India well-equipped: Vardhan

Minister says country is unlikely to face an ‘unmanageable crisis’ from COVID-19

11/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, ,NEW DELHI

Ready for challenge: A municipal worker spraying disinfectant in a makeshift hospital in Mumbai. Aadesh ChoudhariThe Hindu

India is unlikely to face an “unmanageable crisis” from COVID-19, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said at an online conference organised by the India Foundation. He was addressing international delegates, according to information on his official Twitter handle.

Were matters to deteriorate, India had enough infrastructure to tide over the crisis, he said.

“We have 500 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, 200,000 beds across hospitals and 50,000 ICU beds. We have ordered everything in plenty. In the last two months, we have ensured adequate testing facilities. We started with one lab and today we have over 200. Over 150 are public labs.”

Multiple strategies

As on Friday, the Ministry has reported 6,761 cases and 206 deaths. Dr. Vardhan said India had multiple strategies in place to contain the pandemic. For more than 15 cases in a district, we have a ‘large outbreak’ strategy and for less than 15, a cluster containment strategy, he said.

According to guidelines released by the ICMR this week, both strategies involve active surveillance for cases and contacts in an identified geographic zone, expanding testing to all at risk in these places and improving hospital accommodation capacity.

“In another way, COVID-19 has come as a blessing in disguise” he remarked. Until now, India had largely relied on importing Personal Protective Equipment for health care workers. However, with rising local demand and shortages, the government had, via the Ministry of Textiles, authorised 39 manufacturers to make such equipment locally.

“From next week, 10 lakh PPEs are expected, as well as 48,000 additional ventilators,” he said.

Hails health officials

He also addressed a conference with health officials from various States and “congratulated them” for keeping the situation under control, according to a statement from the Press Information Bureau. He exhorted all States to establish at least one dedicated COVID-19 hospital in every district.

States ought not to be neglecting the treatment/medical needs of pregnant women, dialysis patients and those suffering from thalassemia and must improve access to mobile blood donation.

Everyone should download the Arogya app as it would help assess the risk of infection, the press statement added.

Punjab extends lockdown till May 1

CM to convey decision to Modi today

11/04/2020, SPECIAL
CORRESPONDENT,CHANDIGARH

Punjab on Friday extended the lockdown till May 1 amid apprehension of community spread of COVID-19.

On Thursday, Odisha extended the lockdown till April 30.

A meeting of the State Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Capt. Amarinder Singh, also decided to prevent overcrowding at bazaars during the wheat harvesting and procurement season.

Capt. Amarinder will convey the decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the latter’s video-conference with the Chief Ministers on Saturday, an official statement said.

Grim projectins

Citing grim projections of the impact of the pandemic, the Chief Minister said curfew-like restrictions were essential so that the medical infrastructure was not burdened. “There was general consensus in the medical community that the lockdown curbs would only delay the spread of the disease,” he said.

Role of private hospitals

At the meeting, the Cabinet approved the Punjab Clinical Establishment (Registration and Regulation) Ordinance to make private hospitals join the battle against COVID-19. The Chief Minister was authorised to approve the final draft of the Bill.

The ordinance would provide for the registration and regulation of clinical establishments in a professional manner to ensure compliance of clinical standards and protocols and transparency in their functioning for fair and proper delivery of health services to the common man, said the statement.

Tougher norms likely for public transportation 

Protocol chalked out for post-lockdown situation in Kerala

11/04/2020 , S. Anil Radhakrishnan ,
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM 

Restricting the number of persons travelling in cars, buses and on bikes, increasing the working hours, a five-day week, and the odd-even system to restrict vehicles have been spelled out in a protocol chalked out for public transportation post-lockdown in Kerala.

The protocol also calls for developing an app or software to track the movement of inter-State rail and bus commuters.

Motorcycle travel will be limited to one, private cars for three, and one per seat in other vehicles. Family members will be allowed in cars, and motorcyclists will have to use full-face helmet with visor. No standing travel will be allowed on public transport, which will be applicable to school and college buses too. Commuters will have to enter the bus through the rear door and leave via the front door.

Those having cold, fever, and symptoms of other diseases will not be allowed to travel on public transport, as per the protocol.

There will be facilities to wash hands at bus stops. Kiosks for masks and to provide safety tips to travellers will also be set up. Social distancing will have to be ensured in public places and identity card/passes issued by the police will be needed for those travelling.

All vehicles used for public transport, including taxies and autorickshaws, will have to be sanitised. Drivers falling under the high risk category will have to use masks.

The protocol, worked out by the Motor Vehicles Department, is awaiting approval. Those flouting the rules will be fined and termination of the journey will also be considered.

Contributions continue to come in for CM’s Public Relief Fund

11/04/2020 , Staff Reporter, CHENNAI

Kalpathi AGS Group has contributed ₹50 lakh to the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.

The Group, which includes AGS Cinemas Private Limited that runs multiplexes, AGS Entertainment Private Limited and Kalpathi Investments, among others, had earlier contributed ₹15 lakh to the Film Employees Federation of South India (FEFSI).

Gemini Edibles & Fats India Pvt Ltd (GEF India), a company which is in the business of importing of Palmolein through Chennai and Karaikal ports has contributed a sum of ₹25 lakh to the CM public relief fund. Chaudhary Anjana Samaj Foundation has made a contribution of ₹5 lakh, while Punam Jewellery has contributed ₹1 lakh each to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Relief Fund, PM Cares Fund and Rajasthan Chief Minister Public Relief Fund.

Sun TV Network Ltd and its Group Companies said it will donate a sum of Rs.10 crore to COVID-19 relief funds. The employees of Sun TV and other affiliated Group companies numbering more than 6,000 will also contribute one day’s salary, it said.

Railways to rope in ex-servicemen

11/04/2020 , R. Srikanth , Vivek Narayanan ,
CHENNAI 

After the lockdown ends, each train will run to 2/3rd of its capacity. B. Jothi Ramalingam

Once services resume after the lockdown ends, the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Chennai division, is planning to rope in ex-servicemen to provide security on trains.

“All our personnel will be provided masks and sanitisers,” said an officer.

The officer said that an RPF officer or ex-serviceman would escort two compartments.

“Immediately after the lockdown is lifted, some changes are expected in the structure of the compartments. There will only be one entry/exit and the number of seats will be reduced. Each train will run to only 2/3rd of its capacity. There will be no unreserved compartment,” said an officer.

The government is also planning various measures pertaining to the running of trains. One is to divide the country into three zones — red, yellow and green — depending on the number of COVID-19 cases. In the red zone, no transport services will be introduced, yellow will have restricted services and green will have no restrictions on the number of services

“To ensure physical distancing, there will be no allotment of the middle berth in the three-tier sleeper and air-conditioned coaches of long-distance trains. Even side berths may not be there. Linen and food will not be introduced till the number of cases come down. All scheduled trains are to be cancelled and only special trains will run. There will be thermal screening at all entry points and passengers above 60 will not to be allowed to travel,” said a railway official.

There are also plans to make wearing of masks compulsory.

Airport to have limited flights

11/04/2020 , Sunitha Sekar, CHENNAI

Physical distancing will be of prime importance after the lockdown ends, said AAI.

The number of flights departing from Chennai airport, every hour, is likely to be brought down significantly for some time, once operations resume after the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted by the government.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) officials said that the plan was being discussed since physical distancing would be of prime importance after the lockdown ends.

The authorities have been holding extensive talks for the last few days, and the process of revising and drawing up fresh flight schedules for the airport will begin soon.

“In case the lockdown is lifted, we should be prepared for operations. The number of flights departing at a time is likely to reduce substantially. This is because the airport has severe peak-hour congestion, wherein hundreds queue up to complete check-in and security procedures ,” an official said.

“This cannot happen henceforth, as we have to maintain physical distancing. It can be implemented only if a limited number of flights take off at a time,” the official noted.

“Apart from the fact that aircraft movement will be affected, many will also hesitate to take up leisure air travel initially, and fly only for something absolutely essential,” another official said, strongly indicating that passenger traffic may be hit as well.

Airlines like IndiGo have already announced that there will not be any onboard meals for a while and airport buses of airlines will be run only at 50% capacity to ensure physical distancing. Sources said that physical distancing was likely to be enforced inside the aircraft as well. Middle seats in the aircraft may be left vacant to implement the same, they added.

Court favours higher salaries for front line workers 

Policemen, sanitation staff work round-the-clock: Bench

11/04/2020 , Mohamed Imranullah S., CHENNAI

A health worker in a protective suit collecting a swab from a person in Chennai on Friday.

 

 B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM B_JOTHI RAMALINGAM

Observing that the monthly salary paid to government doctors, paramedical staff, sanitation workers and policemen was not commensurate with the services rendered by them, the Madras High Court has expressed hope that the government will appreciate their services by increasing their salaries appropriately.

Justices N. Kirubakaran and R. Hemalatha made the observations in their common interim order on a couple of public interest litigation petitions. “This court is of the firm opinion that doctors, health workers, sanitary workers and policemen are serving round-the-clock throughout the year. Yet, their salary is not commensurate with their work.

“This court hails and appreciates the services rendered by them especially in the fight against the dangerous pandemic COVID-19 which is now threatening the entire humanity. This court hopes and expects that respective governments will appreciate their services by proper increase in their salaries,” their order read.

Though the litigant S. Jimraj Milton had complained about lack of certain facilities in hospitals, the court recorded the submission of Additional Advocate General P.H. Arvindh Pandian that 37,648 personal protective equipment, 1.17 lakh N-95 masks, 7.75 lakh three-layered masks and 14,000 testing kits were available as on date in the State.

Pointing out that orders had been placed for more number of safety gear, he said the stocks were replenished regularly.

The AAG denied the litigant’s claim that some residents and migrant workers at Pulianthope, Korukkupet, Vyasarpadi and Ambattur were suffering without food. He said Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami had ordered free distribution of rice, oil, dal and ₹1,000 cash not only to ration cardholders but also to non-cardholders.

When the court wanted to know whether government doctors and paramedical staff were being given sufficient time to relax, the AAG replied in the affirmative.

“They should be safeguarded against the viral attack and therefore, they should be subjected to regular testing by the authorities,” the Bench said and adjourned the cases by two weeks.

Decision on lockdown after today’s Cabinet meeting 

Experts say an extension can be used to test contacts of COVID-19 patients

11/04/2020 , Dennis S. Jesudasan, CHENNAI

After making a set of recommendations to the government on extending the lockdown, representatives of the expert team said that during the extended 14-day period, many people, including those who were contacts of COVID-19 positive cases, could be tested.

Prabhdeep Kaur of ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology said: “Based on the data after the results of those tests, an informed decision could be taken after two weeks,” she explained.

A senior official told The Hindu: “Some doctors recommended a two-week extension and some favoured a three-week extension and some, even beyond. The government will wait for Prime Minister’s video conferencing with Chief Ministers on Saturday and a final decision will be taken during the State Cabinet meeting [in the evening].”

Besides medical experts from Tamil Nadu, Chief Scientist of World Health Organisation Dr. Soumya Swaminathan participated in the two-hour meeting through video conference from Geneva.

A doctor, who participated in the meeting, said doctors who were present included some from the 19-member expert committee and also from other committees.

Govt. steps lauded

The doctors “were appreciative of the steps being taken by the State government” and emphasised on the need for strengthening the public health system, which would increase the State's capacity to detect the cases /clusters at the earliest.

The doctors underlined the need for ensuring the safety of doctors, nurses and other health workers, who were in the front line in the fight against COVID-19.

Health Minister C. Vijayabaskar, Health Secretary Beela Rajesh and senior officials participated.

Extend lockdown by 14 days: experts 

T.N. records 77 fresh cases, taking the total to 911; one patient dies

11/04/2020 , Special Correspondent, CHENNAI 

 

Keeping the faith: Devotees offer prayers outside a church in Chennai on Good Friday. PTI-

On a day when a team of medical experts recommended that Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami extend the lockdown by 14 days beyond April 14, the State recorded a further 77 cases of COVID-19.

Briefing reporters after a meeting with the Chief Minister, Dr. Prabhdeep Kaur of ICMR National Institute of Epidemiology said: “Despite all the efforts taken by the government, cases have been increasing... All the experts feel that it will be good if the lockdown is extended for 14 more days. This is the recommendation of the committee.”

The Cabinet, which is meeting on Saturday, may take a call on the issue.

On Friday, Tamil Nadu’s tally of COVID-19 cases surged to 911, with the addition of 77 cases. A woman, who had tested positive for COVID-19 and was undergoing treatment at Thoothukudi, died, taking the total number of deaths to nine. Till date, 44 persons who tested positive have been discharged.

Chief Secretary K. Shanmugam told reporters that five of the 77 patients had a history of travel, and the remaining were contacts of those with a travel history. All 77 were from areas that were already under containment. Of the fresh cases, 70 were connected to a “single source event” (Delhi conference), according to the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine’s bulletin.

Coimbatore reported the highest number of cases with 26 persons — 21 women and five men — testing positive.

Twelve persons, including nine women, from Chengalpattu, nine persons each in Chennai and Ranipet, eight from Dindigul, three each from the Nilgiris and Villupuram, two each from Erode and Tuticorin, and one each from Cuddalore, Kanniyakumari and Tiruvannamalai tested positive.

“Our main aim is to control the spread of COVID-19. We are taking steps to ensure that new cases do not occur outside quarantine or containment zones,” he said.

No evidence of community transmission: Health Ministry 

States cite surge to extend lockdown; death toll across country climbs to 206 

11/04/2020 , SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT, NEW DELHI 

 


The Union Health Ministry on Friday denied evidence of community transmission (CT) of COVID-19 while reporting at least 700 new cases since Thursday evening. The nationwide death toll from the epidemic touched 206, and the Ministry confirmed 6,761 positive cases.

The Ministry’s response follows an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) report on Thursday of nearly month long surveillance of 5,911 randomly chosen samples of patients who exhibited Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI), whom 104 tested positive for COVID-19. All but two were tested between March 21-April 2 and 40 had no history of international travel or contact with someone with travel history but had picked up the infection, indicating community transmission, the ICMR said.

Over the last few weeks, there have been reports from several States of people testing positive but who were unable to explain the possible source of the infection. However, the Health Ministry has consistently maintained that this was not evidence for CT.

Health Ministry spokesperson Lav Agrawal said all of the cases of SARI were from districts where there were confirmed cases of the disease and that travel histories of those SARI patients were being investigated. “We’ll be the first ones to tell if you if such transmission has begun,” he said.

The Health Ministry response comes even as States have announced an extension of the lockdown beyond April 14 citing CT; Chief Minister Amarinder Singh declared on Friday that CT had been observed in Punjab.

Lock Down Doubts

City students school people on Covid-19 don’ts

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.04.2020

Girl students from city corporation schools, who had actively participated in dengue awareness campaigns held in October and November last year, are now raising voice for the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

The youngsters, who are actively fulfilling their roles as student health ambassadors by creating awareness in their neighbourhoods, also recently released an emotionally charged video against those violating the lockdown orders.

Minister for municipal administration S P Velumani released the video on his Twitter account.

“We are all aware of the ongoing pandemic. Yet, the activities of a few who venture out unnecessarily put children like us at risk. Despite appeal from the Prime Minister and government authorities, many are unwilling to listen. Does our future mean nothing to you?” Nanditha Gandhi, a student ambassador, asks in the video.

Nandita Gandhi and Navya Sri, class VIII students of Chennai Girls Higher Secondary School in Pulla Avenue, Shenoy Nagar, have been creating awareness about the pandemic in their neighbourhood since the lockdown began.

“I have been doing the whatever little I can. At first, when I saw people venturing out in my street, I appealed to them to take the issue seriously. At home too, I have asked my parents to exercise social distancing while going out,” Nanditha said, and emphasized that it is important for the public to listen to the authorities in these times.

Nanditha was chosen as a student health ambassador last year as part of the ‘clean chennai, healthy chennai’ campaign by the civic body after she took several cleanliness initiatives in her school.

The corporation had used the student ambassadors during dengue awareness campaign last year and there has been a positive response to their videos.

“A few of my relatives and friends called and told that the videos have brought about a change. In my street too, the number of people who venture out has come down and I was told that my requests were among the reasons,” Nanditha said.

According to a corporation official, such videos by school students, especially girl students, tend to appeal to the public. “There are videos by celebrities and elected representatives too. When children appeal, it has a sentimental tinge to it and most parents listen to their children and eventually most will stay indoors,” the official said. 

SETTING AN EXAMPLE: Class VIII students at a city corporation school, Nandita Gandhi (left) and Navya Sri are student health ambassadors and had campaigned for dengue awareness as well

TN releases guidelines for people home quarantined

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.04.2020

The state government has released a new set of guidelines to be adopted by those kept under home quarantine. Nearly 60,000 people, who returned from other states and countries, are under home quarantine in Tamil Nadu.

The government has advised them to stay in separate rooms with toilet facilities and proper ventilation. Others residing in the house must wear masks and one family member should be in touch with the quarantined person to take care of their needs.

It is important that pregnant women, senior citizens and those with low immunity do not come in contact with isolated people or objects used by them.

The clothes and bed covers of the quarantined person should not be waggled and instead should be soaked in soap water before washing and drying.

In case any of the quarantined people develops cough, cold, fever or other symptoms, they can must inform officials by calling 104 or 1800 120 555 550 for assistance and remain isolated for at least 28 days.

The guidelines also recommend cleaning such houses with disinfectants at least thrice a day.

The government has advised them to stay in separate rooms with toilet facilities and proper ventilation and only one family take care of their needs

Healthcare workers, cops underpaid, says HC, bats for a raise

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.04.2020

Doctors, health workers and police are working day and night throughout the year but are not paid adequately, said the Madras high court on Friday.

Their work and services are essential for maintaining good health and law and order in society, a division bench of Justice N Kirubakaran and Justice R Hemalatha said, expressing hope that respective governments would appreciate their services with a proper increase in their salaries.

“This court hails and appreciates the round-theclock service rendered by doctors, health workers, sanitary workers and police in the fight against the dangerous pandemic, which is threatening the entire humanity,” the judges said.

“This court is also concerned with the health condition of the doctors, health workers, sanitary workers and police as they are the forefront warriors in the fight against Covid-19. Therefore, they should be given sufficient break, which, according to the state, is being given.” The health professionals and police personnel should also be safeguarded against the viral attack, the bench said, adding, “they should be subjected to regular testing by the authorities.

The court made the observation on a public interest writ petition filed by an advocate seeking direction to the state government to ensure medical assistance for all Covid-19 affected patients free of cost. The petition said the government had not made available sufficient number of masks and personal protective equipment (PPE) to doctors and health workers.

Denying the allegation, additional advocate-general P H Arvindh Pandian submitted that about 37,648 PPEs, 1.17 lakh N-95 masks and 7.75lakh three-layered masks were available with the state. About 14,000 testing kits are also available as on date, he added.

As to the allegation of the petitioner that though about 45,000 people, including 100 doctors and 3,500 paramedical staff had registered for voluntary service but their services were not being utilised, Pandian said in case of necessity the administration would always call upon them for rendering services. Recording the submissions, the bench adjourned the plea by two weeks.


GAMECHANGERS: Hailing their contribution to the society in this crucial time, the court hoped that respective governments would appreciate their services with a proper increase in their salaries

‘Start day with turmeric latte for immunity boost’

11.04.2020

TOI’s Kamini Mathai went live on Facebook with Dr Meenakshi Bajaj, dietician at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital, Chennai, asking her questions on Covid-19 posed by our readers. Excerpts from the discussion

How much of a role does diet play in combating the coronavirus?

Diet cannot help cure a person who has the coronavirus, but an immuno-nutrient rich diet will certainly help one cope better with the illness and will promote recovery.

Does a vitamin-C enriched diet help build immunity?

Vitamin A, C, E, the omega 3 fatty acids, selenium, zinc, and protein — all help in building immunity. Vitamin C is an important antioxidant and immune booster. Amla is a rich source of vitamin C. An adult needs 60mg of vitamin C a day; 100g of amla will give you 600mg a day. Compare that to an orange where 100g of orange juice will give you only 63mg of vitamin C. Other sources of vitamin C are bell peppers or guavas. The tomato is also a source. The property of vitamin C is that it gets lost during the cooking process. If you make tomato soup or rasam for instance, you are feeding your body with lycopene which is a good antioxidant, but you are reducing the vitamin. When you think of an immune boosting diet, I would say remember GOD – go for ginger, garlic, gooseberries and chillies; O for omega 3 fatty acids and D for a balanced diet.

How important is sunlight?

Sunlight is one of the main sources of vitamin D so even in times of social distancing, do take a walk on the terrace. Just 15-20 minutes in the sun should do it. And the best time is between 11am and 3pm.

What is the importance of a healthy gut?

If you have a leaky gut then you are likely to have a faulty immune system. So build a healthy gut by adding fibre to your diet. You will get that from fruit and little millets such as ragi. Millets need to be dried, roasted or fermented because they are goitrogenic in nature.

Is there an immune boosting drink that you would suggest?

Yes, the golden latte or turmeric milk. Take 150ml of milk, 5ml of water, two pinches of turmeric, two to three pods of pepper, a small piece of ginger crushed, two to three tulsi leaves, 1tsp of palm sugar, jaggery or dry dates powder and start your day with this as it is a valuable immune booster. Turmeric has curcumin that is brought out by the pepper. The drink gives us the phytonutrients needed to fight Covid-19. End your day with garlic milk, which has anti-viral properties. It can help keep blood sugar under control as well. You need 100ml of water, 50ml of milk boiled with cloves of garlic.

How do you handle fruits, vegetables and eggs, during the pandemic?

When you get fruits and vegetables from outside, you need to wash them well with vinegar. Buy, separate, clean, cook and chill is the procedure. Vinegar has a potent anti-viral nature which is why you need to wash fruits and veggies with it. There is no evidence to tell us that when you consume non-veg food you will be affected by the coronavirus, but when you buy eggs, wash them with soap and water before refrigerating. For chicken and other meats, wash with salt, turmeric and vinegar.

Check out Facebook.com/chennaitoi for live discussion with Dr Mohan, diabetologist, at 11am on April 11.


Dr Meenakshi Bajaj


FOR GOLDEN IMMUNITY

Beware! Covid churn throws up phishing racket

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:11.04.2020

Criminals see an opportunity even in the Covid-19 pandemic. The moratorium on EMIs offered by banks has spawned a whole new phishing racket with scamsters posing as bank executives and calling up the unsuspecting .

Banks have been sending out alerts that their staff will not ask for customers CVV, PIN or IPIN numbers, but the danger remains.

According to cyber crime police the ‘bank executives’ ask for debit card details and OTP through a mobile app, Quick Support. Once the Quick Support app is downloaded, the fraudsters call customers to enter the last 6 digits of their debit or credit cards, and CVV, ATM PIN and OTP. Subsequently, money is debited fraudulently from the account.

Another trick is to convince the targets to download screensharing apps to their cell phones and grant access to fraudsters. “After installing the app, as soon as they see the victims logging into their netbanking accounts, stealing the PIN and hacking the account becomes very easy for them,” said a cyber crime official.

Cyber crime officials have appealed to the public not to attend calls coming from the number 8388903115 and to not share bank details. They have warned people against installing screen sharing apps such as QuickSupport, Anydesk and TeamViewer.

A basic thing people should understand is that none of the bank executives will ask for the PIN number or to install apps, said a cyber crime officer.

Another Covid crime is the floating of fake accounts seeking monetary contributions to the PM’s or CM’s relief fund. “When you call up the number mentioned in the advertisement on whatsapp, people respond as if it is for genuine purpose, but none of us knows whether it reaches the government,” the cyber crime official added. Chennai city police receive about 40 to 50 complaints online every day since the lockdown began, compared to 20 to 25 complaints before lockdown. 

 

Death rates vary widely across states; testing could be the key

Rema.Nagarajan@timesgroup.com  11.04.2020

There is wide variation in fatality rates (deaths as percentage of cases) among Covid-19 patients between states. As the country recorded more than 100 casualties as of Friday morning, Madhya Pradesh (7.7%) was at the high end and Kerala, which recorded the first Covid-19 case in India, had reported just 0.6% of deaths.

Maharashtra, with the largest number of cases, is number four on the list. Tamil Nadu and Delhi, despite having the second and third highest number of cases, have among the lowest mortality rates of 0.96% and 1.67% respectively.

What explains this wide variation? There are no definitive answers, but public health and epidemiology experts TOI spoke to have some suggestions. They pointed out that states testing more widely would have lower mortality rates as they would pick up even mild or asymptomatic cases. This would increase the denominator (the number of cases) and hence reduce the calculated value of the death rate, they pointed out.

Dr Anant Bhan, a researcher on global health, pointed out that if only severe cases or those reporting with serious symptoms to hospitals were being tested, the case fatality rate would be high.

“The data seems to indicate that in the initial stages, the death rates are higher. But once they get the hang of how to manage serious cases, then probably the death rate falls. Or maybe reports of the deaths make more patients with mild symptoms rush to the hospital and so the death rate falls,” said Dr N Devasadan, former director of Institute of Public Health, Bangalore. 

‘Too early to speculate difference in death rates’

Devadasan added that it was not possible to make any definite statements without more data, especially clinical data.

Prof Rakhal Gaitonde, a public health policy expert from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology, said the age structure of those being diagnosed could be a factor. “In Kerala, for example, a large proportion are young adults (travellers/workers in other countries) and hence the death rate among them will tend to be very low,” said Dr Gaitonde, adding that it was too early to speculate about the difference in death rates given the wide range of testing strategies, testing coverage and age structures in different states.

Dr Giridhar Babu, epidemiologist with the Public Health Foundation of India, also felt that unreported cases would have the effect of decreasing the denominator (cases) and inflating the case fatality rate above its real value. He also cautioned that it was important to distinguish between deaths of those who test positive for Covid. “Dying with the disease (association) is not the same as dying from the disease (causation),” he pointed out.

No evidence of community transmission yet, says govt

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:11.04.2020

The government on Friday again reiterated that it has found no evidence yet of any community transmission in India and that the rate of infection remains low with only 2% of 16,002 samples tested on Thursday testing positive. It also, once again, gave an assurance that the public would be informed if the coronavirus outbreak reaches Stage 3 spread.

Responding to media reports that a study by the government-controlled ICMR based on random sampling tests conducted on patients with Severe Acute Respiratory Illnesses (SARI) indicated community transmission, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry, said the report dealt with studies conducted in areas where prevalence of the disease was detected and not in new areas and that the positive rate revealed by the report was 1.8%. 

No unusual rise in cases that might set off alarms: Centre

New Delhi: “At least 16,002 samples were tested on Thursday, of which only 320, or 2%, tested positivefor Covid-19.Basedon thesamples collected, we can say that the infection rateis nothigh, although it is dynamic,” Agarwal said even as he emphasised the need for socialdistancing.

Referring to the ICMR study that shows 40% of SARI cases had not reported travel or contact history, Agrawal said the conclusions cannot be inferred as community transmission because the tests were conducted in areas where there were Covid-19 cases and people areoften not ableto recallexact events. “This needs further investigation,” he said indicating a possibility thatthe SARIcases needed closer examination for travel and contacthistory.

Government experts said even a higher incidence of the diseasein an area or clustersdoes not necessarily add up to community transmission. Several clusters in an area or a city with rapidly multiplying cases and transmission between them amount to community transmission at stage 3. Officials said the government is closely monitoring trends of serious casesof flu and respiratory diseases, sale of drugs relating to these conditions, and admissions in ICUs. So far there has been no unusual risein suchcasesthat might set off alarms. They said a rising incidence of the disease cannot be hidden as patients with tell-tale symptoms will begin crowding clinics andhospitals.

The government argued the low rate of infection is also indicative that the spread is limited. “Today, the challenge is not local or community transmission, but whether we are following all the precautionary and containment measures.Thereis nocommunity transmission in the country yet, but we need to remain aware and alert,” Agarwalsaidurging people to not panic but follow social distancing measures.

Mumbai count 1,000; nat’l toll 250

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:11.04.2020

The Covid-19 outbreak in India touched another peak on Friday with the number of fresh cases going past 800 for the first time in the wake of a big spike in Delhi, which reported 183 new infections, as well as surging numbers in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu.

The country’s overall coronavirus count topped 7,500 while the death toll rose to 258, with 26 casualties reported from various states on Friday. As many as 859 fresh cases were confirmed by states beating Thursday’s record high of 787 cases, as per numbers collated by TOI.

Mumbai became the first Indian city to record 1,000 Covid-19 cases.

Kerala maintains downward trend in cases

With132 newcases and10 deaths reported on Friday, Mumbai’s overall case tally stood at 1,008 and casualties to 64. The city accounts for 64% of cases in Maharashtra, which reported over 200 fresh infections for the second day in a row.

Delhisaw a doubling of new cases as compared to the previous highest of 93 recorded on Wednesday, with 84% (154) of these coming from Tablighi Jamaat members put under quarantine after being evacuated from the organisation’s Nizamuddin headquarters.Delhi also recorded two deaths, taking its casualty count to14.

Gujarat (116) and Rajasthan  (98) also saw their highest single-day count of Covid cases. In Delhi, a 56-year-old man who had contracted Covid-19 while undergoing treatment for gall bladder cancer at Delhi State Cancer Institute (DSCI) – a state-run hospital where 22 healthcare workers have been confirmed positive for Covid-19 – is among the latest victims of the novel coronavirus in Delhi.

Officials said more than 40 Covid-19 patients admitted in hospitals are in ICU support and another 20 require oxygen support. Also, there are 50 Covid-19 patients in the capital for whom the source of infection is yet to be ascertained, officials said. Maharashtra’s total coronavirus count touched 1,574 on Friday. The state accounts for over 20% of all cases in India. Dharavi, Mumbai’s most densely populated locality, reported11new cases.

Northeast India reported the first death due to Covid-19 on Friday when a 65-year-old man from Assam’s Hailakandi district succumbed to the infection. He had returned from Saudi Arabia on March 18 after performing Umrah Haj and had also attended the Tablighi Jamaat meet in Delhi.

Kerala which was the first state to report Covid-19 in the country maintained its downward trend in cases, recording only seven on Friday, taking the state’s total count to 364. As many as 124 Covid-19 patients have recovered in Kerala since the first case was reported on January 30.

How to tackle the challenge of fake news in times of Covid-19

Anam.Ajmal@timesgroup.com 11.04.2020

Is the coronavirus the greatest information challenge of our time? That’s the central question that four experts addressed as they discussed the fallout of the highly contagious disease worldwide at the Bennett University’s webinar on Covid-19.

In the hour-long session, the experts discussed the causes and dangers of misinformation and fake news, and also proposed suggestions to counter it. They delved into the reasons that made the World Health Organisation (WHO) acknowledge the rise of an ‘infodemic’, a phenomenon that leads to an over-abundance of “information — some accurate and some not — that makes it hard for people to find trustworthy sources and reliable guidance when they need it.”

What’s Common Between An Infodemic & A Pandemic?

Eoghan Sweeney, an online verification expert based out of Berlin, spoke on ‘Battle against misinformation and conspiracy theories’.

“(A pandemicand an infodemic) have a number of similarities. Both of them take advantage of our complacency. And often, our sense of urgency in dealing with both comes too late to make a difference, ” Sweeney said.

“The pandemic has spread across the world and no part is untouched by it. The same is true of the way misinformation is spreading. In those terms, it may be the greatest information challenge of our lifetime,” he said.

“Covid-19 has challenged traditional common wisdom of looking for expert sources because so much of this is new and constantly evolving,” he added. “We can’t just ask that platforms or legislation stop it. We need to look to the other end, and provide a shield of education to people to how better to consume information.”

How To Curb Misinformation

Irene Jay Liu, who leads the Google APAC region News Lab, walked the audience through the steps that the tech giant has taken to combat misinformation. The organisation, under its News Initiative, has trained over 15,000 journalists in India on verifying news online. Fact-check panels and rating news articles from authentic sources higher in search engine results are steps in the right direction, she said.

Citing a 2018 survey by the Pew Research Centre, which found that 45% Indians were “very concerned” about misinformation and fake news spreading through their mobile phones, Liu said the phenomenon has “long preceded Covid-19.”

She also cited another study by the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, which found that only 36% respondents trusted the news they consumed from social media. “This requires reflection about how news organisations can gain trust of their users,” she said.

Liu also emphasised that in India, people believe that platforms, governments and publishers should work together to solve the problem of misinformation.

She listed several measures the Google has taken to curb misinformation, including providing additional context. “People loosely believe information that conforms to their ideology. Additional context helps in providing the full picture,” she said, adding that Google and Google News proactively “remove content that violate our community guidelines.”

Liu also said that Google has human raters who assess how the rankings in the search engine works. “They ensure that when you search for something, the source of information is high quality,” she said.

The Need For ‘Information Hygiene’

Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, director, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism in the UK, reaffirmed that the pandemic has led to global challenges.

“In this moment, while it’s important for us to maintain personal hygiene, it’s also important to practise information hygiene, where we think about our forwards and messages,” he said.

Pointing out the “trust deficit” between news sources and its consumers, Nielsen said it was important for several stakeholders to work together to curb the spread of misinformation.

“High-level politicians, celebrities and influencers should really think about what they post online because they have a lot of people’s attention…. Top-down misinformation spreads more rapidly,” he added.

The Need For Verification

Sumaiya Shaikh, a neuroscientist and founder of Alt News Science, a verification website, spoke of the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine tablets as a cure of Covid-19, pointing out that the research paper that made this claim was not foolproof. She also laid down the danger of promoting unscientific and unverified claims, saying that they may lead to higher exposure of the virus among people.

“A major problem with misinformation in these times, when people are supposed to practise social distancing, is that it encourages reckless behaviour,” she said, while referring to an instance where a Union minister had claimed that spending a few hours in the sun would make the virus lose its potency.

IAS officer who quit in Aug told to join duty; he says no way

Ahmedabad:11.04.2020

The government has asked IAS officer Kannan Gopinathan, who quit the elite service eight months ago “over denial of freedom to the people of Jammu & Kashmir”, to immediately join duty in the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, but the bureaucrat said he won’t resume work.

The government has asked Gopinathan to join duty on the ground that his resignation has not been accepted yet. Gopinathan termed this an act of harassment by the government and refused to join duty, saying he is ready to volunteer his service to people during the crisis but not as an IAS officer. “I know that they want to harass me further. But still, I offer to volunteer for the govt in these difficult times. But not rejoining IAS,” Gopinathan tweeted on Thursday night, posting a photo of his official response to the government. PTI

‘Many Covid cases without travel or contact history’

Experts Say This Indicates Community Spread, Meets Definition Set By WHO

TIMES NEWS NETWORK  11.04.2020

A recent ICMR study of patients admitted with Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) showed that 93% of those who tested positive for Covid-19 and for whom data on exposure was known had neither travelled abroad nor had any contact with a person known to be infected.

According to the study, of 102 SARI patients who tested positive for Covid-19, no data was available for 59 (58%) cases regarding any contact they might have had with a Covid-19 positive person or of international travel. Of the remaining 43, about whom such details of exposure and history were known, 40 (93%) had no history of international travel. Experts said that this indicates community spread. “This is the definition of community spread even by the WHO - cases without any history of contact with infected persons or of international travel,” said Dr T Sundararaman, a public health expert who has worked with the GoI.

“Community transmission is just a particular stage in the disease transmission and it doesn’t mean the government has failed or that the lockdown was not a success. The reluctance to accept that community transmission has set in seems to stem from the insistence on lockdown being successful only if it has stopped community transmission. There is going to be no real change in strategy if community spread has set in,” he added.

According to the WHO, “community transmission is evidenced by the inability to relate confirmed cases through chains of transmission for a large number of cases, or by increasing positive tests through sentinel samples (routine systematic testing of respiratory samples from established laboratories).”

The ICMR study, of which the institution’s head Balram Bhargava was a co-author, also stated that Covid-19 positivity among SARI patients has increased from zero before March 14 to 2.6% for week ending April 2. Between Mar 22 and Apr 2, when the Covid testing strategy was expanded to include all SARI patients, 102 out of 4,946 samples tested positive.

Listing the limitations of the study, it cautioned that since the data on SARI patients pertained to selected sentinel hospitals, predominantly public sector ones in urban areas, it might not be representative of the entire district, state or country. However it added that the trend of Covid-19 positivity among SARI patients could provide reliable information about its spread in the area.

The study also pointed out that diagnosis of some Covid-19 positive SARI patients could have been missed due to false negative results (when positive patients show negative in a test) of laboratory tests based on RT-PCR.

EPS asks Centre for ₹1,000 crore, gets ₹312 crore
Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.04.2020

Weeks after Tamil Nadu, the state that stands second in number of Covid-19 infections in the country, requested the Centre ₹3,000 crore for strengthening the state’s health infrastructure and ₹9,000 crore as grant, it has received just ₹312.64 crore as Covid-19 Emergency Response and Health System Preparedness Package under National Rural Health Mission, a centrally-sponsored scheme. The Centre allocated ₹510 crore a week ago to the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).

Pointing to inadequate funding, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Wednesday wrote to PM Narendra Modi and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman to release an adhoc grant of ₹1,000 crore from National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) immediately.

The ₹312.64-crore tranche is part of a scheme to be implemented in three phases between 2020 and 2024 for emergency response measures. The rest of the fund, whose full quantum has not been disclosed, will be provided under a mission-mode approach staggered over a period of four years. The fund will be utilised for strengthening state healthcare system to support prevention and preparedness for Covid-19, procurement of essential medical equipment, consumables and drugs, strengthening of surveillance activities, including setting up of laboratories and bio-security preparedness.

The ₹510 crore allocation to the SDRF was a routine budgetary allocation done based on the 15th finance commission’s recommendation done a few weeks ahead of schedule. However, the state, pressed by the immediate need to ensure medical supplies and equipment, creation of health infrastructure, feed migrant labourers and offer livelihood and income support to a large number of families, had already sanctioned ₹650 crore from the SDRF towards Covid-19 response efforts.

The directive from the Centre on SDRF spend as well as absorption of MPLADS for two years has come under scrutiny by states, as official sources indicate that no fresh funds have been ploughed into the system from the top. “The assistance provided by the Centre to states for Covid19 efforts are unequal and discriminatory in nature. The Centre should reconsider their decision and the MPLADS fund should be restored to improve the response of the states to Covid19,” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan tweeted three days ago.

Unlike the previous finance commissions that used an expenditure-based approach to devolve funds for disaster management to states, the 15th finance commission used a disaster risk index which factored in flood, drought, cyclone and earthquake to give TN a score of 10 points (medium category). Because of this, the SDRF allocation went up 120.33% for all states and 110.79% for 18 major states, while for TN, the increase was only 64.65%. “With zero liquor sale and poor GST collection, the state’s tax revenue, which hovers around Rs 11,000 crore per month has taken a big hit,” said another official. The state government requires ₹5,500 crore to pay salary for its staff every month.

Madras school of economics director K R Shanmugam said the prevailing situation was akin to emergency and the state and central governments should extend financial support as much as possible. “The governments should not think of fiscal deficit now, given that it is like a war. We should protect the people,” he said. The state is now eying the contributions to CM’s public relief fund that surpassed ₹100 crore on Thursday.

REGION DIGEST

11.04.2020

Denied biryani, patient damages hosp property

A Covid-19 positive patient was booked on Friday for breaking a windowpane of the isolation ward at ESI hospital in Coimbatore after he was not allowed to eat chicken biriyani brought by his wife on Friday. The 28-year-old patient from Ukkadam was being treated for Covid-19 at the isolation ward at ESI hospital. His wife had prepared chicken biriyani at her residence and brought it to the isolation ward on the first floor of the hospital, where authorities stopped her and reminded her that food from outside was not allowed. In a fit of rage, the patient flung a nearby fire extinguisher on the glasspane of the ward, police said.

Farmer hacked to death in Thanjavur: A 63-yearold farmer was hacked to death at his farm in Sankaranar Kudikadu village in Thanjavur district on Friday morning. The deceased, identified as Thirumeni, had gone to his farm in the wee hours of Friday to operate a submersible motor pump to irrigate his land. As he didn’t return home after many hours, some of his relatives went to farmland and found him lying dead in a pool of blood. Papanadu police on being alerted reached the spot and sent the body to Thanjavur government hospital for post mortem. Police said that there were deep wounds all over Thirumeni’s body. His right hand was badly damaged and his face was disfigured.

Two caught poaching wild boars,hares: Two people were fined ₹10,000 each for attempting to hunt hares and wild boars in the Sirumugai forest range in Coimbatore. Sirmugai forest range officer Senthilkumar went on rounds at Pethikuttai beat in the range few days ago and found two people installing metal snares on patta land adjacent to the Sirmugai forest range. Forest department officials registered a case against the duo.

‘Time to end lockdown in phases’

Padmini.Sivarajah@timesgroup.com

11,04.2020

Continuing the present lockdown is unwarranted and it should be released in a phased manner, as soon as possible, former professor of immunology at the Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU), Dr R M Pitchappan said.

Speaking to TOI, he said that viral infections have been playing havoc on mankind since time immemorial. At the end of the day, it was the subclinical infection and herd immunity that prevailed and protected the population.

It is usually stated that in immunogenetic parlance that “not all the infected develop the disease”. Thus, even if a virus entered a host, it need not essentially manifest into a disease, which is sometimes called ‘virulence’. The virulence dies out with time. “This is what we aim to achieve through lockdowns,” he said.

The virus that is wreaking havoc in other countries is slow in its spread in India. The three weeks’ lockdown in India has given a breather to organize ourselves, medical aid and enable tracking and isolating the cases and contacts. Essentially, this has cut the chain transmission into community, which is the first step in tackling any new pandemic/epidemic.

Pitchappan said that it is now time to consider the cost benefit ratio. The economy of the country and livelihood of individuals should be considered. He said the extension of the full lockdown was not needed. “This suggestion was based on the history of infectious diseases – their pandemic/epidemic in the past and their elimination/ disappearance from the world,” he said.

Lockdown in state may be extended by 2 more weeks

Panel Bats For It, Announcement By EPS Today

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:11.04.2020

Chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami is all set to announce on Saturday the extension of the 21-day lockdown that was slated to end on April 14 in the state.

A 19-member medical expert committee that met on Friday recommended to the CM that prohibitory orders be extended by two more weeks.

The CM will take part in a video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday evening. He will later hold a cabinet meet before making a formal announcement on the extension.

Chief secretary K Shanmugam said the CM had received inputs from the 12 coordination committees on Thursday and views of various experts. “He held a discussion with experts in epidemiology today (Friday). The common viewpoint of the experts is that all our efforts will be wasted if the prohibitory order is lifted and the virus spread is not contained,” Shanmugam said. 

PM to speak to CMs on lockdown extension

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will consult with chief ministers on Saturday morning on the Covid-19 situation amid expectations that the deliberations will lead to a decision, strongly hinted at by Modi during his discussions with Parliament floor leaders, to extend the national lockdown beyond April 14. A further period of two weeks could be on the cards. Meanwhile, Punjab on Friday became the second state after Odisha to extend the lockdown, till May 1. P 9

Total infections 911, deaths 8; sources in 23 cases unknown

The experts committee had earlier appreciated efforts of the state government in combating Covid-19 and the strong public health system in place for quick detection of cases. “Though efforts have been taken, cases have been increasing. The expert panel felt that lockdown should be extended. This is the recommendation made to the state,” National Institute of Epidemiology deputy director Prabhdeep Kaur told reporters.

Arrangements made for patients and their families also came in for praise. The safety of frontline staff, doctors, nurses and paramedics was also discussed. “We have to do a lot of testing in the two weeks of extension and contain the spread. An informed decision could be arrived at when we get good amount of data during that period,” Kaur said.

Meanwhile, a 70-year-old woman who tested positive for Covid-19 died at the Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital and 77 more people tested positive for the virus on Friday, chief secretary K Shanmugam said. This took the the total number of cases in the state to 911and fatalities to eight.

One of the patients who turned positive on Friday was an administrative staff working in the directorate of medical services. Staff at the DMS and DPH were screened. “He hasn’t been coming to work for ten days now. He was quarantined as he was a contact of a Covid-19 positive patient.”

Shanmugam said the state would expand the scope of tests in containment areas. All close contacts of Covid-19 patients will be tested. “So far, we have been testing only family members of positive patients. Their contacts were quarantined. Tests were done only if they showed symptoms. The CM has now told they must be subjected to test as soon as rapid testing kits arrive. Protocols for the kits are now being revised,” he said.

“Among people who tested positive today, five had travel history and the others were contacts of Covid-19 patients. All of these people were within the containment zones,” he said.

He did not specify how many of these people were from the Tablighi Jamaat cluster. Among the 911infections so far, the state has not been able to track sources for 23 cases.


FULL COVERAGE: P 2-9, 12

MCI tells all medical colleges to conclude final year PG Medical Exams, as soon as condusive

MCI tells all medical colleges to conclude final year PG Medical Exams, as soon as condusive: It is advised that the concerned Medical Colleges/Universities in which Final Year Examinations have not been completed should complete this exercise, as soon as the situation is conducive for holding...

SINGAPORE: Additional safe distancing measures will be implemented on public transport networks as Singapore steps up efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19.
This comes after the elevated safe distancing measures set by the multi-ministry task force were implemented on Tuesday (Apr 7), the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a news release on Thursday.

READ: COVID-19: Fines, prosecution in court for repeat offenders of 'circuit breaker' measures

Safe distancing stickers will be progressively rolled out on all trains, train stations, buses, bus stops and bus interchanges to mark out spaces and seats that should be avoided by commuters.

Safe distancing stickers, seen on MRT seats on Apr 9, 2020. (Photo: CNA Reader)

Safe distancing stickers, seen on an MRT train on Apr 9, 2020. (Photo: CNA Reader)

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LTA is also working with Public Transport Operators to progressively deploy Transport Ambassadors, who will support the implementation of safe distancing measures in public transport networks.

These ambassadors will work with LTA enforcement officers and bus captains to ensure that commuters comply with the measures, such as limiting the number of commuters who can enter train stations and buses.

Safe distancing stickers will be used to help commuters space out on trains and buses. (Photo: Land Transport Authority)

Thermal scanners will be deployed at selected MRT stations to screen commuters before they enter the stations.
"Commuters who have been picked up by the scanners as having a fever will not be allowed to enter the station and be asked to seek medical attention at the nearest clinic(s) immediately," said LTA.
"For a start, these thermal scanners have been deployed at Serangoon and Tiong Bahru MRT stations."

READ: Measures for safe distancing rolled out at retail, F&B sectors to prevent COVID-19 spread

The authority has also reminded the public to be socially responsible during the circuit breaker period and to avoid unnecessary commutes.
“Those who need to travel for essential purposes should put on a reusable face mask when travelling in the public transport network, and refrain from crowding,” LTA added.
“They should also follow the instructions given by Transport Ambassadors and LTA’s enforcement officers so that we can preserve the elevated measures during this challenging period.”

READ: COVID-19: Singapore makes 'decisive move' to close most workplaces and impose full home-based learning for schools, says PM Lee

The circuit breaker period started on Tuesday and is set to last until May 4. During this period, members of the public have been advised to stay home and avoid going out except for essential trips.
During this period, schools and workplaces have been ordered to shut down, except those deemed to be providing essential services.

Bombay HC Allows Pune Man To Travel To Assam By Road To Attend Father's Final Rites [Read Order]

Bombay HC Allows Pune Man To Travel To Assam By Road To Attend Father's Final Rites [Read Order]: In the midst of the ongoing lockdown due to the pandemic of Covid-19, the Bombay High Court via video conferencing on Tuesday permitted one Binny Dholani, a Pune resident to travel by road to Assam to...

சேலத்தில் 5 நாட்களுக்கு ஒருமுறை மக்கள் வெளியே வர அனுமதி: வண்ணமிட்டு வாகனங்களுக்கு கட்டுப்பாடு

பொதுமக்கள் 5 நாட்களுக்கு ஒருமுறை மட்டுமே வெளியே வரும் வகையில், சேலத்தில் வாகனங்களுக்கு அடையாள வண்ணமிடும் மாநகர காவல் துணை ஆணையர் செந்தில். படம்: எஸ்.குரு பிரசாத்

சேலம்

சேலத்தில் பொதுமக்கள் 5 நாட்களுக்கு ஒருமுறை மட்டுமே வெளியே நடமாடும் வகையில், அவர்களது வாகனங்களுக்கு வண்ண அடையாளமிட்டு போலீஸார் நடவடிக்கை எடுத்துள்ளனர்.

சேலத்தில் மக்கள் வெளியே வருவதைத் தடுக்க போலீஸார் பல்வேறு நடவடிக்கைகளை மேற்கொண்டு வருகின்றனர். தற்போது, மக்கள் 5 நாட்களுக்குப் பின்னரே வெளியே நடமாட வேண்டும் என்று போலீஸார் அறிவுறுத்தியுள்ளனர்.

இதுகுறித்து மாநகர காவல் ஆணையர் செந்தில்குமார் கூறிம்போது, “சேலம் மாநகர பகுதியில் தினம்தோறும் ஆயிரக்கணக்கான பொதுமக்கள் பொது இடங்களுக்கு வந்து நெரிசலை ஏற்படுத்தி வருகின்றனர். அத்தியாவசியப் பொருட்கள் வாங்குவதற்கு, மக்கள் 5 நாட்களுக்குப் பின்னரே மீண்டும் வெளியே நடமாட அனுமதி வழங்கப்படும்.

இதற்காக, மக்களின் இரண்டு மற்றும் நான்கு சக்கர வாகனங்களுக்கு தினமும் ஒரு வண்ணம் வீதம் 5 நாட்களுக்கு அடையாளம் இடப்படும். இதனடிப்படையில், ஒருமுறை அந்தந்த நிறம் கொண்ட வாகனங்கள், குறிப்பிட்ட தினத்தில் மட்டுமே வெளியே வர வேண்டும்” என்றார்.

இலவச முட்டை

சேலம் மாநகராட்சியில் உள்ள 11 அம்மா உணவகங்களில் மதிய உணவுடன், இலவசமாக முட்டை வழங்கும் திட்டத்தை மாநகராட்சி ஆணையர் சதீஷ் தொடங்கி வைத்து கூறும்போது, “பொதுமக்களுக்கு நோய் எதிர்ப்பு சக்தியை அதிகரிக்க, அம்மா உணவகங்களில் இலவசமாக முட்டை வழங்கப்படுகிறது” என்றார்.

மழை பெய்துள்ளதால் கரோனா அதிகரிக்க வாய்ப்பு

By DIN | Published on : 09th April 2020 10:55 PM 

சென்னை: மழையின் காரணமாக கரோனா பாதிப்பு அதிகரிக்க வாய்ப்பு இருப்பதாக மருத்துவா்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனா்.

உலக நாடுகளோடு ஒப்பிடும்போது இந்தியாவிலும் தமிழகத்திலும் கரோனாவில் பாதிப்பு குறைவாக இருப்பது போன்ற தோற்றம் உள்ளது. இந்தியா வெப்ப மண்டல பகுதி என்பதால், கரோனாவின் தாக்கம் குறைவாக இருக்கிறது என்று செய்திகள் பரப்பட்டன. மேலும், வெந்நீா் குடித்தால் தொண்டையிலிருக்கும் கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று அழிந்துவிடும் என்று கூறப்பட்டது.

இதை மருத்துவா்கள் மறுத்து வந்த நிலையில், திடீரென சென்னை, திருவள்ளூா், காஞ்சிபுரம், வேலூா், கோயம்புத்தூா், நீலகிரி உள்ளிட்ட இடங்களில் வியாழக்கிழமை மழை பெய்தது. திருச்சியில் புதன்கிழமை ஆலங்கட்டி மழை பெய்தது. தென் கடலோர மாவட்டங்களில் சனிக்கிழமை பெய்யும் என்று வானிலை ஆராய்ச்சி மையம் தெரிவித்துள்ளது.

கோடைக்காலத்தில் ஏற்படக் கூடிய சாதாரண வெப்ப ச்சலன மழை என்றாலும், கரோனா நேரத்தில் பெய்து வருவதால் பலருக்கும் அச்சத்தை அதிகரித்துள்ளது. கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று, ஒருவா் தும்மும் நீா் திவலைகளில் இருந்துதான் பரவுகிறது. அந்தத் திவலைகளை மழை அடித்துச் சென்றுவிடும். அதனால், மழை பெய்தால் கரோனா பாதிப்பு இருக்காது என்ற கருத்தும் கூறப்படுகிறது.

இது தொடா்பாக தொற்றுநோய் மருத்துவ நிபுணா் டாக்டா் பாலசுப்பிரமணியன் கூறியது:

மழை பெய்ததால் கரோனா நிச்சயம் குறையும் என்று சொல்ல முடியாது. நோய்த்தொற்று பற்றி முழுமையாகப் புரிந்துகொள்ளாமலே ஒவ்வொருவரும் ஒவ்வொரு கருத்தைக் கூறி வருகின்றனா். வெயில் காலம் வந்துவிட்டால் கரோனா காணாமல் போய்விடும் என்றனா்.

சாா்ஸ், மொ்ஸ் வைரஸ், பறவைக் காய்ச்சல், பன்றிக் காய்ச்சல் போன்றவையெல்லாம் கோடைக் காலத்தில்தான் இந்தியாவுக்கு வந்துள்ளன. கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று அழிய வேண்டும் என்றால் 70 டிகிரி செல்சியஸ் வெப்பம் இருக்க வேண்டும். வெந்நீா் குடித்தால் கரோனா அழிந்துவிடும் என்பதெல்லாம் ஏமாற்று. கரோனா அழியும் அளவுக்கு வெப்பத்தை எடுத்துக் கொண்டால், மனிதா்கள் இறக்க நேரிடும். அதனால், வெயிலுக்கும், மழைக்கும் பெரிய வித்தியாசம் இல்லை.

டெங்கு என்றால் மழையில் கொசு அதிகம் உற்பத்தியாகும். அதனால் நோய் பரவும் என்று சொல்லலாம். கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று எங்கு வேண்டுமானாலும் இருக்கும். அதிகம் வெயில் படும் இடத்தில் சீக்கிரம் அந்தக் கிருமி அழிந்துவிடும். வெயில் இல்லாமல் ஈரப்பதமாக உள்ள இடத்தில் கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று நீண்ட நேரம் இருக்கும்.

கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று, ஓா் உயிரி இல்லாத ரசாயனத் துகள். ஆா்.என்.ஏ. என்கிற புரதத்தின் மேல் ஒரு கொழுப்பிலான அடுக்கு இருக்கிறது. அதற்கு உயிரே கிடையாது. ஒரு விதைபோல கிடக்கும். மிகமிக நுண்ணியது. மைக்ராஸ்கோப்பிலேயே கண்டுபிடிப்பது சிரமம். அவ்வளவு நுண்துகள். இப்படிப்பட்ட நுண்துகள் கிருமி இருமும்போது கைக்குட்டையால் மூடிக் கொண்டால்கூட, அந்தக் கைக்குட்டையைப் பையில் வைக்கும்போதோ, இருமியவரின் கைகளில்பட்டோ அதன் மூலம் பரவும். அந்தக் கிருமி கைகளில் இருக்கும்போதுகூட ஆபத்து இல்லை. கண், மூக்கு, வாய் அருகே போகும் அதன் வீரியம் அதிகரித்துவிடும். கரோனா நோய்த்தொற்று புகைப்படங்களில் அதன் கால்கள் போல தெரியும் அமைப்பானது, ஒருவரின் செல்களைத் திறந்துகொண்டு உள்ளே போய், அதன் வேலையைச் செய்யத் தொடங்குகிறது.

அதனால், இப்போது கடைப்பிடிக்கும் சமூக இடைவெளி போதாது. ஒருவரின் இருமலில் இருந்து வரும் நீா் திவலையை மழை அடித்துச் சென்றுவிடும். அதனால், கரோனா பரவாது என்பதெல்லாம் உண்மை இல்லை. நீா் திவலை என்றால் கட்டிகட்டியாகப் படிந்து கிடக்காது. பனித்துளிகளைவிட மிக மிக நுண்ணிய திவலை. ஆனால், அந்தத் திவலை மிகவும் ஆபத்தானது. இது சாலையில் கிடக்கிறது என்றா சொல்ல முடியும்? வீட்டில் உள்ள சோபா, கைப்பிடி போன்றவற்றில் இந்தத் திவலைகள் இருக்கலாம். இவற்றை மழை எப்படி அடித்துச் செல்லும்? அதனால்தான் கைகளைக் கிருமி நாசினி கொண்டு துடைத்துக் கொண்டே இருக்க வேண்டும்.

வளா்ச்சி அடைந்த நாடுகளான ஜொ்மனி, சிங்கப்பூா் போன்றவற்றில் ஒரு நாளைக்கு 2 லட்சம் பேரிடம் பரிசோதனைக்கான மாதிரிகள் எடுக்கின்றனா். ஆனால், இங்கு ஒருவருக்கு அறிகுறிகள் இருந்தால்தான் எடுப்போம் என்கின்றனா். கரோனா தொற்று இருந்தாலும், அதற்கான அறிகுறியே தென்படாதவா்களும் இருப்பாா்கள். அவா்கள் தொடா்ந்து கரோனாவைப் பரப்பிக் கொண்டே இருப்பாா்கள். அதனால், கரோனா வைரஸை விரட்டுவதற்கு முதல்படியாக பரிசோதனை எண்ணிக்கையை அதிகரிக்க வேண்டும்.

6 கோடி போ் உள்ள ஒரு நாட்டில் தினமும் 2 லட்சம் பேருக்கும் பரிசோதனை செய்கின்றனா். ஆனால், 7 கோடி மக்கள்தொகை கொண்ட தமிழகத்தில் இன்னும் 6 ஆயிரம் பேருக்குக் கூட பரிசோதனை செய்யவில்லை. அதனால், அதிக அளவில் பரிசோதனை செய்ய வேண்டும். கரோனா தொற்றால் பாதிக்கப்பட்டவா்களுடன் தொடா்பிலிருந்தவா்களைத் தேடிப் பரிசோதனை செய்ய வேண்டும். அதற்குப் பிறகு அவா்களைத் தனிமைப்படுத்தி கண்காணிக்க வேண்டும். இந்த மூன்றையும் துரிதப்படுத்தாமல் கரோனாவை நம்மால் வெல்ல முடியாது என்றாா் அவா்.