Covid-19 Bulletin: Anitbody detection kit, SOP & guidelines on train services, manufacturing and Fact-checking fake news

Updates on COVID-19 from Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

So far, a total of 20,917 people have been cured. This takes total recovery rate to 31.15%. The total number of confirmed cases is now 67,152. Since yesterday, an increase of 4,213 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India.Appreciating the work of the various medical professionals, Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that the country is proud of the medical practitioners for the resilience shown by them in dealing with COVID-19, especially in the last three months. He again appealed to the nation that the doctors and healthcare workers should not be ostracised or targeted; instead they should be lauded for their efforts in helping the public at large. He said that doctors, nurses, healthcare workers deserve our respect, support and cooperation to keep the fight against COVID-19.

1st indigenous antibody detection kit developed by ICMR-NIV, Pune

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV) at Pune has developed and validated the indigenous IgG ELISA test “COVID KAVACH ELISA” for antibody detection for COVID-19.NIV’s scientific team successfully isolated the SARS-CoV-2 virus from laboratory confirmed patients in India. This in turn has paved the way for development of indigenous diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2. While real time RT-PCR is the frontline test for clinical diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2, robust antibody tests are critical for surveillance to understand the proportion of population exposed to infection.

Dr. Harsh Vardhan visits Mandoli COVID-19 Care Centre

Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan visited the COVID Care Centre (CCC) at Mandoli Jail, New Delhi to review status of COVID-19 management. Keeping in view the emerging requirements for hospital preparedness, Mandoli CCC is Police Residential Complex turned dedicated COVID-19 Centre consisting of adequate isolation rooms and beds for COVID-19 patients with mild/very mild symptoms.Dr. Harsh Vardhan said that continuously observing personal and respiratory etiquettes, social distancing would reap us rich dividends in ultimate fight against COVID-19:

Ensure smooth movement of medical staff: MHA to States

Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting, through Video Conference on 10th May 2020, wherein the issue of restrictions being imposed by some States/ UTs on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical personnel was flagged.In pursuance of this meeting, MHA has written to all States/UTs pointing out that unhindered movement of all medical professionals is essential for meeting public health requirements and saving precious human lives. Any restriction on the movement of medical professionals and para-medical staff can lead to severe constraints in rendering COVID and non-COVID medical services, it adds.

Cooperate with Railways in running ‘Shramik Special’ trains: MHA to States

Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting, through Video Conference on 10th May 2020, to review assistance provided by all States/ UTs Governments to the movement of migrant workers in buses and ‘Shramik’ special trains.In pursuance of this meeting, MHA has written to all States/UTs to prevent migrant workers to resort to walking on road and on railway tracks to reach their native places. It was emphasized that ‘Shramik’ special trains and buses have already been allowed to enable their travel. Hence, they may be facilitated to board the ‘Shramik’ special trains or buses to their native places and till that time the migrants may be counselled and taken to nearby shelters.

Passenger services on Indian Railways from tomorrow

Ministry of Railways has decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored w.e.f. from 12th May 2020 in a graded manner. Fifteen pair of special trains (thirty trains) shall be operated. These services shall be in addition to the Shramik specials for transporting stranded persons, which are under operation w.e.f. 1st May.Other regular Passenger services including all mail/express, passenger and suburban services shall remain cancelled until further advice. These special trains will have only Air conditioned. Only online E-Ticketing will be done through IRCTC website or through Mobile App. No tickets will be booked across the reservation counter on any Railway Station. Booking of tickets through ‘agents’, shall not be permitted. Maximum Advance Reservation Period will be of maximum 7 days. No Unreserved tickets shall be permitted.No catering charges shall be included in the fare. All passengers shall be compulsorily screened and only asymptomatic passengers are allowed to enter /board the train.

Indian Railways announces timings of 15 pair of special trains

Ministry of Railways (MoR) in consultation with Ministry of Health & Family welfare (MoHFW) and Ministry of Home Affairs(MHA) has decided that train services on Indian Railways shall be partially restored w.e.f. from 12th May 2020 in a graded manner.

468 “Shramik Special” trains till May 11

As on 11th May 2020, a total of 468 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country, in which 363 trains had reached its destination and 105 trains are in transit.These 363 trains were terminated in various states like Andhra Pradesh (1 Train), Bihar (100 Trains), Himachal Pradesh (1 Train), Jharkhand (22 Trains), Madhya Pradesh (30 Trains), Maharashtra (3 Trains), Odisha (25 Trains), Rajasthan(4 Trains), Telangana(2 Trains), Uttar Pradesh (172 Trains), West Bengal(2 Trains), Tamil Nadu (1 Train).In these Shramik Special Trains, maximum around 1200 passengers can travel observing social distancing. Proper screening of passengers is ensured before boarding the train. During the journey, passengers are given free meals and water.

Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to facilitate movement by trains

Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) to facilitate movement of persons by train.Movement of passengers to & fro and entry at the railway station would be permitted only on confirmed e-ticket. There would be compulsory medical screening of all passengers. Only asymptomatic persons would be allowed to board the train. During the travel and at the railway stations, Strict adherence to Health/hygiene protocols and social distancing.

Guidelines on restarting manufacturing industries after lockdown

Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued detailed guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, on restarting manufacturing industries after the lockdown period. State Governments shall also ensure that the off-site disaster management plan of the respective Major Accidental Hazard (MAH) units is up to date and preparedness to implement them is high. It is also advised that all the responsible officers of the district shall ensure the Industrial On-Site Disaster Management Plans are also in place and cover Standard Operating Procedures for safe re-starting of the industries during & after COVID 19 lock down.

IAF airlifts essential chemicals to assist state Govt in tackling Vizag gas leak

Based on the request from Industries and Commerce department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh, IAF airlifted 8.3 T of essential chemicals required to effectively control the gas leak that occurred at Styrene Monomer Storage tank in LG Polymers at Vizag, Andhra Pradesh. Also, as a part of meeting the emerging requirements of Govt of India during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, IAF continued to airlift essential supplies required to equip state governments and supporting agencies to combat the contagion effectively. A total of 703 T of load has been airlifted since the time IAF began its operations to assist the government of India on 25 Mar 20.

Repatriated Indians arrive in Kochi Onboard INS Jalashwa

INS Jalashwa, deployed for “Operation SamudraSetu”, entered Kochi harbour at around 10:00 am on 10 May with a total of 698 Indian nationals stranded at Maldives, which included women, elderly people and children.

Operation SamudraSetu – INS Magar Departs Male with Indian Citizens Embarked

INS Magar, the second Indian Naval ship to reach Male, Maldives for evacuation of Indian citizens, has departed Male, Maldives after completing embarkation of personnel.Indian Navy as part of Operation SamudraSetu under the Vande Bharat Mission has deployed INS Magar for second phase of repatriation of Indian citizens from Maldives. In the first phase, INS Jalashwa had evacuated a total of 698 Indian nationals stranded in the Maldives on 10 May 20.

177 new mandis with e-NAM platform for marketing of agricultural produce

Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, ShriNarendra Singh Tomar today launched integration of 177 new mandis with the National Agriculture Market (e-NAM) to strengthen agriculture marketing and facilitate farmers to sell their harvested produce through the online portal. The mandis integrated today are as follows: Gujarat (17), Haryana (26), J&K (1), Kerala (5), Maharashtra (54), Odisha (15), Punjab (17), Rajasthan (25), Tamil Nadu (13) and West Bengal (1). With the launch of 177 additional mandis, the total number of eNAMmandis across country is 962.

Procurement of Pulses and Oilseeds steady during lockdown

2.74 Lakh MT Gram (Chana) has been procured from 9 States.3.40 Lakh MT Mustard has been procured from 5 States.1700 MT of Sunflower has been procured from Telangana.1.71 Lakh MT Toor has been procured from 8 States. About 34.87 lakh ha sowing area coverage under summer rice as compared to 25.29 lakh ha during the corresponding period of last year.About 10.35 lakh ha area coverage under pulses as compared to 5.92 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.About 9.57 lakh ha area coverage under coarse cereals as compared to 6.20 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year.About 9.17 lakh ha area coverage under oilseeds as compared to 7.09 lakh ha. during the corresponding period of last year. In Rabi Marketing Season (RMS) 2020-21, a total of 241.36 Lakh MT wheat arrived in FCI out of which 233.51 Lakh MT is purchased.

India well-poised to reboot economy through S&T: Dr. Harsh Vardhan

The Union Minister of Science & Technology, Earth Sciences and Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan said today that India’s fight against the Covid-19 is moving fast ahead strongly and steadily. He was addressing a Digital Conference, RE-START –‘Reboot the Economy through Science, Technology and Research Translations’, organised to celebrate the National Technology Day.

HRD launches helpline “Bharosa” for University students of Odisha

To relieve the distress of student community during the troubled time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Union HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ launched Central University of Odisha Helpline “Bharosa” and its Helpline Number 08046801010 through a virtual platform today. Speaking on the occasion Shri Ramesh PokhriyalNishank said that the nation is going through a difficult phase due to the onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic.