Delhi witnesses increase in COVID-19 cases, recovery rate reaches 90%

On August 25 2020, Delhi registered 1544 new cases of COVID-19, the highest single-day spike in August. CM Arvind Kejriwal however has referred to this as marginal increase and has said that the situation is under control in the capital. The total deaths in the capital now stand at 4347 and recoveries at 1,48,897.

Earlier, the highest single-day spike was 3947 cases reported on June 23rd. So far, the capital has tested 14.8 lakh samples. The CM has also asked for daily testing to be doubled to 40,000 tests per day. At the same time, he also requested people to get tested and not wait for symptoms to show up.

In the meantime, the health minister shared the results of the second sero survey in the capital. The survey revealed that almost 29% Delhiites were now exposed to the virus. The health minister said that almost 58 lakh people in the national capital now have antibodies.

Source: NDTV

Work on Aqua Line’s Greater Noida corridor to get fast tracked

The Noida Metro Rail Corporation (NMRC) is all set to roll out the fresh tenders for Aqua Line’s Greater Noida corridor. The detailed project report for the same has already been cleared by the cabinet. The line will extend from Sector 51 to Knowledge Park 5. It will also link with Delhi Metro’s existing Blue Line, which will further improve connectivity within the capital.

Five out of nine stations are planned to be built by 2022. This will serve as a crucial mode of transport for the residents of Greater Noida, as several housing projects are expected to be completed and delivered to customers by next year. The stretch will also benefit a large number of students because of numerous educational institutes situated in the Knowledge Park area.

Source: The Times of India

NEET – JEE protests intensifies

Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank has made it clear that NEET – JEE exams will be conducted as per the decided schedule in September this year. Subsequently, several states have protested against the Central Government’s move to conduct the examinations amidst the pandemic, risking the lives of students. The minister also said that more than 17 lakh students have already downloaded their admit cards, which means that they want the exams to be conducted at any cost.

At the same time, more than 150 academicians have written to PM Modi, in favour of conducting the NEET – JEE exams as per the schedule. Signatories included academicians from Delhi University, IGNOU, Lucknow University, JNU, BHU, IIT Delhi and more.

In the meantime, six states and union territories have decided to approach the Supreme Court and file a petition against the holding of examinations. The list includes Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Jharkhand and the union territory of Puducherry.

Source: News 18 | India Today | Times Now | The Times of India

Lucknow municipality mulls use of cow dung in cremations

Citing economic viability and environmental sustainability, the Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) is discussing the possibilities of making the use of cow dung mandatory (as fuel) during traditional cremations, to the extent of 30%. This will help in minimizing costs, as cow dung is cheaper than wood and also save the environment. The LMC-controlled crematoriums witness the selling of more than 900 quintals of wood each month.

The new move can only be made mandatory once the executive committee of LMC approves the same. At the same time, some municipal councillors have advised LMC to take suggestions from religious leaders before making the use of cow dung in traditional cremation compulsory.

Source: Hindustan Times

Oxford vaccine candidates in Pune show normal signs

The two volunteers who have been administered the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine at a medical college in Pune are showing normal counts on all the vital parameters. Both the candidates were male and aged 32 and 38 respectively. They were vaccinated at Bharti Vidyapeeth’s medical college in Pune.

The dose will be repeated after one month. After the vaccine, both the patients were observed for 30 minutes and after that they were allowed to go home.

Source: The Times of India

Compiled by Rishabh Shrivastava