Harsh Vardhan lashes out at Maharashtra govt for saying vaccine supplies running low

Covid 2nd wave | Who's to blame, & the way forward: Harsh Vardhan responds

After a comparative lull for a few months, the Covid virus seems to have returned with much more virulence. India is detecting more than double the number of daily cases than seen during the peak last year. Meanwhile, mass gatherings like political rallies and the Kumbh Mela in Haridwar have added to worries. The government however, is still keeping vaccination limited to those aged 45 years and above. As pressure on the healthcare system increases, many state governments have claimed shortage of oxygen, vaccines, and key drugs. In this backdrop, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan joins Kumkum Chadha to analyse the situation so far, and shed light on the government's strategy going forward.

Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on 'Kumbh Jihad' & underreporting of Covid deaths charge

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan comments on comparisons being drawn between the Nizamuddin Markaz gathering in Delhi last year, and the Haridwar Kumbh Mela this year. He also counters allegations that deaths due to Covid-19 are being misreported in the country. Watch the full interview on April 18 at 11 am.

‘Shortage of oxygen & Remdesivir in Delhi’: Arvind Kejriwal amid Covid surge

The COVID-19 situation in Delhi has become "very serious and worrisome", and oxygen, remdesivir and tocilizumab for patients are in short supply, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Saturday. The number of COVID-19 cases are rising rapidly with 24,000 fresh cases reported in the last 24 hours. A day before, around 19,400 COVID-19 cases were reported, he said in a media briefing. The chief minister said he spoke to Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and requested him for supplies of oxygen, remdesivir and tocilizumab for COVID patients in Delhi. Watch the full video for more details.

Fadnavis accuses Maha police of harassing Remdesivir supplier; DCP refutes claim

Maharashtra Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis accused Maharastra Police of harassing a Daman-based Remdesivir supplier for agreeing to supply a stock of the drug to the state on the request of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders. “We had requested Bruck Pharma to supply a stock of Remdesivir vials to Maharashtra. They said they couldn't until permissions were given. I spoke with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and got Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s permission. Tonight around 9 pm, the police arrested him," said Fadnavis. He added that the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Manjunath Singe told they had inputs that some exporters had 60,000 vials and they only wanted to verify the same. However, Singe refuted the allegations that the distributor was arrested. Watch the full video for more.