As of now, 2902 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 68 deaths have been reported. Meanwhile, 183 persons have been cured/discharged from the hospitals after recovery. Among the total confirmed cases, 1023 cases have been linked to Tablighi Jamaat across 17 States which includes Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, J&K, Rajasthan, Telangana, A&N Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh.
Various actions have been initiated by the Government of India along with the States/UTs for the prevention, containment, and management of COVID-19 in the country. These are being regularly monitored at the highest level.
In order to address the requirements of containment and management of COVID-19 in the country, various levels of health professionals including doctors, nursing professionals, allied healthcare professionals, and others have been engaged and are working relentlessly. As many as 9.70 lakh ASHAs, one lakh AYUSH professionals, NCC Cadets, ex-Servicemen, Red Cross/NSS/ NYK volunteers, employees from gram panchayats and Urban Local Body employees, Civil Society Organisations may be involved as required. A Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for reallocation of residents/ PG Students and nursing students as part of hospital management has been prepared. Additionally, more than 31,000 doctors including retired doctors from Government, Armed Forces Medical Services, Public Sector undertaking, and private doctors have voluntarily signed up to join the fight against COVID-19.
30 Training Modules have so far been prepared and compiled on various topics such as clinical management, ventilator support, infection prevention and control, quarantine management etc. The details are available online on the Health Ministry website.
It has been observed that most of the deaths are being reported from elderly people or people having co-morbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, kidney/ cardiac issues etc. Hence, all people falling in the high risk category need to follow all precautions. Moreover, an age profile analysis of all the positive cases being reported so far shows that:
- 8.61% cases is between 0-20 years
- 41.88% cases is between 21 to 40 years
- 32.82% cases is between 41 to 60 years
- 16.69% cases above 60 years
PM Modi Chairs Meeting Of Empowered Groups
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been reviewing the countrywide preparedness regarding the availability of hospitals, proper isolation, and quarantine facilities as well as disease surveillance, testing and critical care training and also directed the concerned groups and officials to ensure sufficient production, procurement, and availability of all essential medical equipment such as PPEs, masks, gloves, and ventilators.
PM Modi chaired a joint meeting of the Empowered Groups constituted for planning and ensuring the implementation of COVID-19 response activities in the country.
Adequate Arrangements To Handle Grid Stability During Lights Out Event On April 5 at 9:00 PM
PM Modi has appealed to the people to voluntarily switch off their lights between 9:00 p.m. to 9:09 p.m. on the 5th of April. Some apprehensions have been expressed that this may cause instability in the grid and fluctuation in voltage which may harm the electrical appliances. These apprehensions are misplaced.
Also Read: Over 30,000 Doctors Volunteer To Join Fight Against COVID-19
MHA Clarifies On Issues Faced By States In Smooth Supply Of Essential Items
Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) had issued consolidated guidelines on the lockdown measures to be taken by Ministries/ Departments of Government of India, State/Union Territory Governments and State/ Union Territory Authorities for containment of COVID-19 epidemic in the country, on 24.03.2020 and further modified on 25.03.2020, 26.03.2020 and 02.04.2020.
States advised to inform District authorities and field agencies regarding the clarifications so as to avoid any ambiguity at the ground level. At the ground level, different interpretations are being made on the items given exceptions, which hinder the smooth flow of the supply chain of these essential items. Suggestions have also been received from some quarters in regard to these Guidelines.
MHA Issues Addendum For Exempting Shops From Lockdown Restrictions
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) issued an addendum to the guidelines, and subsequent addendums, to all Ministries/Departments regarding the nationwide lockdown to fight COVID-19. The addendum exempts from lockdown restrictions the shops of agricultural machinery, its spare parts (including its supply chain) and repair; truck repair shops on highways, preferably at fuel pumps; and the Tea industry, including plantations with a maximum of 50% workers.
MHA Writes To States For Ensuring Smooth Harvesting & Sowing Operations
The Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) had sent an advisory to all States regarding granting of an exception to Agricultural operations from lockdown restrictions to fight COVID-19 in India, keeping in mind the harvesting and sowing season. With this advisory, exceptions have been allowed for farming operations by farmers and farmworkers, procurement of agricultural productions, operation of Mandis, movement of harvesting and sowing related machinery, etc.
CBDT Issues Orders To Mitigate Hardships To Taxpayers
For severe disruption in the normal working of almost all sectors following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CBDT issued directions/clarifications by the exercise of its power u/s 119 of the Income-tax Act, 1961 to mitigate the hardships of taxpayers. The orders passed u/s 119 of the Act are available on www.incometaxindia.gov.in under the head Miscellaneous Communications.
Dr Harsh Vardhan Visits Hospital To Take Stock Of Preparedness To Overcome COVID-19
The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today visited Lok Nayak Jaiprakash Narayan Hospital to take stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19. The Union Minister visited the fever ward, new surgical ward block, Dietary Department, Special Ward, Corona Screening Center, Corona Care Unit and I.C.U. After a detailed review and inspection of the various wards and premises of the Hospital, the Health Minister expressed satisfaction & commended working of the departments and appreciated the dedication and hard work of the frontline health workers deployed there.
Home Ministry Approves Release Of Rs 11,092 Crores Under State Disaster Risk Management Fund
Following the assurance given by PM Modi during his video conference meeting with the Chief Ministers, Union Home Minister Amit Shah approved the release of Rs 11,092 crores under the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRMF), to all States.
ECI Defers Rajya Sabha Poll In View Of COVID-19 Outbreak
In view of the current unforeseen situation of public health emergency, Election Commission of India invoking its powers under Article 324 of the Constitution of India read with section 153 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 has further extended the period of Rajya Sabha election beyond the prescribed term(s) of 18 seats across seven States.
Mask Production In Wake Of COVIF-19 Pandemic Under NRLM
Face mask production has been initiated by Self Help Groups (SHGs) members in 24 States covering 399 districts of the country under the Ministry of Rural Development’s National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).
CSIR-IMTECH Takes Up Sample Testing For COVID-19
CSIR-IMTECH is supporting healthcare professionals by providing Personal Protection Equipment. To boost its testing capacity, CSIR-IMTECH has stepped up to take up COVID-19 sample testing. COVID-19 has posed several challenges to the healthcare sector. The limited number of test kits for COVID-19 is one such challenge. As of now, India has been primarily testing patients with travel history. However, the rate of testing should improve in terms of testing per million population.
Read More: COVID-19 Cases Spiked Due To Tablighi Jamaat: Union Health Ministry
Indian Railways Ensures Supply Chain Fully Functional For Key Infrastructure Sectors During COVID-19 Lockdown
Indian Railways has been fulfilling its commitment to ensure availability of important raw material and fuel through its freight services to meet the requirements of the power transport and key infrastructure sectors during the nationwide lockdown due to COVID-19. During the situation of lockdown, Indian Railways staff deployed at various good sheds, stations and control offices continued working with full devotion to ensure that the supply of essential items for these critical sectors does not gets affected. Due to relentless operations of Railways, all power plants and Petroleum depots have comfortable stock with them in spite of COVID-19 lockdown.
Domestic Cargo Flights Strengthen India’s Fight Against COVID-19
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is undertaking continuous efforts at the policy level and ground level to add substantially in the fight against COVID-19 in India. The cargo delivered to various parts of the country includes COVID-19 related reagents, enzymes, medical equipment, testing kits & PPE, masks, gloves & other accessories of HLL & cargo requisitioned by State/UT Governments and also postal packets.
Ministry of Tourism Holds Virtual Conference With Industry Associations Of Tourism And Hospitality Sector
The Ministry of Tourism held a virtual conference with the Industry associations of the Tourism and Hospitality sector on Friday. The VC was led by Secretary Tourism, Shri Yogendra Tripathi along with senior officials of the Ministry. The Associations represented through remote conferencing were FAITH, which is the mother of 9 bodies, the CII, FICCI, PHDCCI, and IMAI.
HRD Minister Interacts With Heads, Teachers And Students Of Universities, Colleges And Schools On COVID- 19
Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' today interacted with heads, students and teachers of several universities, colleges, and schools, across the country through video conferencing about the coronavirus spread across the country and the world. Shri Nishank expresses gratitude to all the teachers and students for playing an active role in the war against COVID-19.
MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student Helpline Portal Launched
In view of the outbreak of COVID19 and National lockdown, some students have been facing difficulties due to the closure of colleges and hostels. In order to provide help and support to such students, AICTE has come out with a unique MHRD AICTE COVID-19 Student Helpline Portaltoaddress the issues. The website was launched by the Honorable Minister for Human Resource development.
Shipping Minister Holds Video Conference With The Stakeholders Of Ports To Deal With COVID-19 Situation
Minister of Shipping (I/C) Shri Mansukh Mandaviya today held a meeting through Video Conference with the stakeholders of Ports including Port users, Courier and Cargo Services, Representatives of the Custom Brokers Associations from the various parts of the country, Logistic service providers and others to assess the challenges and concerns caused due to COVID-19 and lockdown in the country on the Port Operations. The meeting was also attended by the Officers of the Ministry of Shipping and Chairpersons of all Major Ports.
Goa Naval Area Extends Support To Those In Need
In the ongoing efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic and in support of the populace in distress, Goa Naval Area continues to extend a helping hand to the locals through the distribution of food and essential supplies during the nationwide lockdown.
IAF Continues Its Support Towards Fight Against Coronavirus
Indian Air Force continues its support to contain the spread of the Novel Coronavirus. The medical supplies are being transported to equip the state governments and supporting agencies to combat the contagion effectively and efficiently. IAF airlifted essential medical supplies and commodities from nodal points to Guwahati, Dibrugarh, and Mohanbari in North Eastern region; Prayagraj, Gorakhpur, Bareilly, and Agra in the Central region; and the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
Also Read: NCC, Ex-Servicemen To Volunteer Fight Against COVID-19
Hack The Crisis – India, An Online Hackathon To Find Working Solutions For Overcoming COVID 19 Pandemic Launched
Minister of State Electronics & Information Technology, Communications and Human Resource Development Shri Sanjay Dhotre launched Hack the Crisis – India, an Online Hackathon to find working solutions for overcoming COVID-19 pandemic. This hackathon is part of a global initiative and is being organised by ‘Hack A Cause – India’ and ‘Ficci Ladies Organization Pune’ and supported by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India (MEITY).
DST Funded Startup Develops Chemical Free Silver Based Disinfectant To Fight COVID 19 Pandemic
Weinnovate Biosolutions, a Pune based startup supported jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Biotechnology (DBT), has come up with a non-alcoholic aqueous-based Colloidal Silver solution uniquely made from its NanoAgCide technology for disinfecting hands and environmental surfaces.
National Innovation Foundation – India Invites Innovative Citizens To Participate In Its Challenge COVID-19 Competition
Innovation Foundation – India (NIF), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India came up with a call inviting innovative citizens to participate in its Challenge COVID-19 Competition (C3). All participants can openly share their creative ideas and innovations for problems or issues like reducing transmission of Coronavirus through original creative ideas, innovations.
For all authentic & updated information on COVID-19 related technical issues, guidelines & advisories please regularly visit: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/.
Technical queries related to COVID-19 may be emailed at technicalquery.covid19@gov.in and other queries on ncov2019@gov.in .
In case of any queries on COVID-19, please call at Ministry of Health & Family Welfare helpline no. : +91-11-23978046 or 1075 (Toll-free). List of helpline numbers of States/UTs on COVID-19 is also available at https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/coronvavirushelplinenumber.pdf .