Chennai yet to take new Covid restrictions seriously

Chennai yet to take new Covid restrictions seriously

On Day 1, some TASMAC shops witness huge crowds while hotels function with half-opened shutters; more vehicles seen on roads till 2 pm

Published: 07th May 2021 06:08 AM 

Throwing caution to the wind, local residents throng a TASMAC shop at Puliyanthope in Chennai on Thursday | P Jawahar

By Sahaya Novinston Lobo

Express News Service

CHENNAI: With the new restrictions coming into effect in the State from Thursday, there were fewer vehicular movements in the capital city. All the non-essential shops were closed down by 12 pm and MTC buses and trains ran almost empty. Police were deployed to make sure that the shops were closed. Meanwhile, Kancheepuram Municipal officials have issued fines for shops that were open after 12 pm.

As soon as the clock hit 11.45 am, police personnel in patrol vehicles started making rounds around areas, announcing over microphones that shops have to be closed within a few minutes. In Parrys and Broadway, the police went from one shop to the other, forcing the reluctant shopkeepers to pull down their shutters.

Until 2 pm, the roads were filled with vehicles of people returning from shops that were closed. Throughout the city, hotels functioned with half-opened shutters and a person waiting at the door to take order for parcels. “The business is not fast running as it used to be.

Most people are inside the house by 12 pm and prefer cooking for themselves. Mostly, bachelors and others who go to work, come to get packaged food,” said H Govindan, who runs a hotel in Eldams Road. In spite of the shops being closed at 12 pm, several vehicles could be seen on the roads, including a few youngsters taking a trip around the city, given the reduced traffic.

Police ask shopkeepers at Badrian Street in Broadway to down their shutters  after 12 pm | Ashwin Prasath

Tasmac outlets in a few places in the city saw a busy crowd with police deployed to maintain order. Pulianthope, Mogappair, Ayapakkam, Perumbakkam, Perungudi, and Navalur were a few places where Tasmac shops were overflowing with people. Police personnel deployed at the shops said they had to distance themselves from the crowd since most of them neither wore a mask nor maintained physical distancing. From 11 am to 12 pm, the crowd reached its peak in most of the places.

The bus conductors whom spoke to Express said that most of the trips, even the longer ones, had to be plied with ten or twelve people at the most. Since the local train services are restricted only to government staff and frontline workers, RPF personnel are placed at the entrance and exit of railway stations to check the ID cards of people before letting them inside.

In Kancheepuram district, Municipal Commissioner Maheswari, raided several shops in Gandhi Salai and issued challans to shops that were open even after warning. Tailor shops, studios, and fancy stores were issued a fine of Rs 500, while jewellery shops, textile shops were fined Rs 5,000. The State had announced new restrictions from Thursday (May 6) till May 20.

All shops except pharmacies and milk outlets are to be closed after 12 pm. Hotels will provide parcels only. Tasmacs will operate between 8 am and 12 pm. All government and private hospitals will function with only 50 per cent employees. Public transports would operate with only 50 per cent capacity.

பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து

பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து

Added : மே 07, 2021 00:46

சென்னை:பயணியர் வருகை குறைவால் தமிழகத்தில் பல்லவன் வைகை தேஜஸ் உட்பட 34 ரயில்கள் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டு உள்ளன.

* சென்னை எழும்பூர் - காரைக்குடி இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் பல்லவன் எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும்; சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை இடையே இயக்கப்படும் தேஜஸ் ரயில் நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூர் - மதுரை இடையே இயக்கப்படும் வைகை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் எழும்பூரில் இருந்து 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும் மதுரையில் இருந்து நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

சென்னை எழும்பூர் - திருச்சி மலைக்கோட்டை எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் எழும்பூரில் இருந்து 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரையும்; திருச்சியில் இருந்து நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு சனி மற்றும் ஞாயிற்று கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப் படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் வரும் 13ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரல்-ஈரோடு இடையே இயக்கப்படும் ஏற்காடு எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் கோவைக்கு இயக்கப்படும் சேரன் இன்டர்சிட்டி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் நாளை முதல் 31ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து கோவைக்கு சனிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 15ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 29ம் தேதி வரையும்; கோவையில் இருந்து வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 14 முதல் 28ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து மதுரைக்கு வாரம் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் துரந்தோ சிறப்பு ரயில் 10ம் தேதியில் இருந்து 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எழும்பூரில் இருந்து நாகர்கோவிலுக்கு வியாழக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 13 முதல் 27ம் தேதி வரையும்; நாகர்கோவிலில் இருந்து எழும்பூருக்கு வெள்ளிக்கிழமைகளில் இயக்கப்படும் ரயில் வரும் 14 முதல் 28ம் தேதி வரையும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன* தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் இடையே வாரத்தில் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் அந்தியோதயா எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரல் - ஜோலார்பேட்டை இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் ஏலகிரி எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளது* தாம்பரம் - நாகர்கோவில் இடையே வாரம் மூன்று நாட்கள் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் 9ம் தேதி முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரை ரத்து செய்யப்படுள்ளது

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி.ஆர். சென்ட்ரலில் இருந்து கேரளா மாநிலம் திருவனந்தபுரத்துக்கு ஞாயிற்று கிழமைகளிலும் திருவனந்தபுரத்தில் இருந்து சென்ட்ரலுக்கு சனிக்கிழமைகளிலும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில்கள் நாளை முதல் 30ம் தேதி வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன

* சென்னை எம்.ஜி. ஆர். சென்ட்ரல் - திருவனந்தபுரம் இடையே தினமும் இயக்கப்படும் சிறப்பு ரயில் நாளை முதல் ஜூன் 1 வரை ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளது. இந்த ரயில்கள் இருவழியிலும் ரத்து செய்யப்பட்டுள்ளன.

‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ singer dies after contracting Covid

M J C COMAGAN 1973-2021

‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ singer dies after contracting Covid

Aditi.R@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.05.2021

Kalaimamani awardee M J C Comagan died of Covid-19 on Thursday. The visually impaired singer was 48 years old. “His death was unexpected. We are unable to come to terms with it,” said V Anitha, his wife.

Comagan was best known as the voice behind the hit song ‘Ovvoru Pookalume’ in the 2003 Tamil film ‘Autograph’. His blind orchestra, Comaganin Raaga Priya, made its way into the 2008 Guinness Book of World Record after the group sang 682 songs for 50 straight hours. Comagan called it one of his greatest accomplishments.

According to Anitha, Comagan began developing Covid symptoms on April 17. He had high fever lasting more than 10 days. On April 24, his family took him to a hospital for the RT-PCR test, but he got a negative result. “When the doctors took a CT scan, they found that his lungs were infected and suspected Covid,” said Anitha.

On Wednesday morning, Anitha said Comagan began complaining of severe shortness of breath. They rushed him to a hospital and got him tested again and this time the test came back positive. He was immediately admitted. “When we checked his oxygen levels after a while, it was around 91-92. He was fine until late evening, when his oxygen levels dropped drastically to 40. They put him on ventilator support. At1.15am, he passed away,” she said.

Comagan was due for his second dose of the Covid vaccine this week. “He got the first dose on April 3 and in a few days, he fell ill. He never had any breathing difficulties before. It was all so sudden,” said his grieving wife.

Comagan’s journey began in 1991 with he and nine friends began an orchestra, comprising of visually impaired artists. For nearly two years, the group didn’t get opportunities to perform, but kept meeting every week, practising tirelessly.

Slowly, they began performing at music festivals, sabhas and marriage functions till ‘Autograph’ gave them their big break. Over the years, the group grew to 25 members and has given 3,500 musical performances across nine countries.

In February, Comagan was awarded the Kalaimamani award for excellence in the field of art. During an interview after the award ceremony, Comagan told TOI that it was a dream to start a music school. “I want to see an inclusive society, and also show people that anybody can achieve what they want,” he said. Comagan is survived by his wife and two children.

Now, Nehru, Gandhi will report to Stalin

Now, Nehru, Gandhi will report to Stalin

Chennai:07.05.2021

Call it by design or coincidence – Tamil Nadu’s newly minted cabinet will have a Gandhi running the Khadi and rural employment department, and a Nehru captaining urban development.

Only ticklish aspect is both this Gandhi and Nehru had faced corruption charges in the past, before being cleared of all charges by courts. Only the prospective speaker will have trouble calling out the names of Gandhi or Nehru, ordering them either to speak out or shut up. It is tough to shout: “Gandhi, your time is up. Let Nehru begin his reply now.”

For the record, however, it has to be noted R Gandhi, the four-time MLA from Ranipet constituency, is minister for Khadi, village industries, and Bhoodhan. Five-time Trichy-West MLA K N Nehru is minister for urban development and municipal administration.

In 2005, Gandhi, along with his wife and son faced a case for amassing assets disproportionate to known sources of income. The charges were quashed by courts in 2015 for want of evidence.

Nehru, too, battled a slew of corruption and grave criminal cases slapped on him by the Jayalalithaa dispensation after 2001. He battled land grab and criminal intimidation cases too. He has not been found guilty in any of them.

When results started trickling in on on May 2, meme factories in Tamil Nadu came alive pointing out that the Assembly will have a lot of renowned national and international giants — two Gandhis, one Nehru and a Stalin. The second Gandhi, bearing initials M R, could not get into the cabinet because he got elected in BJP ticket, representing Nagercoil constituency. TNN

Stalin’s 1st cabinet is mixed bag of experience & youth

Stalin’s 1st cabinet is mixed bag of experience & youth

Julie.Mariappan@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.05.2021

It is a mix of old timers, young and new faces in the 34-member cabinet of M K Stalin that will steer the state government for the next five years. The DMK chief has inducted15 new faces, reinforcing the party’s commitment to bring in versatility, but kept his son and first time MLA Udhayanidhi out of the council of ministers.

There are two women members, former minister P Geetha Jeevan, and N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj, who defeated BJP president L Murugan in Dharapuram in Tirupur district by a slender margin. The new faces include former party whip R Sakkarapani, Vellore East district secretary R Gandhi, Chennai former mayor Ma Subramanian, P K Sekar Babu (Harbour), Palanivel Thiagarajan (Madurai Central), and Thiruverumbur MLA and close confidante of Udhayanidhi, Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi.

The party has rewarded erstwhile heavyweights of the AIADMK, who switched loyalties in the past two decades, including K K S S R Ramachandran, S Muthusamy, S R Rajakannappan, Anitha R Radhakrishnan and V Senthil Balaji. Ramachandran had served in the cabinets led by M G Ramachandran, J Jayalalithaa and M Karunanidhi, holding PWD, cooperation, health and BC welfare portfolios. Erode strongman Muthusamy was minister in MGR and Jayalalithaa regimes, before switching sides. Senthil Balaji has been rewarded for helping the DMK win all four seats in Karur district for which he was in charge. Rajakannappan was an influential minister in Jayalalithaa’s first cabinet and briefly led a party, Makkal Tamil Desam.

“About half the cabinet is new. It consists of rich, experienced partymen and able youngsters, who can deliver the best to the state,” DMK Rajya Sabha MP and spokesperson T K S Elangovan said. Except for K Ponmudi, who got back the higher education portfolio and Geetha Jeevan, social welfare, other seniors did not get previously held portfolios. Thangam Thennarasu, who was speculated to retain school education, has been given industries.

In a statement later in the day, Stalin explained the rationale behind formation of a new ministry called water resources, and changes in nomenclature of a few other ministries, including agriculturefarmers’ welfare, environment-climate change, medical and family welfare, fisheriesfishermen welfare, labour welfare and skill development, information, social welfare and women empowerment, human resources management and non-resident Tamils welfare.

“Functioning of the ministries and departments have undergone changes in the current situation. There is a compulsion to change the names of the ministries and departments with a long-term vision, considering the expectations of people, welfare of workforce, confronting challenges, the fixed targets and government goals,” Stalin said.

A RERUN OF 2020

A RERUN OF 2020

As curbs kick in, city turns into ghost town

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.05.2021

Crowded shopping hub Ranganathan Street fell silent around 12.30pm on Thursday when the last of the shops and vegetable vendors closed up for the day as the government’s stringent restrictions to control spread of Covid-19 kicked in.

By 6pm, only a handful of commuters who alighted from suburban trains at Mambalam station were found on the street. Similar was the scene at pedestrian plaza on Pondy Bazaar.

The deserted pavement turned into a play ground for homeless children, who rocked away on the toy ducks as bored auto drivers looked on.

The sparse traffic and shuttered shops brought back memories of the complete lockdown imposed last year when the pandemic was at its peak.

Arterial roads like Anna Salai, Poonamallee High Road and 100ft Road did not see heavy traffic. “Around 50% of vehicles were off the road in most places in the evening,” said a motorist.

“It’s not a full shutdown yet. But it looks like we are headed there. This is not a good sign,” said Muthu, an auto driver.

Suburban stations only saw railway staff and frontline workers, while metro trains had a moderate occupancy as people used them to get back home.

Railway staff deployed on the platforms checked identity cards of commuters at suburban stations and at MRTS stations to ensure that they are eligible for travel.

Railways has also cancelled its unreserved special trains to small towns including services from Tambaram to Villupuram and Chennai to Puducherry following a request from the state government.

Police were back on patrol, warning owners at markets and crowded areas like Mylapore, Royapettah and Anna Nagar. “We moved around to ensure that traders followed the noon deadline. No action was taken as it’s the first day. People who took time to close the shops were given a warning,” said an officer.

T K Pandian, who travelled by bus to Parrys Corner said the occupancy was moderate. “The frequency was also good from Anna Nagar. I took a metro train to return home. I saw around 12 to 14 people walking into the station at high court,” he said.

“The government should allow plumbing, auto repairs, electrical and electronics servicing centres to work. These are essential,” he added.

Few buses, crowded share autos could turn hotspots

Few buses, crowded share autos could turn hotspots

And Drivers Use Curbs To Fleece Commuters

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.05.2021

With the state limiting options for public transport, share auto-rickshaws are cashing in on the demand. People too seem to prefer travelling in share auto rickshaws, unmindful of the risk involved. The drivers ferry more than eight to 10 passengers at a time without adhering to Covid guidelines, putting everyone involved at risk.

Share autos are in great demand on major routes like Koyambedu to Madhavaram Koot Road, Nugambakkam to Anna Nagar, Chennai Central to Vyasarpadi and Washermenpet areas. In Chennai alone, there are as many as 61,000 share autos. Usually at least four lakh use MTC buses during peak hours. “With buses being operated only with limited seats, it is tough for me to reach my workplace. Once the seats are full, buses don’t stop. So, I am forced to take autos. They are also charging more than the usual amount,” said Parimala, who is employed at a private company.

Drivers cruise the city withouta a care as police and transport department officials turn a blind eye to this blatant violation. As per the health department’s Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), only three people, including the driver, are allowed in autos at a time.

Auto driver Palanivel said they strictly follow Covid guidelines. “We never allow passengers to board autos without masks. Before they boad the share autos, we give them sanitisers. With only limited seats in MTC, sometimes passengers themselves beg us to ferry them over the stipulated capacity,” he said.

An official said the transport department came across complaints that some autos were ferrying more than permissible limit of passengers. “We will ensure that all the drivers strictly adhere to SOP while ferrying passengers. If drivers continue to violate the SOP, an enforcement drive would be done to ensure safety of the passengers,” he said.

JUST GET ME THERE! More than 10 people are crammed inside an auto when the SOP says only 3, incluing the driver are allowed

Veteran Tamil actor Pandu dies of Covid-19 at 74

Veteran Tamil actor Pandu dies of Covid-19 at 74

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.05.2021

On Thursday, Kollywood lost yet another of its veterans as actor Pandu, best known for his performances in ‘Pammal K Samandham’, ‘Kadhal Kottai’ and ‘Kanchana 2’, passed away after being hospitalised for Covid-19. He was 74.

Pandu, who was born in Namakkal, made his acting debut in 1970 with the Tamil film ‘Maanavan’. He went on to act in more than 100 films with roles alongside superstars such as Rajinikanth, Vijay and Ajith. Most recently, he acted in films like ‘Itly’ (2018) and ‘Indha Nilai Maarum’ (2020). The actor’s passing drew condolences from the film fraternity, with many expressing their shock and disbelief over the loss.

“When actors like Goundamani uncle and Senthil sir were ruling the 90’s, he held his own with his unique style, expressions and dialogue delivery,” tweeted actor Sibi Sathyaraj. “He was very close to our family and a kind man,” said actor-choreographer and politician Gayathri Raghuram.

In previous interviews to news and television channels, Pandu spoke of how he felt proud to have shared the screen with three generations of Sivaji Ganesan’s family – Sivaji himself, his son Prabhu and his grandson Vikram Prabhu – in one lifetime.

In addition to acting, Pandu was known for his art and design sense and ran a company called ‘Capital letters’ that designed name boards. He is also famously credited with designing the AIADMK’s two-leaves logo and also the party flag, following his association with party founder and former chief minister M G Ramachandran.

“He used to design shields and trophies for various Tamil cinema anniversary programmes,” says actor and director Manobala whose film ‘Naina’ starred Pandu. “He easily became friends with the big stars he worked with, and always bought gifts for everyone when he went on his travels.”

Pandu’s demise also drew condolences from AIADMK leaders Edappadi K Palaniswami and O Panneerselvam, who remembered his contributions to the party, as well as his prowess as an artiste. Pandu is survived by his wife Kumudha, who is also undergoing treatment for Covid, and three sons.

Remdesivir vials go missing in Salem

Remdesivir vials go missing in Salem

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Salem:07.05.2021

Police here have initiated an inquiry with doctors and nurses of Salem Government Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College and Hospital (SGMKMCH) on Thursday evening after the hospital management lodged the complaint with them about 29 Remdesivir vials missing from the hospital.

According to a senior doctor of the SGMKMCH, a pack of Remdesivir injections, being used for Covid-19 treatment, was kept with the staff nurse on Tuesday night. “The next morning, the nurse reported to the hospital management that the vials were found missing,” the doctor said. He also said that the hospital management, after conducting an inquiry with doctors and nurses of the Covid-19 care centre, was not able to find how the vials went disappeared.

Hospital dean Dr R Murugesan then lodged the complaint with Salem GH police, who forwarded it to Shevapet police.

An official from Shevapet police said, “We also were checking the CCTV footage that is functioning on the hospital premises.”

IN DEMAND: Police are scanning CCTV footage at the Covidcare centre in Salem to find out how the Remdesivir vials went missing

State govt advises pregnant women not to get vaccines

State govt advises pregnant women not to get vaccines

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.05.2021

Tamil Nadu Department of Public Health (DPH) has advised pregnant and lactating women not to get vaccinated as they were not a part of the vaccine trial.

“Vaccines at present in use are contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women. Moreover the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech vaccine literature also does not recommend such vaccination,” the DPH said in its internal circular to all health authorities on Thursday.

The advisory comes a week after the Federation of Obstetric and Gynecological Societies of India (FOGSI) recommended Covid-19 vaccines for pregnant and breastfeeding women, but with precautions to manage adverse events.

“It is a risk worth its benefit,” said Ramani Devi, vicepresident of FOGSI said, referring to international research studies. Due to an acute viral infection during the antenatal period, particularly when they are nearing the term, the baby might go into a sudden death. So they should be prioritized during vaccination along with other high-risk groups, she said.

In case pregnant women missed getting vaccinated during the antenatal period, FOGSI strongly advises lactating women to get vaccinated as there is a chance that antibodies might get transmitted to the newborn through mother’s milk.

In contrast, a senior doctor from the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Egmore, said that there was no solid data about the adverse reactions to the newborn and mothers, who were already in an immunocompromised state. “It is better not to take any risk,” she said.

Meanwhile, K Vinay Kumar, Joint Director of DPH, on Thursday requested all districtlevel health authorities to escalate the matter with their respective collectors and has advised pregnant and lactating women, working in government and private sector, not to get vaccinated now and highrisk among them to avail leave as per rules in force.

DPH in an advisory said the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech vaccine literature does not recommend vaccination for pregnant and lactating women

TN registers close to 25K cases of Covid-19, 197 deaths

TN registers close to 25K cases of Covid-19, 197 deaths

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:07.05.2021

Tamil Nadu logged 195 deaths and 24,898 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, when all districts barring Ariyalur and Perambalur reported more than 100 cases. The surge left the state with 1.3 lakh active cases as the case tally crossed 12.9 lakh. The cumulative death toll reached 14,974.

In the last one week, the state has added 1,041 Covid -19 deaths and 1.4 lakh new cases. This includes 319 deaths and 42,727 new cases in Chennai. The city now has 33316 active cases in its registry.

On Thursday, four districts reported more than 1000 new cases, a dozen of them had more than 500 cases each. Chennai continued to report the maximum number of cases in the state, followed by Coimbatore, Chengalpet and Tiruvallur. While Chennai had 6,678 new cases, Coimbatore recorded 2068, Chengalpet registered 2039 and Tiruvallur had 1560. Madurai added 996 and Kancheepuram had (826). Ariyalur and Perambalur reported 88 and 60 cases respectively.

Together the four districts in the Chennai region reported 11,113 cases and 110 deaths, leaving 54,847 still under treatment – just about the same number of active cases the entire state had on April 14. The other districts in the north reported 2376 new cases followed by 2072 in the central zone. While the western districts together reported 4770 new cases, 4565 Meanwhile, among 29 districts reported deaths, Chennai had 69 deaths, Chengalpet reported 16, followed by 14 in Kanyakumari, 13 in Kancheepuram and 12 in Tiruvallur. The Chennai region reported 110 deaths and the rest of the north added another16. The ten districts in the south reported 35 deaths, followed by 20 in the central zone and 14 in the west.

1,510 cases in Pondy

Puducherry reported1,510 fresh cases on Thursday even as 779 patients recovered, taking the total number of active cases to12,430. Of them,10,394 patients are in home isolation and treatment. The number of patients succumbing to the infection crossed 900 on Thursday. Eighteen patients including six women died of the infection in the last 24 hours ending at10am on Thursday taking the death toll to

901. Puducherry headquarters reported17 deaths while Yanam one. Puducherry headquarters has the maximum fatalities with 737 followed by Karaikal (96), Yanam (54) and Mahe (14). The fatality rate of the infection stood at 1.4%. TNN

Vaccination drive stutters in city as vials in short supply

Covaxin Used Only For Administering Second Dose

Komal Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:07.05.2021

The Greater Chennai Corporation that was vaccinating more than 25,000 people on an average daily has, for the last four days, been vaccinating only around 9,000 a day. All those seeking covaxin are sent back and with Covishield doses also in short supply, vaccination numbers dipped sharply.

“We had placed orders with two vendors, 7.65 lakh vials from one and 2.65 lakh vials from another. We will start receiving the order from today (Thursday). Apart from that we are working on placing more orders,” said J Radhakrishnan, state health secretary.

However, districts such as Madurai have been continuing the same number of vaccinations despite the shortage. “Only Covaxin is in short supply. We are administering only Covishield so we don’t have much issue,” said an official from Madurai.

In Coimbatore and Chennai, however, with both being administered in corporation hospitals and UPHCs, people are being turned away.

“We are prioritizing only the second dose of Covaxin and are not administering it as first dose to anyone. Covishield supply remains the same,” said a senior health official in Chennai corporation.

Roopa R, a resident of Saidapet, said she isn't able to get Covaxin anywhere even in private hospitals. “We preferred Covaxin over Covishield though experts have said both vaccines have the same results. But because of the lack of availability, we have delayed the vaccination now,” she said.

Many like Satish G of Sholinganallur are waiting for the second dose. His was due on May 4, but he is still waiting for the corporation to give him a call. “They have said a delay of a week won’t make any difference but I am not too sure and am trying private hospitals,” he said.

Health experts said that with vaccination the only option, the government should work on getting vaccines from open market and place big orders.

“A day of lockdown will cost them more than paying for the vaccinations. They can use the money to vaccinate people at a faster pace to avoid a crisis like in Uttar Pradesh and New Delhi,” said a senior epidemiologist in the city.

‘Madras HC remarks on EC inappropriate’

‘Madras HC remarks on EC inappropriate’

New Delhi:

The Supreme Court on Thursday termed the Madras high court’s “murder charge” remarks against the Election Commission “harsh” and the “metaphor inappropriate” as it walked a tightrope between praising the role of HCs during the pandemic and advising judges against making off-the cuff remarks during hearings, reports Dhananjay Mahapatra.

In a 31-page judgment on the EC’s plea against the HC’s remarks, a bench of Justices D Y Chandrachud and M R Shah achieved three objectives — assuaged the EC’s hurt, ensured that judges did not feel restrained from questioning the actions of constitutional bodies and the executive during the pandemic, and expanded the media’s right to cover court proceedings.

Can’t gag media on court matters

Moving away from a nine-year-old order over curbs on court proceedings to protect the rights of the accused, the SC on Thursday said the media had an unfettered right to report exchanges during hearings. It rejected the EC’s plea to make media publish only orders and judgments.P 8

Oral remarks not part of judicial record: Bench

Writing the judgment, Justice Chandrachud said, “The remarks of the high court were harsh. The metaphor inappropriate.”

However, it was quick to clarify that it was not blaming the HC for remarks that could have been made during the flow of dialogue process intrinsic to judicial scrutiny of actions of constitutional bodies and the executive during the pandemic.

“The HC, if indeed it did make the oral observations which have been alluded to, did not seek to attribute culpability for the Covid-19 pandemic in the country to the EC. What it would have instead intended to do was to urge the EC to ensure stricter compliance of Covid-19 related protocols during elections,” the bench said.

It further clarified that oral observations by judges of superior courts during a hearing did not form part of court records and were at best meant to elicit a studied response from the authorities for reaching a just conclusion. “These oral remarks are not a part of the official judicial record and, therefore, the question of expunging them does not arise. It is trite to say that a formal opinion of a judicial institution is reflected through its judgments and orders, and not its oral observations during the hearing,” it said.

However, the bench appeared worried about an emerging trend of judges making needless caustic observations against litigants during hearings, be it constitutional bodies, governments or individual litigants. “We must emphasise the need for judges to exercise caution in off-the-cuff remarks in open court, which may be susceptible to misinterpretation,” Justice Chandrachud said.

The SC also advised judges to be careful in choosing the words and the language they use and said if the Madras HC had exercised restraint, the grievance of a constitutional body against another would not have arisen. “Language, both on the bench and in judgments, must comport with judicial propriety. Language is an important instrument of a judicial process which is sensitive to constitutional values. Judicial language is a window to a conscience sensitive to constitutional ethos,” the bench said.

NEED FOR CAUTION

Rly cancels premium trains citing low bookings

Rly cancels premium trains citing low bookings

New Delhi:07.05.2021

The Northern Railways on Thursday cancelled two Rajdhani, eight Shatabdi, two Duronto and one Vande Bharat trains from Delhi effective from May 9 till further orders citing low bookings and surging Covid cases. This is the first time when these premium trains have been cancelled after the railways had restored the train operation post the nationwide lockdown last year. TNN

Kerala govt announces total lockdown from tomorrow till May 16

Kerala govt announces total lockdown from tomorrow till May 16

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Thiruvananthapuram:07.05.2021

The Kerala government on Thursday announced a total lockdown in the state from May 8 to 16 in view of the worsening Covid-19 situation and the rising test positivity rate (TPR).

Though lockdown-like restrictions have already been in force since May 4, the government decided to go for stricter curbs after public health experts said the present restrictions are not yielding desired results. The health department has been demanding a total lockdown ever since the daily cases went beyond 30,000.

The daily cases being reported in Kerala have gone above 40,000 over the past two days — 41,953 cases on Wednesday and 42,464 on Thursday. The TPR also rose to 27.28% on Thursday, with the total number of active cases reaching 3,90,906. As many as 63 fatalities were reported on the day. Most districts have a TPR above 20% for the past two weeks while hospital beds are filling up at an alarming rate.

All central and state government offices, including the autonomous bodies but except those in active Covid-19 duty, will not function during the lockdown. The government has, however, given more exemptions than the national lockdown last year, apparently in consideration of the hardships being faced by the public in a total shutdown.

Full report on www.toi-.in

SHOT OF HOPE: People wait to receive Covid-19 vaccine doses outside a centre in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday

Second wave has launched deadly attack on lungs

Second wave has launched deadly attack on lungs

Parth.Shastri@timesgroup.com

Ahmedabad:07.05.2021

Prakash Chandra, 59, did not have any symptoms of Covid-19 but got himself tested after his son tested positive. His report came positive. When his doctor insisted for a CT scan after his blood tests revealed high sugar levels and inflammatory markers, it was found that 50% of his lung was involved. His oxygen saturation too had dipped to 85. All this on Day-1! He is now admitted in the hospital with his son whose scan has revealed nearly 60% damage to his lungs by the virus.

Even as the debate on importance of HRCT rages on after the statement of AIIMS-D director Dr Randeep Guleria that HRCT did not serve any purpose in mild and home isolated Covid-19 patients, city-based radiologists are busy with high number of infected and suspected patients lining up for high-resolution CT (HRCT) of thorax (chest and lungs) to understand lung involvement and severity of the infection. Doctors say CT score of lungs is helping save many lives especially in the current wave when the strain seems to be attacking lungs more ferociously than ever.“Current strain seems to attack lungs more furiously. More young patients are found to have moderate to severe lung disease compared to earlier waves,” said senior radiologist Dr Hemant Patel.

 PROMISE DASHED

‘Stressed’ MBBS student on Covid duty hangs to death

Long Note Makes Cops Suspect It’s Pre-Planned

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Vadodara:

The medical fraternity in Vadodara was left in a deep shock after a 22-year-old MBBS student committed suicide, reportedly due to stress.

Siddharth Bhadrecha, a third-year-student of GMERS Medical College and Hospital, Gotri, was found hanging in his hostel room early on Wednesday morning.

Siddharth, a native of Mangrol taluka of Junagadh, left a suicide note written in English wherein he said that he was ending his life due to stress.

“The first few lines of the note said that he was committing suicide due to stress. But there was no mention of the reason behind the stress. We are trying to ascertain why he was so stressed. His friends had no idea of his condition and neither his parents knew anything,” said R C Kanamia, Gorwa police inspector.

Siddharth had been doing Covid duty at Gotri GMERS hospital. Kanamia said, “His Covid duty was over on April 30 and he was off duty. We are not sure if his suicide was due to any work pressure. His mobile phone is locked but we will go through the call details to get more clues.”

Siddharth’s room partner had a brief chat with him on Tuesday night and then left for his duty. Police claimed that his room partner told them that Siddharth didn’t appear tense or in any problem. When he returned from duty and knocked on their hostel room’s door, Siddharth didn’t answer. The door was locked from inside so he put his mobile phone camera through the window to check and saw Siddharth hanging from the ceiling.

“He ended his life between 1.30am and 7 am. In his three-page suicide note, Siddharth wrote that he couldn’t be a good son and brother. He thanked his parents and even mentioned his friends as well as lecturers. The deceased said that he was lucky to have good friends and teachers who taught him a lot,” Kanamia told TOI.

He also wrote about his dreams of buying a car and a motorbike, and how he wanted to live his life as a good person. Siddharth’s father is into fishing business.

Investigators said that he may have planned to commit suicide as he wrote a long note.

Resident doctors and interns are reeling under severe work pressure. Sources said they also complained of relentless work without break or leave.

On April 23, the death of 22-year-old physiotherapy student had sparked massive outrage among the students who had alleged that she was forced to work in the Covid-19 ward despite her comorbidities.

Siddharth Bhadrecha was a third-year student

‘Donate my organs’

In his suicide note, Siddharth Bhadrecha mentioned two wishes. He said that his body organs should be donated to the needy. “Siddharth’s second wish was that the police shouldn’t waste their time and investigate his suicide case,” said R C Kanamia, Gorwa police inspector.

Madurai: Family made to sign Rs 1.5 lakh bond for Covid patient's body

Madurai: Family made to sign Rs 1.5 lakh bond for Covid patient's body

The relative said, “When we admitted him, they demanded us to pay Rs 2 lakh as a deposit amount to treat him. However, we were able to pay only Rs 90,000 initially.

Published: 06th May 2021 04:52 AM 

By Express News Service

MADURAI: Private hospitals fleecing patients during a pandemic is the curse of profiteering. One such hospital operating in the Pudur region of Madurai has allegedly made members of a family sign on a Rs 100 bond paper, with a promise to remit the pending dues in a month’s time, before handing over the body of their kin, who died of Covid-19, here on Wednesday. The hospital has also reportedly charged exorbitant fees to treat coronavirus patients.

After a three-member family, including the husband, the wife and their daughter, tested positive for the virus two weeks ago, they have been undergoing treatment in a private hospital in Pudur. A relative, speaking on anonymity, said the wife and daughter were admitted for two days at the hospital and they were charged around Rs 4.5 lakh in total. The amount was paid at the time of their discharge. While the husband was said to be in a serious condition, he was undergoing treatment for 14 days.

The relative said, “When we admitted him, they demanded us to pay Rs 2 lakh as a deposit amount to treat him. However, we were able to pay only Rs 90,000 initially. At the end of Day 14, he was declared dead. The bill amount was given as Rs 7 lakh for him alone, for those 14 days of treatment.

The hospital authorities denied us his body saying the dues were pending. He was the breadwinner of the family and neither did we have so much money. We requested them and brought down the bill to Rs 3.5 lakh. We paid Rs 2 lakh and signed a bond promising to remit the remaining Rs 1.5 lakh in a month’s time.” he said.

All bills would be verified and appropriate action taken: Collector

However, denying the allegations, hospital authorities, on condition of anonymity, said, “As there is a demand for oxygen supply in Madurai, we have to bring it in from other districts, for which, we pay double the amount. We are risking our lives to treat each and every patient. For the past 14 days none of the relatives of the deceased Covid patient came to the hospital. It was our staff, who took care of him completely. When asked for the fee, they took offence and started using foul language.”

Commenting on the incident, District Collector T Anbalagan said that an enquiry was underway. Answering to a question if the government has a mechanism to monitor the fees collected by private hospitals, he said, “Each patient’s condition may differ depending on the comorbid conditions. If they are being treated for such conditions, they would require certain medicines which might be of higher cost. It is inevitable.

However, in the said incident, all the bills would be verified along with patients’ chart and an appropriate action would be taken if the hospital is found to have charged an exorbitant fee.” The Tamil Nadu government on June 5, 2020 issued orders to cap the charges for Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals.

It may be recalled that Spain nationalised all of its hospitals when the coronavirus set in during the start of 2020, to provide equal preference and treatment to every citizen.

KK Shylaja the globally-acknowledged Health Minister from the neighbouring State of Kerala, recently in an interview, stated that, “If we are in power at the Centre, we would nationalise the healthcare system.” Because, that can be the only way forward to indiscriminately save human lives to prevent profiteering and prioritisation of haves over have nots.

வேலையை விட உயிர் முக்கியம் கதறும் வங்கி ஊழியர்கள்

DINAMALAR

வேலையை விட உயிர் முக்கியம் கதறும் வங்கி ஊழியர்கள்

Added : மே 05, 2021 23:00

சென்னை:வங்கி ஊழியர்கள், அதிகாரிகளுக்கு கொரோனா வந்தால், வங்கி கிளை முழுதும், கிருமி நீக்கம் செய்யப் படுவதில்லை; இதனால், மற்ற ஊழியர்களுக்கும் தொற்று பரவுவதாக புகார் எழுந்துள்ளது.

வற்புறுத்தல்

கொரோனா இரண்டாவது அலை, மிக வேகமாக பரவி வருகிறது.இதில், வங்கி ஊழியர்கள், வாடிக்கையாளர்களுடன் நேரடி தொடர்பில் இருப்பதால், அதிகம் பாதிக்கப்படுகின்றனர். 'வங்கிக் கிளைகளில், கொரோனா தடுப்பு முன்னெச்சரிக்கை நடவடிக்கைகள் பின்பற்றப்பட வேண்டும்; அரசின் நிலையான வழிகாட்டு நெறிமுறைகளை பின்பற்ற வேண்டும்' எனக் கூறப்பட்டுள்ளது.ஆனால், பெரும்பாலான வங்கிகளில், அதை பின்பற்றுவதில்லை. இதனால், ஊழியர்களிடையே தொற்று பரவல் அதிகரித்துள்ளது.

வங்கி அதிகாரிகள் கூறியதாவது:ஊழியர்களுக்கு சளி, காய்ச்சல் இருந்தால், விடுமுறை அளிப்பதில்லை. அவர்களை பணிக்கு வருமாறு, கிளை மேலாளர்கள் வற்புறுத்துகின்றனர்.

நடவடிக்கை

மேலும், ஒருவருக்கு தொற்று உறுதி செய்யப்பட்டாலும், கிளை முழுதும் கிருமி நீக்கம் செய்யப் பட வேண்டும்.ஆனால், பெரும்பாலான வங்கிகளில், கிருமி நீக்கம் செய்யப்படுவது இல்லை. இதனால், அந்த வங்கிக் கிளையில், பலருக்கு தொற்று பரவுகிறது. ஊழியர்களுக்கு உடல்நிலை சரியில்லை எனில், அவர்களுக்கு முதலில் விடுப்பு வழங்க, அனைத்து மேலாளர்களுக்கும், வங்கி நிர்வாகம் அறிவுறுத்த வேண்டும்.

பணிக்கு, 50 சதவீத ஊழியர்கள் வருகையை உறுதி செய்ய வேண்டும். அவற்றை பின்பற்றாத வங்கிகள் மீது, அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்க வேண்டும். பணி முக்கியமானது தான், ஆனால், அதை விட உயிர் முக்கியம் என்பதை, வங்கிகள் உணர வேண்டும்.இவ்வாறு, அவர்கள் கூறினர்.

Hospital chasers: These families drove hundreds of kilometres to find beds

Hospital chasers: These families drove hundreds of kilometres to find beds

With beds scarce in cities, desperate relatives have been hiring expensive ambulances to take patients to smaller towns, sometimes in another state

Ketaki Desai & Sarfaraz Ahmed | TNN

06.05.2021

Nagpur resident Abhimanyu Pagade, a 22-year-old who works in an IT firm, drove his critically-ill Covid positive father Ramesh Pagade, a vegetable vendor, 460km to Warangal in Telangana in the intervening night of April 7 and 8. “He started having trouble breathing that night and his oxygen saturation was at 71. I tried all the numbers for hospitals in Nagpur and we almost got admission in one also but by the time I came back with the documents, someone else had used contacts to get the bed,” says Abhimanyu. His uncle who lives in Telangana arranged an ICU bed at a private hospital for Ramesh who was transported there in a life-support ambulance. A couple of days later, the Nagpur district administration too had shifted 12 patients to Amravati Super Speciality hospital, 150kms away, as the city faced acute bed shortage.

As Covid envelops most of the country’s big cities, residents are venturing to smaller cities and satellite towns in the hope of getting hospital beds — particularly ICU and ventilator beds. Sometimes, they travel hours in ambulances even when there is no guarantee that a bed awaits them.

Prabhdeep Singh, co-founder and CEO of StanPlus, one of the country’s major players in the ambulance space, says long-distance travel for beds has become increasingly common, particularly in Delhi NCR. “Every day we get phone calls with such requests. Because Delhi has immense capacity shortages, we are getting requests to go to Jhajjar, Panipat, Sonipat and Panchkula in Haryana, and Amritsar in Punjab,” he says, pointing out that this is a reversal of the ways in which healthcare has traditionally worked in India where people from smaller towns flock to big cities in hopes of specialised care. “If Bangalore and Hyderabad go the same way as Delhi, I think we will immediately see people rushing out of big cities,” he adds. In some cases, people also leave in order to go to their hometowns where they have family support.

Delhi-based Mayank Garg got a call from a close friend Rahul last week because his mother’s oxygen was at 85. Garg, who belongs to Bathinda, recommended that they go there. “Rahul convinced his mom, put the oxygen cylinder in the car and the three of us came to Bathinda and got a bed in five minutes. She’s now improving without a ventilator and is maintaining saturation of 95,” says Garg. He was talking to the family member of a patient at the hospital who asked where they had come from, remarking, “First people used to go to Delhi for treatment, now they’re coming to Bathinda.”

Sometimes, even this form of intervention is not enough. Even after trying for three days, Sanju Srivastava, 62, a resident of Jankipuram Extension, could not get a bed in any Covid hospital in Lucknow. The family rushed her to Etawah in a critical condition. “We couldn’t get any beds in a Covid hospital in Lucknow so with the help of a family doctor, we rushed her to a hospital in Etawah but she could not be saved,” says a relative of Srivastava.

People running helplines and Covid support groups have also noticed an uptick in this kind of movement. Vibha Pandey who runs Cases Gurgaon, a volunteer group, says she’s sent people to Pataudi, Rohtak and Sonipat. “Ambulances are charging as much as Rs 70,000 but people pay anything to save a life,” she says. Deepthi Sharma, who helps people get access to beds and other resources in Delhi NCR, recalls getting a phone call from a 10-year-old girl, begging for help to save her mother. “I pleaded with a doctor in Panipat who helped admit her there. She managed to recover.”

While the doctors were not too optimistic about the condition of Abhimanyu’s father, he has made a recovery. Dr Abhijan MPS, pulmonologist at Max Care Hospitals in Warangal, said their aim was to improve him without a ventilator. “Since he came from Nagpur, our responsibility was even greater. He had a very narrow chance but he made it,” says the doctor.

Abhimanyu, whose family is still in Warangal for follow-up treatment, estimates they’ve spent anywhere between Rs 4.5-5 lakh. “All that’s important is that he is okay.”

— With inputs from Pervez Siddiqui

Woman who gave birth before joining service gets maternity leave

Woman who gave birth before joining service gets maternity leave

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Jaipur:06.05.2021

In an important judgment, the Rajasthan high court has ruled that a woman who joined service just after delivery is entitled to maternity leave. The recent order of the single bench of Justice SP Sharma followed the state education department’s refusal to grant a woman maternity leave, claiming that such a leave is applicable to only in-service government servants.

Petitioner’s counsel Anoop Dhand said that his client was selected for appointment to the post of school lecturer (physics) on March 18 this year. The appointment letter directed her to join service before April 10. The petitioner joined service on March 22 at the government senior secondary School, Badgaon, in Jalore district. After joining service, she applied for maternity leave as she had given birth to a baby on January 4 this year through caesarean.

The recent order of the single bench of Justice SP Sharma of the Rajasthan high court followed the state education department’s refusal to grant a woman maternity leave, claiming that such a leave is applicable to only in-service government servants

Doctor’s guide for Covid-19 patients recovering at home

Doctor’s guide for Covid-19 patients recovering at home

With Scarcity Of Hospital Beds, Telemedicine Consultations On The Rise

Kamini.Mathai@timesgroup.com

06.05.2021

Don’t start on steroids too soon as it may worsen the infection ... No, antibiotics will not help with Covid-19 ... All day long, Dr Subramanian Swaminathan, director, Infectious Diseases and Infection Control, Gleneagles Global Hospitals, fields phone calls from anxious Covid positive patients.

With cases mounting and hospitals running out of beds, several of those infected by the virus have no option but to stay at home. “At least 90% of those who are positive do not require hospitalisation. A teleconsultation with a doctor can help identify the 10% who require further management,” says professor K Ganapathy, past president of Telemedicine Society of India.

In the past couple of months, the number of 1800 helplines, government and private telemedicine facilities, and at-home care services have increased exponentially to deal with the rising number of cases. At virtual medical consulting service Myhealthcare, the average number of calls received in a day is 2,000 — most of them related to Covid. The demand is such that they just launched a “virtual central command centre”, from where patients in home isolation across the country can be monitored through their smart phones. “Patients have access to a panic alert button, which triggers an immediate mobile consult,” says Shyatto Raha, founder of Myhealthcare.

Dr Subramanian’s first word of caution to those at home with Covid19 is: “Unless you are a considered a high risk individual (someone with comorbidities such as diabetes) it is better to wait for three or four days before you seek medical help. Until then, just take paracetamol and multivitamins.”

He also does not recommend administering steroids in the first few days. “If steroids are given in the phase when the virus is multiplying, it will stimulate the virus.” Inappropriate use of steroids in the early phase, he adds, may convert someone with a mild version of Covid into someone with a more severe infection. “We are sometimes forced to start steroids for people at home with borderline oxygen saturation and no hope of a hospital bed, but it is critical that the right dose is given,” says Dr Subramanian.

It is imperative that teleconsultation facilities follow recommended protocols from the Union health ministry and institutions like the Indian Council of Medical Research, says Dr Ganapathy. “The protocol that was in place a few months ago is not the same now. Patients shouldn't be afraid to question and clarify.”

In the case of antivirals and antibiotics which are being recommended, Dr Subramanian says, “None of the antivirals have been proven to save lives and there is no role for antibiotics in the treatment of Covid.” Monoclonal antibodies, which can help limit the progression of the infection, have to be administered within 48 hours of its onset, he says. The vaccine, he says, is the best armour against the virus.

At ₹6 lakh for 3 days, city hospitals bleed patients dry

At ₹6 lakh for 3 days, city hospitals bleed patients dry

Komal.Gautham@timesgroup.com

Chennai:06.05.2021

Anil Kumar Gupta, 66, spent ₹6 lakh for three days treatment of his Covid-positive son in two small private hospitals in the Nanganallur area. But his son couldn’t be saved. The patient had a heart issue too and the smaller hospitals weren’t equipped to deal with it. They told Gupta to take his son to a bigger hospital, but not before both hospitals made him pay ₹1 lakh deposit and another ₹1.5 lakh as treatment charges. All they did was give him a bed, Gupta told TOI.

“Another son is recovering in one of the private hospitals. I understand the situation is bad but hospitals and doctors I met behaved very rudely. One even pushed me out of his hospital,” Gupta said.

Sathish M* from Pursawalkam said two of his family members were admitted to a small private hospital. “They spoke about packages and said they would charge from insurance for eight days. Though my son could have been discharged on the seventh day, they delayed it. At a time when people are searching for beds, I didn’t find this humane, “ he said.

“Also, they charged separately for rooms, PPE kits and doctors fees though my son and my mother were in the same room. This came to more than ₹1 lakh extra,” he added.

Radhika R, of OMR, said she was charged for oxygen though she didn’t require it. “Moreover, they make us run around to buy medicines,” she said.

Sathish G, a social activist from OMR, said his friend in Adambakkam paid ₹1.5 lakh as miscellaneous charges for three days of hospitalization. “It wasn’t even an oxygen bed,” he said.

When TOI tried to contact the five private hospitals mentioned by these patients, three didn’t respond. Representatives of two hospitals, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they had no choice but to charge more as they had stopped all other surgeries and converted almost 80% of their beds for Covid patients. “I agree paying ₹1 lakh a day is too much. That needs to stop. But hospitals are desperate to earn. The government fixed ceiling of ₹15,000 a day will not cover our expenses. We cannot run at a loss,” said one of the doctors of a private hospital.

Director of public health Dr T S Selvavinayam and state health secretary J Radhakrishnan told TOI that they would take action on complaints that are formally lodged.

A senior health official told TOI that they were walking a tightrope. “We cannot crackdown on hospitals like we did last year as we don’t have enough beds. If we have 10,000 beds ready for patients, we can act. But we want private hospitals to increase their facilities and create more oxygen beds. So it is a tricky situation,” he said.

Suburban trains only for frontline, essential workers

Suburban trains only for frontline, essential workers

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:06.05.2021

As lockdown restrictions have been made stringent, Southern Railway has decided not to allow the general public, including students, to travel by suburban trains till May 20. Frontline workers and those employed in essential services sector are allowed to board the trains after showing their identity cards. The move will affect several people who work in nonessential sectors and depend on suburban trains to reach their workplaces in Chennai.

The railways has decided to restrict the category of people who can use the trains as the state government has announced that buses and trains should be run with 50% of occupancy.

A statement from the railways said railway staff, authorized essential services staff such as health, law and order, sanitation workers, municipal corporation workers, staff of all Centre, state government departments and PSUs, staff of the Madras high court judicial bodies and quasi-judicial bodies including lawyers, travel and logistics workers including those in Chennai Port Trust, Kamarajar Port Trust, staff of e-commerce companies on duty, print and electronic media, staff of nationalized, private and co-operative banks, and staff of private security agencies will be allowed to travel by the trains.

Students and staff of educational institutions, which remain closed, will not be permitted to take the trains.

Counters will be set up to sell reserved and unreserved tickets with 50% of staff, though people are encouraged to book tickets online.

K Baskar, former member, divisional rail users consultative committee, said this move puts jobs at risk. “People who work in private companies will lose their jobs if they cannot reach office. Those Many passengers who live in the suburbs use suburban trains to reach Arakkonam, MGR Central, Egmore and Tambaram stations to board mail/express trains. They should be allowed to use the services.”

BARE MINIMUM: All frontline workers, essential services staff will have to show their identity cards to board trains

New Covid restrictions in force from today

REINING IN COVID

New Covid restrictions in force from today

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:06.05.2021

The state government’s new set of restrictions to contain the spread of virus will come into force from 4am on May 6. Public transport, railways, metro rail, public and private buses and cabs will be allowed to operate at a maximum capacity of 50%.

The standalone grocery and vegetable shops will be permitted till 12 noon without air conditioning facility. Only 50% customers will be allowed at a time. A separate order issued by the government said the differently-abled will be fully exempted from attending office during the 15-day period.

All other shops, other than grocery and vegetable shops will remain closed. The big format shops in an area of 3,000sq ft and above, shopping complexes and malls have already been prohibited to function since April 26 onwards. The grocery and vegetable shops in shopping complexes and malls are also not permitted.

As per the order issued by the state government on Monday, the state government/public sector undertakings-run outlets will be permitted between 8am and 12 noon, while pharmacies, supply of milk and other essential services will continue as usual. Take away service alone will be permitted in all restaurants, hotels, bakeries, and mess from 6am to 10am, 12 noon to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm. Tea shops will be permitted to operate till 12 noon. The government also prohibited social/political/sports/entertainment/academic/cultural/festival gathering in open and closed spaces. Cinema theatres will remain shut.

In an order on Wednesday, chief secretary Rajeev Ranjan said that all offices of governments will function with 50% workforce for a fortnight beginning Thursday. The secretaries to governments, heads of departments, the district collectors will have to have an attendance schedule, either on alternate days or once in three days or as per the requirements based on the workload. “Notwithstanding the above alternate working system, the staff on off-duty will attend office if called for any point of time,” the order said. Private offices also will have to function with 50% workforce.