Coronavirus India Update, Sept 24: TN govt to test COVID-19 patients’ kin at doorstep to control spread

As per the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), a cumulative total of 6,74,36,031 samples have been tested up to September 23 with 11,56,569 samples being tested on Wednesday.

Here are the top Covid-19 news from across the country:  

COVID-19 patients’ kin will be tested at doorstep: TN govt

Health workers in a mobile Covid testing van take swab samples for rapid testing.

The Tamil Nadu government has taken steps to identify those with coronavirus by going door-to-door to contain the spread of the infection in the district, state Municipal Administration Minister, S P Velumani said Thursday.

For this purpose, 20 mobile testing vehicles would be used. The vehicles would have a lab technician, a nurse and a health worker, he said during a review meeting of COVID-19 situation with senior officials of various departments here.

He said the ambulances would go to houses of those who had already tested COVID-19 positive, and test their family members and others in contact.

The Minister further said those testing positive would be sent for treatment. This would help control the spread, he said.

On an average 7,000 people have been undergoing the test daily in the district and so far 3.39 lakh have undergone such tests, he said.

Maharashtra minister Eknath Shinde tests COVID-19 positive

Maharashtra Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde on Thursday said he has tested positive for coronavirus, and urged all those who came in contact with him to get themselves tested.

Shinde attended the state cabinet meeting earlier this week. He is the 14th state minister to be infected by the disease. Almost one third of ministers in Maharashtra cabinet have tested Covid 19 positive. The total strength of Maharashtra cabinet including CM is 43.

Karnataka Cong MLA Narayan Rao dies of COVID-19 in Bengaluru

Congress MLA B Narayan Rao, who was undergoing treatment for coronavirus, died on Thursday the hospital in Bengaluru where he was admitted said. The 65-year-old Basavakalyan MLA from Bida district in North Karnataka was admitted on September 1 afte being diagnosed with severe COVID-19 infection, Manipa Hospital Director Dr Manish Rai said in a statement.

He passed away at 3.55 pm,it said.

Dr Rai said he was critically ill with multi-orga failure and on multiple supports including ventilator in th Intensive care unit under constant observation by an exper panel of doctors.

“We deeply regret the loss and express ou condolences to his family and friends,” he added.

UP to focus on districts reporting 100 or more COVID-19 cases

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath asked senior officials on Thursday to depute nodal officers and a special secretary-level officer in the districts which have reported 100 or more cases per day in the past one week to effectively contain the COVID-19 outbreak.

In a meeting with senior officials, he directed them to formulate the strategy in consultation with the chief secretary, the additional chief secretaries of home, health, medical education and medical experts, an official release issued here said. Asking for more and more contact-tracing, the chief minister said special attention should be given on testing the high-risk groups.

He asked the officials to connect medical institutes through virtual ICUs so that best medical treatment could be made available to the patients with the help of experienced doctors, the release said. He also directed them to keep ventilators/HFNC (high-flow nasal cannula, a non-invasive respiratory support system for oxygen supply) active in all districts, it added.

Accept my mistake, will wear mask: MP Home Minister after backlash

BJP leader and Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who caused a flutter saying he doesn’t wear a face mask at any government events, has now expressed regret for his statement after facing backlash from the Opposition.

On Wednesday, at an event in Indore, when asked why he was not wearing a mask, Mishra had said, “I don’t wear a mask in any programmes. ‘Isme kya hota hai?’ (so what).” Following this, the Congress launched a pointed attack, asking are COVID-19 norms meant only for the common people.

Now accepting his mistake, the state home minister has said, “My statement over wearing a mask appears to be a violation of the law. It wasn’t in line with the sentiment of the PM. I accept my mistake and express regret. I’ll wear a mask. I also appeal to everyone to wear mask and observe social distancing.”

#WATCH Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Narottam Mishra says, “I don’t wear it” when asked why is he not wearing a mask at an event in Indore. (23.09.2020) pic.twitter.com/vQRyNiG3ES

— ANI (@ANI) September 24, 2020

Sisodia’s condition stable, to undergo another COVID-19 test in couple of days

The condition of Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, currently undergoing treatment for COVID-19 at a state-run facility here, is stable, and he will undergo another coronavirus test in a couple of days, officials said on Thursday. He was admitted to the LNJP Hospital on Wednesday from being under home isolation after he had contracted the infection.

“He is still in ICU since yesterday (Wednesday), but his condition is stable. The minister has been put on oxygen support, and under constant observation. He will be administered an RT-PCR test in a couple of days,” the doctor said.” a senior doctor of the hospital said.

Rethink short lockdowns, tracing is key: PM Modi to state

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday asked the Chief Ministers of seven states worst hit by the Covid-19 crisis to make a critical assessment of the 1-2-day lockdowns that several states have been imposing, and the adverse impact these have on economic activity.

The Prime Minister stressed on the need for states to strengthen their tracing- tracking strategy to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus infection.

“The lockdown brought benefits. Globally too, it has been appreciated. However, now we have to focus on micro containment zones, which will ensure that the spread is contained… States have to make an assessment on how effective are the lockdowns that are being imposed for 1-2 days. Because of this, economic activity should not face problems. My suggestion to the states is to take up this issue very seriously. We have to increase our focus on effective testing, treating and surveillance, and clear messaging,” the Prime Minister said.

PM Modi was interacting with chief ministers of states.(Source: Twitter/BJP4India)

Why, in the nationwide ‘Unlock’ phase, Chhattisgarh has returned to lockdown

In Chhattisgarh, the state government gave the power of decision to the district collectors. As of Tuesday (September 22), 16 out of the 28 districts have gone under lockdown.

Residents of Chhattisgarh return to the state on Shramik Special trains. (Express Photo)

Even as the country is unlocking and the number of those being cured has increased, Chhattisgarh, which has a population of around 3 crore, has registered 677 deaths, and over 88,000 cases after testing close to 9 lakh people, according to data available with the state department. In the past two months, the cases have gone up sharply. In Raipur, Collector S Bharatidasan issued orders marking the entire district as a containment zone and then issuing a lockdown, which is in some ways stricter than the national lockdown.