New Delhi, July 19: Activist Sonam Wangchuk’s blood parameters remain “marginally altered”, and he is being monitored round the clock to promptly detect and manage any potential complications that may arise despite the current stable condition, officials from the Safdarjung Hospital said on Sunday.

Wangchuk, who had been on a hunger strike for 21 days at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar, was shifted to a hospital early on Saturday after his health deteriorated. The move was carried out in compliance with directions of the Delhi High Court and on the advice of medical experts.

In the latest health bulletin on Sunday, the hospital said, “Shri Sonam Wangchuk is being given the required medical intervention at VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital. His vital parameters are stable at present; however, his blood parameters remain marginally altered, and considering the physiological stress and systemic effects of prolonged fasting, he requires continuous medical care under the close observation of a multidisciplinary team of experts.”

“The treating teams of doctors from VMMC & Safdarjung Hospital and AIIMS, New Delhi, are of the considered opinion that sustained medical intervention and round-the-clock clinical monitoring are essential to promptly detect and manage any potential complications that may arise despite his currently stable condition,” officials said.

Accordingly, the hospital said that all necessary medical care is being provided, and his clinical status, including his blood parameters, is being continuously monitored.

Meanwhile, Wangchuk’s wife Gitanjali J. Angmo wrote a letter to the hospital in which she asked them to complete discharge formalities at the earliest so that he can be shifted to a medical centre of the family’s choice, citing “lack of transparency” in his treatment.

On Saturday, Delhi Police personnel reached the protest site in the morning and shifted Wangchuk to the hospital amid sloganeering and protests by CJP activists and the public gathered there.

The CJP, protesting at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar since June 6, is demanding the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak case. The protestors were joined by innovator and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who, on June 28, officially began an indefinite hunger strike at the protest site.

Kolkata, July 19: A 10-year-old boy has been admitted to a private hospital in Kolkata after testing positive for Covid-19, doctors said on Sunday. The child’s condition is stable, and he is under close medical supervision.

The boy, a resident of the Garia area in the southern outskirts of Kolkata, was admitted to the hospital on Saturday with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. The doctors conducted a swab test, and the report was positive. After learning that the boy was infected with Covid-19, he was transferred to the isolation unit of the ICU.

Pediatrician Saheli Dasgupta said, “The child had been suffering from fever, cold and cough for the last three-four days. An X-ray examination found signs of pneumonia in his right lung. The viral test came back positive for SARS-CoV-2. Since Corona is a viral disease, instead of antibiotics, he has been kept on medical support, including nebulisation. The child’s mother has also been kept in isolation. Doctors are planning to test her for Covid-19 as well.”

The condition of the child is stable, and doctors at the hospital are monitoring his health round the clock, she said.

The doctor, however, urged people not to panic, noting that fever, cough and cold are common among children during the monsoon season. She said that while fresh Covid-19 cases have been reported from some parts of the country, most infections remain mild and hospitalisation rates are low.

Coronavirus cases are once again rising in the country. In Andhra Pradesh, 12 people have been reported to be infected with Covid-19 between June 26 and July 16. In addition, 4 patients with comorbidities have died.

As the infected persons are spread across four districts, the health department sent samples to the National Institute of Virology (NIV) in Pune to find out which variant is responsible. Experts suspect that a new sub-variant of Omicron, “Cicada” (Cicada), could be one of the reasons for the increase in infections in Andhra Pradesh.

Covid-19 infections are also increasing in Pune. New patients have been identified in the last 10 days. According to doctors, most of the patients have mild symptoms, but doctors have advised caution.

According to doctors, not only Covid-19 but also influenza A and H1N1 infections tend to increase during the monsoon. Doctors advise people to get tested if they have fever, sore throat, cough or difficulty in breathing.

New Delhi, July 19: President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday emplaned for her State Visits to Moldova, North Macedonia and Romania, marking a significant diplomatic outreach to Eastern Europe and underscoring India’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties with the three countries.

Announcing her departure, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X, “President Droupadi Murmu has emplaned for State Visits to the Republic of Moldova, the Republic of North Macedonia and Romania. This marks the first-ever visit by a President of India to Moldova and North Macedonia, and the first presidential visit to Romania in over three decades. The visit will impart fresh momentum to India’s relations with these countries.”

The multi-nation visit is expected to enhance political, economic and people-to-people engagement with the three European nations while opening new avenues for cooperation in key sectors.

President Murmu will begin her visit in Moldova on July 20, at the invitation of President Maia Sandu, in what will be the first-ever visit by an Indian President to the country.

During her stay, President Murmu will hold bilateral talks with President Sandu and meet Moldovan Parliament President Igor Grosu. She will also interact with members of the Moldova-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address a Business Forum, and engage with members of the Indian community.

According to the MEA, India and Moldova share warm and friendly relations, and the visit marks a historic milestone that is expected to elevate bilateral ties to a broader strategic partnership. Both countries see significant potential for cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, information technology and education.

Following her engagements in Moldova, the President will travel to North Macedonia from July 21 to 22 at the invitation of President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova. This will also be the first-ever visit by an Indian President to North Macedonia.

During the visit, President Murmu will hold talks with President Siljanovska-Davkova and Prime Minister Hristijan Mickoski. She is also scheduled to meet the President of the Assembly, address the Assembly, and speak at the India-North Macedonia Business Forum. The two countries are expected to explore greater cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, information technology and IT-enabled services.

The final leg of the tour will take President Murmu to Romania from July 23 to 25, at the invitation of President Nicușor Dan. The visit will be the first by an Indian President to Romania in more than three decades.

During her visit, President Murmu will hold talks with President Dan and interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. She will also meet Romanian Senate President Mircea Abrudean, Chamber of Deputies President Sorin Grindeanu, members of the Romania-India Parliamentary Friendship Group, address the India-Romania Business Forum, and interact with members of the Indian diaspora.

The MEA said Romania is an important partner for India within the European Union, adding that the conclusion of the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement is expected to further strengthen bilateral economic ties. The Ministry noted that President Murmu’s State Visits reflect India’s growing focus on deepening partnerships with Eastern European nations and expanding its engagement with the wider region through enhanced political dialogue, trade, investment and people-to-people exchanges.