Gujarat High Court hears suo motu case on worsening Covid situation in Gujarat [Live Updates]

A Gujarat High Court Bench of Chief Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Bhargav D Karia is hearing a suo motu case on the worsening COVID-19 situation in Gujarat..The Court registered the suo motu case based on multiple media reports..CJ Vikram Nath: Only request to the press is, though they are reporting well, let it be accurate. Cites press reports stating that High Court had called for lockdown in State when there was no such direction.Government can also take steps about sensitising people about their responsibilities and how they should deal with COVID-19: CJ Nath.Advocate General Kamal Trivedi for State: This is a fight between Corona and the people at large. The government is doing the best it can, but people should be responsible..AG Trivedi starts with use of Remdesivir. .Trivedi: This is not a Corona drug, it just reduces hospitalisation periods. It causes liver and kidney damage, so we do not recommend its use at home. Doctors are indiscriminately prescribing it..AG Trivedi: People are hoarding Remdesivir. We request them not to do that..As of today, the total production of Remdesivir is only 1.75 lakh vials per day for the huge population of India. Export of the injection must be stopped: AG Trivedi.We have requested manufacturers to ramp up production. People should avoid storing the Remdesivir injection: AG Trivedi.On mortality rate: AG Trivedi says in June 2020, the rate was 6.6%. Within last week, it has been less than 1%. State has policy of tracing, tracking, and treatment. We are doing 1.5 lakh tests per day..We have mobile facilities for COVID-19 testing and treatment. In Ahmedabad, 141 hospitals have been designated as COVID hospitals, AG Trivedi.We have a portal that shows number of hospital beds available, vacancies in hospitals, etc. As of yesterday, there are 1,261 free beds in these hospitals: AG Trivedi.AG Trivedi takes objection to press reports saying that health system in State has gone to dogs.On shortage of oxygen and ICUs: Out of total production of oxygen in State, 70% is reserved for health section, so we are in a good position: AG Trivedi.On reports saying there was only 1 nurse per 6 beds in hospitals: Ideal ratio is 1:3 in ICU. In some hospitals, it is 1:4, we will try to rectify that: AG Trivedi.We have tried to create awareness to effect behavioural change. People don't have money to pay fines for not wearing masks. Requests have been made to reduce the fine of Rs. 1000: AG Trivedi.We saw the miseries caused by the lockdown. This time, it was a conscious decision by the Central govt not to have lockdown: AG Trivedi.We have asked industries and establishments to reduce their strength and to follow social distancing etc: AG Trivedi.Other states are far worse off than Gujarat. Number of cases in Delhi are much more. In UP, there is massive shortage of Remdesivir injections: AG Trivedi.We sincerely feel that things are under control. There is no reason for people to go into fear psychosis: AG Trivedi.There should be some responsibility on the part of press. What we find in bold lines is people standing in queues for injections: AG Trivedi.This is a joint effort. People have to cooperate and follow the new normal - wearing masks, observing distance, using sanitizers: AG Trivedi.After hearing you, we are mesmerized and feel that we have unnecessarily taken cognizance, but the situation is quite grim: CJ Nath to AG Trivedi.Goverment stopped designating hospitals as COVID hospitals, unaware of the second and third waves happening worldwide: CJ Nath.We are in the third phase. It is so steep and galloping that Government never envisioned it. If you apply for a test, you will get it after 3 days. It takes around 7 days to get the RT-PCR report: CJ Nath.The graph is rising, not forming a flat: CJ Nath. .AG Trivedi: It will be on the rise for 30 days, the doctors say.Testing has to be done as fast as possible. Whatever exercise the State should do for that, it should be done: CJ Nath.The myth that COVID had gone in Jan/Feb has put us in great difficulty. Some people say it will last 2-3 years: CJ Nath.People are dying even after getting both doses of the vaccine. Vaccine is good, but it is not fool-proof: CJ Nath.Home quarantine with treatment was advised by the government. Now, why are you saying that people should not use Remdesivir when doctors prescribe it? CJ Nath.Total production in country is very low. Govt of India is taking all efforts to step up production: AG Trivedi.I will see that data on Remdesivir stock is placed before the Court: AG Trivedi.We are told there is adequate supply of Remdesivir in Gujarat. Do not follow only what you have been briefed, you are an officer of the Court first, CJ Nath to AG Trivedi.Remdesivir should be as easily available as paracetamol: Justice Karia.You cannot admit all COVID positive patients in hospitals, because there are no beds. I have been told that patients have been refused admission if even the hospital has beds: CJ Nath.If you say there are adequate number of beds, why are people standing in queues outside hospitals? Justice Karia asks.We cannot say that all these news reports are trash, they have some substance: CJ Nath.Even smaller districts in Gujarat are having high number of cases. Govt should take care that all basic amenities including testing are provided to tackle the spread: CJ Nath.AG Trivedi claims that people are concentrating around the "best" and most popular hospitals, that's why there is such a rush. We are trying to make people aware that other hospitals are also good.We will look into it: AG Trivedi.Suggestions of Gujarat High Court Advocates Association also should be considered: CJ Nath. .Number of people allowed for marriages should be reduced from 100 to 50: Court suggests.Put a complete ban on functions except marriages and funerals: CJ Nath. AG Trivedi says this is already being followed..What is State doing to check the rise in the number of COVID-19 cases? For that we have some suggestions: CJ Nath.Justice Karia: Without the help of people, we cannot fight this pandemic..Curfew timings are being followed very strictly: AG Trivedi. I have reports saying that paan shops etc are opening up one hour before curfew is lifted: CJ Nath.Reduce staff at establishments and industries. There can be measures taken so that nothing is stopped. It needs to be sustainable; nobody should be left completely jobless: CJ Nath.Unless the chain is not broken, this will never come to an end. Earlier, people were afraid of moving outdoors, now they have become careless: Justice Karia.There seems to be a breach between the government and the people. This is not going to solve the issue: Justice Karia.Last time, isolation of positive patients was being done vigorously, now no efforts are being taken: Justice Karia.When Centre feels that a State is not doing well, why can't it intervene? CJ Nath to ASG Devang Vyas, appearing for Centre.We are not happy with certain policies of the government. No doubt it is doing its best, but some things need to be corrected: CJ Nath.I believe that these newspapers would not publish reports with no basis. We assume them to be correct: CJ Nath

Gujarat High Court hears suo motu case on worsening Covid situation in Gujarat [Live Updates]

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