India sees day of maximum COVID-19 case recoveries
Total infections since January near 2.4m; death toll stands at 47,033; Modi unveils transparent taxation, rights charter for taxpayers; Pranab is ‘deeply comatose with stable vital parameters’
India on Thursday claimed its largest number of single-day recoveries from COVID-19. The cure and discharge of 56,383 patients on Wednesday has added up the total number of recoveries to 1.7 million (precisely (16,95,982), even as the country’s total infections since January neared 2.4 million.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the case fatality rate has further improved to 1.96%. The death toll stood at 47,033, with the addition of 834 fatalities on Wednesday.
Ministry officials said Utar Pradesh, West Bengal, Bihar and Assam have the maximum number of new cases now, though Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu remain on top.
The combined new cases in UP and West Bengal add up to over 100,000, they said. Bihar is also seeing fast growth of COVID-19 cases.
“Since the start of July, the infection numbers in Bihar and Assam have grown by more than eight times, while in Utar Pradesh it has increased by five times. West Bengal has seen its numbers rise by more than four times during this period.
“The death numbers in Utar Pradesh and West Bengal have increased proportionately, and both the states have counted more than 2,200 deaths till now,” they said.
Ministry officials also revealed that an expert panel assigned for preparations to procure, finance and distribute a potential COVID-19 vaccine for mass immunisation has decided that all procurement will be done centrally.
Each consignment will be tracked real time until delivery to ensure it reaches those who need it most.
Niti Aayog member (health) VK Paul chaired the meeting, which also discussed the maintenance of a cold chain during distribution and storage to ensure vaccine viability, inventory, resource mobilisation, and ensuring equitable access.
State governments do not need to procure COVID-19 vaccines separately, the panel decided.
States must desist from investing time and money into the procurement process. The high-powered commitee will be doing it in a centralised manner.
“The commitee also advised all the states not to chart separate pathways of procurement.”
The expert group deliberated on conceptualisation and implementation mechanisms for creation of a digital infrastructure for inventory management and delivery mechanism of the vaccine including tracking of vaccination process with particular focus on last-mile delivery,” the health ministry said in a statement.
The expert group has referred the selection of the right vaccine candidate to the Standing Technical Sub-commitee of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
To further digitise the Income Tax Department’s functioning, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday launched the ‘transparent taxation’ plaform among other reforms.
Consequently, the move brings into effect faceless assessment of taxpayers, faceless appeals and the Rights’ Charter for the taxpayers.
With the ‘Transparent Taxation Honouring the Honest’ that is aimed at carrying forward the journey of direct tax reforms, the taxpayers would not be harassed or treated with suspicion here on.
Speaking at the launch, the Prime Minister said that India is among a few countries giving such rights and dignity to the taxpayers.
Former President Pranab Mukherjee is “deeply comatose with stable vital parameters,” the Army Research and Referral Hospital said on Thursday. His health condition remains unchanged.
“The condition of Pranab Mukherjee remains unchanged this morning. He is deeply comatose with stable vital parameters and continues to be on ventilator support,” the hospital said in a statement.
Mukherjee underwent an emergency brain surgery on Sunday and was dignosed with COVID 19. He continues to remain on ventilator support. Union Minister Shripad Naik has become the fith minister at the Centre to get diagnosed with COVID. The BJP leader tweeted he is asymptomatic and has opted for home isolation.
Naik, who heads the Ayush Ministry, also urged people who had come in contact with him in last few days to get themselves tested.