Looks like 80-90% of cases in most countries are due to Delta variant. But it will change in say two months with newer versions of the variant. Some reports in the UK suggested that Delta is acquiring some nutritions but that doesn’t mean it will be more harmful, says CCMB advisor Dr Rakesh Mishram, ANI reports.
Rajasthan government announces to pay lump sum Rs 1 lakh & Rs 2,500 per month to children who have lost their parents due to COVID-19 till they turn 18 years old under ‘Mukhyamantri Corona Bal Kalyan Yojana’. Rs 5 lakh will be given once they become 18 years old: State government.
Bharat Biotech will be carrying out clinical trials in the United States to support the marketing application for COVAXIN: Bharat Biotech, ANI reports.
GST Council has approved a reduction in rate for Remdesivir from 12% to 5%. No tax on Tocilizumab, Amphotericin B medicines. GST rates on the specified items being used in COVID19 relief and management till 30th September 2021: FM Sitharaman.
GST cut on Other Covid-19 related relief material:
Pulse Oximeters, including personal imports thereof were earlier 12%, now 5%.
Hand Sanitizer was earlier at 18%, is now at 5%.
Temperature check equipment was earlier at 18%, now at 5%.
Gas/Electric/other furnaces for crematorium, including their installation, etc. were earlier at 18%, is now at 5%.
Ambulances were earlier at 28%, now at 12%.
5% GST on vaccines will stay. The Centre will buy the 75% vaccine as announced and will pay its GST too. But 70% of income from GST will be shared with States: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
FM Sitharaman: GST on vaccines will not be applicable as it is the Centre that is procuring the doses and giving it for free, no state has to pay GST on vaccines.
GST on electric furnaces and temperature checking equipment brought down to 5% and on ambulances to 12%. These rates will be valid till September as against August end recommended by the GoM: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on the outcome of 44th GST Council meet.
Claims of Co-WIN System Hacking, Data Leak ‘Baseless’: Govt | The government on Saturday dismissed the claims of hacking of the CoWIN system and data leak as “baseless”. In a statement, the Health Ministry said the matter of the alleged hacking of the CoWIN system has been investigated by the Computer Emergency Response Team of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Decoding Long Covid: An Orthopaedic Explains How Prolonged Steroid Use, Bed Rest Can Damage Your Bones | In an interview with News18 Dr Chanda said, “Prolonged illnesses and weeks of compulsory bed rest tend to impact all systems of the body, one of these areas being the musculoskeletal system. Symptoms such as fatigue, myalgia (muscle aches and pain), and arthralgia (multiple joint pain with stiffness) are common after Covid-19, and their prevalence is now increasing.” Read the full story here.
Over 25.87 Cr Covid Vaccine Doses Provided to States So Far: Govt | More than 25.87 crore COVID19 vaccine doses have been provided to states and union territories so far through the Centre and direct state procurement category, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. Of 25,87,41,810, the total consumption, including wastage, is 24,76,58,855 doses (according to data available at 8 am on Saturday), the ministry said in a statement.
No Change in Gap between Two Covishield Doses, Says Centre | The Centre on Saturday said that there will be no immediate changes in the interval between the two doses of Covishield. “There are going to be no changes in the interval between Covishield doses immediately. However, scientific evidence have been collected to review the decision in the coming meeting of NEGVAC,” said government sources.
According to the IMA, a total of 1,467 doctors have died so far since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. As many as 748 doctors had lost their lives during the first wave of the pandemic.
Delhi is the only state after Bihar where more deaths of doctors have been reported. According to official figures, 109 doctors have died in Delhi, 79 in Uttar Pradesh, 43 in Rajasthan, 39 in Jharkhand and 35 in Andhra Pradesh.
719 Doctors Died in 2nd Wave, Bihar Records Highest Deaths | As many as 719 doctors have died during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the latest report by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) with Bihar reporting the highest number of 111 doctors dying in the line of duty. The second wave of coronavirus pandemic across the country is not over yet. This is the reason doctors are losing their lives every day while saving the lives of Covid-infected patients.
Ladakh Reports Lowest Daily Rise in COVID-19 Cases in Over Two Months | The Union Territory of Ladakh recorded 31 new coronavirus cases, the lowest daily rise in over two months, taking the infection tally to 19,506, officials said on Saturday. The twin districts of Leh and Kargil had recorded over 9,000 positive cases and 67 Covidrelated deaths since April, pushing the overall death toll in the region to 197 143 in Leh and 54 in Kargil.
While inaugurating oxygen plants at nine hospitals in the national capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday said, “The chances of the third wave of COVID-19 are real. Delhi government is working on a war footing to prepare for the third wave.”
A state-wise Covid update
The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.39 per cent. It has been less than 10 per cent for the 19th consecutive day, the ministry said, adding the weekly positivity rate has also declined to 4.94 per cent. Recoveries continue to outnumber daily new cases for the 30th consecutive day. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,79,11,384, while the case fatality rate has increased to 1.25 per cent, the data stated.
The number of active cases further declined to 10,80,690 accounting for 3.68 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has improved to 95.07 per cent. India’s active caseload declined to less than 11 lakh after 63 days while 84,332 new cases reported in 24 hours are the lowest in 70 days, the ministry said. Also, 20,44,131 coronavirus tests were conducted on Friday taking the total number to 37,42,42,384.
Over 84,000 Cases, 4K Deaths in India Recorded | India reports 84,332 new COVID-19 cases (lowest after 70 days), 1,21,311 patient discharges, and 4,002 deaths in last 24 hours, as per Health Ministry
Total cases: 2,93,59,155
Total discharges: 2,79,11,384
Death toll: 3,67,081
Active cases: 10,80,690
Vaccination: 24,96,00,304
Kannada Dalit Poet Siddalingaiah Dies of Covid | Karnataka’s noted Kannada Dalit poet and activist Siddalingaiah died due to Covid-related complications at a private hospital in the city on Friday. He was 67.
“Siddalingaiah, who tested positive on May 2, was admitted to Manipal Hospital on May 4 for severe Covid pneumonia with multi-organ failure. He succumbed to the disease despite best efforts by doctors with life support system,” said the hospital in a statement here.
Karnataka’s Covid Positivity Rate Dips Below 5% | For the first time in 2 months, Covid test positivity rate declined below 5 per cent in a day across Karnataka, while case fatality rate was up at 1.92 per cent on Thursday, said the state health bulletin on Friday.
“Positivity rate declined to 4.86 per cent on Thursday from 6.58 per cent on Wednesday across the state,” said the bulletin.
Aiding India in Its Time of Need Just as it Sent Help During Last Year’s Covid Surge: US Official | The United States is helping India in its time of need amid a raging second wave of the COVID19 infections just like it extended help when the hospitals here were strained due to the pandemic, an official in the Joe Biden Administration has told lawmakers.
Private Hospitals in Gurugram to Administer 24×7 Covid Vaccine to 18+ | All private hospitals in Gurugram district can now start Covid-19 vaccination drive for 18+ age group of people. For this, Civil Surgeon Gurugram, Dr. Virendra Yadav has given permission to all the hospitals. Dr Yadav has said in a letter to all the hospitals that they can start the Covid-19 vaccination for the age group of 18 to 44 years in the hospital for 24×7 a day.
