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

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

As of now, 6,184 people have been cured with a recovery rate of 22.17%. Since yesterday, an increase of 1396 new cases has been reported. A total of 27,892 people have been confirmed positive as of now for COVID-19 in India. In the last 24 hours, 48 new deaths have been reported, with total fatality of 872.16 Districts in the country, which earlier had cases, have not reported any fresh cases since the last 28 days. A total of 85 districts have not reported any new cases since the last 14 days.The percentage of trucks moving food and pharmaceuticals has increased from 46% on March 30 to 76% on April 25, 2020. In the same period, the percentage of railway rakes moved has increased from 67% to 76%, percentage traffic handled by ports has increased from 70% to 87%, and percentage of operational major mandis has gone up from 61% to 79%. More than 1.5 cr people are being provided cooked meals every day by Government agencies, NGOs and industries.The Government is focusing on easing policy and implementation bottlenecks in supply chains of essential items, troubleshooting specific bottlenecks on the ground and tracking key indicators and disseminating best practices of supply warriors.

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PM interacts with CMs to plan ahead for tackling COVID-19

Prime Minister ShriNarendraModi today interacted with Chief Ministers of states via video conferencing to discuss the emerging situation and plan ahead for tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. He underlined that the Lockdown has yielded positive results as the country has managed to save thousands of lives in the past one and a half months. He added that India’s population is comparable to that of the combined population of several countries. The situation in many countries, including India, was almost similar at the start of March. However, due to timely measures, India has been able to protect many people. He however forewarned that the danger of the virus is far from over and constant vigilance is of paramount importance.Prime Minister also urged Chief Ministers to factor in the changes in weather - advent of summer and monsoon - and the illnesses that can potentially come in this season, while strategizing ahead.

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Facts on the controversy around prices of Rapid Antibody tests

Testing is one of the most crucial weapons to fight COVID-19 and ICMR is doing everything it can to ramp up testing. This requires procurement of kits and supplying them to states. This procurement is being undertaken when globally there is huge demand for these test kits and various countries are applying their full might, monetary and diplomatic, to acquire them.Based on scientific assessment of their performance, the order in question (Wondfo) along with order in respect of another make found under-performing have been cancelled.ICMR has not made any payment whatsoever in respect of these supplies. Because of the due process followed (not going for procurement with 100% advance amount), GoI does not stand to lose a single rupee.

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No move to reduce retirement age of government employees, nor such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government: DrJitendra Singh

Strongly refuting the reports in a section of media that Government has moved a proposal for reducing the age of retirement of government employees to 50 years, Union Minister DrJitendra Singh has categorically stated that there is no such move to reduce the retirement age nor has been such a proposal discussed or contemplated at any level in the government.

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Dr. Harsh Vardhan takes stock of preparedness of AIIMS Trauma Centre: Dedicated COVID-19 hospital

The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today visited Jai Prakash Narayan Apex Trauma Centre (JPNATC) of All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi to take stock of their preparedness to overcome COVID-19 as well as witness first-hand the treatment and assistance being offered to COVID-19 patients in the Dedicated COVID Hospital.

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Five out of eight Northeast States are Corona free while other three States have not added any new Corona positive case in the last few days: DrJitendra Singh

Five out of eight Northeast States are Corona free while the other three States have not added any new Corona positive case in the last few days. This was disclosed by Union Minister DrJitendra Singh, after a review meeting through video conference, in which senior officers from North Eastern Council (NEC) Shillong as well representatives of different government bodies and PSUs.

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Never asked for a report, Inquiry being initiated: CBDT

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has said today that there is some report circulating on social media regarding suggestions by a few IRS officers on tackling COVID-19 situation.It is unequivocally stated that CBDT never asked IRS Association or these officers to prepare such a report.

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Railway Emergency Cell for COVID responding to about 13,000 queries, requests and suggestions everyday

Indian Railways has taken 360 degree measures to ensure that interest of the passengers and all commercial clients are taken care of and national supply chains keep running during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19
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ShriNitinGadkari reaches out to Overseas Indian Students calliing for playing a big role in converting COVID-19 Pandemic into an opportunity

The Minister interacted with Indian overseas students in various countries like UK, Canada, Singapore, other European Countries and Australia under the theme Indian Response to Global Pandemic : Roadmap for India. Addressing the students, he said, the way ahead for India is clearly in us remaining positive and making concerted efforts to convert this adversity into an opportunity.

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Over 684 tons of essential and medical cargo delivered across the country under Lifeline Udan during Covid-19 lockdown

‘Lifeline Udan’ flights are being operated to transport essential medical cargo to remote parts of the country to support India’s war against COVID-19. 383 flights have been operated under Lifeline Udan by Air India, Alliance Air, IAF and private carriers. Cargo transported till date is around 684.08 tons, covering an aerial distance of over 3,76,952km.Helicopter services including Pawan Hans Ltdhave been operating in J&K, Ladakh, Islands and North East region transporting critical medical cargo and patients.

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IAF’s support towards fight against COVID-19

Indian Air Force (IAF) has stepped up its efforts to meet all the emerging requirements of the Govt of India during the ongoing novel corona virus pandemic. IAF continues to airlift essential supplies of medicine and ration along with medical personnel within the country, to equip state governments and supporting agencies to combat the contagion effectively.

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INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Punjab: The Government agencies and Private Traders have procured 6,79,220 metric tonnes of wheat in Punjab. To ensure safety and well-being of factory workers, the Health Department has issued detailed advisory for proper maintenance of hygiene and sanitation at the work place, with the larger aim of controlling the spread of Corona virus. Urging the employees to scrupulously adhere to the health protocol, the advisory asks them to voluntarily report any symptom for early treatment besides exhorting them not to indulge in gossip/rumors with regard to COVID-19 without verifying the facts.
• Haryana: State Government has appointed nodal officers at the state and district-level to ensure the safety of medical professionals and frontline workers in view of COVID-19 to prevent any incidents of violence against them. The nodal officers at State and District level will always be available to redress the safety issue regarding the functioning of medical professionals. • A total of 19.26 Lakh Metric Tonnes of Wheat has been procured from 130707 farmers in the State in the last five days.
• Arunachal Pradesh: Itanagar Deputy Commissioner, said that vegetables supplies from Assam are safe for consumption.
• Manipur: CM after attending VC with PM tweeted that CMs of all states discussed the need of a collective effort of the states and Centre; possible relaxation in green zones & non COVID19 affected districts.
• Meghalaya:  CM Conrad Sangma announced after the VC that lockdown may continue, but there will be more relaxation. He today suggested to the PM the Meghalaya model of “Rapid Response System”, wherein within specified timeframe, response is initiated by health, administration and police on detection of new COVID19 cases.
• Mizoram:  Chief Minister today in video conference meeting with PM alongwith other chief ministers talked about actions taken by the state government and the discipline and cooperation of people of Mizoram.
• Nagaland: Govt.says sufficient security personnel sent to border areas and all entry points have been completely sealed.   
• Sikkim: CM informed that PM applauded the efforts of the state govt in containing the virus by duly maintaining transparency; inputs provided by the state were useful to the central govt in tackling the disease in certain areas of the country.
• Tripura: CM said that there will be thermal screening in markets in the state. And also urged the citizens to avoid spitting and urinating in public places.
• Kerala:In a telecon with Union Home Minister, CM opined that the lockdown should be withdrawn step by step with exemptions in places other than the hotspots. No signs of community transmission of corona virus in the state yet. Triple lockdown has been clamped in Idukki  and containment measures heightened in Kottayam. Over 1.5 lakh Keralites stranded in various countries have registered online for returning to the state. Total confirmed cases till yesterday: 469, Active cases: 123, Cured: 342.
• Tamil Nadu: State freezes DA at current rate till July 2021; suspends EL encashment for a year. TN Health Minister says State is expecting Centre's permission for blood plasma treatment trials in a week's time. 2 more PG students of Madras Medical College test positive for Covid19. Total cases till yesterday: 1885, Active cases: 838, Deaths: 24, Discharged: 1020, Maximum cases from Chennai 523.
• Karnataka: 8 new cases confirmed today; 2 each in Vijayapura, Bagalkot&Dakshin Kannada; 1 each in Bangalore &Mandya. A 50-year old Covid patient allegedly committed suicide at Victoria hospital in Bengaluru. Total cases:  511, Deaths: 19, Cured:188.
• Andhra Pradesh:80 new cases reported in the last 24 hours taking the total positive cases to 1177. Active Cases: 911, Recovered: 235, Deaths: 31.  4 staff members including CSO and nursing staff of AP Governor tests positive for Covid19; all Raj Bhavan employees quarantined. State declares 4 areas of Kadapa as red zones. Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (292), Guntur (237), Krishna (210), Nellore (79), Chittoor (73).
• Telangana: An inter-ministerial central team (ICMT) appreciates the efforts of Telangana police in tracing contacts and advised cops to continue the existing security set up at containment zones & quarantine centres. The 1500-bed exclusive Covid-19 hospital at the Gachibowli sports complex has been designated as a medical and research institute. Total positive cases till now is 1001.
• Madhya Pradesh: Total number of COVID-19 cases has gone up to 2,120 with 175 new cases reported in last 24 hours. While 302 patients have been cured and discharged from the various hospitals and 103 patients have lost their lives so far. As per the State Health Department bulletin, the condition of 1,650 patients is stable while 35 patients are on ventilators.
• Gujarat: state Health Department has informed that a total 10,500 beds are available in 61 dedicated Covid special hospitals in the state. The state has adequate stocks of HCQS and Azithromycin medicines, N95 and 3 layer masks and PPE kits. 1061 ventilators are available in Government hospitals while 1700 ventilators are available in private hospitals. Order for one thousand more ventilators has also been placed by the state government.
• More than 1.10 lakh migrant workers from Madhya Pradesh are stranded in other states.  Gujarat has the highest number of 35,000 workers working in various sectors followed by 25,000 in Maharashtra and about 15,000 in Rajasthan. Most of the workers employed in Rajasthan have returned home, while those stranded in Gujarat have begun to come back. Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh are also in talks to make arrangements for send the migrant workers home.
• Maharashtra: The Mayor of Mumbai KishoriPednekar has said that the situation is improving in many  containment zones in the city.  She said out of 1,036 containment zones across the city, 231 have not reported any new Corona virus cases during the last 14 days. Meanwhile, 31 of the 53 journalists who had tested positive have been discharged after testing negative twice in 24 hours.  They have been placed under home quarantine for 14 days.

PIB FACTCHECK

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