Following the surge in COVID-19 cases, the UAE has become the latest of many countries to restrict travellers from India. The country announced that it will suspend the travel of passengers from India for a period of 10 days from April 25.
UAE’s move comes after similar moves from the U.K., the U.S., Canada, Hong Kong and New Zealand.
You can track coronavirus cases, deaths and testing rates at the national and State levels here. A list of State Helpline numbers is available as well.
Here are the latest updates:
Delhi
Big tragedy may happen due to oxygen shortage in hospitals: Kejriwal at PM’s COVID meet
Raising alarm that a “big tragedy” may happen due to oxygen shortage in hospitals during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday said the Centre should take over all oxygen plants through the Army.
In a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 situation, Kejriwal requested him to direct Chief mMinisters of all States to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to the national capital.
“People in major pain due to oxygen shortage. We fear a big tragedy may happen due to oxygen shortage and we will never be able to forgive ourselves. I request you with folded hands to direct all CMs to ensure smooth movement of oxygen tankers coming to Delhi,” he said during the meeting.
The Chief Minister also objected to different rates being charged from state governments and the Centre for the COVID-19 vaccine, and said “one nation, one rate” policy should be followed. – PTI
Vaccine
U.S. defends restrictions on export of COVID-19 vaccine raw materials amid India’s request to lift ban
Defending U.S.’ restrictions on the export of key raw materials for the manufacture of COVID-19 vaccine that threatens to slow India’s vaccination drive, a senior State Department official has said the Biden administration’s first obligation is to take care of the requirements of the American people.
When asked when the Biden administration would decide on India’s request to lift a ban on the export of vaccine raw materials, State Department spokesperson Ned Price said: “…the United States first and foremost is engaged in an ambitious and effective and, so far, successful effort to vaccinate the American people.”
“That campaign is well underway, and we’re doing that for a couple of reasons. Number one, we have a special responsibility to the American people. Number two, the American people, this country has been hit harder than any other country around the world – more than 550,000 deaths, tens of millions of infections in this country alone,” he said on Thursday.
Pune
Hospitals in Pune asked to conduct safety audit of oxygen supply system
In the wake of the oxygen-leak tragedy in Nashik that claimed at least 24 lives, the authorities in Pune have asked all government, civic-run and private hospitals in the district to conduct a third-party safety audit of the oxygen supply system located in their premises.
Pune District Collector Rajesh Deshmukh issued an order to this effect on April 22.
“All government, civic-run and private hospitals should carry out a third-party safety audit of the oxygen supply system to ensure that the plant, oxygen supply mechanism, and other technical things are safe and in good position,” the order said. The hospitals must confirm to the civic bodies and the district administration their oxygen supply system is safe and secure through a letter.
Indonesia
Indonesia to restrict foreign travellers coming from India
Indonesia will stop issuing visas for foreigners who have been in India in the past 14 days to prevent the spread of different coronavirus strains, its Chief Economic Minister Airlangga Hartarto said on April 23.
Indonesians arriving from India will be allowed to enter, however, but must follow stricter health protocols and quarantine, the Minister said. The measures are effective from April 25.
– Reuters
PM Modi holds meeting with CMs of 10 states over COVID situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a meeting on Friday with chief ministers of 10 states with the most number of COVID-19 cases.
The meeting via video conferencing comes amid a huge surge in coronavirus cases, which have now clocked a daily total of over 3 lakh in the country.
Chief ministers of Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi are among those who attended the meeting.
Modi will hold a meeting with leading oxygen manufacturers in the country via video conference amid concerns expressed by some states that their supply of the life-saving gas is running short with a number of hospitals sending out SOS.
U.K variant accounts for 50% of genome sequence, says NCDC
The U.K. variant of coronavirus is now present in 50% of genome sequences, NCDC director Sujeet Singh said on Friday. This is up from 28% that was observed in March.
There is also increasing presence of the Indian variant, B.1.617, in Delhi, Mr. Singh added.
The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) is a Centreal government body.
France
France stands with you, says Macron
French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday said that the country stands “ready to provide support” to India, which is facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases.
“I want to send a message of solidarity to the Indian people, facing a resurgence of COVID-19 cases. France is with you in this struggle, which spares no-one. We stand ready to provide our support,” French Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain said on Twitter, attributing the remarks to Mr. Macron.
Health Ministry releases document advising proning for self care for COVID-19 patients
The Union Health Ministry has advised ‘proning for self care’ for coronavirus patients, stating that it is extremely beneficial for such patients with compromised breathing comfort, especially during home isolation.
The ministry, in a document, said proning is the process of turning a patient with precise, safe motions, from their back onto their abdomen so that the individual is lying face down.
“Proning is a medically accepted position to improve breathing comfort and oxygenation. It is extremely beneficial in COVID-19 patients with compromised breathing comfort, especially during home isolation,” the document stated.
Listing the importance of prone lying, the ministry said prone positioning improves ventilation, keeps alveolar units open and breathing easy. – PTI
Vaccine
J&J vaccine expected to be imported to India by July, says media report
Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be imported to India for “fill and finish” by June or July, financial daily Mint reported on Friday, citing ANI.
Fill and finish is the final step in the manufacturing process of putting the vaccine into vials or syringes, sealing them and packaging them up for shipping.
Pharmaceutical company Biological E Ltd told Reuters in February it was looking to contract-manufacture roughly 600 million doses of Johnson and Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine annually. – Reuters
U.S.
Americans advised to avoid all travels to India
The U.S. has advised its citizens to avoid travelling to India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and the Maldives due to the sudden surge in COVID-19 cases in the region.
In a series of travel advisories on Thursday, the authorities also urged Americans to reconsider travel to China and Nepal; exercise increased caution while travelling to Sri Lanka and exercise normal travel precaution to Bhutan, which has been given Level 1, the safest level for travelling overseas.
Bengaluru
Workers at crematoriums demand a break
Workers at electric crematoria, who have been taking care of the dead without any break have threatened to stop working unless conditions improve. They submitted a petition to the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka on Wednesday seeking his intervention.
“Staff have been working round-the-clock and are exhausted. Amidst this, people accuse them of corruption, which is making the situation worse,” said A. Suresh, State general secretary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Dalitha Sangharsha Samithi who submitted the petition.