New mobile connections hit as retail stores shut

Pankaj.Doval@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:07.04.2020

Issuance of new mobile connections has come to a complete halt during the lockdown, with stores of telecom companies being shut, thereby making it impossible to submit physical documents for completion of verification processes.

Stores of mobile companies such as Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, BSNL and even many small service providers have been shut since they are considered “non-essential”, sources told TOI. The move, among other things, is likely to have an impact on the delivery of coronavirus subsidies and benefits to the poor, since many of these schemes are linked to verification/ confirmation over cellphones. People, looking to get new SIM cards issued, are finding it difficult to do so. Around 25 lakh new mobile connections are normally issued every month, according to sources

.

COAI seeks paperless activation process

The issue of fresh connections has halted. Something needs to be done soon as the country is battling a pandemic and there are many who will need mobile connectivity,” Rajan Mathews, director-general of telecom industry body, COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India), said.

The COAI has already taken up the matter with the government. “We have approached telecom secretary Anshu Prakash and highlighted the issue. Simultaneously, we are working with mobile operators and have worked out an online process that will help meet the KYC norms specified by the department of telecom (DoT). The government now needs to take a decision so that the plan can be rolled out,” Mathews said.

The government is also looking into the matter and trying to put in place a process soon, sources said.

The COAI’s plan envisages a “paperless activation process”, Mathews said, adding that provisions have been made to digitally provide documents regarding proof of identity and proof of address. However, a prospective customer will need to have an alternate number to complete the process. Once the documents are processed, a customer will be delivered an inactive SIM, which will be activated only after its number is keyed into the website of the mobile operator and an OTP is received at the alternate number.

“On successful validation of the OTP, the customer will be informed via an SMS on the alternate number to perform tele-verification with a five-digit pin. Following this, the SIM card will be activated,” Mathews said. Manwhile, thousands of foreigners whose visas have expired but are stranded in India due to cancellation of flights have lost their mobile connections. Considering the need for mobility during the current crisis, operators have sought clarification from the department of telecom (DoT) whether the connections can be extended. “It is a crucial issue. Many foreigners have been stranded here and want to stay in touch with their families, or embassies/missions, or their governments,” Rajan Mathews, DG of telecom industry body COAI, told TOI.

63% of Covid-19 deaths in India among 60-plus

30% Deaths In 40-60 Group, 7% Under 40

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:07.04.2020

Those above 60 years of age make up just 19% of coronavirus patients in India but account for 63% of the fatalities so far, with those having pre-existing health conditions being even more vulnerable, according to data released by the health ministry on Monday. Of the rest, 30% of those who died were 40-60 years old and only 7% were younger than 40. As many as 86% of the fatalities had conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, heart and kidney disease.

An analysis of Covid-19 cases and fatalities till now also shows that men may be more susceptible to the infection than women. Of the total infected so far, 76% were males and 24% females, whereas men also accounted for more deaths at 73%, while 27% deaths were among women. The infection ratio is 3:1. On Monday, a total of 4,067 confirmed cases of Covid-19 and 109 deaths related to the disease were reported by the health ministry. This included 693 new cases and 30 deaths in the last 24 hours.

On Saturday, the ministry released an age-wise analysis of all positive Covid-19 cases, which showed that 8.6% of patients were 20 and below, 41.9% were between 21 and 40, 32.8% in the 41-60 bracket, and 16.7% above 60.

62-yr-old with diabetes, asthma recovers

A62-year-old woman, who became the first senior citizen in Noida to recover from Covid-19, has one advice to share — stay positive. Medical experts have flagged age as a risk factor in Covid-19 cases. The woman has diabetes and asthma, co-morbid factors that add to risk factors. At one point during treatment, her condition had worsened and she was on oxygen. But she bounced back and is happy to be back home.

Ministry: Younger people with co-morbidities are also at risk

The age-wise mortality data released by the government supports concerns that the elderly, and more generally other patients with co-morbidities, are more at risk if they catch the infection. The fatality rate among the elderly is disproportionately higher despite a low rate of infection in the age group. “This shows that elderly people are at a higher risk but younger people with co-morbidities are also at risk. We request that elders remain protected and every youth be careful so as to not pass on the infection, particularly to elders. For this, strict implementation of social distancing measures and lockdown is essential,” health ministry joint secretary Lav Agarwal said. While the age-wise data on total confirmed cases had indicated that the trend in India was perhaps different from most other countries since a majority of those getting the infection in the country were less than 60 years old, the analysis of fatalities appears to be in line with global trends. Doctors said the elderly with comorbidities are usually vulnerable to all influenzas because of low immunity and they need to be more careful against catching the coronavirus.

கொரோனாவால் மிகவும் பாதிக்கப்பட்ட 12 நகரம்; பட்டியலில் இடம் பிடித்த சென்னை!

இந்தியாவில் தற்போது 12 மாவட்டங்கள் தலா 50-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கொரோனா வழக்குகள் கொண்டிருப்பதாக அரசு தரப்பு தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன. மேலும் இதில் முதலாவதாக தேசிய தலைநகரின் தெற்கு டெல்லி மட்டும் 320 உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்ட வழக்குகள் பதிவாகி இருப்பதாகவும் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

Updated: Apr 6, 2020, 04:21 PM IST

இந்தியாவில் தற்போது 12 மாவட்டங்கள் தலா 50-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட கொரோனா வழக்குகள் கொண்டிருப்பதாக அரசு தரப்பு தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன. மேலும் இதில் முதலாவதாக தேசிய தலைநகரின் தெற்கு டெல்லி மட்டும் 320 உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்ட வழக்குகள் பதிவாகி இருப்பதாகவும் தகவல்கள் தெரிவிக்கின்றன.

மத்திய சுகாதார மற்றும் குடும்ப நல அமைச்சகத்தால் பராமரிக்கப்படும் மாவட்ட வாரியான வழக்குகளின் பகுப்பாய்வு, 9 மாவட்டங்களின் 12 மாவட்டங்கள் தலா 50-க்கு மேற்பட்ட கொரோனா வழக்குகளை கொண்டுள்ளன. அதாவது நாட்டில் மொத்தம் 4,067 உறுதிப்படுத்தப்பட்ட வழக்குகளில் மூன்றில் ஒரு பங்கு (1,386-க்கும் அதிகமான) வழக்குகள் இந்த மாவட்டங்களில் இருந்து பெறப்பட்டதாகவும் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளது.

இதில் டெல்லிக்கு அடுத்தப்படிதயாக மும்பை 298 வழக்குகளுடனும், பிற மாவட்டங்களில் 100-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட வழக்குகளும் பதிவாகியுள்ளன. இதில் கேரளாவின் காசராகோடு, மத்திய பிரதேசத்தின் இந்தூர் மற்றும் தெலுங்கானாவின் ஹைதராபாத் ஆகியவையும் அடங்கும்.

அகமதாபாத், கண்ணூர், புனே, ஜெய்ப்பூர், சென்னை, யாதரி மற்றும் கௌதம புத்த நகர் ஆகியவை 50-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நோயாளிகளைக் கொண்ட பிற மாவட்டங்களில் அடங்கும்.

மாநில அளவில், தமிழ்நாடு, மகாராஷ்டிரா மற்றும் டெல்லி ஆகியவை தலா 500-க்கும் மேற்பட்ட நோய்த்தொற்றுகளை உறுதிப்படுத்தியுள்ளன, மேலும் தேசிய அளவில் 284 மாவட்டங்கள் இப்போது கொரோனா நோயாளிகளை அடையாளம் கண்டுள்ளது.

இதுகுறித்து தேசிய நோய்த்தொற்று நோய் மையத்தின் கீழ் ஒருங்கிணைந்த நோய் கண்காணிப்பு திட்டத்தின் அதிகாரி ஒருவர் கூறுகையில், வழக்குகளின் வடிவத்தின் அடிப்படையில் மாவட்டங்களின் தனி வகை தயாரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளது. "சிறிய கிளஸ்டர்களைக் கொண்ட மாவட்டங்கள் பல வட்டாரங்களிலிருந்து வழக்குகள் பதிவாகியுள்ள மாவட்டங்களிலிருந்து பிரிக்கப்பட்டுள்ளன, இது கட்டுப்பாட்டு முயற்சிகளை மிகவும் சிக்கலாக்குகிறது" என்று குறிப்பிட்டுள்ளார்.

50-க்கும் குறைவான நோயாளிகளைக் கொண்ட பல மாவட்டங்களும் கணிசமான எண்ணிக்கையிலான நோயாளிகளும் நெருக்கமாக மதிப்பீடு செய்யப்படுகின்றன. ஏப்ரல் 14-க்குப் பிறகு தேசிய அளவிலான முழு அடைப்பு முடிவுக்கு வரவிருந்தாலும், எந்த மாவட்டங்கள் மற்றும் பகுதிகளுக்கு பூட்டுதல் நீண்ட காலம் தேவைப்படும் என்பதைக் கண்டறிய மதிப்பீடு மேற்கொள்ளப்பட்டு வருவதாகவும் அதிகாரிகள் தெரிவிக்கின்றனர்.

"நாங்கள் மிக அதிகமான தொற்றுநோய்களுடன் ஒரு சுகாதார நெருக்கடியை எதிர்கொள்கிறோம் என்பதை புரிந்து கொள்ள வேண்டும், அது ஒரு நீண்ட பயணமாக இருக்கும். கணிசமான எண்ணிக்கையிலான COVID-19 வழக்குகள் உள்ள பகுதிகளில் மிகவும் உன்னிப்பாக திட்டமிடப்பட்ட கட்டுப்பாட்டு முயற்சிகள் செயல்படுத்தப்பட வேண்டும்,” என்று இந்திய மருத்துவ ஆராய்ச்சி கவுன்சிலின் கீழ் உள்ள தேசிய தொற்றுநோயியல் நிறுவனத்தின் விஞ்ஞானி ஒருவர் கூறினார்.

அதிக எண்ணிக்கையிலான வழக்குகள் உள்ள 12 மாவட்டங்கள்

தெற்கு டெல்லி. டெல்லி –320

மும்பை, மகாராஷ்டிரா ------ 298

காசராகோடு, கேரளா ---- 136

ஹைதராபாத், தெலங்கானா ------ 113

இந்தூர், மத்திய பிரதேசம் ------- 110

சென்னை, தமிழ்நாடு ------ 81

புனே, மகாராஷ்டிரா ----- 62

கௌத்தம புத்த நகர், உத்திர பிரதேஷ் --- 55

ஜெய்ப்பூர், ராஜஸ்தான் ----------- 54

அகமதாபாத், குஜராத் ----- 53

யாதத்ரி, தெலங்கானா ---- 52

கண்ணூர், கேரளா ---------- 52

TTD offers Rs 19 crore for Covid relief

Tirupati/hyderabad  06.04.2020

Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) that governs the Lord Venkateswara temple at Tirumala, has decided to offer Rs 19 crore to the Andhra Pradesh’s government relief coronavirus fund, a top TTD official said on Sunday.

TTD Executive Officer Anil Kumar Singal said that TTD had already given a Rs eight crore to the government officials of Chittoor district and the remaining Rs 11 crore would soon be handed over to them to fight killer virus.

“Don’t believe rumours”

The TTD Executive Officer also appealed to the devotees not to believe and trust the reports appearing in social media about Srivari temple activities.

Speaking to media in Tirumala, he said Srivari temple has not been shut down completely as baselessly rumoured in social media.

All the daily rituals from Suprabhatam to Ekantha Seva are being conducted under the guidance and supervision of Tirumala Sri Sri Sri Pedda Jeeyar Swamy and chief archaka Venugopal Dikshitulu as per Agama traditions.

No changes in rituals

One of the Chief Priests of Tirumala Temple Sri Venugopal Dikshitulu asserted that there was no change or deviation in the rituals and timings at the Srivari temple during the ongoing annual Vasanthotsavam festival. Refuting social media reports that there was a break in traditions in offering Naivedyam to lord during Vasantotsavam, he said it was totally baseless.

The chief priest narrated the course of events performed inside the temple. After Naivedyam first bell between 5:30 am and 6 am, second bell between 6 am and 7 am, the deities are brought to Kalyanotsava Mandapam in Sampangi Prakaram and rituals are conducted.

“In view of Covid-19 restrictions, instead of performing Vasanthotsavam at Vasantha Mandapam, this year we are doing it in Kalyanotsavam Mandapam under the supervision of Jeeyar Swamis, Agama advisors and main archakas without any deviation”, he said. agencies

‘Decision on school reopening on April 14’Difficult to take a decision at the moment, says HRD Minister

Safety of students is of utmost importance and we are prepared to ensure there is no academic loss — Ramesh Pokhriyal HRD Minister

New Delhi  Telengana Today 06.04.2020

The government will take a decision on reopening of schools and colleges on April 14 after reviewing the coronavirus situation in the country, Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank' said on Sunday.

He said the safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government and that his ministry is prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if educational institutions needed to remain shut beyond April 14, when the ongoing 21-day lockdown is slated to end.

"It is difficult to take a decision at the moment. We will review the situation on April 14 and depending upon the circumstances, a decision will be taken on whether schools and colleges can be reopened now or have to be closed for some more time," Pokhriyal said when asked about his Ministry's post-lockdown plan.

"There are 34 crore students in the country, more than America's population. They are our biggest treasure. Safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government," he added. The 21-day nationwide lockdown ends on April 14. There have been indications from the government that the lockdown may not be extended. Classes in schools and colleges were suspended and exams postponed even before the lockdown was announced on March 24, which came into effect from the next day. There are over 800 universities, 40,000 colleges and 12,000 standalone Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), besides 1.5 lakh schools in the country.

"The classes are already being conducted online using various government platforms like Swayam and Diksha. The platforms are being widely accessed by students. We are prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if need arises to keep schools, colleges closed beyond April 14. I am regularly reviewing the plan of action being followed by schools and colleges during the lockdown," he said.

Earlier this week, he interacted with directors of 23 IITs and Vice Chancellors of Central universities in separate video conferences "I interacted with directors of IITs and appreciated them for the kind of Covid-19 related research that is being conducted at different institutes. I also directed them to ensure that placements of students who are in the final year are not affected due to the situation. In the coming weeks, I will interact with directors of NITs as well," Nishank said.

The government also announced earlier this week that the CBSE will conduct pending exams for class 10 and 12 only in those 29 subjects which are crucial for promotion and admission to higher educational instituions. The board has also announced that it will not conduct pending class 10 and 12 examinations in foreign countries due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“All students up to class 8 have been promoted. For class 9 and 11 students, schools have been asked to grade them as per their performance in internal assessment. For 29 crucial subjects, the board will conduct the exams. A plan is also ready for conducting pending exams as soon as the situation improves. Students will be given at least a ten-day notice before the exams are conducted," the Minister said. PTI

Lockdown may continue beyond April 14 in AP and Telangana

DECCAN CHRONICLE. | SNCN ACHARYULU

PublishedApr 5, 2020, 11:44 am IST

The recent surge in Covid-19 positive cases in the Telugu states is worrying the two state governments

Hyderabad: Even as the Centre is planning to lift the nationwide lockdown in a phased manner from April 14 in states that do not register new coronavirus cases, the increasing number of Covid-19 positive cases in the Telugu states is worrying the two state governments.

In the beginning, the two states, particularly AP, were in control of the situation. However, in the last three days, the number of coronavirus positive cases has seen a sudden jump in both states after many followers of Tablighi Jamaat returned from the Delhi meeting.

While the total number of cases in Andhra Pradesh has crossed 180, the figure in Telangana state is 170 plus.

Both administrations have now decided to intensify their operations against coronavirus in the coming 10 days. Their aim is to bring down the number of new cases to a minimum, so that they could start lifting the lockdown from April 14. However, if the Covid-19 cases continue rising, the states will have no choice but to prolong the lockdown.

Both states have been losing revenues heavily due to the lockdown, particularly at a time when they are facing a cash crunch.

A lockdown beyond April 14 would indicate the financial situation of both the states going from bad to worse.

IOB to collect PM CARES funds

All such contributions will be entitled to 100 per cent income tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

Published: 06th April 2020 01:43 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Central Government has designated the Indian Overseas Bank for collecting PM CARES funds, which will be used to support the nation following the COVID-19 outbreak, a statement from the bank said. The contributions can be made through RTGS, NEFT, IMPS, cheques or demand drafts drawn in favour of ‘PM CARES FUND’.

One can also remit contributions directly by Electronic Clearing System (ECS) to the designated savings bank account of Indian Overseas Bank. All such contributions will be entitled to 100 per cent income tax exemption under section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

A gruelling journey from Maharashtra that ended on a sweet note

Good samaritan helps travel-weary migrant workers from T.N. return home

06/04/2020, , KATHELENE ANTONY,TIRUCHI

The youth from Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts who succeeded in returning to T.N. from Maharashtra.

After travelling over 1,000 km from Maharashtra by walking for days at a stretch and hitchhiking, a heavenly feeling descended on seven youths belonging to Tiruvarur and Nagapattinam districts when a good samaritan in Tiruchi volunteered to drop them off at their homes.

The group of engineering graduates, employed at a company that manufactures agricultural products in Nanded district, were caught unawares by the announcement on the COVID-19 lockdown.

Though their employer had arranged for food, Nitish Kumar, R. Vijayan, B. Bharathan, S. Rahul, V. Jegan, S. Prabhu and Shoban Babu were longing to get back home, and began their journey on March 29.

“We covered at least 500 km on foot. Kind souls in many villages provided us food and water despite the language barrier,” said Mr. Kumar, adding, “We also hitched rides on trucks and autorickshaws and spent nights at petrol bunks.”

The most difficult part of their journey was the stretch from Nanded to Solapur in Maharashtra, Mr. Kumar said. “It was night time, and not a single creature was in sight. We only had each other for company, and a will to go home,” he said.

Parents didn’t know

Mr. Babu said they had not informed their parents about their trip. “Had we told them, they would have kept worrying for our safety. They did not know until we reached home,” he said. “All along, we pretended that we were staying in Maharashtra,” he said.

The men were on the last leg of the journey on the Chennai Bypass Road — the Cauvery Bridge — when Arun Kumar, a photographer from Tiruchi, spotted them looking weary. “They looked exhausted. When I stopped them and asked them who they were, they narrated their tale,” Mr. Arun said.

He informed the District Collector, sought a travel pass and volunteered to take the youths to their destination.

They were dropped off at the Tiruvarur Government Hospital on Saturday evening. “We were asked to stay the night there, and were subjected to blood tests. We were allowed to go home only after the tests came back negative,” Mr. Babu said.

Now, a device for COVID-19 risk detection

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT ,MADURAI

To address the issues such as lack of mass screening and data-driven methodology for COVID-19 risk detection, surveillance and management, VinCense, an Internet of Medical Things (ioMT)-based health screening and monitoring platform, has built the country’s first clinically-graded wearable, which can measure critical vitals such as pulse rate and respiratory rate in just two minutes.

Speaking to The Hindu here on Sunday, MedIoTek Health Systems Managing Director Sharmila Devadoss said it can record oxygen saturation and skin temperature, and 90 people can be screened in an hour and real time data would be made available for quick action.

The vitals would be transferred via low-energy Bluetooth to the mobile App from where they are sent to a secure cloud through Wi-Fi mobile data. Data analytics dashboards enable real-time surveillance and eases monitoring and evaluation. So quick decisions can be taken and lives saved.

Another feature is tracking the vitals of Covid-19 patients or other at-risk patients remotely, thus minimising workers’ risk and easing the load at hospitals.

Lights go off, aerial crackers light the sky

Residents respond to PM’s call

06/04/2020, STAFF REPORTER,MADURAI

Residents lit traditional lamps in Madurai on Sunday night. G. Moorthy

Switching off lights, many residents of Madurai stood outside their houses and on their terraces with lamps, candles and torches for nine minutes from 9 p.m. on Sunday night, in response to the call given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a way to demonstrate their collective will to fight COVID-19 pandemic.

People of all ages participated in the exercise. At many places across the city, the residents also responded to the Prime Minister’s call with bursting of crackers that went on beyond 9.30 p.m. Aerial crackers that started at 9 p.m. also lit up the otherwise cloudy sky.

“Being quarantined inside homes for the last few days has created anxiety and panic among residents about the COVID-19 pandemic. But when we saw other residents coming out of their homes with candles and lights, we felt positive. Now, we are confident that we can together cooperate and successfully outlive the outbreak,” said M. Rajan of Teppakulam.

At Tirumalai Colony in Sammattipuram, the residents arranged lamps on the road which read ‘Go back Corona.’

Many of the houses in K.K. Nagar had switched off the lights, said N. Venkatesh, a college student. However, street lights continued to glow in the city.

‘300 attended funeral of COVID-19 positive man’

The businessman died in a Chennai government hospital and his body was taken to Ramnad

06/04/2020, L SRIKRISHNA,MADURAI

The body of a 71-year-old businessman, who died in Stanley Medical College in Chennai on April 2 and subsequently confirmed to have tested COVID-19 positive, has been shifted to his native Kilakarai in Ramanathapuram district and buried.

What is of concern, however, is police inquiry showing that at least 300 people, including his relatives and a local AIADMK MLA, participated in the burial rituals.

The businessman returned from Dubai on March 16 and stayed at Mannadi in Chennai. As he experienced breathing difficulty, he was admitted to Stanley Medical College at 9 a.m. on April 2, where died within two hours.

His body was shifted in an ambulance the same day. On April 3, he was buried at Old Jumma Mosque. The next day, a report confirmed that he had tested positive to COVID-19.

Sources claimed that his body was shifted at least thrice from one ambulance to another during the journey from Chennai to Kilakarai, which were all government-operated free hearse services. While the first ambulance was arranged by Stanley Medical College officials, the other two were arranged by local authorities.

An officer privy to the investigation said the body was first shifted at Ulundurpet, then at Pudukottai and finally at Kilakarai.

“In the shifting process, the packing of the body had been disturbed badly,” he said.

Before the burial was conducted, the body was opened and given a wash, among other routine procedures. The son of the deceased was said to have travelled in the ambulance van.

As per health ministry guidelines, the entire place of worship, house and the street where the body was carried was disinfected on Sunday morning. Also, disinfection was done in the entire town with total shutdown. All contacts were under quarantine, officials added.

30 more days to pay life insurance premium

Applies to policies due this month

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,HYDERABAD

IRDAI may offer settlement options for maturity payout of unit-linked policies.Jirsak

The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has allowed an additional 30-day grace period for policyholders to pay premium on life insurance policies whose renewal due date falls in April.

It had earlier provided a similar grace period for those policies whose premium was due for payment in March.

An additional grace period is over and above the 30-day grace period, from the due date, that usually is available to pay the premium without any interest charges and thus ensuring continuity of the policy without any break.

The grace period varies depending on the frequency of premium payment — it is less, usually 15 days, if the mode of payment is monthly and invariably 30 days for quarterly, half-yearly or yearly modes.

A circular issued by IRDAI Member (Life) K. Ganesh said the additional grace period for life insurance policies, whose premiums is due in March and April, would be 30 days. The communication, however, did not specify whether it will be applicable to all life insurance policies, irrespective of their frequency of payment.

Settlement options

The decision follows representations from life insurers and the Life Insurance Council, in which they had cited “various operational constraints and difficulties being faced by policyholders due to the lockdown,” in view of the pandemic.

In another instruction to life insurers, IRDAI said they may offer settlement options for maturity payout of unit-linked policies. Settlement option is a facility extended to ULIP holders to receive the maturity proceeds in instalments.

Regulatory returns

“Where unit-linked policies mature and fund value is to be paid in lump sum, life insurers may offer settlement options. This one-time option is regardless of whether such option exists or not in the specific product,” the circular said.

In doing so, life insurers have to “exercise all due care and diligence to explain clearly the possible downside risk of continued fluctuation of fund value based on daily NAV and clear consent has to be obtained from the policyholder. This is allowed for unit-linked policies maturing up to May 31,” the circular said.

IRDAI has given more time for insurers to file regulatory returns — 15 days for monthly returns; and 30 days for quarterly, half-yearly and yearly returns as well for Cybersecurity Audit. The additional time for filing regulatory returns is as on March 31, another circular said.

Railways mulls post-lockdown protocols

Officials say the focus will be on routes catering to migrant workers and avoiding hotspots

06/04/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

Amber signal: If it is a selective lifting of lockdown, trains will run only in virus-free areas.SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR

From making passengers wear masks to using the Arogya Setu app to check their health status before allowing them to travel and encouraging physical distancing on board are a few proposals that the Railways is mulling over as it prepares to gear for the end of the 21-day lockdown on April 14.

While no decision has yet been taken on when the passenger services will be resumed, officials said it is likely to be done in a phased manner.

A decision, officials said, is likely to be taken in the coming week on how to restore services. The Railways, officials said, had discussed the option of resuming services only on specific approval of each train from the Railway Board. Suggestions for phase-wise resumption of services have to be provided by the zone to the board.

“These are sensitive times and we are not looking in terms of revenue generation for now. The focus is on passenger safety and to ensure that the disease does not spread. Trains will run in due course, once the government gives us the green signal. However, as of now, we have not taken any decision yet,” said a senior officer.

In the zones, officials are also identifying trains and routes which can be resumed with the approval of the board. The focus, say officials, is to see if routes catering to migrant workers can be resumed initially and also those that are not travelling through or had halts at COVID-19 hotspots.

Officials added the Railways also have to factor in how the lockdown is eventually opened. If it is selective, then trains will only run in areas where the lockdown has been lifted, officials said.

Railways is also unlikely to rescind a March 19 order suspending all concessions for passengers except those offered to patients, students and people with disabilities.

Masks, keeping distance

The Railways is mulling options like thermal screening to screen passengers boarding trains.

“We are thinking of requesting passengers to wear masks as per the Health Ministry advisory. We are also thinking of using the Arogya app to check wellness of patients and allow only healthy passengers, an official said. The Railways has also asked zones to ensure the security of coaches parked in depots.

Lockdown to end in U.P. in phases: CM

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,LUCKNOW

The lockdown against COVID-19 will come to an end in Uttar Pradesh on April 15 but will be done so in phases, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has said.

“The lockdown will come to an end on April 15,” Mr. Adityanath said while interacting with MLAs in the State during a videoconference on Saturday. He, however, stressed the need to end the lockdown in phases. “If crowds gather all at once, then all the efforts taken will go down the drain,” he said.

18 Malaysian nationals stopped from flying back

10 detained at the Chennai airport, eight in Delhi

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI/CHENNAI

Eight Malaysian nationals have been sent to quarantine after they were stopped from boarding a special flight to Malaysia at the Delhi airport, an Immigration official said on Sunday.

It was found that they figured in a list of foreign nationals who attended the religious congregation at the Tablighi Jamaat centre in Nizamuddin. Their credentials are being verified with the Malaysian Embassy.

The official said the eight wanted to board a special flight to Malaysia when they were stopped by Immigration personnel.

A Delhi police official confirmed that the eight Malaysian nationals had been handed over to them by the Immigration Department. Later, they were sent for medical examination.

“All Malaysian nationals have been shifted to a quarantine centre after their samples were taken by the Health department”, a senior police officer said.

With Crime Branch

In another development, Immigration authorities at the Chennai International Airport on Sunday detained 10 Malaysian nationals who had arrived in the country on a tourist visa and attended the Tablighi Jamaat meeting in New Delhi. They were handed over to the Central Crime Branch (CCB) and later placed under quarantine in Poonamallee.

Police sources said the foreign nationals were involved in the Jamaat’s activities in Tenkasi district from March 14 to 26 after returning from Delhi. They were intercepted by the immigration officers when they tried to fly out of the country on a special flight that had been arranged for stranded Malaysians.

According to the police, the 10 Malaysian nationals had stayed at Nizamuddin in Delhi till March 11, after attending the conference. They arrived in Chennai on March 12 by train and went to Tenkasi the following day.

“Between March 14 and 26, they visited different mosques in Tenkasi, Courtallam and Vallam in connection with the Jamaat’s activities, along with two locals — Moulana Hamid and Moulana Moideen,” a police officer said. On Sunday, they reached the Chennai airport along with 127 other Malaysian nationals from different parts of the State.

They were supposed to fly back on a Malindo Air flight, arranged by the Malaysian government.

Reopening of schools, colleges to be decided after lockdown

HRD Minister says safety of students is most important

06/04/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,NEW DELHI

The government will take a decision on reopening of schools and colleges on April 14 after reviewing the COVID-19 situation in the country, Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ said on Sunday.

In an interview, Mr. Pokhriyal said the safety of students and teachers was of utmost importance.

He said the Ministry was prepared to ensure there was no academic loss to students if schools and colleges needed to remain shut beyond April 14.

“The classes are already being conducted online using various government platforms like Swayam. We are prepared to ensure there is no academic loss to students if the need arises to keep schools, colleges closed after April 14,” he said.

“It is difficult to take a decision at the moment. We will review the situation on April 14 and depending upon the circumstances, a decision will be taken on whether schools and colleges can be reopened now or have to be closed for more time,” Mr. Pokhriyal said when asked about his Ministry’s post-lockdown plan.

34 crore students

“There are 34 crore students in the country, more than America’s population. They are our biggest treasure. Safety of students and teachers is of utmost importance to the government,” he added.

“I am regularly reviewing the plan of action being followed by schools and colleges during the lockdown. A plan is also ready for conducting pending exams.”

Why everyone should wear masks

The pandemic can be slowed only by a lockdown as well as by ensuring universal mask use

06/04/2020, T. JACOB JOHN

Flattening the epidemic curve (case distribution curve) is the need of the day. On the curve, Y axis and X axis represent case numbers and time, respectively. A normal epidemic curve is bell-shaped, with an early ascending slope (first phase), a peak (second phase) and a declining slope (third phase). The area under the curve represents the total number of cases. India is now in the first phase of the COVID-19 pandemic.

A rapid increase in cases will demand far more healthcare facilities than now available. Healthcare facilities were not created in anticipation of a pandemic and are grossly inadequate for India to tackle the first phase. A flattening of the curve will reduce the demand on beds in intensive care units, respirators, and specialists to manage acute respiratory distress syndrome. The peak will be dwarfed and come after some breathing time; the pressure will be eased. However, the area under the curve, the total number of cases, whether the curve is bell-shaped or flattened, will be the same. This crucial information in the epidemiology of the epidemic must be taken into account for planning a response.

Flattening the curve

There are two ways of flattening the curve: imposing a strict lockdown for a number of weeks or use of face masks all the time when outside our homes. A lockdown physically distances families from each other. The disadvantage is that family members may not be able to keep a physical distance of two metres from one another all the time. As a result, intra-familial spread occurs and more people are infected at the end of the lockdown than at the beginning. But during a lockdown community transmission is prevented.

There are four reasons for the universal use of masks. First, any infected person will not infect others because the droplets of fluids that we let out during conversations, coughing or sneezing will be blocked by the mask. Remember, most infectious people don’t have symptoms, or have mild symptoms, and are unaware that they are infected. Second, uninfected people will have some protection from droplet infection during interactions with others. For those who wear eyeglasses, there is additional protection from droplets falling on the conjunctiva. When both parties wear masks, the probability of transmission is virtually zero. Third, the mask-wearers will avoid inserting their fingertips into their nostrils or mouths. Viruses deposited on surfaces may be carried by hand if we touch such surfaces; if we do not touch our eyes, nostrils or mouth, this mode of transmission is prevented. Fourth, everyone will be reminded all the time that these are abnormal days.

In overcrowded areas such as slums, a lockdown will not be efficient in slowing down transmission. In such places, universal mask use is a simple way to slow down transmission. In India the wise choice would have been to ensure universal mask use in slums, bazaars, shops selling essential commodities, etc. before the lockdown. But then, wisdom, proverbially, is slower than adventure.

Making your own mask

Taiwan and the Czech Republic depended primarily on universal mask use and slowed down the epidemic. In the Czech Republic, people made their own masks. Cotton pieces, preferably coarse, three layers, stitched with two straps, make masks of sufficient quality. These masks should cover the nose from just below the eye level and reach and cover the chin. All adults, and children who are old enough to wear masks, should wear them. At the end of the day, cotton masks can be washed in soapy water and hung to dry for re-use.

COVID-19 mortality is due to three reasons. Virus virulence is the given and cannot be altered. Co-morbidity (diabetes, chronic diseases) is already prevalent. Then there is low-quality healthcare. Slowing down the epidemic by imposing a lockdown and ensuring universal mask use gives us the chance to protect people from infection and improve healthcare quality; wherever that was done, the mortality was less than 1%.

T. Jacob John is retired Professor of Virology in the Christian Medical College, Vellore

Nurses move SC, say health staff ill-equipped

There’s no management protocol’

06/04/2020, LEGAL CORRESPONDENT,NEW DELHI

A Kerala-based 3.8 lakh-strong nurses’ association has approached the Supreme Court saying the government has not formulated a National Management Protocol for COVID-19 to address the serious concerns relating to imminent and extreme risks posed to the health and safety of medical personnel across the country.

Noting that the pandemic is seeing a “persisting and ever escalating spread” the United Nurses Association, represented by advocates Subhash Chandran and Biju P. Raman, pointed out that nurses and health workers are ill-equipped and exposed to infection.

“Health care workers are at the front line of the COVID-19 outbreak response and as such are exposed to hazards that put them at risk of infection. Hazards include pathogen exposure, long working hours, psychological distress, fatigue, occupational burnout, stigma, and physical and psychological violence etc,” the petition said.

No testing kits

The problems highlighted in the petition include lack of availability or sub-standard personal protective equipment(PPE) in numerous hospitals, non-availability of sufficient number of COVID-19 testing kits, lack of training on infection prevention and control, lack of basic facilities in isolation wards, mental harassment in the nature of forced over-time followed by negligible transport facilities and deduction of salary on account of leaves, health workers who are pregnant, lactating or immune compromised are being forced to work.

The association also urged the court to direct the government to expand the scope of personal accident cover provided under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package for Health Workers Fighting COVID-19 to include all health care workers.

Kerala nurse raring to return after recovery

Reshma was cured of COVID-19 and is now under home quarantine

06/04/2020, PRESS TRUST OF INDIA,KOTTAYAM

Nurse Reshma Mohandas leaving the Kottayam Medical College hospital.

“I will leave this room within a week after defeating you,” the nurse had vowed after contracting the coronavirus while attending to India’s oldest COVID-19 survivor, expressing unflinching faith in Kerala’s health care system.

Last Friday, Reshma Mohandas, 32, walked out to her home, where she is placed under 14-day quarantine, after she and the elderly man and his wife were discharged from the Medical College Hospital here on being cured of the disease.

Soon after, Thomas Abraham, 93 — whose recovery has been called a ‘miracle cure’ by doctors — and Mariyamma, 88, left the hospital, Reshma, too, headed home, but with the resolve to come back and serve the patients after the mandatory quarantine.

‘World-class system’

“I will leave this room within a week after defeating you [the novel coronavirus],” Reshma had posted in a WhatsApp group of her friends and colleagues while undergoing treatment. “I posted that message in the WhatsApp group because I have full faith in Kerala’s health system. It is world-class,” she told PTI from her home.

The nurse, who took care of Thomas and Mariyamma since March 12, believes she contracted the virus as she was in close contact with and often talked to the couple, who did not wear masks, for they made them uncomfortable. She said she loved taking care of all their needs. “I was not tensed at all. I love taking care of elderly people. We used to talk a lot [in the Intensive Care Unit],” she said.

The warning sign came on the morning of March 23 when she had a throat infection. Reshma immediately alerted the head nurse, who informed the doctors. She was asked to visit the fever clinic at the Medical College and was referred to the isolation facility where she took care of the elderly COVID-19 patients. Some 20 nurses who had come in contact with her were sent to home quarantine.

On March 24, she tested positive. “I did not have any other complications, barring headache and body pain,” she said. Reshma said she was ready to serve in the isolation facility for COVID-19 patients after the home quarantine.

“I am ready to work again in the isolation facility when I return,” said the nurse, whose husband is an engineer.

Spike in domestic violence plaints in State amid lockdown

Several calls in the last 15 days: ADGP M. Ravi

06/04/2020, S. VIJAY KUMAR ,CHENNAI

In the last 15 days, the number of calls received by women helpline desks across the State has gone up. Dozens of women have called complaining that they were being harassed, abused or beaten up at home. In one instance, a city-based doctor accused her celebrity husband of assaulting her, following which police intervened and shifted her to safety.

The COVID-19 lockdown seems to have a few more challenges in store, some yet to come. Police say hackers are working round-the-clock to break into systems to steal data for ransom. With employees of government organisations, IT firms and other major establishments working from home, hackers would focus on targeting residential WiFi connections that would not have adequate security features, police sources said.

“We are receiving a number of calls from women that they are being verbally abused or beaten up at home by their spouses. Domestic violence is a punishable offence and we are taking appropriate action through the local police. It is a fact that complaints have gone up in the last 15 days,” Additional Director-General of Police (Crime against Women and Children) M. Ravi said.

He said remote residential areas were prone to crimes during the lockdown period. There was a case last week where a shopkeeper tried to molest a girl who went to purchase essential commodities. After her parents lodged a complaint, the Neelankarai police registered a case against the suspect. Local police across the State were sensitised not to toss petitions or delay action on complaints lodged during the prevalence of prohibitory orders under Section 144 of Criminal Procedure Code.

“Crimes committed during the lockdown period is even more serious since coming out of house is itself prohibited unless there is a valid reason. Complaints of domestic violence received by the NGOs or at the control room in the police headquarters were being forwarded to the respective city/district police for action. Many cases require only counselling since the affected women seek only intervention and show no interest in pursuit of legal action,” he said.

Mr. Ravi said online pornography sites were vulnerable to frauds like phishing. “Net users should avoid opening a link that comes in the guise of COVID-19 home remedies, updates, and so on. At times such links are issued in the name of WHO and other credible institutions,” he said.

Shops to face closure for not enforcing physical distancing

Greater Chennai Corporation seals 52 meat outlets; 35 held in Tiruvallur

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

A virtual hot spot: At the temporary vegetable market at Broadway Bus Stand on Sunday, the police had to enforce physical distancing norms. The scene was no different at the Ambattur fish market. R. RAGU AND M. VEDHANM_VEDHAN

Struggling to enforce physical distancing in markets and shops in the city, the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to shut for three months shops that violate the rule.

Hundreds of people thronged the George Town area on Sunday. At the temporary market in Broadway Bus Stand, there were crowds around retail vendors since early morning. A little later, the Corporation swung into action and enforced physical distancing between consumers.

Corporation officials closed the temporary market in T. Nagar put up on a playground after huge crowds assembled, violating physical distancing norms. According to estimates, each of the 15 zones of Chennai Corporation reported two to five violations of physical distancing norms, with people crowding the markets and shops. Many temporary markets in crowded areas had been closed, said a civic official.

Former councillor P.V.Tamil Selvan said crowding in markets was because of shortage of essential commodities.

“The price has increased by 10% to 15%. The traders are unable to get supply from other States because of delay in transportation. The government should make arrangements for transportation of essential commodities from other parts of the the country. Otherwise the situation is likely to worsen,” he said.

Meat sellers face flak

On Sunday, the corporation sealed 52 meat shops that sold meat without veterinary officials’ certification. Six meat shops in Tiruttani were sealed.

Corporation Commissioner G. Prakash asked officials to seal the shops for three months for not enforcing physical distancing norms.

“Starting Sunday, all regional deputy commissioners and zonal officials will keep a close watch on meat shops.

“If meat is sold without the butchering done at our slaughterhouses, the shops shall be closed and sealed immediately. If shops don’t maintain physical distancing norms, they would be closed,” said Mr. Prakash.

The Commissioner instructed the civic officials to be “ruthless” if violations are seen.

“Waste no time in sealing. Such sealed shops shall not be opened for three months. This is equally applicable for grocery stores and supermarkets,” said Mr. Prakash.

Many traders reportedly violated regulations relating to public health in the city. The civic body has taken steps to penalise traders who increased public health risk for residents. Corporation officials said they would close grocery stores if crowding was reported.

35 arrested

Meanwhile, the Tiruvallur police arrested 35 persons who defied the district administration orders to close meat shops and fish markets on Sunday.

Following 11 COVID-19 positive cases in Tiruvallur district, the district administration created seven containment zones.

All shops, except pharmacies, in these zones were ordered closed and meat shops would remain closed till April 14.

“This was mainly to contain the spread of the COVID-19,” said Tiruvallur District Collector Mageshwari Ravikumar.

However, on Sunday, around 35 shops were open and based on information, the police rushed to the spot and had them closed.

“We have arrested 35 persons. Similar action will be taken if others open the shops,” said a senior police officer.

Postponing elective surgeries can save lives

06/04/2020

The entire world is facing an unprecedented medical emergency caused by the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Medical professionals and scientists are working hard to halt the spread of COVID-19 and save lives. Many countries have gone into a lockdown, to stop everyone except emergency services personnel from moving about, in a bid to prevent ransmission of the infection.

Healthcare teams are struggling to treat patients who have varying degrees of symptoms. Some may require treatment in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and a few may warrant artificial respiration with the use of a ventilator. The warriors at the forefront are the intensivists, critical care specialists, critical care nurses, and anaesthetists.

Although most of the people have understood the seriousness of the problem, a few still want to have planned or proposed elective surgeries done in this period, without realising the possible risks and difficulties involved in getting operated now.

The concern and apprehension is multifold when the diagnosis is cancer. As individuals and teams have not encountered such a situation before, many organisations such as the International Society for Diseases of Esophagus, the American College of Surgeons, SAGES with inputs from WHO and CDC, are coming out with guidelines to be followed to resolve dilemmas. These professional medical societies are guarded in providing these principles, adding a note that they are based on the evidence available as on date and that the recommendations are subject to change every day.

It is time we understood the implications of having a planned elective surgery at the present time.

Any patient who has to undergo surgery has to consult the surgeon and the physician to get medical fitness certified, and the anaesthesiologist for an assessment. For this, he or she has to visit a hospital or a laboratory, where the patient may not be the only one going for tests. There would be people with emergency situation waiting for tests. There is a need to maintain social distancing too as one does not know the status of the others waiting there. Moreover, in the wake of COVID-19, there may be a need for additional testing.

Limited resources

The labs and diagnostic centres will be working with limited staff to handle emergencies.

After the tests are done and you wait for the fitness report from the physician and anaesthetist, you will be intruding into the time which they would like to devote to emergencies.

If you have to undergo surgery, even if it is an outpatient procedure, you have to go with a relative to give consent, subjecting them to the risk in the time of lockdown.

The situation becomes complex if the surgery is a major one necessitating long operating hours, obviously warranting a full-fledged surgical team, anaesthetic team, theatre sisters, theatre technicians and workers from the sanitary department.

After the surgery, there may be need for ICU care and even ventilator support, adding to the burden of the ICU staff. All these resources may be needed for another patient in crisis.

Guidelines from most of the professional Societies across the globe suggest: wherever there is a possibility to continue medical therapy, to do so, and to plan surgery for a conducive time; even if surgery is the only option and but not on emergency basis, it can still wait. There is also a growing concern about doing laparoscopy or open surgery, for which we do not have a clear answer yet.

Patients diagnosed with cancers have different problems: their concern will be about the potential advancing nature of the disease if not operated immediately. The medical team’s concern is about weighing the balance between the benefit and risk of subjecting them to a major surgical procedure, which may warrant long operating hours, involving a bigger team, ICU and ventilator care.

Collective decision

In such circumstances, multi-disciplinary meetings are held via video conferencing and a collective decision is made by the experts on what is best for the patient in the current situation. Sometimes, they resort to a treatment strategy like initial chemotherapy and radiotherapy which halts the progression of the disease.

This policy gives the patient and the team the “window period”, buying time to operate at a favourable juncture. If the risk of surgery, including ICU stay, outweighs the benefits, they may be subjected to non-surgical treatment modalities.

The government and the entire medical fraternity is fighting a serious pandemic, working hard to save society. If elective surgery is postponed, it is only in the interest of the patient.

It is equally important to understand that their help is required for patients who are in need of more immediate care.

Today’s difficult situation calls for understanding from all of us. That advice to postpone elective surgeries is given in the interest of all concerned. We must understand that by waiting, we are not wasting time.

By relieving unnecessary pressure on the health system, based on sound medical evaluation, the patient is actually doing herself a service - saving oneself and society by helping doctors save more lives.

₹101 cr. sanctioned to govt. departments

06/04/2020, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT,CHENNAI

The Tamil Nadu government has allocated ₹101.66 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to various departments to help them meet various COVID-19 lockdown-related expenses. The funds form part of the ₹500 crore sanctioned by the Chief Minister.

While ₹75.27 crore had been sanctioned for providing food to over 91,000 police personnel for 33 days (between March 24 and April 30, excluding Sundays) at the rate of ₹250 per personnel per day, ₹22.75 crore had been sanctioned to the Director of Public Health and Preventive Medicine towards establishing temporary quarantine facilities for COVID-19 patients.

A G.O. issued by Revenue Secretary Atulya Misra said ₹1.88 crore had been allocated towards disinfection activities at Slum Board tenements and ₹1.42 crore to the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation towards preparedness/preventive measures, including the procurement of sanitary materials.

The T.N. Disaster Risk Reduction Agency was sanctioned ₹50 lakh.