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 […]
‘Stranded in India’ portal launched
Why in news: Ministry of Tourism launches ‘Stranded in India’ portal to help foreign tourists stuck in various parts of India. Details: The portal will disseminate information regarding the services that can be availed by foreign tourists who have stuck far away from their homeland. It aims to act as a support network for foreign […]
Government of India launches ArogyaSetu App
Why in news? The Government of India launched a mobile app ArogyaSetu developed in public-private partnership to bring the people of India together in a resolute fight against COVID-19. Details: The App, called ‘AarogyaSetu’ joins Digital India for the health and well-being of every Indian. It will enable people to assess themselves the risk of their catching the […]
GERMAN RESEARCHERS PLAN MASS IMMUNITY STUDY TO TRACK CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 SPREAD
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management Why in news? German researchers plan to regularly test over 100,000 people to see if they have overcome infection with coronavirus (COVID-19) to track its spread, an institute behind the plan confirmed on 27th March 2020. You could give immune people something similar to a vaccination certificate that could allow them […]
WHITE HOUSE, CONGRESS AGREE ON $2 TRILLION VIRUS RESCUE BILL
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Economic Development Why in news? The White House and Senate leaders of both parties announced agreement early 25th March on unprecedented emergency legislation to rush sweeping aid to businesses, workers and a health care system slammed by the coronavirus pandemic. The urgently needed pandemic response measure is the largest economic rescue […]