Precious Kashmir

Machil, Gurez still disconnected

Jammu & Kashmir

20/04/2021

Srinagar: Barring border towns of Gurez and Machil, roads to dozens of far flung and remote areas, including those near the Line of Control (LoC), were reopened on Monday after remaining closed for two days due to fresh snowfall in north Kashmir.

“Traffic has been restored on Kupwara-Karnah road after clearing of snow and improvement in weather conditions,” an official of Police Control Room (PCR), Kupwara, said over the phone.

He said traffic was through on Kupwara-Keran road though the vehicles are currently plying only till Munden, which is a few km from the main town. “Snow clearance operation is going on to restore traffic to main Keran town”.

He said a snow clearance operation was going on war footing to restore traffic to Machil, which remained cutoff from district headquarter in Kupwara since Saturday due to accumulation of about a foot on the road.

However, he said the operation could be effected following the prediction of another spell of rain and snow from Tuesday.

An official of Police Control Room (PCR) from Bandipora told UNI that traffic remained suspended since Saturday to the border town of Gurez and adjoining areas due to accumulation of snow.

“Razdan pass and adjoining areas on Bandipora-Gurez road recovered about 7 to 8 inches of fresh snowfall on Saturday,” he said.

He said snow clearance operations will be started on the road only after improvement in the weather conditions as the areas in avalanche prone.

Gurez was on April 10 reconnected with district headquarters Bandipora in north Kashmir after remaining cutoff for over four months due to the accumulation of snow, avalanches and slippery conditions.

The authorities provide helicopter services to ferry patients and other stranded people, including students, from Gurez during these winter months. As many as 150 aspirants appearing in Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board (JKSSB) examination were airlifted to Bandipora from Gurez by District Administration Bandipora last month. Similarly, many patients were airlifted from Gurez to Bandipora for medical treatment.

HC asks Centre, AAP to disclose number of Covid hospital beds

National

United News Of India

20/04/2021

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Monday directed the AAP government and the Centre to file affidavits disclosing number of Covid hospital beds and to look into shortage of oxygen supply in the national capital.
A bench of Justices Vipin Sanghi and Rekha Palli said the Centre and the Delhi government in their affidavits shall also give details as to how many hospital beds are with or without ventilators and oxygen support.

In the affidavit, the Centre shall inform that how many COVID-19 beds are allocated by it to the Delhi government with or without ICU and with or without oxygen, the Justices said.

The bench directed Inox, which used to supply oxygen to Delhi hospitals and has suddenly stopped, to restore the oxygen supply immediately.

The Court was told that Inox was supplying oxygen to other states but not to Delhi.

In the wake of exponential surge in infections, the bench said that the Delhi government’s order on action against pathology labs for not delivering coronavirus test reports within 24 hours, shall not be implemented.

The Court will take up the matter tomorrow.

Medical Oxygen Demand

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Oped

Precious Kashmir

19/04/2021

Covid-19 cases in Jammu and Kashmir continue to rise. 1526 fresh positive cases, highest so far, were reported on Sunday—547 from Jammu and 979 from Kashmir. With this the active cases in J&K have reached 11467. In this month, 15271 cases were added as per data shared by the health department.

With the rise in cases, there is also a surge in the demand for medical oxygen among other essential requirements.

As the country is faced with an onslaught of Covid-19 cases, the demand for medical oxygen has already increased manifold. Several states or UTs are grappling with the shortage of the medical oxygen already. Drawing attention to the worsening Covid-19 situation of the national capital, New Delhi’s Chief Minister also wrote to the Prime Minister, asking for beds and oxygen cylinders for patients. The situation by every passing day seems to be getting worse and the Jammu and Kashmir administration must keep an eye on it. It is not the case that administration is latent in its approach. It has already constituted a committee to ensure adequate and timely supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals to meet the requirements of COVID-19 patients. The other terms of the reference for the committee, includes ensuring adequate stocking of medical oxygen, wherever necessary. While it is good that the administration has already set up the committee, it is expected to move in practical sense rather than remain restricted to paper only. Also, the government is required to keep an eye on private use as people last year scrambled to stock up homes with medical supplies of oxygen cylinders and other essentials.

As has been the case in the past, some unscrupulous dealers jacked up the prices and sold some essential commodities on the black market, leading to fear of shortage of supplies. With a large chunk of the population suffering from comorbidities such as hypertension and diabetes, the dread of the need for oxygen therapy is palpable. In this background, the concerned officers have the onerous task of strengthening public faith in the government facilities and abilities. It is vital to check the undue panic and resultant hoarding of the essential supplies. There is also a need to move rapidly in augmenting the bed capacities for the patients as the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, as per the Lancet Covid-19 Commission India Task Force, is more infectious than last year.

As COVID cases surge, Srinagar Admin mulls to slowdown life in summer capital

Anchor stories

Afaq Bhat

19/04/2021

As COVID cases surge, Srinagar Admin mulls to slowdown life in summer capital

Srinagar: The Srinagar administration is mulling to slow down life in the summer capital of J&K to contain the spread of COVID-19 cases.
On Sunday Srinagar reported 520 positive cases following which the City Mayor Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted: “It can’t be business as usual.”
“Will be chairing a meeting tomorrow (Monday) to review our options in Srinagar as we see a sharp spike in COVID cases.”
In another tweet he said, “Can’t be business as-usual for sure. Doctors, epidemiologists and experts being consulted to advise appropriate policy course.”
An official while talking to Precious Kashmir said, “Surge in COVID-19 cases is a cause of concern and in coming days more stringent measures will be put in place to prevent the virus from spreading at a rapid pace.”
He said, “The administration is monitoring the situation and the feedback being provided by the experts is alarming. It appears that the second wave is moving faster than the first one and all the options need to be explored to flatten the curve.”
It’s in place to mention here that a report by the Lancet Covid-19 Commission has warned that Coronavirus will likely claim nearly 1,750-2,320 lives per day in India by the first week of June 2021, if proper steps are not immediately taken to curb its spread.
An expert said, “If the cases keep on rising we can witness a repeat of 2020 and lockdown can return. May be the government may not go for complete closure of all the activities but there is possibility of mini lockdowns being enforced.”
He said, “Another option could be that the government could go for mass vaccination drive after closing down everything for a few days. As on date not many people in Kashmir have come forward to get themselves vaccinated. The notion that vaccines are unsafe and cannot fight new variant of COVID needs to be dispelled. People have to be made aware of the fact that all the pandemics till date have been defeated through vaccinations and by developing herd immunity.”
The expert said that individual and community behaviour change can yield powerful results. “Strong, decisive actions need to be taken to prevent the second wave from wreaking havoc in Kashmir. This can’t be done without slowing down the pace of life,” he added.
An observer said, “It seems that we may once again witness a situation wherein we will have to confine ourselves in our homes to keep ourselves safe. The only consolation we have is that we have already experienced the first wave and have fought it out. This time around we are equipped with vaccines and doctors are aware about the line of treatment. But we are caught in a difficult situation.”

Pvt hospital in Srinagar refuses to operate patient after she provides ‘Golden Card’ details

Anchor stories

Gul Owais

19/04/2021

Pvt hospital in Srinagar refuses to operate patient after she provides ‘Golden Card’ details

Gul Owais

Srinagar: The much-hyped golden cards here have become a mockery at the private hospital with attendants alleging that their patient was refused to undergo surgery at one of the prominent hospitals here after they provided golden card details to the hospital administration for medical benefits.

A private hospital here in Srinagar allegedly jeopardized the life of a patient from South Kashmir’s Pulwama district, the attendants claimed, adding that after completing all the formalities even the patient was ready for the surgery, wearing uniform, they were told that the table at the Operation Theatre is not available.

Talking to Precious Kashmir, Feroz Ahmad, an attendant, hailing from Pulwama said that his wife had stone in gallbladder for which she had to undergo a surgery today, the date given by the hospital administration itself.

“We were asked to reach the hospital today (Sunday) morning for surgery. Soon after we reached here, we completed all the formalities and even the patient was ready wearing a uniform,” Ahmad said.

He said, however, they were all of a sudden told that there is no table available at the hospital for today. “We were shocked to hear when we were told that the table is not available for the day. I fail to understand why our patient was asked to reach the hospital and why we were asked to complete all other formalities when the table was not available,” he said.

Feroz Ahmad said that the indirect refusal for the surgery had only one reason i.e. golden card. “Everything was going on normally, but when the hospital administration saw the golden card details written on the admission card under MRD number 6136, they told us that the table is not available,” he said.

“Such is the height that nobody paid heed towards the suffering of a patient as well as nobody from the hospital administration bothered to look into the matter rather we were being given lame excuses,” he said, adding that his patient was forced to leave the hospital wearing the uniform, saying that the condition of the patient forced them to visit another hospital for the surgery today.

“The government had come up with better facilities in the shape of golden cards, but the private hospitals are indirectly refusing the treatment, thus adding to the miseries of the people as well as putting the lives of the patients at risk,” he said.

Meanwhile, the hospital administration refuted the allegations, saying that as per the norms, the Operation Theatre had to be closed in certain cases when a patient who undergoes the surgery is tested positive for HBSC positive or HCV positive.

“We told the attendant that the surgery will be conducted to the patient and the benefits as per golden cards will be provided to them. We had to close the theatre today as well, thus simultaneously the attendants were told that the surgery will be conducted after some days, after which he raised hue and cry,” Manager of the hospital Tawqeer Ahmad said.

LG reviews COVID-19 situation in J&K

Front

Precious Kashmir

19/04/2021

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today chaired a high level meeting to review the Covid-19 situation in J&K, which witnessed some major decisions in the direction of containment and control efforts for mitigating the spread of the virus in the UT.

After a detailed discussion, the decision was taken to keep all Universities and Colleges in J&K closed for imparting on-campus / in-person education to the students till 15th May, 2021, except for the courses / programs that require physical presence of students on account of laboratory/ research / thesis work and internship etc. Colleges will move to online teaching mode.

All Schools in J&K shall also continue to remain closed for imparting on-campus / in-person education to the students till 15th May, 2021.

In view of the surge in the cases, public gatherings are being restricted and it was decided that the ceiling on the number of people permitted to attend gatherings / functions shall be 20 in case of funerals; 50 for all kinds of gatherings at indoor venues and 100 for all kinds of gatherings at outdoor venues.

The Lt Governor passed the necessary directions for strict enforcement of the existing guideline for compulsory testing of all incoming passengers to J&K. All passengers or travelers coming to J&K, whether by rail, road or air, will have to compulsorily undergo a COVID-19 antigen test through any of the prescribed methods as per the protocol of the J&K Government.

The Lt Governor directed all District Magistrates to put in place an effective mechanism to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour in all crowded markets, shopping complexes and Malls, besides taking stern action against the violators. In this regard, necessary cooperation and support of the local Bazaar / market associations may also be taken, he added.

The Lt Governor called for taking market associations on board in the fight against corona virus by encouraging them to voluntarily stagger opening timings and schedules of the business establishments to reduce crowds.

The District Superintendents of Police were directed to ensure that Matadors, Buses, Mini buses, and other modes of public transport are plying strictly as per their registered / authorized seating capacity with no standing be allowed. They were also asked to take punitive measures under relevant provisions of the Law.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor was briefed about the latest update on the surge in Covid cases, Covid testing capacities, trends of daily testing, district wise trend of active cases, infrastructure for covid management viz bed capacity, ventilators, oxygen generation plants besides logistics with the health care institutions in J&K, district-wise vaccination coverage.

While reviewing the Covid-19 management and control efforts in J&K, the Lt Governor instructed the officers to achieve 100% coverage under the Ayushman Bharat – SEHAT scheme, besides making serious efforts to intensify the vaccination in their respective districts.

He directed Deputy Commissioner Srinagar to ramp up the efforts to increase vaccination of the age appropriate categories and involve prominent religious leaders, sportspersons, and public figures to sensitize the public for getting vaccinated for one’s own safety and safety of others.

The Lt Governor further called for heightened awareness to keep the infection low and immediate capacity augmentation.

. Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Dilbag Singh, DGP; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Atal Dulloo, Financial Commissioner, Health and Medical Education; Sh. Shaleen Kabra, Principal Secretary, Home Department; Shailendra Kumar, Principal Secretary, Public Works (R&B) Department; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to the Lt Governor; Simrandeep Singh, Secretary to the Government, DMRR&R; BK Singh, Secretary School Education; Sushma Chauhan, Secretary, Higher Education; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner Jammu; Ch. Mohammad. Yasin, Mission Director, National Health Mission, J&K and Mukesh Singh, IGP Jammu attended the meeting.

. Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Vijay Kumar, IGP Kashmir; and Mohammad Aijaz, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar joined the meeting through virtual mode.

> Funeral gatherings restricted to 20 people; indoor events to 50; outdoor gatherings confined to 100
> Testing compulsory for all incoming passengers
> Colleges to move to online teaching mode
> Public transport to ply strictly as per authorized seating capacity
> DMs asked to ensure COVID appropriate behaviour in crowded markets, shopping complexes, malls
>Market associations asked to stagger opening timings

J&K reports 1526 new cases, 6 deaths

Front

Nadeem Nadu

19/04/2021

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 1526 new covid-19 cases while six persons succumbed to the virus in the last 24 hours, the highest single day infections as well as fatalities reported this year, officials said on Sunday.

They said that 547 cases were from Jammu Division and 979 from Kashmir Valley, taking the total case tally to 146692.

The said that three deaths each were reported from Jammu division and Kashmir Valley, taking the total fatality count to 2057. The victims from Kashmir include 50-year-old man from Kunzer Tangmarg in Baramulla district, 75-year-old man from Bemina Srinagar and 85-year-old man from Chakpath Anantnag.

Providing district wise details of the cases, the officials told GNS that Srinagar reported 520 cases, Baramulla 122, Budgam 70, Pulwama 76, Kupwara 23, Anantnag 50, Bandipora 44, Ganderbal 14, Kulgam 47, Shopian 13, Jammu 299, Udhampur 29, Rajouri 28, Doda 5, Kathua 51, Samba 20, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 3, Ramban 24 and Reasi 88.

Moreover, they said, 963 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—541 from Jammu Division and 422 from Kashmir Valley. There are 11467 active positive cases in J&K—4254 in Jammu and 7213 in Kashmir, they said.

A number of fresh cases were confirmed at diagnostic laboratories of CD hospital and GMC Annatnag.

The CD cases include male (33) from Karan Nagar, male (17) from Target PMT, female (36) from Shivpora, male (70) from Kakapora, two males (30, 21) and female (58) from Namlabal Pampore, female (30) from Frestbal Pampore, female (20) from Bandzoo, male (60) from Haal, male (28) from Pulwama, female (60) from Tahab, male (44) from Frasipora, female (65) from Nownagri, male (92) from NA, male (20) and female (37) from Awantipora, four males (30, 55, 55, 27) from Rajpora, male (23) from Hanjan, female (25) from Avengund, male (82) from Habak, female (35) from Bakura, female (60) from Shopian, male (35) from Pulwama, male (NA) from Tralpora, male (78) from Handwara, male (58) from Nowpora, male (40) from Saraibal, two males (18, 45) from Srinagar, male (NA) from Jarkhand, male (35) from Shivpora, seven males (32, 34, 42, 42, 44, 28, 31) from BB Cantt Srg, male (27) from Rainawari, male (14) from Saraf Kadal, male (66) from Jawahar Nagar, male (40) from Hawal, male (07) and two females (50, 40) from Shalimar, four females (09, 40, 40, 50) and male (13) from Fateh Kadal Srg, male (26) from Nowpora, male (50) from Habba Kadal Srg, four males (45, 30, 51, 70) and two females (55, 50) from NA, male (41) from Mumbai, male (54) and two females (22, 22) from Pattan, three males (16, 52, 12) and female (46) from Sonwar, male (21) from Safakadal, male (NA) from Rajouri Kadal, male (60) from Ganderbal, two males (27, NA) from Magarmal Bagh, two females (65, NA) and male (75) from Darish Kadal, male (28) from Safakadal, male (67) from Pulwama, female (24) from Habakadal, NA (NA) from Saidakadal, male (64) from Shivpora, NA (NA) from Budgam, female (45) from Pulwama, female (74) from Khanyar, female (33) from Shopian, male (40) from Shalimar, male (23) from Jammu, male (70) from Galwanpora, four females (40, 12, NA, 42) and two males (45, 40) from Shalimar, NA (33) from Shalimar, male (55) from Srinagar, female (50) from Khrew, two males (20, 20) from Parraypora, male (75) from Hazratbal, male (53) from Zakura, male (85) and female (75) from Srinagar, male (45) from Peerbagh, male (48) from Humhama, male (59) from Sonwar, female (65) from Kanihama, female (62) from Lal Bazar, female (30) from Pulwama, male (07) from Budgam, male (09) from Jawahar Nagar, male (25) from Nishat, female (65) from Rawalpora, male (18) from Barbarshah, female (68) and male (71) from Srinagar, male (50) from Waniyar, female (38) and male (45) from Shivpora, male (29) from Harwan, male (NA) from Indranagar, male (18) from Tral Pulwama, female (63) from Nishat Srg, NA (NA) from Rawalpora, female (NA) from Kulgam, male (04) from Rawalpora, female (25) from Pulwama, male (34) from Lal Chowk, female (29) from Parraypora, female (30) from Sanatnagar, female (56) from Kanihama, female (58) from Sanatnagar, female (20) from Srinagar, female (32) from Habakadal Srg, female (22) from Rajouri, male (44) from Bemina, female (13) from HMT, male (27) from Pampore, male (25) from Barzulla, female (66) from Chanapora, female (33) from Sakidafar, two males (07, 33) and female (30) from Qamarwari, female (20) from Srinagar, female (50) from Kupwara, male (60) from Nishat, male (80) from Kangan, male (22) from Anantnag, male (53) from Rajbagh, male (28) from Kathidarwaza, five females (80, 75, 48, 65, 60) and ten males (48, 39, 70, 63, 21, 65, 35, 50, 50, 46) from NA, NA (78) from Rainawari, male (41) from Bemina, male (35) from Rangreth, female (64) from Moominabad Srg, male (35) from Uttarakhand, female (54) from Baghi Mehtab, female (46) from Maharashtra, two females (68, 18) from Athwajan, female (40) from Safakadal, female (41) from Karan Nagar, male (43) from Wanabal, male (22) from Natipora, female (15) from Bemina, female (26) from Baramulla, female (65) from Hyderpora, female (28) from Srinagar, four males (60, 32, 30, 55) and two females (55, 30) from Rainawari, female (24) and male (26) from Habakadal, male (20) from Hyderabad, male (50) from Peerbagh Srg, male (80) from Tangmarg.

The GMC Anantnag cases include male (46) from Sundbradi, male (32) from Watnard, male (63) from Bidhard, male (45) from Verinag, male (43) from Becon Camp, male (55) from Nowgam, male (60) from Look Own, female (31) and two males (02, 74) from Bogund, female (32) from Kreeri, female (27) from Khiram, female (23) from Sirhama, male (28) from Gund Hakura, female (63) from Brienty Achabal, male (42) from Lalan, male (36) from Deva Colony, female (36) from Sarnal, male (23) from Dailgam, male (54) from Gopalpora, three males (41, 41, 40) from Sadar Police Station Anantnag, male (28) from DK Marg, male (47) from Khull, male (35) from Sarmarg, male (40) from Nagam, male (46) from Larkipora, male (52) from Anchidora, male (48) from Iqbalabad Krangsoo, male (40) from Akhran, male (37) from Harnag, male (41) from UP, female (60) from Ang, male (60) from DK Marg, male (67) from Sarnal, male (48) from Iqbalabad, two males (27, 27) from Highground.

India reports 2,61,500 new cases, 1,501 deaths

Front

United News Of India

19/04/2021

New Delhi: India registered 2,61,500 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the pandemic, according to the Union Health Ministry data released on Sunday.

With these new cases, the total number of those who tested positive for the disease has reached 1,47,88,109.

Besides, the country also recorded 1,501 deaths due to the virus, pushing the death toll to 1,77,150.

It was the fourth consecutive day when the country recorded more than 2 lakh cases in a day.

On Saturday, the country saw 2,34,692 cases, while on Friday and Thursday, 2,17,353 and 2,00,739 case were reported, respectively.

On a positive front, 1,38,423 patients recovered from the virus, taking the total number of such cases to 1,28,09,643.

Meanwhile, total 12,26,22,590 Coronavirus vaccines have been administered in the country since January 16, with 26,84,956 jabs being given since yesterday.

Currently, the country has 18,01,316 active cases.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), so far, 26,65,38,416 tests have been conducted in the country. Of these, 15,66,394 tests were conducted in the past 24 hours.

Experimental antiviral drug effective against Covid: Study

Front

Indo Asian News Service

19/04/2021

New York: An experimental oral antiviral drug has shown potential in prevention and treatment of SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing Covid-19 infections, say researchers.

The antiviral — MK-4482 — significantly decreased levels of virus and disease damage in the lungs of hamsters treated for SARS-CoV-2 infection, according to a new study from the US National Institutes of Health scientists. MK-4482 is currently undergoing human clinical trials.

In the study, published in the journal Nature Communications, the scientists found MK-4482 treatment effective when provided up to 12 hours before or 12 hours after infecting the hamsters with SARS-CoV-2.

MK-4482 treatment potentially could mitigate high-risk exposures to SARS-CoV-2, and might be used to treat established SARS-CoV-2 infection alone or possibly in combination with other agents, said Heinz Feldmann and team from the NIH.

The project involved three groups of hamsters: a pre-infection treatment group; a post-infection treatment group; and an untreated control group.

For the two treatment groups, scientists administered MK-4482 orally every 12 hours for three days. At the end of the study, the animals in each of the treatment groups had 100 times less infectious virus in their lungs than the control group. Animals in the two treatment groups also had significantly fewer lesions in the lungs than the control group.

The scientists determined the MK-4482 treatment doses for this study based on previous experiments performed in mouse models of SARS-CoV-1 and MERS-CoV. In those studies, MK-4482 was effective at stopping the viruses from replicating.

Emory University’s Drug Innovation Ventures group in Atlanta developed MK-4482 (also known as molnupiravir and EIDD-2801) to treat influenza. MK-4482 is being developed by biotechnology firm Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in collaboration with Merck as a potential Covid-19 treatment. The drug is in Phase 2 and 3 human clinical studies.

Susceptibility to Covid high immediately after vaccination

Front

Indo Asian News Service

19/04/2021

By: Sanjeev Sharma

New Delhi: The susceptibility to Covid infections appears to be particularly high immediately after vaccination either due to lower immunity or due to unsafe behaviour.

Lancet Covid-19 Commission India Task Force made this observation in its report and recommended an advocacy campaign on the need to remain vigilant to help mitigate the risk.

Several cases of infections have been reported after taking Covid vaccinations across the country. The observation may explain some of that.

The task force emphasised the need to wear masks and practise safe behaviour even after receiving the vaccination. “The susceptibility to infections appears to be particularly high immediately after vaccination (either due to lower immunity or due to unsafe behaviour), and an advocacy campaign on the need to remain vigilant will help mitigate this risk”, it said.

Other elements of safe behaviours (physical distancing, hand washing) need continual emphasizing as well, it added.

A renewed focus on implementation of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) is essential if the current surge is to be brought under control. We recognize that ‘pandemic fatigue’ has set in. A renewed intensive effort is needed to ramp up individual and community actions to limit the spread of COVID-19″, the report said.

Given the relative return to normal economic and social activity one year on, the report said it is time to relaunch a massive public advocacy campaign on mask wearing, this time shifting the message on to the importance of wearing masks in closed spaces outside one’s own home, along with in the open, as currently advised.

This would cover public transportation, office and work spaces, shops, religious sites, and visits to friends and family. A high profile campaign will focus attention on the benefits of masks indoors and outdoors in preventing air borne infections, the value of double masking in high risk settings such as hospitals or close, confined spaces, the importance of air ventilation.

Surges in COVID-19 cases worldwide are attributed to “super spreader events” or a few events of large congregations that fuel a spread in infections. Several such potential events are scheduled in parts of India for the months of April and May. These include religious events, political events (state elections), and social gatherings (resurgence of weddings, sporting events). “We strongly recommend a temporary ban on gatherings of groups larger than 10 for the next two months”, the task force said. (IANS)

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