Delhi has reported 11,659 coronavirus cases – the second-highest in the country so far – after Mumbai. It also recorded its highest surge with 571 new cases on May 21. It has reported more than 500 cases each in the last three days (500 on May 19 and 534 on May 20).
Delhi was unlucky with its initial rise in cases, linked to two major events – the inflow of passengers from other countries in February-March and the Nizamuddin Markaz event accounting for at least 1,080 cases.
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Despite a high number of cases, what is startling is the corresponding number of deaths. Delhi has reported just 194 fatalities so far and has one of the lowest mortality rates not only among major cities in India but in the world. Even with the 500-plus surge in the last three days, the number of corresponding deaths – six, 10 and 18 – has been incredibly low.
This is remarkable keeping in mind that both the central and Delhi governments have considerably eased norms in the national capital post lockdown 3.0.
Creative 1: Mortality Rate Delhi vs Indian cities
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As per data updated till May 20, Delhi is second only to Chennai in mortality rate among major cities in India. But the national capital is three-and-a-half times the size and double the population of Chennai and so its efforts in controlling the number of deaths stands out.
Delhi’s mortality rate of just 1.59 is also among the lowest when compared with some of the major cities around the world. Just for perspective, it is 14 times lower than Brussels, 13 times than London, 12 times Bergamo, and 10 times Rio de Janiero. It is even better than Berlin, which was hailed as a model for containment of Covid-19 deaths.
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Creative 2: Mortality Rate – major cities of the world
Along with the low mortality rate, Delhi also has a very low death rate (DR) per 1 lakh people. Its DR of 0.88 is better than Kolkata (1.13), Mumbai (3.92), Ahmedabad (7.38) and Pune (3.09) among others. Of course, it can be argued that Delhi’s large population gives it a lower DR. But DR is also a function of the number of deaths, so it is to Delhi’s credit that in spite of the large population it has managed to control the number of the deceased (unlike Mumbai).
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At least 5,192 people have recovered in Delhi, which implies that its recovery rate (RR) of 47% is among the highest in comparison to other major cities in India. Just for perspective, Mumbai has an RR of 19.1%, Ahmedabad (33.8%), Chennai (25%) and Kolkata (36.6%). Compared to major states, Maharashtra has an RR of 26%, Tamil Nadu (45%), Gujarat (42%), Uttar Pradesh (59%), West Bengal (37%), Karnataka (38%) and Andhra Pradesh (63%).
“If the recovery rate is high and death rate low, the disease will not be as scary. Delhi’s recovery rate is high. People are contracting the disease but are also recovering,” said Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal recently.
Delhi had also conduced 1,50,282 Covid-19 tests by May 20, which meant it was conducting 7,585 tests per million people – among the highest in India (compared to other states). Coupled with this is its tests/death ratio of 854 – higher than the national average of 762.
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How has the administration prevented the loss of lives in the capital despite a surge in cases?
Sources in the Delhi government give credit to the healthcare system and its preparedness in treating the patients. Kejriwal said Delhi had boosted the medical facilities to accommodate the rush of patients by adding more beds and ventilators and making sure there were enough PPE kits for the staff. Eight private and six government hospitals are designated to treat Covid-19 patients in Delhi.
“Our focus is on bringing down the death rate. If you look at the figures in Delhi, the rate is already low. There are close to 1,800 people admitted in hospitals and of those only about 150 are in a serious condition. I am personally tracking the progress of each,” Kejriwal said on May 19.
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However, recent reports have claimed the Delhi administration is under-reporting the number of coronavirus deaths. There is a mis-match between the number of deaths reported and the cumulative numbers from the hospitals – this was first highlighted in a news report on May 8 in The National Herald – a paper with political affiliations to the Congress party. Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain said the discrepancy was there as many hospitals fail to send summaries when they report deaths.
The Delhi government had clarified on May 15 that it reports the number of deaths where the primary cause of the death is coronavirus. The deaths are audited by a three-member committee formed by the government.
There also seems to be a brewing confrontation between the BJP-ruled Municipal Corporations and the Delhi government over the number of Covid-19 deaths. The North and South Delhi Municipal Corporations claimed to have recorded 426 Covid-19 cremations at six designated burial grounds till May 16.
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The Delhi government, while acknowledging the reports from both corporations, added that neither had submitted supporting documents and reports for the bodies they claimed had tested positive.
“The health bulletin reports death as declared by the Death Audit Committee. In the report submitted by the MCDs, a significant number of cases did not have the necessary documents. After studying all the reports, the number declared by the Death Audit Committee was found to be accurate,” said a government spokesperson.
The Kejriwal government on Sunday also issued an order stating there was no need to test dead bodies for Covid-19 – some other states are also following this procedure, which is against the guidelines of the ICMR and WHO. While experts are divided on testing dead bodies for Covid-19, they insist classification of death is important.
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In the days to come, the controversy over Covid-19 deaths in Delhi will become clearer but it would be appropriate until then to take the official count as the actual count of Covid-19 deaths in the capital.
And if that holds, credit should be given where it is due.
Passionate news enthusiast with a flair for words. Our Editorial Team author brings you the latest updates, in-depth analysis, and engaging stories. Stay informed with their well-researched articles.
The internet is currently divided following a viral video that showed remarks by students from Galgotias University about Sam Pitroda, the Chair of the Indian Overseas Congress, regarding the ‘inheritance tax’.
As per Business Standard, this incident that has filled the entire nation with laughter took place in Greater Noida. Purposedly, the students of Galgotias University held a protest in Delhi.
Galgotias University Students Rally With ‘Unclear’ Agenda Spark Meme Frenzy
When an AajTak reporter reached the protest site, he questioned the students engaged in the protests. The reporter asked the students the motive behind their protest and the message their placards conveyed.
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Ye chaman sab India ke future hai..bheed ban kar rah Gaya hai aaj kal ka youth.. Social media ka influence hai sab. Aab to samne aa gaya na ki #galgotiasuniversity noida mai kaise admissions ho raha.. DONATION WALE STUDENTS pic.twitter.com/C5ZvP1BmMC— Pawan Shukla (@Shukla9_) May 1, 2024
Students seemed clueless about the questions asked. While responses from other students were even funny and laughable.
Thus, the video showcasing students’ response has gone viral all over the social media platforms. The video has also garnered funny reactions from netizens online.
Meme Fest All Over the Internet
When the students were questioned, their relies on were just a comedy of errors.
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One student stated that his motive behind the protest was his desire for a developed India. However, he lacked the basic specifics.
Another student acknowledged that he was clueless regarding the Congress manifesto. Several protestors even struggled to read what was printed on their placards.
When a student was asked to read the slogan written on the placard, the student read ‘urban naxal’ as ‘urban maxwell.’
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It seemed that the protest was made to touch a range of issues in the nation, such as women’s empowerment, urban naxalism, NaMo’s stand on mangalsutra and wealth redistribution, inheritance tax and many more. However, clarity remains elusive.
Videos circulating on social media garnered mixed reactions. Some laughed while others their criticism and showed disappointment at the students’ lack of awareness.
Responses received from students even triggered a meme fest all over the internet. Take a look!
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An indian university of international repute is demonised and Galgotia is weaponised! 😂😂
You all know why. Today we are ruled by JNU students Jaishankar and Nirmala Tai. Tomorrow in Viksit Bharat we will be ruled by Galgotia Graduates! pic.twitter.com/TGRHHdE7If— sanjoy ghose (@advsanjoy) May 2, 2024
Parents of Galgotia University students watching the interview of their kids on Aaj Tak 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/WqgqsS4GOM— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) May 1, 2024
Galgotia University of Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh and its owner are proudly displaying their illiterate students who brought shame to this university.
Congress-led INDIA Alliance govt will ensure that this university refunds the fees to these student’s parents.
A huge update for those who were a part of COVID vaccination programs! Rare side effects of the vaccination have surfaced, questioned by numerous health experts.
The Economic Times reported that AstraZeneca, the British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical and biotechnology company, has legally acknowledged that its product, Covishield, can cause certain rare side effects.
AstraZeneca developed Covishield, which was produced by the Serum Institute of India. In India, Covishield was one of the primary vaccines provided to citizens.
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AstraZeneca’s Statements
AstraZeneca is currently facing a lawsuit in a UK court. The lawsuit was filed after claims surfaced on the internet that AstraZeneca’s vaccine caused deaths. To date, 51 deaths have been reported, hence 51 cases have been filed against the company.
AstraZeneca finally admitted in one of the court papers that, “Covishield can, in very rare cases, cause TTS.” TTS stands for Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome.
Dr. Rajeev Jayadevan, a medical expert, told ANI,
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“TTS is thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which is basically a clot in the blood vessels of the brain or elsewhere, along with a low platelet count. It is known to occur in very rare instances following certain types of vaccines and also from other causes. According to the WHO, adenovirus vector vaccines, in particular, have rarely been associated with this condition.”
TTS: About, Diagnosis, Treatment
TTS, or Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, is a serious yet rare health condition characterized by low platelet counts (thrombocytopenia) along with the formation of blood clots (thrombosis).
Various symptoms associated with TTS include neurological deficits, shortness of breath, leg swelling, abdominal pain, and severe headaches.
TTS can be diagnosed if blood tests are conducted to assess the levels of platelets in the blood. Moreover, to detect blood clots, imaging studies are required, reported the Times of India.
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TTS can be treated with a multidisciplinary approach. It includes supportive care, anticoagulation therapy to prevent blood clotting, and hospitalization.
To manage and stabilize platelet levels in the body, plasma exchange and intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) can also be performed.
Patients with TTS are prone to severe complications like death and organ damage. Hence, close monitoring of patients by healthcare providers is a must.
The prime suspect in the murder case of a famous Punjabi singer, Goldy Brar, is alive, reported TOI.
Goldy is the infamous Canadian gangster who was earlier rumored to be dead in an alleged incident that took place at Fairmont and Holt Avenue last Tuesday.
In the incident, one of the two individuals reportedly got gunshot wound and succumbed to injuries at the hospital. You can read our story about California shooting incident in which Goldy Brar allegedly got shot here.
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As per the US police, reports of Goldy’s disappearance were circulating all over the internet on Tuesday. However, the U.S. authorities clarified the rumors of Brar’s disappearance in a California shooting incident are untrue.
The claims were refuted by the Fresno police department and labeled them as fake. William J. Dooley, the Lieutenant, debunked online speculations and announced that the victim of the California shooting was not Goldy Brar.
William J. Dooley stated,
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“If you are inquiring because of the online chatter claiming that the shooting victim is ‘Goldy Brar’, we can confirm that this is absolutely not true.”
Who is Goldy Brar?
Goldy Brar, hailing from Muktsar Sahib, Punjab, is a close ally of gangster Lawrence Bishnoi. It is anticipated that he is the mastermind behind the assassination of Sidhu Moose Wala, the Punjabi pop icon.
According to The Economic Times, in January 2024, Satinderjit Singh, also known as Goldy Brar, was designated as a terrorist by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the anti-terror law, UAPA (Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act).
Orders by the government-linked Goldy Brar to a listed terrorist organization under the UAPA, Babbar Khalsa International.
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Goldy Brar has never ceased to vanish from police’s eyes since he murdered Punjabi singer Sidhu Moosewala. His father also was a Police Officer himself.
After completing his graduation and getting a BS degree, he has been operating from Canada remotely.
Last year Goldy’s statement, targetting Bollywood superstar Salman Khan next made huge media headlines.
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