Lungs bear the brunt of the impact in Covid second wave

Lungs bear the brunt of the impact in Covid second wave

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  02.05.2021 

Unlike its behaviour during the first wave, the Covid-19 virus is now attacking the lungs early on, resulting in many patients being wheeled into hospitals with 60% to 70% lung damage, say doctors. According to them there are also many instances of patients going from comfortably sitting at home to reaching a hospital and succumbing to the virus in barely 10 to 15 hours This pattern, observed in several cases in the city recently, show that sudden deterioration in health — in the latest wave of Covid-19 — is leaving doctors with almost no time for treatment.

Adding to the problem is the large number of patients from poor socio-economic strata who have no access to oximeters and are reaching later than required.

“This time, the virus is directly affecting the lungs in the first few days itself unlike during the first wave. We are seeing patients come with 70% or more damage of the lungs, bilateral damage with only a part of the lung functioning. In patients from poor economic background, there is still lack of understanding on the gravity of the situation and they come after five-six days of symptoms, which makes it worse,” said Dr Marri Mallikarjun, nodal officer, Covid-19 at King Koti Hospital.

In a recent instance, a suspected patient of Covid passed away within hours of developing fever. “After one of our family member tested positive and others were preparing to get tested, my aunt developed fever. Within a few hours, it progressed to gasping and on checking the oxygen saturation, it was less than 78. We rushed to the hospital but by the time we could get a bed, she had deteriorated severely and succumbed shortly after getting a bed,” said the patient’s relative.

Also, deaths among younger patients are being increasingly reported and doctors say that many patients who turned up at emergency rooms were clueless that they had comorbidities.

“This only makes the process of stabilizing them more difficult. When we admit them and start checking their vitals, that is when we find out that they already have a cardiac issue or a kidney failure. In a few cases it might also be information withheld by the patients, but a large chunk of the younger patients is unaware of their actual health status. This is one of the reasons for deterioration, apart from the fact that the virus has severely mutated,” said a senior doctor from the Gandhi Hospital.

Deaths among younger patients are being increasingly reported and doctors say that many patients who turned up at emergency rooms were clueless about comorbidities

As air tickets to US dry up, Indians eye charter flights

As air tickets to US dry up, Indians eye charter flights

ManjuV & Saurabh Sinha TNN

Mumbai/Delhi:  02.05.2021 

With the US set to restrict from May 4 the entry of most non-Americans who are currently in India, one-way fares for flights bound for the western country from cities such as Mumbai and Delhi have shot up. Meanwhile, with restrictions on travel to London and Dubai and no seats left on non-stop flights between India and the US, the scramble for charter flights has begun.

On Saturday afternoon, the cheapest fare available for travel from Delhi to New York on the same day began at Rs 7 lakh, for an Air India flight via Tokyo and onwards to Newark on United Airlines.

“The travel curbs imposed last week by the UK and the UAE have stifled Indian passport holders as they can’t board flights to the US that transits via Dubai and London,’’ said a travel industry insider. Neither can those with American passports fly on the May 2 flight as a negative PCR report is mandatory to fly into the US and the likelihood of getting a test report in 24 hours is slim.

“Indians are now looking at charter flights. A travel company is apparently selling oneway tickets on direct flights from Mumbai to New York for Rs 1.5 lakh. They probably plan to charter an aircraft, but I don’t know whether the operator they have entrusted this job to has managed to procure the requisite permissions to operate the flight,” said a travel industry insider, requesting anonymity.

However, another industry insider said big demand for charters to reach the US was yet to be seen. “Charter companies fly small/medium size airplanes and hardly any of them have permission to fly over the Atlantic Ocean. So, unlike places like Dubai, London and Maldives, the demand for US is mostly restricted to commercial airlines, especially the one’s that go nonstop,” said Rajan Mehra, CEO of Club One Air and former Indian head of Qatar Airways.

On Saturday, the cheapest fare available for travel from Delhi to New York on the same day began at Rs 7 lakh, for an Air India flight via Tokyo and onwards to Newark on United Airlines

After losing a dear one, a long wait for funeral

After losing a dear one, a long wait for funeral

Paras.Singh@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:02.05.2021 

The tattered infrastructure has robbed even the dead of dignity, with the last journey of those claimed by Covid-19 filled with humiliation. Chandan Kumar knows it only too well. It took him four days and daily visits to get his uncle’s body from AIIMS to the Green Park cremation ground. “From morning to evening, we were made to sit in the mortuary at AIIMS. We were told the body would be released but nothing happened. I hope no one else suffers the misery that I have gone through,” said the distraught Kumar.

Poor coordination between cremation facilities and the linked hospitals is putting the kin of corona victims to much suffering. Families complain of the final rites being delayed by 3-4 days. They pointed out that arranging private vehicles to carry the body of their relative to the crematoriums is of little use, with funeral facility management often not allowing them entry, citing official regulations. Yet, the hospitals are unable to provide hearses or ambulances to ferry the bodies.

Raj Kumar’s wife passed away in AIIMS Trauma Centre, but he couldn’t get the body cremated for three days. “We are told to come the following day every time we went to get the body,” said Raj Kumar. “There is no system for releasing bodies for cremation.” Similarly, a man said he was able to get his brother’s body only three days after his death on April 26. He alleged, “The poor are being made to suffer because we saw other bodies being released. I was told the hearse had time slots at 8am, 12 noon and 3pm, but people with people get preference.”

The shortage of hearse vans is a big factor behind the slowness in releasing bodies by hospitals. Chandan Kumar said hospitals suggest the use of private hearses. “But if people transport the body in a private van, the Green Park crematorium staff inform us that bodies arriving in such vehicles will not be accepted,” he revealed. “They only cremate bodies coming in government or hospital vehicles. We approached the police, but got no redress.”

Several such complaints about the conflict in rules have surfaced now. An official at the Green Park facility admitted that the district authorities had indeed ordered acceptance of bodies brought only by hospital ambulances or hearses. A municipal official explained. “This year, the daily toll is very high. Each hospital is linked with a cremation ground and the bodies released for cremation regulated to prevent overcrowding at any particular site. That is why private vehicles are not allowed.”

Coordination between cremation facilities & the linked hospitals is poor, which is putting kin of Covid-19 victims to a lot of suffering

Students, academics exempt from US travel curbs on India

Students, academics exempt from US travel curbs on India

Restrictions To Mostly Affect H-1B Visa Holders, Business Travellers

Chidanand.Rajghatta@timesgroup.com

Washington:  02.05.2021 

Indian students seeking to commence studies in US schools, colleges, and universities in fall 2021 may qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to get around the travel restrictions being imposed by Biden administration following the Covid-19 upsurge in India, the US state department said on Friday.

Certain academics, journalists, and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in the US may also be eligible for the exceptions, the state department said hours after the White House rolled out a travel ban citing “extraordinarily high” case loads and multiple Covid-19 variants circulating in India. “After reviewing the public health situation within India, CDC has concluded that proactive measures are required to protect the nation’s public health from travelers entering the US from that jurisdiction,” President Biden said while a proclaiming the India ban, citing the CDC advise that variants found in India, UK, and South Africa have “characteristics of concern which may make them more easily transmitted and have the potential for reduced protection afforded by some vaccines.”

The state department, which already has similar travel exceptions for Brazil, China, Iran, and South Africa, said India too would be subject to the same in keeping with the US commitment to facilitate legitimate travel, although it warned that the pandemic continues to limit the number of visas US embassies and consulates abroad are able to process.

The state department notification said students who already have valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic programme commencing August 1, 2021 or later may enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies. Such students do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel.

However, it advised students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas to check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel, it added. The department said it would also continue to grant NIEs for qualified travelers seeking to enter US for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.

In the presidential proclamation announcing travel restrictions issued earlier, the White House too made several exceptions, including for permanent residents (green card holders ), noncitizen who is the spouse of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident/green card holder; any noncitizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the US citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the sibling of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the child, foster child, or ward of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the US. The ban also does not apply to government officials and air and sea crew traveling on work.

The restrictions, expected to be temporary till the pandemic is under control, will mostly affect India’s large white collar work force on H-1B guest visas, and business travellers.

VACCINE MILESTONE FOR US: US said on Friday that over 100 million Americans had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, a milestone that represents almost 40% of the nation’s adults. The number is almost double what the nation had registered at the end of March

Canada to ban entry of foreign students, including from India, to check virus surge

Canada is all set to suspend entry of international students, including from India, to Ontario, the worst-hit province which is battling the third wave of Covid. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education , an education service provider, there were 5,30,540 international students in Canada in 2020, of which the maximum were from India (34%) followed by China (22%). Ontario has the maximum number of foreign students at 2,42,825 or 46%, it said. PM Justin Trudeau said on Friday the government is considering halting the arrival of international students in Ontario, following a request from the province’s premier Doug Ford, globalnews.ca reported. Ford also called on the government to ban non-essential travel after 36 cases of the B.1.617 variant, originally found in India, were identified in the province, the report said. But, there is no clarity yet on when the change will take effect or how long it will last. PTI

Oz bans arrivals from India, says offenders face 5-year jail, fines

Australia has temporarily banned its citizens from returning from India. The pause on allowing in travelers that were in India within 14 days of arriving will take effect from Monday, health minister Greg Hunt said. Breaches of the ban could lead to a fine of Australian dollars 66,600, five years imprisonment, or both.

There are an estimated 9,000 Australians in India and over 600 of them are classified as vulnerable, according to Sydney Morning Herald newspaper.

The decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have contracted the infection in India, Hunt said.

According to ABC, it is for the first time that Australia has made it a criminal offence for its own citizens to enter the country. The ministry said the decision will be revised on May 15 following advice from the chief medical officer (CMO). AGENCIES

How to talk to friends who believe in fake data

How to talk to friends who believe in fake data

02.05.2021 

The pandemic is fertile ground for misinformation, but experts say you can keep these at arm’s length by staying calm, verifying information and curbing your social media usage

With the country firmly in the throes of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, there are several theories doing the grounds, many of them incorrect. Be it over wearing masks, vaccination, or even safety and distancing guidelines, some bizarre theories are spreading, especially on social media. Experts offer tips on how to engage with friends who happen to believe in these:

Listen, don’t preach

Believers of conspiracy theories aren’t likely to be swayed by people who mock their views. So, instead of lecturing, try to listen and ask questions about how they became interested in the theory. Once they start talking to you, ask them if they’ve considered any other explanations. Whenever possible, have the conversation offline.

Stay calm

Arguing is only likely to result in higher blood pressure for both parties, while resolving nothing. Just remember that some people won’t change their minds, no matter what you say.

Change the subject

When you see your words aren’t having the desired effect, change the topic. If they still insist on continuing, politely say you’d rather talk about something else.

Inform yourself

Fact checking while talking to friends is one thing, but it’s equally important to increase your own defences. To do this, expand your content diet and check your sources.

Verify the claims

Check a variety of news sources, including mainstream local, national and international outlets. Trusted news organisations are your best defence against misinformation. Be especially wary of social media. Also, while perusing content, check who wrote it and who is quoted in it. Are the people named reputable? Do they have a position, or experience, that lends credibility to their claims? Are any other viewpoints expressed in the article? Be wary of claims made by anonymous insiders or hearsay being cited as fact. Also check the dates. Misinformation peddlers often post old photos or news stories and claim it is fresh news.

The emotional pitch

Be wary of content that plays on emotions. Misinformation and conspiracy theories often exploit anger, fear or other emotions. Be cautious of content that features strongly emotional language, or which seems intended to make you outraged. If you read something that gets you fired up, wait until your emotions have cooled before reposting it or sending it to your friends.

Be wary

If you read something that makes an incredible claim, or something that seems too good to be true, check to see if it’s being reported elsewhere. If it’s important news, other outlets will soon confirm the details. Be cautious of explosive claims, especially if they’re only being made on one platform.

— AP

Month before wedding, techie dies without getting ventilator

Month before wedding, techie dies without getting ventilator

Kiran.Parashar@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:02.05.2021 

Had he been alive, he would have been happily married next month. For nearly a week, the software professional’s kin ran from pillar to post to find a ventilator, but lost him before they could get one.

Nagarabhavi resident Sagar AG, 28, was excited about getting married in June and wanted to keep it a low-key affair with minimal attendance. But the joyous occasion at his home turned tragic in 15 days after Sagar died of Covid-19 complications.

When he fell ill on April 12, Sagar gave his reports to a private laboratory and tested negative. But two days later, he had fever and cold. Sagar met his doctor and was told to get himself tested again. This time he tested positive and five days later, BBMP officials called him up to check his health status and suggested home isolation.

But his condition worsened and he complained of fatigue and dysentery. “We took him to a nearby hospital and got a CT scan done. Doctors said he was suffering from pneumonia and asked us to immediately shift him to the ICU,” said his younger brother Akshay AG. After several attempts and calls to at least 30 hospitals from April 21, Sagar’s family members were yet to get an ICU bed and ventilator even as his health deteriorated.

His friends appealed for help on social media and visited several hospitals to save Sagar. They said in each hospital they saw at least four patients in the waiting list for a ventilator. He succumbed to the virus on April 27.

LIFE CUT SHORT: Doctors said Sagar AG had pneumonia and needed an ICU bed

Uncle’s treatment can’t be ground for granting bail to murder accused: HC

Uncle’s treatment can’t be ground for granting bail to murder accused: HC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru:  02.05.2021 

In a heinous crime like murder, the family background as well as medical treatment being provided to the uncle of the accused-petitioner can’t be the grounds for granting bail.

The high court made this observation while rejecting the bail plea of Srinivasa Reddy, an agriculturalist from Thippareddyhalli, Challakere taluk in Chitradurga.

“When there are 10 eyewitnesses and they have categorically spoken about the petitioner’s overt act of having committed murder of an innocent woman, question of showing any sympathy to him in respect of his family background is not warranted. If the petitioner is granted bail, there is a possibility of him committing similar offences and tampering withwitnesses. Chances of the deceased woman’s son attacking the petitioner to take revenge are also not ruled out. I feel it is not a fit case for granting bail,” Justice K Natarajan noted.

Reddy is accused of murdering Meenakshamma on August 28, 2020. Her son Rajashekar is the complainant in the case. The case of the prosecution is that Reddy came on a motorcycle and attacked the woman with a machete and sickle while she was returning home after work, in the backdrop of a dispute between the two families.

Denying these allegations, Reddy’s counsel claimed the petitioner has been falsely implicated. Placing the genealogical tree, it was further claimed that since his father’s death, Reddy is the only male member in the family and has to take care of his 80-year-old uncle who is suffering from end-stage cancer and being treated in a Bengaluru hospital. Another argument was that the chargesheet has been filed after completion of investigation.

However, the prosecution claimed the weapons used for the crime along with blood-stained clothes recovered by police as well as statements of the 10 eyewitnesses connect Reddy to the crime.

Vacations: Govt, varsities not on same page

Vacations: Govt, varsities not on same page

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ahmedabad:02.05.2021 

There seems to be a lack of coordination between the universities and the state government over summer vacations.

Several universities have recently announced vacations on their own. So the government, it appears, was compelled to announce a common vacation schedule before more universities came forward with such announcements, said sources aware of the matter.

The Gujarat government announced vacations for all universities and colleges in the state from May 1to June 5 amid the prevailing Covid-19 situation.

A few universities had declared vacations ahead of the state government’s announcement due to the worsening Covid-19 situation. For instance, North Gujarat University announced its May vacation a few days ago. On Friday, ahead of the state’s announcement, Gujarat Technological University announced its vacation from May 3 to June 2.

“There was pressure from faculty and other staff members to announce the summer vacation from May,” said a source in GTU. “Since there was no such announcement till the last week of April, the universities began announcing vacations on their own.”

The decision by the state government came after concerns were raised by student bodies and faculty members against the instruction to staff and faculty members to work at colleges and universities. The government had made it compulsory for colleges and universities to continue running at half the staff strength on the rotational basis.

The government began reopening schools and colleges from January this year after they had remained closed for over nine months due to Covid-19. But soon the government decided to shut them down as Covid-19 cases began rising in the state. Online education resumed.

12-hour shift draining us: Madurai GRH nurses

12-hour shift draining us: Madurai GRH nurses

“What’s worse, during monthly periods, nurses could not change their sanitary pads for half a day, until they complete the duty and remove the PPE suits,” she said.

Published: 02nd May 2021 04:11 AM |

Doctors And Nurses seen working with Personal Protective Equipment PPE. (Representational Photo | A Raja Chidambaram, EPS)

By Lalitha Ranjani

Express News Service

MADURAI: Left high and dry in PPE suits for 12 hours in the night with no means to quench their thirst or to attend nature’s call, a group of nurses at Government Rajaji Hospital (GRH) have raised their voice against the night-duty system.

Sources said that for the past four weeks, GRH nurses on Covid duty work in three shifts – 7.30 am to 1.30 pm, 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm and 7.30 pm to 7.30 am. Terming the 12-hour night shift extremely exhaustive, one of the nurses who completed the duty last month said that they could neither eat, drink water nor to attend nature’s call wearing PPE suit. She also said that the suit leaves them dehydrated. “What’s worse, during monthly periods, nurses could not change their sanitary pads for half a day, until they complete the duty and remove the PPE suits,” she said.

Another nurse said that as per the present arrangement, senior nurses are posted in morning shift while junior nurses, especially those working for consolidated pay, are allotted the 12-hour night duty. “When we requested equal shift hours (three shifts of eight hours each), the matrons informed us that the senior nurses would find it difficult to have their breakfast as early as 5.30 am before starting work and thus eight-hour shifts were not feasible,” she pointed out.

A nurse, who, on Saturday, was assigned the night duty starting Sunday, claimed that the bias shown in duty allocation, forcing junior nurses to work for twice the number of hours than the senior nurses would affect their morale and directly hit patient care. She added that senior nurses are usually exempted from Covid duty due to age factor and comorbidities and regular wards continue to function simultaneously.

“Consequently, the number of nurses available on call for Covid duty is lesser and the number of Covid duty shifts has been brought down to three this time, until fresh recruitments are made,” the nurse added.

During the first wave of Covid-19 last year, GRH nurses worked at the Covid wards in four shifts, spanning six hours each – 7.30 am to 1.30 pm, 1.30 pm to 7.30 pm, 7.30 pm to 1.30 am, 1.30 am to 7.30 am.

When contacted, the Grade I Nursing Superintendent at GRH Kaleeswari said that a new duty roaster of four shifts of six hours each was being prepared. She assured that it would come into effect from Sunday.

Suspended staff getting full benefits, rues HC

Suspended staff getting full benefits, rues HC

The petitioner, Arockiyasamy, was caught taking a bribe of Rs 2,000 by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corrupt ion sleuths in 2009.

Published: 02nd May 2021 04:15 AM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: Observing that several corrupt government officials placed under suspension are being paid all monetary benefits, while many deserving candidates are engaged as contract workers and paid meagre salaries, the Madras High Court dismissed a plea moved by a Sanitary Inspector seeking to quash the proceedings initiated against him in 2009.

The petitioner, Arockiyasamy, was caught taking a bribe of Rs 2,000 by Directorate of Vigilance and Anti Corrupt ion sleuths in 2009. A special court in 2020 convicted him and awarded him four years of rigorous imprisonment and Rs 5,000 fine. Arockiyasamy then moved the High Court challenging the disciplinary proceedings initiated against him by the State.

Dismissing the plea, Justice S Vaidyanathan said, “It is pertinent to mention here that even on conviction of an employee, departmental proceedings shall be conducted, as there is every possibility of the conviction being set aside by a higher forum. The corrupt employee or official should not be allowed to go scot free on the ground of non-initiation of departmental proceedings.” The court also made it clear that the DVAC enquiry against Arockiyasamy should not be stalled for any reason.

“It is painful to note that several talented persons are working on contractbasis, especially in the Public Works Department , under Non-Muster Roll for years together without regularisation. Deserving persons are paid meagre salary, whereas corrupt officials, who are placed under suspension, are paid all monetary benefits, including arrears of subsistence allowance on the ground of technical flaws,” the judge further observed.

US allows kin of its mission staff ‘voluntary departure’

US allows kin of its mission staff ‘voluntary departure’

New Delhi:02.05.2021

The United States has authorised “voluntary departure” of family members of employees posted in its diplomatic missions in India and encouraged other citizens who wish to leave the country “to take advantage of currently available commercial flights”.

From 9.30am IST on May 4, the US will “restrict and suspend” the entry of “non-citizens”, with some exceptions, who were in India during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into America.

“...US Embassy New Delhi and Consulates General Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Mumbai will remain open and continue to provide emergency consular services,” states the website of the US embassy and consulates in India. TNN

EC moves SC against Madras HC’s ‘murder charge’ remarks

EC moves SC against Madras HC’s ‘murder charge’ remarks

Observations Made By HC Uncalled For: EC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:02.05.2021

Smarting at being lambasted by Madras high court which observed that Election Commission “should be put up on murder charges” for failure to maintain Covid protocol during election campaigns, the commission has moved the Supreme Court against HC for making derogatory remarks against the poll watchdog.

The commission submitted observations made by the high court were “uncalled for, blatantly disparaging and derogatory”. It said the HC should not have passed such remarks against a constitutional body, reflecting its sense the remarks were over the top and lacked a sense of proportion.

In an appeal filed against the HC order, the commission said the Madras high court being an independent constitutional authority made “serious allegations of murder on another independent constitutional authority without any basis, which has ultimately dented both the institutions.”

The HC on Monday came down heavily on the EC for not enforcing Covid-19 protocol during poll campaigning for assembly elections and blamed the panel for the spread of pandemic during election time.

“You (ECI) are the only institution responsible for the situation that we are in today. You have been singularly lacking any kind of exercise of authority…You have not taken measures against political parties holding rallies despite every order of this court saying ‘maintain Covid protocol, maintain Covid protocol’ like a broken record,” the HC had said.

HC made the observations while hearing a public interest writ petition filed by Tamil Nadu transport minister M R Vijayabhaskar, who is AIADMK’s candidate in Karur constituency where 77 candidates are in the fray. He had sought directions to the ECI to follow measures aimed at ensuring fairness in the counting of votes on May 2 when Covid protocols will be in place.

“The significance of adhering to such protocol may have been lost on the EC going by the puerile silence on the part of the commission as campaigns and rallies were conducted without distancing norms being maintained and in wanton disregard of the other items of the protocol,” the court had said.

Election commission said the Madras HC being an independent constitutional authority made “serious allegations of murder on another independent constitutional authority without any basis, which has ultimately dented both the institutions”

Govt paid ₹4.5cr for work not done, NGO tells DVAC

Govt paid ₹4.5cr for work not done, NGO tells DVAC

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.05.2021

Chennai based anticorruption NGO Arappor Iyakkam has filed a complaint with the directorate of vigilance and anti-corruption (DVAC) charging that the state health department made an irregular payment of ₹4.5 crore to a contractor who did not deliver a health management information system.

The health management information system was supposed to have improved features of integrated patient record and live dashboards among others. The contract was awarded in May 2017.

A senior health department official said the contractor had completed a portion of the work and was paid money for that. “Every aspect has been documented properly and passed through a committee,” the official said, denying the allegations.

According to documents submitted by Arappor to the DVAC, the contractor was the sole bidder as the only other participant did not qualify in the prequalification criteria. The agreement was signed for ₹17 crore. The software was to be delivered by April 2018 and the contract included maintenance for four years there after.

Quoting official documents, Arappor said nothing was delivered till April 2018 and even pilot runs done in Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital and Government Royapettah hospital were failures. Doctors shared feedback on how cut and paste MIS charts from the election department and weather department were used to cheat the hospital, Arappor said.

The National Health Mission had issued a show-cause notice to the contractor in September 2019 and stated that not even 10% of the work assigned was done. A termination order was issued in December that year. However, then health secretary Beela Rajesh wrote to the NHM in February 2020 to reconsider the termination. Another opportunity was given to the contractor and by July 2020, the work was not completed.

“Despite this, the tender was not cancelled and a note was circulated to pay them ₹4.5 crore with false claims of completion,” JayaramVenkatesan, convenor of Arappor Iyakkam, said in the complaint to DVAC.

This is why we have not been able to see live dashboards of bed availability, Jayaram said.

Arppor Iyakkam, in its complaint to DVAC, said the state health department paid ₹4.5 crore to a contractor who failed to deliver a health management software

Mad scramble for US flight tickets sends fares soaring

Mad scramble for US flight tickets sends fares soaring

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.05.2021

The US’ ban on entry of Indian citizens from Monday has left many in the city scrambling for a flight out.

The sudden ban on non-citizens has impacted those who need to get back for work and those returning to their families. Many living in the US want their relatives to join them given the worsening Covid-19 situation in Chennai.

Since Chennai does not have direct flights to the US and transit hubs in the Middle East have barred Indian travellers, direct flights from Delhi — via Air India and United Airlines — were the only options. Qatar still allows travellers to transit via Doha. But fares are too high.

The demand has surged as people, who had been trying for tickets for travel next week, have joined other travellers hoping to reach the US before the slim window shuts completely. The high demand caused one-way airfare to shoot up to ₹4.6 lakh on some routes.

SSuresh, who was scheduled to travel to New York with his wife on May 11, was lucky as the airline agreed to advance the travel dates for ₹25,000 per passenger. “I thought I would not be able to travel as seats were not available or fresh tickets cost a couple of lakhs. However, the airline told us that the ticket can be advanced for a fee,” he said. However, many others were not so fortunate as people from across the country were all vying for seats on flights from Delhi.

With many unable to get seats on flights from Delhi, charter flights from Chennai and Mumbai to different US cities are now under consideration by hiring long haul aircraft from airlines. The cost for economy class works out to ₹1.6 lakh.

While travel agents and the airline helplines were flooded with requests for seats, social media groups created by the Indian diaspora in the US saw a flurry of activity with many seeking help to be reunited with family. There was a lot of confusion about transit via Qatar and Europe and travel eligibility. The requirement for an RTPCR test report taken 48 hours before departure is also posing a hassle for passengers.

Basheer Ahmed of Chennai Metro Travels said: “Air fares have shot up because of the demand. People are ready to spend ₹5 lakh on business class. Those who are trying to travel before the deadline are struggling to get an RT-PCR test report. They do not have enough time to get the results even if tests are given at labs.”

‘Sad that corrupt and suspended officers are paid’

‘Sad that corrupt and suspended officers are paid’

Chennai:02.05.2021

The Madras high court has observed that while suspended, corrupt government officials get all monetary benefits, several deserving candidates are engaged as contract workers and paid meagre salaries.

Justice S Vaidyanathan made the observation while dismissing a plea moved by a sanitary inspector seeking to quash departmental proceedings against him in connection with a corruption case. As per rules, employees under suspension are eligible for subsistence allowance ranging from 50% to 75% of their last drawn basic salary.

According to the petitioner, he was working as a sanitary inspector and was caught taking a bribe of ₹2,000 in 2009. Subsequently, he was convicted by a special court in 2020 and sentenced to four years of rigorous imprisonment. Since a parallel proceeding was initiated by the department for the same charges, the petitioner moved the court to quash the same.

“It is painful to note that several talented persons have been working temporarily in government departments under contractors, especially in PWD, under non-muster roll for years together without regularisation. Whereas, corrupt officials, who were under suspension, are paid all the monetary benefits,” the court said. TNN

Anna Univ V-C search to begin from next week

SHORTLIST STAGE

Anna Univ V-C search to begin from next week

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chennai:02.05.2021

Anna University vice-chancellor search committee is set to begin its process of finding a new vicechancellor for the largest technical university in the country from next week.

According to sources the three-member search panel, headed by Jawaharlal Nehru University vice-chancellor M Jagadish Kumar, conducted its first meeting virtually with the chancellor, governor Banwarilal Purohit recently. Madras University former vice-chancellor S P Thyagarajan, former IAS officer Sheela Rani Chungath are the other members of the panel. “The process to appoint the nodal officer to the search committee is on. The nodal officer will issue advertisement inviting applications for the V-C’s post,” a source said.

As per the amendment to Tamil Nadu University laws, the search panel will have four months to shortlist the three names and submit it to the governor. Following the completion of tenure by professor M K Surappa as vicechancellor of Anna University on April11, a three-member convener committee is running the day-to-day affairs of the university.

Professors from the university asked the chancellor to speed up the process of appointing the new vice-chancellor in view of the delay in taking academic decisions. “Based on the deliberations ata high-levelcommitteemeeting, the university took a decision to conduct an open book exam for engineering students. The convener committee is now reviewing the decision and taking time to give its approval. It will delay the process of conducting online semester examinations for first, second and third year students,” a professor said. The university announced it would conduct multiple choice-based online proctored tests for final year students.

Anna University also will have a new registrar from Monday, as the present registrar L Karunamoorthy is retiring on May 2. Professor Ranee Vedamuthu from the School of Architecture and Planning is appointed the registrar (incharge).

Students, academics exempt from US travel curbs on India

 Students, academics exempt from US travel curbs on India

Restrictions To Mostly Affect H-1B Visa Holders, Business Travellers

Chidanand.Rajghatta@timesgroup.com

Washington:02.05.2021

Indian students seeking to commence studies in US schools, colleges, and universities in fall 2021 may qualify for a National Interest Exception (NIE) to get around the travel restrictions being imposed by Biden administration following the Covid-19 upsurge in India, the US state department said on Friday.

Certain academics, journalists, and individuals who provide critical infrastructure support in the US may also be eligible for the exceptions, the state department said hours after the White House rolled out a travel ban citing “extraordinarily high” case loads and multiple Covid-19 variants circulating in India. “After reviewing the public health situation within India, CDC has concluded that proactive measures are required to protect the nation’s public health from travelers entering the US from that jurisdiction,” President Biden said while a proclaiming the India ban, citing the CDC advise that variants found in India, UK, and South Africa have “characteristics of concern which may make them more easily transmitted and have the potential for reduced protection afforded by some vaccines.”

The state department, which already has similar travel exceptions for Brazil, China, Iran, and South Africa, said India too would be subject to the same in keeping with the US commitment to facilitate legitimate travel, although it warned that the pandemic continues to limit the number of visas US embassies and consulates abroad are able to process.

The state department notification said students who already have valid F-1 and M-1 visas intending to begin or continue an academic programme commencing August 1, 2021 or later may enter the US no earlier than 30 days before the start of their academic studies. Such students do not need to contact an embassy or consulate to seek an individual NIE to travel.

However, it advised students seeking to apply for new F-1 or M-1 visas to check the status of visa services at the nearest embassy or consulate; those applicants who are found to be otherwise qualified for an F-1 or M-1 visa will automatically be considered for an NIE to travel, it added. The department said it would also continue to grant NIEs for qualified travelers seeking to enter US for purposes related to humanitarian travel, public health response, and national security.

In the presidential proclamation announcing travel restrictions issued earlier, the White House too made several exceptions, including for permanent residents (green card holders ), noncitizen who is the spouse of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident/green card holder; any noncitizen who is the parent or legal guardian of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that the US citizen or lawful permanent resident is unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the sibling of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, provided that both are unmarried and under the age of 21; any noncitizen who is the child, foster child, or ward of a US citizen or lawful permanent resident, or who is a prospective adoptee seeking to enter the US. The ban also does not apply to government officials and air and sea crew traveling on work. The curbs, expected to be temporary till the pandemic is under control, will mostly affect India’s large white collar work force on H-1B guest worker visas, and business travellers.

VACCINE MILESTONE FOR US: US said on Friday that over 100 million Americans had been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus, a milestone that represents almost 40% of the nation’s adults. The number is almost double what the nation had registered at the end of March

Canada to ban entry of foreign students, including from India, to check virus surge

Canada is all set to suspend entry of international students, including from India, to Ontario, the worst-hit province which is battling the third wave of Covid. According to the Canadian Bureau for International Education , an education service provider, there were 5,30,540 international students in Canada in 2020, of which the maximum were from India (34%) followed by China (22%). Ontario has the maximum number of foreign students at 2,42,825 or 46%, it said. PM Justin Trudeau said on Friday the government is considering halting the arrival of international students in Ontario, following a request from the province’s premier Doug Ford, globalnews.ca reported. Ford also called on the government to ban non-essential travel after 36 cases of the B.1.617 variant, originally found in India, were identified in the province, the report said. But, there is no clarity yet on when the change will take effect or how long it will last. PTI

Australians flying home from India could face hefty fine, 5 years in jail

Australia has temporarily banned its citizens from returning from India. The pause on allowing in travelers that were in India within 14 days of arriving will take effect from Monday, health minister Greg Hunt said. Breaches of the ban could lead to a fine of Australian dollars 66,600, five years imprisonment, or both. There are an estimated 9,000 Australians in India and over 600 of them are classified as vulnerable, according to reports. The decision was based on the proportion of overseas travellers in quarantine in Australia, who have contracted the infection in India, Hunt said. According to ABC, it is for the first time that Australia has made it a criminal offence for its own citizens to enter the country. The ministry said the decision will be revised on May 15 following advice from chief medical officer. Lawyers say the ban an ‘extraordinary precedent’ that could be open to challenge. AGENCIES

Employee Should Know Service Rules; Not For Employer To Advise Him About It: SC [Read Judgment]

Employee Should Know Service Rules; Not For Employer To Advise Him About It: SC [Read Judgment]: 'The department was not expected to advise and/or tell the employee about how the seniority will be fixed and/or about the rota-quota rule'

60k teachers to skip counting of votes in UP polls

60k teachers to skip counting of votes in UP polls

01.05.2021 

Teachers’ unions in Uttar Pradesh, including one affiliated to RSS, announced on Friday they would boycott their poll duty on May 2, the day panchayat election votes would be counted. The unions claim to have more than 60,000 teachers with them, reports Kanwardeep Singh.

UP Shikshak Mahasangh president D C Sharma told TOI, “They (the government) are not at all bothered that we lost 706 teachers (to Covid-19) due to election duty. The number could increase. After a final meeting, we have decided to strike work that day. The government can take any decision they want. The lives of the teachers are more important than anything else.” TNN

Bihar chief secy, judge, 3 lawyers die of Covid-19

Bihar chief secy, judge, 3 lawyers die of Covid-19

Patna:01.05.2021 

Bihar chief secretary Arun Kumar Singh died of Covid-19 at a hospital here Friday, the fourth IAS officer in the state to have fallen to the virus. A 44-year-old additional district judge, who was posted at Sasaram in Rohtas district, three lawyers of the Patna high court and an HC officer also succumbed to Covid in the last 24 hours. Singh’s funeral will take place with full state honours, CM Nitish Kumar said.

While ADJ Piyush Kumar Srivastava died at a Sasaram hospital, former additional advocate general of Bihar Shivaji Nath (75) and high court lawyers Ravindra Griyage and Nirbhay Kumar Singh died in Patna on Friday. TNN

Stipend of Covid duty resident doctors up by 40%

FROM APRIL 1

Stipend of Covid duty resident doctors up by 40%

Came After Surat Doctors Threatened To Boycott Work

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Gandhinagar:01.05.2021 

In a significant decision aimed at ensuring that medical personnel are available without interruption for Covid-19 duties, the Gujarat government on Friday announced a 40% increase in the stipend of resident doctors at Covid hospitals.

The decision was taken after a video conference between deputy CM Nitin Patel and representatives of the Junior Doctor’s Association (JDA) on Friday, even as resident doctors in Surat threatened to boycott work from Saturday. Doctors from across the state extended their support to the Surat doctors.

“We held a video conference with Nitin Patel, who has agreed to our demands to increase the stipend. This should have been done earlier. Now that the stipend has been increased, doctors have withdrawn their decision to boycott work,” said Biswajit Raj, president, JDA.

As many as 6,401 resident doctors — 5,767 at government medical colleges and 634 of GMERS — will benefit from this increase. The government said it will have to bear an additional burden of Rs 100 crore because of the increase.

Although the stipend varies for different years of medical education, on average, the monthly stipend for a resident doctor is about Rs 60,000. There will be a 40% increase to this amount.

Deputy chief minister and state finance minister Nitin Patel, who also holds the health portfolio, ratified the decision from hospital, where he is being treated for Covid-19.

The stipend of resident doctors is revised every three years and Nitin Patel held meetings with representatives of the JDA, which had written to the government, asking for a revision of stipend. Patel said the stipend of doctors of medical, dental, homoeopathy, ayurveda and physiotherapy will increase. The increased stipend will be applicable from April 1.

Covid-orphaned medical student returns to duty

Covid-orphaned medical student returns to duty

20-Year-Old Reports Back At Samras Hostel Despite Losing Parents A Few Weeks Ago

Nimesh.Khakhariya@timesgroup.com

Rajkot:01.05.2021

One day she will graduate as a certified doctor, bound by the oath to treat the sick before considering self. But 20-year-old second-year MBBS student Apeksha Maradiya has already infused herself with the essence of the Hippocratic oath — serving others notwithstanding her own personal twin tragedies.

Life suddenly threw the PDU student of Rajkot into the deep sea when Covid-19 snatched away her parents, one after the other, in a matter of five days only. Her father lost the battle on April 6, while her mother too succumbed to the infection on April 10. Left alone with a 15-year-old brother, the medico didn’t bow to the pressures of the unforeseen, but decided to battle the virus her way. She rejoined her duties in Samras hostel fighting to save the loved ones of others.

There was no pressure on Apeksha to join duty so soon, looking at her unfortunate circumstances, but along with the other medical students she too donned the PPE suit once again on April 27.

“I lost my parents but I decided to do whatever I could do as a medical student to save the lives of loved ones of others that would be the real tribute to my parents,” Maradiya told TOI. She further said that while she is frightened that her younger brother may get infected, there was nothing that she could do to help people by being at home.

“I, therefore, decided to help people. It’s also my duty to help people because I am on the path to becoming a doctor,” the young warrior asserted.

At Samras hostel, Covid patients needing oxygen support are treated. A 30-year-old female patient became critical and was required to be shifted on a ventilator on April 28. “I took her (the patient) in an ambulance to the civil hospital because here we don’t have ventilator beds. I am happy that I could save her life by timely shifting her to the ventilator,” Apeksha, who treats each patient as her family members, said. “I feel so happy when I do something to save their lives from this deadly virus,” she added.

Charansinh Gohil, deputy collector and head of Samras hospital said, “Apeksha could have been spared from this duty by the administration if she so wished. But she gave priority to her duty and instead of drowning in grief, she stood up to fight and heal other people’s pain.”

Apeksha Maradiya, a 20-year-old second-year MBBS student, lost her parents to the pandemic in a matter of five days only

EC moves Madras HC after judge's 'murder' remark goes viral but court refuses to restrain media

EC moves Madras HC after judge's 'murder' remark goes viral but court refuses to restrain media

"Media should be instructed not to sensationalize anything, it is a difficult task to conduct elections in these times," Rakesh Dwivedi for the Election Commission of India submitted.

Published: 30th April 2021 01:24 PM 

By Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Madras High Court on Friday refused to restrain the media despite the submissions made by the Election Commission of India to not report on oral observations made by the court.

The first bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy during the hearing of the suo motu plea refused to concur with the submissions made by Rakesh Dwivedi for the Election Commission of India.

"Media should be instructed not to sensationalize anything, it is a difficult task to conduct elections in these times," Dwivedi submitted.

However, the bench said, "We will leave it at that."

It may be recalled that the Madras High Court had orally remarked on Monday that "EC officers should be booked on murder charges probably" for allegedly turning a blind eye to poll rallies amid the COVID-19 second wave.

"Some people have proceeded to lodge FIRs against election officials terming them as murderers, some protection may be granted," the ECI counsel further stated in his submission.

However, the bench refusing to concur, observed that "Courts are there and such frivolous matters will be dealt with."

The bench also in its hearing suggested the state conduct exclusive drives to encourage people to take the Covid-19 vaccinations. The court also directed all the political parties to follow the Covid-19 protocol on the counting day and should keep away from bursting crackers as part of their victory celebrations.

In its interim orders, the bench said ".. information should be made available on the internet and any other medium so that there is no panic whether in seeking the drug or obtaining supplies of oxygen or finding out the nearest bed."

The counsel for the Central government ASG R Sankaranarayanan submitted that a clear picture of the availability of the vaccines, drugs and doses will be available by May 3.

The bench adjourned the plea to May 5 for further suggestions by the Centre by observing that it will be available during the first fortnight of the vacation to take up the urgent matters pertaining to the case.

Tiruvannamalai Remdesivir black marketing: More skeletons expected to tumble out of the closet

Tiruvannamalai Remdesivir black marketing: More skeletons expected to tumble out of the closet

Informed sources said that a well-oiled network of staff at the Govt Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital had been part of the racket to smuggle out Remdesivir.

Published: 30th April 2021 09:11 PM 

The Govt Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital (GTMCH).

By R Sivakumar

Express News Service

TIRUVANNAMALAI: With the arrest of a multipurpose health worker in connection with the life-saving Remdesivir drug racket, more skeletons are expected to tumble out of the closet in the Govt Tiruvannamalai Medical College Hospital (GTMCH).

Acting on a tip-off, cops attached to Civil Supplies-CID (CS-CID) secured 26-year-old Vignesh, a multipurpose health worker employed on a contract basis, from GTMCH on Thursday.

According to police, their interrogations revealed that he had stolen the drug from the covid wards to hand over his contacts, who, in turn, are alleged to have passed it on to a doctor based at Tambaram in Chennai. The doctor and a few others too were held by the police. Chennai city police are investigating the matter.

A medical officer with the casualty unit of the hospital had allegedly helped Vignesh sneak out the drug from GTMCH. He was also secured by the police for interrogations.

Informed sources said that a well-oiled network of staff at the GTMCH had been part of the racket to smuggle out Remdesivir. They had cleverly worked in the hospital to steal the drug.

As per the practice, Remdesivir vials are received from the pharmacy, after the concerned doctors of the covid ward provide the intent for the drug, and are taken to the wards where it will be kept safely in storerooms before being used.

The records will show without doubt the number of vials sought, handed by the pharmacy, and stocked at the storeroom. But where the unscrupulous elements play is at the end-use stage. Without injecting the drug to all needy patients, these elements steal some of the vials and sell them outside, the sources noted.

“The case sheets of critically ill covid patients are not properly maintained, entries are not rightly made. There wouldn’t be any evidence of whether a particular patient was administered the injection or not. And there is no cross-checking mechanism. So these elements easily sneak out the drug,” said a source.

Remdesivir, a drug of limited efficacy that is not considered life-saving, is in short supply across the nation and is allegedly easily available at two hospitals in Tiruvannamalai, run by doctors employed at GTMCH. Patients from even far-off places reportedly source the drug from Tiruvannamalai.

When queried about the issue, top authorities of GTMCH refused to comment saying that the matter is ‘under police investigation’.

Director of Medical Education (DME) Dr. Narayanababu promised to look into the issue and find out how the drug was stolen.

“The police have already been holding investigations. We will definitely hold inquiries and check the records to find out how the drug was taken out of the hospital and initiate appropriate action,” he said.

Perambalur: Govt school teacher hands over Rs 50k as Covid relief

Perambalur: Govt school teacher hands over Rs 50k as Covid relief

A government school teacher in Perambalur district handed over Demand Draft worth Rs 50,000 to District Collector P Sri Venkata Priya to help Covid patients on Friday.

Published: 01st May 2021 04:53 AM 

By P Thiruselvam

Express News Service

PERAMBALUR: A government school teacher in Perambalur district handed over Demand Draft worth Rs 50,000 to District Collector P Sri Venkata Priya to help Covid patients on Friday.

This is not her first sweet gesture. Last year, she spent a lakh from her savings to buy 16 smartphones and sim cards for Class X students, taking their financial background into account. K Bairavi (41) works as a maths teacher in Elambalur Government Higher Secondary School.

Talking to TNIE, she said, “During the last lockdown, I decided to get my students mobile phones to avail lessons. I have been recharging their sim cards till this month and communicating to them daily. I was very happy when the district was free of coronavirus.

But this year, in the second wave, it is saddening to see people suffer. My students told me that we should offer some help. So, I took ‘Demand Draft’ for Rs 50,000 in the name of the Collector and gave it to her.”

She along with her students went to the collectorate on Friday and handed over the demand draft. The Collector praised Bhairavi for her efforts.