As of now, 4,257 people have been cured with a recovery rate of 19.89%. Since yesterday, an increase of 1409 new cases has been reported. Also, a total of 21,393 people have been confirmed positive as of now for COVID-19 in India. 78 districts from 23 States/UTs have not reported any fresh cases during the last 14 days.
Union Cabinet in its meeting held on 22nd April 2020 has approved promulgation of an Ordinance to amend the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 to protect healthcare service personnel and property including their living/working premises against violence during epidemics. The President has given his assent for promulgation of the Ordinance. The Ordinance provides for making such acts of violence cognizable and non-bailable offences and for compensation for injury to healthcare service personnel or for causing damage or loss to the property in which healthcare service personnel may have a direct interest in relation to the epidemic.
More than 33 crore poor people received financial assistance of Rs 31,235crore under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Package; Rs 10,025 crore disbursed to 20.05 crore to Women Jan Dhan account holders; Rs 1405crore disbursed to about 2.82 crore old age persons, widows and disabled persons; First instalment of PM-KISAN :Rs16,146 crore transferred to 8 crore farmers; Rs 162 crore transferred in 68,775 establishments as EPF contribution, benefitting 10.6 lakh employees; 2.17 crore Building & Construction workers received financial support amounting to Rs 3497 crore; Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana:39.27 crore beneficiaries distributed free ration of food grains; 1,09,227 MT of Pulses dispatched to various States/UTs; Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana : 2.66 crore free LPG cylinders delivered.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi shall be addressing various Gram Panchayats across the country on Friday, the 24th of April 2020. The Day is celebrated annually as the National Panchayati Raj Day. As the country is observing Social Distancing through Lockdown, the Prime Minister shall be interacting with various participants through video-conferencing.
Raksha Mantri inaugurates DRDO developed Mobile Laboratory to test COVID19 samples
The Mobile Lab will be helpful to carry out diagnosis of COVID-19 and also virus culturing for drug screening, Convalescent plasma derived therapy, comprehensive immune profiling of COVID-19 patients towards vaccine development early clinical trials specific to Indian population. The lab screens 1000-2000 samples per day. This lab can be positioned anywhere in the country, as per requirement.
HRD Minister releases Alternative Academic Calendar for the upper primary stage
In order to engage students meaningfully during their stay at home due to COVID-19 through educational activities at home with the help of their parents and teachers, the alternative academic calendars at primary and upper primary stage (Classes VI to VIII) have been developed by the NCERT under the guidance of the MHRD.
Pharma Secretary asks State Drug Controllers to help Pharmaceutical firms in augmenting production of medicines in the country: State Drugs Controllers (SDCs) have been requested to ensure the availability of essential medicines and medical devices required in the management of COVID-19 treatment. They were also requested to ensure the utilization of manufacturing capacity to full extent so that sufficient stocks without any hindrance can be made available at all levels.
