A weekend lockdown was imposed from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in Maharashtra
India added 1,52,879 fresh infections reported since yesterday, setting another grim one-day record as the country's Covid tally reached over 1.33 crore cases. 839 deaths in the last 24 hour pushed the total death count to 1.69 lakh.
Active cases have seen a steady increase for the 32nd day in row. The active cases increased to 11,08,087 comprising 8.29 per cent of the total infections, while the recovery rate further dropped to 90.44 per cent, the Health Ministry said.
The worrying surge has forced many states to consider night curfew and other virus-fighting measures to control the pandemic. In Maharashtra - which accounts for 51.23 per cent of the total active cases - Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has hinted at the possibility of a lockdown.
The Delhi government on Saturday announced new restrictions amid an alarming rise in coronavirus cases, banning most public gatherings and setting limits for attendance at restaurants, theatres, on public transport and functions like weddings and funerals.
A weekend lockdown was imposed from 8 pm on Friday to 7 am on Monday in Maharashtra amid an unprecedented surge in coronavirus cases.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus India Cases:
Second Wave Of Covid Worrying, People Need To Be Cautious: Yogi Adityanath
The current COVID-19 wave is worrying and people need to take all precautions and follow protocols, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Sunday at an all-party meeting.
Governor Anandiben Patel said the situation was grim and vaccination against COVID-19 should be ramped up.
Covid Patients Get Oxygen In Chairs At Maharashtra Hospital Out Of BedsSlouched in wheelchairs, barely able to keep their eyes open, COVID-19 patients at the district hospital in Maharashtra's Osmanabad get their oxygen fix while more are wheeled in. Even at barely a minute long, the video clip tells a horror story of what happens when the healthcare system of small-town India gets overwhelmed with more patients than it had ever prepared for.
The Osmanabad district hospital appears to have run out of beds in the cellphone clips recorded by witnesses and so patients are made to sit on chairs as a handful of nurses and doctors do their best to help as many people as possible.
Maharashtra Reports Over 63,000 Covid Cases In Biggest Single-Day SurgeMaharashtra on Sunday reported over 63,000 new coronavirus cases in its highest ever single-day surge along with 349 deaths. At 63,294, Sunday's infections were 14 per cent higher than a day ago and took the number of active cases in the state past 5.65 lakh.
Worst-hit among all states in the country and accounting for roughly half of its caseload, Maharashtra is under a weekend lockdown till 7 am Monday and has announced curbs like a night curfew through the week.
UP records highest-ever single-day spike of 15,353 new COVID-19 casesUttar Pradesh on Sunday reported 15,353 new COVID-19 cases, the highest single-day spike since the outbreak of the virus, while 67 fresh deaths took the toll in the state to 9,152, according to an official statement.
The total number of cases in the state stands at 6,92,015. The count of active is 71,241, it said.
Uttar Pradesh recorded its "highest single-day increase in fresh COVID-19 cases with 15,353 new cases reported on Sunday, which is the highest since the outbreak of the coronavirus," Director General of Medical Health DS Negi told PTI.
In this month, so far, the highest single-day death toll has been 67, according to official figures.
COVID-19 casess may peak in Karnataka by May first week: Health MinisterAmid a spike in coronavirus cases in the state, Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar on Sunday said that the experts have warned of peak in infections by the first week of May.
The Minister also said experts have been asked to submit a report, based on which the government would take appropriate measures in the days to come.
"According to experts any wave will be there for 80 to 120 days, we have to be careful till May end, as this is just the beginning," Mr Sudhakar said.
Speaking to reporters after meeting with the technical advisory committee (TAC) and expert committee on COVID-19 constituted by the government, he said the infections may peak during the next two to three weeks by May first week and decline by the end of that month.
Central Teams Find Faults In Covid Measures Of These 3 StatesThe central government teams that were deployed to 50 districts across Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh and Punjab in view of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases have pointed out flaws in their methods to contain the raging pandemic that is witnessing a second wave in the country.
The teams have highlighted issues such as lack of RT-PCR testing facilities and Covid containment measures and shortage of healthcare workers among others in certain districts in these states.
Tika Utsav: 6,000 COVID vaccination centres in UP, Yogi Adityanath urges people to get vaccinated
As the four-day ''Tika Utsav'' commenced today, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said that the state government is running the vaccination drive across 6,000 centres, urging eligible people to join the campaign.
Running COVID vaccination across 6,000 centers in UP, says Yogi urging eligible people to join ''Tika Utsav''
Speaking to ANI during his visit to Shakti Bhawan to inspect preparedness for Tika Utsav, the Chief Minister said, "Eligible people should join four-day Tika Utsav. People above 45 can register themselves at their nearby vaccination centres to be part of the campaign. We are running vaccination drive at 6,000 centres."
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang and his wife receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang along with his wife Krishna Kumari Rai on Sunday received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, following which he appealed to those eligible for the immunisation drive to get inoculated.
The Chief Minister and his wife were administered "Covishield" vaccine at STNM Hospital near here, an official said.
Rural Development Minister Sonam Lama also received the vaccine jab, he said.
Speaking to the reporters after getting the vaccine shot, the chief minister urged all the people aged 45 years and above to participate in the ''Tika Utsav'', a vaccination drive, starting from Sunday. The special inoculation programme will end on April 14.
COVID-19 spike: Night curfew extended to rural parts of Surat
Night curfew currently in force in Surat city will be extended to rural parts of the district from Sunday to curb the spread of COVID-19, officials said.
The Gujarat government last week imposed restrictions on people's movement during night in 20 cities of the state, including Surat. In a notification issued on Saturday night, Surat Collector Dhaval Patel extended the curfew to rural parts of the district from Sunday till April 31.
The curfew will remain in force from 8 pm to 6 am, as per the notification. Surat is the first district in Gujarat where the night curfew has been imposed in both urban and rural areas.
Tika Utsav: People Arrive At Inoculation Centres In Delhi To Get COVID-19 Vaccine Jab
People arrived at inoculation centres in the national capital to receive the COVID-19 vaccine jab as a four-day-long ''Tika Utsav'' or vaccination festival kicked off on Sunday.
Jai Prakash, Mayor of the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, said, "Today Tika Mahotsav started in the country. It will be observed from April 11, the birth anniversary of Jyotiba Phule to April 14, the birth anniversary of BR Ambedkar. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to us to get a tika. We thank all doctors and health staff for being part of this mass vaccination drive."
"People should be made more aware of vaccination. We are ahead of all countries in terms of vaccination. Masks and vaccine are the most important weapons to fight the pandemic. I urge all to get vaccinated," he further said.
COVID-19 vaccination drive halted at 178 centres in Uttarakhand
The COVID-19 vaccination drive was halted at 178 vaccination centres in four districts of Uttarakhand on Saturday as stocks of vaccines ran out and were resumed on Sunday after officials went and sourced more doses.
The vaccines stock in four districts of Dehradun, Chamoli, Nainital, and Tehri had exhausted on Saturday due to which the booths suspended the vaccination drive.
State Immunization Officer Dr Kuldeep Singh Martolia told ANI that vaccination work has been affected on Saturday due to a shortage of vaccines.
"Today the state has got a stock of 1.38 lakh vaccines, it will be available for two to three days depending on the need of the state, today the vaccine dose is being sent to all the district," said Mr Singh.
COVID-19 second wave: Strict night curfew in Mangaluru city
The police have started strictly implementing the night curfew imposed to check the spread of a second wave of coronavirus infection within the police commissionerate from Saturday night.
Police sources said all vehicles plying after 10 PM were checked and the unnecessary movement of people was brought under control during the curfew hours between 10 PM and 5 AM.
People who ventured out were warned and sent back. Hoteliers and other businessmen in the city downed their shutters early in the night on Saturday.
A large number of police personnel, including four assistant commissioners, two deputy commissioners, 18 inspectors and 40 sub inspectors have been deployed in the city to monitor the situation.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan holds meeting with HCWs, discusses COVID-19 situation
Amid a surge in COVID-19 cases, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Saturday conducted a meeting with nurses and paramedical staff via video conference.
During the meeting, Chouhan urged people to follow COVID-19 protocols to combat the virus.
"For the past one year, the entire country is fighting this deadly virus and helping each other. But once again infections have started increasing," he said.
"People are following all the protocols.... be it wearing masks, maintaining social distancing but despite everything, the COVID-19 cases are increasing. I would like to thank the doctors, nurses and paramedical staff for the selfless contribution to the society. I would request everyone to keep calm and follow the COVID-19 guidelines," he further added.
Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal says 10,732 fresh cases of COVID-19 reported in last 24 hours in Delhi.
Telangana adds 3,187 new COVID-19 cases
Fresh COVID-19 cases in Telangana breached the 3,000-mark with 3,187 new infections pushing the tally to over 3.27 lakh, while the deaths rose to 1,759 with seven more fatalities, the state government said on Sunday.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 551, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (333) and Rangareddy (271), it said in a bulletin, providing details as of 8 PM on April 10.
The total number of cases stood at 3,27,278 while with 787 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3,05,335.
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary reviews COVID-19 situation, issues instructions to curb spike in infections
Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Om Prakash on Saturday held a meeting with the officials of the state health department and district magistrates (DM) to discuss the COVID-19 situation at the Secretariat.
He said since COVID-19 cases are increasing all over the country, the state will have to be proactive in preventing spread of the virus and instructed all the District Magistrates to be thoroughly prepared to cope up with the situation.
The Chief Secretary instructed the officials to ramp up testing in all the districts and ensure 100 per cent testing in containment zones. He added that adherence to social distancing and COVID appropriate behaviour in crowded areas including markets, hotels, restaurants should also be ensured.
Gujarat's Somnath temple closed amid COVID-19 surge
In view of a surge in the COVID-19 infections, the Somnath Temple trust has announced that the temple will remain shut for devotees from April 11 for an indefinite period.
Devotees can participate in ''darshan'' using online platforms. Apart from the main temple, other temples under the Somnath Trust will also remain closed till further notice.
"The Somnath Trust has decided to close Somnath temple from April 11 for visitors in view of rising COVID cases. Devotees can watch Aarti on the temple''s social media pages and its website," Vijaysinh Chawda, General Manager, Somnath Trust.
Gujarat: Amid rising COVID-19 cases, migrant workers begin to return to their native places from Surat
5,754 new COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra's Thane, 24 more deaths
With the addition of5,754 new cases of coronavirus, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has reached 3,73,364, an official said on Sunday.
These new cases were reported on Saturday. Twenty four more people have also died due to the viral infection, raising the death toll in the district to 6,688, the official said. The COVID-19 mortality rate in Thane stood at 1.79 per cent, he said. So far, 3,13,113 patients have recuperated from the infection in the district, which reflects a recovery rate of 83.86 per cent.
Tamil Nadu: People flout COVID-19 norms in Chennai's Kasimedu fish market
People flouted COVID-19 norms at the fish market in Chennai's Kasimedu on Sunday. A huge crowd numbering in hundreds were seen in the market following no social distance.
Gangadharan who works at the fish harbour said, "In view of the COVID-19 situation we all are wearing masks, The crowd seldom gets huge and some do not wear masks."
Chile registers 8,124 new cases of COVID-19
Chile reported 8,124 new cases of COVID-19 and 105 more deaths on Saturday.
Some 1,068,522 people have been infected with the virus in the country and 24,213 people have died, according to the Ministry of Health.
Minister of Health Enrique Paris said at a press conference that Chile has done everything possible to combat the new coronavirus pandemic, in the face of criticism that has arisen against the government for handling the health and economic crisis.
Paris said that the world is facing "an onslaught of the coronavirus, not only in Europe, but also in India and particularly in South America," which has led Chile to increase testing, strengthen the healthcare system, and advance the mass vaccination program to combat the disease.
MBBS Students, Interns To Be Roped In For Covid Hospitals In Delhi
In order to meet the increased demand for manpower during the ongoing Covid pandemic, all Delhi Government hospitals are directed to engage 4th and 5th-year MBBS students, interns and BDS doctors to assist in the treatment of Covid-affected patients.
"In view of the surge of COVID pandemic and to meet the demand of increased manpower, the Medical Directors/Medical Superintendents/Directors of all COVID Hospitals of Government of NCT of Delhi are authorized to engage 4th and 5th-year MBBS students, Interns and BDS pass Doctors as per the provisions of order No. 52/DGHS/PH-IV/COVID-19/2020/ss4hfw/1144 dated 18.11.2020 issued by this Department", read the order by the Delhi government.