Situation alarming in Ahmedabad, Surat, Hyderabad, Chennai: MHA

The central government recently formed 10 Interministerial Central teams for spot assessment of COVID-19 hotspot districts in the country. In its statement the MHA has said, “The situation is alarming in major hotspot districts or emerging hotspots like Ahmedabad and Surat (Gujarat), Thane (Maharashtra), Hyderabad (Telangana), and Chennai (Tamil Nadu).” The statement also said that these cities have reported instances of violation of lockdown conditions posing serious health hazard and the risk of spreading COVID-19.

Source: Livemint

Small shops reopen in India

The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued directions allowing small local shops to re-open and restart their activities. The ministry has stated that only half the staff will be allowed in these shops, with face masks and mandatory observance of social distancing. However, shopping malls and big centers will continue to remain closed.

Alcohol shops remain closed and e-commerce platforms can only deliver essential commodities, says the order by MHA. A complete list of shops that can open and those that must continue to remain closed can be found here.

Source: BBC | Outlook

NGT directs CPCB to ensure compliance with bio-medical waste management rules

NGT after taking cognizance of a media report regarding disposal of bio-medical waste has ordered CPCB to ensure compliance of the Biomedical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Following the directive, CPCB has issued amendments to its detailed guidelines on handling, treatment and disposal of biomedical waste generated during treatment, diagnosis and quarantine of COVID-19 patients.

The order of NGT not only covers institutions but also individual households. The tribunal said, “There appears to be a need for further revision of the guidelines to cover all aspects covering not merely institutions but also individual households. Dealing with situations where scientific disposal facilities like incinerators are not available and any unmindful deep burial without adequate safeguards can adversely affect the groundwater, in such situations, need to have a scientific waste disposal system is crucial”.

Source: The Indian Express

Mumbai worst affected capital city in India

Mumbai remains the worst affected city by COVID-19. As of April 25th, the city has reported more than 4300 cases out of the total 6400 cases in the state. The BMC has demarcated 438 neighbourhoods as containment zones, the highest in the country in a single city, and more than 300 pockets are in the strict zone. The state government is also urging the railway minister to provide trains to let stranded migrants return to their hometowns in Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar.

Source: The Times of India

COVID-19 infection tally: Delhi in second spot 

The national capital is still second in the list  in terms of COVID-19 cases, with 2376 positive patients, out of which 63% of the cases are linked to Tablighi Jamaat as per the Union Health Ministry. Recently, more than 35 healthcare workers in AIIMS have been asked to self-quarantine themselves after a male nurse was tested positive.

The Delhi government has issued advisories to landlords not to demand rent for at least a month from the tenants.  Violators will be booked under the Disaster Management Act, 2005. Also, the government has decided to close the Jama Masjid Mosque during the month of Ramadan.

In a positive development, four critical patients who went through plasma therapy have shown signs of improvement and recovery.

Source: The Times of India

Lucknow’s KGMC conducts CB NAAT for COVID-19

King George Medical College in Lucknow has started using Cartridge Based Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (CB NAAT) for diagnosis of COVID-19 patients. The test is generally used to diagnose drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB). Currently, the city has reported 174 cases out of 1650 cases in the state. Moreover, the district administration has allowed the reopening of the medicine wholesale market in Aminabad.

Also, some colleges of Lucknow University have changed a few rules regarding filling of forms for admissions to undergraduate programmes due to the ongoing lockdown.

Source: The Times of India

[Compiled by Rishabh Shrivastava]