India

NEW DELHI, May 17 (Xinhua) -- The Indian government Monday launched the first batch of its indigenous anti-COVID-19 drug, 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG).

The drug developed by the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), a lab of India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Dr. Reddy's Laboratories (DRL), in the southern city Hyderabad, is used to treat COVID-19 patients.

Kanpur: The State Industrial Development Authority has speeded up its task to establish oxygen plants at Chakeri, Panki, Zainpur and Trans-Ganga areas to meet the requirement amid Corona's second wave.

It is being hoped that as many as 44 tonnes of oxygen will start producing soon. So far the acquirement of land for establishing the unit is the main concern.

Many industrialists have shown interest in starting the plant. Whatever process is required must be completed in less time. The officers concerned have been directed to extend help in this regard.

BENGALURU, India (AP) — For the first time in months, Izhaar Hussain Shaikh is feeling somewhat optimistic.

The 30-year-old ambulance driver in India’s metropolis of Mumbai has been working tirelessly ever since the city became the epicenter of another catastrophic COVID-19 surge slashing through the country. Last month, he drove about 70 patients to the hospital, his cellphone constantly vibrating with calls.

But two weeks into May, he’s only carried 10 patients. Cases are falling and so are the phone calls.

NEW DELHI, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing COVID-19 lockdown in India's New Delhi has been extended by a week further till May 24, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said Sunday.

Kejriwal told the media that COVID-19 cases are showing a downward trend in Delhi and people were recovering from the infection.

"We don't want the gains that we have achieved in the past days to go vain at once, so we are extending the lockdown for one more week," Kejriwal said.

The ongoing lockdown is extended till May 24 5:00 a.m. local time.

Lucknow, May 16 (PTI) Senior Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan's condition is "better and satisfactory" but he remains in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), the hospital treating him said in a statement here on Sunday.

Khan and his son Abdullah were were shifted from the Sitapur jail to Medanta Hospital here on May 9 for coronavirus treatment.

"Member of Parliament Azam Khan is in the ICU following a severe COVID infection. As compared to yesterday, his oxygen requirement was less. Today, the condition of Azam Khan is better and satisfactory," the hospital said.

NEW DELHI (AP) — A severe cyclone is roaring in the Arabian Sea off southwestern India with winds of up to 140 kilometers per hour (87 miles per hour), already causing heavy rains and flooding that have killed at least four people, officials said Sunday.

Cyclone Tauktae, the season’s first major storm, is expected to make landfall on Tuesday in Gujarat state, a statement by the India Meteorological Department said.

Kolkata, May 16 (PTI) Streets were largely empty in the metropolis and elsewhere in West Bengal on Sunday as the 15-day COVID 19-induced lockdown came into effect in the state, with just a few vehicles seen ferrying essential items during the day.

Buses and other passenger vehicles stayed off the roads, and shops selling non-essential items had shutters down, in accordance with the curbs imposed by the government as part of the lockdown.

Jammu, May 15 (PTI) Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad discussed the coronavirus situation with Jammu and Kashmir unit president G A Mir on Saturday, expressing concern over the high number of fatalities.

Days after being nominated as the head of party's COVID Task Force, Azad also reviewed the efforts of the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha-led administration to tackle the pandemic, a party spokesperson said.

Lucknow, May 15 (PTI) Censuring the Yogi Adityanath government for its alleged failure in handling the grim Covid-situation in Uttar Pradesh, former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Saturday said the government has become a liability for the people.

The BJP government in Uttar Pradesh has become a liability instead of an asset for the people, said Yadav, claiming that the infection is fast spreading to villages across the state.

Firozabad, May 15 (PTI) Two doctors posted at primary health centres in Firozabad succumbed to COVID-19, officials said on Saturday.

DM Chandra Vijay Singh said Dr Virendra Kumar, a resident of Mainpuri district, was posted at the Didamai primary health centre and tested positive for COVID-19 on April 21, after which he was admitted to a medical college here.

Later, he was shifted to Lucknow's King George's Medical University, where he died on Saturday.

Dr Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Agra, had contracted the infection almost 25 days ago.