The All India Agarbathi Manufacturers’ Association (AIAMA), which represents more than 800 agarbathi manufacturers, has said that despite the COVID-induced restrictions such as lockdown and several logistical hurdles, the industry has managed to maintain its sales volumes.
** 22 oxygen concentrators for Dharwad
Like-minded people from India and Australia who have formed a team called “Medical Oxygen for All” have donated 22 oxygen concentrators to Dharwad. On Thursday, Superintendent of Police of Dharwad P. Krishnakant handed them over to the Health Department in the district.
Mr. Krishnakant, who is part of “Medical Oxygen for All”, symbolically handed over a few oxygen concentrators to District Health Officer Yashwanth Madinkar at his office on Thursday.
** ‘Doctors for villages’ launched
Hassan district administration has launched Vaidyara Nade Halligala Kadege [“Doctors for villages”] in view of the increase in COVID-19 cases in rural areas.
Minister for Excise K. Gopaliah inaugurated the programme on Wednesday when 47 vehicles carrying doctors, health workers and support staff left for villages.
** Creating black fungus drug was risky, says Udupi’s Srikanth Pai
Liposomal Amphotericin B has saved thousands of lives by helping people fight mucormycosis or black fungal infection, which has taken on an epidemic proportion during the second Covid wave.
One of the brains behind the wonder drug is Srikanth Annappa Pai, who hails from Gangolli in Udupi district.
** How this tiny village in Karnataka brought down its Covid caseload to zero
A gram panchayat in remote Yellapur taluk, Mavina Mane, has shown how to tackle the ongoing Covid crisis by ensuring social distancing and adherence to lockdown norms. The panchayat that had over a 100 cases is now free from Covid.
** CFTRI’s ozone-based air disinfection system to combat droplet infections
The CSIR-Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) in Mysuru has come up with an ozone-based disinfection system which can also be used for combating transmission of droplet infections like COVID-19.
“Ozone is known for water purification. We have tried to standardize it for air disinfection,” said CFTRI Director Sridevi Singh told The Hindu.
** Rapid Oxygen Centre inaugurated in Hubballi
With an objective of helping patients who require oxygen, Bollywood actor Sonu Sood’s Sood Charity Foundation has set up a Rapid Oxygen Centre near Hubballi Railway Police Station. It was formally commissioned on Wednesday.
The Rapid Oxygen Centre set up in association with SWAG-ERT and Hubballi Railway Police will provide free oxygen cylinders to needy patients. It has tied up with a local firm, Karnataka Gas Agency, for refilling cylinders.
** Sapna Book House founder succumbs to COVID-19
Suresh Shah is also counted as one of the leading publishers of books in Kannada
Suresh C. Shah, 84, founder of Sapna Book House, the largest bookstore chain in Karnataka, succumbed to COVID-19 in Bengaluru on Tuesday afternoon
** Local manufacturers supplying bulk of oxygen to Karnataka
Of the State’s allocation of 1,200 MT, it had received 959 MT
While the Central government has formalised an allotment of 1,200 MT of oxygen to Karnataka, a bulk of it will come from local manufacturers.
Around 830 MT will be produced by manufacturers in Karnataka, while 310 MT will come from other States. The remaining 60 MT will come from MSME Air Separation Units.