As part of protest, resident docs sport black badges

As part of protest, resident docs sport black badges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bengaluru: 09.12.2021

Resident doctors and interns from across the state sported black badges in a symbolic protest as part of their indefinite strike called by Karnataka Association of Resident Doctors (KARD).

Junior resident doctors and interns had launched an indefinite strike on November 29 over, among other demands, unpaid Covid allowances, and had boycotted outpatient department (OPD) duties and elective services. They returned to work in OPDs on December 3. However, patients have not been put to hardship. One doctor said since they have not received a convincing response from the government, they decided to launch the symbolic protest beginning Wednesday, while continuing to keep OPD and other services functioning. 

In a press release, KARD said that they will observe ‘Placard Day’ on Thursday and on Friday they will hold a candlelight vigil. Among their demands are payment of Covid allowance (Rs 10,000 per month) announced by the government from April 2021, roll back of fee hike, and expediting the NEET-PG 2021 admission process.

Airline staff at KIA force 4-yr-old to undergo test

Airline staff at KIA force 4-yr-old to undergo test

Petlee.Peter@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru:  09.12.2021

A four-year-old boy, a citizen of the United States, was forced to take the Covid-19 test at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) after ground staff of a domestic airline refused to allow him to accompany his parents on a holiday to Port Blair without a negative report.

This is in clear violation of guidelines issued by the Union ministry of health and family welfare, which states those under five years of age are exempted from pre-departure and post-arrival tests and shows a lack of awareness about Covid-19 protocols among airline staff.

Rajdeep Ganguly, a top IT engineer with a major computer chipmaker, his wife and their four-year-old son, all US passport holders and residents of Koramangala, decided to go on a holiday to Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. He booked tickets on Go First Airways (previously Go Air) and they were scheduled to fly out from KIA on flight G8 1802 on November 27.

The family arrived at the airport at 8am and were in for a rude shock when Go First’s ground staff at the check-in counter demanded an RTPCR negative report for their son. Ganguly and his wife are fully vaccinated and, as per rules, don’t need a negative test report.

“I explained to the airline staffer that protocol issued by the Union health ministry specifically exempts children below the age of five from RTPCR tests, but he refused to listen. He rudely replied that ‘if the boy tests negative, he flies with you’,” Ganguly said. The parents demanded that they be shown the clause in the rule book which mandates the test, but airline staff refused to listen.

Ganguly also contacted Andaman and Nicobar Islands Integrated Development Corporation Ltd to doubly ascertain if his son needs a negative report. When they landed in Port Blair later that day, they were told the test was “unnecessary”.

With Go First ground staff refusing to budge and time running out, the 43-yearold father rushed with the boy to the Auriga Research Covid testing centre outside the airport. Taking pity on their plight, some flyers allowed them to jump the queue and the child took the rapid PCR test. The duo then dashed back into the airport to collect a printout of the negative report.

The family was in for another shock when they handed in the result to the ground staff. “The Go First manager didn’t even bother looking at the result but checked the test payment receipt for Rs 3,000 and directed us towards boarding. There was another family at the time with an unwell child, but the airline staff didn’t spare them as well,” added the IT engineer.

TOI contacted Go First for its reaction, but there was no response despite emails, messages and phone calls.

6 docs among 10 +ve since Nov 29 at city med college

6 docs among 10 +ve since Nov 29 at city med college

LAX PROTOCOL? Concern Growing Over Breakthrough Cases At Vydehi Institute, Other Hospitals Across The State

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 09.12.2021

In continuing breakthrough infections, 10 healthcare workers, including six doctors, from Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre in Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) Mahadevapura zone tested positive for Covid-19 since November 29.

Samples from four of them, who had a high viral load, have been sent for genomic sequencing and reports are awaited. Hospital authorities say this should not be viewed as a cluster outbreak since all cases did not happen at once.

While none of them have travel history, sources say they may have contracted the infection from the community. The index case, a 54-yearold doctor, came under BBMP’s scanner on November 29 and the Palike has since conducted 204 tests in the hospital and the attached medical college hostel.

Sources say that the medical college hospital had a closed-door meeting with all staff on December 2. “Despite having a severe cough, a doctor who had given samples for the Covid test, attended the meeting. That evening, the result showed she was positive for Covid and the doctor stopped coming to work from December 3.”

“Primary and secondary contacts in the hostel, departments of paediatrics and oncology have been tested. Of the 10, three were hospitalised and have recovered,” said R Venkatachalapathy, joint commissioner, Mahadevapura. All of them are currently in home isolation.

Dr Ravindra Reddy, nodal officer for Covid, Vydehi, while insisting that this should not be classified as a cluster, said: “We didn’t have all 10 cases at the same time. While testing contacts, some returned positive for the disease. Some are from the hostel and had not had any contact with Covid-19 positive doctors. These are all isolated cases.”

He said that at present, all 10 are fine and that most of them had no symptoms. BBMP authorities said a repeat RT-PCR test will be conducted at the Vydehi campus on Friday (December 10). Sources say the wife of a Covid-19 positive doctor from Vydehi, who works at another private medical college in north Bengaluru, has also tested positive. However, this could not be confirmed with authorities at the medical college where she works.

Given that all 10 were fully vaccinated, the cases raise concerns about healthcare workers, who have taken both doses of the vaccine, contracting the infection. Staffers in other medical institutions in Bengaluru and across the state, who were fully vaccinated, have also tested positive.

About a fortnight ago, in one of the biggest clusters in recent times, more than 300 students at SDM College of Medical Sciences in Dharwad district tested positive.

At Nimhans, of the 826 Covid tests conducted so far this month, four people — two staffers and two family members of one of the staffers — had tested positive. Dr Muralidharan Kesavan, medical superintendent, Nimhans, said that these routine tests conducted in the hospital have not shown any alarming rise in cases: The positivity rate has been less than 0.5%. In November, there were five positive cases, including patients and staffers, and in October there were a total 12 cases, Kesavan said.

Prior to this, Sri Jayadeva Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences and Research had seen five of its doctors testing positive in the third week of November. Dr C Nagaraj, Covid technical advisory committee member and director of Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Chest Diseases, says there’s a need to conduct reorientation sessions for healthcare workers on maintaining Covid-appropriate behaviour.

“In our hospital, one doctor tested positive in November but none of his contacts tested positive. I feel that there is a need to reorientate staff on Covid-appropriate behaviour such as always wearing a mask,” Dr Nagaraj said.

GETTING THE JOB DONE: A healthcare worker administers a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at a roadside camp in Bengaluru on Wednesday

Australia finds new Omicron ‘lineage’ in arrival from S Africa

 Australia finds new Omicron ‘lineage’ in arrival from S Africa

09.12.2021

Australia’s Queensland state has found a new Omicron lineage in a traveller who arrived from South Africa, health authorities said Wednesday. The new lineage has about half the gene variations of the original and can’t be detected with typical screening, the state’s acting chief health officer Peter Aitken told reporters. It was found in a traveller who had arrived from South Africa and tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday, he said. The new lineage has enough markers “to be able to classify it as omicron, but we don’t know enough about it as to what that means then as far as clinical severity, vaccine effectiveness,” Aitken said. “We now have Omicron and Omicron-like.” The discovery comes as Queensland prepares to reopen border to the rest of Australia next Monday. BLOOMBERG

Oz dreams of students drown under virus fears

Oz dreams of students drown under virus fears

Preeti.Biswas@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 07.12.2021

Jobless and debtridden, thousands of Australia-bound professionals, including those from Telangana and AP, are stranded in India for the last 21 months with little hope to return to Australia.

After pursuing education in Australia, international students can avail temporary graduate visa (subclass 485) that enables them to work in Australia for two years. Following completion of studies in November-December 2019 and securing work visa, many returned to India to meet families. But lockdown led to Australian government sealing borders, leaving many stuck.

Bagudu Giribabu, 27, returned after almost three years of education in Central Queensland University in Melborne in December 2019. “I had a work visa valid till December, 2021. I planned to stay in India till March, 2020. However, pandemic has been a nightmare. I lost my father in June 2020 to an accident. Now, I am the bread-winner of my family with ₹30 lakh loan. EMIs begin this month,” said Giribabu, whose work visa is to expire by December 9.

Mounika Nama, 27, got married in Australia and returned to India with her husband in February 2020. Now, she is stranded in India with an expired temporary graduate visa. “For six months in the pandemic, I spent $2,000 per month on rent. Later, I got my belongings shifted to a rental space where I spent $600 per month. This, in addition to my education loan. Me and my husband are in financially weak condition. Australia government is not allowing our return,” said Nama.

Many students are unable to apply for jobs here as original certificates are in Australia. Although Australia said it’ll allow temporary graduate visa holders to apply for a visa replacement from June, 2022, many rue it would lead to a loss of another six months.

Doctors protest delay in PG NEET counselling

Doctors protest delay in PG NEET counselling

They are only performing COVID duties

07/12/2021

Up in arms: Resident doctors staging a protest in the Capital on Monday. SHIV KUMAR PUSHPAKAR Shiv Kumar Pushpakar

Staff Reporter New Delhi

Over 4,000 resident doctors of the Central Government-run Safdarjung Hospital, Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Lady Hardinge Medical College on Monday boycotted work, as a protest against the delay in PG NEET counselling, said the Federation of Resident Doctors’ Association (FORDA).

“Over 4,000 resident doctors from the three hospitals boycotted work except for COVID-19 duties. The counselling for PG admission is stuck as the matter is pending before the Supreme Court,” FORDA president Manish said.

A FORDA delegation also met the Union Health Minister at RML Hospital. “The Health Minister assured us that he has taken note of our grievances and that the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare will get the case mentioned in the SC for an early hearing,” FORDA said.

Medico drives drunk, injures 4 hotel workers

Medico drives drunk, injures 4 hotel workers

07/12/2021

Staff Reporter Hyderabad

Four hotel workers suffered injuries after being hit by a car driven by a medico, driving under the influence of alcohol, at Madhapur here on Sunday night.

Around 11.30 p.m. when the victims were walking on the road near Inorbit Mall, a speeding car driven by Ammathalli Nikhil Kumar Reddy (26), an MBBS graduate from Maseedbanda, Kondapur, hit them. The victims were rushed to a nearby private hospital for immediate medical assistance.

According to Madhapur police Reddy along with his friends and flatmates, Gottumukkula Akhil Ramakrishna Raju (24) and Mendu Tharun (24), both medicos, consumed liquor at a bar in Gachibowli and were returning home.

Reddy’s blood alcohol content was 116 mg/100 ml against the permissible limit of 30 mg/100 ml.

Medical college ‘hushes up’ ragging incident

Medical college ‘hushes up’ ragging incident

07/12/2021

“The committee submitted its report only on Saturday and over 100 students of Saravanan’s batch were questioned and they said the four students were known to commit such an offence. We had to verify before taking action,” said Ms. Amuthavalli. The accused students were from Dharmapuri.

But asked about the absence of police complaint given that ragging was a serious offence, the Dean said an AR entry (accident register) was made at the time of admission and it was for the police to check the entry.

SP C. Kalaichelvan, however, said, “The first time no direct intimation was given by the hospital to the police. It is standard procedure that upon admission of any person with injuries [in suspicious circumstances], the police should be intimated.” It was projected as a scuffle between students and the hospital wanted it to be handled as an internal matter, he said. Saravanan, meanwhile, sent a mail to the Medical Commission, feeling let down by the perceived delay in the inquiry. The deputy warden, and the chief warden of the hostel, both associate professors at the hospital, resigned from their wardenship on Monday.

Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the State’s health helpline 104 and Sneha’s suicide prevention helpline 044-24640050.

GRH radiologist suspended

GRH radiologist suspended

07/12/2021

Special Correspondent MADURAI

The Director of Medical Education, Chennai, on Monday, has suspended a radiologist of Government Rajaji Hospital on a charge of sexual harassment.

A woman had come for scan to the hospital on November 27. The radiologist, it is alleged, misbehaved with the patient on the pretext of examining her. The patient narrated the incident to Dean A. Rathinavel, who asked the patient to lodge a complaint. Dr. Rathinavel placed the patient’s written complaint before an internal committee. After inquiry, the committee sent the observations based on which the DME ordered the suspension of the radiologist.

The radiologist claimed before the committee that he was being targeted by some of his seniors since he questioned their action during COVID-19 pandemic.

Maharashtra Omicron tally goes up to 10

Maharashtra Omicron tally goes up to 10

Two who arrived from South Africa and U.S. test positive

07/12/2021

More surveillance: A health worker collecting swab samples for COVID-19 testing in Mumbai on Monday. PTI

Staff Reporter Mumbai

Maharashtra on Monday reported two more patients with the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2, taking its total tally in the State to 10.

One of them is a 37-year-old man who came from Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 25. His 36-year-old friend, who came from the U.S. the same day, has also tested positive for the new variant, the State Public Health Department said.

Both patients have no symptoms and have been admitted to Seven Hills Hospital in Mumbai. They have taken Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine. Five high-risk and 315 low-risk contacts of both these patients have been traced. Further tracing is currently under way.

All 6,263 international passengers from at-risk countries and 635 of the 28,437 who arrived from other countries at three international airports in the State — Mumbai, Pune and Nagpur — have undergone RT-PCR test. Only 11 from at-risk countries tested positive for COVID-19.

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Government on Monday reduced the rates for RT-PCR tests. A sum of ₹350 will be charged for the pick up of sample from collection sites, transport and reporting of sample. And ₹500 will be charged for collection from kiosks, COVID-19 care centres, hospitals and clinics and quarantine centres. A sum of ₹700 will be charged for collection of sample from the patient’s residence.

Labs cannot charge more than the prescribed limit from patients, said Public Health Minister Rajesh Tope.

S. African booked for flying out after testing Omicron positive

S. African booked for flying out after testing Omicron positive

His negative COVID-19 report under a cloud; India in touch with Dubai authorities

07/12/2021

Intensifed scan: A health worker collecting swab samples for COVID-19 test in Bengaluru on Monday. K. MURALI KUMAR MURALI KUMAR K

Bengaluru Bureau Bengaluru

The Bengaluru city police have registered a case against a South African national, who tested positive for the Omicron variant but left the country three days later based on a negative COVID-19 test report that has now come under suspicion.

The police have also booked the hotel management where he was under quarantine and let him go without informing the civic authorities.

Though Revenue Minister R. Ashok had said an investigation will be carried out against the laboratory that gave the patient a negative report, the FIR doesn’t list the laboratory as an accused. “We had mentioned the laboratory in our complaint. I will ask our officials to look into the issue,” said Gaurav Gupta, Chief Civic Commissioner of Bengaluru.

Sources said Indian authorities were in touch with their counterparts in Dubai, to where the patient had left. They are also in touch with the South African authorities, sources said.

The police booked the South African national, Mahendra Chibabhai, 66, and the management of a hotel charging them under Karnataka Epidemic Disease Act and under Section 269 (negligent act to spread infection), Section 271 (disobedience of Quarantine Rule) and Section 114 (abetment to offence).

The complaint said the man had landed in the city on November 20 and tested positive for COVID-19 at the airport. He was sent to the hotel and kept in a separate room for 14 days quarantine.

Despite specific instructions to the staff to alert the BBMP officials at the time of his check-out, the management allowed him to leave on November 27 without informing the BBMP, the civic body has alleged.

Upon inquiry, the management justified their action stating he had submitted a COVID-negative certificate from the lab at the time of check-out.

Air passenger tests positive for infection

Air passenger tests positive for infection

07/12/2021

Staff Reporter TIRUCHI

A 63-year-old man who landed at the Tiruchi International Airport on Sunday night tested positive for COVID-19.

The patient was admitted to the special ward for international travellers at the Tiruchi Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital on Monday. His test samples have been sent for genome sequencing to identify the variant of virus.

The man hails from Mayiladuthurai. Health officials said he had mild symptoms.

“We are treating him for the symptoms and will continue to monitor him,” an official said.

Egmore-Salem Express to be operated daily

Egmore-Salem Express to be operated daily

07/12/2021

Staff ReporterSalem

The Chennai Egmore – Salem Jn. – Chennai Egmore Super Fast Express would be operated on a daily basis from December 13, a release said.

According to a release from Salem Railway Division, the service resumed on December 3 as a tri-weekly.

According to a release, the frequency of the trains would be increased and would be operated as daily superfast express trains.

Train no.22153 Chennai Egmore – Salem Jn. Super Fast Express will be operated as a daily train service from December 13.

Train no.22154 Salem Jn. – Chennai Egmore Super Fast Express will be operated as a daily train service from December 14, the release said.

The trains would be operated as fully reserved trains.

The trains would be composed of one AC 2-tier, four AC 3-tier, eight sleeper class, two general second class and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches, the press release added.

Madurai college official booked under POCSO Act gets bail

Madurai college official booked under POCSO Act gets bail

Released at night after surrendering passport; to report to cops daily

Published: 07th December 2021 05:45 AM 

By Shobana Radhakrishnan

Express News Service

MADURAI: Less than a week after ordering judicial custody, Dindigul Mahila Court granted bail to the private nursing college correspondent, one P Jothimurugan, who was booked under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, following students’ complaints. He was released on bail on Saturday night.

Alleging that many girl students were sexually abused by Jothimurugan, the students of the private nursing college in Muthanampatti staged a protest on November 19. Of the three students who came forward to file a police complaint, two were aged below 18. Following the protests, the college was closed indefinitely. Meanwhile, Jothimurugan surrendered at Polur Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvannamalai on November 23 and was locked in the Vellore Central Prison.

According to sources, a bail petition was filed on behalf of Jothimurugan at Dindigul Mahila Court last week. On Saturday, he was taken from Palani sub-jail to Dindigul Government Hospital at 8.30 pm as he was allegedly sick. The Mahila Court Judge S Purushothaman, who reviewed the bail petition on Saturday, granted the bail at night on conditions of him surrendering his passport and paying the bail amount of Rs 20,000. He ordered that Jothimurugan should sign at the Vadamadurai police station every day.

N Ilango, General Secretary of Madurai Bench of Madras High Court Bar Association, said that the first Saturday of all subordinate courts is a working day. “There might be several reasons for the order to be passed during the night hours and it is totally within the discretionary power of the court. The bail order should be submitted to the prison authorities on the same day, failing which, it would be considered illegal custody. However, the prisoners are not released after 6 pm usually as the prisoners’ count is already submitted for the day before 6 pm. Even if the bail was granted on a Saturday night, the prison authorities should have released the prisoner on Monday,” he added.

Thiruvananthapuram travel firm owner dupes woman of Rs 9.5 lakh promising visa to Canada

Thiruvananthapuram travel firm owner dupes woman of Rs 9.5 lakh promising visa to Canada

Mujeeb Rahman, a resident of Kowdiar and the owner of Riya Travel Solutions, was arrested by the Medical College police based on a complaint by city-based Sivalakshmi.

Published: 29th November 2021 01:35 AM |

By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city police have arrested a travel firm owner who allegedly duped a woman by promising a Canadian job visa. Mujeeb Rahman, a resident of Kowdiar and the owner of Riya Travel Solutions, was arrested by the Medical College police based on a complaint by city-based Sivalakshmi.

She said that Mujeeb cheated her of Rs 9.5 lakh by offering her a job visa, and family visas to her friend and her family. The police said he took Rs 4 lakh for the job visa and another Rs 5.5 lakh towards providing family visas.

The accused also took their passports, but he neither sent them abroad nor returned their money. The police said Mujeeb was a suspect in several similar cases registered in various stations in the district.

KGMU, RMLIMS to recruit 312 non-PG junior residents

KGMU, RMLIMS to recruit 312 non-PG junior residents

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Lucknow:05.12.2021

King George’s Medical University (KGMU) and Ram Manohar Lohia Institute of Medical Sciences (RMLIMS) will recruit 272 and 40 non-postgraduate junior resident doctors (non-PG JRs), respectively, on a temporary basis to tackle the manpower crisis.

Both medical institutions have taken this decision to end the agitation of junior residents who have been holding demonstrations for the last few days as second- and third-year resident doctors are burdened with work. The demand is to hold counselling for admission to PG courses through NEET so that firstyear seats can be filled.

KGMU spokesperson Dr Sudhir Singh said, “Non-PG junior residents will be recruited for a certain time period till new PG JRs join through NEET counselling.”

Medical superintendent of RMLIMS Prof Vikram Singh said, “We have sent a proposal to the state government for recruitment of 40 non-PG JRs to ease the workload of existing JRs.”

While doctors have agreed to reduce the number of JRs in demonstrations, a symbolic protest will continue till recruitments.

Boycott hits OPD services at RMLIMS

Patient care was affected for an hour due to the boycott of OPD services by the faculty members of RMLIMS on Saturday. The teachers have been demanding allowances as per the 7th Pay Commission on a par with the faculty members of SGPGI. Patients had to wait at the OPD during the work boycott from 9-10am which led to overcrowding. The faculty association had announced a two-hour boycott from Monday but after talks with the institute, the association has announced to defer it for a week.

SCR cancels 12 trains as precautionary step

SCR cancels 12 trains as precautionary step

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad:05.12.2021

Anticipating cyclone Jawad would create havoc, the South Central Railway (SCR) cancelled 12 trains on Saturday as a precautionary measure and diverted and partially cancelled several others. However, Jawad has weakened into a deep depression.

At least 50 other trains running through the SCR zone were cancelled by other railway zones.

The total number of trains either originating, terminating or passing through the SCR zone was estimated to be around 120. Majority of the trains affected are originating from the East Coast Railway zone which is worst affected by the cyclone, said officials.

Among the trains cancelled are the Secunderabad -Howrah Falaknuma Express from Secunderabad, Secunderabad-Guwahati Express, Secunderabad-Bhubaneswar Visakha Express and Howrah-Hyderabad East Coast Express, which terminate in the city.

The cancellations have left those who planned to travel over the next few days in a dilemma. As a result, many sought to get their tickets cancelled. Also many trains were rescheduled. Train No17229 Thiruvananthapuram – Secunderabad Daily Sabari Express, which was to leave Thiruvananthapuram at 07.00 hours, has been rescheduled to leave at 10.00 hours due to traffic regulations at one of the junctions.

Leaving nothing to chance, T ups oxygen, bed capacity

Leaving nothing to chance, T ups oxygen, bed capacity

Geared Up To Handle Situation If Third Wave Arises: Srinivasa

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad:  05.12.2021

Telangana has tripled oxygen generation capacity and kept 27 oxygen containers on standby for tackling likely surge of Covid-19 cases due to the new variant, omicron.

“Also, 26 PSA oxygen generation plants have been commissioned under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of companies. In addition to that, 27 containers of 540 metric tonne (MT) capacity for transportation of liquid oxygen have been arranged. The oxygen generation capacity in the state is increased from 135 MT/day to 327 MT/ day,” director public health Dr G Srinivasa Rao said.

“Also, 5,200 paediatric oxygen beds have been earmarked in different government hospitals so far for Covid-19. We are completely geared up to handle the situation if a third wave arises,” he said, adding that though a rapid spread of the new variant has been predicted,it might not be severe and therefore preparations would be enough to tackle any eventuality.

Not just in the government sector, efforts have been made to upscale oxygen generation and storage infrastructure even in private hospitals, which have bought oxygen tankers that can store liquid oxygen sufficienet for 3-4 days. “There was a shortage of tankers during the second wave. Now, majority of the corporate hospitals have set up additional oxygen generation plants, while the smaller and mid-sized ones have made arrangements for tankers,” Telangana Super Speciality Hospitals Association president Dr Bhaskar Rao said. In private hospitals, 39 PSA plants have been commissioned so far.

“Of 27,996 beds in government hospitals, 25,390 have been converted to oxygen beds so far. Currently, there are 55,442 beds in the state, including those in private hospitals. Of these 21,751 are oxygen beds, while 11,845 are ICU beds.

“Patients with moderate to severe symptoms, with or without Covid positive report, can go to any notified government Covid hospitals. Based on the clinical requirements, beds will be provided, and treatment will be given free of cost at government hospitals,” the health department said, urging people to utilise government facilities.

Rosaiah, ex-CM & a man for all seasons, passes away at 88

Rosaiah, ex-CM & a man for all seasons, passes away at 88

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Hyderabad/Amaravati:  05.12.2021

Former chief minister of united Andhra Pradesh and veteran Congress leader Konijeti Rosaiah passed away in Hyderabad on Saturday after a brief illness. He was 88.

He died while being taken to a private hospital after he fell ill on Saturday morning.

Rosaiah was born on July 4, 1933 in Vemuru village of Guntur district. He is survived by wife Sivalakshmi, sons KSN Murthy, Subba Rao and daughter Ramadevi.

Rosaiah's political journey began in 1968 as an MLC. In his five-decade long public life, he was a minister in the cabinets of T Anjaiah, Marri Chenna Reddy, Kotla Vijaya Bhaskara Reddy and YS Rajasekhara Reddy.

He also represented Chirala in assembly and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Narasaraopet in Andhra Pradesh in 1999.

He was sworn in as chief minister on September 3, 2009 following the death of Y S Rajasekhara Reddy in a helicopter crash. Rosaiah continued in the post till November 24, 2010.

The former CM also had the unique distinction of presenting the state budget for a record 16 times under various chief ministers.

K Rosaiah

CM KCR consoles Rosaiah’s wife Sivalakshmi at their residence

T, AP govt declare 3 days state mourning

It was during his tenure as CM in 2009, then UPA government, announced on December 9 that it would start the process of forming a separate Telangana, but rolled back its decision on December 23 following protests by AP leaders and later constituted Sri Krishna Committee. TRS senior leaders recalled that the December 9 announcement was made after Rosaiah held a meeting with opposition parties and said then UPA government took the decision based on the views expressed by the leaders on granting separate statehood for Telangana.

PM Narendra Modi, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu, Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, Telangana and AP CMs K Chandrasekhar Rao and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy, Union minister G Kishan Reddy, former governor ESL Narasimhan, TPCC president A Revanth Reddy, ministers KT Rama Rao and T Harish Rao and several leaders condoled the death of the veteran leader. KCR, who visited Rosaiah's house and paid his tributes, recalled that Rosaiah brought laurels to each and every post he held. Telangana and AP governments declared three days of mourning. Senior Congress leader KVP Ramachandra Rao said the body of the veteran leader would be kept at Gandhi Bhavan.Final rites will be held at agriculture fields owned by family at Kompally on Sunday afternoon.

CM KCR paying tributes to former CM of united Andhra Pradesh and veteran Konijeti Rosaiah

An orator & a number cruncher

A master of mesmerising speeches, Konijeti Rosaiah was not only an authority on state finances but was also as a ‘walking encyclopedia’ of legislative affairs. It was literally difficult for the rivals to pin him down.

TDP founder-president and then CM NT Rama Rao is believed to have decided to abolish the legislative council as he was always at the receiving end of Rosaiah’s fiery speeches in the upper house. Rosaiah was also known for not encouraging his kin into politics. In his 50 years of political career, he never faced any allegations of corruption or nepotism. A true follower of Gandhian principles, Rosaiah rose to the top as a staunch follower of Acharya N G Ranga. Always clad in neatly ironed white khadi shirt and dhoti, Rosaiah lived a spotless life throughout.

Omicron count 4 after Maha, Guj report 1 each

Omicron count 4 after Maha, Guj report 1 each

Mumbai Resident Not Vaccinated

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Mumbai/Ahmedabad:  05.12.2021

Maharashtra and Gujarat reported a case each of the Omicron variant of Covid-19 on Saturday, one a 33-year-old man from Mumbai's Dombivli who had travelled to South Africa last month and the other a 72-year-old Zimbabwe resident visiting his native Jamnagar. This takes India's tally of confirmed Omicron cases so far to four.

Both patients are in a stable condition, health officials in Mumbai and Ahmedabad said. Two people who had accompanied the septuagenarian to Jamnagar by road after he landed at Ahmedabad airport on November 28 have since tested negative. They remain in isolation and under observation.

The Dombivli resident, a merchant navy engineer, had travelled to Mumbai from Cape Town via Delhi on November 24.

A woman shows her vax cert at a Bengaluru mall on Saturday

Patient’s 60 primary contacts traced

Health officials said he wasn't vaccinated but did not have any symptoms. Sixty of the patient’s primary and secondary contacts, including 25 co-passengers on the Delhi-Mumbai flight, have been traced and found negative for Covid, state surveillance officer Dr Pradeep Awate said.

BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani Kakani said one more person with a possible Omicron infection was quarantined during the day. Mumbai currently has another 17 potential cases of the variant — including 13 travellers and four of their contacts. An equal number are spread out across the state, said a health official.

Officials are awaiting the genomic sequencing reports of other Omicron suspects from Mumbai and its neighbouring areas. An update by the BMC said it had listed 3,760 travellers to Mumbai from "highrisk" countries, of whom 2,794 had been traced and tested for Covid. In Gujarat, health officials are awaiting the genome-sequencing reports of three people — a woman of Gujarati origin from Britain, a Vadodara resident and a doctor from Navsari — who tested positive for Covid on arrival from the UK. The doctor had landed in Mumbai. All three have been isolated at various hospitals.

CM Bhupendra Patel chaired an emergency meeting with home and health department officials, after which he said the state would strictly follow the stipulated testing, tracing and treatment protocol.

‘Omicron spreading more than twice as fast as Delta’

‘Omicron spreading more than twice as fast as Delta’

05.12.2021

Underscoring increasing concerns about Omicron, scientists in South Africa said on Friday that the newest variant appeared to spread more than twice as quickly as Delta, which had been considered the most contagious version of the virus. Omicron’s rapid spread results from a combination of contagiousness and an ability to dodge the body’s immune defences, the researchers said. But the contribution of each factor is not yet certain. “We’re not sure what that mixture is,” said Carl Pearson, a mathematical modeller at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine who led the analysis. “It’s possible that it might even be less transmissible than Delta.” he said. The research is yet to be peer-reviewed. On Thursday, researchers said the variant may partly dodge immunity gained from a previous infection. It’s still unclear whether, or to what degree, Omicron may evade protection conferred by the vaccines. But some experts said they would expect the outcome to be similar.

Meanwhile, South African health officials on Saturday said that higher hospital admissions among children during fourth Covid wave driven by the Omicron variant should not prompt panic as infections have been mild. NYT & REUTERS

Tens of thousands of protesters marched through several European countries, including Austria, the Netherlands and Germany, on Saturday to demonstrate against Covid restrictions. Over 40,000 demonstrators gathered in Vienna (above) demanding a new election

Bolsonaro to face probe for linking Covid vax & AIDS

ABrazilian Supreme Court justice ordered on Friday that a probe be opened into President Jair Bolsonaro for having said during a live broadcast on multiple online platforms in October that Covid vaccines may raise the chance of contracting AIDS. Bolsonaro was temporarily suspended from both Facebook and YouTube after his comments. The decision came in response to a request from a Senate investigative committee. However, few expect any significant action given that the current top prosecutor was appointed by Bolsonaro. REUTERS

Centre shifts 42 IAS officers in mega rejig

Centre shifts 42 IAS officers in mega rejig

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:  05.12.2021

In one of the biggest-ever appointments of top- and mid-level bureaucrats at the Centre, the government on Saturday issued orders for fresh posting, insitu elevation, and lateral shift of 42 IAS officers across different departments.

This is also perhaps for the first time that a long list of appointments, which consists of only IAS officers, has been issued, unlike in earlier instances when almost every list of appointment orders for additional secretary- and joint secretary-level posts included some non-IAS officers.

The six secretary level appointments include Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS Sanjay Bandopadhyay’s posting as chairman of Inland Waterways Authority of India; Jharkhand cadre IAS Sundeep Kumar Nayak’s appointment as director general of National Productivity Council; and Bihar cadre IAS Dharmendra S Gangwar as secretary of border management department in the home ministry. Tamil Nadu cadre IAS Anita Praveen has been appointed as special secretary in the food processing industries ministry, who will take over as secretary from January 1.

Progress is crucial, but not at cost of god’s properties: HC

Progress is crucial, but not at cost of god’s properties: HC

Chennai:  05.12.2021

Economic progress of the state, though important, cannot be at the cost of properties of god (temples), the Madras high court said.

Justice R Suresh Kumar made the observation while staying a Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE) department order leasing out 400sqft of a prime land belonging to Arulmighu Nithya Kalyana Perumal Temple on East Coast Road (ECR) in Thiruvidanthai to a private individual.

The land was given on lease for three years to Mermaid Properties which wanted access to the property located behind the temple land, despite objections raised by the temple.

“Even an inch of land of the temple need not be given to the petitioner by way of lease. The reason being that, if at all the petitioner wants the land for the purpose of approach road towards ECR, such kind of approach road is not a temporary phenomenon as it can be a permanent affair,” the HC said. TNN

Will India see Omicron wave? It’ll be clear in 6 wks: Experts

Will India see Omicron wave? It’ll be clear in 6 wks: Experts

‘Duration Crucial To See How Variant Behaves In Delta-Hit Country’

Malathy.Iyer@timesgroup.com

Mumbai:  05.12.2021

Experts said it would take another six to eight weeks for an “Omicron wave”, if at all, to become apparent. While Maharashtra’s first Omicron case has been detected in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, the state’s additional chief secretary (health) Dr Pradeep Vyas said,“We will focus on quickly completing the vaccination process and ensuring that people follow Covid-appropriate behavior, particularly proper wearing of face mask.’’ Dr Shashank Joshi, a member of the state government’s Covid task force, said,“There are too many unknowns with the Omicron variant at the moment. We shouldn’t panic, but maintain a vigil. We have to study if Omicron in the next few weeks displaces the Delta variant (which caused the second wave in India) as the dominant variant in circulation.”

He said the next six to eight weeks are crucial to see how the Omicron variant behaves in India, which has seen a wide exposure to the Delta variant.

“Most Omicron cases are related to travel. We have to study clusters of cases in countries other than South Africa that may have developed after the first travel-related case. It will help us prepare,” added Dr Joshi.

Another task force member, Dr Rahul Pandit, said that it has to be back to the basics of tracing, testing and treating. “As we have seen previously, cases take a month or two to rise after a new variant is found to be in circulation,” he said.

BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani said that there is no cause for panic in Mumbai at the moment. “We have adequate medical infrastructure needed to handle any increase in cases we may see,” he said.

Kalyan Dombivli Municpal Corporation Commissioner Dr Vijay Suryawanshi said people should compulsorily observe safety measures of social distancing and wearing a face mask outside home. “I have asked hotel associations and commercial establishments and unions to adhere all safety norms of wearing masks. Our civic teams will start fining those who fail to wear masks and shopkeepers and other establishments who will not follow Covid safety guidelines,” he added.

(Inputs by Pradeep Gupta)

A separate ward being prepared at a hospital in Madurai on Saturday to treat people infected with the Omicron variant of Covid

RT-PCR report must for Vaishno Devi visit

Reviewing precautionary measures taken in view of the new Covid variant Omicron, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) has mandated for all visiting devotees to have verifiable RT-PCR reports not older than 72 hours, reports Sanjay Khajuria. Urging those taking up the pilgrimage not to let down their guard in the wake of a recent spike in Covid cases, SMVDSB chief executive officer Ramesh Kumar has appealed to the devotees to adhere to Covid-appropriate behaviour and carry valid RT-PCR reports with them.

“It has already been made mandatory for the pilgrims to wear face masks and every visitor is being scanned through thermal scanners at the entry points,” Kumar said. “For the awareness of visitors, regular announcements are also being made on the already-installed multi-purpose audio system ...,” he added.

Petition over paid admission: HC summons Jamia registrar

Petition over paid admission: HC summons Jamia registrar

New Delhi:  05.12.2021

Delhi High Court has summoned the Jamia Millia Islamia registrar on a plea alleging favouritism in admissions to paid category seats in an affiliated school.

Justice Prateek Jalan also summoned the principal of the school and said the relevant records with regard to the admissions conducted this year be made available too for the perusal of the court.

The court has listed the matter for further hearing on December 12. The petition alleged that admissions have been made to various classes in the school without notifying the vacancies. TNN

Didn’t violate testing rules, US airline says in reply

Didn’t violate testing rules, US airline says in reply

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi:   05.12.2021

American Airlines (AA) has responded to the Delhi government’s showcause notice on alleged violation of 2% testing of passengers arriving from ‘not-at-risk’ countries by saying that it “believes (its) flight was in compliance with the latest guidelines.”

Following Omicron, India has mandated that all arrivals from at-risk countries and 2% randomly selected from not-atrisk countries (that include US, Canada and UAE, among others) will be tested on landing here.

The government had issued a notice to AA on Friday on the grounds that its crew of a New York-Delhi flight did not randomly identify the required 2% passengers for on-arrival testing at IGIA. Passengers randomly selected “shall be escorted by the concerned airlines/aviation ministry to the testing area on arrival. The GM of the concerned airline is hereby show caused for not complying with the directions...,” says the notice issued by Delhi Cantonment SDM Piyush Arun Rohankar.

AA said in a statement: “American Airlines holds the health and well-being of our customers and team members as our highest priority, and we take care to abide by Covid-19 guidelines and all other rules and regulations established by governments in markets where we operate. We received the notice and believe our flight was in compliance with the latest guidelines, and we have responded accordingly.”

The New Delhi district administration has also issued show cause notices to Air India and a private airline from Iran for alleged violation of passenger boarding guidelines issued following the emergence of Omicron, PTI reported on Saturday. Officials said three passengers — one each in Air India flights from Dubai and Amritsar, and the third travelling in a Mahan Air flight from Tehran — were allowed boarding without filing up their personal details. No response was available from the two airlines.

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WEEKS BY WHICH FLIGHT TO INDIA WAS DEFERRED

Junior docs to go off OPD on Mon

Junior docs to go off OPD on Mon

New Delhi:  05.12.2021

Resident doctors of Maulana Azad Medical College and associated hospitals have threatened to strike on Monday to protest delay in counselling and admission through NEET.

In a letter to the director of Lok Nayak hospital, the resident doctors have stated that they will boycott OPD and elective surgeries if their demands aren’t met. Emergency and ICU services will not be affected by their protest, doctors said. Resident doctors of several other hospitals across the country, including Safdarjung, have also threatened to strike on Monday.

According to the Federation of Resident Doctors Association, the delay in admission to PG NEET was impacting the morale and performance of residents. TNN

Newark-bound Air India flight returns to IGI after 3 hours as passenger dies on board

Newark-bound Air India flight returns to IGI after 3 hours as passenger dies on board

New Delhi:  05.12.2021

An Air India flight to Newark in the USA returned to Delhi airport after three hours of departing due to the death of a passenger on board.

“Air India Delhi-Newark (US) flight returned to Delhi after more than three hours of flight, due to a medical emergency on board,” an Air India official told ANI.

A team of airport doctors arrived on the plane and declared him dead after a thorough check of the passenger. The passenger was a US national and was travelling with his wife.

“On December 4, flight number AI-105 returned to IGI airport, due to the death of a US citizen who was travelling with his wife to Newark,” the official said.

The flight landed safely at Delhi airport, and as per the flight time duty limitation norms, another batch of the crew will be arranged for flight operations.

“The same aircraft with new crew members are expected to take off around 1600 hrs,” the official added. The matter was reported to the airport police for legal formalities. ANI

US-bound AI flight returns after death

US-bound AI flight returns after death

05.12.2021

An AI flight to Newark returned to IGI airport after three hours of departing due to the death of a flyer. A team of airport doctors arrived on the plane and after checking the passenger declared him dead. The flyer was a US national & was travelling with his wife.