropriate to say that all the 24 deaths happened due to oxygen shortage. These deaths had happened from Sunday morning to this morning. The oxygen shortage happened in the wee hours of Monday -- from 12.30 AM to 2.30 AM," Kumar told reporters here.

 

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too called the deputy commissioner of the district and obtained information about the incident.

12:39 PM

Delhi HC dismisses a PIL seeking direction to restrain news channels from spreading negativity

Delhi High Court dismisses a PIL seeking direction to restrain news channels from spreading negativity, sense of insecurity towards life & to frame guidelines. 

The court says, "Informing public about the numbers of deaths due to Covid-19 is not negative news."

12:30 PM

Monday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore rescheduled

Monday's IPL match between Kolkata Knight Riders and Royal Challengers Bangalore rescheduled after 2 KKR members test positive for Covid-19.

12:29 PM

HC seeks Delhi govt stand on PIL to cap cost of HRCT tests used for detecting Covid-19 infection in lungs

HC seeks Delhi govt stand on PIL to cap cost of HRCT tests used for detecting Covid-19 infection in lungs

12:06 PM

We need urgent help to transport oxygen: Delhi govt

We need urgent help to transport oxygen. We have sought help from different sources including the Army, Central government & its different wings, and private sector: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

12:06 PM

Yesterday, Delhi received 440 MT of oxygen which is lower than the allocated quota of 590 MT: Manish Sisodia

Yesterday, Delhi received 440 MT of oxygen which is lower than the allocated quota of 590 MT. We need 976 MT oxygen daily as we are increasing the number of beds: Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia

11:42 AM

Coronavirus update: Delhi CM Kejriwal will chair a meeting of govt officers regarding home isolation today

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal will chair a meeting of government officers regarding home isolation today. Deputy CM Manish Sisodia & the chief secretary will be present.

11:35 AM

Election Commission tells Supreme Court, "When rallies were happening, the situation was not that bad".

Election Commission tells Supreme Court, "When rallies were happening, the situation was not that bad. We have serious objections to the observations. The high court's observation led to a continued discussion on electronic media that we are murderers."

11:34 AM

SC says, "Sometimes we are harsh because we want to see, in larger public interest, something is done"

SC says, "Sometimes we are harsh because we want to see, in larger public interest, something is done. After a series of orders, high court may be anguished. Look at Gujarat, 18 people died in fire at Covid-19 ward & this in spite of series of orders where fire NoC is required."

11:33 AM

Supreme Court begins hearing Election Commission's plea challenging Madras HC order

Supreme Court begins hearing Election Commission's plea challenging Madras HC order wherein it criticized the poll panel for failure to maintain Covid-19 protocols during poll campaigns & said it 'should be put up on murder charges' for being 'most irresponsible institution'

11:33 AM

Don't want to demoralise High Courts: SC to EC on Covid pandemic hndling issue

"Don't want to demoralise High Courts, media should be allowed to report oral observations:" Supreme Court to Election Commission 

11:22 AM

A policy paralysed GOI cannot secure victory over the virus, tweets Rahul Gandhi

11:04 AM

Easing of essential goods imports to help fight Covid-19 pandemic

For the last two weeks, the government and some transport companies have stepped up efforts to help cope with Co­vid-19 by facilitating the import of essential medicines, vaccines, medical equipment, etc.

 

The finance ministry exempted basic customs duty on import of Remdesivir injections, active pharmaceutical ingredients of Remdesivir, Beta Cyclodextrin (SBEBCD) used in making Remdesivir and specified inflammatory diagnostic (marker) kits till end-October 2021. It also exempted basic customs duty and health cess on import of medical oxygen, equipment required for generation, storage, distribution and transport of oxygen and parts of such equipment, ventilator and their accessories, high-flow nasal canula devices, non-invasive ventilation masks for use with intensive care unit ventilators, helmets for use with non-invasive ventilation and Covid-19 vaccine till end-July this year. Imports of these items will, however, attract integrated goods and services tax (IGST). Read on...

10:33 AM

Telangana reported 5,695 new Covid-19 cases, 6,206 recoveries, and 49 deaths

Telangana reported 5,695 new Covid-19 cases, 6,206 recoveries, and 49 deaths yesterday, as State Health Department 

 

Active cases: 80,135 

Total discharges: 3,73,933 

Death toll: 2,417

10:25 AM

Covid-19 second wave: Centre yet to place fresh order for vaccines

Despite several vaccination centres around the country running dry, and despite vaccination being opened to every adult Indian, the Centre has not yet placed fresh orders with the two Indian vaccine manufacturers — Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech, according to multiple sources.
 

The last order placed with the two vaccine makers — 100 million doses with SII and 20 million doses with Bharat Biotech — was in March. Industry sources revealed that the final tranche of deliveries of this order will be completed within the next few days. Read on...

10:15 AM

Govt considers converting nitrogen plants to produce oxygen: Narendra Modi

Considering the requirement of medical oxygen amidst the Covid-19 situation, GoI is exploring the feasibility of conversion of existing nitrogen plants to produce oxygen.

9:51 AM

Covid-19 drugs: Eager beavers of BJP play God

Cornering of scarce resources by those with money and power is unjustifiable under any circumstances.

 

Recently the former District Communication Chief of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) for Delhi tweeted “There is fire everywhere in Delhi, has any Dilliwala seen BJP Delhi? Where is BJP4Delhi? Or is the state body dissolved?” Rajendra Tuli’s question could as well be put to the BJP and its leaders, generally missing from the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

 

The RSS forced Mr. Tuli’s to delete the tweet but his question remains relevant. Where was the BJP while its top leaders were caught-up in the West Bengal election campaign? Many lay low to escape the pandemic but some it appears were more than active on the Covid warfront. They have been found to have channelled hoards of emergency drugs to their constituencies. Read on...

9:50 AM

No patient to be denied hospitalisation for lack of local address proof: SC

The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to formulate within two weeks a national policy on admissions to hospitals in the wake of the second wave of Covid-19 and said no patient shall be denied hospitalisation or essential drugs in any state for lack of local residential proof.

 

A three-member apex court bench, comprising Justice D Y Chandrachud, Justice L Nageswara Rao and Justice Ravindra Bhat also directed the Centre and state governments to notify that any clampdown on information on social media or harassment caused to individuals seeking help on any platform will attract coercive action. Read on...

9:24 AM

Coronavirus in India: Summary of MoHFW data (May 3)

Active cases: 3,413,642 (Net addition: 63,998)

Deaths: 218,959 (Net increase: 3,417)

Cured: 16,293,003 (Net increase: 300,732)

Total cases: 19,925,604 (Net increase: 368,147)

Total vaccination: 15,71,98,207 (Increase over previous day: 12,10,347)