Topic: Covid-19 testing
Activists, experts seek all deaths data since 2018 to assess true impact of Covid
The demand has been made in an open letter by a group of over 230 public health professionals, epidemiologists and activists, including Gautam Menon, Giridhar R. Babu, and T. Jacob John.
Why residents of Ahmedabad have become sceptical about testing for Covid-19
In May, central Ahmedabad had witnessed a spike in cases. But now, the outbreak has spread to the western parts, which have the maximum number of containment zones.
How India increased its Covid testing capacity from 52 labs to over 1,300 in 4 months
As on 27 July, only 152 of India’s 739 districts — about 20% — didn’t have Covid-19 testing labs, thanks to a decade-old ICMR scheme.
After Delhi HC questions lower RT-PCR testing, DMs say fewer people are coming forward
Amid Delhi’s declining daily Covid-19 numbers, HC pointed out that only about 6,000 RT-PCR tests are being conducted per day, as against a capacity of 11,000.
Maharashtra doubles Covid testing in July as it looks to cut record positivity, death rates
Maharashtra govt ramped up testing to nearly 20 lakh in less than a month by giving district officials targets and democratising the regime under a single department.
Eye on 10 lakh tests a day, PM Modi to inaugurate 3 new high throughput Covid labs tomorrow
The three laboratories are in three ICMR institutes at Mumbai, Kolkata and Noida. India has ordered 8 high throughput Covid testing machines from a Swiss company.
At 4.2 lakh, India’s highest Covid tests in a day is good news, but positivity rate a concern
Data released by the health ministry shows India's positivity rate at 11.61%. A consistent 5% over two weeks is required to ease public health measures.
Covid symptoms, prescription not enough, Kolkata residents face week’s wait or more for test
Some of Kolkata’s biggest hospitals have been handing out dates as far as three weeks after the onset of symptoms. Govt helplines seem to be of no help either.
Gujarat, once a model healthcare system, is struggling with India’s worst Covid death rate
Gujarat has registered over 50,000 Covid-19 cases, and despite a dip in the mortality rate since June, the infection seems to be peaking again.
Now French, German studies say HCQ doesn’t prevent, treat Covid in primates, human lung cells
Both peer-reviewed studies published in Nature tested HCQ as pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis or prevention and treatment of Covid-19 infection.
Why music’s last best hope lies in live-streaming
Live performances have been one of the few ways for musicians to make money after cheap streaming services undermined sales of most recorded music. And then Covid shut that down.
Internet shutdowns, pandemic have cost Kashmir Rs 40,000 cr, 5 lakh jobs, says industry head
Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Sheikh Ashiq Ahmad said the 2G internet currently available in the region is not enough for many businesses.
Defence
Russia offers India Sprut lightweight tanks amid stand-off with China
Russia's offer comes as China has deployed Type 15 light tanks while India has relied on the heavier battle tanks. Talks are on, but no immediate purchase is on the cards.
Modi govt’s NEP is out of touch with reality, Indian voters want English-medium education
State leaders with their ear to the ground, like Nitish, Mamata and Yogi, have shown that the push for native language education is not what voters want.