India pandemic Health Citizens India

Centre may drop Covid pre-call announcements from phones after 2 years of pandemic

Reading now: 991
www.livemint.com

PTI report. The report said the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has written to the Union Health Ministry requesting it to drop these pre-call announcements and caller tunes.

It cited representations received from Cellular Operators Association of India (COA) as well as mobile subscribers. "The health ministry is now considering removal of these audio clips in view of the improved pandemic situation in the country even as other measures for spreading public awareness about the safeguards against the viral disease will continue," an official source told PTI.

The instructions for implementation of coronavirus pre-call announcements and caller tunes to Telecom Service Providers were issued by DoT following directions received from the Union Health Ministry.

The telecom service providers (TSPs) have been playing the pre-call announcements and caller tunes related to coronavirus to spread awareness amongst citizens and tell them about the precautions and vaccination to be taken during the pandemic. "After the passage of around 21 months, these announcements have served the intended purpose of awareness creation amongst the citizens and serve no value now.  "The message being played across networks invariably results in holding up and delaying critical calls from going through during emergencies and ends in consumption of precious bandwidth resources.

Read more on livemint.com
The website covid-19.rehab is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Related News

New deadly side effect warning issued to those with Covid in the last six months - dailystar.co.uk - Sweden
dailystar.co.uk
61%
681
New deadly side effect warning issued to those with Covid in the last six months
Covid in the last six months could be at risk of a deadly side effect.People who caught the virus less than half a year ago could be more likely to get blood clots, with researchers in Sweden discovering a risk of deep vein thrombosis up to three months post-infection.The research also found that people with Covid in the last six months were more susceptible to a blood clot in the lungs.Reports also indicate that there is a greater chance of a "bleeding event" in the two months after being ill.The new research from Swedish provided more evidence to the vital use of vaccines to protect from Covid complications, which aren't limited when infected with the virus.Experts found that even mild, non-hospitalised Covid patients could be at risk of potentially deadly deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.They said: "Our findings arguably support thromboprophylaxis to avoid thrombotic events, especially for high risk patients, and strengthen the importance of vaccination against Covid-19."The chances of getting a blood clot were found to be higher during the first wave of the pandemic, which suggests improvements in treatment and wide-ranging vaccine coverage has lessened the risk.Researchers at the University of Glasgow looked into "living with Covid" as more governments ease restrictions.The researchers said the study "reminds us of the need to remain vigilant to the complications associated with even mild SARS-CoV-2 infection, including thromboembolism".Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a blood clot forms on a deep vein, usually in your legs, and if the blood clot breaks off and travels into the lungs, it can cause a potentially fatal pulmonary embolism.
Jason Copping - Alberta expands access to 4th doses of COVID 19 vaccines - globalnews.ca
globalnews.ca
56%
348
Alberta expands access to 4th doses of COVID 19 vaccines
COVID-19 vaccine.Beginning Tuesday, those who are ages 70 and older as well as First Nations, Métis and Inuit people 65 and older can get the second booster shot.The province says all seniors in congregate care, regardless of age, can also receive the dose.Health Minister Jason Copping said in a release Wednesday that the number of COVID-19-positive patients in hospital remains stable. However, he said the Omicron subvariant BA.2 now makes up about 80 per cent of new cases in Alberta, bringing the potential for increased transmission and some increase in admissions.Copping said the province is well-positioned to manage any increase in hospital admissions but urged people to protect themselves.“Albertans have access to vaccines and antiviral treatments for protection against severe outcomes,” Copping said.“I encourage everyone to get vaccinated with every dose you’re eligible for and to stay home if you’re feeling unwell.”Eligible people can book their fourth dose provided at least five months have passed since their third.The United Conservative Party government’s announcement follows a recommendation from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization.Earlier Wednesday, Manitoba expanded eligibility requirements for people to get a second booster dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.Those eligible include residents of personal care homes and in congregate settings, such as supportive housing and assisted living facilities.
DMCA