COVID-19 Cases Updates: The recovery rate has increased to 87.80 per cent
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded above 2 lakh for the second day, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,42,91,917 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 15,69,743 which now comprises 10.98 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate has increased to 87.80 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 2,17,353 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 1,74,308 with 1,185 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, A hundred new hospitals will get their own oxygen plants with funds from the PM-CARES fund, the government said on Thursday, amid a surge in coronavirus cases that has battered healthcare services across the country and left several states scrambling for treatment essentials.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus India Cases:
Record cases in Delhi, MaharashtraMaharashtra 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.
10 Democrats Ask Biden To Back India's Waiver Bid At WTOTen 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.
COVID-19: Uttarakhand restricts entry of people in state secretariat
Amid the rise in COVID-19 cases in the state, the Uttarakhand government has restricted the entry of people in the state secretariat.
The order was issued by the Chief Secretary of the state Om Prakash on Friday said that only ministers and staff will be allowed to enter the secretariat.
"The journalists are also not allowed to enter the secretariat," the order said.
Meanwhile, the schools in Dehradun, Nainital, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar and Kotdwar Bhabar districts in Uttarakhand will remain closed till April 30.
China To Build More Bio Labs Amid Scrutiny Over Wuhan Facility On CovidChina has operationalised its new biosecurity law to fortify the legal cover for the establishment and safe operation of more bio labs in the country amidst questions whether the COVID-19 originated from such a laboratory in Wuhan.
The coronavirus emerged in China's central Wuhan city in December 2019 and became a pandemic, upending life across the globe.
Under the new Biosecurity Law, China will continue to build and approve more labs specialising in advanced pathogenic microbiology with a scrupulous and scientific manner, the country's Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Xiang Libin said.
Read Delhi, Maharashtra Report Biggest Ever Single-Day Covid SpikeMaharashtra 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.
Remdesivir Use Rampant, Private Hospitals To Blame: Maharashtra Minister
Some hospitals were breaking COVID-19 treatment protocol set by the Maharashtra government task force by administering Remdesivir injections to patients who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, state health minister Rajesh Tope said on Friday.
Amid a rise in COVID-19 cases, Remdesivir, a key medicine in the treatment of the infection, is reportedly in short supply.
"The Maharashtra State COVID task force, comprising medical experts, has categorized COVID-19 patients as A, B, C, D and E, the last being those who have severe symptoms and have comborbidities. Remdesivir should be administered to only such patients. But I have come to know that it is being given to patients who have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic. It is the private hospitals that have increased the demand for Remdesivir," he said.
"There should be judicious use of the medicine, but we have observed it is being used rampantly. We have been asking them not to do so, but there are limitations to our appeal as well. The state government has set up flying squads to check its misuse," the minister added.
Covid Vaccinations Near 12 Crore-Mark In India: Health Ministry
The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country approached the 12 crore-mark on Friday with more than 26.14 lakh doses being given till 8 pm, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
A total of 66,689 COVID Vaccination Centres (CVCs) were operational, marking a rise of an average of 21,689 operational centres (45,000 CVCs on an average are functional on any given day). Workplace vaccinations have also enabled such a high turnout of beneficiaries, it said.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country stands at 11,97,87,239, according to the 8 pm provisional report.
As Covid Cases Rise, Goa Ramps Up Bed Capacity At Hospitals
As Goa witnessed a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases on Friday, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said additional beds will be set up at treatment facilities to accommodate patients.
The coastal state recorded 927 COVID-19 cases and six casualties during the day.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Sawant said while some states have gone for lockdowns and night curfews to control the spread of the virus, the Goa government is not planning to do so.
The state government is augmenting its COVID-19 treatment facilities, by adding 60 beds at the Goa Medical College and Hospital, which currently has 180 beds, while 150 beds will be set up at South Goa District Hospital in Margao in addition to the existing 309, the chief minister said.
Delhi Records Biggest Single-Day Jump Of 19,486 Covid Cases
Delhi records biggest single-day jump of 19,486 COVID-19 cases, 141 deaths, according to the Health department.
Union Minister Prakash Javadekar Tests Positive For Covid
Union minister Prakash Javadekar on Friday said that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and urged those who came in contact with him in the last two-three days to get themselves tested.
Mr Javadekar, who holds the key portfolios of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Information and Broadcasting, and Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, informed about having tested positive for coronavirus on Twitter.
"I have tested #COVID positive today. All those who have come in contact with me in the last 2-3 days may please get themselves tested," the 70-year-old Union minister said.
Bombay High Court Extends Interim Orders Passed In Cases Till May 7 Amid Covid
The Bombay High Court on Friday said all interim orders passed by it and its benches at Nagpur, Aurangabad and Goa and subordinate courts in Maharashtra which are valid till April 19 shall stand extended unconditionally till May 7 owing to a surge in COVID-19 cases in the state.
Describing the prevailing coronavirus situation in Maharashtra as alarming, the High Court has also decided to take up only urgent matters for hearing virtually till May 7.
A special bench, comprising Chief Justice Dipankar Datta and Justices AA Sayed, SS Shinde and P B Varale, noted that litigants might not be able to approach courts urgently due to the April 13 order of the Maharashtra government imposing new restrictions on public movement.
Maharashtra To Face Shortage Of Remdesivir For Next 2 To 3 Days: Minister
Maharashtra will face a shortage of 12,000 to 15,000 Remdesivir injections, used to treat COVID-19 patients, for the next two to three days, state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Rajendra Shingane said on Friday.
He said pharma companies manufacturing Remdesivir have stepped up production but it will take time for the new stock to reach the market.
"Companies that produce Remdesivir injection have increased their production but it will take some time for the vials to hit the market. If we consider a 10-12 per cent shortage, Maharashtra will continue to face a shortage of 12,000 to 15,000 Remdesivir vials for the next two to three days," he said.
UP Sees Record Daily Rise Of 27,426 Covid Cases
Uttar Pradesh's daily COVID-19 cases surged to a record high of 27,426 on Friday, taking the state's cumulative tally to 7,93,720, according to an official.
The death count climbed to 9,583 with 103 more fatalities, Additional Chief Secretary (Health) Amit Mohan Prasad told reporters.
This is the third straight day when the state has reported a record rise in COVID-19 cases. As many as 22,439 fresh cases were recorded on Thursday and 20,510 on Wednesday.
With over 36 lakh cases, Maharashtra remains country's worst-hit state
Maharashtra, the country's worst-hit state, reported 61,695 fresh coronavirus cases, taking the tally to 36,39,855, while 349 new fatalities pushed the death count to 59,153. The state is under a strict curfew till the end of April. In terms of the total caseload, Maharashtra is followed by the southern states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
JUST IN: Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa tests positive for COVID-19, hospitalised
Study Sheds Light On 10 Scientific Reasons Why Coronavirus Is Airborne
A new assessment in the medical journal Lancet has found "consistent, strong evidence" that the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which causes COVID-19, is predominantly transmitted through the air. (Read full story
here)
Sunday lockdown in UP, Rs 1,000 fine for not wearing mask, Rs 10,000 for second violation
A full lockdown has been imposed in Uttar Pradesh on Sunday amid the rising numbers of cases in the state. Those seen without a face mask will be fined Rs 1,000, the government said today, adding that the penalty will be increased to Rs 10,000 for second violation.
India's cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 11.72 crores
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 11.72 crores on Friday as part of the world's largest vaccination drive, the Union Health Ministry has informed.
According to the ministry, cumulatively, 11,72,23,509 vaccine doses have been administered through 17,37,539 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Friday.
These include 90,82,999 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 56,34,634 HCWs who have taken the second dose, 1,02,93,524 frontline workers (FLWs) (first dose), 51,52,891 FLWs (second dose), 4,42,30,842 first dose beneficiaries and 30,97,961 second dose beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 3,87,41,890 (first dose) and 9,88,768 (second dose) beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years, said the ministry.
10 states, including Maharashtra and UP, account for nearly 80 per cent of new COVID-19 cases
Ten states comprising Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have shown a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases accounting for 79.10 per cent of the new infections, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.
India's daily new cases continue to climb as a record 2,17,353 new infections have been registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 61,695. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 22,339 while Delhi reported 16,699 new cases.
India's total active cases has increased to 15,69,743 and now comprises 10.98 per cent of the country's total infections. A net increase of 97,866 cases have been recorded in the total active case tally in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 65.86 per cent of India's total active cases.
Centre to review COVID-19 situation in UP, Chhattisgarh
Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla and Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan on Friday will review the COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in separate meetings, officials said.
This comes a day after the two top officials of the central government reviewed the coronavirus situation in Madhya Pradesh.
The union home secretary and the secretary in the ministry of health and family welfare will review the COVID-19 situation in Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh in separate meetings, a home ministry official said.
Uttar Pradesh had on Thursday reported 104 COVID-19 deaths and 22,439 fresh cases, pushing the fatality count to 9,480 and the total infection number to 7,66,360.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Arunachal Pradesh reports 8 new COVID-19 cases, tally rises to 16,920
Eight more persons including two security personnel, tested positive for COVID-19 in Arunachal Pradesh, pushing the total caseload in the northeastern state to 16,920, a senior health official said on Friday.
Three new cases were reported from Lower Dibang Valley, two from the Capital Complex region and one each from Papumpare, Tawang and West Kameng districts respectively, the official said.
Two Army men and a worker of Border Roads Organisation (BRO) were among the fresh cases, State Surveillance Officer (SSO) Dr Lobsang Jampa said.
Telangana reports 3840 new COVID-19 cases in last 24 hours
Telangana reported 3840 new COVID-19 cases and nine deaths in the last 24 hours, according to the state health bulletin.
With the new cases, the total count of COVID-19 positive cases in the state has reached 3,41,885 including 3,09,594 discharges and 1797 deaths.
Currently, there are 30,494 active cases in Telangana. With 1198 patients recovering in the last 24 hours, the total tally of recoveries in the state has reached 3,09,594.
The death toll in Telangana stands at 1,797. The state''s case fatality rate stands at 0.52 per cent while the recovery rate stands at 90.55 per cent.
COVID-19: Government departments, ministries allow work from home to its staff, staggered timings suggested
Amidst an exponential growth in COVID-19 infections being reported in the country, various ministries of the Government of India have advised their employees to work from home and officers above the Under Secretary rank have been asked to report to the office in staggered timings.
Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), Information and Broadcasting Ministry, and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution has asked its officers to reach the office with staggered timings. Those who are living in COVID-19 containment zones can avoid coming to the office.
Earlier, the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in February had already asked its staff to work from home with restricted required attendance.
COVID-19: Lucknow's iconic Bada Imambara, other monuments closed for public
Iconic Nawabi-era structure the Bada Imambara and other monuments in the Uttar Pradesh capital have been closed for public till further orders due to the COVID-19 situation.
"Bada Imambara (Bhool Bhulaiya), Chhota Imambara, picture gallery and Shahjanaf Imambara have been closed till further orders," an order issued by District Magistrate Abhishek Prakash said.
"Violators of the order will be liable for punishable action under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code," it said.
The monuments were earlier closed in March last year and were reopened in September when the coronavirus cases came down in the state.
Just In| 2.17 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases in India in new daily record, 1,185 deaths in 24 hours
Thane district's COVID-19 count crosses 4 lakh-mark with 5,364 new cases
With the addition of 5,364 coronavirus cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has crossed the four lakh-mark, an official said on Friday.
The caseload stood at 4,01,054, the official said.
These new cases were reported on Thursday, he said.
As the virus claimed the lives of 31 persons during the day, the death toll in the district rose to 6,825.
The district's COVID-19 mortality rate is 1.70 per cent, he added.
Congress leader Randeep Singh Surjewala tests positive for COVID-19.
For Remdesivir injection, a long queue of family members of COVID patients was seen outside a medical store in Raipur on Thursday.
"I have been here since Wednesday morning. My patient needs 6 injections but they won't give more than one," a man said.
Porters in Petrapole, the last Integrated Check Post at Bangladesh border demand permission to carry passengers' luggage till 'no man's land' as was the case before COVID pandemic.
"Earlier we earned Rs 300-400/day which has come down to Rs 70-100/day," a porter said yesterday.
Covid-19: Weekend Shutdown In 10 Odisha Districts From April 17
In a bid to break the chain of the COVID-19 infection in the state, the Odisha government on Thursday announced a weekend shutdown in 10 districts bordering Chhattisgarh where the number of active coronavirus
cases crossed the one lakh mark, an official said.
The restriction will be imposed in Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Sambalpur, Bargarh, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Bolangir, Nabarngpur, Koraput and Malkangiri from Saturday, Chief Secretary S C Mohapatra said.
Over 2 lakh fresh COVID-19 cases in India, 1038 new fatalities
The number of new coronavirus cases in India hit a record daily high with over 2 lakh infections being reported in a day, while the active cases surpassed the 14- lakh mark, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.
With the new cases, the total tally of COVID-19 cases in the country rose to 1,40,74,564.
A total of 2,00,739 new COVID-19 cases have been registered in a span of 24 hours, while death toll increased to 1,73,123 with 1,038 daily new fatalities, the highest since October 3, 2020, the data updated at 8 am showed.