11.50 lakh students to appear in last 2 board exams today & tomorrow

11.50 lakh students to appear in last 2 board exams today & tomorrow

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Ajmer: 29.06.2020

Around 11.5 lakh students will appear in the class X social science exam of Rajasthan Board of Secondary Education (RBSE) on Monday in more than 6,000 examination centres across the state. Social science and maths exams were not conducted as the lockdown was forced in the state on March 20.

Looking at the large number of students appearing in the exam, the RBSE has asked authorities to ensure proper maintenance of social distancing norms strictly. A similar number f students will also appear for the maths exam on June 30.

The CBSE has cancelled the remaining board exams of classes X and XII but the RBSE has already conducted the remaining exams of class XII.

The exam will start at 8.30am but the RBSE has Asked students that they should reach the examination centre an hour before. The board claimed that question papers have already been sent to examination centres and subcentres for keeping social distancing.

A board official said thermal screening was compulsory for every student and staff entering the examination centre and flying squads have been asked to ensure that social distancing in classrooms are followed strictly.

Board sources said as all examinations will over on June 30, it is preparing to declare the result of class X and XII board exams by July 15. Officials said they were are trying to declare the result of class XII first so that students can apply for admission in higher education institutes.

Capt postpones exit exams in varsities, colleges

Capt postpones exit exams in varsities, colleges

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Chandigarh: 29.06.2020

The Punjab chief minister, Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced postponement of exams for the exit classes in all the universities and colleges of the state till July 15 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

The chief minister, however, made it clear since all the universities and colleges in the state are accredited or affiliated to the University Grants Commission (UGC), any decision on the examinations can only be taken by the statutory body under the Union ministry of human resource development. New directions or guidelines are expected to be released by the UGC any time.

Amarinder issued the clarification while responding to the concerns expressed by students and parents on the conduct of examinations during the ongoing Covid pandemic.

The chief minister said the postponement of the examinations for the exit classes till July 15 will also give all the stakeholders, especially the universities, time to adapt and align to the new guidelines that will come from UGC.

The universities across Punjab had taken a decision to conduct exams of exit classes in the month of July, in accordance with the guidelines issued by UGC on April 29. Later, the UGC had announced that it would review the situation again. The UGC decision regarding academic activities, especially conduct of examinations, is still awaited.

The CM said the postponement of exams for exit classes till July 15 will also give all the stakeholders, especially the universities, time to adapt and align to new guidelines

Cops above 50 told to work from home

Cops above 50 told to work from home

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

29.06.2020

Bengaluru: Police commissioner Bhaskar Rao on Sunday issued an order directing all his filed personnel aged above 50 with comorbid conditions to work remotely. This comes a week after he had instructed cops aged 55 years and above to work from home.

Rao’s fresh instructions come in the wake of increasing Covid-19 cases among police personnel in the city. As of June 21, 67 cops had tested positive in the city. The number has now shot up to at least 130.

“At least eight fresh cases have been added between yesterday and today (Saturday and Sunday), including an assistant commissioner of police attached to traffic,” one official said.

The new order reads: “In view of the increasing number of Covid-19 cases, personnel aged more than 50 years with comorbid conditions must compulsorily work from home.”

Last week, Rao had issued 13 directives, which included instructions that police should not allow anyone from outside the force to walk into the stations and that they must attend to complainants in the temporary tents only after conducting body temperature checks.

He had said police should ensure no person in distress returns without getting assistance. The temporary arrangements should have sufficient chairs for both police and the public, but physical distancing must be mandatorily enforced.

On Saturday, the Bengaluru police department lost its fourth personnel to the virus. The official announcement came on Sunday.

‘Not sharing result is violation of rights’

‘Not sharing result is violation of rights’

Sunitha.Rao@timesgroup.com  29.06.2020

Bengaluru: Doctors and health activists are up in arms over the government’s directive to labs, banning them from sharing results on Covid-19 swab samples with patients. Activists say it’s an infringement of a patient’s basic right.

The government has warned all 75 labs not to inform patients about their test results, insisting it should be routed through the district administration concerned. A similar rule is in force in Maharashtra.

“Who is more interested in the result than the patient?” said Dr Ramana Rao, Bengaluru-based cardiologist. “The government’s move is unwarranted. The patient and relatives should be informed first so that they can take precautions and contain the spread. If it is negative, let them feel relieved.” He said resident welfare associations and police should also be informed.

Health department officials and BBMP said the order was sent out as patients themselves were knocking on hospital doors without the test report, seeking admission. They say they were informed by the labs of a positive result.

“There is a need to counsel patients and explain the admission procedure. It if not, it only spreads panic,” a BBMP official said. However, citizens and doctors are unconvinced. “If patients know they are infected, at least they will act responsibly. What good does it do by not disclosing results to a patient?” a doctor asked. Another doctor labelled the move “utter nonsense”. “I feel the government is fudging numbers for some gain,” the doctor asked.

Jayanagar MLA Soumya Reddy said the government must rethink the notification. “It’s not the patient’s fault that the government’s health system does not have adequate facilities,” she said. She said many patients call her seeking her intervention in getting hospital beds when BBMP delays picking them up.

Srinivasa Alavilli, cofounder, Citizens for Bengaluru, said no one has the right to deny critical personal information to an individual, even more so when it is a question of life and death. “The notification is surprising and shocking. The state and BBMP have done a stellar job managing the crisis so far and we trust them to do the right thing as we go into critical phase of transmission in our city,” he said.

The government has warned all 75 labs not to inform patients about their test results, insisting it should be routed through the district administration concerned.

No Covid case due to lapse at exam centres: Kumar

No Covid case due to lapse at exam centres: Kumar

SruthySusan.Ullas@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 29.06.2020

At least two SSLC candidates have tested positive for coronavirus in Karnataka, but S Suresh Kumar, minister for primary and secondary education, defended the state government’s decision to conduct exams, saying no case had resulted from any safety lapse at test centres. Amid growing calls that the remaining papers should be called off, Kumar told TOI that the government had decided to conduct the exams in the interest of students.

With Covid-19 cases rising and some students testing positive, are you rethinking the rest of the exams?

Let me make it clear: no student has turned positive because of a lack of security [safety] measures at exam centres. As for the isolated cases, we will go by what the health department asks us to do. We resolved to conduct the SSLC examinations only in the best interest of students. Three papers are already over and they were incident-free. Only four to go.

Parents are worried as cases are being reported from within centres.

We have over 3,300 centres across Karnataka, out of which, after three days, one incident has come to light in a district. All the 18 children who wrote the exam with the boy and the invigilator have tested negative. The infected student, who underwent random testing for Covid-19 when he was suspected to have dengue fever earlier, is also learnt to be quite stable. There is no need for any parent to be worried as the foolproof system we put in place won’t allow any transmission.

What extra precautions are being taken now?

SOPs are being strictly adhered to. In the light of Saturday’s incident [a student testing positive], we have received clear communication from the health department that since all security measures are in place, other students in any exam hall cannot be considered as contacts... The health department has even cited the precedent of a primary contact of a Covid-19 patient facing the exams and remaining healthy.

Authorities have been unable to keep a tab on swabbed students.

Over 25 students have been identified by the health department as Covid-19 positive and they have been denied permission to appear for exams for now. We will continue to have the best identification and correction mechanism in place.

Why is the state conducting exams with so much risk?

Let me make it very clear. It is not a question of prestige for us to conduct these exams. I believe we don’t have the right to demean the enthusiasm shown by parents and children. I am saying this after meeting thousands of children and parents.

STUDENT TESTS POSITIVE IN UDUPI

A student who appeared for Saturday’s SSLC exam at a centre in Padubidri, Udupi, has been diagnosed with Covid-19. Minister for primary and secondary education S Suresh Kumar said the student was tested after her father’s infection was confirmed. “The particular exam room has been sanitised, and it will not serve as the venue for the science paper,” he said.

18 CANDIDATES TEST NEGATIVE IN HASSAN

Eighteen SSLC candidates and an invigilator in Hassan, who shared the exam hall with a student with coronavirus infection, tested negative on Saturday in a huge relief for officials. The 18 candidates will appear for the next exam on Monday. The student stricken with Covid-19 wrote the paper at Mallipatna Government High School in Arkalgud, Hassan.

Punjab puts on hold exit exams in univs, colleges

Punjab puts on hold exit exams in univs, colleges

Chandigarh:  29.06.2020

Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Sunday announced postponement of exams for the exit classes in all universities and colleges of the state till July 15 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

He however made it clear since all the universities and colleges in the state are accredited or affiliated to the UGC, any decision on the examinations can only be taken by the statutory body under the Union ministry of human resource development. New directions or guidelines are expected to be released by the UGC any time. TNN

Full report on www.toi.in

SC holds special Sunday hearing in Raj exam case

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

New Delhi: 29.06.2020

In a special hearing conducted on Sunday, the Supreme Court refused to interfere in Rajasthan government’s decision to hold remaining board exams for class X students scheduled from Monday and dismissed a plea seeking quashing of exams.

A bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Sanjiv Khanna assembled in the evening to grant an urgent hearing hours before the examination was to start but did not find merit in the petition filed by a mother of a student. The petitioner approached the SC after her plea was rejected by Rajasthan HC. Dismissing the plea, the bench said state government would take all necessary precautions as per the national guidelines and regulations.

Plea to put off JEE as Covid tests resolve

Plea to put off JEE as Covid tests resolve

TWIN FEARS: Losing A Year, Catching Infection

Shradha.Chettri@timesgroup.com

New Delhi: 29.06.2020

Dilshad Khan had dropped a year in 2019 hoping to make it to one of the IITs in 2020. He prepared well the entire year to get a good score in the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE). But then the lockdown due to Covid-19 started and the exam was rescheduled to be held from July 18 to 27. Now, when the exams are nearing, Khan says he is fearful about writing exams at a centre amid rising novel coronavirus cases.

“I have invested a lot of time in preparing for the JEE but right now, I am mentally stressed and cannot concentrate on studies. I can’t even afford to lose another year. We students request the authorities concerned to postpone the exam till the Covid-19 cases stop rising,” said Khan who lives in Gurgaon.

National Testing Agency (NTA) conducts the JEE (Main) for admissions into the engineering colleges. It is also a qualifying exam for admissions into IITs. Students who crack JEE (Main) become eligible to appear for JEE Advanced. The JEE (Main) was earlier scheduled to be held in April.

“If CBSE, UPSC, CTET exams can be cancelled and postponed, can’t they postpone our exams by a month more. The MHRD should release a statement clarifying the status. Also, JEE is a fully computer-based test. From thumb impression to keyboard, everywhere we have touch systems. And who is going to manage the large crowd outside the examination centre?” questioned Sajid Nazir, another IIT aspirant.

A parent whose child is supposed to appear for the exams also questioned the delay of the authorities concerned in announcing changes.

“When it involves future of lakhs of students, why does the government have to wait for the last minute. They are well aware of the situation. Lack of clarity on the exam dates is adding to the anxiety among students,” said Samarth Mathur, whose son wants to study computer science at any of the IITs.

These students have also taken to social media and petitioned HRD minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank urging him to take a quick decision.

“What if one of the aspirants is Covid positive? How is NTA and the government going to check from which area students are coming to write the exam. It is about each one’s future and no one will want to miss the exam. But holding exams in present times will put health of lakhs of students at risk,” said Udit Mishra, another aspirant.

According to NTA authorities, there will be a review of the situation based on which exam-related decisions will be taken.

DESPERATE TIMES, DESPERATE MEASURES

A STUDENT SAYS

I have invested a lot of time in preparing for JEE but right now, I am stressed and cannot concentrate on studies. I can’t afford to lose another year

UP girl who appeared for Class X exams with oxygen kit scores 69%

UP girl who appeared for Class X exams with oxygen kit scores 69%

Kanwardeep.Singh@timesgroup.com

Bareilly: 29.06.2020

Safia Javed, who has been suffering from severe lung disease for the past five years, braved her poor health to appear in all her Class X exams of the UP Board with an oxygen cylinder. And her hard work paid off as the 16-year-old girl managed to secure 69% marks. She scored 82 marks in drawing, 77 in English and 68 in social science.

“Her books and studies seemed to be the secret behind her improving health,” Safia’s proud father told TOI in Bareilly on Sunday. Safia - the eldest among three siblings - has “weak lungs” and she requires regular oxygen support. She was also bedridden for several months.

Safia’s father Sarvar Javed, who works with a private firm in Noida, took leave from work to be with his daughter during her exams. “My daughter’s medical condition started after a gallbladder surgery. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis. She underwent treatment at a private facility and showed signs of improvement but later we came to know that she was suffering from pulmonary tuberculosis. Her lungs were often filled with water and she had to undergo preventive treatment. She is being treated at a district hospital and doctors have asked to keep her on regular oxygen support,” Sarvar added.

Her uncle Zabi Ahmad gave credit to Safia’s parents for constantly motivating her. “My parents supported me a lot and always showed trust in me,” Safia said, adding, “I am very happy that I could live up to my parents’ expectations.”

Safia Javed has “weak lungs” and she requires regular oxygen support

Vande Bharat to enter fourth phase on July 3 with 900 flights

Vande Bharat to enter fourth phase on July 3 with 900 flights

29.06.2020

New Delhi: The world’s largest repatriation exercise, Vande Bharat Mission (VBM) will commence its fourth phase on July 3. It will see the Air India group operating over 400 flights up to July-end. Private airlines have volunteered to operate about 500 flights in this phase, according to the aviation ministry.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had last week extended suspension of scheduled international flights till 11.59pm of July15 while stating such services “may be allowed on selected routes on a case to case basis”. VBM was launched on May 6.

The aviation ministry on Sunday tweeted: “VBM enters phase 4 on July 3 2020. In this phase, Air India will operate 114 flights (between July 3-15) including 31 flights to US; 19 to UK; 9 to Canada and 8 to Australia. AI Express will operate 300 flights in July (136 up to July 14 and 164 from July15-31.

“Private airlines have volunteered for significant participation in this phase with 498 flights to be operated by them… Among others, IndiGo will operate 238 flights from Qatar and 219 flights from Kuwait; while GoAir will operate 41 flights from Kuwait.” TNN

Maha & Telangana set to extend curbs, Manipur does it till July15

Maha & Telangana set to extend curbs, Manipur does it till July15

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

29.06.2020

Maharashtra is all set to extend the lockdown for a month while Telangana may do so for 15 more days with stricter norms in Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation region even as the Manipur government announced on Sunday that restrictions will continue till July15.. The present lockdown in the three states, which have seen an exponential surge in Covid cases in the last few days, was scheduled to end on June 30.

Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray made it clear on Sunday that lockdown in the state will not be lifted post June 30, but more relaxations will be given to speed up economic activities. He said even if relaxations are being given, it does not mean that the danger or the crisis has ended. “We are walking on the edge, we have to walk slowly. Just because relaxations are being given, people shouldn’t think that the battle is over. It is not.”

Thackeray’s comments came on a day when Mumbai Police issued directives asking people not to venture out more than 2km from home unless it was for office or for essentials. Police said that all trips - whether for shopping or for exercising or visiting salons - should be made within a 2km-radius “else action will be initiated”. Nakabandis were conducted throughout the city on Sunday to enforce the new directives and nearly 7000 vehicles were impounded by police.

With Covid cases increasing by nearly a thousand every day in Telangana, chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao said his government will go for a stricter and total lockdown in greater Hyderabad – which is the worst affected region - for at least 15 days. He said the decision on dates will be taken in the next three to four days.

“There should be a daylong curfew with one or twohour relaxation to buy essentials. Flights and train services have to be stopped,” the CM said. Currently, there is only night curfew in the state from 9pm to 5am.

Health minister Eatala Rajender informed a review meeting chaired by the CM that several health officials and medical experts have suggested another 15-day lockdown in the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Limits to bring the situation under control.

Manipur CM N Biren Singh said the government has decided to extend the ongoing lockdown in the state till July 15 with some relaxations. “The government will open inter-district bus services from Wednesday by maintaining SOPs and guidelines,” he said. Manipur has 1,094 Covid cases and 660 of these are active.

First to recover, MBBS student helps patients battle stress

First to recover, MBBS student helps patients battle stress

Sajimon.PS@timesgroup.com

Alappuzha:  29.06.2020

On a rainy monsoon day in Alappuzha, he is busy at his home answering distress calls from strangers who are struggling to cope with the invisible threat of an unrelenting pandemic.

The 23-year-old MBBS student of Wuhan University was the second case of coronavirus reported in the country and the first to recover from the deadly disease. “I have just completed the sixth semester examination. Now, it is vacation time for us. I have been getting several calls from people who tested positive for Covid-19. They call me to get mental support and to clear their doubts,” said the youth.

He was admitted to hospital on January 30 on his arrival from China and tested positive for the disease on February 2. After about a two weeks’ battle with Covid-19, he was discharged on February 13. “If anyone who I know tests positive for the virus, I call them up to make them comfortable. I share my experience to provide psychological support to them. There are many who have called me up after getting my number. I try to give them confidence,” he says.

No fee revision at IIMs this year

No fee revision at IIMs this year

Shivangi.Mishra@timesgroup.com

29.06.2020

Owing to the COVID crisis, most IIMs may not revise the course fee for the MBA programmes, this year. Each year, the IIMs enhanced the annual fee for students, which will not be done in academic session 2020.

“Every year there is a relative increase of 2-3% in fee but IIM Ahmedabad will not revise the fee for the upcoming batches due to the ongoing situation,” said an institute spokesperson. While IIMs may not increase the fee, but many are reluctant to offer fee waiver that several students are demanding. Janat Shah, director, IIM Udaipur, says, “the classes for the one-year programme have already resumed online in May. Fee waiver is not possible as institutes are bearing the operational costs of the campuses." Students will soon return to the campuses as soon as they receive MHRD guidelines for the same, he adds.

Himanshu Rai, director, IIM Indore, agrees that the operational cost of the campuses has not reduced due to the lockdown. “The primary costs incurred are the payments to faculty and staff members. To prepare for a seamless online education, institutes have also invested a good sum in building sound IT infrastructure from buying webcams, or online proctoring software for remote assessments to opting for Learning Management Systems (LMS). So, fee waivers are not justified,” he adds.

Pitfalls of moving education online

Pitfalls of moving education online

Academic Edamana Prasad on the need to re-design online education so that students can have a better learning process

29.06.2020 TOI Education times 

Education, a process of unfolding human potential, has been given significant importance and several steps have been taken to improve the quality of mass education in our country. However, compromise on several aspects is unavoidable due to the diverse socio-cultural-economic background of learners. To overcome various shortcomings, higher education sector in India has recently started implementing outcome-based education (OBE). One of the primary goals of OBE is to generate learners with specific expectations in knowledge, skill, and attitude. During the global pandemic, when education is getting pushed to online mode, teachers must think aloud whether this would end up in a scenario where OBE goals are compromised beyond limits.

As per the accepted classification of learning, there are three domains: thinking (cognitive), skill (psychomotor) and attitude/feeling (affective). OBE expects specific learner centered performances in each of these domains, to be attained through various educational programmes. The major issue with online teaching is that only the first domain (cognitive) can be focused, since physical presence is a desirable requirement for the other two domains. Even in the first domain, there are several issues to be addressed in the context of online teaching. Research has already established beyond reasonable doubt that higher cognitive performance (viz. critical thinking and creative thinking) are less likely to be achieved by large numbers of learners if the class is based on a nonstop lecture.

(The author is professor, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras)

Full report at www.

educationtimes.com

Traders close shops in Tiruvarur dist

Traders close shops in Tiruvarur dist

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Tiruvarur: 29.06.2020

Following the recent spike in Covid-19 cases in the district, more than 1,000 traders from Thiruvarur and Thiruthuraipoondi downed their shutters on their own to combat the spread of the virus. The district recorded a new high of 87 new cases on Sunday and 46 cases on Saturday. With this, the total number of cases in the district climbed to 428 on Sunday.

Of the 87 cases, majority of them were returnees from other districts and states, officials said. A number of their contacts have been infected by the virus too, they added.

Traders said that they decided to close their shops as the general public continued to gather in markets and shops without adhering precautions and in a negligent manner, despite the spike in Covid-19 positive cases in the last two weeks in Thiruvarur district. As more people converge markets and shops during the weekends, traders of Vijayapuram traders’ association called for a total lockdown on Sunday.

Covid 19 Testing

Govt bulletin on Covid check at city’s airport misleading

Govt bulletin on Covid check at city’s airport misleading

Data Creates Illusion That All Passengers Are Tested

Ayyappan.V@timesgroup.com

Chennai:29.08.2020

The city airport does not test all arriving domestic passengers for Covid-19 infection, but the data in daily health bulletin released by the health department gives an impression that it does.

The bulletin lists air passengers tested positive under two categories — domestic air passengers tested positive daily without specifying the airport and total domestic passengers tested positive so far.

This gives an impression that all domestic passengers arriving are being tested at Chennai airport while only thermal scanning is done.

The column “Passengers returned from other states by domestic airport tested positive today” on page two of Sunday’s bulletin says the number of passengers and place of origin as Karnataka 13, Delhi nine, Telangana eight, Maharashtra four, and Gujarat, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh ,and West Bengal one each. However, there is no breakup of the airports these passengers landed at.

On the bulletin’s page 15, a table says 80,903 passengers had arrived by domestic flights from May 26 to June 27 in Tamil Nadu and 306 have tested positive. Here too there is no airportwise break-up. On the same page, a table for “air surveillance up to June 27 (domestic flights) says 895flights brought 53,709 passengers and 127 had tested positive at Chennai airport. But there is no mention of whether all 53,709 passengers have been tested or not.

An official at the Covid-19 control room which prepares the bulletin said “the numbers shown on page two are gathered from all airports and show the origin of passengers, but there is no move as yet to mention which airport they have landed in Tamil Nadu.”

The state government is yet to start testing all passengers arriving at Chennai airport; they are screened and only those with symptoms are tested. An airline official said, “People get a wrong impression looking at the bulletin that all are being tested. Many call up the airport and airline counters and ask whether samples will be taken from them on arrival.”

Nearly 4k cases in a day in TN; 18-mth-old among 54 casualties

Nearly 4k cases in a day in TN; 18-mth-old among 54 casualties

Ram.Sundaram@timesgroup.com

Chennai: 28.06.2020

The daily count of fresh Covid-19 infections in Tamil Nadu nudged 4,000 on Sunday with the rest of the state accounting for nearly half the cases, a departure from the norm of Chennai logging two-thirds of them on most days.

A one-and-a-half-year-old became the youngest victim in TN, numbering among the 54 dead. The death toll is now 1,079.

The number of active cases in the state was 36,738 as 45,537 people had so far been discharged after treatment.

Chennai had 1,992 of the 3,940 fresh cases, but except Karur and Krishnagiri all other districts recorded cases, mostly in double digits. Madurai (284) and Kallakurichi (124) had the most cases after Chennai.

FINGERS CROSSED: A woman at a corona testing centre in Triplicane, Chennai

Contact-tracing API in Google & Apple

Recent updates to your Android-run and Apple smartphones have automatically embedded a contact-tracing API (application programme interface) into the device that can enable an app – like Aarogya Setu app of the government — to monitor your movement and warn you of corona infections near you, reports Pankaj Doval. However, you need not worry as the API alone does not lead to monitoring of your movement. The API is just an enabling tool and needs to be embedded into an app — such as Aarogya Setu, if the government collaborates — which will then monitor your location and send you alerts of any nearby infections on a Google or Apple phone. However, many users have expressed reservations about the API addition into their devices, as they fear it has the potential to violate their privacy by monitoring their movements. The reservations come after protests against Aarogya app. P11

‘4.8% of positive cases aged below 12’

The 18-month-old boy from Tindivanam, who had cerebral palsy and developmental delay with aspiration pneumonia, was brought to Villupuram Government Medical College Hospital after choking on food. He died on Saturday and samples tested positive for Covid.

Senior paediatrician Balasubramanian from Kanchi Kamakoti Child Trust Hospital said, the number of children getting affected was small compared to adults and studies showed this was not going to change. There is no need to panic, he added. Official data show that only 4.8% of the total positive cases are aged below 12.

Sunday’s bulletin also mentioned that a 42-year-old pregnant woman with gestational hypertension died on Friday after delivery. Twor men -- a sexagenarian from Chennai and a 50-year-old from Chengalpet -- were brought dead to hospital and were found positive later. Eight of the dead had no comorbidity. Among them was a 29-year-old man from Chengalpet.

As many as 42 out of 54 fatalities reported on Sunday were from Chennai and its three neighbouring districts.

Of the remaining 12 deaths, nine were from southern districts of Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul and Tirunelveli.

As many as 42 out of 54 fatalities reported on Sunday were from Chennai and its three neighbouring districts. Of the remaining 12 deaths, nine were from southern districts of Madurai, Ramanathapuram, Dindigul and Tirunelveli

HC: Covid-19 patients don’t need income certificate

Rosy.Sequeira@timesgroup.com

Mumbai: 28.06.2020

Observing that a person with Covid-19 was not expected to produce an income certificate to get benefits meant for weaker sections and indigent persons before seeking admission, Bombay high court directed Somaiya Hospital at Sion (E) to deposit Rs 10 lakh with it within two weeks.

The direction by a bench of Justices Ramesh Dhanuka and Madhav Jamdae on June 26 via videoconference, on a petition by a family of seven from Bharat Nagar slums, Bandra (E), who paid Rs 10 lakh out of Rs 12.5 lakh they were billed when admitted to the hospital between April 11-28 for Covid-19 treatment.

They said they paid Rs 10 lakh by taking loans from friends, relatives and neighbours after being threatened with discharge. The HC on June 13 directed an inquiry supervised by the charity commissioner on whether the hospital strictly followed reservations of 10% beds for weaker sections and 10% for indigent persons during lockdown. The judges said perusal of joint charity commissioner’s inquiry report “is submitted on the basis of documents called for and submitted by the hospital, and without visiting the premises and inspecting records”. The charity commissioner replied that only three patients had been treated under the hospital scheme since lockdown, till the end of May.

Senior advocate Janak Dwarkadas, for the hospital, said the petitioners did not belong to any category and had to produce an income certificate from the tehsildar or social welfare officer. The petitioners’ advocate, Vivek Shukla, said that having suffered from Covid-19 and requiring immediate medical help, they need not produce a certificate while seeking admission.

The judges said whether it was the duty of the hospital management to ask if the persons seeking admission were falling under those categories or if they had to produce income certificates in the situation faced by the petitioners, who were patients of Covid-19, were some questions that required consideration. “Prima facie, a person suffering from a disease like Covid-19 is not expected to produce a tehsildar’s certificate or certificate from the social welfare officer before seeking benefits under section 41 AA (4)(c) (weaker sections) and (b) (indigent persons),” said the bench, admitting the petition for final hearing.

A family of seven, from Bandra (East), was billed Rs 12.5 lakh by the hospital

Delayed stipend payment troubles research fellows

Delayed stipend payment troubles research fellows

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune:28.06.2020

Junior and senior research fellows are unhappy with the inordinate delay in disbursement of stipends. The wait has stretched on for as long as four to 10 months for some of them. The delay may dissuade students from taking up research in future, they said.

At a time when research on Covid-19 has taken centre stage, students feel that if the government does not find a permanent solution to the delay in paying stipends, many good students will choose to get a job rather than get into research, especially those from the lower economic strata of society.

A senior research fellow said, “My stipend was delayed for almost 10 months. My family can support me but it’s not the same case with everyone else. Many research fellows come from poor backgrounds and remote villages. One student has quit as his family could not support him. There may have been other reasons too but not having money was a big factor.”

Students want a fixed date, when the stipend would reach them, and a contact person, who can provide information. “I support my younger sister’s education. I have to pay her fee and make arrangements for other expenses. I also have to pay the institute’s fees here along with the mess fee without delay. If the stipend gets delayed, all our financial planning takes a hit,” said a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research senior research fellow.

Another senior fellow spoke about how the delay will discourage good students from taking up research. “One can always learn coding and join an MNC rather than opt for research. If I spend five years at any MNC, I could earn double what Iam earning now. We do this because we love it but the government needs to support students so that there is good quality research in the country. The race for the Covid-19 vaccine has shown the world the importance of scientists. We should not lag behind,” said a senior fellow from the National Chemical Laboratory, Pune.

Biotech exams put off after students’ online campaign

Biotech exams put off after students’ online campaign

Pressure From Pupils Prompts Indefinite Postponement

Ardhra.Nair@timesgroup.com

Pune:  28.06.2020

The Regional Centre for Biotechnology on Saturday said the Graduate Aptitude Test - Biotechnology (GATB) and Biotechnology Eligibility Test (BET) have been indefinitely postponed because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The move follows an online campaign by students that demanded that these national-level entrance examinations be cancelled. That said, students are still waiting for the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) to postpone its Junior Research Fellow entrance examination, which is scheduled for July 12.

With a low number of cities hosting these exams, and with travel options few and risky, the students have sought postponement of all examns in these two months.

GATB and BET were scheduled for June 30 at iON Digital Zone, near the containment zone in Ramtekdi. Earlier this week, the entrance examination for International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad. Uday Samant, the state higher and technical education minister, had termed it a violation of rules, prompting the district collector to order a probe.

“We got our admit card last week and came to know it was at the same centre. Some people I know had travelled to Delhi for the exam, only to know it had been postponed. Why can’t the Union government take a blanket decision rather than wait till the last moment?” said a student from Symbiosis International, adding that some students had also collected money to move court.

“Even for the ICMR JRF, there are only 27 cities with centres. Students from across the country would need to reach these centres to give the exams, for which they would have started booking trains or flights,” she said, adding “All this can be avoided if there is a clear decision taken by the government.”

Push to delay NEET, JEE

With reports of a student appearing for Class X exam testing positive in Karnataka, an online campaign against postponing the NEET (July 26), JEE Mains (July 18 to 23) and CA examination (July 29 to August 16) has gained momentum.

“The railways have shut down regular train services till August 12. Red zones are increasing. So, why are they conducting an exam? The government needs to form guidelines to give infrastructure for safe conduct of exams. Only then should it announce dates, preferably after two months,” said

Panic prevails after SSLC kids test positive; govt allays fears

Panic prevails after SSLC kids test positive; govt allays fears

Basavarah Kattimani & Darshan H TNN

Hubballi/Hassan: 28.06.2020

Two SSLC students from Kaladagi in Bagalkot district tested positive for Covid-19 just hours after they wrote their first exam on Thursday. In Hassan, a 16-year-old was driven straight to the hospital after the maths paper on Saturday.

Both incidents have sparked panic in the respective districts amid calls for cancellation of exams from parents.

Srishail Biradar, deputy director of public instruction, Bagalkot, said the two students who attended the exam at Hannu Belegarar Sangh’s High School Centre were from the containment zone in Kaladagi. He said nine students from the zone wrote the English exam on the first day.

“We had a separate room for students coming from containment zones as per the standard operating procedure prescribed by the government. After the exam on June 25, the students exhibited signs of fatigue and ran a fever. Their throat swab samples were sent for test and returned positive.

The swab samples of the other seven children were negative and they have been allowed to take the remaining exams. The two students will be given a chance to write the supplementary exams in July and it will be treated as their first attempt. “Invigilators and others who were in the room have been asked to quarantine themselves,” Srishail added.

He said precautions have been taken to ensure safety of students. “We are ensuring they maintain distance and wear masks,” he explained.

Boy suffered from dengue

In Hassan, the 16-year-old student was writing the maths exam when a team of health officials rushed to the centre in Mallipatna Government High School, Arkalgud, and isolated him from the other 18 students in his room. After the paper, he was shifted to a Covid hospital.

School authorities in Hassan have sought nod from health and district authorities on whether to allow the 18 kids to write the exams. Hassan DDPI Prakash saidthe boy will give supplementary exams.

Authorities have asked the 18 students, staff and police to be in home quarantine. The infected student who stays 6km from the exam centre travelled in a bus with his mother. Officials have identified 10 primary and 22 secondary contacts. He feel sick on June 18 and was diagnosed with dengue on June 23. Officials are verifying if his temperature was checked at the centre.

Sunday curfew to return from July 5

Sunday curfew to return from July 5

Anil.Gejji@timesgroup.com

Bengaluru: 28.06.2020

With Covid-19 infections rapidly rising in Karnataka — and particularly in Bengaluru — the state government on Saturday reintroduced Sunday curfew and extended night curfew hours through the week, among a slew of containment measures.

Sunday curfew will come into force from July 5. Like earlier, this will mean no movement of people or vehicles, except for essential work.

The extended night curfew, from 8pm to 5am, will be enforced from Monday (June 29). Currently, the night curfew is from 9pm to 5am.

The longer curfew, authorities said, will ensure early closure of liquor shops, restaurants, malls and other commercial activities which were allowed to operate till 9 pm. The curfew, however, will not apply to essential services, including public transport.

Govt offices to function 5 days a week from July 10-Aug 10

The decision was taken after the state reported a record spike of 918 cases and 11 deaths in a day, taking the total cases in the state to 11,923 and the toll to 191.

At a meeting chaired by chief minister BS Yediyurappa on Saturday, ministers and senior officials discussed the recommendations of a six-member expert panel and suggestions from elected representatives and explored all options available to the government.

Government offices can now function five days a week; Saturdays will be holidays for all state government employees, from July 10 to August 10. This apart, the government is mulling allowing government offices in Covid-19 clusters to function with 50% staff, and allowing employees to work on alternative days.

As cases spike, hospitals in Hyd fly in nurses from Kerala

As cases spike, hospitals in Hyd fly in nurses from Kerala

Amrita.Didyala@timesgroup.com

Hyderabad: 28.06.2020

Over the past fortnight, two private hospitals from Hyderabad flew in about 50 nurses from Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala, on charter flights to meet a sudden surge in demand for trained staff. With Telangana registering a little less than 1,000 Covid-19 cases daily and most private hospitals packed with patients, many of them are even ready to pay substantially higher salaries to attract nurses.

“In fact, other hospitals in town are frequently approaching us seeking nurses on a temporary basis,” said an official from a prominent corporate hospital in the city.

Many are offering three times the regular salary. “I am getting 10-15 calls a day from corporate hospitals asking for nurses. They are offering Rs 45,000 to Rs 50,000 a month, which is almost three times the pay previously offered,” said Laxman Rudavath, general secretary, Nursing Officers Association of Telangana.

The problem, hospital managements say, is that the staff requirement for handling Covid-19 patients is higher than those for regular patients. “For instance, if a regular patient requires one nurse every day, for Covid-19 patients the requirement is three times that. That many nurses and doctors shy away from Covid-19 duties means the availability of staff is lower than what is needed,” said the manager of a prominent super-specialty hospital chain.

Doctors also attribute the crunch to a lack of qualified nurses to handle ICU duties and, in many cases, an increasing number of nurses testing Covid-positive. The latter, they say, has resulted in multiple batches of nurses going into 14 days’ quarantine. “This has further reduced the strength. In fact, nurses are taking unilateral decisions to go into quarantine once any of their colleagues test positive,” said another official from a prominent corporate hospital in the city.

The crisis, officials added, has limited the intake capacity of private hospitals treating Covid-19 patients. Almost all corporate hospitals currently have a waitlist of 20 to 30 patients in emergency and up to 70 patients in general wards. “We went to seven different hospitals to get a single bed during an emergency. Forget the government-approved rates, beds are not even available at five times the cost,” said one patient’s attendant.

Eight states account for 86% corona cases, 87% deaths

Eight states account for 86% corona cases, 87% deaths

61% Daily Case Growth From Maha, Delhi, TN

Sushmi.Dey@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:

Eight states — Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Telangana, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal — contributed 85.5% of the active Covid-19 caseload and 87% of total deaths due to the disease in India, indicating where the main challenge in combating the disease lies.

The data was shared by the health ministry with the group of ministers (GoM) on Covid-19, which met for the 17th time on Saturday and asked states to ramp-up testing and reach full national testing capacity of three-lakh samples a day.

Health minister Harsh Vardhan, who chaired the meeting, said the doubling time of Covid-19 cases has improved to 19 days from three days before the lockdown even as with the worst singleday jump of 18,552 cases, total Covid-19 cases surged to around 5 lakh on Saturday.

Dexamethasone can be used for treatment

The government on Saturday revised the clinical management protocol for treating Covid-19 patients to allow use of commonly used steroid dexamethasone—the first drug to show improved survival in severe Covid patients in recent trials by Oxford University. Research findings show dexamethasone lowers fatality in those needing oxygen by 20% and by 35% in those on a ventilator. Dexamethasone is under government price control, which makes it highly affordable. A strip of 20-tablets of 0.5 mg each is priced at Rs 6.38. P 7

CORONA BATTLE

India now has 1,026 diagnostic labs dedicated to Covid-19

Though total new cases are rapidly adding up to India’s total tally, data shows the daily rise in fresh cases is driven by some states, officials said.

Vardhan said with focused efforts to improve clinical management, recovery rate is also constantly improving. On Saturday, India recorded recovery rate of 58.13% with around 3 lakh people cured of Covid-19 so far. The fatality rate is near 3%.

TOI reported on Friday that a “natural recession” is to be seen in the Covid-19 pandemic in India with share of active cases – that are current carriers of the coronavirus infection and have a potential to spread it – declining steadily in the last two weeks. The daily rise in fresh cases is being primarily driven by three states – Delhi, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu – accounting for 61% of the daily case growth.

In an attempt to customise its containment efforts and take steps in focused manner, the health ministry has deployed 15 central teams consisting of public health experts, epidemiologists and a senior joint secretarylevel officer to provide support to the states, the ministry informed the GoM.

Another central team is currently visiting Gujarat, Maharashtra and Telangana to strengthen ongoing efforts for management of Covid-19, it said.

The GoM also discussed the utility of ITIHAS and Aarogya Setu App in contact-tracing and prediction of potential hotspot areas.

Balram Bhragava, director general of the Indian Council of Medical Research informed the GoM that the samples tested in the last 24 hours have increased to 2,20,479 taking the total cumulative number of samples tested, as on date, to 79,96,707. Tests per day being conducted in India are, however, lesser than daily testing capacity of three-lakh samples.

India now has1,026 diagnostic labs dedicated to Covid-19. This includes 741 in the government sector and 285 private labs, but their capacity remains under used.

The GoM was also apprised of the current Covid-related health infrastructure. According to the data shared, there are 1,039 dedicated Covid hospitals with 1,76,275 isolation beds, 22,940 ICU beds and 77,268 oxygen-supported beds, the ministry said. Also, 2,398 dedicated Covid Health Centres with 1,39,483 isolation beds, 11,539 ICU beds and 51,321 oxygen-supported beds have been operationalised.

Moreover, 8,958 Covid Care Centres with 8,10,621 beds are now available in the country. The Centre has provided 185.18 lakh N95 masks and 116.74 lakh personal protective equipment to the states, UTs and central institutions. TNN

Postgraduates of Kilpauk Medical College help feed the homeless during complete lockdown

Postgraduates of Kilpauk Medical College help feed the homeless during complete lockdown

Serena Josephine M.CHENNAI, JUNE 27, 2020 23:05 IST

UPDATED: JUNE 27, 2020 23:05 IST

.Postgraduate students from Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital distributing food. | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam

They prepare extra food and distribute it themselves

Amid the lockdown and increasing COVID-19 cases, a group of postgraduate students of Government Kilpauk Medical College (KMC) Hospital have taken time out to share a meal with the homeless.

Since the city came under a 12-day complete lockdown last week, the PG students have been pooling money to cook extra food at their hostel mess and are distributing breakfast for 50 homeless persons. They take the food parcels in their own vehicle and distribute the meal to persons living on the roads and streets in and around Kilpauk.

“Around 80 of us have come together for this initiative. When the city came under complete lockdown for COVID-19 control, we decided to pool in money to prepare extra food at the mess. For the past four days, we have been taking 40 to 50 parcels and distributing them to homeless and differently abled persons living on the roads in and around Kilpauk,” said Somumurthy Nagarajan, a third-year postgraduate student of KMC.

“On normal days, they may get help from passers-by and get food as shops will be open. But this may be difficult during the lockdown. We will continue to do this till June 30,” he added. Depending on their duty schedule, they take turns distributing the meals.

Noting that it was their small way of reaching out to the needy, the doctors said the homeless needed help during this lockdown, and even the smallest effort brought smiles on their faces.

COVID Duty In Punjab: Honorarium Of Rs 1.10 Lakh Set For MBBS Doctors

COVID Duty In Punjab: Honorarium Of Rs 1.10 Lakh Set For MBBS Doctors

By Medical Dialogues Bureau

Published On 27 Jun 2020 12:41 PM 

He said the decision has been taken to enhance the manpower resources for ensuring quality treatment for the patients inflicted with Coronavirus. He said the state government has decided to enhance the monthly honorarium for the medical staff being hired for this purpose. 

Jalandhar - Gearing up for combating the Covid-19 pandemic more efficiently, Deputy Commissioner Mr Ghanshyam Thori on Thursday announced enhancing the honorarium for medical and para-medical staff to be hired for operationalizing additional beds in the COVID Care Centres (CCC). The Deputy Commissioner said Honorarium for Medical Officer MBBS would be Rs 1.10 lakh, that for Dental Doctor BDS would be Rs 80,000, Ayurvedic Medical Officer would be Rs 60,000, Para Medical Staff (Neuro, Lab Technician and Pharmacist) would be Rs 35,000 and Ward Attendant would be Rs 25,000. 

He said the interested candidate could apply on 0181-2224848, 99888 78866 or email ID csjal33@gmail.com . Describing it a national service, Mr. Thori asked the qualified medical and non-medical staff to come forward for this duty. He said the decision has been taken to enhance the manpower resources for ensuring quality treatment for the patients inflicted with Coronavirus. He said the state government has decided to enhance the monthly honorarium for the medical staff being hired for this purpose.

Mr. Thori also said minimum contractual period would be of three months with a provision of extension based on need. The Deputy Commissioner said the hiring would be done under District Disaster Management Authority and Honararium would be disbursed by district administration out of the State Disaster Relief Fund. He said walk-in interviews would be organised for the applicants applying for these posts.

He said preference would be given to MBBS doctors and in case they were not available BDS Docs would be hired and in case they were also not available Ayurvedic Medical Officers would be hired.

https://medicaldialogues.in/state-news/punjab/covid-duty-in-punjab-honorarium-of-rs-110-lakh-for-mbbs-doctors-set-67091

Andhra Pradesh To Establish 16 New Medical Colleges, Confirms CM Reddy

Andhra Pradesh To Establish 16 New Medical Colleges, Confirms CM Reddy

By MD Bureau 

Published On 27 Jun 2020 6:16 PM | Updated On 27 Jun 2020 6:16 PM 

Andhra Pradesh: At a time when several initiatives are taken by central and state governments amid coronavirus pandemic, the Andhra Pradesh government has taken a significant step in the field of medical education. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy recently had a press conference where he confirmed that the state will be getting 16 new medical colleges. CM made the announcement after he had a meeting with the district collectors and high officials. 

Earlier, the health minister had announced that 16 new medical colleges will be constructed within the next three years in Andhra Pradesh. Previously Medical Dialogues team reported that identifying the increasing need of trained and specialized Healthcare workers in the medical facilities in the agency localities of the district, Mr. Krishna Srinivas, the state health minister stated: "a proposal for offering special package and incentive will be discussed with the Chief Minister Mr. Y.S Jaganmohan Reddy soon to ensure availability of the adequate number of doctors in the agency areas". Considering the same conditions, initiatives are made by the state government to build up new medical colleges. Apparently these new 16 medical colleges are supposed to come to existence with prompt action. 

During the recent press conference, the state CM informed that they are going to build more medical colleges so that in each of the 25 Lok Sabha constituencies, at least one medical college will be available. Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said 16 new medical colleges will be established in the State in addition to the existing 11.

Currently, there are only 11 colleges in the area Andhra Medical College at Visakhapatnam, Guntur Medical College, Guntur Siddartha Medical College, Osmania Medical College at Hyderabad, Gandhi Medical College at Secunderabad, Rangaraya Medical College, S.V. Medical College at Tirupathi, Government Medical College of Anantapur, Kakatiya Medical College of Warangal, Kurnool Medical College of Kurnool and Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women, Tirupati.

The collectors were instructed to find 50 acres of land appropriate for the proposed medical colleges and to hand it over to the department concerned. They were also asked to complete the distribution of 22 lakh QR Health Cards at the earliest. The health minister has already inspected some areas which are suggested for the construction of the medical colleges. He visited a 59-acre site for the proposed medical college at Paderu and another 32-acre site for a proposed medical college at Golagam in Anakapalle constituency, reported a daily. A potential place is also identified in Adoni for the construction of a medical college which will be an addition to the existing Medical college in Kurnool, reports TNIE.

https://medicaldialogues.in/state-news/andhra-pradesh/andhra-pradesh-to-establish-16-new-medical-colleges-confirms-cm-reddy-67119