Latest news with #anti-Covid
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Health
- Time of India
CM: Cov is now endemic, Bengal is fully prepared
1 2 Kolkata: Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday urged people not to panic over the current Covid situation, reminding them that the pandemic had now turned endemic. "That means it's a manageable local health issue, not a global emergency. We must learn to live with it responsibly. We saw a handful of 4,000-5,000 cases across the country. It is a type of influenza, an Omicron virus. People should not be afraid. Normalcy is there. But precautions should be taken on a personal level," the CM said. "Bengal is fully prepared." Banerjee chaired an emergency meeting on Covid with chief secretary Manoj Pant, health secretary Narayan Swaroop Nigam, DGP Rajeev Kumar, KP commissioner Manoj Verma and minister Chandrima Bhattacharya among others on Monday at Nabanna. "I held review meetings with all departments. If needed, we may resume testing and advise mask use. But for now, we are not implementing any new guidelines," said Banerjee. "Bengal has been a frontrunner in vaccination. That's why there's no reason to worry, but we must act responsibly." She urged people to stay clear of rumours on social media and trust only official govt sources. "Don't create panic. For those who have comorbidities... sometimes age is also a factor... we have arrangements. Now, we have the anti-Covid vaccine, and many are inoculated. We held the meeting to be prepared for the future so that people don't face any problem. We are not taking any decision now because such a situation has not arisen," Banerjee reiterated. The CM said cold, cough and sore throat were often mistaken for Covid, causing fear. "We get scared when we hear the word, 'Covid'. But the Covid situation in Bengal is under control. If you have a cold or cough, consult a doctor, but don't panic," the CM advised. "The govt will stand by you. Get treated at govt hospitals so that you don't have to pay a hefty amount unnecessarily."
Indian Express
21 hours ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘Don't panic about Covid,' says Mamata after review meeting with West Bengal health officials
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday held a review meeting with health and administrative officials on the current Covid-19 situation. After the meeting, she said, 'There is no need for panic or to get scared about Covid.' West Bengal reported 54 new active Covid-19 cases on Monday since Sunday, taking the total number of active cases to 747, which is currently the third highest in the country after Kerala (1,957) and Gujarat (980), according to the state's Covid dashboard. 'The pandemic has now become endemic. We get scared whenever we hear the word Covid, but the situation in Bengal is under control. I can't speak for private hospitals, as they don't fall under my jurisdiction,' Banerjee said. She added, 'Based on government data, we held a meeting with all concerned departments, from panchayat to KMC. Preparations are complete. WHO has already said it's an endemic, not a pandemic – I've heard this, but please cross-check.' Urging calm, Banerjee said, 'We should be cautious, not fearful. If something happens, we are prepared. Those with comorbidities or the elderly should be more careful.' On general health concerns, she said, 'Sometimes we get scared when we have a cough or cold due to breathing issues. Use a nebuliser, and see a doctor. The government is here to support you. I encourage treatment at government hospitals to avoid high private costs. Everything necessary is available.' She also noted that many people have already received the anti-Covid vaccine. 'We held this meeting out of concern. If needed, we'll take steps to ensure people don't face difficulties. But right now, the situation doesn't call for any new decisions. With a population of around 130 crore, 4,000-5,000 cases nationwide is not alarming. This is more like influenza, it's an Omicron variant. People should not be afraid.' 'We often see cough and cold during winter or monsoon, but even that has reduced now. There is normalcy, but precautions should continue at a personal level,' she said. Atri Mitra is a Special Correspondent of The Indian Express with more than 20 years of experience in reporting from West Bengal, Bihar and the North-East. He has been covering administration and political news for more than ten years and has a keen interest in political development in West Bengal. Atri holds a Master degree in Economics from Rabindrabharati University and Bachelor's degree from Calcutta University. He is also an alumnus of St. Xavier's, Kolkata and Ramakrishna Mission Asrama, Narendrapur. He started his career with leading vernacular daily the Anandabazar Patrika, and worked there for more than fifteen years. He worked as Bihar correspondent for more than three years for Anandabazar Patrika. He covered the 2009 Lok Sabha election and 2010 assembly elections. He also worked with News18-Bangla and covered the Bihar Lok Sabha election in 2019. ... Read More
Scottish Sun
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Fast track crackdown on train louts ordered before end of ScotRail's ban on booze
NATS chiefs were last night urged to give railway staff the resources to stop 'spiralling' anti-social behaviour on trains ahead of the end of ScotRail's ban on booze. SNP ministers were blasted for thousands of cases of vandalism and anti-social behaviour on rail services which sees commuters face at least two incidents a day by thuggish passengers. 1 There have been more than 2,300 incidents on ScotRail trains since the operator was nationalised in April 2022 Credit: Alamy The figures from ScotRail show there were more than 2,300 incidents since the rail operator was brought into public ownership by the SNP in April 2022. And John Swinney was faced with the reality at Hamilton Central station where shelters were daubed with graffiti, which included possible references to Celtic's Green Brigade and Rangers' Union Bear ultras groups. Last night, the Scottish Tories urged more cash for the service to help tackle the imminent end of the alcohol ban, which they said could send the number of anti-social behaviour incidents spiralling. The party's transport spokeswoman, Sue Webber, said: 'These figures are deeply concerning and more proof that the SNP's botched nationalisation of ScotRail is continuing to deliver a poor experience for passengers. 'While it was common sense to finally lift ScotRail's unworkable booze ban, passengers will expect the impact on anti-social behaviour to be monitored. 'SNP ministers can no longer be asleep at the wheel. They must give ScotRail staff and our police the resources they need to crack down on those who misbehave to stop incidents spiralling out of control.' Official figures state there were 2,310 anti-social behaviour incidents reported on ScotRail since nationalisation in April 2022. This includes 715 incidents in 2022/23, 889 in 2023/24, and 706 in 2024/25. ScotRail placed the 'temporary' ban on booze on board in late 2020 as part of its anti-Covid safety measures. But John Swinney announced earlier this month the rules would be relaxed after years of it being flouted by travellers. Woman 'covered in blood' after fight in ScotRail train full of rugby fans From June 2, passengers will be able to drink again on ScotRail trains between 10am and 9pm. A Transport Scotland spokesman said: 'The Scottish Government has worked collaboratively with ScotRail and British Transport Police to develop strengthened measures to tackle and prevent anti-social behaviour and maximise safety for all passengers and staff, particularly unacceptable behaviour targeted at women and girls.' Phil Campbell, ScotRail Customer Operations Director, said: 'Anti-social behaviour has no place on Scotland's Railway. We continue to work with British Transport Police to clamp down on unacceptable behaviour and would ask our customers to report anything they witness to BTP.' British Transport Police was contacted for comment.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Kerala health minister calls for increased vigilance against Covid-19
T'puram: Health minister Veena George has called for heightened vigilance against coronavirus in view of large-scale reporting of Covid-19 cases in some Asian countries. In a meeting of district medical officers and district surveillance officers held on Friday, the minister sought tightening of surveillance against the virus. George asked the health officials to track the Covid-19 cases and coordinate the anti-Covid drive accordingly. She asked the district teams to report the Covid-19 cases without fail. At least 273 Covid-19 cases have been reported in the state so far in May. Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram reported the highest number of cases — 82 and 73 respectively. Cases reported in other districts include Ernakulam, 49, Pathanamthitta, 30, and Thrissur, 26. "People with Covid-19 symptoms like cold, throat pain, cough, and breathing difficulties should wear masks. Children, pregnant ladies, and aged citizens may also wear masks as a precaution. Masks are compulsory in hospitals, and health workers should compulsorily wear masks. People should better avoid unnecessary visits to hospitals," a statement from the minister's office said. The meeting also resolved to strengthen preventive measures to check communicable diseases. It called for vigilance against cholera and hepatitis A. The district officers were asked to invoke provisions in the public health Act against those who contaminate drinking water sources. NHM state mission director, health department director, health department additional director, district medical officers, and district surveillance officers attended the meeting. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Brother's Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Irish Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Irish Times
The Irish Times view on the Canadian election: Trump effect a major factor
It had been going so well for Canada's home-grown Trump, the populist Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre. A decade of Liberal rule under Justin Trudeau had seen Poilievre build a 25-point lead in the polls with Maga-like promises to roll back immigration and crack down on crime. He backed anti-Covid lockdown protests, and railed against inflation, soaring house prices and Canada's sluggish economy. 'Canada is broken', he complained to a receptive audience. And then came Donald Trump, promising to make Canada the 51st state of the union and imposing tariffs on the country's exports. Poilievre's medicine abruptly lost much of its appeal. Today, as Canadians vote, the polls say he is heading for defeat, despite belated attempts to distance himself from Trump's takeover plans. Previous support from billionaire X owner Elon Musk has also become a liability. The Liberals' selection in March of respected former Bank of England and Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney to replace Trudeau as party leader, and his installation as prime minister last month, have also cut the ground from under Poilievre. 'It may be difficult for Mr Poilievre,' Carney told a TV debate last week. 'You spent years running against Justin Trudeau and the carbon tax, and they are both gone … I am a very different person than Justin Trudeau.' Indeed, Carney's first act as prime minister was to scrap the Liberals' unpopular carbon levy. He has repositioned the party after years of Trudeau's focus on climate change and decarbonisation. READ MORE Polls show consistently that Canadians believe Carney can do a better job than Poilievre in dealing with Trump. His tone is defiant, that of a wartime leader capturing the outraged popular mood that has seen widespread consumer and tourist boycotts of the US. 'We are going to fight, and we are fighting the Americans,' he has declared. That unusually nationalist rhetoric has given him a decisive lead, and may translate into an overall majority in the 343-seat Commons.
