NGO launches platform to counsel medics

Guwahati: To help doctors and other medical staff treating Covid patients cope with mental stress, an Assam-based NGO on Friday said it had launched a pan-India platform to counsel corona warriors. The Global Pandemic Response Forum has started helpline ‘Dhara’ in seven different languages and tied up with more than 70 psychologists to counsel medical staff. PTI

Mumbai buses converted into ambulances

Mumbai: As Mumbai grapples with the rising number of Covid cases, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking, the civic transport service, has converted seven of its AC minibuses into ambulances. These “semi-ambulances” will be used to ferry suspected patients, or those who have only mild infection, to Covid-19 Care Centres, a senior official said. PTI

Virtual zoo tour for kolkata residents

Kolkata: The West Bengal Forest Department has launched an app to help people take a virtual tour of a zoo here in an effort to keep them at home during the ongoing lockdown, an official said on Friday. Launched by state Forest Minister Rajib Banerjee on Thursday, the app contains videos of different animals and captures various moods of reptiles, mammals and birds, he said. PTI

10,000 held in R’sthan so far for violating curbs

Jaipur: Over 10,000 people have been arrested and nearly 1.03 lakh vehicles impounded for the violation of lockdown orders and curfew in Rajasthan so far, a senior police officer said here on Friday. Around 9,000 of them were arrested under Section 151 of the CrPC, Additional Director General (Crime) BL Soni said. He said over Rs1 crore had been collected as fine. PTI