New Delhi: India saw highest spike as 3,645 people succumbed to the coronavirus in 24 hours amid reports of 3,79,257 fresh cases on Thursday.

It was the eighth day in a row when India recorded more than 3 lakh cases and over 3,000 casualties for past two days. On Wednesday there were 3,293 deaths.

The data says that 2,69,507 patients recovered and till date 1,83,76,524 people have tested positive after the onset of the pandemic

On Wednesday, the government announced that India’s coronavirus recovery rate currently stands at 82.33 per cent

“… India’s cumulative recoveries stand at 1,48,17,371 today. The National Recovery Rate is 82.33 per cent… The National Mortality Rate has been falling and currently stands at 1.12 per cent,” the statement said.

It also said that five states/Union Territories — Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Lakshadweep, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands — have not reported any Covid deaths in the last 24 hours.

Hyderabad: Bharat Biotech on Thursday announced that it is slashing the price of its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin to Rs 400, from Rs 600 earlier, for state governments.

The announcement came a day after the Serum Institute of India (SII) cut the price of Covishield to Rs 300 from Rs 400 earlier.

The two vaccine makers slashed the prices after the Central government reportedly made a request to them amid the row over different pricing for the Central and state governments.

Bharat Biotech said in a statement on Thursday that it deeply concerned with the critical pandemic circumstances that India is facing at this time.

“Recognising the enormous challenges to the public healthcare system, we have made Covaxin available to state governments at a price of Rs 400 per dose,” the Hyderabad-based company said.

“We wish to be transparent in our approach to pricing which was determined by internally funded product development, several operationally-intensive BSL-3 manufacturing facilities (the first of its kind in our country) and clinical trials,” it added.

The company stated that for the last one year, Team Bharat Biotech has been fearlessly handling live SARS-CoV-2 virus strains, tirelessly working round-the-clock while overcoming many challenges given the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Bharat Biotech had on April 24 announced the prices of Covaxin. It fixed at Rs 1,200 as the price per dose for private hospitals. This is twice the cost fixed by the SII for Covishield.

For exports, it has priced India’s first indigenous Covid vaccine at $15-$20 (Rs 1,125-1,500).

Ever since the launch of Covid vaccination programme in India, Bharat Biotech and the SII have been supplying their vaccines to the Centre at Rs 150 per dose.

While Bharat Biotech is likely to continue the supplies to the Centre at the same price, the SII had hinted at revising this to Rs 400.

Srinagar: Stating that Tocilizumab drug prevents COVID-19 patients from dying, Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) on Thursday urged the J&K administration to ensure its availability to save lives.

“The drug saves lives,” DAK President and influenza expert Dr Nisar ul Hassan said.

Quoting a study from United Kingdom, he said Tocilizumab reduces the risk of death when given to hospitalized patients with severe COVID-19 disease. “The study also showed that the drug shortens the hospital stay and reduces the need for a mechanical ventilator,” he added.

“We have been able to save lives of many COVID-19 patients in Kashmir hospitals with early institution of the drug’. “But, now the drug has run out of stock in valley hospitals putting lives of patients at risk,” he said.

Urging government to make the life-saving drug available for Covid-19 patients, DAK president said ‘we must ensure that every patient who needs the drug should be able to access it’. “Originally developed to treat rheumatoid arthritis, the drug combats the disease by quelling cytokine storm which is the hyperimmune response of the infected person to the virus”.

“Mortality in COVID-19 patients has been linked to the presence of the cytokine storm induced by the virus,” Dr Nisar said, adding that ‘excessive production of cytokines leads to respiratory failure and widespread tissue damage resulting in multiorgan failure and death’.

“Tocilizumab suppresses the hyperimmune response by blocking receptor for a key cytokine known as interleukin-6 (IL-6) and improves survival rates and reduces mortality among COVID patients,” he said.

The DAK President said it is vitally important to know that there is no single magic bullet to treat the novel Coronavirus and several drugs in combination are needed to tackle the virus. “With the approval of several therapies, combination of them given at the right time gives a good result”.

Nisar said apart from oxygen, moderate to severe patients are given steroids, remdesivir, convalescent plasma and Tocilizumab in various combinations.

“Initially it was believed that deaths were happening because of poor oxygenation. Now we know that intravascular clotting can also lead to lung dysfunction and death. So heparin is given in Covid patients to prevent clotting,” he added.

Sinha chairs meeting with office-bearers, volunteers of Indian Red Cross Society,

1.20 Cr doses ordered for vaccination of 18 to 45 age-group; many Oxygen generation plants made operational

Jammu:  Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha Thusday chaired a meeting with the office-bearers and volunteers of Indian Red Cross Society, J&K through virtual mode.

He acknowledged the significant role played by Indian Red Cross Society, and lauded the Volunteers for their selflessness and dedicated service towards public.

He called upon them to renew their commitment and determination in complementing Government’s efforts to speed up the vaccination drive and tackle the challenges of Covid pandemic.

In the wake of second wave of Corona virus, Sinha asked the IRCS to carry on their humanitarian activities and reach out to people, especially those living in remote and far flung areas, and help the administration in providing food, medical assistance and other essential items to the needy.

“Having a strong team of volunteers in all 20 districts of the Union Territory, the Red Cross volunteers delivered food, medicines, and clothes to at least 30,000 families across J&K during the COVID-19 pandemic last year, which is praiseworthy,” he said.

The Lt Governor assured all possible support of the Administration to the Indian Red Cross Society in their noble cause.

Speaking on the preparedness of J&K Government to handle the ongoing pandemic, Sinha said people of J&K need not panic.

“We are equipped to deal with the emerging situation. One crore twenty lakh doses are ordered for vaccination of 18 to 45 age-group. Many Oxygen generation plants have become operational and remaining will also start functioning soon. The availability of oxygen is more than double the requirement. We have 54,500 cubic metres of oxygen against the present consumption i.e 25,000 cubic metres, besides 15,000 cubic metres more will be added to the count in coming days,” he maintained.

Emphasizing on dissemination of information with regard to the Covid pandemic, Lt Governor asked the IRCS and its volunteers to make people aware about all the Do’s and Don’ts of Covid. There are many out there who are propagating misinformation among the people, which needs to be countered with facts, he added.

Use various media of communication and rope in religious leaders, health workers to spread awareness among people in their local languages. Create JK Covid care groups, besides inform people about expert opinions, usage of double face masks & hand sanitizers. IRCS Volunteers can provide details regarding vaccination, SoPs, precautionary measures, Covid Helpline numbers, home isolation etc and encourage them to stay at home, and worship at home, the Lt Governor urged the volunteers.

Earlier, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Honorary General Secretary, Indian Red Cross Society (IRCS) J&K gave a brief overview about the activities being carried out by the IRCS during Covid pandemic.

Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu;  Vinod Malhotra, Honorary Secretary, IRCS Jammu; Mohammad Yousuf Zargar, Honorary Secretary, IRCS Kashmir, besides representatives of Red Cross Volunteers from across the UT attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.

Lockdown, SOPs should not be treated as punishment: DC Sgr

Standalone shops, transport with 50 % seating capacity to be allowed; appeals people to stay indoors

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: The lockdown to contain spread of Covid-19 virus came into effect in 11 out of 20 districts in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday evening.

The administration had yesterday decided to impose 84 hour lockdown in 11 districts including Srinagar from Thursday 7 pm to Monday 7 am to contain spread of the Covid-19 virus.

The districts that will come under lockdown include Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Pulwama, Ganderbal, Jammu, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur.

Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing consistent surge in Covid-19 cases.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar; Muhammad Aijaz Asad on Thursday said imposing curbs and following Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) should not be considered as a punishment, saying that all these measures are being in the interests of the people and are need of the hour.

He also said that lockdown at this juncture was imperative to break the transmission chain.

Addressing media persons here at his office, DC Srinagar said that transport with 50 per cent seating capacity will be allowed to ply during the lockdown period from Thursday evening to Monday morning. He said the decision to allow public transport to ply has been taken for the people who don’t have their transport and have to reach the hospitals or other related places.

“Allowing transport to ply is not an invitation for the people to come out, but the decision was taken for the wellbeing of the people who will have to reach the hospitals or other related places,” he said.

He also added that during the lockdown period, the standalone shops shall remain open while restaurants in the hotels shall remain open for in-house guests only. He also stated that the food to the guests will be served in rooms.

“There shall be no hindrance to the smooth movement of goods and essential supplies, nomads migrating with herds, Darbar move official staff, Agriculture and horticulture goods. Also, there shall be no restriction on inter-state and inter districts movement of essential goods,” he informed, adding that the industrial establishments will remain open.

Also, he said there shall be no restriction on the movement of government officials on production of identity cards, adding that developmental construction works will continue while necessary measures will be taken in this regard.

He also informed that the vaccination drive will also continue normally at designated Centres.

However, he said that all shopping complexes, saloons, restaurants, gyms, bars and parks shall remain closed.

The DC said the religious and social gatherings such as marriages attended by 50 per cent only whether indoor or outdoor is permissible. He also said that in funerals, only 20 people will be allowed to participate.

“I appeal to the people to stay indoors,” he said.

About spike in COVID-19 cases in the district, DC said that Srinagar being the capital is being visited by people from other places, thus witness a huge and rush, which is why the cases are higher in the district as compared to other places—(KNO)

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police Vijay Kumar on Thursday said the police units have been directed to facilitate “hassle free” movement of doctors, health workers and essential services besides journalists during lockdown.

An 84-hour lockdown, announced by the government in a bid to contain spread of the covid-19, begins in 11 districts of Jammu and Kashmir from 7 p.m. this evening.

“During the lockdown period, all the police units have been directed to facilitate hassle free movement of doctors, health workers and essential services,” the top police officer said in a tweet.

“For any assistance Dial-112,” he said and urged people to “stay home and stay safe.”

“During the #LockdownPeriod, all the #Police Units have been directed to “facilitate hassle free “Movement of Journalists -both Print and Electronic. Journalists are requested to carry Identity Cards,” the IGP said said in another tweet.

The administration on Wednesday ordered a complete lockdown for 84 hours from Thursday evening in seven districts of the valley, including summer capital, Srinagar, in view of an unabated rise in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Div Com says oxygen connected beds being increased from 1600 to 2500 in Valley

By: Sheikh Danish

Srinagar: J&K’s Lieutenant Governor’s Advisor Baseer Ahmad Khan on Thursday evening said that there was no dearth of oxygen, COVID vaccine, Remdesivir and other things in Jammu and Kashmir, stating that the Union Territory is one of the best places, which is managing the COVID situation effectively.

Addressing a presser here at DIPR auditorium late Thursday evening, Khan, who was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, P K Pole and Deputy Commissioner (DC) Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad said that the Remdesivir is available in ample quantity in J&K and there was no shortage at all.  “The medicine is being provided to the places wherever it is needed,” he said.

He said some people are trying to create fear that there is shortage of Remedesvir and oxygen and want to pretend that COVID related management is weak and cannot meet the demand. However, he said that the situation is different as there was no shortage, saying that Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory has 20 ton oxygen available at present, which is sufficient to meet the demand.

“I want to make it clear that nobody will face hardships in terms of oxygen and other related things,” he said.

About COVID vaccine, he said “Jammu and Kashmir had placed 1.25 Crore order of vaccine and it has already been dispatched. Aggressive drive will be launched within a day or two in this regard,” he said, adding that the vaccine at present is sufficiently available.

He added that he is also visiting the districts on the directions of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to see whether everything is in place. “Today, I visited Kulgam and Anantnag where I talked to people and religious heads. There was no shortage of oxygen and other things,” he said, adding that the other districts across the Valley too have no shortage and sufficient medicines, vaccine and oxygen is available to meet the requirement.

About Tocilizumab, he said that the order has been placed already and it will arrive in J & K tomorrow and distribution will be done as per the need.

“We have already put in place the perspective plans and contingency plans and to enhance the infrastructure, the work has been started already. If demand goes up, we are ready to shoulder the situation,” he added.

He also shared the helpline numbers, saying that those in need can contact on 2457552, 2457543 and 6006333308.

He also appealed to people not to believe in rumors, adding that additional oxygen plants are coming up in Bijbehara, Srinagar and Kulgam.

Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said that Remdesivir is available sufficiently at SKIMS, SMHS and other hospitals. “Two-three day stock of Remdesivir  is available at SMHS and SKIMS,” he said.

He added that at present 1600 oxygen connected beds are currently available in the Valley, saying that as against 3.26 Crore LPM oxygen requirement, the Valley has availability of 5.43 Crore LPM  at present.

“We are increasing the oxygen connected bed capacity from 1600 to 2500 beds in five days while 111 ventilator beds are available and the critical manpower is being hired in this regard,” he said—(KNO)

Srinagar:  High Court (HC) on Thursday quashed the order issued by Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Kashmir, directing people to re-register their vehicles bought from outside J&K.

A Division Bench of Justice Ali Muhammad Magray and Vince Chatterji Koul was hearing two clubbed petitions filed, seeking quashing of the order issued by RTO Kashmir last month making re-registration of vehicles purchased outside J&K with 15 days mandatory.

The bench said that the life time tax that is levied at the point of registration of a vehicle in terms of Section 3 of the Motor Vehicles Act, cannot be levied, merely on a presumption that a vehicle registered outside J&K, has remained in the Union Territory for a period exceeding 12 months.

The court said that the impugned circular to the extent of asking the petitioners (vehicle owners) to have their vehicles registered for assignment of new registration mark without their declaration in tune with the mandate of Rule 54 of Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and without providing any mechanism, is quashed.

“By a writ of mandamus, the respondents (Administration) are directed to have the compliance of Section 47 of the Act, read with Rule 54 of Central Motor Vehicles undertaken for assignment of new registration mark of the vehicles,” it observed.

However, the court said notwithstanding above directions, ‘we leave it open for the respondents to screen, scrutinize, verify, validity/genuineness of documents of any vehicle entering in Union Territory of J&K from outside, having outside registration’.

RTO Kashmir on March 27 issued an order making re-registration of the vehicles purchased from outside J&K mandatory in keeping with the Motor Vehicle Act and Central Motor Vehicle Rules within 15 days.

Meanwhile, Police had appealed to the general public to go for the re-registration process of the vehicles purchased from outside J&K with local ARTO immediately failing which shall result in the seizure of the vehicle.

Jammu:  The Administrative Council (AC), which met here today under the chairmanship of the Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, approved transfer of land measuring 27 Kanal to the Health & Medical Education Department for developing infrastructure under the Indian System of Medicine (ISM).

The Administrative Council approved the transfer of parcels of land measuring 11 Kanal and 16 Kanal to establish a 50-bedded AYUSH hospital at Baramulla and herbal garden at Pulwama, respectively.

Considering the fact that Jammu and Kashmir is a treasure trove of herbs and traditional medicine, the Health & Medical Education Department is committed to conservation and development of alternative medical practices.