NEWS

A total of 115 cases of black fungus or mucormycosis have been detected in Haryana so far, with Health Minister Anil Vij on Tuesday saying the state government is taking various steps, including setting up of 20-bed wards in medical colleges for specialised treatment. He told reporters here that all civil hospitals have been informed to refer such cases to medical colleges for better treatment. “All civil hospitals have been told that if they have any black fungus case, it would be better if they refer these to medical colleges where specialist doctors can treat them in a better manner…So far, 115 cases of black fungus have been detected in the state," Vij said.

In dropping all his experienced ministers, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has taken a major gamble in the midst of a full-blown pandemic.

Vijayan, who recently won a historic second term in a state that traditionally changes its government every five years, has denied berths to all who held ministerial positions in his previous administration.

Outgoing health minister KK Shailaja, who earned plaudits for her handling of the Covid-19 crisis, has been relegated to the chief whip of the ruling Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M).

The national capital has reported over 7.37 lakh coronavirus cases and 11,075 deaths since April 1, more than what it reported since the beginning of the pandemic till March 31 this year, official data shows.

Further, the deaths and cases reported in the last 48 days account for about 95 per cent of the total fatalities and infections reported in 2021, the Delhi government data analysed by NW18 shows.

Till December 31, 2020, Delhi reported 6.25 lakh coronavirus infections and 10,557 deaths. As of date, the total cases stand at 14.02 lakh and 22,111 deaths, the Health Department data issued on Tuesday shows.

Indian Railways is equipping 86 of its hospitals with medical oxygen plants as part of its massive capacity enhancement programme. Of this, four oxygen plants are functional, 52 are sanctioned, and 30 are under various stages of processing. "All railway Covid hospitals to be equipped with oxygen plants," said Ministry of Railways in a statement. The capacity enhancement across railway hospitals is aimed at ushering in better infrastructure to handle medical emergencies.

"Railways is leaving no stone unturned in the fight against Covid 19. On one hand, railways is moving oxygen expresses swiftly with loaded oxygen to different parts, and it is continuing with the movement of passenger and freight traffic. At the same time, railways has geared up its in-house medical facilities," the statement added.