Covid Cases in India: Over 22 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
25 "sickest patients" have died in the last 24 hours at the Ganga Ram hospital in Delhi, a statement from the hospital said this morning. In an SOS at around 8 am, the hospital also said it had oxygen for only two more hours and that 60 more patients are at risk.
India today reported the biggest single-day spike with 3.32 lakh new infections and 2,263 deaths.
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 13.23 crore, as part of the world's largest vaccination drive, the union health ministry said on Thursday.
According to the ministry, 13,23,30,644 vaccine doses have been administered through 19,28,118 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Thursday and over 22 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
"These include 92,19,544 HCWs who have taken the 1st dose and 58,52,071 HCWs who have taken the 2nd dose, 1,16,32,050 FLWs (1st dose), 59,36,530 FLWs (2nd dose), 4,78,67,118 1st dose beneficiaries and 57,60,331 2nd dose beneficiaries more than 60 years old and 4,44,28,884 (1st dose) and 16,34,116 (2nd dose) beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years," it said.
As many as eight states account for 59.25 per cent of the cumulative doses given so far in the country.
"As on Day-96 of the vaccination drive (April 21, 2021), 22,11,334 vaccine doses were given. 15,01,704 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 35,499 sessions for 1st dose and 7,09,630 beneficiaries received 2nd dose of vaccine," the health ministry said.
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates suspended all flights from India, including transit passengers, as coronavirus cases in the country spiked to global records. "The decision to suspend flights came after studying and evaluating the epidemiological situation in the friendly Republic of India," the General Civil Aviation Authority said in a statement carried on state news agency WAM.
Here are the Live Updates on Coronavirus India Cases:
Maharashtra Hospital Fire: Families Of Each Victim To Get Rs 5 Lakh Aid
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray today announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the thirteen COVID-19 patients, who died in a fire at a hospital in Virar of Palghar district, reported news agency PTI.
A statement from the Chief Minister's Office said those who suffered serious injuries in the incident will be given Rs 1 lakh each.
Coronavirus News: Government Issues Updated Clinical Guidance For Management Of Covid PatientsThe Union Health Ministry has issued an updated "Clinical Guidance for Management of Adult COVID-19 Patients" recommending emergency use authorisation of remdesivir for patients with moderate to severe diseases, requiring supplemental oxygen, within 10 days of onset of symptoms, reported news agency PTI.
Coronavirus News: India Sets Grim Record With Over 3.32 Lakh Cases, 2,263 Deaths In 24 HoursIn another grim single-day record, India logged the highest daily spike in fresh infections and deaths today. The country reported 3,32,730 cases of coronavirus in the last 24 hours with 2,263 deaths, the health minister said today morning.
India has been witnessing a steady spike in Covid cases in the deadly sweep of the second wave of coronavirus. The country recorded over three lakh cases with over 2,000 deaths for the second consecutive day today.
Maharashtra Fire: Rahul Gandhi Asks State To Provide All Assistance To Families Of VictimsCongress leader Rahul Gandhi today expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the Covid patients who died in a fire at the intensive care unit of a private hospital in Maharashtra's Palghar district, and appealed to the state government to provide all necessary assistance to them, reported news agency PTI.
"Tragic news has been received from Vijay Vallabh COVID centre in Virar about the death of patients due to a fire. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims," Rahul Gandhi said on Telegram.
"I appeal to the State Govt and Congress workers to provide all necessary assistance," the former Congress chief said.
Reliance Industries To Roll Out COVID-19 Vaccination Programme For Employees, Families From May 1Reliance Industries Limited today announced that the company will be rolling out a COVID-19 vaccination programme for its employees and their family members above the age of 18 from May 1, reported news agency ANI. The vaccination programme is called "R-Surakshaa".
In a letter to employees, the Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and Chairperson of Reliance Foundation Nita Ambani said that the COVID-19 vaccine is a key weapon again the coronavirus and the company has continued to bear the vaccination cost for all the eligible members.
Thane In Maharashtra Logs 5,441 New Cases With 52 DeathsThe coronavirus infection count in Maharashtra's Thane district has gone up to 4,36,092 with the addition of 5,441 new cases, an official said today, reported news agency PTI. These cases were reported on Thursday, he said.
As 52 patients died in the district during the day Thursday, the death count in the district rose to 7,130.
The district's COVID-19 mortality rate now stands at 1.63 per cent, the official added.
In the neighboring Palghar district, the Covid case count went up to 72,980, while the death count is at 1,390, another official said
As Covid Cases Surge, Centre Recommends Proning To Breathe BetterAs hospitals across the country are reeling under a severe shortage of medical grade oxygen for Covid patients caught in the deadly sweep of the second wave of infections, the central government released a set of instructions that it says will "aid to help you breathe better" during COVID-19.
Jharkhand To Vaccinate All Above Age Of 18 For Free: Chief Minister Hemant SorenAll residents of Jharkhand above the age of 18 will be administered Covid vaccines for free, Chief Minister Hemant Soren announced Thursday, reported news agency ANI.
"In Jharkhand, the corona vaccine will be provided free of cost to people above the age of 18 by the state government," Mr Soren said in a tweet.
"The government is working day and night to help people in this drastic transition. I am confident that with the cooperation of all, we will beat corona again. Corona will lose, Jharkhand will win," he added.
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Assam, Chhattisgarh and Kerala have also announced vaccines will be for everyone above the age of 18.
Karnataka Allots Rs 400 Crore To Procure 10 Million Covid Vaccine Doses
Karnataka has set aside Rs 400 crore to procure 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa announced on Thursday, reported news agency ANI.
BS Yediyurappa has also urged everyone in the state above the age of 18 to register for vaccination set to begin from May 1.
"Karnataka will procure 1 crore doses of COVID-19 vaccine as we begin to inoculate citizens between 18 to 44 years from May 1. Rs 400 crores has been earmarked for this in the first phase. I urge all those above 18 to register themselves for the vaccine starting from April 28," he said in a tweet on Thursday.
The Centre on April 19 had announced a "liberalised" policy, making all above the age of 18 eligible to get vaccinated against coronavirus from May 1. It has also allowed state governments and private hospitals to purchase vaccines from manufacturers.
5 Areas Turned Into Micro-Containment Zones In Jammu Amid SurgeThe Jammu district administration on Thursday declared five areas as micro-containment zones (MCZs) and made it mandatory for residents to get themselves tested for COVID-19, officials said, reported news agency PTI. Action, including the filing of an FIR, will be taken against anyone refusing to undergo the test, they said.
District Magistrate Anshul Garg declared Kalika Colony and Gorkha Nagar of Tehsil Bahu; south and east extension of Trikuta Nagar; Sector 6, 9 and extension-8 of Nanak Nagar; the shopping centre near Bhagat Singh Chowk Bakshi Nagar and Preet Nagar as MCZs.
Several officers have been appointed as administrators of these zones.
These areas will remain under strict lockdown and tight perimeter control. No movement, whatsoever, in and out of these MCZs will be allowed, Mr Garg said.
Germany seeking to buy 30 milliom Sputnik V doses from Russia
Germany is in talks with Russia to buy 30 million doses of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, said Saxony state premier Michael Kretschmer who discussed the issue with President Vladimir Putin on Thursday.
"Germany is negotiating 3 x 10 million doses for June, July, August. The prerequisite for this is the swift EMA approval of the vaccine," Kretschmer wrote on Twitter.
Kretschmer posted the tweet after meeting Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko as part of a visit to Moscow ostensibly focusing on cultural relations with Russia.
As part of the visit, he also discussed joint efforts to fight the virus in a phone call with Putin, the Kremlin said in a statement. "Putin confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to cooperate with German partners to this end, in particular to organise deliveries and joint production of vaccines," it said.
Norway to send 2,16,000 AstraZeneca doses to Sweden, Iceland
Norway, which has suspended the use of AstraZeneca's Covid vaccine until further notice, will send 216,000 doses to Sweden and Iceland at their request, the Norwegian health ministry said Thursday.
"I'm happy that the vaccines we have in stock can be put to use even if the AstraZeneca vaccine has been paused in Norway," Health Minister Bent Hoie said in a statement.
The 216,000 doses, which are currently stored in Norwegian fridges, have to be used before their expiry dates in June and July.
Sweden will receive 200,000 shots and Iceland 16,000 under the expectation they will return the favour at some point.
Bed availability for COVID patients in Punjab is comfortable: Amarinder Singh
Amid reports of a shortage of beds in healthcare facilities in some parts of the country, the Punjab government on Thursday said the situation in the state with respect to availability of beds for COVID-19 patients is comfortable. It also said a helpline number will provide real-time information with respect to availability of beds in the hospitals.
Chairing a meeting to review the COVID-19 situation, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh expressed concern at the reports about shortage of beds for coronavirus patients in various parts of the country.
He said the situation is comparatively comfortable in Punjab with respect to availability of beds in both government and private hospitals.
Mr Singh asked the health department to ensure that 75 per cent beds were reserved in the level-2 and level-3 facilities for COVID care. A complete ban has been imposed on elective surgeries so that the hospitals can focus on the treatment of COVID patients, he said.