Enough is Enough: Delhi HC Directs Centre to Arrange Oxygen
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The Delhi High Court told the Centre on Saturday, 1 May that the hospitals in the national capital should be given medical oxygen supply “by whatever means”.
“Water has gone above the head. Now we mean business. You (Centre) will arrange everything now,” the court said while hearing petitions on the condition of health infrastructure in Delhi amid the second wave.
Earlier during the hearing, Delhi’s Batra hospital had told the court that they lost patients, including one of their doctors, as they ran out of oxygen supply for almost 80 minutes on Saturday.
- India reported 4,01,993 new COVID-19 cases and 3,523 deaths, as per the Union Health Ministry on Saturday
- United Stated has issued a proclamation to restrict travel of non-citizens from India starting 4 May
- A weekend lockdown has been announced in nine districts of Haryana amid a massive COVID-19 surge
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US to Restrict Travel From India Starting 4 May
The United States will restrict the travel of non-citizens from India starting 4 May. A proclamation issued by the Joe Biden administration will prohibit the entry of non-citizens who have been present in India for 14 days before their entry into the United States.
However, the entry restriction doesn’t apply to several categories including lawful permanent residents (LPRs), non-citizens married to Americans or green card holders, non-citizen parents or legal guardians of minors who are US citizens or green card holders among others.
India Reports Over 4 Lakh New Cases
India reported 4,01,993 new COVID-19 cases and 3,523 deaths on Saturday, 1 May, as per the Union Health Ministry. The total number of cases in the country now stand at 1,91,64,969.
COVID Crisis in India Very Serious, Says US Official
The Biden Administration on Friday noted that the COVID crisis in India is very “serious”.
Speaking to reports at a news conference in Washington, Gayle E Smith, the State Department Coordinator for Global COVID Response and Health Security said, “I'm afraid that the crisis in India with the surge in the virus is indeed very, very serious. India's reporting an increasing number of cases almost every day. The crisis has not peaked yet.”
Australians Returning Home From India Could Face Jail Term, Fine
Australian citizens returning home from India could face fine or five years in jail as the government temporarily makes the journey illegal. The restrictions, issued late on Friday, will come into effect from 3 May.
The move comes as India grapples with a rising number of COVID-19 cases.
'Go to Vaccination Centres After You've Received a Message': Mumbai Mayor
As India rolls out vaccines for people above 18 years, Mumbai Mayor Kishori Pednekar told ANI that people who have registered on the CoWIN app and have received a message can go to the vaccination centres.
“Don't go to centres until and unless you receive a message. If you have registered but have not received a message, don't go to the centre,” she was quoted as saying by ANI.
She also added that priority will be given to people between the age group of 45 to 60 for their second dose.
Anthony Fauci Suggests Lockdown in India
Dr Anthony Fauci, chief medical adviser to the Joe Biden administration and one of the most trusted global voices on COVID, has suggested an “immediate shutdown” for a few weeks in India due to the crisis cases.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Fauci said that no country likes to shutdown but that will provide a window to take critical steps out of this situation.
Lost Lives Due to Oxygen Shortage: Batra Hospital Tells Delhi High Court
Delhi’s Batra Hospital told the Delhi High Court that they lost lives, including one of their own doctor, as they ran out of oxygen supply at around 12:45 pm. They informed the court that they were out of oxygen for almost 80 minutes.
News agency PTI reported that eight patients died, including the hospital’s gastroenteritis head Dr RK Himthani.
Delhi HC Pulls Up Centre, Says "Arrange Everything Now"
The Delhi High Court told the Centre that the hospitals in the national capital should be given medical oxygen supply “by whatever means”.
“Water has gone above the head. Now we mean business. You (Centre) will arrange everything now,” the court said while hearing petitions on the condition of health infrastructure in Delhi amid the second wave.
Alluding to the death of eight people in Batra hospital, the high court said, “You have made the oxygen allocation. You have to fulfil it. Eight lives have lost. We can’t shut our eyes to it.”