22 of Tamil Nadu’s 39 Covid deaths reported in city

22 of Tamil Nadu’s 39 Covid deaths reported in city

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.04.2021

Tamil Nadu scaled a new peak in terms of active cases with 65,635 people under treatment for the viral infection as on Saturday. The state added 9,344 new infections while 5,263 people were discharged.

Of the 39 deaths reported on Saturday, 22 were from Chennai, which also recorded 2,884 fresh infections.

Chennai has 23,625 active cases and has so far reported 4,386 deaths. At least 23 districts reported fresh cases in three digits. Of these, 11 had more than 200 new cases. After Chennai, the highest number of fresh cases and deaths were from Chengalpet (807 cases and three deaths). Active cases in the district have spiked to 6,263. Together with Tiruvallur (389) and Kancheepuram  (248), there were 4,328 new cases in the Chennai region.

The region accounted for more than 50% of Tamil Nadu’s active cases. Testing in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Chengalpet and Kancheepuram districts has also increased over the last one week. Chennai corporation commissioner G Prakash said the city, which is testing 20,000 people a day at present, plans to scale up testing to 25,000. “We are doing this across the state. Health workers have been asked to track down at least 30 close contacts of people who test positive. When we test more people, we will be able to identify cases and isolate them early,” said health secretary J Radhakrishnan.

As the state inches close to 1 lakh tests a day, the health department is pushing districts to increase the number to 1.25 lakh a day, the health secretary said. Meanwhile, public health officials say isolating people early and initiating treatment will help keep fatality rate below 1.5%.

In the west, the highest number of new cases were reported from Coimbatore (652), while in the central region, it was Trichy (323) and in the south, Tuticorin (261). The western districts together reported 1,820 cases and three deaths, while the 10 southern districts added 1,880 cases and four deaths. The central region reported 817 cases and four deaths.

HC suspends jail term, Lalu to walk free

HC suspends jail term, Lalu to walk free

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ranchi/Patna:  18.04.2021

RJD president Lalu Prasad is set to walk out of jail after the Jharkhand high court suspended the remaining duration of his prison sentence in the Dumka treasury fodder scam case, RC 38A/96, on Saturday. Lalu, at present undergoing treatment at AIIMS in New Delhi under custody, is likely to be released next week. Lalu’s counsel Kapil Sibal on Saturday told the court that the RJD chief had completed more than half of his term in the Dumka treasury case and was entitled to be released.

Concerned about dad Lalu’s health: Tejashwi

Lalu’s family and party supporters were elated. While Lalu’s wife, former CM Rabri Devi, and their eldest daughter, Rajya Sabha member Misa Bharti, arrived at AIIMS Delhi, his sons and other daughters expressed happiness on social media.

Lalu’s younger son, leader of the opposition Tejashwi Prasad Yadav, thanked the high court. “But we are more concerned about his health now,” he said. Tejashwi said a decision on Lalu’s coming to Patna would depend on the advice of doctors attending to him at AIIMS Delhi. “He is suffering from different ailments, including of the kidney and heart. We don’t want to take any chances,” he said.

Lalu’s elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, tweeted, “The messiah of the poor and downtrodden is now back. Tell those who have been doing injustice to them that our leader is coming back.”

One of Lalu’s daughters, Rohini Acharya, said she had got his “Eidi (Eid blessings)”, for which she has been observing Ramzan. Rohini also said she was observing “Chaitra Navaratra” rituals for his father’s release.

RJD workers and supporters celebrated the news by bursting firecrackers and distributing sweets. Though the party appealed to its supporters not to celebrate the occasion in a big way, and to follow Covid-19 guidelines, a few supporters went to Rabri Devi’s 10, Circular Road residence in Patna to celebrate.

Earlier, RJD national vice-president Shivanand Tiwari said, “The whole of Bihar welcomes his (Lalu’s) bail. It has been a long wait for him, his family members and party workers.”

Former CM Jitan Ram Manjhi’s HAM(S), part of the ruling NDA in the state, also welcomed news of Lalu’s bail. HAM(S) spokesperson Danish Rizwan said, “Our leader Jitan Ram Manjhi always expressed his concern about Lalu-ji’s ill health. We hope now Lalu-ji will be able to take care of himself in a better way. We are pleased with his bail.”

CELEBRATIONS GALORE: RJD supporters outside party office in Patna on Saturday

Velachery repoll: Just 186 of 548 votes cast

Velachery repoll: Just 186 of 548 votes cast

34 Less Than What Was Recorded On April 6

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.04.2021

Repolling at booth 92 in Velachery constituency concluded in a smooth manner on Saturday. Only 186 of the total 548 votes were polled, accounting for a 34% turnout.

The votes cast were 34 less than the 220 recorded on election day (April 6).

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had ordered repolling at the booth after Greater Chennai Corporation staff were caught carrying two EVMs and a VVPAT machine on a twowheeler after polling hours on April 6. The authorities claimed they were unused machines. A day later, the civic body suspended three staff members including an assistant engineer in connection with the incident. However, since the method adopted for transportation was against standard protocol, a repoll was ordered.

By noon on Saturday, around 90 votes were polled at the all-male booth at Seetharaman Nagar in Velachery. The area was fortified with heavy police presence and voters were not allowed to take their vehicles near the polling booth.

“The number of polling officials and police personnel on duty for the repoll easily outnumbered the number of voters who turned up,” said a corporation official.

Earlier in the day, corporation commissioner, G Prakash, who is also the district election officer, inspected the arrangements at the polling booth.

The last vote was polled around 5 pm and until the end of polling hours, no voter turned up. After the conclusion of polling, the EVM machines were loaded onto a van in the presence of booth agents and then sent to the strong room. The entire process was videographed.

On April 6, when the state went to polls, commotion prevailed at Velachery after polling hours because of the incident and workers of the Congress and DMK thronged the Velachery police station seeking action against the corporation staff, who were initially assumed to be AIADMK workers.

A food delivery agent who noticed the machines being transported on two bikes confronted the riders, after one of the machines fell down on Taramani Main Road in Velachery and the issue soon escalated. Some party cadres also treated the staff to mob justice before police intervened.

UNDER STRICT WATCH: Repolling underway at DAV Public School, Velachery on Saturday

Rly commuters found without masks to pay ₹500 penalty

Rly commuters found without masks to pay ₹500 penalty

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.04.2021

For the next six months, Southern Railway will impose a fine of up to ₹500 on passengers who are mask-less in stations and trains.

The decision to impose fines came after the railways received many complaints. Southern Railway has also carried out awareness programmes at railway stations to encourage passengers to wear masks.

The board has authorised all Zonal Railway to impose fine up to ₹500 under Indian Railways (Penalties for activities affecting cleanliness at Railway premises) Rules, 2012, on those not wearing face mask. Officials authorised to collect these fines include the station master or manager, an officer above the rank of ticket collector of the commercial department or an officer of an equivalent rank of the operating department, RPF officials and any other official who may be subsequently authorised by the Railway administration.

Salem meat & fish shops to remain shut on Sundays

Salem meat & fish shops to remain shut on Sundays

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

18.04.2021

Salem municipal corporation commissioner N Ravichandran ordered closure of meat and fish shops on Sundays with immediate effect and until further orders. “We took the decision as part of the Covid-19 transmission and protective measures,” Ravichandran said.

The commissioner said there were more than 500 meat and fish shops functioning within city limits. These shops are open every day and attract large crowds. “People failed to maintain social distance while buying the meat or fish,” Ravichandran said, adding that many were found not wearing face masks too. “We have directed shopowners to ensure that customers maintain a distance of at least two metres from others and asked them not to service people not maintaining social distance or not wearing masks,” he said.

E-pass must, but who’s checking?

E-pass must, but who’s checking?

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.04.2021

Officials quickly put in restrictions to curb the rapid spread of Covid-19, but on the ground level, rules are not properly enforced.

Though passengers arriving from other states are asked to quarantine, there is no mechanism to ensure that they stay indoors. No followup calls are made.

While government staff carry out temperature checks at the airport and at the major railway stations, they don’t check for e-passes. “No one asked for the e-pass. I did not get any calls from local authorities about quarantine. There is no point in making people go through the exercise of applying for an e-pass if it is not going to be checked,” said Lakshmi Subramanian, who arrived from Mumbai on Friday. An airline official said there is no instruction to check the e-pass of arriving passengers.

M K Ajit Kumar, who arrived from Calicut, said there was no temperature nor e-pass check at the railway station.

A railway official said e- pass check is done by the state government. “We check the temperature of all passengers who enter the stations. The government has posted staff to check the temperature of passengers at exit gates,” he added. However, the temperature check at exit gates is erratic.

Though the number of air travellers has fallen, the airport still handles more than 12,000 arrivals daily, while Chennai Central and Egmore see around 40,000 people a day.

MISCOMMUNICATION? All arrivals are asked to quarantine for up to 14 days, but there is no mechanism to ensure they do

Vivekh, 59, popular actor and green ambassador, dies in city

Vivekh, 59, popular actor and green ambassador, dies in city

Cardiac Arrest Not Related To Vaccine: Docs

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:18.04.2021

Celebrated Tamil actor Vivekh known for his sharp wit and social work passed away at SIMS Hospital in the city early on Saturday. The 59-year-old actor was admited to the hospital on Friday after suffering a massive cardiac arrest.

Scores of fans bid him a tearful farewell as his body was cremated with state police’s 24-gun salute. The Tamil Nadu government said the ‘police honour’ was in recognition of his contribution to the film world and his social service. The actor is survived by his wife and two daughters. Vivekh’s teenage son had died years ago.

The Padma Shri awardee has acted in more than 200 movies along with most of the leading Kollywood stars, including Rajinikanth. He has won state awards as best comedian for movies such as “Run,”, “Anniyan” and “Sivaji”. The actor has been a life-long campaigner for planting trees through ‘green Kalam movement’ and has been the state’s ambassador for popularizing public health messages, including prevention of dengue.PM and scores of other dignitaries condoled his demise.

On Friday, he was taken to the emergency room in an unconscious state around 11am by his wife and daughter after he complained of discomfort. He underwent an angioplasty and stenting procedure and was put on ECMO support in the intensive care unit. “He passed away at 4.35am on Saturday,” said hospital vice-president Dr Raju Sivasamy. The actor had taken Covaxin at Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Speciality Hospital on Thursday.

FINAL JOURNEY: Hundreds of fans took part in the funeral procession of actor Vivekh in Chennai on Saturday

Panel will probe possible link of actor’s death with vaccine

He told reporters that he had come to a government hospital with his team in order to encourage people to take the vaccine. The same day, for the first time the number of doses administered by the state crossed the two-lakh mark.

A committee for Adverse event following immunization (AEFI) comprising doctors and scientists will hold detailed investigation into the cause of death and its possible links with the vaccine.

The hospital said preliminary reports show the attack was not related to the vaccination, but acute coronary syndrome with a cardiogenic shock. This was the first time that the actor had come to hospital with an attack like this, Dr Sivasamy said. Vivek had a “mild elevated blood pressure.”

Hundreds of fans, actors, directors and political leaders visited his house to pay their respects. His comedy tracks were running in loop across television channels and were shared widely on social media along with condolences.

IN THE HEARTS OF PEOPLE: Fans of actor Vivekh queued up in front of his house to pay their respect. Some carried saplings as he was known to be nature lover and eco warrior

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