PIB’S DAILY BULLETIN ON COVID-19

(Contains Press releases concerning Covid-19, issued in last 24 hours, inputs from PIB Field Offices and Fact checks undertaken by PIB)

COVID-19 updates from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

open view news desk

NEW DELHI, MAY 18: India currently has 56,316 cases under active cases. So far, a total of 36,824 people have been cured of COVID-19. In last 24 hours a total of 2,715 patients are reported cured. We have presently a recovery rate of 38.29%.In terms of confirmed cases per lakh population, India has so far about 7.1 cases per lakh population vis a vis approx. 60 cases per lakh population for the world as a whole.

Union Ministry of Health has issued new guidelines on 17.05.20 to the States for categorization of red/orange/green zones. As per these guidelines states have been asked to categorize districts/ municipal corporations, or if warranted subdivision/ ward or any other administrative unit as red/orange/green zone as per their field assessment. This has to be done based on multifactorial analysis on the combination of the parameters shared by MoHFW, which are namely, total active cases, active cases per lakh population, doubling rate(calculated over 7 days period), case fatality rate, testing ratio and test confirmation rate.States have been asked to meticulously delineate the containment and buffer zones. States have been told to ensure stringent implementation of the containment plans in these containment zones. Further, around each containment zone, a Buffer zone has to be delineated so as to ensure that infection does not spread to the adjoining areas. In buffer zones, extensive surveillance for cases through monitoring ILI/SARI cases in health facilities has to be coordinated.

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Extension of Lockdown up to May 31, 2020; States to decide various Zones and Activities to be allowed in these Zones; Certain activities to remain prohibited throughout the Country

Lockdown measures in place since March 24, 2020 have helped considerably in containing the spread of COVID-19. It has therefore been decided to further extend the lockdown till May 31, 2020. Under the new guidelines, States/UTs will now delineate Red, Green and Orange zones taking into consideration the parameters shared by the Health Ministry. The zones can be a district, or a municipal corporation/ municipality or even smaller administrative units such as sub-divisions, etc, as decided by States and UTs.Within the red and orange zones, containment and buffer zones will be demarcated by the local authorities, after taking into consideration the Health Ministry guidelines. Within the containment zones, only essential activities shall be allowed. A limited number of activities will continue to remain prohibited throughout the country.Night Curfew shall continue to remain in force on the movement of individuals, for all non-essential activities, between 7 pm and 7 am.

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Lockdown4.0 – States/UTs cannot dilute restrictions imposed in MHA guidelines, can only make them stricter based on local level assessment and Health Ministry Guidelines: MHA

Union Ministry of Home Affairs, on 17.05.2020, issued the revised guidelines regarding lockdown restrictions, to contain COVID-19. As the lockdown was extended up to 31.05.2020, widespread relaxations were given in the restrictions.MHA has reiterated to the States/UTs that despite widespread relaxations given in lockdown restrictions under revised guidelines, States/UTs cannot dilute the restrictions imposed in MHA guidelines. They may prohibit certain other activities or impose restrictions, as deemed necessary on the basis of ground level analysis of the situation.

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Union HRD Minister announces dates of remaining CBSE examinations for class X and XII

Union Human Resource Development Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ announced the dates of remaining examinations of CBSE Class X and XII in New Delhi today. The Minister said that the examinations of Class X will be conducted for the students of North East Delhi only, while the exams of class XII will be held for students across the country including North-east Delhi. All examinations will be between 10:30 am to 1:30 pm.

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“One nation, one digital platform” and “one class one channel” will ensure reach of quality education to farthest corners of the country: HRD Minister

Union Finance Minister Smt. NirmalaSitharaman announced several initiatives to boost education sector,on 17th May in New Delhi. HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal‘Nishank’ said that the “One nation , one digital platform” and “one class one channel” will ensure that quality education material will reach the students present in farthest areas of the country. He said that the initiatives will boost the access and equity in education and improve the gross enrolment ratio in the times to come. He also said that due consideration is being given to the Divyang children also and the measures will usher in a new paradigm in the creation of New India.

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New economic reforms offer a unique opportunity to India’s Space and Atomic capabilities to realize their full potential: DrJitendra Singh

Union Minister DrJitendra Singh has said that the 20 Lakh Crore economic package announced by Prime Minister ShNarendraModi in the wake of COVID pandemic, will, among other things, promote affordable cancer treatment using medical Isotopes and envisages to establish an exclusive reactor in PPP (Public-Private-Participation) mode, under the aegis of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

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TDB approves technologies to augment India’s efforts to combat COVID 19
Technology Development Board (TDB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is proactively supporting the efforts of the scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, and industrialists towards preventing and containing the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic by providing financial support for commercialization of these technologies. In addition, TDB is also scouting for novel solutions for supporting the country’s efforts in tackling the health care emergency that the world is facing.In the last few weeks, TDB, through its evaluation process, has processed a large number of applications under various domains. Till date, TDB has approved six projects towards commercialization, which include thermal scanners, medical devices, masks, and diagnostic kits.

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Vice President Shri Naidu calls for new ways of living with learning from corona lessons

Vice President of India and Chairman of RajyaSabhaShri M. Venkaiah Naidu has underlined the need to adopt new ways of living in corona times and suggested a 12 point framework for this new normal to deal with the virus, learning from the lessons so far taught by the corona pandemic. He stressed on the need for new attitudes towards life and humanity amidst indications of the virus likely to stay for longer than earlier expected.

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Ministry of Tourism organises 20th webinar titled ‘Uttarakhand Simply Heaven’ under “DekhoApnaDesh” webinar series

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Punjab: The Punjab Government has advised private schools not to increase any school fees in 2020-21 over those charged in 2019-20. In this regard, a letter has been written to the Management/ Principals of all the Private Un-Aided Schools of the State.Amid a decline in the daily count of new cases over the past four days, Punjab Chief Minister announced replacement of the strict curfew with a lockdown till May 31 in the state, while indicating resumption of limited public transport and maximum possible relaxations in the non-containment zones from May 18.
• Haryana: Haryana Chief Minister while welcoming the final tranche of Centre’s Rs. 20 lakh crore economic package, announced by the Union Finance Minister, Mrs. NirmalaSitharaman, expressed his special gratitude towards Prime Minister, Mr. NarendraModi for increasing borrowing limits of states from 3 per cent of Gross State Domestic Product to 5 percent in 2020-21, thereby giving extra resources to the State Government. This decision would certainly give a major boost to the efforts made by Haryana Government and help in expeditiously achieving the targets envisaged for various sectors that have been impacted due to COVID-19.
• Himachal Pradesh: Chief Minister has hailed the announcements made under the Tranche V under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Package by the Union Finance Minister NirmalaSitharaman. While welcoming the decision of increasing the budgetary allocation under MGNREGA for the year 2020-21 by Rs. 40,000 crore from the existing provisions of Rs. 61,000 Crore, he said that this would go a long way in providing more assured employment to the people besides strengthening the rural economy. The Chief Minister also welcomed the decision of the Union Government for enhancing borrowings limit of the States from the existing 3 percent to 5 percent of the GSDP. He said that this would help the State in creating its own resources.
• Maharashtra: Maharashtra reported a new single day high of 2,347 Covid-19 positive cases, taking state’s tally to 33,053. While 24,161 active cases are there in the state presently, 7688 patients have also recovered till date, as per the latest report.The BEST Employees Action Committee has gone on agitation protesting insufficient facilities for its drivers, ferrying essential services workforce. The BEST administration has claimed that this agitation will not affect road transport as the state transport buses are still plying.  Meanwhile, the APMC market in Navi Mumbai reopened today, after it had to be closed last Monday owing to spike in COVID-19 positive cases. 
• Gujarat: 391 new COVID-19 cases were reported taking the tally of positive patients to 11,379. The total number of recovered patients till date to 4499. While COVID-19 cases in the state are constantly increasing, the recovery rate has also improved and gone up to 39.53 percent in the state.Chief Minister Vijay Rupani held a high-level meeting with the District Collectors, Municipal Commissioners, DDO, and various senior officials to obtain a detailed status of containment zones and non-containment zones in the state.
• Rajasthan: 173 new COVID-19 cases have been reported till 2 p.m. today, which takes the total number of positive patients in the state to 5375. Dungarpur has reported 64 of the new cases as on today. The number of patients recovered till date stand at 3072, while 2718 patients have been discharged till date.
• Madhya Pradesh: 187 new COVID-19 cases were reported taking the tally of positive cases in the state to 4977. The number total number of recovered patients till date to 2403. There are 2326 active cases in the state as per latest report.
• Goa: 9 new cases of COVID-19 were reported yesterday, taking the number of active COVID-19 cases in Goa to 22. Eight of these new COVID-19 patients had travelled to Goa by road from Maharashtra, while one came by road from Karnataka. All the patients are being treated at ESI Hospital.
• Chhattisgarh: 19 more cases were reported in Chhattisgarh taking the total number of Covid positive cases in the state to 86. The state has reported no Covid related death.
• Kerala: Lockdown norms relaxed: short distance bus services and auto rickshaws to be operated within districts except in red zones. Inter- district transportation would require a pass from the authorities. BEVCO beverage outlets, special counters at bars, and beer and wine parlors will open in the state from Wednesday; tokens to purchase liquor will be issued through a mobile app. Remaining SSLC and +2 state board examinations to be conducted in June. The first special train from Kottayam for migrant workers will leave for West Bengal this evening. Two flights from Abu Dhabi  and Doha will arrive in the evening. As of now there are 101 Covid positive cases and 23 hot spots in the state.
• Tamil Nadu: Government says that State will not face the impact of cyclone ‘Amphan’ but it is constantly monitoring the situation along with the India Meteorological Department. State’s Covid tally crossed 11,000 on Sunday, with the State reporting 639 new infections and four deaths. The fresh cases included 81 returnees from other parts of the country. The overall case count reached 11,224, of which 6,971 were active cases of which 6750 was in Chennai.
• Karnataka: 84 new cases reported till 12pm today. Total tally reaches 1231; Deaths 37; Recovered 521; Active cases 672. State announces relaxation in lockdown norms : All KSRTC and BMTC buses to ply form tomorrow with 30% capacity, auto and cabs will also be allowed with two passengers, salons to open and parks will open from 7 to 9 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the evening.  Restrictions for malls and public gathering, and night curfew to continue.
• Andhra Pradesh:State extends lockdown till May 31 following Centre’s guidelines; strict measures in red zones.  First installment of Rs 904.89 crorepackage to aid MSMEs to be released on May 22nd. 52 new cases, no death reported with 94 discharged in the last 24 hours. Of the 150 positive cases noticed among returnees from other states 125 are active and 2 patients discharged after getting well. Total cases: 2282. Active: 705, Recovered: 1527, Deaths: 50. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (615), Guntur (417), Krishna (382).
• Telangana: All services to resume at govt. hospitals; Gandhi Hospital, Chest Hospital will continue to function as nodal Covid-19 centres. Seven more migrants test positive for Covid-19 in Mancherial district and two Mumbai returnees infected in Rajanna-Sircilla today. A total of 9 migrants tested positive today. Total positive cases till yesterday were 1551.
• Arunachal Pradesh: State Transport busses starts plying from today for inter district travel only. Only fifty percent buses will be on road.
• Assam: In Assam, one returnee from Mumbai who was COVID19 cancer patient died; two more people test positive at Golaghat; total cases at 104, active cases 58 and 3 deaths.
• Manipur: In Manipur, 1208 persons are in Government quarantine centre and 4165 number of persons are in Community quarantine centres.
• Meghalaya: Second retest of the lone COVID19 positive case in Meghalaya was done and the test has come out negative. The patient can be declared as recovered, said CM Conrad Sangma.
• Mizoram: 131 incidents of violation of lockdown /Curfew have been reported across Mizoram so far. 19 FIRs have been registered and 87 people arrested.
• Nagaland:Govt orders 14 days institutional quarantine and thereafter 14 days mandatory home quarantine for all persons entering the State from 18th May onwards. Dimapur DC requisitioned 5 more quarantine centers. The centers are Iddgah Madrassa, Jain Bhawan, Hindu Mandir community hall, Gurudwara Lodge &DurgaMandir Lodge.
• Sikkim: Chief Secretary chaired the State Task Force meeting to review the progress of evacuation of Sikkimese people from various parts of the country.
• Tripura: ShramikSpeacial train reached Agartala from Chennai with stranded citizens. Another train is expected to reach Agartala from Bangalore today.

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