Daily Testing Capacity to be Raised to 45 L by June End: ICMR DG
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The average daily testing capacity for COVID-19 will be augmented to 45 lakh by June end, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said at the Health Ministry briefing on Thursday, 20 May. "More of Rapid Antigen Tests should be done because you can get results rapidly and then isolate the patient quickly... Our target is to do 25 lakh tests (daily) by the end of this month and 45 lakh tests by the end of June," he was quoted as saying.
Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday urged the states to make mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897.
India on Thursday reported 2,76,070 new coronavirus cases, 3,69,077 discharges, and 3,874 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total number of cases in the country now stands at 2,57,72,400, while the death toll is at 2,87,122.
- Delhi on Thursday reported 3,231 new coronavirus cases and 233 deaths, taking the tally to 14,09,950 and the death toll to 22,579
- Maharashtra reported 29,911 new coronavirus cases and 738 deaths, taking the tally in the state to 54,97,448 and the death toll to 85,355
- Karnataka reported 28,869 new cases and 548 deaths
- In a conversation with District Magistrates of 10 states on Thursday, PM Modi lauded their efforts and discouraged vaccine wastage
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Former Rajasthan CM Jagannath Pahadia Passes Away
Former Chief Minister of Rajasthan Jagannath Pahadia has passed away due to COVID-19.
“I'm very shocked by his demise. He served the country as Governor and Union minister too and he was among one of the veteran leaders in the country,” tweeted Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot.
The state will observe one day of state mourning in honour of the former CM and the national flag will be flown at half-mast. All government offices will remain closed today.
India Reports Spike of 2.76 Lakh Fresh COVID Cases
India on Thursday, 20 May, reported 2,76,070 new coronavirus cases, 3,69,077 discharges, and 3,874 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total cases in the country now stands at 2,57,72,400, while the death toll is at 2,87,122.
Center Issues Advisory on COVID Aerosols and Droplets
Aerosols and droplets are the key transmission mode of the virus and can be carried in the air up to 10 meters, the Office of Principal Scientific Advisor told the Centre. The droplets fall within 2 meters from an infected person, it said.
“Even one infected person showing no symptoms can release enough droplets to create a “viral load” that can infect many others,” it said.
India's Recoveries More Than Fresh Cases Recorded
India’s daily recoveries continue to outnumber the daily new cases for the seventh consecutive day, the Union Health Ministry. said.
At least 3,69,077 recoveries were registered in the last 24 hours. The National recovery rate has grown further to touch 86.74%,” it said.
PM Modi Speaks to DMs Over COVID Situation, Discourages Vaccine Wastage
Prime Minister Modi in a conversation with District Magistrates over the COVID crisis lauded their efforts and discouraged vaccine wastage.
“There is an issue of vaccine wastage. Wasting even a single dose means not being able to give shield to a life. It is important to stop vaccine wastage,” he said.
“With your fieldwork, your experiences and feedback, we get help to form effective policies. Even to strategise vaccination drive, we are moving forward with suggestions given by States and other stakeholders,” he said.
Pune Lab Receives ICMR Approval For Self Use Rapid Antigen Test
Pune's Mylab has received ICMR approval for India's first self-use Rapid Antigen Test kit 'Coviself' for COVID-19.
“This test is for self-use. If you test positive via this there's no need for an RT-PCR test as per ICMR. Any adult can use this kit by reading our manual,” the director of the lab told ANI.
West Bengal CM Slams PM's Address to DMs
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee slammed PM Modi’s address to the district magistrates of 10 states saying that they were not allowed to speak.
“If states were not allowed to speak why were they called. All the Chief Ministers must protest for not being allowed to speak,” she said
329 Doctors Lost Lives in Second Wave of the Pandemic
At least 329 doctors including 80 in Bihar have lost their lives due to COVID-19 in the second wave of the infection, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) said.
Notify Black Fungus Under Epidemic Diseases Act: Centre to States
The Union Health Ministry on Thursday, 20 May urged the states to make mucormycosis, commonly known as black fungus, a notifiable disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897
“All government and private health facilities, medical colleges to follow guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of mucormycosis, issued by MoHFW and ICMR,” the ministry said.
3,231 New COVID Cases in Delhi, Positivity Rate at 5.5%
Delhi on Thursday reported 3,231 new coronavirus cases and 233 deaths, taking the tally in the national capital to 14,09,950 and the death toll to 22,579.
A positivity rate of 5.50 percent was reported on Thursday.
Daily Testing Capacity to be Augmented to 45 Lakh by June End: ICMR DG
The average daily testing capacity for COVID-19 will be augmented to 45 lakh by June end, ICMR DG Dr Balram Bhargava said at the Health Ministry briefing on Thursday.
"More of Rapid Antigen Tests should be done because you can get results rapidly and then isolate the patient quickly... Our target is to do 25 lakh tests (daily) by the end of this month and 45 lakh tests by the end of June," he was quoted as saying.
India witnessed a consistent upward trend in weekly tests for COVID-19 since mid-February and average daily tests increased by 2.3 times in 12 weeks, it was pointed out during the briefing.
The government also pointed toward the decline in case positivity reported since the last two weeks. The number of districts reporting a decline in case positivity increased from 210 in the week from 29 April to 5 May to 303 in the week from 13 to 19 May, it said.
Seven states have more than 25 percent case positivity, while 22 states have more than 15 percent positivity, it added.
Citing a study, it also said that 50 percent of the people still do not wear masks and of those who do, around 64 percent cover just their mouth and not the nose.
29,911 New COVID Cases in Maharashtra; 28,869 in Karnataka
Maharashtra on Thursday reported 29,911 new coronavirus cases and 738 deaths, taking the tally in the state to 54,97,448 and the death toll to 85,355.
Meanwhile, Karnataka reported 28,869 new cases and 548 deaths.