“Covid News Updates: According to experts, China could have more than a million Covid deaths in 2023. Official Chinese statistics are no longer a trustworthy indicator”.
Opposition didn’t wear masks in Parliament which shows their attitude towards Covid guidelines: Pralhad Joshi
Delhi | Both the chairs in the Parliament have requested the members to wear face masks during proceedings. But the leaders from the Opposition didn't wear masks which shows their attitude towards Covid guidelines: Union Parliamentary affairs minister Pralhad Joshi pic.twitter.com/k5hwKVzgMU
— ANI (@ANI) December 22, 2022
Union Health Minister to address both Houses on Covid situation
Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya will speak in the Rajya Sabha on the COVID-19 situation in the country at 2:30 pm today
Modi-Kejriwal meetings in Delhi regarding COVID emergency an attempt to stop Bharat Jodo Yatra: Jairam Ramesh
– While Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has asked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to either follow “all Covid-19 guidelines” during his Bharat Jodo Yatra or suspend it “in the national interest”, Jairam Ramesh has made fresh allegations.
– “PM Modi and Delhi CM Kejriwal holding meetings today in Delhi regarding COVID emergency is an attempt to stop Bharat Jodo Yatra,” he said.
Every Bharat Jodo Yatri is double vaccinated and many have taken booster doses as well: Jairam Ramesh
– “There is not a single case of COVID in Bharat Jodo Yatra. The government is trying to defame us to show Congress is not concerned about COVID. If the situation is terrible because of COVID situations, why don’t you adjourn Parliament,” he added
Drug makers say no impact on Pharma industry from COVID spike in China
– While the news regarding the possible surge of Covid in China and few other countries is disturbing, as far as the Indian Pharma industry is concerned, we have enough stocks of important APIs (active pharmaceutical ingredients) and Medicines in the supply chain and there is no reason to panic, said the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) in a statement.
– IDMA will continue to work closely with the government, regulators and other stakeholders to ensure the availability and affordability of medicines. IDMA assures of best support from the industry side to cope up with any challenges that may come up. Owing to actions like PLI (production-linked incentive scheme) and others, in the recent past, Indian Pharma is much better prepared.
– Yesterday, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla on Tuesday expressed concern over reports of a rising COVID-19 graph in China but said there is no need to panic as the vaccination coverage in India is excellent.
why China is seeing the COVID crisis yet again, and if should we be worried.
This message is circulating in some Whatsapp groups regarding XBB variant of #COVID19.
The message is #FAKE and #MISLEADING. pic.twitter.com/LAgnaZjCCi
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 22, 2022
No orders issued to stop connecting flights to India from China: Govt Sources to ANI
– We don’t have any direct flights from China to India or from India to China but as of now, there is no such order issued to stop connecting flights to India which is coming via China. MoCA is an executing ministry, the final decision will come from MoHFW: Govt Sources to ANI
Indian Medical Association appeals to the country to follow COVID appropriate behaviour
“In view of the sudden surge of COVID cases in different countries, the Indian Medical Association alerts and appeals to the public to follow COVID appropriate behaviour with immediate effect.”
Parliamentarians back to basic COVID rules
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Union minister Piyush Goyal were among Parliamentarians who were spotted wearing masks during winter session amid fresh Covid-19 scare
– Birla said that Covid cases are once again on the rise in certain countries. He added the government has taken quick steps and asked people to wear masks in crowded places and follow Covid-related protocols.
– “We should be vigilant keeping in mind the past trends of the pandemic,” he told the members. He also said masks have been made available for MPs at the entry points of the Lok Sabha chamber and they should all wear one.
– “We were asked to wear masks before entering the Lok Sabha chamber. We welcome this step. The Lok Sabha secretariat had made arrangements to ensure enough masks were available for members,” said BJP MP Manoj Tiwari.
– “Masks are quite effective as far as Covid is concerned. We should take all the timely precautions. There’s no harm in wearing masks as they also protect us from pollutants in the air,” said Former Union health minister Harshvardhan
Opposition MPs walkout of Rajya Sabha
– Lok Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm amid opposition demand for discussion on China-India border issue
– Opposition MPs walk out of Rajya Sabha as they demand discussion on Chinese action and infrastructure along LAC & Leader of House in Rajya Sabha and Union Minister Piyush Goyal’s remarks against Bihar
– Opposition boycotts Rajya Sabha proceedings for an entire day over denial of discussion on the border issue with China
– Meanwhile, Piyush Goyal has withdrawn his statement on Bihar. “I withdraw my statement,” Goyal said in the House, adding that he had no intention to hurt anyone.
DGHS to take a review of all Delhi-based Central Government hospitals on COVID preparedness
– DGHS (Directorate General Of Health Services) to take a review of all Delhi-based Central Government hospitals on #COVID19 preparedness
– Meanwhile, Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann have called for a meeting of the officials of the state health department over #COVID19 situation. The meeting is to be held with Chandigarh secretariat shortly.
– Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, too, is holding a meeting with State Health Minister Ma Subramanian, Health Secretary and health officials at the secretariat regarding Covid protocols and precautionary measures to be taken.
(Inputs from ANI)
“There won’t be a lockdown situation in India as 95% of the people are vaccinated”
“There won’t be a lockdown situation in the country since 95% of the people here are vaccinated. The immunity system of Indians is stronger than that of the Chinese…India needs to go back to COVID basics – testing, treating, tracing.” – Dr Anil Goyal, Indian Medical Association
Punjab and Karnataka states’ health ministers take stock of the COVID situation
“We just have nine active cases of COVID. 16 districts do not have any positive cases of COVID so far. We have established oxygen plants & have prepared hospitals as well accordingly. There’s no need to worry” – Punjab state health minister Chetan Singh Jouramajra
“We’ve called an emergency meeting today under CM’s chairmanship. PM has called a meeting with all health officials & technical committee members. Based on their directions our Govt will also follow all their recommendations & guidelines.” – Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar