New Delhi: Principal Scientific Advisor to Centre K Vijay Raghavan on Wednesday said that the "third phase" of the COVID-19 is inevitable.
"A phase three is inevitable, given the higher levels of circulating virus but it is not clear on what time scale this phase three will occur. We should prepare for new waves," the Principal Scientific Advisor said.
Earlier in the day, the Supreme Court today put on hold the contempt notice issued by the Delhi High Court on May 4 against the Union government's officers over non-compliance of order for 700 metric tonnes oxygen to the national capital.
The top asked the Center to apprise it by tomorrow 10:30am, when the court assembles again, as to how it will make available 700 metric tonnes oxygen in Delhi.
Meanwhile, 3,780 people died of Covid in India the last 24 hours, the highest in a day so far, pushing the total fatalities to 2,26,188. India's Covid caseload hit 2.06 crore with over 3.82 lakh new cases as the crisis continues to crush the healthcare system.
India is second only to the United States in the total number of cases reported since the beginning of the pandemic.
In stern remarks, the Allahabad High Court Tuesday observed that the death of COVID-19 patients just for non-supply of oxygen to hospitals is a criminal act, "not less than a genocide" by authorities entrusted the task to ensure the oxygen supply chain is maintained.
The remarks were made on some news items doing the rounds on social media regarding the death of COVID-19 patients due to lack of oxygen in Lucknow and Meerut districts. The court also ordered a probe into the incidents.
Here are the Live updates on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
May 06, 2021 01:48 (IST)
3 Arrested In Bengaluru For Black Marketing Hospital Beds Amid Covid Spike: Cops
The Central Division of the Bengaluru Police on Wednesday unearthed a case of black marketing of hospital beds amid the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic. reported news agency ANI.
According to the police, three people were arrested in connection with the case.
This comes amid the devastating shortage of medical supplies, drugs and other necessary equipment due to the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases.
Over the last few days, black marketing of the anti-viral drug Remdesivir and oxygen cylinders was rampant.
May 06, 2021 01:46 (IST)
Ensure Strict Lockdown, Act Against Black-Marketers Amid Pandemic: Haryana Top Cop To Officers
Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) Manoj Yadava instructed the police officers to activate a robust mechanism to strictly enforce the lockdown order across the state, reported news agency ANI.
In view of surge in COVID-19 infections, a 7-day lockdown was imposed in Haryana starting May 3.
The directives were given to all Commissioners of Police and district Superintendents of Police during a video-conference on Wednesday in which the DGP had reviewed the implementation of lockdown and night curfew imposed by the state government and mechanism put in place for crackdown against black-marketing of anti-viral drug Remdesivir and oxygen.
May 05, 2021 22:14 (IST)
COVID-19: Punjab Chief Minister rules out complete lockdown
Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh on Wednesday announced phased opening of shops after a few of his cabinet colleagues raised the issue of resentment among shopkeepers over selective closure of shops amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Chairing a virtual cabinet meeting, Singh ruled out a complete lockdown while stating that the restrictions currently in place in Punjab were more stringent than the lockdown conditions in many other states.
Besides phased opening of shops, he also announced various incentives for the housing sector, including three-month extension in permission period of construction of plots/projects for allotments, whether private or allotted, by state urban development authorities.
May 05, 2021 16:39 (IST)
Extensive COVID-19 restrictions in West Bengal: Local trains to be suspended from Thursday
Hours after taking oath as the chief minister of West Bengal for the third term, Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday announced various steps to contain the spread of Covid-19 in the state, adding that hawkers, transporters, and journalists will be given priority when it comes to vaccination.
Announcing extensive restrictions across the state, Chief Minister said shopping complexes, gyms, cinema halls, beauty parlours will remain close in West Bengal.Local trains will be suspended from tomorrow and Friday onwards, those entering the state will have to show a negative Covid test report.
May 05, 2021 16:01 (IST)
Kerala Chief Minister Writes To Centre, Seeks Oxygen, Covid Vaccine Doses
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Wednesday requested the Centre to provide at least 1000 tonnes of imported Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) and 50 lakh doses of Covishield and 25 lakh doses of Covaxin to the state in view of the surge in COVID-19 cases.
In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mr Vijayan also sought PSA plants, oxygen concentrators and ventilators on a priority basis, considering the fact that Kerala has one of the highest active caseloads in the country.
Since the overall projected requirement of liquid medical oxygen in the state is rising, the buffer storage within the state needs to be augmented urgently keeping in view the depletion of storage due to heavy daily demand, he said.
