PIB’S DAILY BULLETIN ON COVID-19 - 16/05/2020

Posted on 16 May, 2020 8:03 pm

Health Secretary interacts with 30 COVID-19 high case load municipal areas; Reviews measures for Covid-19 containment and management; Recovery rate increases to 35.09%

These 30 municipal areas are from the following States/UTs: Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab and Odisha.The measures taken by the officials and the staff of the municipal corporations for the management of COVID-19 cases were reviewed.So far, a total of 30,150 people have been cured. In the last 24 hours, 2233 patients were found cured. This takes the total recovery rate to 35.09 %. The total number of confirmed cases is now 85,940. Since yesterday, an increase of 3970 has been noted in the number of COVID-19 confirmed cases in India.

Presentation of details of 4th Tranche announced by Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister Smt. NirmalaSitharaman under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support Indian economy in fight against COVID-19

Finance Minister announces measures to strengthen Agriculture Infrastructure Logistics, Capacity Building, Governance and Administrative Reforms for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing Sectors

Finance Minister Smt. NirmalaSitharaman on Fridayannounced the 3^rd Tranche of measures to strengthen Infrastructure Logistics, Capacity Building, Governance and Administrative Reforms for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food Processing Sectors. These include Rs 1 lakh croreAgri Infrastructure Fund for farm-gate infrastructure for farmers; Rs 10,000 crore scheme for formalisation of Micro Food Enterprises; Rs 20,000 crore for Fishermen through Pradhan Mantri MatsyaSampadaYojana; National Animal Disease Control Programme; Setting up of Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund of Rs. 15,000 crore; Promotion of Herbal Cultivation with an outlay of Rs 4,000 crore; Beekeeping initiatives worth Rs 500 crore; Measures for Governance and Administrative Reforms for Agriculture Sector; Amendments to Essential Commodities Act to enable better price realisation for farmers; Agriculture Marketing Reforms to provide marketing choices to farmers; Agriculture Produce Price and Quality Assurance.

$1 Billion from World Bank to Protect India’s Poorest from COVID-19

The Government of India and the World Bank have signed a $750 million of $1 billion proposed for Accelerating India’s COVID-19 Social Protection Response Programme to support India’s efforts at providing social assistance to the poor and vulnerable households, severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.This takes the total commitment from the Bank towards emergency COVID-19 response in India to $2 billion. A $1 billion support was announced last month towards immediate support to India’s health sector.

Union Power Ministry writes to States/UTs extending Rs 90,000 crore package under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

The letter sent to States/UTs mentions that REC and PFC shall immediately extend loans to DISCOMs which have headroom for further borrowing within the working capital limits prescribed under UDAY. Further, the DISCOMs that do not have headroom under UDAY working capital limits but have receivables from the State Government in the form of electricity dues and subsidy not disbursed will also be eligible for these loans to the extent of receivables from the State Government.

Modi Government's faith – India’s welfare only through Farmers’ Welfare; when Farmers are Empowered, Country would become Self-reliant: ShriAmit Shah

ShriAmit Shah has said, “Modi Government believes that India's welfare lies in the welfare of its farmers. This unprecedented assistance given to farmers shows PM Modi's foresight to make the country self-sufficient by empowering the farmers."According to Shri Shah, PM Modi's sensitivity towards farmers, even in adverse circumstances, is exemplary for the whole world.

ShriMansukhMandaviya welcomes the slew of measures announced under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support Indian economy in fight against COVID-19

ShriMandaviya has said that the details announced by the finance Minister in three tranches so far, will go a long way in ameliorating the Indian economy and its citizens, who are bravely fighting the Covid-19 pandemic.

MHA to States/UTs: Ensure Migrant Workers do not have to walk back home, and perform the journey only in buses & ‘Shramik’ Special Trains being run by the Government specifically for this purpose

MHA has again written to all States/UTs to ensure that these migrant workers do not have to walk back home.The communication states that Ministry of Railways is running more than 100 'Shramik' special trains per day and is ready to arrange additional trains, as per requirement. People need to be made aware about these arrangements and counseled by State/UT governments to not travel on foot, when they can travel in buses/trains being specially run by the government to facilitate their journey.

Over 6.28 Crore free cylinders availed by PMUY beneficiaries so far, under the PMGKY;Rs 8432 Crore transferred in the bank account of PMUY beneficiaries
Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas ShriDharmendra Pradhan today interacted with PMUY beneficiaries, Gas distributors and OMC Officers, through the webinar. He said that PMUYhas just completed four years of its successful journey. The Minister said in the initial days itself of the crisis, the Modi Government announced Pradhan Mantri GaribKalyanYojana, which included free gas cylinders for 3 months to the PMUY beneficiaries. More than Rs 8432crorehas been transferred in advance in their accounts. So far, over 6.28 Crore PMUY beneficiaries have got the free cylinders.PMUY beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the government for taking care of them in this time of unprecedented crisis.

More than 1.4 million stranded people transported back to their home State till midnight 15th May, i.e in 15 days

As on midnight of 15th May,2020, a total of 1074 “Shramik Special” trains have been operationalized from various states across the country. More than 1.4 million stranded people have been transported back to their home State in last 15 days.It is to be noted that more than 2 lakh person are being transported per day during last 3 days. In days to come it is expected to be scaled upto 3 lakh passengers per day.These 1074 Shramik Special trains have originated from various States

Free food grains to 8 crore migrant labourers and their families to be provided under AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan

Minister for Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Shri Ram Vilas Paswanhas said that to mitigate plight of migrants during this precarious COVID-19 situation and also ensure availability of food grains to them and their families, 8 LMT of food grains has been allocated to States / UTs and the Government of India will bear the entire cost on account of such distribution including transportation within the State, dealers’ margin etc. He said that23 states/UTs will be part of One Nation One Card scheme by August 2020.

Effective Implementation of RERA can Restore Trust Between Buyer and Seller: Hardeep S Puri

ShriHardeep S Puri, Minister of Housing and Urban Affairshas said that one of the principal objectives of RERA is to help restore the trust between a buyer and the seller and this trust can only be restored by the true and effective implementation of RERA.Speaking on the challenges due to the present COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on the real estate sector, the minister observed that Covid-19 has had a debilitating effect on the real estate sector, which has become a cause for project delays. During the initial period of the lockdown, construction activities had been barred. After reviewing the situation, the Government has put in place certain measures to allow for construction activities effective from 20 April, 2020, he added.

OP SAMUDRA SETU PHASE 2 - INS JALASHWA DEPARTS MALE WITH INDIAN NATIONALS EMBARKED

Indian Naval Ship Jalashwa completed embarkation of 588 Indian citizens on 15 May 20, at the port of Male, Maldives as part of Operation SamudraSetu - the Indian Navy's contribution to India's national effort to bring home our citizens from foreign shores by sea. Her manifest of 588 includes six expectant mothers and 21 children.The ship cast off today morning from Male for Kochi.

HRD Minister e-Launches seven titles on "Psycho-Social Impact of Pandemic & Lockdown and How to Cope With"

HRD Minister Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’has e-Launchedprint as well as e-editions of the set ofseven titles on "Psycho-Social impact of pandemic & lockdown and how to Cope With" under the corona studies series published by NBT India. Speaking on the occasion Union Minister said that "To counter these formidable circumstances that the world is facing these days, NBT has brought out these remarkable and unparalleled set of books, and I hope that these books serve as guides to mental well-being of people at large",

Scientists develop mobile indoor disinfection sprayer to combat COVID-19
These sprayers are also equipped with mopping features and extendable arms to reach hidden area and clean comprehensively. This technology will have relevance even beyond the current COVID-19 crisis

CSIR collaborates with Intel India and IIIT-Hyderabad to develop diagnostic solutions and risk stratification strategies to combat COVID-19

INPUTS FROM PIB FIELD OFFICES

• Assam: Two more persons related to Aloogodam case in Guwahati tested COVID19 positive.Total case rise to 91, tweeted Assam Health Minister.

• Manipur: RIMS and JNIMS hospitals in Manipur have installed TRUENAT machines to enhance capacity for COVID testing, condition of two active cases in the state are stable. Close contacts of the two are under observation.

• Mizoram: Churches in Mizoram accept State Government's request to use church halls as quarantine facilities, to provide food for the whole institutional quarantine period from their own funds.

• Nagaland: Naga girl dies in Bengaluru after being admitted to hospital.Samples sent for testing & result awaited. Dimapur DC orders ban on sale of gutka& tobacco products, spitting in public places amid Coronavirus outbreak.

• Sikkim: Food& Civil Supplies andConsumer Affairs departmentmonitors the overcharging of food materials in shops following complaints by the locals.

• Kerala: Health Minister says the third phase of Covid transmission is more dangerous and a small careless mistake may lead to considerable increase in the number of COVID-19 patients. As the number of Covid cases are proliferating in the state, experts opined that there could be possible attack from a new strain of Coronavirus that might have undergone genetic mutation; the dip in temperature due to heavy rains could also increase the transmission rate. It was from a single patient who came from Chennai that the disease spread to 15 persons. The state witnessed 16 more cases yesterday. Wayanad continues to be a cause for concern with highest number of 19 cases. One Panchayat in the district has completely been closed.  Meanwhile, three more flights will be coming tonight from the Gulf in Vande Bharat 2.0. Kerala has also given NOC to Delhi government for the train from Delhi bringing Keralites back home.

• Tamil Nadu: Over 12,000 centres to be set up for Class X board exams, to ensure personal distancing at the exam halls, only 10 students will be permitted in each hall, says State Education Minister. Liquor shops reopen across Tamil Nadu — except in Chennai, Tiruvallur and containment zones following a Supreme Court stay on the Madras HC order directing closure of Tasmac outlets during the lockdown. State's tally of Covid cases breached 10,000-mark on Friday with 434 persons testing positive for the disease; Active cases: 7435, Deaths: 71, Discharged: 2240; Active cases in Chennai is 5637.

• Karnataka: CM today held meeting with unaided educational institutions and asked them to pay full wages to teaching staff during lockdown period. Meanwhile Industry Minister requested industries to start in full swing adjusting to the new norms. 23 new cases reported till 12pm today; Bangalore 14, Hassan 3 and One each in Mandya, Bagalkot, Udupi, Davangere, Dharwad and Bellari. Total positive cases in the State reach 1079. Active cases: 548, Recovered: 494, Deaths: 36.

• Andhra Pradesh: State decides to set up a Special Enforcement Bureau (Liquor and Sand) to curb illegal transport and manufacture of liquor and illegal transport of sand. With no permission from the government, the APSRTC has deferred the bus services from Hyderabad to various places in Andhra. State distributes Essential commodities and other items to families living in Red Zone areas. 48 fresh cases, one death reported with 101 discharged in the last 24 hours after testing 9628 samples. 150 positive cases noticed among returnees from other states. Total cases: 2205. Active: 803, Recovered: 1353, Deaths: 49.  (Odisha:10, Maharashtra:101, Gujarat:26, Karnataka:1, West Bengal:1, Rajasthan:11 ). Districts leading in +ve cases: Kurnool (608), Guntur (413) & Krishna (367).

• Telangana: As part of the repatriation exercise to airlift stranded Indian citizens abroad under the Vande Bharat Mission, an Air India flight from Newark (USA) via Delhi landed at the Hyderabad International Airport on Saturday with 121 passengers. Total cases in Telangana as on 15th May, is 1454. Total Recovered cases 959, Active 461 and Deaths 34.

• Maharashtra: 1576 new cases of COVID-19 reported in the state, thereby taking the number of infected patients to 29,100. Presently there are 21,467 active cases in the state as per the latest update. Maharashtra government has set up committees at the state level and district levels under the leadership of the Chief Secretary and Collectors respectively, to coordinate with government as well as private hospitals regarding corona virus infection and treatment. They will also look after the social security of health workers.

• Gujarat:340 cases of COVID-19 were reported taking the number of positive cases in the state to 9931. 261 of the confirmed cases were reported from Ahmedabad.  In Surat, over 2000 power loom units have started operations. Traders are hopeful of reopening the market during Lockdown 4. 

• Rajasthan:177 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported till 2 p.m. today. 122 of these positive cases are in Jaipur, while 21 are located at Dungarpur. While this takes the tally of positive cases in the state to 4924, the numbers of recovered patients stand at 2785 and 2480 patients have been discharged till date. 

• Madhya Pradesh:169 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Madhya Pradesh taking the tally of positive patients to 4,595, as per latest report. 69 of the new cases were reported from hotspot Indore. While 112 patients recovered yesterday, there are 2073 active cases as per the latest data. 3.12 lakh migrant labourers have returned to the state from different states so far. Out of these, 86 thousand labourers have returned through 72 trains while remaining two lakh 26 thousand labourers have come through buses and other mode of transport.

• Goa: 154 Goanseafarers who have returned to the state, have been quarantined in 4 hotels at Vasco-da-Gama.  Meanwhile, All eight Covid-19 patients admitted to the ESI hospital in Margao arereported to be responding well to treatment according to, a health official said.

PIB FACTCHECK

Courtesy – Press Information Bureau, Government of India