India’s coronavirus cases rise to 1965, death toll touches 50: Health Ministry

The total number of coronavirus cases in India has risen to 1965 with 50 fatalities. There are now 1764 active cases and 151 have been cured/discharged, according to Health Ministry website.

As per the government release, National Cadet Corps (NCC) has offered a helping hand to civilian authorities in the country’s fight against COVID-19 by extending the services of cadets under ‘Exercise NCC Yogdan’. It has issued guidelines for temporary employment of its cadets to augment relief efforts and functioning of various agencies involved in battling the pandemic.

 The tasks envisaged for NCC cadets include, manning of helpline/call centres; distribution of relief materials/medicines/ food/essential commodities; community assistance; data management and queue & traffic management.  According to the guidelines, cadets should not be employed in handling of law and order situation or for active military duties or at hot spots, the statement said.

 Only Senior Division volunteer cadets above 18 years of age will be employed. They should be employed in small cohesive groups of eight to 20 under the supervision of Permanent Instructor Staff or/and an Associate NCC Officer, it said.

Press Information Bureau (PIB) has set up a portal – COVID 19 Fact Check Unit which will receive messages by email and send its response in quick time. PIB will also release a daily Bulletin at 8 pm every day to inform regarding Government’s decisions and developments and progress on COVID 19.

Furthermore, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare has set up a Technical Group consisting of professionals from AIIMS, et al, to clarify any doubts in the minds of the general public on any technical aspect of COVID 19. The Ministry has also issued detailed Guidelines to deal with psychological issues amongst migrants.