It appears Centre wants people to die: Delhi High Court

Relatives carry a COVID patient needing oxygen support to a hospital in Prayagraj, UP, on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

The Delhi High Court Wednesday said it appeared that the Centre wanted people to die as according to the new protocol on use of remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment, the drug was to be given only to those on oxygen support.

"This is wrong. This is a complete non-application of mind. Now people who do not have oxygen will not get remdesivir either. It appears you want people to die," Justice Prathiba M Singh said to the central government.

It appears the Centre was changing the protocol to reduce the shortage of the drug, the high court said. "This is complete mismanagement," the court added.

It was hearing a plea by a lawyer who is suffering from COVID-19 and was able to get only three out of the six doses of remdesivir required.

Due to court's intervention, the lawyer got the remaining vials on Tuesday (April 27) night.

‘Revolt against lying govt'

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Wednesday said he was appalled by the health minister's statement that there is no shortage of oxygen, vaccines or remedesivir in the country. "I am also appalled by the statement of the UP CM that there is no shortage of vaccines in UP," he tweeted.

He asked whether all the television channels were telecasting fake visuals and all the newspaper stories incorrect. "Are all the doctors lying? Are all the family members making false statements? Are all the visuals and photographs fake?

"People must revolt against a government that is assuming all the people of India are fools," he tweeted. Health minister Harsh Vardhan had recently said there is no shortage of oxygen or vaccines in the country.

Serum cuts vaccine price

Serum Institute of India (SII) - the maker of Covishield - on Wednesday announced a cut in price of the vaccine it plans to sell to states to R300 per dose from the earlier Rs 400. This follows widespread criticism of its pricing policy as it has sold the initial doses of Covishield to the Centre at R150 per dose. SII's CEO Adar Poonawalla took to Twitter to announce the "philanthropic" gesture. India saw a record single-day rise of 3,60,960 Coronavirus cases and the death toll crossed two lakh following 3,293 fresh fatalities, according to Union health ministry data updated on Wednesday morning.

4-day lockdown in Goa

The Goa government on Wednesday announced a four-day lockdown in the state beginning April 29 until May 3. "Weekly markets will not be allowed during the lockdown. Industrial services will be allowed to function," Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said.

Poll officials crowd a material supply centre in Kolkata, on Wed. Pic/PTI

EC orders curbs for counting day

Candidates or their agents will not be allowed inside counting halls without a negative Coronavirus report or without having both COVID-19 vaccine doses, the Election Commission said on Wednesday in its latest guidelines. Counting of votes for assembly polls in Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Puducherry, besides various other assemblies and Lok Sabha bypolls begins at 8 am on May 2.

Beneficiaries with comorbidities priority: Delhi

The next phase of the COVID-19 vaccination for those in the 18-44 age group is likely to begin at "moderate" pace in Delhi and people with comorbidities will be given preference, said officials on Wednesday. The Delhi government has placed an order for over 1.3 crore doses with manufacturers. The vaccines will be delivered in phases. "We are likely to have a moderate start and it will be ramped up gradually," said an official.

1,79,97,267
Total no. of coronavirus cases in India so far

2,01,187
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

1,48,17,371
Total no. of patients recovered and discharged in India so far

14,78,27,367
(Total no. of people vaccinated so far)

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