Latest news with #StateRapidResponseTeam
News18
22-05-2025
- Health
- News18
Kerala Records 182 Covid-19 Cases In May, Health Minister Urges Caution
Last Updated: Kottayam topped the list with 57 cases of Covid-19 in Kerala, Ernakulam with 34 cases, and Thiruvananthapuram with 30 cases. As the state reports a rise in Covid-19 cases, with 182 new infections recorded in May, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has advised the public to remain vigilant and cautious. While addressing the media on the state's preparedness, the Kerala CM noted that the situation in countries like Hong Kong and Singapore, where the Omicron JN1 sub-variants LF.7 and NB.1.8, which have a higher capacity to spread the disease, are driving a surge in cases in Southeast Asian regions. 'Covid cases are being reported in large numbers in South East Asian countries and there is a possibility of an increase in Covid in Kerala as well," the Minister said, adding that 'while the severity is not high, self-defence is important." In Kerala's Covid-19 tally for May, Kottayam topped the list with 57 cases, Ernakulam with 34 cases, and Thiruvananthapuram with 30 cases. The remaining cases were reported from other districts across the state. Health Minister Veena George convened a high-level meeting of the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) to assess the Covid-19 situation. She said that it was decided in the meeting that Covid-19 testing will be increased for symptomatic individuals; hospitals have been instructed to ensure availability of RTPCR kits and safety equipment and masks are now mandatory in hospitals, and health workers are required to wear them at all times. George also advised the public to wear masks in public places. 'Those with symptoms such as a cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear masks. The elderly, pregnant women and those with serious illnesses should wear masks in public places and while travelling," she said. 'Unnecessary hospital visits should be avoided. It is better to wash hands with soap occasionally. Wherever you are treated, you should follow the protocol and ensure treatment in that hospital. The minister also clarified that it is not right to refer to some private hospitals when it is found that they are Covid-19," the Health Minister added. George further reassured the public that while current Covid-19 variants are highly transmissible, they don't seem to cause severe illness. She stressed the importance of precautions, early testing, and mask-wearing to prevent a wider outbreak. The RRT meeting also addressed the Nipah virus prevention efforts, concluding that the containment zone could be withdrawn as no further spread had been detected. Control room operations will continue as per protocol. With the monsoon season approaching, the Health Department warned of a potential surge in waterborne diseases like dengue and leptospirosis. To prepare, the department will step up field-level monitoring and public health activities, especially with intermittent rain expected, said Veena George. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
India Today
22-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
Kerala reports 182 Covid-19 cases in state, Health Minister urges caution
Kerala is seeing a renewed uptick in Covid-19 cases, with 182 infections reported across the state so far in May. In light of this surge, Health Minister Veena George urged the public to be vigilant and maintain addressed the media on the state's preparedness, noting the situation in countries like Hong Kong and Singapore where the Omicron JN1 sub-variants LF.7 and NB.1.8, which have a higher capacity to spread the disease, are driving a surge in the case in South East Asian cases are being reported in large numbers in South East Asian countries and there is a possibility of an increase in Covid in Kerala as well,' the Minister said, adding that 'while the severity is not high, self-defence is important.' Among the 182 new cases recorded in May in Kerala: Kottayam reported the highest number with 57 cases, Ernakulam followed with 34 cases and Thiruvananthapuram registered 30 cases. The rest of the cases were distributed across other MEASURES AND ADVISORYGeorge also made known that a high-level meeting of the State Rapid Response Team (RRT) was convened under her leadership of George to review the evolving situation and plan further action. She said that it was decided in the meeting that Covid-19 testing will be increased for symptomatic individuals; hospitals have been instructed to ensure availability of RTPCR kits and safety equipment and masks are now mandatory in hospitals, and health workers are required to wear them at all minister also gave specific advice to the public: 'Those with symptoms such as cold, sore throat, cough, and shortness of breath must wear masks. It is advisable for the elderly, pregnant women and those with serious illnesses to wear masks in public places and while traveling.'She added: 'Unnecessary hospital visits should be avoided. It is better to wash hands with soap occasionally. Wherever you are treated, you should follow the protocol and ensure treatment in that hospital. The minister also clarified that it is not right to refer to some private hospitals when it is found that they are Covid-19.'NEUTRAL OUTLOOKWhile the current Covid variants have shown high transmissibility, Minister George reassured the public that 'the severity is not high'. Still, she emphasised precaution, early testing, and mask usage as key steps to preventing a larger RRT meeting also addressed the Nipah virus prevention efforts, concluding that the containment zone could be withdrawn as no further spread had been detected. Control room operations will continue as per the monsoon season approaching, the Health Department also warned of a possible rise in dengue, leptospirosis, and other water-borne diseases. Field-level monitoring and public health activities will be intensified, especially considering the chance of intermittent rain, the minister InMust Watch
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Shopping channel ShopHQ increasing Eden Prairie layoffs to 200 workers
IV Media, LLC, the parent company of home shopping network ShopHQ, has announced the number of layoffs at its Eden Prairie operations will increase to 200 employees. The company announced in January that it would lay off 121 workers as part of a reduction in operations in the Twin Cities, with a further 7 employees later added to this for a total of 128. In a WARN mass layoff notice to Minnesota regulators, IV Media confirmed a further 72 employees would be laid off, bringing the total to 200. The layoffs are expected to take place during a 14-day period beginning on June 16 at the facility at 6740 Shady Oak Road, according to the notice received by the State Rapid Response Team. The layoffs impact varying positions throughout the company, including assistant buyer, assistant technical designer, assistant textile designer, associate digital marketing specialist, broadcast system development administrator, content producer, controller, design motion graphics senior role, and many more. IV Media is a subsidiary of Innovation Ventures, the company behind 5-Hour Energy drinks. It bought ShopHQ from previous owner iMedia Brands in 2023, when the latter filed for bankruptcy protection. Bring Me The News reached out to IV Media and ShopHQ for comment but have not received a response.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Upsher-Smith Laboratories in Plymouth to close, at least 58 employees to be laid off
The Brief Minnesota state officials announced that employees at Upsher-Smith Laboratories will be laid off after the company announced the closing of its facility in Plymouth. Some employees at the Maple Grove facility will also be impacted by the layoffs, but that location will remain open. The first phase of layoffs will be on April 4, while additional layoffs will be complete by July 31. PLYMOUTH, Minn. (FOX 9) - About 58 employees with Upsher-Smith Laboratories, one of the oldest drug manufacturers in Minnesota, will be laid off. This comes after the company announced its intention to close its facility in Plymouth, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice sent by the State Rapid Response Team on Thursday. What's next State officials say 58 employees will be impacted by the first phase of separations, which is set to happen on April 4. The WARN notice states that subsequent phases will involve more layoffs, but the exact number has not yet been determined. All phases, including the closing of Upsher-Smith's Plymouth facility, are expected to be complete by July 31, 2025. What they're saying The State Rapid Response Team said the affected employees are not represented by a union and that bumping rights do not exist. The positions impacted include machinery and chemical technicians, maintenance planners, material handlers press operators and engineers. The Source A news release from the Minnesota Employment and Economic Development.
