Testing facilities increase

Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh on Friday collected 1,300 samples for Covid testing. Stating this, Amit Mohan Prasad, Principal Secretary (Health), said it was a huge increase from 150 tests being done till a few days ago. He said the number of tests being done in UP was likely to increase further in the coming days as four more laboratories had been approved by the ICMR. TNS

No CBI FIR in 20 days

New Delhi: The Covid-19 lockdown appears to have impacted India’s premier investigative agency CBI as it has not registered even a single FIR since March 20. Sources say the sleuths are dealing only with matters of urgency, like filing of chargesheets in pressing cases. In the present circumstances, the agency is operating through a pool of skeletal staff due to preventive measures like work from home and social distancing, according to sources. TNS

Maha for lockdown extension

Mumbai: The Uddhav Thackeray government wants the 21-day countrywide lockdown extended by at least two weeks in Mumbai, Pune and surrounding areas in view of the rising Covid cases. Sources said the state government was planning to pursue an aggressive containment strategy, where residents of entire clusters would be tested and suspected cases would be quarantined. TNS

SPO attacked for ‘spreading’ Covid in Nuh, eight booked

Gurugram: An ex-Army man employed as SPO with Nuh police was allegedly attacked at Sangel village by a group of residents, including sarpanch, accusing him of spreading Covid. An iron chain was put around Saimmuddin’s neck and he was dragged, injuring him seriously. He was rushed to a hospital in Gurugram. The police have booked the sarpanch, his nephew and six more persons. TNS

PIL filed in top court seeking house-to-house mass testing

New Delhi: A PIL has been filed in the SC seeking directions to the government to start house-to-house mass testing for Covid-19, starting with areas most affected by virus. The petitioners sought to highlight the manner in which India was attempting to fight the pandemic, especially with regard to the low rate of testing. TNS

Rs 50L relief for kin of Covid warriors who die in R’sthan

Jaipur: The Rajasthan Government on Friday announced Rs50 lakh relief for families of employees (Covid warriors) who die in service due to the pandemic. The employees include health workers, doctors, police personnel, Home Guard, anganwari, ASHA workers and others. It has also banned consumption of paan, tobacco or non-tobacco products and spitting at public places or in any institution. OC