The number of total active cases of COVID-19 in the country further swelled up today to comprise nearly 17 percent of the total reported cases. The Health Ministry has informed that currently over 34 lakh 47 thousand people are reported to be suffering from the viral pandemic and are either hospitalised or are under home isolation.

In the last 24 hours, the nation registered 3 lakh 57 thousand 229 new COVID cases. With this the recovery rate has further slipped to stand at 81.91 per cent.

Since yesterday over 3 lakh 20 thousand people have been discharged from Hospitals or are reported to have been completely cured. So far, over 1 crore 66 lakh people have recovered from the COVID-19 infection in the country. Ten States including Maharashtra, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat & Kerala continue to be the major hotspots of the viral pandemic. Nearly 75 per cent of the new cases are reported from these 10 states. The Health Ministry has informed that three thousand 449 COVID related deaths were reported in the last 24 hours taking the cumulative toll to 2 lakh 22 thousand 408.

With a special focus on the 5-point principle of  ‘Test, Track, Treat, Isolate & Vaccinate’, the number of cumulative COVID-19 testing reported by Indian Council of Medical Research, ICMR has surpassed the figure of 29 crore 33 lakh. The apex medical research body has informed that in the past 24 hours more than 16 lakh 63 thousand samples were tested in the country. As of today, two thousand 506 laboratories are engaged in the work of testing COVID samples across the country which includes one thousand 241 government and one thousand 265 private labs. 

Union Education Ministry has written to all centrally funded institutions to postpone their offline examinations scheduled in the month of May this year in view of COVID surge. In a letter addressed to all the heads of centrally funded institutions, Secretary, Higher Education Amit Khare has urged the Institutions to postpone all offline examinations scheduled in the month of May. The Online examinations may however continue as scheduled.
 
The letter also stated that the decision will be reviewed in the first week of June. All Institutions have been asked to encourage everyone eligible to get vaccinated and also ensure all possible help in every regard.

In a major relief, Centre has waived off IGST on the import of COVID related medical supplies including Remdesivir Injection/API, Medical Oxygen, O2 Concentrators, Cryogenic tanks & COVID Vaccines among others. The exemption has been granted till 30th June for free distribution of these medical supplies.
 
Earlier the Centre had waived the import duty & health cess on such medical supplies.
 
This exemption will enable import of the COVID relief supply imported free of cost for free distribution without payment of IGST. State Governments have been asked to appoint a nodal authority to facilitate the importers to avail the relief exemption.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the growing need of human resources required for dealing with the crisis of Covid-19 situation in the country.

Many important decisions have been taken during the review meeting which will significantly boost availability of medical personnel required for treatment of Covid patients.
 
Among the many decisions, a decision has been taken to postpone NEET-Post Graduate exam for at least four months.
 
This will ensure the availability of qualified doctors for Covid duties.
 
The exam will not be held before 31st of August of this year and students will be given at least one month of time after the announcement of the exam.
 
It has also been decided to allow deployment of medical interns in the Covid management duties under the supervision of their faculty.
 
The services of final year MBBS students can be utilized for providing services like tele-consultation and monitoring of mild COVID cases.
 
The services of final year post graduate students as residents may continue to be utilized.
 
It has further been decided that services of B.Sc. and General Nursing and Midwifery nurses may be utilized in Covid nursing duties under the supervision of Senior Doctors and Nurses.
 
In a major decision, it has been decided that the individuals providing services in COVID management will be given priority in forthcoming regular government recruitments after they complete a minimum of 100 days of COVID duties.
 
The medical students and professionals sought to be engaged in COVID related work will be suitably vaccinated.
 
Engaged Health professionals will be covered under the Insurance Scheme of Government.
 
All such professionals will be given the Prime Minister’s Distinguished COVID National Service Samman after completion of their 100 days of COVID duties.
 
The States and Union Territories have been requested to consider the above incentives to maximise the availability of manpower to provide relief to the Covid patients.