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COVID-19 Cases in India: Across world, nearly 14.96 crore people have been infected so far (File)
New Delhi:
Hearing cases on issues related to the COVID-19 situation in the country, the Supreme Court today told the Centre it should adopt national immunisation model as poor people will not be able to pay for coronavirus vaccines. “What happens to the marginalised and SC/ST population? Should they be left to the mercy of private hospitals,” it asked.
The top court said the government must consider National Immunisation Programme for various vaccines and must think of providing free vaccination to all citizens. Private vaccine manufacturers cannot be allowed to decide which state should get how much, it added.
The Supreme Court yet again questioned the government over the pricing of vaccines. “Why is the government not buying 100 per cent of doses produced in this time? Why should there be two prices for the centre and the states… what is the rationale,” it asked.
Further, it said no state should clampdown information if citizens communicate their grievances on social media. “We don’t want any clampdown of information. We will treat it as a contempt of court if such grievances is considered for action. Let a strong message go to all the states and DGP of states”, the Supreme Court said.
Coronavirus has infected over 3.86 lakh people in India in yet another worrying high and killed 3,498 the last 24 hours. The record numbers come even as a huge international aid operation has been launched with many countries promising help.
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Making a presentation to the Supreme Court, the Centre said there is more than adequate stock of oxygen to meet the demand and that there is no need to panic.
“There is no shortage of medical oxygen in the country, supply being augmented for COVID-19 relief,” the Centre said.
I have tested positive for COVID with mild symptoms.
Have isolated myself since the onset of symptoms and all those who were in contact with me have been tested.
Will continue to function and monitor the situation in Delhi from my residence.– LG Delhi (@LtGovDelhi) April 30, 2021
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to give 200 metric tonnes of oxygen to Delhi straight away and that it “has an important responsibility as far as citizens of Delhi is concerned.”
“If you are aware of the requirement of 700 MT to Delhi, why did you supply only 480 MT?” the top court asked.
“Delhi represents micro problems of the country. Delhi represents people coming around from states. You have to save lives even if Delhi is unable to lift. Centre has special responsibility towards Delhi,” it said.
Supreme Court told the Centre it should adopt national immunisation model as poor people will not be able to pay for coronavirus vaccines.
“What happens to the marginalised and SC/ST population? Should they be left to the mercy of private hospitals,” it asked.
The Centre told the Supreme Court that Delhi is unable to lift the allocated oxygen quota because of inadequate number of tankers engaged by Delhi government, adding that Delhi is in the process of acquiring more tankers and the situation will improve.
“Is it your case that Delhi is unable to lift oxygen? I want to find the solution to the problem,” Justice Chandrachud asked.
Taking stock of the covid situation in the country, the Supreme Court observed that even doctors and healthcare workers not getting beds and said the situation is grim.
The top court said directed hostels, temples, churches and other places be opened for converting them as Covid care centres.
No state should clampdown information if citizens communicate their grievances on social media, the Supreme Court said today amid an unprecedented surge in Covid cases across the country.
“It is grave concern to me as a citizen or judge. If citizens communicate their grievances on social media, we do not want clamp down on information. Let us hear the voices of citizens,” Justice DY Chandrahud stressed today during a hearing.
The top court yet again questioned the government over the pricing of vaccines. “Why is the government not buying 100 per cent of doses produced in this time? Why should there be two prices for the centre and the states… what is the rationale,” the Supreme Court asked.
A day before vaccinations open to all above 18, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal urged citizens not to queue up for Covid shots as the city has not received vaccine supplies yet.
“Don’t queue up for vaccines tomorrow. As soon as vaccines arrive we will let you know, then you can come for shots,” Arvind Kejriwal said today.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday expressed condolences to the people who have lost their family members due to “lack” of treatment amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the onset of the pandemic, 2,08,330 people have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in India, as per the government data.
In a tweet, Mr Gandhi said “prayers and sympathy from every state of the country are with you”.
“My condolences to the citizens of the country who are losing their loved ones due to lack of treatment. You are not alone in this tragedy – prayers and sympathy from every state of the country are with you,” the Congress leader said.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati on Friday suggested the Uttar Pradesh government to take necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in village areas of the state.
“There is a possibility that COVID-19 can spread in village areas. In such a situation, BSP advises the UP government that it should take necessary steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in cities as well as in the village area,” she tweeted.
Delhi Police arrested two people involved in black-marketing of Remdesivir injections and recovered 10 vials of Remdesivir from them, the police said on Friday.
Police said the team of Sarojini Nagar police station was deployed and arrested the accused who used to sell these injections in the black market at higher prices. They have a set network of persons who used to supply the injections on demand.
The accused have been identified as Abhishek Kumar, who works as housekeeping staff at Safdurjung hospital and Pramod Kumar, who works as brutsmate pharmacy suppliers.
“The accused have disclosed that they are operating in Delhi-NCR and supplying Remdesivir at exorbitant prices of Rs 35000-50000 per piece,” the police said.
Amid a spike in COVID-19 numbers, Kerala is setting up dedicated oxygen war rooms at the district and state levels.
Taking to twitter Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday said that dedicated oxygen war rooms will function with representatives of the police, health, transportation, disaster management and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO).
“Dedicated Oxygen War Rooms will function at State and District levels with representatives of Police, Health, Transportation, Disaster Management and PESO. O2 stock is being monitored in the Districts by Collectors. O2 module will be included in Covid Jagratha portal,” he said in a tweet.
He said that oxygen stock is being monitored in the districts by collectors and the oxygen module will be included in the COVID-19 Jagratha portal.
India reports 3,86,452 new #COVID19 cases, 3498 deaths and 2,97,540 discharges in the last 24 hours, as per Union Health Ministry
Total cases: 1,87,62,976
Total recoveries: 1,53,84,418
Death toll: 2,08,330
Active cases: 31,70,228Total vaccination: 15,22,45,179 pic.twitter.com/mRsifO2IMP
– ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2021
A US military plane on Friday brought the first emergency coronavirus supplies to help India battle devastating surge in the pandemic.
The military jet carrying more than 400 oxygen cylinders and other hospital equipment and nearly one million rapid coronavirus tests landed at the New Delhi international airport.
Japan stands with India in her greatest time of need. We have decide to proceed with the procedure to provide 300 oxygen generators & 300 ventilators: Satoshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to India
(File photo)#COVID19pic.twitter.com/fqQBfgxcNq
– ANI (@ANI) April 30, 2021
Taking to Twitter, Mr Sandhu said he discussed with the Pfizer CEO on how the company can also strengthen the pandemic response in India, which is in the grip of a devastating second wave of COVID-19.
“Important conversation with @AlbertBourla CEO @pfizer today evening. Discussed ways in which Pfizer could support healthcare efforts incl vaccines in India, and strengthen our pandemic response,” he tweeted.
Shipment containing 700 units of oxygen concentrators & 365 ventilators arrives from Ireland: Arindam Bagchi, Official Spokesperson, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) pic.twitter.com/P3dnhRIFv3
– ANI (@ANI) April 29, 2021
Brazil’s death count in the coronavirus pandemic surpassed 400,000 Thursday, as the country struggled to secure enough vaccines and the Senate investigated whether President Jair Bolsonaro’s government has exacerbated the crisis.
The health ministry reported 3,001 Covid-19 deaths in the past 24 hours, bringing Brazil’s overall count to 401,186 — second only to the United States.
With 212 million people, the South American giant also has one of the highest mortality rates in the pandemic, at 189 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants — the worst in the Americas and 14th worldwide.
Brazil has been devastated by a surge in cases since the start of the year that pushed hospitals to the brink of collapse in many areas.
Although it appears to have passed the peak of the new wave, the number of daily deaths remains staggeringly high, at an average of 2,526 over the past week, behind only India.
Pfizer Inc’s shipment of COVID-19 vaccine to Mexico this week includes doses made in its U.S. plant, the first of what are expected to be ongoing exports of its shots from the United States, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday.
The vaccine shipment, produced at Pfizer’s Kalamazoo, Michigan plant, marks the first time the drugmaker has delivered abroad from U.S facilities after a Trump-era restriction on dose exports expired at the end of March, the source said.
The U.S. government has been under mounting pressure in recent weeks to provide surplus vaccines to other nations desperately in need as it makes swift progress vaccinating its own residents. Many countries where the virus is still rampant are struggling to acquire vaccine supplies to help tame the pandemic.
Wealthy governments have been trying to stock up on COVID-19 shots from Pfizer and Moderna Inc because of their extremely high efficacy and after safety concerns and production problems temporarily sidelined vaccines from AstraZeneca Plc and Johnson & Johnson.
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