Thread by @barandbench

#MadrasHighCourt to shortly hear suo motu case concerning #COVID19 management in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry.

Matter is before Chief Justice Sanjib Banerjee and Justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy.

Track thread for live updates.

Bench assembles.

AG R Shanmugasundaram: We have filed an additional status report.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

843 oxygen beds, govt to create about 12k additional beds, may be ready by May 15th, AG Shanmugasundaram submits.

Govt has written for revising oxygen allocation for Tamil Nadu, has written for increasing allocation to 500 MT oxygen, AG submits.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Present allocation of 419 MT #oxygen not sufficient, if COVID cases increase, may require more oxygen, AG submits.

2lakh 5k vials of #Remdesivir allocated by centre additionally up May ... (unclear), AG submits.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Four more #Remdesivir sale counters to be opened including in Coimbatore, Madurai, AG Shanmugasundaram submits.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: We want the last seven-day incremental cases... new COVID cases over the last seven days... then we can have an idea of what it is going to be like.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: About #oxygen, we hear that the SC has set up a (national task force)

AG says he has circulated the SC order and that experts have been made part of that task force.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

AG reads from the Supreme Court order. Reads that oxygen allocation should be on a scientific, rational basis while also allowing flexibility based on State's needs, that transparent mechanism should be in place for oxygen allocation, etc.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

AG continues reading from the Supreme Court order, reads that audit is in the interest of transparency, to identify bottlenecks in the distribution of oxygen, etc.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

AG: This is the order of the Supreme court. It's intention is made clear. Court will be monitoring the situation. Task force is for expert advice and the court will go by what advice they give

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: In many areas, the task force will go into it, not only for oxygen but also for drugs, other measures... the only place we come in is, till task force makes recommendations, the UOI is still responsible... ASG is here?

ASG R Sankaranarayanan: I am here

#MadrasHighCourt

CJ: A number of (COVID) cases are rising...

AG informs: On May 6, it was 24,898; May 7, it is 26,465; May 8, it was 27,397; May 9, 28,897 - that is the latest

1 lakh 25k active cases presently, but not all of them in beds, AG adds.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: Rate may be falling a bit, but it (number) is rising

AG: Lockdown has started, we can expect there may be a reduction in a couple of days

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: We also believe all over the country, testing has gone down...(alarming report) by American university an indicating number of deaths happening all over the country... till the task force gets into the business of doing whatever it does, Union is responsible

#MadrasHighCourt

CJ: On May 5, (#oxygen) allocation agreed was 475 MT, Tamil Nadu has now been allocated 419 MT... 40 MT from Palakkad.. we believe Palakkad residents put resistance to trucks carrying oxygen coming to the southern districts (of TN)...

#MadrasHighCourt

CJ: ... Production from Thoothukudi or Sriperumbadur is going to be much more difficult... something has to be done about that

ASG: I will communicate that

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: We already have presently, a daily requirement of 475 MT (oxygen)... 2-3 days later, as state projects, our need is going to be 700-800 MT. Something has to be done

By May 15, #Sterlite will be producing 40 MT. They are in the process of starting: AG, in response to qn

CJ: We have to augment, how we can create oxygen generators... We have IIT over here, others... we have to look at how to augment.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

In Puducherry, there was is not much of an increase in COVID-19 cases, hovering at about 1,600 cases, Government Pleader N Mala submits.

Last week it was 1,200, it is going up, CJ notes

That is because of increase in testing, 9k-10k people being tested per day, GP says

Senior Advocate V Prakash makes submissions for an intervenor, he is appearing for certain workmen, the petition has not been numbered.

CJ: We will assemble again on Wednesday, you can keep it ready by then.

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#CovidIndia

Senior Advocate Prabakaran refers to the large number of lawyers who have died of COVID, says information on the availability of beds may be given so it can be published on the Bar Council website.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: Mr. Prabakaran, We will strongly advise.. you open a dialogue with the AG, approach him privately (he will help)... when we assemble on Wednesday or Thursday, we will take it up. It would be better if you take it up without our intervention.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Adv R Sreedhar submits that on looking at a dashboard, there are presently 126 oxygen beds, 22 ventilator beds available in Puducherry.

Adds that there are two govt hospitals, Puducherry.

There are 33 primary health centres with 4-5 beds; that also can be utilised, he says

Adv C Kanagaraj makes submissions, suggests various measures for COVID-19 management.

Senior Adv MS Krishnan refers to Kilpauk centre for #Remdesivir sale: There is a lot of rush, many families where 3-4 are infected cannot go..

Senior Adv MS Krishnan: ... If govt can think of delivering to hospitals on verification, hospital staff can come and collect (instead of general public)

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Other drug Tocilizumab is in short supply, only a few hospitals have it, it is a life-saving drug that can reduce the number of deaths, something could be done for equitable distribution, for more allocation to TN, Senior Advocate MS Krishnan adds.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Senior Advocate P Wilson makes submissions, raises concerns on oxygen allotment to TN. Also reiterates need for looking into vaccine production at Kings Institute, Guindy, Chengalpettu vaccine centre and centre at Coonoor

@PWilsonDMK

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#CovidIndia

No persons have responded to tender for #vaccine production at the Chengalpettu plant. Someone who has got a licence and technical know-how is needed to start vaccine production at Chengalpettu. Tenders were floated, time extended to May 21, ASG submits

#MadrasHighCourt

ASG adds that the Coonoor plant is not fit enough to produce #vaccines, only for bacteria.

I am told that the Union government expects an increase in the production of both those drugs... before Wednesday will know facts and figures with regard to the increase... : ASG

What the union is doing is equitably distributing what is available... centre has filed an affidavit in SC: ASG

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Senior Advocate V Prakash raises concern over measures taken to prevent COVID spread from people coming in from other States: Other states have a protocol of RTPCR Test.

Adv Gautam S Raman: E-pass does not require negative test report.. only asks for details of person travelling and whether a person would be subjected to quarantine.. negative test report is not one of the criteria

Court says that at this juncture, it may not enure to the greater good with negative COVID tests are insisted upon for inter-state travel

CJ: Centre has now issued guidelines saying you do not need a negative report for admission.. because testing centres are not able to cope...

CJ: ... there are many who are showing symptoms, they are not able to get tested

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ: We have to remember that what we are trying to monitor, help... but in helping, we should not create any confusion, poke our nose because we do not have expertise

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#CovidIndia

CJ: We will ask them questions.. but we will not suggest measures, because we don't know those measures. we don't have the domain knowledge.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ notes that now epidemiologists are also part of the National Task Force set up by SC.

CJ: I wish that governments all over had roped in epidemiologists earlier... but let us move on. let's see that we do not make it worse.

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#CovidIndia

CJ: There is a third wave scientists are talking of.. let us take measures to augment resources so that if the third wave comes, then we are not caught napping.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

CJ adds: We are not substituting experts or pretending to be experts

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Adv G Senthilkumar says that there are now 12 Siddha centres announced by State recently, adds that these should start at districts so persons with mild symptoms can go

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CJ: There are many people who are resorting to yoga, whatever gives them solace, confidence. We are not saying this is good or bad... Whatever people feel is necessary, they are free to do it.

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia

Govt Pleader Mala informs that Puducherry received 4lakh,18k doses of COVID-19 vaccine of which 2 lakh doses were utilized. About 2 lakh 10k doses remaining.

CJ: That's very good

On #Remdesivir, Puducherry was given 6.6 lakh vials - 2.8k distributed , 3.7 with govt, Court told

Court ORDER: Upon the new govt taking over… there has been a change in key personnel...evident that continuance of office of Health Secretary is maintained to ensure that there is no loss of momentum or lack of rhythm in the continuance of measures to fight the pandemic

On May 6, 2021, there were 24,008 COVID cases; May 7 there were 26,465 additional cases; on May 8, the figure was 27, 397; on May 9, 28,895 cases: #MadrasHighCourt has taken on record.

#CovidIndia

At present, slightly over 1.25 lakh persons remain affected by the virus in the state though most of them are not in hospitals or clinics but in self-isolation at home and some of them may also be asymptomatic: #MadrasHighCourt has taken on record.

#CovidIndia

State & Centre should find ways of effective supply of oxygen to the South-Western regions of TN, #MadrasHighCourt says, while noting that Palakkad residents have reportedly protested against trucks supplying oxygen from Palakkad to those parts of TN.

Supply of oxygen from Sriperumbadur or elsewhere may be logistically difficult to reach the South-Western part and less efficient than ensuring supply from neighbouring Palakkad which is 40 km away, #MadrasHighCourt notes

#MadrasHighCourt takes on record that Vedanta's #Sterlite plant at Thoothukudi is expected to start producing 40MT #oxygen (initial supply) by this week.

#CovidIndia

#MadrasHighCourt has called for looking at ways to augment oxygen supply for TN: "In the light of the present allocation of medical oxygen (419 MT) and the rising need of the state, It is necessary to think of a plan B."

Setting up oxygen generators may be explored, court says

If as experts suggests, a 3rd wave may be in the offing, it is necessary to be over-prepared ... than be underprepared and rue for having been cornered for additional resources. Object of exercise is to prepare for the worst and hope that worst does not hit us: #MadrasHighCourt

Reports filed indicate augmentation of beds, oxygenated beds... by and large, State seems to be addressing issue appropriately, together with strict lockdown measures put in place now. Hoped that no. of additional cases would taper off within the next few days: #MadrasHighCourt

In Puducherry, there seems to be complaints over number of beds available, although govt says there are sufficient beds in govt host and private facilities commandeered for such purpose, Court notes.

No dearth oxygen in Puducherry at present, Court notes.

Both Tamil Nadu & Puducherry seem to be crying out for requisite supply of drugs and vaccines, Court records.

ASG has assured to take up the case of both the State and the UT with the Centre at least till such time national task force gets down to the nitty-gritty, Court notes

#MadrasHighCourt takes serious note of concerns that COVID-19 patients may not have representatives to collect #Remdesivir from government collection centres. As State to immediately look into whether the drug can be made available directly to private hospitals upon verification

Matter posted next on May 12, 2.15 pm

Necessary that immediate, urgent measures be taken to augment oxygen, vaccine, drug supply to both TN and Puducherry, Court says. Adds that it is not imposing measures, only monitoring preparedness of the State

#MadrasHighCourt
#CovidIndia