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Covishield dose gap a cover-up? Dr Fauci on vaccines & what India should do

The Government of India announced that the gap between the first and second doses of the Covishield COVID-19 vaccine has been increased to 12-16 weeks - from the existing 6-8 weeks. This is for the second time in three months that Covishield dosage intervals have been widened and this move has once again garnered criticism, as a cover-up for not having enough vaccines for the people in India. Watch the video to know what White House chief medical adviser Dr Anthony Fauci has to say on India's vaccine policy and things Modi government should do to contain the surge of the pandemic.

COVID: Delhi Police ensures no public gathering on 'Eid al-Fitr'

New Delhi, May 14 (ANI): 'Eid al-Fitr' is being celebrated in parts of India on May 14. Due to pandemic, at-home Eid celebrations have been initiated this year as well. Security personnel have been deployed at several places in Delhi to keep a tab over public movement during Eid celebrations. ADCP (Central) Rohit Meena said, "We have appealed people to stay at home due to pandemic and they are adhering to it." Several Delhi mosques are closed today due to COVID-imposed lockdown.

Large number of people offer 'namaz' at Amritsar mosque amid COVID pandemic

Amritsar (Punjab), May 14 (ANI): Despite 2nd wave of COVID, people gathered in large numbers at a mosque in Punjab on occasion of 'Eid al-Fitr' on May 14. They visited Amritsar's Jama Masjid Khairuddin Hall Bazar to offer the prayers. No social distancing norms were followed during the 'namaz'. 'Eid al-Fitr' is being celebrated parts of the world on May 14.

'Destruction of democracy', says Jagdeep Dhankhar as he visits violence-hit Cooch Behar

Cooch Behar (West Bengal), May 13 (ANI): West Bengal Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar on May 13 said that this is total collapse of rule of law and he is shocked to see the fear of Police in the eyes of people. "I'm really shocked, this is destruction of democracy," he said. "This is total collapse of rule of law. I could have never imagined this. I have seen the fear of Police in the eyes of the people, they are scared to go to Police, their houses were looted. I'm really shocked, this is destruction of democracy," the Governor said. "People have left their houses and are living in jungles. Women tell me, that they (goons) will come there once again and there is such failure of security before the Governor. I'm shocked at it. I can imagine what the people here must be going through," he added. The Governor visited the post-poll violence-affected areas in Dinhata and Cooch Behar.

17.72 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered till date: Health Ministry

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal informed that 17.72 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine have been administered till now. "We are covering priority groups that are healthcare workers, people above 45 years and front line workers. They receive free vaccination from Centre," he said.

187 districts show continued decline in COVID cases since last 2 weeks: Health Ministry

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal informed that 187 districts have shown a continued decline in cases since last 2 weeks. He also showed concern over 316 districts showing increasing trend in COVID cases. "There is a need to work with state governments on containment efforts, medical infrastructure up gradation in these districts," he added.

Karnataka showing new cases with UK variant, B1617: Health Minister

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on May 13 in virtual meeting while with health ministers of Karnataka, Maharashtra, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Rajasthan and discussed the rising cases and positivity rate of the COVID-19 situation in the country. Talking about situation in Karnataka, he said that the state is also showing new cases with UK variant and new mutant B1.617. "Maharashtra continues to be most worst-affected in 2020 as well as in 2021. Rajasthan is doing 100% testing by RT-PCR the positivity rate right now is greater than 20% and the number of deaths has gone up to 150.Kerala is showing rising trends in cases since April 15, and increase in deaths also. Testing number has increased and positivity rate is over 30%, which is highest in the country. Karnataka is also showing new cases with UK variant and new mutant B1.617," the minister said.

Sputnik vaccine arrived in India, to be available in market by next week: VK Paul

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr VK Paul on May 12 informed that Sputnik vaccine has arrived in the country and may be available in the markets from next week. "Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India. I'm happy to say that we're hopeful that it'll be available in the market next week. We're hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia), will begin next week," he said.

Get vaccinated 6 months after recovery: NITI Aayog

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Addressing the concern on the number of days that recovering individuals need to wait before going for the jab, NITI Aayog Member Dr VK Paul said that scientists opine that a person should get vaccinated 6 months after recovery. Dr VK Paul said, "National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation discussed it and scientists opine that if a person is infected, he develops antibodies and there's protection. There's data, scientists opine that a person should get vaccinated 6 months after recovery."

Active cases in country showing decline trend since May 3: Health Ministry

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Joint Secretary Lav Agarwal informed that the active cases in the country are showing decline trend since May 03. The percentage of active cases on May 03 stood at 17.13%, and currently percentage stands at 15.65%. He added that 83.26 % of people have been recovered from the dreadful pandemic till date. 'Recovery is increasing continuously in the country,' he added.

Vaccine finder tool to drug drones: Startups step up against Covid

From Covid-19 vaccine finder to help people check the availability of vaccination slots for a specific date, affordable oxygenerator to address oxygen crisis and making drones to deliver medicines, startups in India are experimenting with ideas and have introduced a slew of tools and measures to provide help to the citizens in need amid an unprecedented pandemic crisis. Watch the video for more

COVID: India receives medical aid from Germany, Greece and Finland

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): To help India fight the ongoing second wave of COVID-19, a flight from Germany carrying medical aid provided by Germany, Greece and Finland landed at the Delhi airport. 3,48,421 new COVID-19 cases and 3,55,338 discharges were reported in the last 24 hours, taking the country's total tally to 2,33,40,938.

At least 65 killed in Gaza, 7 in Israel as clashes intensify

New Delhi, May 13 (ANI): Amid the deepening unrest between Israel and Palestine, the death toll in Gaza has reached 65, and 7 in Israel as the Hamas group launched a new barrage of airstrikes. Al Jazeera reported that heavy bombardment on the Gaza Strip continued, killing Hamas Gaza City commander, Bassem Issa, in one of the Israeli airstrikes along with our senior members, the Hamas group confirmed. The death toll in Gaza rose to 65 Palestinians, including 16 children and five women, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. At least 365 people have been wounded, including 86 children and 39 women. Meanwhile, a five-year-old boy was killed and at least 20 Israeli were hurt as Gaza launched a fresh spade of rocket attacks that set off warning sirens in the Tel Aviv metropolitan area and cities in the south on Wednesday night, reported The Times of Israel.

Free COVID treatment to Himcare, Ayushman Bharat beneficiaries in Himachal

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh), May 13 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh government has decided to provide free treatment to beneficiaries of Himcare and Ayushman Bharat Scheme to COVID-19 patients in registered private hospitals which have been dedicated as COVID hospitals, informed Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur.

Israel Foreign Affairs Ministry asks international community to recognize country's rights to self-defence

Tel Aviv (Israel), May 13 (ANI): In a virtual conference, Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs asked international community to condemn launching of rockets from Gaza strip and to recognize public Israel's rights to self-defence. "Each and every step that we took to de-escalate the situation and avoid conflict was answered with more terrorism and violence by Hamas. We expect international community to condemn launching of rockets from Gaza strip and to recognize public Israel's rights to self-defence," said Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Lior Haiat at a virtual conference.

Israel under 'terror attack', planned by Hamas terrorist: Country's Foreign Affairs Ministry

Tel Aviv (Israel), May 13 (ANI): Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the recent attack by Palestine, a 'terror attack' which is coordinated and planned by Hamas terrorist group to target millions of civilians. "Israel is under a terror attack -- coordinated and planned by Hamas terrorist group targeting millions of civilians... Israel has the right to self-defence and we'll act to defend our citizens. Our action is against terrorists. Every rocket that is being launched from Gaza strip is a double war crime. They are using their own people as human shields. Between 20-30% of over 1000 missiles that have been launched in last 48 hours landed in Gaza strip," said Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Lior Haiat at a virtual conference.

6,260 ton oxygen delivered across country: Railway Ministry

Onboard, May 12 (ANI): As the country faced oxygen crisis amid devastating second wave of COVID-19 pandemic, Indian Railways had started Oxygen Express to transport liquid oxygen to the states in need in this fight against pandemic. Ministry of Railways on May 12 informed that so far, nearly 6,260 tonnes of liquid medical oxygen was delivered to various states across country.

COVID-19: 'We must confront this crisis, its scale and spread truthfully', says Azim Premji

Bengaluru, May 12 (ANI): COVID Response Team, CRT, an initiative of civil society, has organised a five-day lecture series 'Positivity Unlimited', during the second day of the lecture series, Wipro founder cum Chairman Azim Premji on May 12 said, "We must act with greatest of speed on all fronts and these actions must be based on good science. We must confront this crisis, its scale and spread truthfully. Science and truth are foundation on which we can tackle this crisis and ensure it's not repeated."

'Waiting for DCGI approval': AIIMS Doctor on Covaxin trials on children

New Delhi, May 12 (ANI): Soon after Bharat Biotech's Covaxin gets nod for phase II and III trials, Delhi AIIMS Doctor for Department of Medicine Sanjeev Sinha on May 12 said that the hospital will start trials after DCGI approval. "Recently, subject expert committee of DCGI gave permission for vaccine trials on children from 2 to 15 years of age to Bharat Biotech. We are waiting for DCGI approval. Hopefully, we will soon start phase 2 and phase 3 trials," said AIIMS Doctor Sinha.

'Centre needs to relax protocols for buying vaccines': Aslam Shaikh

Mumbai, May 12 (ANI): The Central Government needs to relax protocols for buying vaccines, said Maharashtra Cabinet Minister Aslam Shaikh on May 12."The Centre will have to come forward to help us, it needs to relax its protocols for buying vaccines. If the Centre eases its import laws a bit, we will be able to vaccinate the people in 3-4 months," said Shaikh.