DST invites applications from startups and companies for developing new technologies and innovative products to tackle the second COVID wave.
NIDHI4COVID2.0, a new initiative under which the companies can apply, will fund eligible start-ups & companies registered in India offering promising solutions in the thrust areas of oxygen innovation, portable solution, relevant medical accessories, diagnostic, informatics, or any other solution that addresses/mitigate various challenges faced by country/society due to the severe impact of COVID-19.
Government of Karnataka directs hospitals to mandatorily establish step-down facility.
Patients who are well on the path of recovery and who do not require 24×7 medical attention/hospitalization shall be shifted to the step down facility.
Government of Karnataka issues guidelines on Audit of Remdesivir in COVID-19 Hospitals.
The Health Care Facility shall form a Remdesivir Audit Committee and submit a report on the use of Remdesivir pre and post audit to the Expert Committees.
PIB releases information regarding the second wave of Covid-19
Indian Sars CoV 2 Consortium of Genome Sequencing was set up to sequence samples from across the country and identify any new variants of Covid-19. The scientists have tracked known different variants of concern with the latest one being B1.617, on which effect of various vaccines are being studied and tested.
NCT Delhi issues guidelines for childcare institutions with regard to COVID-19
NCT Delhi issues guidelines to be followed in CCIs to contain spread of COVID-19. The guidelines include teaching the children proper sanitation methods and ensuring that they are strictly following them, creation of reception units for quarantining newly admitted children, coordinating with COVID Care Centres in case of any COVID positive child for treatment.
Government of Haryana allows reimbursement of GST on COVID items donations.
The Health & Family Welfare Department shall issue a certificate of such donation, which shall be submitted by such donors to the Excise and Taxation Department for claiming refund, which shall after verifying the amount of GST paid, sanction the reimbursement of GST.
Private establishments in Telangana shall pay wages to all contract, outsourcing workers during the lockdown period.
All government, as well as private establishments shall make payments of wages/salaries fully to the workers/employees including those working under contract and outsourcing basis during the above period. Any violation will be viewed seriously and will invite penal action under relevant Act(s).
Ministry of Commerce and Industry provides relaxation under Gas Cylinder Rules, 2016.
The Certification of PESO will not be mandatory pre-shipment, however, its certification will be required before use of the oxygen cylinders which entails weight and hydro testing.
MoHFW issues SOP on COVID-19 Containment & Management in Peri-urban and Rural areas.
It is desirable for each village to have adequate number of pulse oximeters and thermometers. A system of providing the pulse oximeters and thermometers on loan to families with a confirmed case of COVID should be developed through ASHA/ Anganwadi workers and village-level volunteers.
CDSCO issues advisory regarding oxygen concentrators suitable for Covid-19 case management in home setting.
It is strongly advised that all sellers must prominently display the continuous flow capacity in liter per minute, percentage of oxygen that a concentrator generates, and the maximum retail price on each model of oxygen concentrates for sale.
