Ahmedabad: During the Diwali festival, people of Gujarat flouted norms for social distance and Covid-19 guidelines, which led to a spike in the number of cases. Following which the state government was forced to declare a two-day curfew in Ahmedabad and night curfew for two weeks in cities like Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot and Baroda. Corona positive cases are increasing on a daily basis in the state.
As the second wave of the pandemic has gained momentum in the state, people in urban and rural areas are once again in the panic. In the midst of this fear, preparations for the All India Speaker's Conference on November 25 and 26 are being finalized at Kevadia Colony. Question is how it is advisable to hold a big event, when the government is asking people to keep vigil, but is itself showing the attitude of who cares?
Recovery rate has gone down, now 91.09 per cent
A total of 1,98,899 cases of Coronavirus have been reported in the state so far. Out of which a total of 1,81,187 patients have recovered. Thus Gujarat's recovery rate is 91.29 per cent last week, which has come down to 91.09 per cent on Monday. (23rd November 2020)
4.86 lakh people are in quarantine in the state
According to the figures released by the Gujarat State Health Department, 4,86,806 persons have been quarantined as per the current situation, out of which 4,86,712 persons are home quarantined. A total of 1,78,786 patients have been discharged in the state. While a total of 13,285 active cases and 95 patients have been placed on ventilators.
1082.89 per million tests were performed
The rate of infection has come down as a result of intensive efforts by the state health department to stop the spread of corona in the state. The number of tests in the state is increasing day by day. A total of 70,388 tests were conducted in the state today. Considering the population of the state, 1082.89 tests per million per day has been completed.
People queue up for tests in Ahmedabad
Local infection in the city has been steadily increasing since the beginning of November. The number of cases has doubled, as people went shopping in the bazaars during festivals. To check the spread of the infection, a two-day curfew was declared in Ahmedabad. From Friday night Ahmedabad wore a deserted look. Fear of coronavirus infection is growing among the people, and now even amid the curfew, a large number of locals lined up for testing the corona. The corporation has also increased the number of corona tests along with long queues at free corona testing centres in various parts of the city.
Daily consumption of oxygen increased by 30 metric tons
With the widespread increase in the number of active and new corona cases, the use of medical oxygen for patients and drugs used in the treatment of corona is also increasing significantly. In the five days following the Diwali festivities, oxygen consumption has increased by 30 metric tonnes per day. According to Food and Drug Commissioner Dr H. G. Koshia, oxygen consumption is currently at 166 metric tons per day. However, this consumption is still low compared to September.
6.41 lakh Remdesivir injections used
In Gujarat, a total of 6.41 lakh injections of Remdesivir has been used so far since the onset of disease. On an average 6 injections of Remdesivir per patient have been given. There are enough stocks of injections available that can be given to 9500 patients. As the Corona cases are growing at an alarming rate, the demand for the injection may go up. However, at government-run hospitals and in the open market there are enough injections available for 9,500 patients. One patient has to be given a dose of 6 injections. According to the Health Commissioner, there is a total stock of 57 thousand injections. Out of which 30 thousand are government-owned while 27 thousand injections are available in the market.
Temples closed once again, Parikrama at Girnar also cancelled
Taking into account the prevailing situation of Covid-19, the State Government has issued new guidelines and according to it many temples, including Gandhinagar-based Akshardham Temple have been once again closed down. It has been decided to keep Akshardham closed till November 30, 2020. In addition, many major pilgrimage sites in the state have been closed and many famous fairs have also been cancelled. The state government has decided to cancel Parikrama, an ancient annual ritual at the Girnar Mountain. Announcing the cancellation, the Junagadh District Magistrate further said that if in special cases, with permissions to saints and sadhus, a symbolic Parikrama may be performed.
Preparations for the Speakers’ Conference
Gujarat Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi visited Kevadia on Saturday to review preparations for the 80th State Assembly Speakers’ Conference, to be held at Tent City near Sardar Sarovar Dam. He inspected various venues where functions would be organised during the conference.
The conference is to be attended by the Speakers of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, as well as 33 Speakers' from the states. The President and the Vice President will also be present. The presence of the President would be for the first in the conference, while Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the concluding session online. But the question is while people are asked to follow guidelines, and functions are being cancelled, why the Government is going ahead with such a big event.
Opening of schools-colleges postponed, University Exams cancelled
The decision to start the schools and colleges was taken at a cabinet meeting chaired by state chief minister Vijay Rupani on November 11. However, the state education minister Bhupendrasinh Chudasama on Thursday held a video conference with all the district education officers to review the re-opening. In view of the increase in the spread of Coronavirus, the state government has finally postponed the opening of schools and colleges. Also, the examinations of some universities in the state have also been cancelled.
BJP cancelled all programs
The Chintan Bethaks of the Bharatiya Janata Party were also cancelled. BJP state spokesperson Bharat Pandya said that the BJP has a tradition of holding Chintan Bethaks, but it was cancelled. It was to be held on November 21 and 22 under the chairmanship of new BJP state President C. R. Patil. The meeting was to be attended by BJP office-bearers including Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister and National Organization Minister V Satish. Besides, Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, Union General Secretary Bhikhu Dalsania and other office bearers were to be present. But the meeting was postponed due to new precautions for Corona, with the State President C. R. Patil ordering the cancellation of all BJP programs and meetings.
Vibrant Gujarat 2021 has been postponed
In view of the Corona epidemic and the situation in the state, the state government has decided to cancel the Vibrant Gujarat 2021 Summit. It may be rescheduled in December if there is a positive development in the form of a Corona vaccine.
The Supreme Court asked for the details
The Supreme Court has slammed the Delhi, Maharashtra and Gujarat governments over the growing case of Corona. The apex court said the situation could worsen in the coming days if care is not taken. The court also asked the states to submit a status report on the steps taken by them. Mentioning Gujarat, the court said that the infection is spreading in the state and the situation seems to be out of control. A bench headed by Justice Ashok Bhushan told Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, of the Delhi government, that the situation in Delhi had deteriorated significantly, especially in November. You should submit a status report and explain what steps have been taken in this regard. The bench asked the Union Government and the states to make all possible efforts to deal with the increasing cases of Covid-19 and improve the situation.
People of Gujarat unhappy with political and government programs
As Covid-19 has become uncontrollable in Gujarat, but political parties are behaving irresponsibly with their programs. Why political events are still taking place – is the questions the people of Gujarat are asking. The number of Covid-19 positive cases in Gujarat is increasing day by day. The number of beds occupied in the government and private hospitals is on rise and more beds are being added. The government is constantly appealing to the people to wear masks, maintain social distance, not crowding while shopping, but these rules are not being followed by the politicians. The government is going ahead with all their programs. The two-day All India Speakers’ Conference is going to be held on November 25-26 at Kevadia Colony. Speakers from 33 states will attend the conference. Gujarat CM, Deputy CM and Governor will also participate. All preparations are in full swing for strict adherence to guidelines at the conference, but people are criticising that why irresponsible Netas crowding like this.
Meanwhile, families in Ahmedabad are very angry that they had to cancel the weddings due to the unplanned curfew in Ahmedabad. All the bookings had been done at a cost of lakhs of rupees, which has gone in vain. Citizens are very angry that while the Government doesn’t stop its function, but asking people to cancel their weddings.
A survey was conducted by ETV BHARAT in Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Surat, and Vadodara in which many people responded angrily, saying if this Speakers’ Conference becomes a super spreader event, then who would be responsible? And what will be the impact on the arrival of tourists at Gujarat's Statue of Unity? Citizens believe that this conference should not be held, while some said that the conference should be held in accordance with all the guidelines.
An agitated citizen expressed his opinion that the Government behaves irresponsibly; if there is an election Netas do rallies, but if there is a festival then there is curfew. No such conference should be held as it will become a super spreader event is what many believe.
Read: SC asks Centre, states to submit COVID-19 status reports
