Railway Covid coaches get patients in UP district

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Railway Covid coaches get patients in UP district

The Uttar Pradesh government has started using the COVID-19 railway coaches, prepared by the Railways in the Mau district. So far 59 people, who tested corona positive, have been quarantined in these coaches while eight of them have even been discharged.

The isolation coaches are parked at the Mau railway station.

These non-air-conditioned coaches of the Indian Railways that have been modified into isolation wards to keep corona patients, now have 51 inmates.

The COVID isolation coaches are meant to be used when the health infrastructure of various states gets exhausted due to the sudden spike in Covid-19 cases across the country, the Railways had said earlier.

The Railways have so far received a demand for coaches from Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, and the Delhi government. The rest of the deployment will be done as and when states demand them, the Railways said.

Mau District Magistrate Gyan Prakash Tripathi said, “As many as 42 suspected Covid-19 positive cases on June 20, and 17 on Sunday were accommodated in these Covid-19 coaches at the Mau Junction.”

He said that these 59 people are those who had remained in contact with the confirmed COVID-19 cases and have been quarantined.

The Railways have so far deployed a total of 960 COVID Care Coaches in five states — Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh.

The isolation coaches will be under the complete care of the Chief Medical Officer of the state government in the states where they will be deployed.

In Uttar Pradesh, as many as 372 such isolation coaches have been stationed at 23 locations — Lucknow, Varanasi, Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyay Junction, Agra, Bhadohi, Kanpur, Saharanpur, Faizabad, Mirzapur, Jhansi, Jhansi Workshop, Nakha Jungle, Subedarganj, Gonda, Bhatni, Nautanwa, Bahraich, Manduadih, Farrukhabad, Varanasi City, Mau, Bareilly City, and Kasganj.

Tripathi said for the suspected cases, an institutional quarantine center had been created at the BR Ambedkar Degree College.

“But, as the universities are giving tentative dates for examinations and the campus had to be sanitized by June 24, the district administration decided to utilize the isolation coaches of the railway to quarantine suspected cases,” he said.

These coaches can be used for very mild cases that can be clinically assigned to the COVID care centers as per guidelines issued by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Acne-proof your skin for monsoon

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Acne-proof your skin for monsoon

The refreshing showers and the cool weather of monsoon will feel like bliss after the sweltering heat of summer. However, with the cool breeze and showers comes humidity packed with additional bacteria in the air leading to clogged pores resulting in acne, blackheads, and whiteheads. Before we enter the monsoon take steps to keep your skin blemish-free.

Acne is a common problem that troubles teens and adults alike. Get extra cautious this season. Dr. Satish Bhatia, MD, FAAD, Dermatologist, and Skin Surgeon share with IANSlife some useful handy tips which you can incorporate into your daily routine to keep your skin acne-free and supple during monsoons.

Cleanser alert

Forehead, neck, jawline, cheeks are acne-prone areas. Clean these zones thoroughly without rinsing too hard. Use a mild soap-free cleanser like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser twice daily to wash your face. For oily or combination skin, use a cleanser best suited to the skin type.

Toning to the rescue

Tone your skin to remove the leftover dirt and makeup. Toning also helps in closing pores to avoid oil clogging. If you aren’t a fan of toners available in the market then use natural ingredients like green tea, lemon juice, rose water, cucumber water and

chamomile tea for toning your skin. Cucumber is a much-loved skin cooler that works wonder on all skin types.

Replenish your skin

From time to time, your skin may feel sticky and oily but that shouldn’t discourage you from using a moisturizer. Moisturizers keep the skin hydrated and supple. Choose a moisturizer that is lightweight, yet rich in macadamia oil and sunflower oil, which helps to hydrate and nourish the skin. Make sure it is specifically formulated to soothe dry skin and is non-greasy, non-irritating and non-comedogenic since this will eliminate clog pores. You can opt for Cetaphil Moisturising Cream.

Drink it up

It’s far more important to drink more water in monsoon and winter than summer since you won’t naturally feel as thirsty as you do during summers. It’s one of the most sure-shot ways to get healthy skin without any breakouts or acne.

Eat and exercise right

We cannot stress enough on the importance of refraining from eating fried food and exercising regularly. The excessive build-up of oil internally will reflect on your skin through breakouts, zits, blackheads, and whiteheads. To prevent it, consume a balanced diet. Additionally, exercising will ensure that you sweat out the toxins, stay in shape, and keep stress at bay especially on the gloomy monsoon days.

African-Americans more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19

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African-Americans more likely to be hospitalized with COVID-19

African-Americans were nearly four times more likely than the US’ white population to be hospitalized with COVID-19, according to federal data.

African-Americans with Medicare, a national health insurance program, accounted for 465 coronavirus hospitalizations per 100,000 enrollees, data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) revealed on Monday.

That is nearly four times the rate for whites, which was 123 per 100,000 enrollees, according to Xinhua news agency quoted the data as saying.

The rate for Hispanics stood at 258 hospitalizations per 100,000, about twice the rate of whites, while Asians were about one-and-a-half times more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19, the data showed.

“It reconfirms long-standing issues around disparities and vulnerable populations,” said Medicare administrator Seema Verma.

“Race and ethnicity are far from the only story.”

More than 325,000 people on Medicare were diagnosed with COVID-19 between January 1 and May 16, and 110,000 people on Medicare were hospitalized with a COVID-19 diagnosis this year through May 16, according to the data.

Medicare payments for fee-for-service hospitalizations totaled $1.9 billion, with an average cost of $23,094 per hospitalization, the CMS said.

Medicare has 60 million enrollees across the US, most of whom are aged 65 or older.

Also covered are younger people who qualify because of disabilities.

Authorities on toes as COVID-19 deaths hit 79 in Agra

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Authorities on toes as COVID-19 deaths hit 79 in Agra

The COVID-19 deaths continue to rise unabated in Agra, touching 79, even as health workers are leaving no stone unturned in the fight against the pandemic.

According to the health officials, for the past several days, the district has been reporting two COVID-19 deaths daily. Till Tuesday morning the toll touched 79, as two senior citizens succumbed to the contagion.

In a large number of cases, patients admitted to the COVID hospital in their critical phase collapsed within two days, a random audit of death figures revealed.

With eight new cases, the cumulative COVID-19 count in Agra has climbed to 1,147. So far, 953 people have been discharged after recovery. The number of active cases was 116, officials said.

Health authorities said that apparently a large chunk of deaths due to the coronavirus was the result of a delay in admitting patients to hospitals for treatment.

Officials on Tuesday morning indicated a shift in their strategy with increased participation of the private medical infrastructure which many thoughts were the need of the hour.

“The patients should be tested fast and treated at the earliest,” a doctor said.

LA County health officials receive death threats

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LA County health officials receive death threats

 Los Angeles County’s Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said that staff members from her department including herself have received death threats since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March.

At Monday’s daily briefing on coronavirus, Ferrer said an increasing number of public health officials across the country were being threatened with violence as conflicts intensified between those who complained about business reopening too slowly and those who wanted to keep some of the restrictions to bring the pandemic under control, reports Xinhua news agency.

Ferrer revealed that she began receiving death threats last month during a COVID-19 Facebook Live public briefing, saying someone casually suggested that she should be shot and her family members and colleagues all saw the message.

“It is deeply worrisome to imagine,” Ferrer said at the online press conference.

“our hardworking infectious disease physicians, nurses, epidemiologists, and environmental health specialists or any of our other team members would have to face this level of hatred.

“Our job and our calling is to keep as many people as safe as possible during this pandemic,” Ferrer said, adding: “We did not create this virus.”

She noted that even though many businesses were reopening in Southern California, the fight against the virus is far from over.

As of Monday, there were a total of 83,397 COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County, with 3,120 deaths.

Earlier this month, Orange County’s chief health officer Nichole Quick resigned after she began facing threats and protests at her home due to her countywide mask order.

She issued an order on May 23 making face coverings a requirement while in public as in-person shopping, in-person dining, hair salons, and barbershops were given the green light to reopen.

Prior to that, masks were only mandated for employees interacting with the public, according to local media reports.

Quick expressed concern for her safety and has been given personal protection by the county’s sheriff since the backlash of her order started.

New Zealand reports 2 new COVID-19 cases

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New Zealand reports 2 new COVID-19 cases

New Zealand reported two new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, bringing the total number of active infections in the country to 10, which are all linked to overseas travel, according to the Ministry of Health.

Tuesday’s cases were a man in his 20s who arrived on June 19 on from India, and a man in his 20s who arrived on June 18 from the US, Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield told a press conference.

The two new cases brought the country’s active cases to 10, as one of the cases in isolation in Wellington has recovered from the virus, Xinhua news agency quoted Bloomfield as saying.

Both cases were identified as part of the Ministry’s day three routine testing during travelers’ isolation, he said, adding that New Zealand was one of the few countries to require 14-day mandatory managed isolation and double testing before travelers could leave quarantine facilities.

The ministry has reported 1,165 confirmed cases to the World Health Organization, according to the ministry.

The number of COVID-19 related deaths in New Zealand was 22.

New cases started emerging in the country last week after a gap of 24 days.

Most Americans fighting pandemic with resilience, not loneliness: Survey

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Most Americans fighting pandemic with resilience, not loneliness: Survey

Social distancing during the Covid-19 pandemic has not led to an overall increase in loneliness among Americans as most of them felt more supported by others than before the pandemic, a new survey has revealed.

“Despite a small increase among some individuals, we found overall remarkable resilience in response to Covid-19,” said Angelina Sutin, associate professor of Behavioral Sciences and Social Medicine at Florida State University.

The nationwide study surveyed more than 2,000 people before and during the enactment of stay-at-home policies in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

There has been a lot of worries that loneliness would increase dramatically because of the social distancing guidelines and restrictions.

“Contrary to this fear, we found that overall loneliness did not increase. Instead, people felt more supported by others than before the pandemic. Even while physically isolated, the feeling of increased social support and of being in this together may help limit increases in loneliness,” said Martina Luchetti, an assistant professor at the College of Medicine.

The paper is part of larger study researchers are doing on Covid-19 to look at changes in mental health.

The study also looked for increased loneliness in specific at-risk groups, finding only modest evidence of a small increase in loneliness among older adults.

Older adults reported less loneliness overall compared to younger age groups, despite an increase in loneliness during the acute phase of the outbreak.

That increase in feelings of loneliness among older adults was temporary, leveling off after the issuance of stay-at-home orders.

Individuals living alone and those with at least one chronic condition reported feeling lonelier at the outset but did not increase in loneliness after social-distancing measures were implemented.

Loneliness already was a known health risk before the pandemic, and it has been linked to increased risks of morbidity and mortality.

Surveys have found that 35 percent of adults 45 and older report feeling lonely and 43 percent of those over 60 reports experiencing loneliness at least some of the time.

Some studies suggest that loneliness is even more pervasive among younger adults.

“In the context of the coronavirus pandemic, it may be particularly difficult to reconnect with others given the restrictions on in-person social gatherings,” Luchetti said.

Just knowing that you are not alone and that everyone is going through the same restrictions and difficulties may be enough in the short term to keep feelings of loneliness down,” Sutin added.

Covid-19 scare: Howrah woman’s body kept on road for 7 hours

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Covid-19 scare: Howrah woman’s body kept on road for 7 hours

In a pathetic incident, a 53-year old woman’s body remained on the roadside for more than seven hours amid coronavirus scare at Bally’s Hapta Bazar in the Howrah district on Monday, the police said.

According to sources, Rajkumari Jain died of respiratory issues in the morning. The residents of her apartment refused to allow the body inside the campus as their son Wrik had tested Covid-19 positive on June 17 and was admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata.

Rajkumari was there at the hospital with her son till June 19. After returning home, she started having respiratory issues.

According to the police, Rajkumari was taken to a nursing home at Ghusuri where she was declared brought dead. Her husband Rajkumar Jain returned to their apartment with the body in an ambulance. But the residents of 97 Bireswar Chatterjee Street staged a protest and didn’t allow the body in.

The body was on the road for hours as the husband tried to make necessary arrangements for cremation. Later, local residents informed the police and the Howrah Municipal Corporation (HMC) about the incident.

After an intervention of local ex-councilor Prabir Chatterjee, the body was sent to the Howrah State General Hospital around 2.30 p.m.

The police said it was yet to be ascertained if Rajkumari died of Covid-19. But she would be cremated at a dedicated Covid-19 crematorium, police sources said.

KGMU begins anti-body testing for health workers

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KGMU begins anti-body testing for health workers

King George’s Medical University (KGMU) in Lucknow has started anti-body testing, becoming the first medical facility to start this.

In the first phase, anti-body testing has been done on 100 health workers and plasma donors.

Senior KGMU doctor, Dr. Tulika Chandra said that rapid testing is being done for anti-bodies and the results are available with three to four hours.

This test determines whether a person has antibodies needed to fight the virus. Antibody testing is similar to rapid testing where results are declared accurately in a few hours.

Many countries are now testing for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies at the population level or in specific groups, such as health workers, close contacts of known cases, or within households.

WHO supports these studies, as they are critical for understanding the extent of – and risk factors associated with – the infection.

Dr. Chandra further said that anti-body testing will also be helpful in determining herd immunity in the coming times. It will define how many people in the community have sufficient antibodies.

Anti-body testing is particularly focusing on health workers, doctors, and frontline Corona warriors who come into contact with Corona patients.

Uttar Pradesh, at the moment, has 6,186 active Corona cases while the total number of COVID-19 cases is 17, 731 and the number of deaths is 550.

Boost your immunity to sail through the Monsoon

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Boost your immunity to sail through the Monsoon

This year has been nothing short of eventful so far, and with monsoon knocking at our doors, little modifications in our diet can save us from more unwanted trouble on the health front.

It is a cue for everyone to adopt a diet that suits the changing weather, which brings with it seasonal maladies such as the flu, allergies, and infections.

With the worldwide threat of the coronavirus pandemic looming at large, now is not the time to get sick and be privy to a whole lot of infections. The period calls for building a strong and robust immunity that will help you steer clear of the season’s diseases.

The best way to go about it is by practicing a balanced lifestyle which involves nutritious eating habits, plenty of exercises, yoga and meditation, deep sleep, and a positive outlook towards life. Eating right is perhaps the most crucial aspect towards a healthy and disease-free body, Gaia founder and director Dolly Kumar told IANSlife.

Here is her list of five super-healthy foods that will not only boost your immunity and health but also ensure that you remain active and focused during the day.

Green tea

Every Indian loves a nice cup of steaming hot tea, especially during the monsoon hours. Sipping tea in the comfort of your homes while listening to the music of the monsoon shower is one of the simpler pleasures of life. Instead of having regular milk and sugar concoction, switch to a nice and aromatic cup of green tea. A warm healthy dose of green tea helps you stay invigorated throughout the day. Green tea is fortified with natural antioxidants. It is also a great source for bolstering the immune system and enhancing one’s memory. The minerals and nutrients in green tea help the body to detoxify its impurities accumulated over time. They also improve the body’s digestive system and also help in cleansing the skin.

Honey

It is nature’s answer to most health ailments. Honey is the ideal remedy for sore throats, coughs, and cold due to its soothing effect on the throat. Multifloral honey when consumed with some ginger is the perfect cure for ailing throats. A natural substitute for sugar, multi-floral honey is also a great immunity booster as it is free from fat, cholesterol, and sodium.

Neem

Neem is the king of all medicinal plants and has been used since ancient times to cure all kinds of diseases and disorders. It is the perfect remedy for stomach bugs, which are so prevalent in this season. The cooling properties of neem are next to none and can be consumed in the form of readymade capsules. Its anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and blood-cleansing properties aid in building up the body’s resistance against external infections and malicious agents. Neem also helps in strengthening the body’s immunity and digestion.

Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is great for maintaining overall health. It is a powerhouse of nutrients as it contains more than twenty amino acids and essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and sodium along with enzymes, vitamins, polysaccharides, nitrogen, and other vital nutrients. It also improves hair and skin texture and keeps them healthy and lustrous. A natural cure for constipation and acidity, Aloe vera can also improve the body’s digestive system.

Olive oil

The rainy season is a catalyst for heightening one’s cravings for fried snacks like pakoras. It is alright to indulge your taste buds every once in a while. Just make sure that you replace the ordinary cooking oil with the healthy and extra flavorful light olive oil. Olive oil is rich in mono-saturated fatty acids has a light texture that complements a dish perfectly, making it a great alternative to regular cooking oil and ideal for almost all cuisines. It also reduces the risk of cancer, Type-2 Diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and breast cancer as it is packed with numerous anti-oxidants. Now, who said fried pakoras cannot be healthy!

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