Corona Virus (COVID-19): News & Updates

[Akash1886]

Apollo Tyres and Ashok Leyland launch ‘Saarthi’ COVID helpline for the trucking community ​

A pan-India initiative, available in 5 languages​

Chennai, June 22, 2021:

Apollo Tyres and Ashok Leyland together has launched ‘Saarthi’ COVID helpline for the trucking community. This helpline, targeted towards truck drivers, helpers and their family members, will provide COVID Consultation, Vaccination Guidance and non-COVID consultation (for other diseases). This pan-India helpline service is available in 5 languages -- Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Assamese -- as of now. Telerad Foundation is the technical partner for the helpline service.

To avail the services, members of the trucking community can call on 7028105333, between 1000 to 1700 hours from Monday to Saturday.

Members of the trucking community, who have tested COVID positive, and are in home quarantine, can get Doctor Consultation by calling on the helpline. They can also get guidance on nutrition during the infection period. For non-COVID patients, Doctor Consultation and prescription would be provided as a part of the ‘Saarthi’ initiative.

Beneficiaries from the trucking community seeking guidance on Vaccination, will be provided with counselling to clear their doubts regarding the vaccine, help with registration on COWIN/ Arogya Setu portal, scheduling of appointment at the nearest government hospital, help with downloading of vaccination certificate and post vaccination medical assistance, if required.

Since 1994, Ashok Leyland has been educating the driving community on good driving practices through the establishment of the Driver Training Institutes. Currently, 11 Driver Training Institutes are operational across the country and cumulatively 14,82,462 drivers have been educated since inception, through various sessions.

Apollo Tyres launched its healthcare initiative in 2000 and has since reached out to nearly 50 lakh people with its HIV-AIDS Awareness and Prevention, Vision Care, Tuberculosis, and other healthcare services in 31 centres across the country. The Company has won multiple awards for its pioneering and effective work with the trucking community.

Regards
Akash

 

[Nairrk]

All Covid restrictions to end from March 31, only face masks to remain mandatory

In view of the continuous dip in coronavirus cases, the home ministry has decided to end its all COVID-19 containment measures from March 31, two years after their implementation following the outbreak of the pandemic. However, wearing of face mask and maintaining social distancing norms will continue as earlier.

The Central government had on March 24, 2020, issued for the first time orders and guidelines under the Disaster Management Act, (DM Act) 2005 for the containment of COVID-19 in the country and these have been modified on various occasions.

In a communication to the chief secretaries of all states, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla said that over the last 24 months, significant capacities have been developed for various aspects of management of the pandemic, such as diagnostics, surveillance, contact tracing, treatment, vaccination, hospital infrastructure.

Also, the general public now has a much higher level of awareness on the COVID-appropriate behavior, he said. The states and Union Territories have also developed their own capacities and systems and implemented their detailed specific plans for managing the pandemic, he said, adding over the last seven weeks or so there has been a steep decline in the number of cases.

The total caseload in the country stands at 23,913 only (on March 22) and the daily positivity rate has declined to 0.28 per cent, he said. It is also worth mentioning that with the combined efforts, a total of 181.56 crore vaccine doses have been administered, he said.

“After taking into consideration the overall improvement in the situation and preparedness of the Government to deal with the pandemic, National Disaster Management Authority has taken a decision that there may not be any further need to invoke the provisions of the DM Act for COVID containment measures,” the communication said.

Accordingly, Bhalla said, after the expiry of the existing order on March 31, no further order will be issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

However, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare advisories on COVID containment measures, including on the use of face masks and hand hygiene, will continue to guide the overall national response to the pandemic, he said.

The Home Secretary, however, said that in view of the nature of the disease, people still need to remain watchful of the situation. He said whenever any surge in the number of cases is observed, states and UTs may consider taking prompt and proactive action at the local level, as advised by the Ministry of Health from time to time.

“I would, therefore, advise all the States and UTs to consider appropriately discontinuing issue of orders and guidelines under the DM Act, 2005 for COVID containment measures,” Bhalla said.

The states and UTs may continue to follow the Standard Operating Measures and advisories that have been or are being issued by the Ministry of Health from time to time for containment measures, vaccination, and other related aspects, he said.

Indiatvnews

 

[Nairrk]

Precaution Dose to be now available to 18+ population group from 10th April

The Union Health Ministry said, all those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months after the administration of second dose, will be eligible for Precaution Dose.

The Ministry said, about 96 per cent of all above 15 population in the country have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose so far, while about 83 per cent of above 15 population has received both the doses. More than two crore 40 lakh Precaution Doses have also been administered to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and above 60 population group. The Ministry said, 45 per cent of 12 to 14 years age group have also received the first dose.

The on-going free vaccination programme through Government Vaccination Centres for first and second dose to the eligible population as well as Precaution Dose to Healthcare Workers, Frontline Workers and above 60 population will continue.

DDNews

 

[Nairrk]

Mask fines, hybrid school likely to return amid rise in Covid cases in Delhi

Amid a rise in Covid cases in the city, the Delhi Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) will meet today to discuss the prevailing situation and is likely to take a call on reimposing the fine for not wearing face masks at public places. The meeting, which will be chaired by the Delhi Lt Governor at 12.30 pm, is also expected to discuss the option of the hybrid model of teaching in schools as many children have been found Covid positive.

IndiaTVnews