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Deficit supply of oxygen to Delhi - where 12 people died Saturday and 25 last week, because of a shortfall triggered by the second wave of coronavirus cases - must be rectified on or before midnight of May 3, the Supreme Court has told the centre.
The top court also directed the centre to work with state governments to create a buffer stock of oxygen to be used for emergency purposes, and decentralise locations of these reserves.
The directions on oxygen supply - a detailed 64-page order passed by Justices DY Chandrachud, LN Rao and S Ravindra Bhat, after their hearing on Friday - came as Delhi hospitals, including the Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, continue to send out frantic SOSs.
India is witnessing a frightening surge in dalily Covid cases with a large parts of the country getting affected by a devastating second Covid wave.
With 4.01 lakh cases recorded on Saturday, India hit a new grim world record; 2,15,542 people have died so far. Maharashtra continues to be the worst-hit state followed by Kerala, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus cases in India:
13 Opposition Leaders Request Centre To Launch Free Mass Vaccination Drive
Leaders of 13 Opposition parties Sunday urged the Centre to launch a free mass vaccination drive across the country in view of the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a joint statement, they also called upon the Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to all hospitals and health centres as they manage the staggering patient loads in view of the rising cases.
The signatories include Congress president Sonia Gandhi, JDS leader and former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, NCP leader Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee.
"In times of the uncontrollable surge of the pandemic across our country, we call upon the Central government to focus all attention in ensuring the uninterrupted flow of Oxygen supplies to all hospitals and health centres across the country," they said in a joint statement.
"We call upon the Central government to immediately launch a free mass vaccination programme across the country," they added.
The opposition leaders said the budgetary allocation of Rs 35,000 crore for the vaccination programme must be utilised for this drive.
Doctor Arrested For Breaking Covid Rules In Haryana, Released On Bail
A doctor, who had tested positive for coronavirus a few days ago, was arrested on Sunday for allegedly breaking COVID-19 guidelines when he went to the deputy commissioner's camp office along with relatives of his patients when he knew that he had tested positive for the virus, police said.
Police said the group created a ruckus over alleged lack of oxygen at the doctor's hospital while the district administration claimed that an enquiry by the Chief Medical Officer found that oxygen was sufficient.
Lokender Goel, owner of a private hospital in Kurukshetra, whose facility had been admitting COVID patients, was arrested after a case was registered against him under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
#Watch | A flight carrying 125,000 vials of antiviral drug Remdesivir arrived at Delhi airport from United States#COVID19 pic.twitter.com/faduI5fP4y
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Covid Negative Report Must For Air Travellers To UP
Chairing a high-level meeting virtually, Mr Adityanath directed the officials that a statewide campaign be run in the rural areas, after the panchayat elections are over, to screen the people infected with COVID-19. The campaign will run for five days, the UP government said in a statement issued here.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday announced that buses of the Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Corporation will ply only within the state for the next 15 days, while a negative COVID-19 test report has been made mandatory for those travelling to UP by air.
Chairing a high-level meeting virtually, Mr Adityanath directed the officials that a statewide campaign be run in the rural areas, after the panchayat elections are over, to screen the people infected with COVID-19. The campaign will run for five days, the UP government said in a statement issued here.
Supreme Court orders that the Centre shall ensure
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
that the deficit in the supply of oxygen to Delhi is rectified within two days, that is, on or before the midnight of 3 May 2021.
Bihar To Vaccinate Journalists On Priority, Says Nitish Kumar
Taking to Twitter, Mr Kumar said that journalists have been properly performing their duties during the pandemic by spreading awareness about the virus among people.
"Corona vaccine will be given to journalists on priority basis in the state. Journalists have been performing their roles in a good way during the pandemic. They are making people aware of the dangers of corona infection," he tweeted.
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Sunday said journalists will be given the COVID-19 vaccine on priority in the state.
Taking to Twitter, Mr Kumar said that journalists have been properly performing their duties during the pandemic by spreading awareness about the virus among people.
"Corona vaccine will be given to journalists on priority basis in the state. Journalists have been performing their roles in a good way during the pandemic. They are making people aware of the dangers of corona infection," he tweeted.
17,515 new cases, 92 deaths and 15,587 discharges recorded in West Bengal today; active cases 1,18,495 pic.twitter.com/OXkbsZTVm3
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA Brijendra Singh Rathore Dies Of Covid
He was party's in-charge for the last month's Damoh Assembly bypoll.
Mr Rathore, who represented Prithvipur Assembly seat in Tikamgarh district, died in the evening following a cardiac arrest, State Congress general secretary Rajiv Singh said.
The legislator had tested positive for the infection and was air-lifted to Bhopal from Jhansi about a week back, he said.
Madhya Pradesh Congress MLA and former state minister Brijendra Singh Rathore died while undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a private hospital on Sunday, a party leader said. He was 63.
He was party's in-charge for the last month's Damoh Assembly bypoll.
Mr Rathore, who represented Prithvipur Assembly seat in Tikamgarh district, died in the evening following a cardiac arrest, State Congress general secretary Rajiv Singh said.
The legislator had tested positive for the infection and was air-lifted to Bhopal from Jhansi about a week back, he said.
Punjab Government Provides 809 Ventilators To Districts Amid Covid Spike
After chairing a high-level meeting to review the current COVID situation and vaccination status in the state here on Sunday, Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan directed all the Deputy Commissioners to install the new ventilators today itself and ensure that not even a single oxygen concentrator and ventilator remain unutilised.
She also ordered to impose work from home for private offices so that the chain of Covid transmission could be arrested, according to an official statement.
Amid a second surge of COVID-19 pandemic, the Punjab Government has provided 809 more ventilators to the districts in the state.
After chairing a high-level meeting to review the current COVID situation and vaccination status in the state here on Sunday, Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan directed all the Deputy Commissioners to install the new ventilators today itself and ensure that not even a single oxygen concentrator and ventilator remain unutilised.
She also ordered to impose work from home for private offices so that the chain of Covid transmission could be arrested, according to an official statement.
Delhi reports 20,394 new #COVID19 cases, 24,444 discharges and 407 deaths
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Active cases: 92,290
Death toll: 16,966 pic.twitter.com/q2ROyCqR7U
No Shortage Of Funds To Fight COVID-19 Pandemic: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister
He said that, as on May 1, a total of 72,06,500 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the state, which had led to the detection of 7,28,700 cases.
The chief minister added that 6,01,161 people had been discharged post recovery, leaving the state with an active caseload of 1,18,958.
Currently, 31 government and five private laboratories have TrueNat facility and seven state-run and five private can carry out RT-PCR tests, while rapid antigen test facilities were available in the primary health centres, he added.
There would be no shortage of funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Chhattisgarh and the state government was making all-out efforts to contain it by ramping up tests as well as health infrastructure, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel said on Sunday.
He said that, as on May 1, a total of 72,06,500 coronavirus tests have been conducted in the state, which had led to the detection of 7,28,700 cases.
The chief minister added that 6,01,161 people had been discharged post recovery, leaving the state with an active caseload of 1,18,958.
Currently, 31 government and five private laboratories have TrueNat facility and seven state-run and five private can carry out RT-PCR tests, while rapid antigen test facilities were available in the primary health centres, he added.
Mumbai reports 3,672 new positive cases, 5,542 discharges, and 79 deaths today.
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Active cases: 57,342
Death toll: 13,330 pic.twitter.com/wloNIFG9LQ
Uttarakhand reports 5,606 new COVID-19 cases, 2,935 recoveries, and 71 deaths in last 24 hours
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Active cases: 53,612
Total recoveries: 1,31,144
Death toll: 2,802 pic.twitter.com/BUw4IrCMUa
Ensure Medicines, Equipment For Covid Not Sold Above MRP: High Court To Delhi Government
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli directed the government to book those persons found hoarding or black-marketing medicines and equipment related to COVID-19 and be brought before the court for taking independent contempt action against them.
The direction was issued after the court was informed by some lawyers that there was rampant overcharging of medicines and equipment.
The Delhi High Court on Sunday directed the Delhi government to ensure that medicines and equipment like oxygen cylinders and concentrators needed for COVID-19 treatment not be sold above the maximum retail price (MRP).
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli directed the government to book those persons found hoarding or black-marketing medicines and equipment related to COVID-19 and be brought before the court for taking independent contempt action against them.
The direction was issued after the court was informed by some lawyers that there was rampant overcharging of medicines and equipment.
COVID19 restrictions imposed in Goa from 6 am on May 3 till 7 am on May 10; essential services allowed
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Casinos, bars, sports complexes, river cruises, gyms, schools, colleges and weekly markets to remain closed pic.twitter.com/lSwOc4LMqa
2 Arrested For Black-Marketing Of Oxygen Concentrators In Delhi
The accused has been identified as Anuj Minda, 41, a resident of Ashok Vihar, and Gurmeet Singh, 36, a resident of Rohini, they said.
The police said the accused were charging Rs 1.65 lakh for an oxygen concentrator against its actual price of Rs 31,000.
Two men have been arrested for their alleged involvement in black marketing oxygen concentrators, an equipment used for treatment of Covid patients, police said on Sunday.
The accused has been identified as Anuj Minda, 41, a resident of Ashok Vihar, and Gurmeet Singh, 36, a resident of Rohini, they said.
The police said the accused were charging Rs 1.65 lakh for an oxygen concentrator against its actual price of Rs 31,000.
A complete lockdown for 7 days will help break the chain of COVID19 infection. During the lockdown, essential services will be allowed: Haryana Minister Anil Vij pic.twitter.com/Y0cHih5qd8
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
UK To Send 1,000 More Ventilators To India: Report
Britain has already sent 495 oxygen concentrators and 200 ventilators to India as the country grapples with a devastating surge in coronavirus cases, and is shipping three larger production units, dubbed oxygen factories.
"We're going to be sending out another package of 1,000 ventilators, very shortly," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television.
The UK said Sunday it was sending an extra 1,000 oxygen ventilators to Covid-struck India, as a group of doctors staged their own intervention by offering long-distance telemedicine from Britain.
Britain has already sent 495 oxygen concentrators and 200 ventilators to India as the country grapples with a devastating surge in coronavirus cases, and is shipping three larger production units, dubbed oxygen factories.
"We're going to be sending out another package of 1,000 ventilators, very shortly," Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab told BBC television.
In line with his direction of exploring innovative ways to ramp up the supply & availability of oxygen, PM Narendra Modi today chaired a meeting to review the usage of gaseous oxygen: PMO pic.twitter.com/B2rvaARD5B
- ANI (@ANI) May 2, 2021
Bhopal COVID-19 deaths: Government says 104, crematoriums say 2,557
Crematoriums in Bhopal claim that the last rites of as many as 2557 coronavirus victims from Bhopal district were performed in April, sharply contradicting the BJP-led state government's data which puts the COVID-19 deaths in the district last month at 104, PTI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Odisha logs 8,015 new COVID-19 cases, 14 fresh fatalities
Of the 8,015 new cases, 4,568 were reported from various quarantine centres and the rest were detected during contact tracing, PTI reported.
Odisha on Sunday registered 8,015 new COVID-19 cases, pushing the tally in the state to 4,62,622, while 14 fresh fatalities raised the count to 2,068, a health department official said.
Of the 8,015 new cases, 4,568 were reported from various quarantine centres and the rest were detected during contact tracing, PTI reported.
COVID-19 News: Israel bans travel to India, six other countries
Israel has temporarily barred its citizens from travelling to India and six other countries, citing high COVID-19 infection rates there, PTI reported.
Over 78 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses still available with states: Centre
The Government of India has so far provided nearly 16.54 crore vaccine doses (16,54,93,410) to states and UTs free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 15,76,32,631 doses, PTI reported.
More than 78 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs which will receive over 56 lakh additional doses within the next 3 days, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The Government of India has so far provided nearly 16.54 crore vaccine doses (16,54,93,410) to states and UTs free of cost. Of this, the total consumption including wastages is 15,76,32,631 doses, PTI reported.
Phase-3 vaccination: Over 86,000 received first dose on May 1
A total of 86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine across 11 states on May 1, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 15.68 crore as the phase-3 of the nationwide vaccination drive commenced on Saturday, PTI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Ladakh's COVID-19 cases cross 14,000-mark; death count rises 144
Ladakh's COVID-19 tally climbed to 14,086 with 117 fresh cases, while the death count mounted to 144 as one more patient died due to the disease, PTI reported.
COVID-19 surge: Congress wants extension of lockdown in Goa
Following a very high test positivity rate, Goa went into a lockdown on Friday and it will remain applicable till 6 am on Monday. All essential services have been exempted from the curbs, PTI reported.
Leader of Opposition in the Goa Assembly Digambar Kamat on Sunday said the four-day lockdown imposed in the state needs to be extended in view of the "grim situation" in the coastal state.
Following a very high test positivity rate, Goa went into a lockdown on Friday and it will remain applicable till 6 am on Monday. All essential services have been exempted from the curbs, PTI reported.
Crisis Management Group to monitor rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation and take mitigation measures: J&K administration
The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Sunday said the newly constituted five-member Crisis Management Group (CMG) would monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation in the union territory and take preventive, control and mitigation measures to slow the spread of the disease, PTI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Record 217 new cases push Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally to 18,636
Arunachal Pradesh's COVID-19 tally mounted to 18,636 as the state reported its highest single-day spike of 217 new cases on Sunday, a health official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 4 more COVID-19 care centres established in Manipur
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to Twitter to inform about the same, ANI reported.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh has informed that four more COVID care centres have started functioning having a capacity of over 1000 beds as he reviewed the deteriorating Covid-19 situation in the state.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh took to Twitter to inform about the same, ANI reported.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Telangana logs 7,430 COVID-19 cases, 56 deaths push count to 2,368
Telangana reported 7,430 fresh COVID-19 cases taking the tally to over 4.50 lakh while the death count rose to 2,368 with 56 more casualties, PTI reported.
PM Narendra Modi To Hold Meeting To Review Covid SituationPrime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a meeting this morning to review the measures taken amid the surge in COVID-19 cases that has overwhelmed the country and its healthcare system.
Hit by second Covid wave, India recorded over 66 lakh Covid cases in April alone, official figures show. The country has been recording over 2 lakh cases since April 15.
India recorded the highest deaths in a single day at 3,689.
Adar Poonawalla Meets Partners In UK, Will Return "In A Few Days"Adar Poonawalla, the CEO of world's biggest vaccine maker Serum Institute of India, tweeted last night about the "excellent meeting" with "our partners in the UK" as he faces a huge challenge to meet India's vaccine demands.
Delhi has extended lockdown by another week amid Covid surge, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Monday. The city reported 412 deaths on Saturday, the biggest so far.
India Covid Surge: Candidates Who Died In Bengal Due To Covid
The Congress's Rezaul Haque, Trinamool leaders Kajal Sinha and Abdur Rahman, Revolutionary Socialist Party's Pradip Nandi and independent candidate Samir Ghosh died of Covid in Bengal.
India Covid Surge: Bengal Announces More RestrictionsBengal on Saturday announced more restrictions a day after announcing partial shutdown. The state has seen a record surge in Covid cases as it voted in a record eight-phased election last month. Read here.
Adar Poonawalla On Vaccine Pressure: Everything Falls On My ShouldersSerum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Saturday spoke out about the pressures he was under over the production of COVID-19 vaccines to meet the ever-increasing demand in India."
