VIRUS CASES DOUBLE IN INDIA IN FIVE DAYS, GEOFENCING APP TO HELP QUARANTINE
Why in news? The number of COVID-19 cases in India has doubled in the past week, with 328 more cases and 12 deaths reported on April 2. According to the Union Health Ministry, the tally now stands at 2,069 cases, with 53 deaths and 155 cured of the novel coronavirus infection. The Health Ministry said […]
PM ASKS STATES TO SUGGEST PLAN FOR STAGGERED END TO LOCKDOWN
Why in news? Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at his second video conference with Chief Ministers on 2nd April 2020 told them that it was “important to formulate a common exit strategy to ensure staggered re-emergence of the population once the lockdown ends.” He asked the States to brainstorm and send suggestions for the exit strategy. […]
PETRO-PRICES HIKED AS BS-VI FUEL KICKS IN
Why in news? Even as prices of international crude have dropped to the lowest in the last 18 years since 2002, state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) have increased the price of sensitive petroleum products like petrol and diesel in most Indian cities. The Central government had announced that from April 1, 2020, all vehicles sold […]
RBI RELAXES EXPORT RULES, ALLOWS STATES AND UTS TO BORROW MORE
Why in news? The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has announced more measures to fight economic disruptions caused by COVID-19, including extension of the realisation period of export proceeds and allowing States to borrow more. Details of the Extension of Export Proceeds realisation period In view of the disruption caused by the pandemic, the time […]
WORLD COULD FACE A FOOD CRISIS: UN, WTO
Why in news? The heads of three global agencies warned on 1st April of the risk of a worldwide “food shortage” if authorities fail to manage the ongoing COVID-19 crisis properly. Concerns Regarding Food Shortage Many governments around the world have put their populations on lockdown causing severe slow-downs in international trade and food supply […]
DRDO TO MAKE FIVE-LAYER MASKS AND MODIFY VENTILATORS
Why in news? The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) develops five layer N99 masks with two layers of nano mesh. The DRDO has developed a ventilator and is working with the industry to produce 5,000 of them per month to treat COVID-19 patients. Details The DRDO developed a ventilator along with the Society for […]
CENTRE DEFINES J&K DOMICILE RULES
Why in news? The Centre has notified a law under which jobs up to the lowest level of non-gazetted rank have been reserved for Jammu and Kashmir domiciles. This comes nearly seven months after the Central government abrogated Jammu and Kashmir’s special position and bifurcated it into two Union Territories — Jammu & Kashmir, and […]
INDIA SEES A SHARP SPIKE IN COVID-19 INFECTIONS
Why in news? India reported three deaths and over 370 new cases on April 1 — the highest-ever single-day increase in its COVID-19 tally. An official of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said 47,951 tests had been conducted so far, including 861 by private laboratories, and 126 ICMR laboratories were involved in testing. […]
HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE COMBINATION ALLOWED
Why in news? The Union Health Ministry has allowed the use of Hydroxychloroquine in combination with Azithromycin under close monitoring for patients with severe disease and requiring ICU management as per the revised Guidelines on Clinical Management of COVID–19. Details Hydroxychloroquine was previously under testing and was allowed to be administered only to doctors and […]
‘STEP UP CHECKING IN PATIENTS’; COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION IN INDORE?; MIDDLE-AGE MORTALITY
Why in news? At a time when hotspot containment measures are among the focus areas for prevention and control of the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19), renowned virologist T. Jacob John has called for a shift in strategy — chasing the virus should be phased down and checking the virus in infected persons should be stepped up. […]