Tag: COVID-19

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GOI) has created an integrated geospatial platform from the available geospatial datasets, standards-based services and analytic tools which helps in decision making during the present COVID-19 outbreak and supports area-specific strategies to handle the socio-economic impact in the recovery phase. SAHYOG: The mobile application SAHYOG and the web portal (https://indiamaps.gov.in/soiapp/) prepared and managed by Survey of India (SOI), will complement the “AAROGYA-SETU” mobile application launched by the Government of India for contact tracing, public awareness & self-assessment objectives.

As a part of sports Ministry’s first ever online initiative by Sports Authority of India (SAI) and National Sports Federations (NSFs) to upgrade knowledge of coaches, Archery Association of India (AAI) has started first-ever online training of its coaches by experts. The Arjuna and Dronacharya awardee Sanjeeva Singh will conduct mental toughness training for coaches.

Researchers at the University of Punjab have designed a new tool that can kill corona virus in a matter of minutes. The life span of the corona virus varies depending on the area. The virus can survive for up to 3 hours in clothes and up to 3 days in plastic and metal. This tool is designed for 80 cm length. It has an ultraviolet radiator on the one hand and a handle on the other. If the lamp in the instrument is illuminated and the object is exposed for 5 minutes at a time, the corona virus will be destroyed.

The International Monetary Fund Wednesday announced that it supports India’s proactive decision of a imposing a nationwide lockdown in its fight against coronavirus. A day earlier, the IMF in its World Economic Outlook had forecast India’s growth rate to be 1.9 per cent in 2020. This is worse than the annual average growth rates throughout the Global Financial Crisis (4.7 percent) or the Asian Financial Crisis (1.3 percent). Actually, Asia has not experienced zero growth in the last 60 years.

Goa Chief Minister (CM) Pramod Sawant announced that Goabecomes the first state to integrate allopathy and Ayurveda to treat COVID-19 patients and those who have been quarantined. Key Points: The CM also added that although Ayurveda cannot cure COVID-19, it will certainly boost patients’ immunity. The treatment will be administered in consultation with doctors who are dealing with COVID-19 patients, who is also an Ayurvedic practitioner. He also said they have launched a mobile app ‘AyurGoaCovid-19’ in collaboration with the Union Ayush ministry.

CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), a premier national R&D (Research & Development) organization has set up a core strategy group (CSG)to work related to coronavirus (COVID-19) under 5 verticals namely Digital and Molecular Surveillance; Rapid and Economical Diagnostics; New Drugs / Repurposing of Drugs and associated production processes; Hospital Assistive Devices and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment); and, Supply Chain and Logistics Support Systems.

Researchers from Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have developed a semi-autonomous robot that can disinfect large surfaces quickly. The researchers are planning to have public trials to support Singapore's fight against COVID-19. Named eXtreme Disinfection roBOT (XDBOT), it can be wirelessly controlled via a laptop or tablet, removing the need for cleaners to be in contact with surfaces, thereby reducing the risk of picking up the virus from potentially contaminated areas.

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressed his countrymen and announced the extension of lockdown until 3rdof May 2020. This measure has been taken by the Government of India in order to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the nation. The lockdown was initially implemented in India from 25thMarch 2020 and was scheduled to end on 14thApril 2020.

World Trade Organisation (WTO)has released Annual Trade Statistics and Outlook Report has projected that the global trade is to fall by 13%-32% due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it disrupts the normal economic activity and life around the world.

Scientists at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Science and Technology(SCTIMST), Trivandram, Kerala, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India (GOI), have designed two technologies- disinfection gateway and face mask disposal bin to fight COVID-19 pandemic.