With the world putting forward all measures to fight the coronavirus pandemic, genetic and microbiome testing firm Bione, on Thursday, launched India’s first Rapid Covid-19 at-home screening test kit. Experts around the world have emphasised on the need for increased testing in order to control the spread of the disease. The easy-to-use kit, approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), displays accurate results within minutes. To take the test, one has to clean their finger with an alcohol swab and use the lancet provided to finger-prick. The cartridge provided reads the results from the blood sample thus obtained,…
Author: Our Correspondent
The West Bengal health department, in its bid to dispel fears of virus transmission during cremation or burial of COVID-19 victims, has issued an advisory here contending that no such risk was involved in the process as officials were taking necessary precautions. The department also stated that there was no chance of airborne transmission as the disease spreads through droplets coughed or sneezed out by an infected patient. “The temperature generated during cremation is 800 to 1000 degrees Celsius, under which, the virus can no longer remain viable. To this day, there isn’t any evidence to prove that the smoke…
In continuation of the measures taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Indian Railways is making all out efforts to supplement the health care initiatives of Government of India. In this direction Indian Railways is producing Masks and Sanitizer in-house in its all Zonal Railways, Production Units and PSUs. Till 1st April 2020 Indian Railways has produced total 287704 nos. of masks and 25806 liters of sanitizer in its Zonal Railways, Production Units and PSUs. Some of the Indian Railway Zones has taken lead in this regard like Central Railway with 22580 nos. of masks & 2693 liters of sanitizer,…
The Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr. Harsh Vardhan today visited Dr. RML and Safdarjung Hospitals to personally takes stock of preparedness to overcome COVID-19. At Dr RML Hospital, the Union Minister visited the Flu Corner, emergency care center , trauma center block and corona screening center. After having inspected the working of these centres, the Health Minister expressed satisfaction over the pace of screening process. He also visited the Microbiology Department, which has been handling huge number of samples everyday, where he minutely observed the process of sample receiving & scientific testing. He apprecieted the Department for…
With over 400 people testing positive for coronavirus in Maharashtra, the state government has now taken the fight against the pandemic online, by launching a COVID-19 self-assessment tool. The government has created a digital platform, wherein citizens can assess their symptoms from the comfort of their homes and later contact authorities if they have any doubts about their condition, an official release stated. The state government has collaborated with Apollo 24×7 and launched an online tool, which is available at https://covid-19.maharashtra.gov.in/, to help people assess their symptoms at home. Immediate medical advice and other relevant contact information are also available…
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today interacted with eminent sportspersons via video conference. Prime Minister said that COVID-19 is an adversary of the entire humanity and the gravity of the situation can be ascertained from the fact that for the first time since World War II, the Olympics has been postponed. Several other prominent international sporting events like Wimbledon and domestic sporting events like Indian Premier League for cricket have been shifted as well due to the challenges created by the pandemic. Prime Minister praised the sportspersons for bringing glory to the nation through stellar performances on the field. Now…
The Uttar Pradesh government will create a corona care fund of Rs 1000 crore which will help in setting up testing facilities and procuring ventilators, masks and sanitisers, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Friday. Not only will the government help with this fund, but help will also be taken from corporate houses under the Corporate Social Responsibility, he said at a meeting with senior officials here. Efforts will be made to provide testing facilities in every division and all 24 government medical colleges, he added. He also directed officials to prepare an action plan to deal with the situation…
Affirming that people of the country have set an example by showing exemplary courage, discipline and solidarity in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, President Shri Ram Nath Kovind has expressed concern over two incidents, the gathering of migrant workers in Anand Vihar and the congregation of Tablighi Jamaat in Nizamuddin, both in Delhi, that caused a setback to the efforts. The President, along with the Vice President, Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, today held a video-conference with the Governors, Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of States/UTs and discussed ways to contribute to the measures taken by the Government of India and…
Armed Forces have been working round-the-clock to provide medical and logistics support to the needy to contain COVID-19 pandemic. Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) has deployed its resources to aid the civilian authorities at this crucial time. Armed Forces are running six quarantine facilities at Mumbai, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Hindon, Manesar and Chennai. One thousand seven hundred thirty seven persons have been handled at these centres, of which 403 have been released so far. Three positive COVID cases – two from Hindan and one from Manesar – were referred to Safdarjung Hospital in the national capital for further treatment. In addition,…
The Income Tax Appellate Tribunal (ITAT) has commenced today a series of Video Conferences involving regular interactive sessions to productively utilise the time available during the 21-day lockdown to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. ITAT President, Mr. Justice P.P. Bhatt, in a communication to Vice Presidents and Members of the Tribunal, said such meetings can be utilized for exchanging views and formulating strategies as to how to improve the rate of disposal of cases as well as quality of judicial orders. Reiterating that the lockdown announced by the Government of India be strictly complied with by practising social distancing and self-quarantine,…