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. […]
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 […]
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. […]
‘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. […]
MINISTRY, SCIENTIFIC ADVISER DIFFER ON MASK USE
Why in news? India’s highest science advisory body, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA), and the Union Health Ministry appear out of sync on whether masks should be widely used by people. Ministry’s view The Ministry’s standing recommendation is that NOT everybody should be wearing masks. Among those who are not healthcare workers, […]
ANDHRA BANK FADES INTO HISTORY
Why in news? Come April 1, it will be curtains for Andhra Bank as one of the oldest and well-known household names in the region gets amalgamated with Union Bank of India. Details A part of the Central government plan to create four larger banks by merging 10, the move will see Andhra Bank over […]
SC UPHOLDS RIGHT TO DISCUSS COVID-19
Why in news? The Supreme Court on 31st March 2020 upheld the right to free discussion about COVID-19, even as it directed the media to refer to and publish the official version of the developments in order to avoid inaccuracies and large-scale panic. It ordered the government to start a daily bulletin on COVID-19 developments […]
PRE-MONSOON CROP CULTIVATION TAKES A HIT
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Agriculture, Prelims Why in news? Despite the State government being on overdrive to ensure that agricultural activities continue to be normal during this unprecedented crisis caused by COVID-19, officials are hopeful about pre-monsoon crop cultivation. Besides the main crops such as ragi and maize, farmers cultivate green gram, black gram and […]