Prepare For Non-COVID-19 Diseases In Monsoon: Maharashtra Task Force
Sanjay Oak, chairperson of the task force set up by the Maharashtra government to assist in the COVID-19 pandemic, has asked the government to prepare for non-COVID-19 diseases during the monsoon. Speaking to PTI, Oak said, "Water-borne diarrhoea and jaundice may complicate the coronavirus situation."
Brazil's Health Minister Resigns A Month After Taking The Job
Brazil's Health Minister Nelson Teich has resigned from his post barely a month after taking up the Job, reports AP. The resignation comes after Brazilian president Jair Bolsanaro said that he would ease rules for use of chloroquine to treat COVID-19 patients. Teich, an oncologist, had been a vocal critic of the use of the anti-malarial drug and had warned against its side effects.
USA To Donate Ventilators To India: Donald Trump
US President Donald Trump tweeted on Saturday that the US would donate ventilators to India. He however, did not specify how many ventilators will be donated. Trump also said India and the US are cooperating to develop a vaccine for COVID-19 and tweeted, "Together we will beat the invisible enemy! We stand with India and Prime Minister Modi during this pandemic."
I am proud to announce that the United States will donate ventilators to our friends in India. We stand with India and @narendramodi during this pandemic. We’re also cooperating on vaccine development. Together we will beat the invisible enemy!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2020
24 Migrants Killed In Accident In UP
At least 24 migrants were killed and 15 injured in UP's Auraiya in a road accident in the wee hours of Saturday morning, reports The Indian Express. Police say that a trailer truck carrying migrants from Rajasthan collided with a DCM truck sometime between 3 am and 3.30 am. “The DCM truck was coming from Delhi and heading towards Chhatarpur in Madhya Pradesh. The trailer truck hit the DCM vehicle. Both the vehicles turned upside down after losing control,” Circle Officer, Auraiya, Surendranath Yadav told PTI.
India's Case Count At 85,940; Death Toll At 2,752
According to the latest figures released by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, India has reported 3,970 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours taking the total case count to 85,940. 103 patients succumbed to the disease taking the death toll to 2,752. 30,152 patients have been cured or discharged.
30 Municipal Areas Account For 79% Of India's COVID-19 Caseload
30 municipal areas account for 79% of India's total COVID-19 caseload, the Group of Ministers were informed, according to a PTI report. In a statement put out on Friday, the Health Ministry claimed that8,694 facilities comprising 919 dedicated COVID-19 hospitals, 2,036 health centres and 5,739 care centres with a total of 2,77,429 beds for severe and critical cases, 29,701 ICU beds and 5,15,250 isolation beds, are available.
Health Minister Urges States To Ban Tobacco Products, Spitting In Public
Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has asked states and union territories to ban the sale of tobacco products and spitting in public to prevent the spread of novel coronavirus, reports PTI. The Rajasthan and Jharkhand governments have already passed ordinances banning spitting in public and banning the sale of tobacco, paan and gutka.
Assam In Favour Of Extending Lockdown
Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has urged the central government to extend the national lockdown by two weeks from 18 May, reports PTI. The third phase of the COVID-19-induced national lockdown will end of May 17 but India's case count has shown no signs of decreasing with more than 80,000 cases reported till 15 May.
First COVID-19 Case Reported In Bangladesh's Rohingya Camp
A Rohingya refugee in one of Bangladesh's refugee camps has tested positive for the novel coronavirus, reports Al Jazeera. Along with the refugee, a local has also tested positive and the duo have been taken to an isolation centre. According to a WHO spokesperson, "rapid investigation team" have been deployed in the camp to trace and test the patients' contacts.
COVID-19 Could Infect More Than 200 Million Africans: WHO
A World Health Organisation modelling study has stated that unless "urgent action" is taken, the novel coronavirus could infect close to 200 million people in Africa, according to an AFP report. The study also claimed that close to 1,50,000 people would succumb to COVID-19. The researchers also claimed that a surge in COVID-19 hospital admissions would divert limited resources needed to combat HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and malnutrition in the region.