Capital’s Covid-19 cases may overtake Mumbai’s: Experts

Low Testing Rate, Poor Contact Tracing Among Major Problems

DurgeshNandan.Jha@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:  21.06.2020

The Covid-19 count in Delhi touched 56,746 with 3,630 new cases — the highest in a single day — being reported on Saturday.

As many as 17,533 people were tested for the disease in the 24 hours of which 3,630 (20%) tested positive, officials said. Delhi’s death toll mounted to 2,112 with 77 people succumbing to Covid-19 in 24 hours, as per latest data. A 39-year-old doctor is among those who have died due to Covid-19 in the national capital.

On June 1, Delhi had only 20,834 Covid-19 cases and 523 fatalities due to the disease compared to Mumbai’s tally of 41,099 cases and 1,319 deaths.

However, in 20 days, Delhi’s numbers have come close to Mumbai’s where 65,239 people have been diagnosed with Covid-19 as on Saturday and 3,561 people have died due to it, and experts believe, the national capital might overtake the financial capital of the country in Covid-19 numbers. Where did Delhi go wrong?

According to Dr K Srinath Reddy, president of the Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI), contact tracing wasn’t carried out effectively in Delhi. “Mumbai did a much better job of tracing the contacts of positive cases which helped limit the spread of the disease, even in places like Dharavi – one of Asia’s largest slums,” he said.

The PHFI president said post-lockdown, when the Covid-19 count started surging in the national capital, the government shifted its focus to ramping up infrastructure to hospitalise the seriously ill.

Public health measures such as contact tracing and house-to-house surveillance, which are equally important to limiting disease spread, were not carried out effectively, he added.

“Even in the containment zones, the authorities failed to ensure strict social distancing. There were reports of people moving freely inside even as the area was barricaded and outsiders weren’t allowed in them,” Dr Reddy said.

Lower testing rate was another key problem, said a senior doctor from AIIMS. “Delhi’s testing numbers were as low as 5,000 till May. It picked up only recently. It is possible that many Covid-19 patients, who were asymptomatic, continued to spread the disease because they were never tested,” she added.

On Saturday, data shows, 17,533 people were tested for Covid-19 in Delhi — a three times increase compared to last week’s testing number.

Recently, on the instruction of union home minister Amit Shah, the state has also initiated house-to-house surveys to ascertain the spread of the virus and put in record the high-risk and vulnerable segments of the population.

“This exercise should have been started much before. Also, the government ought to have involved citizens in disease control through mass awareness campaigns. People should know the importance of wearing masks properly and continuing with social distancing measures though the lockdown has ended because cases are still coming and in larger numbers,” Dr Rommel Tickoo, associate director in the internal medicine department at Max hospital, Saket.

Many health experts also blame lack of coordination between the civic bodies, state and centre for the crisis in Delhi.

Final-yr univ students anxious about optional exams’ viability

Final-yr univ students anxious about optional exams’ viability

Yogita Rao & Hemali Chhapia TNN

Mumbai: 21.06.2020

A day after the state issued a government resolution making final-year university exams optional, students and principals have raised concerns over its viability.

Students are worried about getting a level playing field with both the options—promotion based on performance in previous semesters and writing the exam. Many are concerned about the industry’s reaction to promoted graduates. Uncertainty over conduct of exams is likely till the Covid crisis continues, delaying their prospects.

The ideal solution was to promote all students and allow them to opt for grade improvement later, said a principal. He added the decision was politically influenced. “Now students will be confused about the choice. They will be worried that their batchmates who opt for exams may have better prospects,” he said.

Parvathi Venkatesh, principal of Don Bosco College, said, “I feel studious and bright children will prefer to take the exams and average students will opt for the average scoring scheme. But parents are also wondering how the job market will react to a student who did not take the exams.”

Academicians recalled in 1975 when no exams were held, the batch was at a “disadvantage” and many companies put candidates through an exam before hiring them. Students had several queries on the manner in which the past performance would be calculated, as also if there would be any remark on their scorecard, whether they took the exams or the final score was an average of their past performance. The student community, which is in touch with their college faculty, asked if universities abroad seek a clarification on this matter, what would be the response.

“If a remark is put stating the score is an average of past semesters, everyone will opt for the exams,” said a princip al. HR college head Parag Thakkar said, “I feel students would wait for a clarification on how scores will be calculated in the average marking scheme before taking a call.” Principals said seeking a written consent from 1,500 to 2,000 students from individual colleges may also be tedious. Creating two sets of students will be difficult, but can be done by reaching out to them on mails and through the website, said Rajendra Shinde, principal, St Xavier’s College.

Storm in T cup as guv asserts herself

Storm in T cup as guv asserts herself

Koride.Mahesh@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 21.06.2020

Telangana governor Tamilisai Soundararajan’s recent statements on the handling of Covid-19 cases and testing have not gone down well with the state government even as it battles the coronavirus cases.

Sources in the government said chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao was unhappy with the governor on two counts — for reviewing and commenting on Covid-19 cases and indirectly giving ammo to the opposition BJP and Congress to target his government.

Though the government has not made known its displeasure, the CM is believed to have discussed the issue with some of his ministers and top officials.

The government is particularly ruffled over Soundararajan holding meetings on key subjects like education and health without informing its officials. “Visiting hospitals, encouraging doctors and health fraternity is not wrong. But, she made some remarks at the way the government was handling the pandemic, which should have been avoided. This is nothing but criticising the government and providing moral support to the opposition parties,” a senior CMO official said.

Before being appointed as governor, Soundararajan was the Tamil Nadu BJP chief.

The governor had recently visited Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS) to talk to doctors and health workers and applaud their work. She had even thought of visiting the nodal Gandhi Hospital but changed her mind on the advice of doctors.

The governor had earlier interacted with senior health officials on the ongoing lockdown measures and Covid-19 cases.

CM KCR & Guv Tamilisai

ONE-UPMANSHIP?

CMO official: Guv cannot criticise own government

The governor even had reportedly sought information on Covid tests being done, but the government did not respond. Last week, Soundararajan had again interacted with Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) director Dr Rakesh Mishra and experts on Covid-19 cases and tests.

“The governor cannot criticise her own government. Her role is advisory. Whenever she wants to interact with officials, she should inform the government which is a convention. But, this is being violated now,” a top CMO official said. In the last one month, the governor had interacted with vice-chancellors and educationists of various universities in her capacity as a chancellor. But what upset the government was her instructions to the VCs on conducting the examinations which, officials feel, is the prerogative of the government.

Sources recalled that a professor of Telangana State Agriculture University had met the governor a few months ago upon her request and submitted a report on higher education with a road map on streamlining it. “Soon after, the university (read government) shunted him out to a college in Khammam’s Ashwaraopet. The government did not take kindly to the professor meeting the governor,” sources said. Ever since Soundararajan was sworn in as a governor in September 2019, the government has been wary of her actions as she had functioned as Tamil Nadu BJP president before occupying the gubernatorial post at the Raj Bhavan. CMO officials also recalled that Soundararajan had expressed a desire to conduct a ‘janata darbar’ at Raj Bhavan which, however, has not taken off. “She liberally gives appointments to opposition leaders. BJP and Congress have met her at least 20 times in the last few months,” a senior functionary of the government said.

Govt employees may receive full pay in June

Govt employees may receive full pay in June

CM To Review State Finances In Few Days

Koride.Mahesh@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  21.06.2020

With pressure mounting from the employees’ unions and following improved revenues, the Telangana government is considering paying full salary and pension to the state government employees and pensioners for June.

The development comes after the recent ordinance promulgated by the government, empowering it to make part payment of salaries and pensions if a health emergency arises.

Sources in the government said the CM will review state finances in the next few days and if the revenues are not satisfactory and has financial obligations, the government may continue salary cuts for elected representatives and order full salary to the employees and pensioners.

The government has been paying only part of the salaries and pensions to serving and retired employees and elected representatives in the last three months mainly owing to sharp fall in the state revenues owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

Sources in the CMO said: “The government is planning to give full salaries to the employees this month as state revenues have improved considerably when compared to the last two months. While it was less than ₹3,000 crore revenue in May against ₹12,000 crore a month during normal course, this month the revenues are expected to touch ₹10,000 crore, including ₹4,000 crore borrowings.”

The government had borrowed the amount mainly to release Rythu Bandhu sum for farmers. “About ₹1,500 crore had already been released and the balance is expected to be released by Monday,” sources said.

Recently, Telangana employees’ JAC leaders reportedly met finance minister T Harish Rao and submitted a memorandum urging him to see that government employees get full salaries this month. .

“Generally, salary bills are prepared by 25th of every month. We hope the CM will issue instructions to the finance department for full payment of salaries in the next couple of days,” a JAC leader, who met the FM, told STOI.

DOCTOR DADS ON DUTY

FATHER’S DAY

DOCTOR DADS ON DUTY

With the number of corona cases rising, doctors have been on the frontline helping patients. This has meant several of them have to stay away from their families, reports Uttara Varma

21.06.2020

Dr Sukumar, resident paediatric surgeon, Niloufer hospital

I have not seen my children since the lockdown began,” says Dr Sukumar. The 36-year-old’s family lives in Kadapa, AP. Before the corona virus outbreak, either he or his wife would travel so that the family could spend time together, but now that is out of the question. “I decided to be cautious and not see my kids till this pandemic is over. While I miss them, I have to think of their health and safety first,” said the 36-year-old. His daughter Lisa is six years old and son Samuel is four. He says his son asks for him every day.

Dr Ajay Chanakya Vallabhaneni, Consultant Surgical Oncologist, KIMS hospitals

Eleven-month-old Ameya grabs on to her dad as soon as he gets home and howls when he does not pick her up. Since the pandemic began, Dr Ajay Chanakya is being extra cautious. “As soon as I reach home, I take a shower, and only then pick up my daughter,” he says. The oncologist sees at least 20 patients a day, but that does not cover those he is often exposed to in the hospital, especially the ICU. Juggling work and spending time with his children – he also has a six-year-old son Agastya -- has been a challenge in these times. Owing to the pandemic, his wife, also a doctor extended her stay at home after having their daughter.

Dr Shravan Kumar, MD General medicine, NIMS

Anticipating an increase in work, Dr Shravan Kumar sent his four-yearold daughter Ananya and wife back to their native place in Karimnagar before the lockdown began. “Thankfully, her school closed in time,” says the 32-year-old. “I am missing her so much. I used to play with her every day. But now I don’t see her even on video call for days,” said Dr Kumar. He says his 12-hour work shifts mean that she is sleeping when he calls or unavailable. The doctor says he has never been without her for this long since she was born. While he does not know when he can see her, he says the separation is for the best given the pandemic.

Secretariat gets fresh guidelines

Secretariat gets fresh guidelines

Roushan.Ali@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  21.06.2020

With health concerns growing among the secretariat employees due to a surge in the coronavirus cases at BRKR Bhavan and other state-level government offices, the government on Saturday came out with fresh guidelines for their safety.

As against 100% attendance that was being insisted till date, the fresh guidelines state that only 50% of clerical staff and circulating officers will attend duties on an alternate day basis. Likewise, only 50% of office subordinates, data entry operators and class IV employees will attend duty on alternate week basis. Also, 50% of clerical staff and circulating officers will come to respective offices alternatively.

Secretariat and other state-level government offices will function with 50% workforce from Monday. These orders will remain in force up to July 4. TNGOs’ secretary N Suresh Kumar and TSEA treasurer Rendla Rajesh told STOI they are requesting government to give relaxations in morning attendance norm.CS Somesh Kumar issued the orders, listing out the guidelines after associations represented to him that employees were scared to come to offices due to coronavirus scare.

1k medicos write final yr PG exam

1k medicos write final yr PG exam

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

21.06.2020

Hyderabad: Following the Telangana High Court’s nod, the Kaloji Narayana Rao University Sciences’ (KNRUS) authorities conducted the PG examinations as per schedule on Saturday. As many as 1,140 out of the total 1,187 PG students who had enrolled for the examination, took the test. The exams will conclude on June 29.

Last week several medicos, in a desperate attempt to postpone the exams had filed PIL in the high court seeking intervention. Many had written to senior officials, including the governor, making a similar appeal. However, the high court ruled in favour of the exams while asking authorities to maintain all safety precautions.

Among the students who wrote the exam on Saturday were some who had tested positive for Covid-19 earlier but have now completed their mandatory 14-day quarantine period. The remaining 47 students who did not appear for the examination are those who had requested the university authorities to allow them to appear later citing reasons like pregnancy, low immunity, having infants and elderly parents at home etc.

“We have taken special permission from the Medical Council of India (MCI) to allow conducting of examination for the 47, when the Covid-19 situation improves. We have agreed to transfer their fee to the later date. The single student who is Covid-19 positive currently, had requested on Friday that he wanted to write the examination. We made an examination centre at Gandhi Hospital just for him, while at the other centres we took all the necessary precautions like social distancing, sanitising etc,” said Dr Karunakar Rao, VC of the university.

Some students, however, claimed that no masks or hand sanitizer was provided to students writing their final year examinations. “We demand that the government and KNRUHS provide N-95 masks to exam-going students,” said Dr Mahesh Kumar, president, Healthcare Reforms Doctors Association.

PG students appear for final year exams at Osmania Medical College