Online booking for IRCTC trains started today at 10 AM

Indian Railways started online booking for the 200 trains to be started from 1st June, 2020.  These special trains will run on the pattern of regular trains covering the tier 2 cities and also major state capitals like Mumbai, Kokata, Hyderabad etc.   

The ticket booking for the trains started online today at 1000 am.  Online online e-ticketing will be done through the official IRCTC website or even through mobile app.  No ticket will be issued at the railway station reservation counters in any of the railway stations.

The advance reservation period would be maximum of 30 days and the RAC and wait listed tickets will be generated as per rules.  Those with wait listing tickets will not be allowed to board the train

Unreserved tickets will not be issued and no tickets will be issued on board the train to any passenger during the journey.  Tatkal and Premium tatkal tickets are not permitted.  These trains will have both AC and Non AC classes and all coaches will be fully reserved coaches

The fares shall be normal but second seating fare shall be charged for General coaches being reserved.  Seats will be provided to all the passengers.

Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel and those found symptomatic will get full refund. All the quotas in these trains have been restored and concessions will be given to only four categories of Divyangjan and 11 categories of patients.  Passengers have also been asked to carry their own linen and only packed food items will be available in the pantry cars on payment basis.

COVID 19 - APSRTC buses resume after two months lockdown period- Huge passenger rush seen

The APSRTC ( Andhra Pradesh Road Transport Corporation ) has resumed its operations from today onwards after nearly two months lockdown period for containment of Corona Virus in Andhra Pradesh, India.  

A huge passenger rush was seen at the ticket counter as APSRTC bus services resumed after a long period of time.  Now the APSRTC is only starting 17% of its total fleet - about 1,683 buses on the first day.  The buses in all categories like Telugu Velugu, Express, Deluxe, Ultra Deluxe, Super Luxury and even AC services will be resumed in selected routes.  Passengers will have to buy the ticket before they board the bus. Online purchase of tickets are encouraged and payment can be made with all ewallets and UPI based applications.

Onlike booking for APSRTC buses can be done by visiting the website :  https://www.apsrtconline.in/oprs-web/

About WorldOMeter Covid 19 Data

Worldometer manually analyzes, validates, and aggregates data from thousands of sources in real time and provides global COVID-19 live statistics for a wide audience of caring people around the world.

They  collect and process data around the clock, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Multiple updates per minute are performed on average by their team of analysts and researchers who validate the data from an ever-growing list of over 5,000 sources under the constant solicitation of users who alert us as soon as an official announcement is made anywhere around the world.

The  sources for this website include Official Websites of Ministries of Health or other Government Institutions and Government authorities' social media accounts. Because national aggregates often lag behind the regional and local health departments' data, part of their work consists in monitoring thousands of daily reports released by local authorities. Their multilingual team also monitors press briefings' live streams throughout the day. Occasionally, they  can use a selection of leading and trusted news wires with a proven history of accuracy in communicating the data reported by Governments in live press conferences before it is published on the Official Websites.

Please Visit  Real Time information about Corona Virus Cases.    

Questions and Answers on Corona Virus Disease - Covid 19

Here are some useful questions and answers on Corona Virus Disease ( Covid 19 ) collected from various sources.  Hope it will be useful

How a person is tested for Covid 19 ?
The test for coronavirus does not involve any blood examination. Corona virus test includes examination of the throat swab or the nasal swab to check for infection. After taking samples, doctors posted at nodal hospitals may assess your physical health to decide whether hospitalisation is needed. Otherwise, you may be asked to stay isolated at home itself. If the tests are positive, you may require to remain quarantined for at least 14 days, till recovery.

What you should do if you want to be tested for Covid 19 in India?
Call Union health ministry's 24X7 helpline number: 01123978046. You can also mail your queries at ncov2019@gmail.com. The district surveillance officer will visit you shortly and, if chances of infection are high, you may be transported to a designated hospital for the test. Govt has placed separate ambulances for transporting suspected cases. Use of public transport isn't advised.

If you get infected with Corona Virus Disease and recovered,  will you get infected again?
It's not known. A few reports from China say some people had COVID-19, recovered and then fell ill again. It's unclear if that's a relapse, a new infection, or a case where the person never fully recovered in the first place. Scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle say the 30,000-letter genetic code of the virus changes by one letter every 15 days. It's not known how many of these changes would be needed for the virus to seem different enough to the immune system of someone who had a previous version of it for it to cause a fresh infection.

Can higher level of immunity prevent you from getting Covid 19 ?
Experts say the effects appear to depend on how robust or weakened a person's immune system is. The WHO and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) have said that the two major groups of people who are more likely to be affected by the disease are the elderly and those with underlying medical conditions. People who have aged and have weak immune systems have a harder time fighting off the COVID-19 infection. People who already have an underlying health condition like heart disease, diabetes or lung disease are more prone to the infection causing severe symptoms. People with these underlying problems have a taxed immune system and cannot fight off the infection. However, you need to take the necessary precautions even if you are young and healthy.

Is it required to wear a mask?
According to WHO,  we should wear a mask only if you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or looking after a patient of COVID-19.  A disposable face mask can only be used once.  If you are not ill or looking after someone who is ill then you are wasting a mask. Wear a mask if you are coughing or sneezing. Masks are effective only when used in combination with frequent hand-cleaning with alcohol-based hand rub or soap and water. If you wear a mask, then you must know how to use it and dispose of it properly.

What are the symptoms of Covid 19?
The most common symptoms of COVID-19 are fever, tiredness, and dry cough. Some patients may have aches and pains, nasal congestion, runny nose, sore throat or diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and begin gradually. Some people become infected but don't develop any symptoms and don't feel unwell. Most people (about 80%) recover from the disease without needing special treatment. Around 1 out of every 6 people who gets COVID-19 becomes seriously ill and develops difficulty breathing. Older people, and those with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, are more likely to develop serious illness. People with fever, cough and difficulty breathing should seek medical attention.

How does Corona Virus Disease spread?
People can catch COVID-19 from others who have the virus. The disease can spread from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets. This is why it is important to stay more than 1 meter (3 feet) away from a person who is sick.

Can the corona virus transmitted through the air?
Studies till  date suggest that the virus that causes COVID-19 is mainly transmitted through contact with respiratory droplets rather than through the air. See previous answer on "How does COVID-19 spread?"

Can Covid 19 be caught from a person without having any symptoms?
The main way the disease spreads is through respiratory droplets expelled by someone who is coughing. The risk of catching COVID-19 from someone with no symptoms at all is very low. However, many people with COVID-19 experience only mild symptoms. This is particularly true at the early stages of the disease. It is therefore possible to catch COVID-19 from someone who has, for example, just a mild cough and does not feel ill.

What can I do to prevent the spread of the Corona Virus Disease?
You can reduce your chances of being infected or spreading COVID-19 by taking some simple precautions:

1: Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water. Why? Washing your hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on your hands.

2: Maintain at least 1 metre (3 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Why? When someone coughs or sneezes they spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain virus. If you are too close, you can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

3: Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth. Why? Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.

4: Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately. Why? Droplets spread virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

5: Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of your local health authority. Why? National and local authorities will have the most up to date information on the situation in your area. Calling in advance will allow your health care provider to quickly direct you to the right health facility. This will also protect you and help prevent spread of viruses and other infections.

6: Keep up to date on the latest COVID-19 hotspots (cities or local areas where COVID-19 is spreading widely). If possible, avoid traveling to places - especially if you are an older person or have diabetes, heart or lung disease. Why? You have a higher chance of catching COVID-19 in one of these areas.



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Lock down 4 guide lines- Indian Government extends lock down till 31st May 2020

Government of India on sunday ( 17th May, 2020 ) has extended the nationwide lock down till 31st May, 2020 to curb the spread of Corona Virus Disease ( Covid 19 ) in India. .  This is called as Lock Down 4.0.  

The Central Government has released the guidelines for the fourth phase of Lock down in India on sunday.  The lock down 4.0 gives more relaxations to states compared to previous lock downs.  Now the delineation of red, green and orange zones will decided by the respective state governments after taking into considerations the parameters shared by Ministry of Health and family welfare.  The Home Ministry has said that the total number of Corona positive cases in India is 96,169 which includes 56,316 active cases.  38,323 are discharged and death toll is 3029 deaths.  Nearly 120 people died in last 24 hours.

Earlier Prime Minister of India, Sri Narendra Modi said that the lock down 4.0 will be very much different from previous lock downs with new set of rules and regulations.   Some of the guidelines for Lock Down 4.0 are listed below.

• For the states, the big change was that they would be allowed to demarcate the red, green and orange zones, which define the concentration of the cases and how much economic activity could take place in the area.  This was the main  demand of states during last week's meeting between Chief Ministers and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

• The curfew at night is retained -- from 7 pm to 7 am, but movement of people will be allowed during the daytime. The government, however, said those above the age of 65 and children below 10, persons with chronic illnesses and pregnant women should not go out of doors..

• Buses and other public transport system will be allowed to run --both intra and inter-state, but subject to the approval of the states. 

• Within the Red and Orange Zones, Containment Zones and Buffer Zones will be demarcated by the district authorities, after taking into consideration the guidelines of the health ministry, the government said.

• The practice of work from home shall be followed to the extent possible.  Staggering of work hours should be adopted at workplaces. There should be provision for thermal scanning, hand wash and sanitizers and common areas and rules of social distancing should be maintained in offices.

• The government has not allowed any re-opening of areas which draw a large number of people like  shopping malls and multiplexes, gymnasiums, swimming pools, entertainment parks, theatres, bars and auditoriums, assembly halls, hotels, restaurants and other hospitality services.  

• Markets and all kind of shops can reopen, but the final decision belongs to the states. If open, these should maintain staggered timing to ensure social distancing. No economic activity, however, will be allowed within the containment zones, which have a high incidence of coronavirus cases.

• Sports complexes and stadiums can open, but spectators will not be allowed. 

• Anything that would involve large gathering also remains banned. All places of worship shall also be closed for public and religious congregations are strictly prohibited. 

Symptoms of Corona Virus and tips to protect from Covid 19

The current outbreak of the new 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019 n-CoV) has taken hold of several major countries across the world. China, its origin country, South Korea, Italy and Iran are some of the heavily impacted regions

The panic spread in India with the case of 15 Italian tourists, and their Indian driver, getting infected. You can find the current number of reported cases in the  Government of India website. To keep the spread in check, the government is taking preventive measures such as universal screening of travellers on airports. Several labs are expected to open for testing and researching on the n-CoV.

In addition to this, several healthcare experts are releasing updates to keep the public informed and ready. Information on coronavirus is floating everywhere, and it is for the people to read and take precautionary measures to prevent themselves from getting the virus.

In this blog, we take a deep dive into everything you need to know about COVID-19, right from its symptoms, to how it gets transmitted, and what are some strict do’s and don’ts for prevention.

Are You Infected With Coronavirus?

2019 n-CoV is from the large family of coronaviruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV). And the worst thing about this new virus is that it has no conspicuous symptoms.

Mild health problems—such as coughing, sneezing, fever and difficulty in breathing are some of the symptoms of the infection. However in certain cases, there might be no symptoms at all. The infected may be a carrier of the virus, without being infected themselves, infecting several others in the process. Alternatively, the infected may develop severe cases like pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure, even leading to death.

How Does the COVID-19 Get Transmitted?

here are a few channels through which it happens

• Through droplets created after coughing or sneezing of an infected person
• Consumption of virus containing animal products 
• Contact with an infected animal
• Through public places, especially during public transportations, meetings, gatherings, etc.

Here are a few tips to protect from this epidemic.

Tips to protect from Covid 19

Maintain hygiene

Wash your hand thoroughly with soap and water. Scrub carefully between the fingers and around the nails. Use hand wash, sanitizer and alcohol sterilizers to clean your hands, and don’t touch your nose or mouth otherwise.

Keep a safe distance from sick people

Avoid direct physical contact with sick people, especially from those who have flu, cold, cough or respiratory problems.

Cover your mouth

Keep your mouth covered with masks, cloth, or tissue papers when you are around someone who is coughing or sneezing. Also, if you are sick, use medical masks. To sterilize the mask or cloth, warm it up.

Heat up your food thoroughly

The virus can be transmitted by consuming infected animal products. The virus can not survive at high temperatures. Thus, you should heat up your food properly before consuming it.

Seek medical care

Always have early medical care from the healthcare professions even in cases of normal, mild symptoms such as coughing, sneezing, fever or having difficulty breathing. Self preventive care is helpful in these cases.

A list of things you should avoid:

Touching your face

The virus enters our body through the nose and mouth. Your hands can be infected if you have touched an infected place, especially in public places. Thus, avoid touching your face before washing them properly.

Direct contact with animals

Avoid unnecessary, direct contact with animals. The virus can be transmitted from animals to humans. So, if you have pets, you need to take care of hygiene properly.

Don’t travel when you are sick

Make sure you are healthy before traveling. If you are not, seek medical care, immediately. Avoid going to public places, buses, and sharing taxis if you have a fever, coughing, sneezing.

Don’t take medicines without prescription

Eating normal antibiotics doesn’t help in 2019 n-CoV infection. You should only take the medicines prescribed by a healthcare professional if you are feeling unwell.

As always, prevention is better than cure. And keeping in mind the above tips can do the trick, protecting you and your close ones from the coronavirus infection. Stay healthy, and take care!