New Delhi: India reported 2,73,810 fresh infections and 1,619 deaths in the past 24 hours, taking the overall caseload to 1.5 crores, Union Health Ministry data said on Monday.

With this, the overall death toll has surged to 1,78,769, active cases to 19,29,329 and recoveries to 1,29,53,821.

This is the fifth straight day that over 2 lakh infections were reported and the sixth consecutive day to record over a thousand deaths.

Maharashtra and Delhi recorded their biggest ever single-day surge in Covid-19 cases on Sunday, according to government data. While Delhi reported 25,462 cases and 161 deaths in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra logged 68,631 infections and 503 fatalities, it said.

West Bengal logged its highest-ever spike of 8,419 cases. Tamil Nadu recorded 10,723 cases. Kerala has reported the highest single-day spike in Covid-19 cases in a day.

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (3,839,338), Kerala (1,197,301), Karnataka (1,109,650), Tamil Nadu (962,935), and Andhra Pradesh (942,135).

Meanwhile, amid the shortage of vaccines, 12,38,52,566 doses of Covidshield and Covaxin have been administered since January 16.

The government on Sunday said it has increased the supply of medical oxygen to 12 “high-burden states”, including Maharashtra, which has the highest caseload in the country. The supply of oxygen meant for industries will also be diverted for medical use, it said further. Railways is also planning to run “Oxygen Express Trains” via green corridors to give a boost to the fight against Covid.

Globally, 141,987,024 people have been infected by the deadly contagion. While 120,674,960 have recovered, 3,032,205 have died so far. The United States remains the worst-hit country with 32,404,454, followed by India, Brazil, France and Russia.

Srinagar: Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education, on Monday issued an appeal to eligible people including healthcare workers to get vaccinated immediately, underling that the contemporary situation was “challenging.”

“As you can see, covid-19 cases are rising day by day. A challenging situation is before all of us. To face the situation, two aspects are important and need to be given immediate attention,” he said in an audio message circulated by the department.

“One is that people must adhere in letter and spirit to covid-19 appropriate behavior such as wearing masks, maintain social distancing, wash or sanitize hands regularly,” he said, adding, “Second is vaccination. Those above 45 years of age, especially government employees, should immediately vaccinate themselves. There is evidence that those who vaccinate either do not contract the covid-19 or if they get infected, then the severity is far less.”

He said that health care workers were given the facility to vaccinate “but a number of them have not vaccinated themselves so far.”

“ I appeal all the health care workers as also above 45 years of age, whether government employees or not, to vaccinate themselves immediately,” he added.

To imposes travel restrictions on passengers

New Delhi: The UK will impose travel restrictions on air passengers coming from India due to the fast-spreading coronavirus variant in the South Asian country, reports said on Monday.

India was added in the ‘Red List’ of countries, or those countries, whose citizens can not freely travel to the UK.

Reports quoted UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock terming the decision as a difficult but vital one to make.

As per norms, non-UK or Irish citizens will not be allowed to enter the European country post early morning on Friday.

Presently, Vistara, Air India, Virgin Atlantic and British Airways operate flights between the two countries.

Last year, India had suspended all flights to and from the UK from December 23 in the wake of the new mutant strain of novel coronavirus found in the European country.

Lately, rising Covid cases in India has forced many state governments to implement fresh Covid-19 restrictions during last two-three weeks.

The country’s medical infrastructure is also facing heavy strain due to the rising numbers.

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said this time COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well.

Interacting with doctors across the country via video conferencing on the COVID-19 issue and vaccination progress, the Prime Minister noted that this time the pandemic is spreading rapidly in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as well.

PM Modi called for accelerating efforts to upgrade resources in such places.

He urged doctors to connect with their colleagues working in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities and give them online consultations to ensure that all protocols are followed correctly.

The doctors shared their experiences in dealing with the Covid pandemic. They congratulated Mr Modi on his leadership in dealing with the pandemic. They also spoke about how they augmenting healthcare infrastructure. They reiterated the importance of people wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. They also stressed about maintaining health infrastructure for non-Covid patients.

They also spoke about how they are sensitising patients against improper use of medicines.

The meeting was also attended by Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, MoS (Health) Ashwini Kumar Choubey, Union Minister Chemical and Fertilizer DV Sadananda Gowda, MoS (C&F) Mansukh Mandaviya, Principal Secretary to PM, Dr V K Paul Member (H) NITI Aayog, Cabinet Secretary, Union Health Secretary, Union Pharmaceutical Secretary, Dr Balram Bharagava, DG ICMR, amongst other officers from Ministries / Departments of Central Government.

Modi appreciated the doctors, medical and para-medical staff for their invaluable service towards the country during the coronavirus pandemic.

‘Last year, during the same time, it was due to our doctors’ hard work and the nation’s strategy that we were able to control the coronavirus wave. Now that the country is

facing the second wave of coronavirus, all the doctors, our frontline workers are confronting the pandemic with full force, and are saving the lives of millions of people,’ the Prime Minister said.

Modi said recently the central government has taken many important decisions related to the supply of essential medicines, injections and sufficient availability of oxygen. State Governments have been given necessary guidelines about these.

The Prime Minister said vaccination is the biggest weapon in the fight against coronavirus. He urged the doctors to encourage more and more patients to get vaccinated.

Modi urged the doctors to educate people against several rumours on Covid treatment and prevention.

In these difficult times, the Prime Minister said, it is very important that people do not become a victim of panic.

For this, PM Modi said, along with proper treatment, emphasis must also be on counselling of patients admitted in hospitals.

He also encouraged doctors to use tele-medicine for treatment of other diseases, in case there is no emergency.

By: Tasaduq Hussain

Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration Monday assured that the COVID-19 the situation is under control and all the requirements including oxygen, medicines beds and other parameters are available in sufficient quantity.
There is a steep rise in COVID-19 cases across the parts of India including Jammu and Kashmir with the resurgence having more infection potential forcing authorities to order the closure of educational institutions and place required restrictions to contain the spread.

Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar told KNO that the administration is responding to all the requirements including the medicines and oxygen.

“The situation is under control across the region and everything will be ensured as per the situation demand,” he said.

On the steep rise in COVID-19 cases, Bhatnagar said that all the preparations are being made to tackle the situation.

Talking about the designated COVID-19 hospitals and quarantine centres across Jammu and Kashmir, he said that the situation is being accessed dynamically and all the arrangements will be made on time.

“I request people to follow all the precautions, weak mask, maintain social distancing, and not come out in numbers/ groups besides sanitizing hands frequently,” he said.

“Eligible people should go for vaccination,” Bhatnagar said.

Notably with the unexpected rise in COVID-19 cases across Jammu and Kashmir the administration has ordered the closure of all educational institutions, restrictions on overcrowding besides the night curfew to contain the spread.

New Delhi: Former prime minister and veteran Congress leader Dr Manmohan Singh has tested positive for Covid-19 and was admitted to All India Insitute of Medical Sciences here on Monday evening, official sources said.

Dr Singh, 88, was showing symptoms of mild fever and has been admitted to the trauma centre. Earlier in the day, his Covid report arrived, marking the veteran as positive.

As per sources, the condition of Dr Singh is said to be stable and is being constantly monitored. Informatively, he has taken both doses of Covid vaccine.

As soon as he was hospitalised, several Congress party leaders wished him a speedy recovery.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery. India needs your guidance and advice in this difficult time,” former Congress president Rahul Gandhi tweeted.

Srinagar: The district administration Srinagar refuted reports about the imposition of lockdown in the district, saying that there was no such decision at present and that adequate beds and oxygen supply is available within the district.

Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Muhammad Aijaz Asad told reporters here that they have not received any decision vis-à-vis imposing the lockdown in view of spike in Covid-19 cases. “Whenever a decision in this regard would be taken, we as an implementing agency will take necessary steps accordingly,” he said.

Asad along with other top police officers launched a drive against the transporters who are violating the COVID-19 norms. “We have launched a drive to ensure that the directions issued by the State Executive Committee (SEC) are followed in spirit,” he said. (KNO)

Srinagar: Dr. Naveed Nazir Shah, superintendent of Srinagar city’s chest diseases hospital and renowned pulmonologist warned people on Monday to take all possible precautions to check the spread of Covid-19 and to ensure that the situation does not get out of control.

Dr. Naveed is a renowned pulmonologist (specialist in chest diseases) and he has been among the frontline warriors fighting the pandemic in Kashmir.

Talking to some reporters Dr. Naveed said while it is a matter of satisfaction that people have started wearing masks and taking other precautions, what needs to be ensured is that the present situation does not go out of control.

“Out of 100 beds available for the Covid patients at our hospital, nearly 90 per cent are already occupied.

“Oxygen facility is available for all the indoor patients and ventilators are also available as back-up.

“We have 50 more beds available at the Srinagar nursing home as a back-up facility.

“At present, we are advising people with mild symptoms to remain in isolation at home so that those who are with severe symptoms can get access to oxygen and other in-patient facilities,” he said.

About the efficacy of the vaccine, he said there are cases who tested positive even after the second shot, but the severity in such cases is very less which is significant.

“Further, the vaccine takes about three weeks to become effective and even after that the protection is not 100 per cent.

“Thus, while everybody must get vaccinated, it is also crucial that precautions should be taken by all members of the society,” he said.

Srinagar chest diseases hospital is Kashmir’s only exclusive facility to deal with pulmonary diseases.

Srinagar: Two local Hizb militants were killed in a gunfight in South Kashmir’s Shopian district on Monday, police said.

“On a specific input regarding presence of (militants) in Zeipora area of Shopian, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by Police, 34RR and 178 Bn CRPF in the area,” a police spokesman said in a statement.

“During the search operation as the presence of (Militants) got ascertained they were given an opportunity to surrender, however, they fired indiscriminately upon the joint search party, which was retaliated, leading to an encounter.”

In the ensuing encounter, two militants were killed and their bodies were retrieved from the site of encounter, he said.

They have been identified as Sabzar Ahmad Ganie of Sehpora Kulgam and Amir Ahmad Bhat of Malibugh, Imamsahib Shopian.

“As per police records, they were part of groups involved in many cases and linked with (Hizb-ul-Mujahideen).”

He said arms, ammunition and “other incriminating materials” were recovered from the site of encounter.

The last rites of the killed militants shall be performed after conducting medico-legal formalities and their nearest family members shall be allowed to participate in the last rites, the spokesman added.

Srinagar: Traffic authorities on Monday said that there would both way traffic on Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kahsmir with the outside world.

‘Tomorrow (Tuesday), subject to fair weather and better road condition, LMVs (Passenger) shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa . However, TCU Jammu/Srinagar shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the traffic,” a police communique  said.

“HMVs shall be allowed from Jakheni (Udhampur) towards Srinagar from 1500 hrs to 2200 hrs. TCU Udhampur shall liaise with TCU Ramban before releasing the HMVs.”