Journalists in UP to get priority in vaccination
The Uttar Pradesh government has announced that journalists and their families will now get special consideration in the state and will be given priority in vaccination against COVID-19. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Tuesday issued instructions to allot separate vaccination centers for journalists and their family members, who are above 18 years of age, an official statement said.
The chief minister took the decision to recognise the efforts of journalists, who have been putting their lives and health at risk to cover the pandemic, it said.
Adityanath has also instructed officials to ensure that all journalists get vaccinated, the statement said.
"If required, go to their workplace and administer free vaccination. All those above 18 years of age will be vaccinated in the families of journalists," Adityanath said.
Non-accredited journalists and freelancers will also get the benefit of the welfare scheme, the statement said.
COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh Tuesday breached the 350-mark for daily COVID-19 deaths as 352 patients succumbed to the viral disease, but one-day recoveries outstripped new cases by over 12,500, according to official figures. The state reported 25,858 new cases and 38,683 recoveries, the data showed.
The latest additions take the state's overall coronavirus numbers to 13,798 fatalities, 13,68,183 infections and 2,72,568 active cases, the data showed.
The total number of patients discharged from hospitals in the state stands at 10,81,817.
Of the 352 fresh deaths, Kanpur accounted for a whopping 66 fatalities, followed by Ghaziabad (24), Lucknow (22). Varanasi (19), Jhansi (15) and Gautam Buddh Nagar (11), the state government said in a statement issued.
Of the 25,858 fresh cases, the capital city of Lucknow recorded 2,407 cases, followed by Gautam Buddh Nagar (1,761), Jhansi (1,232), Varanasi (1,174), Ghaziabad (1,057), and Moradabad (1,007).
More than 2.08 lakh samples were tested in the state during the period, taking the overall number to 4.18 crore.
Yogi Adityanath directs for mega testing campaign
Meanwhile, in order to protect villages from the pandemic, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has directed a mega testing campaign in rural areas from May 5.
Under this drive, monitoring committees will go door-to-door to check people’s temperature and oxygen levels with infrared thermometers and pulse oximeters.
ASHA and Angandwadi workers have been provided special training in this regard.
As many as 10 lakh antigen testing of those with symptoms or suspected cases will be done followed by home isolation, institutional quarantine or hospitalization, depending upon the particular case, the UP government said.
A medical kit would be given to the patient before they are placed in home isolation.
Presiding over a high-level review meeting here on Tuesday, the CM asked officers to make oxygen available to people under home isolation.
If a patient’s family is trying to refill the cylinder, they should be helped, the statement said, adding the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) will be overseeing the entire operation.
Efforts are also being made to technically alter nitrogen plants to make oxygen, it said.
Special efforts are being made by the Sugarcane Development Department and the Excise Department for oxygen generation in sugar mills and distilleries.
Supplies are also being provided directly from the MSME units by connecting them to hospitals, the statement said.
