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Not possible to end this virus; pandemic viruses end up becoming part of ecosystem: WHO official

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Not possible to end this virus; pandemic viruses end up becoming part of ecosystem: WHO official

New Delhi/Davos; It is not possible to end the COVID-19 virus as such viruses never go away and end up becoming part of the ecosystem, a top WHO official said on Tuesday but asserted that it is possible to end this year the public health emergency caused by COVID-19 with a collaborative approach to fix inherent inequities in the system.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum’s online Davos Agenda 2022 summit, the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme Executive Director Michael Ryan said what needs to be done is to ensure a really low level of disease incidence with the maximum vaccination of the entire world population.

“That will be the end of the public health emergency in my view and that would be an end to this pandemic,” he said while adding that there was a chance to achieve it this year itself.

The worldwide spread of the deadly virus, which was first reported in China’s Wuhan in late 2019, has seen more than 33 crore confirmed cases globally and over 55.5 lakh deaths so far.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had declared the outbreak a ‘public health emergency of international concern’ on January 30, 2020, and a pandemic on March 11, 2020.

However, the emergence of its fast-spreading Omicron variant, resulting in the re-introduction of national lockdowns, travel bans and quarantines in various parts of the world, has reinforced the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We won’t end the virus this year. We may never end this virus. Pandemic viruses end up becoming part of the ecosystem,” Ryan said.

“What we can end is the public health emergency this year, but the issue is about deaths, about hospitalisations and about the destruction of social, economic and political systems that have caused the tragedy. The virus is just a vehicle,” he said.

The WHO official said it is the reaction of the society to the virus that caused the tragedy as he blamed “the inequity including in access to health facilities and all those long-standing social inequities and those huge inequities not just between countries but also the internal inequities within countries”.

“Yes, we have a chance to end this public health emergency this year if we do right things to fix these inequities. But the reality is this tragedy will continue,” he said.

Ryan also sought to warn against an emerging narrative on whether the COVID-19 pandemic is on its way to becoming endemic in nature.

“Endemic just means it is here forever. Even endemic diseases kill hundreds of thousands of people and we should not think that a pandemic becoming endemic is the good thing,” he added.

Speaking at the same session, Oxfam International Executive Director Gabriela Bucher said it is possible to end the pandemic if we overhaul the model radically to ensure a truly equitable distribution.

Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India, said the definition of the pandemic is evolving every day. “I am not an expert, but there will be a point when we reach a certain level of vaccination, hopefully by the end of this year, when everyone is double or triple vaccinated, then probably we can say that. And also that would depend on what kinds of new variants emerge and hospitalisation levels remaining under control,” he added.

He was replying to a question on whether an end to the pandemic could be in sight.

Seth F Berkley, CEO of Gavi vaccine alliance, said the COVAX programme has been successful, but not without its speed bumps along the way.

The WHO has also been criticising the unequal distribution of vaccines and has been asking manufacturers and other countries to contribute to COVAX, the UN-backed programme for supplying vaccines to poor countries. So far, it has delivered 1 billion doses.

According to WHO, 36 of its 194 member countries have vaccinated less than 10 per cent of population and 88 have inoculated under 40 per cent.

Poonawalla, whose Serum Institute of India has been a key member of GAVI alliance, said his company is ready to support the pool towards reaching global vaccine equity.

John Nkengasong, Director of Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, said greater cooperation and greater solidarity will be the way forward if we want this pandemic to end.

Civil society group questions PM Modi’s ‘silence’ over Haridwar Dharam Sansad event

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Civil society group questions PM Modi's 'silence' over Haridwar Dharam Sansad event
Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi

New Delhi: A group of prominent civil society members on Tuesday questioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “silence” over alleged hate speeches against Muslims at the Haridwar Dharam Sansad and demanded “exemplary” action by the government against those involved.

The Indian Muslims for Secular Democracy (IMSD) in a statement signed by 278 people, including lyricist Javed Akhtar and actor Naseeruddin Shah, said that “no Indian ought to be surprised by the shocking silence” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi despite growing demand nationally and internationally that he must speak, and his government must act in “exemplary fashion” against members of the Dharam Sansad who have called for a “genocide of Indian Muslims”.

“The PM’s silence speaks volumes, is nothing short of a mockery of Indian democracy, a violation of the Indian Constitution which the PM has sworn to uphold during his swearing in…. His ‘maun’ (silence) is inexcusable,” the statement said.

“In his first term as Prime Minister, Modi had promised ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas’ to all Indians. He went a step further in his current second term with the assurance of ‘sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas’. That these were/are nothing but insincere and hollow slogans is more than evident from the way Indian Muslims continue to be hounded, wounded and lynched,” the group said.

The signatories of the IMSD statement include journalists, lawyers, academicians, civil society activists and members of the film fraternity.

Some participants at the Dharam Sansad held in Haridwar from December 17-19 have been accused of delivering highly provocative speeches against Muslims.

Test for TB if cough persists for over 2-3 weeks: Health ministry’s new Covid treatment guideline

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New Delhi: The Union health ministry has advised Covid patients to go for tests for tuberculosis and other conditions if cough persists for more than two-three weeks.

The revised ‘Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult COVID-19 Patients’ issued by AIIMS, ICMR-COVID-19 National Task Force and Joint Monitoring Group (DGHS) under the health ministry on Monday underlined there is no evidence of injectable steroids benefitting Covid patients not requiring oxygen supplementation or in continuation after discharge.

Anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory therapy, such as steroids, can have the risk of secondary infection like invasive mucormycosis, when used too early, at higher dose or for longer than required, they highlighted.

If cough persists for more than two-three weeks, one should opt for investigation for tuberculosis and other conditions, the revised guidelines stated.

The revised guidelines continue to recommend emergency use authorization (EUA) or off-label use of remdesivir in patients with “moderate to severe” disease and those with no renal or hepatic dysfunction within 10 days of the onset of any symptom.

It warned against use of the drug for patients who are not on oxygen support or in home settings.

According to the guidelines, EUA or off-label use of the tocilizumab drug may be considered for use in the presence of severe disease, preferably within 24 to 48 hours of onset of severe disease or intensive care unit (ICU) admission.

Tocilizumab may be considered for patients with significantly raised inflammatory markers, and not improving despite use of steroids with there being no active bacterial, fungal or tubercular infection, they stated.

Coronavirus patients have been classified into those affected by mild, moderate and severe disease, the guidelines stated.

Injection methylprednisolone 0.5 to one mg/kg in two divided doses, or an equivalent dose of dexamethasone, can be given usually for a duration of five to 10 days in moderate cases, the guidelines stated. The same drug in two divided doses of one to two mg/kg can be given for same duration in severe cases.

“Inhalational budesonide (given via metered dose inhaler/dry powder inhaler) at a dose of 800 mcg BD for five days can be given in mild cases if symptoms (fever and/or cough) are persistent beyond five days of disease onset,” it was stated in the guidelines.

According to the guidance note, upper respiratory tract symptoms without shortness of breath or hypoxia has been categorised as mild disease and have been advised home isolation and care. Those suffering from mild Covid should seek medical attention if they have difficulty in breathing, high grade fever, or severe cough lasting for more than five days.

Those having breathlessness with SpO2 fluctuating between 90-93 per cent, can get admitted to a ward, and they will be considered moderate cases. Such patients should be given oxygen support and awake proning should be encouraged in all patients requiring supplemental oxygen therapy, in sequential position changes every two hours, the guidelines stated.

Respiratory rate over 30 per minute, breathlessness or SpO2 lower than 90 per cent on room air should be considered as severe disease and such patients have to admitted to an ICU as they will need respiratory support, they said.

Such patients should be put on respiratory support. Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) — helmet or face mask interface depending on availability — may be considered in those with increasing oxygen requirements if work of breathing is low.

High flow nasal cannula should be considered in patients with increasing oxygen requirements. Intubation should be prioritised in patients with high work of breathing if NIV is not tolerated and institutional protocol for ventilatory management should be used when required, the new guidelines stated.

Those aged above 60 years, or those having cardiovascular disease, hypertension and coronary artery disease diabetes mellitus and other immunocompromised states, such as HIV, active tuberculosis, chronic lung, kidney or liver disease, cerebrovascular disease or obesity are at high risk for severe disease and mortality, the guidelines stated.

“Won’t sit quiet until action is taken against BJP leaders for violation of COVID curbs”: DKShi

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"Won't sit quiet until action is taken against BJP leaders for violation of COVID curbs": DKShi
Congress Karnataka president D K Shivakumar

Bengaluru: Congress Karnataka president D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said his party will not sit quiet until action is taken against ruling BJP leaders, who violated COVID-19 curbs.

Faced by multiple FIRs against its leaders for organising padayatra demanding implementation of Mekedatu project, in violation of COVID restrictions, the Congress party has been demanding similar action against BJP leaders, who allegedly indulged in similar acts.

“We are not meeting (CM), I’m waiting for Siddaramaiah (Congress Legislature Party leader), he has gone to Mysuru, we will do what ever fight we need to…I’m writing a letter to the Chief Secretary to take action, our leaders will give it to him and the DGP,” Shivakumar said.

Speaking to reporters here, he said, “we will not say what we will do next, we will discuss, but I will not sit quietly.”

Later in the day, a delegation of Congress leaders led by its state working president Saleem Ahmed met Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar, and handed over to him a letter signed by Shivakumar which sought filing of FIRs and appropriate legal action against BJP leaders for allegedly violating COVID curbs, and disciplinary action against government officials for not acting against them.

Pointing out that several FIRs have been booked against him, Siddaramaiah and several other Congress leaders, Shivakumar in the letter has listed several instances of ‘COVID curbs violation’ by BJP leaders including events attended by Aland MLA Subhash Guttedar, Honnali MLA M P Renukacharya, Minister B Sriramulu, among others.

The letter also refers to a large-scale gathering at the swearing-in of newly elected MLCs at Vidhana Soudha that was attended by Legislative Council Chairman, Chief Minister, Ministers among others and also an event held at Home Minister Araga Jnanendra’s constituency.

Noting that these events were held in violation of COVID guidelines, without masks, social distancing and use of hand sanitizers, the KPCC chief wanted FIRs to be registered and legal action be taken against them.

He also sought disciplinary action against officials for showing negligence and failing to take action in accordance with law against those violating rules.

With limited options before it amid surging COVID cases, the government prohibiting movement of people, and High Court observations, the Congress state unit on January 13 had temporarily halted its padayatra from Mekedatu to Bengaluru on its fifth day.

Police have filed four FIRs against Congress leaders, including Shivakumar and Siddaramaiah, for taking out the march defying COVID-19 curbs.

Mamata Banerjee to campaign for Samajwadi Party in UP poll : Party leader Kiranmay Nanda

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Mamata Banerjee to campaign for Samajwadi Party in UP poll : Party leader Kiranmay Nanda
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee will campaign for Samajwadi Party in the upcoming Uttar Pradesh Assembly poll and her party – the Trinamool Congress will not contest the election in that state, SP vice-president Kiranmay Nanda said on Tuesday.

Nanda, who returned from poll bound Uttar Pradesh on Monday, held an hour-long meeting with Banerjee at her residence on the issue.

“The Trinamool Congress will not contest in Uttar Pradesh and will support Samajwadi Party in the fight against the BJP. Mamata Banerjee will hold virtual campaigns along with SP president Akhilesh Yadav in Lucknow and Varanasi. She will be in Lucknow on February 8 and attend a virtual campaign. She will then will hold a joint press conference with Akhileshji,” Nanda told reporters after the meeting.

Banerjee will also visit Varanasi later in February but the date is yet to be fixed, he said.

“She will visit Varanasi for a virtual meeting,” Nanda said and noted that most of the campaigns are being held virtually due to COVID restrictions.

The election to all 403 Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh will be held in seven phases from February 10 to March 7.

Mamata Banerjee is a strong leader and the way she fought against the BJP and defeated it in the West Bengal Assembly Election in 2021 is a lesson for the entire opposition. Her fight was unprecedented. The entire nation saw the fight she had put up against BJP’s juggernaut,” he said.

During the high octane West Bengal assembly polls, the Samajwadi Party had decided against contesting in the state and extended its support to the ruling TMC.

Akhilesh Yadav shares a very cordial relationship with Mamata Banerjee and had even attended the grand opposition meeting hosted by the TMC supremo in January 2019.

One of the longest-serving fisheries ministers of West Bengal during the erstwhile Left Front regime, Nanda had merged his party, the West Bengal Socialist Party with Samajwadi Party in 2010.

PM’s WEF address: Rahul Gandhi takes ‘teleprompter’ jibe at PM , BJP leaders cite ‘technical glitch’

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PM's WEF address: Rahul Gandhi takes 'teleprompter' jibe at PM , BJP leaders cite 'technical glitch'
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi had to restart his Davos Agenda address, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday took a swipe saying “even the teleprompter could not take so much lies”, even as BJP leaders pointed to a “technical glitch” at event organiser World Economic Forum’s end.

There was no official reaction from the government or the WEF on the incident.

Several Congress leaders and social media users claimed that it was a “teleprompter gaffe” as Prime Minister Modi had to pause and then restart his special address to the World Economic Forum’s online Davos Agenda 2022 summit, but BJP leaders and many others pointed out that it was a technical glitch due to which the WEF people were not able to patch the PM and requested him to start again.

In an apparent dig at Prime Minister Modi, former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi said in a tweet in Hindi, “Even the teleprompter could not take so much lies.”

Fact-checking website Alt News co-founder Pratik Sinha said it is unlikely that the prime minister had a teleprompter gaffe.

“If you look at the WEF version of the recording of his speech, someone in the background says, ‘Sir, aap unse ek baar pooche ki sab jud gaye kya’ (Sir, ask them once if everyone is connected). This portion is not clear in the video live-streamed on PM’s YouTube channel.”

“After this, the PM questions if he and the interpreter can be heard properly, to which (WEF executive chairman) Klaus Schwab responds stating that he can.

“However, Schwab interrupts the PM’s speech to give a brief introduction. The PM repeats the whole speech again,” Sinha said, recounting the events from Monday evening during the prime minister’s address.

However, several Congress leaders took a dig at the prime minister over the incident.

Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Teleprompter se bhashan chal sakta hai, shasan nahin. Kal ye poore desh ki samajh mein aa gaya (You can give a speech but not rule using a teleprompter. The whole country understood this yesterday).

The Congress, on its official Twitter handle, shared the video of the prime minister taking a pause in his speech, calling him the “teleprompter guy”.

Youth Congress tweeted, “Failed to address after teleprompter stopped working, PM Modi failed to represent the country on World Economic Forum!”.

In a tweet, BJP leader Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga slammed those criticising the PM.

“Don’t those getting excited at the tech glitch not realise that the problem was at WEF’s end? They were not able to patch PM, so requested him to start again, which is evident in the way Klaus Schwab said that he will again give a short introduction and then open up the session,” he said.

Several other BJP leaders cited the same reason for the incident and some posted a video from the WEF’s YouTube channel, showing the sequence of events.

According to the video and pointers along with it shared by BJP leaders, Prime Minister Modi’s speech started abruptly from the middle without English interpretation. The prime minister was interrupted by the co-ordinator who asked him to check if all had been connected, Schwab then started the official session and Modi again started his speech with English interpretation being shared.

Karnataka invites Elon Musk to set up Tesla plant

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Karnataka invites Elon Musk to set up Tesla plant
Tesla’s billionaire founder and CEO Elon Musk

Bengaluru: Joining the growing list of Indian states wooing Tesla’s billionaire founder and CEO Elon Musk to start a manufacturing unit, Karnataka on Tuesday projected itself as the “Electric Vehicle (EV) hub” of India and an ideal destination to set up a plant.

Several Indian states like Telangana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Punjab and Tamil Nadu have already invited Musk to set up shop.

“With over 400 R&D centres, 45+ EV startups & an EV cluster near Bengaluru, Karnataka has emerged as EV hub of India. Mr @elonmusk, Karnataka would be an ideal destination to set up @Tesla plant. Bengaluru is already Tesla’s maiden address in India,” Karnataka Minister for Large and Medium-scale Industries Murugesh R Nirani tweeted.

Musk had recently tweeted that the US-based firm is working through a lot of challenges with the government to launch its products in India.

“Still working through a lot of challenges with the government,” Musk tweeted in reply to a Twitter user, who asked: “Yo @elonmusk any further update as to when Tesla’s will launch in India? They’re pretty awesome and deserve to be in every corner of the world!”

In January 2021, Tesla registered its Indian arm amid indications that the company is set to enter the country’s automobile market.

According to a regulatory filing, the firm registered Tesla India Motors and Energy Pvt Ltd with RoC (Registrar Of Companies) Bengaluru.

The company has been registered as an unlisted private entity with a paid-up capital of Rs 1 lakh.

In February 2021, the then Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa too had said that “American firm Tesla will set up the car-manufacturing unit in Karnataka.”

Last year, Tesla had sought a reduction in import duties on electric vehicles (EVs) in India.

The union heavy industries ministry had asked the electric car major to first start manufacturing its iconic electric vehicles in India before any tax concessions can be considered.

The government sources had noted that they were not giving such concessions to any auto firm, and giving duty benefits to Tesla will not send a good signal to other companies that have invested billions of dollars in India.

At present, cars imported as completely built units (CBUs) attract customs duty, ranging from 60 to 100 per cent, depending on the engine size and cost, insurance and freight (CIF) value less or above USD 40,000.

Orchids – The International School Organizes Vaccination Campaign for all

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Nasheman news

Bengaluru, 12th January 2022: On the outset of rising COVID-19 variant Omicron, the government of
India decided to prioritise the coverage of vaccination of 15-18 year children. In response to the same,
Orchids – The International School’s Bangalore campuses zeroed down on conducting vaccination
drives for the students of their schools.

Orchids International School Newtown Kolkata (Acharya Tulsi Academy), Acharya Mahapragya Mahashraman Education & Research Foundation (500 Mtr from Unitech, West), Jodthbhim, Major Arterial Road(South-East), Jodthbhim,, Newtown, Kolkata, West Bengal ...


Starting from the 4 th of January 2022, the Vijayanagar, Sahakar Nagar and BTM Layout have started
the vaccination drive. Nearly 300 students have received the first dose of their vaccination to date. 
Keeping in mind the guidelines issued by the government authorities, the respective campuses have
taken utmost care in abiding by the guidelines and maintaining social distancing. The management has
ensured complete sanitization of the premises along with optimum seating arrangements for the
convenience of their students.

Commenting on the vaccination drive, Mr. Kapil Sharma, Head – Academic Implementation, Orchids
The International Schools said, “Providing a healthy and hygienic environment to the students has
always been our first priority and we are glad to be a part of Govt’s Vaccination drive to ensure our next
generation is safe from this fatal disease. We are maintaining all Covid-19 protocols and guidelines in all
60+ branches of Orchids International Schools across India. The vaccination process of the students also
includes recording the temperature of the students at the entrance along with the consent forms. For
verification and our records, we have been asking for the Aadhar card details & the copy, followed by the
registered mobile number.”
Along with the respective branch Principal, the school authorities have deputed dedicated Coordinators
and Admin Staff for carrying out the vaccination drive smoothly. The schools then connect with the
respective state authority to cite the date for planning the vaccination drive. On freezing the dates as
per the availability of the Covaxin does, the school submits the count of the students to the state
authority, so that they carry the same quantity.

About Orchids – The International School:

Orchids-The International School is one of the leading international school chains in India
started its journey in 2002 with its first branch in Hyderabad. In less than two decades it has grown into
60+ branches spread over 7 cities across India in cities like Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad,
Chennai, Gurgaon, and Kolkata. Modern physical infrastructure, ensuring personalized attention by
following 1:12 teacher-student ratio, and carefully curated curriculum provide uniformity in all Orchids
schools. Orchids follow CBSE and ICSE curriculum infused with international teaching methodologies to
provide a strong emphasis on personality development along with academic excellence.
Orchids’ core anthem is “Shaping minds, Touching lives, Building Second Homes” and it has over
30000+ students and 3000+ teaching and non-teaching staff.

Muggers robbed two jewellers,gold & cash Worth Rs.63.5 lakhs robbed in Bengaluru

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Parmesh S Jain

In a two seperate incidents two jewellers were threatened by muggers and robbed in broad day light the miscreants made away with 63.5 lakhs.

Senior officer with other officers rushed to spot to inspect the spot after visiting the spot he said,Since last Monday muggers robbed two jewellers on the busy streets of Nagarpete and made away with gold valuables and cash total worth Rs 63.5 lakh in separate cases .

On Wednesday Prabhuram, employee of Chethan Laksmilal Jain jewellers situated in Rajajinagar was walking with 1.6 kgs of gold jewels worth Rs 60 lakh was robbed near Banaras sweets CT street off Avenue road in broad day light when two men confronted him.

Before Prabhuram could realize they dragged him to isolated place and threatened with dire consequences and escaped with the bag containing jewels Pabhuram had come to get Hallmarks for the jewels,when the incident occurred .

He tried to follow the accused but they disappeared in crowd,he said in his complaint .

Earlier miscreants picked the bag of Meharam, jeweller from Chikkaballapura who was walking on the busy SP road with Cash Rs 3.5 lakh along with 28 grams of gold valuables on Monday .

Meharam had come to city to buy gold bar and walking wih the cash bag when miscreants followed him and managed to cut the bag with a blade and took away the valuables .

Few minutes later Meharam realized the bag is weighless and found that the valuables were missing and the bag was torn.

The Halasuru Gate police have registered a case and are verifying the CCTV footages from in and around to identify the accused and further investigation is on he added.

No Lockdown in Karnataka says R Ashoka after attending CM Basavaraj Bommai High voltage meeting

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Parmesh S Jain

Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai chaired a Covid review meeting today with TAC Committee, experts,and Health officials and other senior officers and issues instructions to focus more on OPDs in Bengaluru & deploying more personnel, increase home isolation calls & ensuring medicinal kits are effectively delivered to home isolated cases.

A high-level meeting convened by Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Tuesday decided to give more importance for OPD treatment in Bengaluru by appointing more staff and also restrict people from getting admitted to triaging.

As the COVID cases surge in Karnataka, especially in Bengaluru, state minister R Ashoka on Monday said the third wave, driven by the Omicron variant, will reach its peak next week.

However, he said that the weekend curfew imposed in state might be extended, but there won’t be a complete lockdown.

Instructions issued for focussing more on OPDs in Bengaluru and deploying more personnel.

CM suggested the officers to control people getting admitted for Triaging.

Increase Home Isolation calls.The comorbidities cases should be contacted atleast once in a day and enquire about their health to instill a sense of confidence in them.

Precautionary measures to be taken to ensure that it does not spread to other members of the family.

Medicinal kits should  be effectively delivered to home isolated cases.

Negative attitudes of the people should be removed by involving voluntary service organisations.

Local doctors should be involved for consultation.

Infected children,especially in rural areas should get top priority, parents should be counseled and medical kits should be distributed.Separate medical kits should be prepared for children.

Instill confidence among the rural populace.

Instructions issued to get Oxygen plants ready for use any time along with necessary personnel and fuel.

Arrange Generator systems in hospitals.

Greater monitoring of children and senior citizens.

Speedy completion of vaccination drive.

Medicines should be procured immediately and they should be reached to hospitals well in time.

Spread awareness among the people about Covid appropriate behaviour through the media. 

The CM instructed graded type testing as per the ICMR norms under the government of India guidelines.

It was also decided to hold a Video Conference with DCs and CEOs of districts which are lagging behind in second dose vaccination.

To intensify vaccination drives for 15-18 age group he added.

To continue weekend curfew a decission will be taken on Friday meeting with experts,and ministers he added.

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