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India's Covid caseload surged to 1.45 crore cases with 2,34,692 fresh infections - the sharpest-ever daily spike - as the country recorded over 2 lakh cases for the third straight day. 1,341 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours as the country saw deadliest day of pandemic this year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning appealed that annual Kumbh Mela "should now only be symbolic" amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, stressing that it will give a boost to fight against the pandemic.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra and Delhi on Friday reported their biggest ever single-day surge in coronavirus cases, according to government data.
While Delhi reported 19,486 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra logged 63,729 infections.
The national capital also reported 141 deaths, which is its biggest one-day Covid death count. The city's active cases have risen to highest-ever 61,000. The recovery rate has dropped to 90.94 per cent.
Delhi's positivity rate was 19.69 per cent. 12,649 Covid patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. Nearly 99,000 coronavirus tests were conducted in the city during the period.
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, logged 398 deaths in the last 24 hours. 45,335 patients were discharged.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus India Cases:
Apr 18, 2021 06:49 (IST)
Shiv Sena Blames Centre, Election Commission For Second Covid Wave
Holding the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) responsible for the second wave of coronavirus in India, the Shiv Sena on Saturday said that the virus spread across the country more rapidly from those states, where polls were either held recently or are still underway.
Had the Centre reduced its "dose of politics" and focused on tackling the pandemic, the situation would been under control, it said.
"China might have been responsible for the outbreak of the pandemic in India, but for the second wave of coronavirus, the Election Commission and the Centre are responsible. The virus spread at 500 times more speed to the rest of the country from the states where polls were either held recently or are still underway," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ''Saamana''.
Holding the Centre and the Election Commission (EC) responsible for the second wave of coronavirus in India, the Shiv Sena on Saturday said that the virus spread across the country more rapidly from those states, where polls were either held recently or are still underway.
Had the Centre reduced its "dose of politics" and focused on tackling the pandemic, the situation would been under control, it said.
"China might have been responsible for the outbreak of the pandemic in India, but for the second wave of coronavirus, the Election Commission and the Centre are responsible. The virus spread at 500 times more speed to the rest of the country from the states where polls were either held recently or are still underway," the Sena said in an editorial in party mouthpiece ''Saamana''.
Apr 18, 2021 03:57 (IST)
'Not Saying Don't Export Vaccines, But India First': Amarinder Singh
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vaccine diplomacy policy under which millions of doses of Covishield and Covaxin - the two anti-Covid jabs manufactured in India - were gifted to several countries. Pointing out the shortages of vaccines in several states amid a spurt of coronavirus cases across the country, Mr Singh said the centre should have prioritised vaccinations of Indians over the "goodwill gesture".
"...What was the point of gifting 5 crore doses to other countries. What about us? What about Indians? Don't we get it first? I am not saying don't give it (vaccines) if you have it, but if you don't have it, the priority should be (vaccinations of) Indians, not giving the vaccines to others as a goodwill gesture... First give the vaccine to me. I said this when the Prime Minister had the conference the other day...," the 79-year-old Congress veteran said at NDTV's Solutions Summit.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh today criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vaccine diplomacy policy under which millions of doses of Covishield and Covaxin - the two anti-Covid jabs manufactured in India - were gifted to several countries. Pointing out the shortages of vaccines in several states amid a spurt of coronavirus cases across the country, Mr Singh said the centre should have prioritised vaccinations of Indians over the "goodwill gesture".
"...What was the point of gifting 5 crore doses to other countries. What about us? What about Indians? Don't we get it first? I am not saying don't give it (vaccines) if you have it, but if you don't have it, the priority should be (vaccinations of) Indians, not giving the vaccines to others as a goodwill gesture... First give the vaccine to me. I said this when the Prime Minister had the conference the other day...," the 79-year-old Congress veteran said at NDTV's Solutions Summit.
Apr 18, 2021 03:30 (IST)
24,000 Cases In Delhi Today, Short On Oxygen, Remdesivir: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday gave a dire warning, saying that the city was fast running out of beds, oxygen and the life-saving drug Remdesivir as it recorded an unprecedented 24,000 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
The positivity rate had reached a huge 24 per cent - meaning one in four of all people being tested were coming out positive, he said.
"The situation is very serious and worrisome," Mr Kejriwal said. "Cases have gone up really fast. That is why we are facing shortages even though everything seemed under control until a few days ago. But the speed at which this corona is growing, no one knows where its peak will be," he added.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday gave a dire warning, saying that the city was fast running out of beds, oxygen and the life-saving drug Remdesivir as it recorded an unprecedented 24,000 new coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours.
The positivity rate had reached a huge 24 per cent - meaning one in four of all people being tested were coming out positive, he said.
"The situation is very serious and worrisome," Mr Kejriwal said. "Cases have gone up really fast. That is why we are facing shortages even though everything seemed under control until a few days ago. But the speed at which this corona is growing, no one knows where its peak will be," he added.
Apr 17, 2021 21:25 (IST)
PM Modi Meets Top Officials, Reviews Covid And Vaccination Situation
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top central government officials via video conference to discuss the deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and the national vaccination drive.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with top central government officials via video conference to discuss the deadly second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and the national vaccination drive.
Apr 17, 2021 17:21 (IST)
Spoke To Union Health Minister On Beds, Oxygen Shortage: Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he discussed the national capital's oxygen and beds shortage with Union health minister Harsh Vardhan. "Told him that there is a shortage of beds. The Centre has 10,000 beds in Delhi. 50 per cent of these beds should be reserved for Covid patients," he said.
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said he discussed the national capital's oxygen and beds shortage with Union health minister Harsh Vardhan. "Told him that there is a shortage of beds. The Centre has 10,000 beds in Delhi. 50 per cent of these beds should be reserved for Covid patients," he said.
Apr 17, 2021 17:15 (IST)
2,100 beds with oxygen have been created by attaching banquet halls, hotels with hospitals. 6,000 beds will be added in the next few days: Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal
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Apr 17, 2021 16:27 (IST)
Apr 17, 2021 16:00 (IST)
Panel Set Up To Ensure Adequate Supply Of Medical Oxygen To Hospitals In Jammu And Kashmir
The committee would be headed by the Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce department, the order issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, said.
The committee has been asked to meet frequently and make necessary arrangements for ensuring regular and adequate supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals to meet any current and future needs, it said.
Jammu and Kashmir administration on Saturday constituted a committee to ensure adequate and timely supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals to meet the requirements of COVID-19 patients, an official order said.
The committee would be headed by the Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce department, the order issued by Manoj Kumar Dwivedi, Commissioner Secretary, General Administration Department, said.
The committee has been asked to meet frequently and make necessary arrangements for ensuring regular and adequate supply of medical oxygen to all hospitals to meet any current and future needs, it said.
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Apr 17, 2021 15:42 (IST)
"Seeing A Huge Strain In Healthcare System": AIIMS Director
Apr 17, 2021 15:06 (IST)
67 Healthcare Workers Across 5 Uttarakhand Districts Test Covid Positive
Health workers across the districts of Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar have tested positive, said Mr Gupta.
He further said that the doctors and other medical staff have been asked to be vigilant.
Meanwhile, amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Uttarakhand government has restricted the entry of people to the state secretariat.
Amid rising cases of COVID-19 in Uttarakhand, 67 healthcare workers, from doctors to nursing staff, tested positive for coronavirus in the state, informed Dr SK Gupta, Director of State Medical and Health Department.
Health workers across the districts of Dehradun, Tehri, Haridwar, Nainital and Udham Singh Nagar have tested positive, said Mr Gupta.
He further said that the doctors and other medical staff have been asked to be vigilant.
Meanwhile, amid the rise in COVID-19 cases, the Uttarakhand government has restricted the entry of people to the state secretariat.
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Apr 17, 2021 13:55 (IST)
Actor Sonu Sood Tests Positive For Covid
Apr 17, 2021 13:13 (IST)
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Apr 17, 2021 13:11 (IST)
10 States, Union Territories Account For 79.32% Of Covid Cases: Health Ministry
It said Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 63,729. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27,360, and Delhi with 19,486 fresh cases.
Ten states -- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan -- report 79.32 per cent of the new cases, the ministry said.
Sixteen states and Union Territories -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal -- are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases, it said.
Ten states and union territories, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi, account for 79.32 per cent of the new coronavirus cases in the country, the Health ministry said on Saturday.
It said Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 63,729. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27,360, and Delhi with 19,486 fresh cases.
Ten states -- Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan -- report 79.32 per cent of the new cases, the ministry said.
Sixteen states and Union Territories -- Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, Kerala, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Telangana, Uttarakhand, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal -- are displaying an upward trajectory in daily new cases, it said.
Apr 17, 2021 12:37 (IST)
Apr 17, 2021 11:48 (IST)
Centre To Depute 25 Doctors, 75 Paramedics From Paramilitary Forces In Gujarat
Gujarat is one of the states from where a high number of COVID-19 cases are being reported during the second wave of the pandemic.
"On the request of the Gujarat government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to depute 25 doctors and 75 paramedics from the paramilitary forces at the upcoming 900-bed COVID hospital to be set up by the DRDO in Ahmedabad," a ministry official said.
The centre on Saturday decided to depute 25 doctors and 75 paramedics from the paramilitary forces at an upcoming 900-bed Covid hospital being set up by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Gujarat's Ahmedabad, officials said.
Gujarat is one of the states from where a high number of COVID-19 cases are being reported during the second wave of the pandemic.
"On the request of the Gujarat government, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has decided to depute 25 doctors and 75 paramedics from the paramilitary forces at the upcoming 900-bed COVID hospital to be set up by the DRDO in Ahmedabad," a ministry official said.
Apr 17, 2021 11:12 (IST)
Apr 17, 2021 10:45 (IST)
Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy Tests Positive For Covid
Former Karnataka Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy has tested positive coronavirus. "I have tested positive for Covid. I request everyone who came in close contact with me over the last few days to isolate themselves and get tested," he said in a tweet.
Apr 17, 2021 10:13 (IST)
Delhi Chief Minister To Hold Review Meeting On Covid Situation Today
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will hold a review meeting on the COVID-19 situation today. Nodal Minister for COVID-19 management Manish Sisodia, Health Minister Satyendar Jain and other officials will take part in the meeting.
Apr 17, 2021 09:45 (IST)
Apr 17, 2021 09:18 (IST)
"Kumbh Mela Should Now Only Be Symbolic To Strengthen Covid Fight": PM Modi
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said he spoke to top seer - Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha president Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj - over phone and made an appeal about the annual gathering that attracts tens of thousands of devotees every year.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi this morning appealed that annual Kumbh Mela "should now only be symbolic" amid the novel coronavirus pandemic, stressing that it will give a boost to fight against the pandemic.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said he spoke to top seer - Hindu Dharma Acharya Sabha president Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj - over phone and made an appeal about the annual gathering that attracts tens of thousands of devotees every year.
Apr 17, 2021 08:31 (IST)
10 Democrats Ask Biden To Back India's Waiver Bid At WTO
Ten Democratic Senators led by influential Bernie Sanders have urged US President Joe Biden to support India and South Africa's proposal to the WTO to temporarily lift certain intellectual property barriers and allow countries to locally manufacture COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccines, arguing that this is key to end the pandemic and a strong American recovery.
Simultaneously, another group of 18 Republican lawmakers has written a separate letter to Biden against such a proposal, arguing that the US would lose vital research and development capacity needed to prepare for future pandemics and other health security threats.
Ten Democratic Senators led by influential Bernie Sanders have urged US President Joe Biden to support India and South Africa's proposal to the WTO to temporarily lift certain intellectual property barriers and allow countries to locally manufacture COVID-19 diagnostics and vaccines, arguing that this is key to end the pandemic and a strong American recovery.
Simultaneously, another group of 18 Republican lawmakers has written a separate letter to Biden against such a proposal, arguing that the US would lose vital research and development capacity needed to prepare for future pandemics and other health security threats.
Apr 17, 2021 07:48 (IST)
Maharashtra To Use Technology To Increase Tests: Rajesh Tope
The number of new coronavirus cases around the globe has almost doubled over the past two months, an alarming increase that the World Health Organization said Friday was nearing the pandemic's peak infection rate.
Around the world, "covid-19 cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing Friday.
"This is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far during the pandemic," he said. "Some countries that had previously avoided widespread covid-19 transmission are now seeing steep increases in infections."
Case numbers have spiked in nearly all regions, with larger outbreaks gripping Brazil, India, Poland, Turkey and some other countries. In the seven days ending April 11, global cases rose by 11 percent compared to the previous week, according to the WHO.
The number of new coronavirus cases around the globe has almost doubled over the past two months, an alarming increase that the World Health Organization said Friday was nearing the pandemic's peak infection rate.
Around the world, "covid-19 cases and deaths are continuing to increase at worrying rates," WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a briefing Friday.
"This is approaching the highest rate of infection that we have seen so far during the pandemic," he said. "Some countries that had previously avoided widespread covid-19 transmission are now seeing steep increases in infections."
Case numbers have spiked in nearly all regions, with larger outbreaks gripping Brazil, India, Poland, Turkey and some other countries. In the seven days ending April 11, global cases rose by 11 percent compared to the previous week, according to the WHO.
Apr 17, 2021 07:03 (IST)
Second wave of coronavirus destructive, but our government prepared: Ashok Gehlot
Calling the ongoing second wave of coronavirus infection destructive, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehot Friday called upon people to follow all COVID-19-related guidelines strictly and said the government is prepared to meet any challenge.
He said the government is concerned for the lives and livelihoods of people and that necessary steps have been taken to contain the spread of the virus.
Calling the ongoing second wave of coronavirus infection destructive, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehot Friday called upon people to follow all COVID-19-related guidelines strictly and said the government is prepared to meet any challenge.
He said the government is concerned for the lives and livelihoods of people and that necessary steps have been taken to contain the spread of the virus.
Apr 17, 2021 06:54 (IST)
Delhi, Maharashtra Report Biggest Ever Single-Day Covid Spike
Maharashtra and Delhi on Friday reported their biggest ever single-day surge in coronavirus cases, according to government data.
While Delhi reported 19,486 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra logged 63,729 infections.
The national capital also reported 141 deaths, which is its biggest one-day Covid death count. The city's active cases have risen to highest-ever 61,000. The recovery rate has dropped to 90.94 per cent.
Delhi's positivity rate was 19.69 per cent. 12,649 Covid patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. Nearly 99,000 coronavirus tests were conducted in the city during the period.
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, logged 398 deaths in the last 24 hours. 45,335 patients were discharged.
Maharashtra and Delhi on Friday reported their biggest ever single-day surge in coronavirus cases, according to government data.
While Delhi reported 19,486 Covid cases in the last 24 hours, Maharashtra logged 63,729 infections.
The national capital also reported 141 deaths, which is its biggest one-day Covid death count. The city's active cases have risen to highest-ever 61,000. The recovery rate has dropped to 90.94 per cent.
Delhi's positivity rate was 19.69 per cent. 12,649 Covid patients were discharged in the last 24 hours. Nearly 99,000 coronavirus tests were conducted in the city during the period.
Maharashtra, the worst-hit state, logged 398 deaths in the last 24 hours. 45,335 patients were discharged.
