A forum of scientific advisers set up by the Indian government warned officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who are part of the forum said.
Despite the warning, the Centre did not seek to impose major restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. Millions of largely unmasked people attended religious festivals and political rallies that were held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other leaders.
The warning about the new variant in early March was issued by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium, or Insacog. It was conveyed to a top official who reports directly to the Prime Minister, according to one of the scientists who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Reuters could not determine whether the Insacog findings were passed on to Modi.
Private hospitals in Karnataka shouldn’t fleece patients; will direct to fix fee for CT scans: Health Minister
Private hospitals in Karnataka shouldn’t fleece patients; will direct to fix fee for CT scans: Health Minister
News Network
May 1, 2021
Bengaluru, May 1: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar said an order will be issued today directing all private hospitals to charge a fixed fee for conducting CT scan as advised by a team of experts to know Covid-19 status accurately.
Speaking to media persons on Saturday, Sudhakar stated that CT scans are conducted for free at government hospitals, and private hospitals should not fleece patients for the same.
A forum of scientific advisers set up by the government warned Indian officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who are part of the forum told Reuters news agency.
Despite the warning, four of the scientists said the federal government did not seek to impose major restrictions to stop the spread of the COVID-19. Millions of largely unmasked people attended religious festivals and political rallies that were held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, and opposition politicians.
Tens of thousands of farmers, meanwhile, continued to camp on the edge of New Delhi protesting Modi’s agricultural policy changes.
Modi govt ignored warnings amid covid surge: Scientists
Agencies
May 1, 2021
New Delhi, May 1: A forum of scientific advisers set up by the government warned Indian officials in early March of a new and more contagious variant of the coronavirus taking hold in the country, five scientists who are part of the forum told Reuters.
Despite the warning, four of the scientists said the government did not seek to impose major restrictions to stop the spread of the virus. Millions of largely unmasked people attended religious festivals and political rallies that were held by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, leaders of the ruling BJP and opposition politicians.
India COVID-19 Crisis in Pictures
As news about the increase of coronavirus cases in India begin to spread online, many people have expressed their concerns and shared the hashtags #HelpIndia #HelpIndiaBreathe #IndiaNeedsOxygen, #IndiaCovidCrisis, and others. People are sharing posts about the current situation in the area in the hopes of raising awareness to global leaders who may be able to help India get more oxygen tanks, acquire vaccines, and other medical aid.
Here are some powerful yet heartbreaking pictures of the current situation in India.
Indian Covid-19 Death Toll Continues To Mount
(Photo : Photo by Abhishek Chinnappa/Getty Images) BENGALURU, INDIA - APRIL 30: Men wearing PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) perform the last rites of a deceased relative in a disused granite quarry repurposed to cremate the dead due to COVID-19 on April 30, 2021 in Bengaluru, India. With recorded cases crossing 380,000 a day and 3000 deaths in the last 24 hours, India has more than 2