PIB’S BULLETIN ON COVID-19

UPSC Prelims 2025 Notes



 

  • 24-hour Recoveries Outnumber Daily New COVID Cases for Fifth Time in last 6 Days
  • More than 20 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs Free of Cost by Govt. of India, so far
  • Allocation of Remdesivir made upto 23rd May 2021 to ensure its adequate availability across the country- Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda
  • Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and the Chief Minister of Haryana dedicate 500-bedded COVID care centre in Panipat

 

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PRESS INFORMATION BUREAU

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

 

 

24-hour Recoveries Outnumber Daily New COVID Cases for Fifth Time in last 6 Days

  • Decline of 55,344 in Active Caseload in the last 24 hours
  • India’s Cumulative Vaccination Coverage exceeds 18.22 Crore
  • More than 48 lakh beneficiaries of age group 18-44 Vaccinated, so far

For Details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719011

 

Global Aid to Strengthen India’s efforts against COVID continues to be swiftly cleared and sent to States/UTs in a timely manner

Major consignments received on 14/15th May 2021 from Kazakhstan, Japan, Switzerland, Ontario (Canada), USA, Egypt and British Oxygen Co. (UK) include:

For Details :

More than 20 crore vaccine doses provided to States/UTs Free of Cost by Govt. of India, so far

More than 1.84 crore doses still available with States/UTs to be administered. Nearly 51 lakh doses in addition will be received by States/UTs in next 3 days

For Details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719019

 

CoWIN digital Portal Reconfigured to Reflect Change in Dose Interval of Covishield Vaccine to 12-16 weeks

Already Booked Online appointments for 2nd Covishield Dose will remain Valid; NOT being cancelled by COWIN

The COVID Working Group chaired by Dr N K Arora had recommended extension of the gap between the first and second doses of COVISHIELD vaccine to 12-16 weeks. This has been accepted by Government of India on 13th May 2021.

Government of India has communicated this change to States and UTs. The CoWIN digital portal has also been reconfigured to reflect this extension of interval for two doses of Covishield to 12-16 weeks.

However, there have been reports in s a section of the media suggesting that people who had pre-booked their appointment for the second dose in less than 84 days on CoWIN are being turned back from vaccination centres without getting the second dose of Covishield.

It is clarified that the requisite changes have now been done in the CoWIN digital portal. As a result, further online or on-site appointments will not be possible if the period after 1st dose date for a beneficiary is less than 84 days.

Additionally, already booked online appointments for 2nd dose of Covishield will remain valid and are not being cancelled by COWIN. Further, the beneficiaries are advised to reschedule their appointments for a later date beyond the 84th day from the date of 1st dose vaccination.

For details:https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1719143

 

Allocation of Remdesivir made upto 23rd May 2021 to ensure its adequate availability across the country- Shri D.V Sadananda Gowda

In a letter written to all States by Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare , it was mentioned that in continuation of the allocation plan of Remdesivir drug for the period 21st April to 16th May, 2021 communicated by D.O of even number issued on 7th May 2021, an updated allocation plan valid for period of 21st April to 23rd May, 2021 is prepared jointly by Department of Pharmaceuticals and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

For Details : https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719032

Indian Navy Team Repairs Two Major Oxygen Plants in Andhra Pradesh

Teams from Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam achieved a major breakthrough in repairing two major Oxygen Plants at Nellore and Shri Kalahasthi bringing a major boost to the Oxygen Supply in the State of Andhra Pradesh during the ongoing Oxygen crisis. Based on a request from the State Administration, Eastern Naval Command airlifted the teams of specialists from Naval Dockyard by naval Dornier Aircraft from Visakhapatnam. The teams successfully repaired the Oxygen plants this morning by overhauling the compressors and replaced certain adapters and accessories which were manufactured within Naval Dockyard.

For Details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719030

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan and the Chief Minister of Haryana dedicate 500-bedded COVID care centre in Panipat

This hospital has been constructed by Haryana Government with the support of Indian Oil. Indian Oil Corporation Limited will be supplying gaseous oxygen for the same. The temporary COVID Hospital near the refinery in Panipat has been named Guru Tegh Bahadur Sanjivani COVID Hospital.

For Details: https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1719070

 

States/UTs asked to keep Fair Price Shops open for longer duration and preferably all days of week to ensure safe and timely distribution of NFSA/PM-GKAY III food grains

In view of ongoing lock-down in some States/UTs, that may curtail the functioning hours of Fair Price Shop (FPSs), an advisory has been issued on 15th May, 2021 by Department of Food and Public Distribution to all States/UTs to keep the Fair Price Shops open preferably on all days of the month and distribute PMGKAY III and NFSA foodgrains to beneficiaries in a staggered manner throughout the day to allow for proper social distancing/ adherence to COVID-19 protocols at Fair Price Shops. To facilitate this, States/UTs have been requested to ensure that Fair Price Shops are exempted from the restricted hours of opening of regular market.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1719043

 

Oxygen Expresses deliver more than 9440 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen to the Nation

Indian Railways is continuing its journey of bringing relief by delivering Liquid Medical Oxygen(LMO) to various states across the country. So far, Indian Railways has delivered more than 9440 MT of LMO in nearly 590 tankers to various states across the country.It may be noted that nearly 150 Oxygen Expresses have completed their journey so far and brought relief to various States.

For details: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1719157

 

Centre directs States to prevent dumping of dead bodies in Ganga and focus on their safe disposal and providing support for ensuring dignified cremation.

The country is facing an extraordinary situation wherein a number of COVID-19 cases and consequential deaths have been on the rise in many States and UTs in the recent past. Dumping of dead bodies/ partially burnt or decomposed corpses in the river Ganga and its tributaries have recently been reported. This is most undesirable and alarming.

Secretary, Ministry of Jal ShaktiShri Pankaj Kumar, on 15th May, reviewedthe position and action taken in the states of UP and Bihar wherein States appraised the latest positionand further action points were decided.The Secretary highlighted the instructions already given and wanted expeditious action and also underscored the need to give equal attention to such incidents in urban as well as rural areas along Ganga and other rivers. Stopping of dumping of dead bodies as well as their safe disposal and protection of water quality has to be attended to on war footing. He said that after knowing the progress from states, CWC, CPCB and State Pollution Control Boards would also be giving their feedback and action plans.

For details:https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetail.aspx?PRID=1719134

 

INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD UNITS

Maharashtra: Looking at the rising cases of mucormycosis in Maharashtra, state health minister Rajesh Tope directed authorities to create a separate ward in government and private medical college hospitals to treat such patients. Tope, also said that independent team of experts and 22 nurses should be formed to treat these patients.Maharashtra on Saturday, reported its lowest daily Covid detections in 46 days. However, the state reported 960 deaths on Saturday, the second highest fatalities reported so far, taking its total toll to 80,512. The state recorded 34,848 new COVID-19 cases and 960 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Gujarat: To ramp up production of Covaxin, the Gujarat government, along with Hester Biosciences and OmniBRx, has firmed up its discussions with Bharat Biotech to produce 20 million doses per month, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) said on Saturday.The COVID-19 tally of Gujarat reached 7,44,409 after 9,061 cases were detected on Saturday, while the number of people who were discharged during the day stood at 15,076. The number of deaths from the infection on Saturday was 95, the first time the daily fatality count had fallen below the 100-mark since April 17.

Rajasthan: The state government has decided to provide a free Covid-19 kit to all the residents of the state. Medicines like Azithromycin, paracetamol, levocetirizine, zinc sulphate, and ascorbic acid will be included in this kit. Chief Minister Ashok Gehtot in a tweet said “Conducting door-to-door surveys and effectively distributing drug kits will allow timely examination of patients and will make it easier to save lives by obtaining medicines and necessary treatment at the primary level,”In Rajasthan however, the seven-day rolling average of daily cases has dropped by nearly 50,000, from 3.91 lakh on May 8 to 3.54 lakh on Saturday.
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Madhya Pradesh: Madhya Pradesh government has decided to create special wards in five medical colleges of Bhopal, Jabalpur, Gwalior, Indore and Rewa for the treatment of black fungus.Madhya Pradesh government has extended ban on the movement of passenger buses to and from Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan till May 23 to contain the spread Coronavisus infection.Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan discussed the Control of Covid infection and black fungus situation with the leader of Opposition Mr. Kamal Nath. Active cases reduced to below one lakh again in Madhya Pradesh on Saturday showing sign of improvement in corona cases. The state reported 99,970 active cases.

Chhattisgarh: In Chhattisgarh, lockdown has been extended in many districts including capital Raipur till 31st of May to break the chain of Covid infection. However, in the fifth phase of the lockdown many commercial activities have been allowed to be conducted. Super markets, vegetable markets, mall, showrooms, swimming pools, clubs, cinema halls, salon, beauty parlors, gyms and other public places will remain closed during the lockdown in these districts. In the fifth phase of the lockdown, along with public service centers, all types of single shops including grocery, fruit, vegetable, hardware, electrical and milk products will be allowed to open till five o’clock in the evening. Customers and shopkeepers have to follow the Covid Protocol. There will be complete lockdown on every Sunday in all districts of the state.

Goa: Goa government announced that it will take over the admission control of 21 private hospitals, which are providing COVID-19 treatment in the state, from May 17 onwards. State government will pay for the treatment at these hospitals and added that a government officer will be stationed at each of these private hospitals. The government officers will ensure that 50 per cent of the beds are reserved for COVID patients.The state government on Saturday installed a Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) storage tank having a capacity of 20,000 litres at Goa Medical College and Hospital, Bambolim.

Punjab: The total number of patients tested Positive is 490755. Number of active cases is 77789. Total Deaths reported is 11693. Total COVID-19 Vaccinated with 1st dose (Healthcare + Frontline Workers) is 827323. Total COVID-19 Vaccinated with 2nd dose (Healthcare + Frontline Workers) is 239690. Total above 45 Vaccinated with 1st dose is 2596641. Total above 45 Vaccinated with 2nd dose is 431745.

 

Haryana: Total Number of Samples found positive till date is 685312. Total active COVID-19 patients are 95946. Number of deaths is 6546. Cumulative number of people vaccinated till date is 4852508.

 

Chandigarh: Total Lab confirmed COVID-19 cases are 54703. Total number of Active Cases is 7847. Total number of COVID-19 deaths till date is 625.

 

Himachal Pradesh: Total number of patients tested COVID positive till date is 157862. Total number of Active Cases is 39575. Total deaths reported till date is 2241.

 

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