Coronavirus Cases Updates: The recovery rate is 88.92 per cent.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded above 1,80,000 taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,38,73,825 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 13,65,704 which now comprises 9.85 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate has increased to 96.86 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 1,84,372 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 1,72,085 with 1,027 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday stopped short of enforcing a lockdown but announced tough restrictions for the next 15 days that include a ban on gatherings and only essential activities to break the chain of Covid infections that he said were "exploding dangerously" in the state. "The war has begun again," he said, addressing the state on the massive surge in cases.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus India Cases:
Ambulances With Covid Patients Queue Up At Civil Hospital In GujaratThe Gujarat government on Wednesday downplayed the long queue of ambulances carrying COVID-19 patients seen outside the civil hospital, saying the admission of patients is being carried out as per the protocols which just cannot be discarded.
The government said it was unfair to associate the queue with the efficiency of the civil hospital in handling the situation.
The civil hospital campus in Asarva area of the city houses a dedicated 1,200-bed hospital for COVID-19 patients.
Since the last week, a long queue of ambulances carrying coronavirus positive patients has been seen outside the hospital building.
During a hearing on the overall pandemic situation in the state, the Gujarat High Court recently observed that "over 40 ambulances were found queued up outside the civil hospital".
Bengal Poll Body Chief Calls Meet To Ensure Covid Protocols During Campaign
West Bengal chief electoral officer (CEO) Aariz Aftab Wednesday called an all party meeting on April 16 following the Calcutta High Court direction to the Chief Electoral Officer and all district magistrates in the state to ensure strict implementation of COVID-19 protocol during campaigning for the remaining four phases of the state election, an Election official said.
All political parties in the state have been asked to send only one representative each for the meeting which will discuss matters related to the campaigning for the last four phases of the poll, he said.
There will be discussions on the norms of social distancing and relevant COVID-19 protocol, the official added.
State Additional Director General of police (Law and Order) Jag Mohan and state health secretary NS Nigam will also be present in the meeting, he said.
The Calcutta High Court had on Tuesday directed that all health-related guidelines should be maintained in the strictest possible manner with regard to campaigning by political parties for the West Bengal assembly polls in view of the resurgence in COVID-19 cases.
Kumbh Mela Will Not Be Cut Short, Say OfficialsThe mega Kumbh Mela at Haridwar will continue till April 30 and there has been no discussion to close it early on account of surging Covid infections, officials said today as they denied any move to wrap up the event two weeks early.
"The Kumbh Mela used to begin in January, but looking at the Covid situation, the state government decided to start it in April this time. The centre's SOP said because of the situation, the duration would be reduced. I have no information of it being curtailed," said Deepak Rawat, District Magistrate, Haridwar, and Kumbh Mela officer.
Read Delhi Crematoriums, Graveyards Struggle To Keep Up As Covid Deaths RiseAt Delhi's biggest crematorium, Nigambodh Ghat, the number of cremations have gone up from 15 per day to over 30 as COVID-19-related deaths in the national capital continue to rise.
Delhi recorded 104 deaths due to coronavirus on Wednesday, the highest since November 20.
The same day, India recorded 1,027 deaths, the highest daily count since October 18 when 1,033 deaths were recorded.
Gautam, 27, who lost his grandfather to Covid on Tuesday night reached the Nigambodh Ghat on Wednesday at 8:30am but even after five hours, the funeral had not been performed due to lack of space at the cremation facility.
Read PM Modi Responsible For "Suffering" Brought By Pandemic: Sitaram YechuryHitting out at the government over the handling of the coronavirus pandemic, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury today alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was responsible for the "sufferings" of the people and he cannot "evade democratic accountability".
Referring to the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases in the country, he claimed that the worst rise is in the BJP-ruled states. He claimed that the last fortnight saw a 1,000 per cent rise in cases in Bihar, infections in Uttar Pradesh were rising and the Madhya Pradesh government "grossly under reports" its cases.
Centre committed to ensure adequate availability of vaccines: PM ModiAsserting that the government is committed to ensuring adequate availability of COVID-19 vaccines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday called for harnessing the combined power of community groups, political parties and NGOs in the battle against the COVID-19 pandemic. Interacting with governors and lieutenant governors of all states and union territories through video conference, PM Modi urged them to actively engage in ensuring that social institutions collaborate seamlessly with state governments.
Modi said the feeling of "Janbhagidari" (people's participation) that was seen in curbing the virus last year needed to encouraged now as well and added the role of governors becomes all the more critical to achieving this.
Delhi Reports Over 17,000 Coronavirus Cases In New One-Day Record
Transporters demand suspension of toll collection in Maharashtra during curfew
Transporters' body AIMTC said reverse migration of drivers could impact supply chain, and urged the Maharashtra government to suspend toll collection at nakas in the wake of a 14-day statewide curfew to contain the rising number of COVID-19 cases. The All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC), which claims representing around 95 lakh truckers and entities, in a statement also said that if the situation does not improve in the near future, the government should consider sops such as tax waiver, EMI moratorium, and extension of third-party insurance.
Rajasthan announces curfew from 6 pm to 6 am amid Covid spikeRajasthan has imposed a curfew from April 16 to April 30 in all the cities amid a rise in coronavirus cases. The curfew will be applicable from 6 pm to 6 am. All educational institutions will also be closed during this time. Markets have been asked to shut at 5 pm.
The state recorded 6,200 COVID-19 cases today, out of which 1,325 were reported from Jaipur.
Denmark to stop using AstraZeneca Covid vaccine, in European firstDenmark announced it would stop using the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine altogether, becoming the first European country to do so over suspected rare but serious side effects. Despite recommendations from the WHO and European medicines watchdog to continue using the vaccine, "Denmark's vaccination campaign will go ahead without the AstraZeneca vaccine," Danish Health Authority director Soren Brostrom said.
European Union turns to BioNTech/Pfizer after Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine suspensionThe European Union is turning more heavily to BioNTech/Pfizer to make up for suspended Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses and for longer-term needs to fight the mutating coronavirus, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said.
BioNTech/Pfizer is bringing forward delivery of 50 million doses to the second quarter, starting this month, and negotiations are under way with it to supply 1.8 billion doses of a second-generation of its mRNA vaccine to combat variants, she said in a televised statement.
Prohibitory orders issued in Mumbai under section 144 amid rise in Covid casesThe Mumbai police has issued fresh prohibitory orders under section 144 of the CrPC, banning assembly of five or more people at one place in the city, to contain the spread of COVID-19, an official said.
The order will come into effect from 8 pm today and remain valid till 7 am on May 1, he said. This is part of the Maharashtra government's restrictions on public movement for the next 15 days across the state.
60 jail inmates, 7 staff members under treatment for coronavirus in DelhiOver 60 jail inmates and 11 staff members in the three prison complexes of Delhi are presently undergoing treatment for COVID-19, officials said. "A total of 190 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 so far," Director General (Prisons) Sandeep Goel said.
According to the data shared by officials, the number of active COVID-19 cases in Delhi prisons till Wednesday stands at 78, including 11 jail staff members. "Of the 190 positive cases, 121 inmates have recovered and two have died, leaving 67 active cases. A total of 304 prison staff contracted the infection so far. Of them, 293 have recovered and 11 are still under treatment," Mr Goel said.
Punjab gets 4 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses from Centre, sufficient till April 15
Punjab Health Minister Balbir Singh Sidhu on Tuesday said that the state demanded 15 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses from the Centre but received only 4 lakh doses which are sufficient for vaccination till April 15.
"We had demanded 15 lakh vaccine doses in meeting with Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan but received only 4 lakh doses on April 11, which is sufficient for vaccination till April 15," Mr Sidhu said.
Earlier on April 10, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh had said that the state has only five days of COVID-19 vaccines left.
He took part in a meeting convened by Congress interim president Sonia Gandhi of Congress-ruled states and Congress ministers from alliance states to review the efforts to fight COVID-19 including the availability of vaccines, access to medicines and ventilators.
"Punjab is left with only five days of supply (5.7 lakh Covid vaccine doses) at the current levels of vaccinating 85000-90000 persons a day. If the state is able to meet its target of 2 lakh vaccines a day, then its current supplies will last only 3 days," the Punjab CM had said during the meeting held through video conference.
''Tika Utsav'': India's COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeds 11 crore mark
The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has surpassed 11 crore-mark on the fourth day of the ''Tika Utsav'' or vaccination festival, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) said on Wednesday.
The four-day-long vaccination programme ''Tika Utsav'' started on Sunday with an aim to inoculate the maximum number of eligible people against the coronavirus.
According to the health ministry, cumulatively 11,11,79,578 vaccine doses have been administered through 16,53,488 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am today. Over 40 lakh vaccination doses were administered in the last 24 hours.
"Eight states account for 60.16 per cent of the total doses given so far in the country," it said.
COVID-19 cases are increasing in Goa, I would request everyone to follow guidelines. This time we cannot impose a lockdown as this will stop economic activity. Tourists, as well as locals, should take precautionary measures: Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant
Ten states account for 82.04 per cent of India's daily new COVID cases: Government
Ten states, including Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Kerala, have shown a steep rise in daily new COVID-19 cases accounting for 82.04 per cent of the fresh infections being reported in a day, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
India's daily new cases continue to rise and a record 1,84,372 fresh coronavirus cases were registered in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 60,212, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 17,963 while Chhattisgarh reported 15,121 new cases.
India's total number of active cases has increased to 13,65,704 and now comprises 9.84 per cent of the country's total infections. A net increase of 1,01,006 cases has been recorded in the total number of active cases in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 68.16 per cent of India's total active cases, the ministry said.
Maharashtra alone accounts for 43.54 per cent of the total number of active cases of the country.
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Delhi Minister Kailash Gahlot tests positive for COVID-19, says he is in home isolation.
30 new cases push Mizoram's COVID-19 tally to 4,685
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally rose to 4,685 on Wednesday as 30 more people tested positive for the infection, an official said.
Of the new cases, 25 were reported from Aizawl district, three from Kolasib and two from Serchhip, he said.
Twenty new patients have travel history, the official said.
The northeastern state had on Tuesday reported 36 fresh coronavirus cases.
Mizoram now has 204 active cases, while 4,469 people have recovered from the disease and 12 died.
The state has so far conducted 2,66,380 sample tests, including 1,890 on Tuesday, the official said.
Just In| Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray to chair a meeting of all district collectors today to review the COVID-19 situation in the state.
Just In| Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh writes to Centre seeking postponement of board exams for Classes 10 and 12, in the wake of rising COVID-19 cases.
Give free COVID-19 vaccine to poor, needy: Mayawati to government
Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati on Wednesday appealed to the government to make arrangements for free food and accommodation for migrant labourers and workers who are planning to return home amid a spike in coronavirus cases.
She also demanded that all the needy and the poor be given COVID-19 vaccine free of cost.
In a statement issued here on B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary, Mayawati said people are once again planning to return home following the recent spurt in coronavirus cases.
Efforts should be made to stop another exodus of migrant labourers from cities as seen during the coronavirus-induced lockdown last year.
"State governments should make adequate arrangements for food and lodging, otherwise these people may come in the grip of COVID-19 during the exodus. To stop this, the Centre should help the state governments as well."
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Moderna Says Protection From Its COVID-19 Vaccine Still Strong Six Months OnModerna Inc said on Tuesday that its COVID-19 vaccine still showed strong protection against the illness six months after people received their second shot, with efficacy of more than 90 percent against all cases of COVID-19 and more than 95 percent against severe COVID-19.
The vaccine maker, which will be updating investors on the progress of its vaccines at an event on Wednesday, said the six-month follow-up of its original late-stage study of the vaccine showed that vaccine efficacy remained consistent with its previous updates.
The company has also started testing new versions of the vaccine that target a concerning new variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in South Africa and is known as B.1.351.
It said both versions of the vaccine that it is testing, including a multivalent vaccine that combines the newly designed vaccine with the previous one, increased neutralizing antibody titers against variants of concerns in mice, with the multivalent providing the broadest level of immunity.
Record 29 single-day deaths push Jharkhand's COVID-19 toll to 1,261
Jharkhand reported a record 29 COVID-19 deaths in a single day, pushing the toll to 1,261, while the tally climbed to 1,44,594 with 2,844 fresh cases, a health department official said on Wednesday.
The state now has 17,155 active cases following the recovery of 1,26,178 patients, he said.
State capital Ranchi reported the highest number of single-day deaths as well as new infections - 6 and 1,049, respectively.
5,056 new COVID-19 cases in Thane, 27 more deaths
Thane has reported5,056 new cases of coronavirus, raising the infection count in the Maharashtra district to 3,90,124, an official said on Wednesday.
These new cases were recorded on Tuesday, he said.
The virus also claimed the lives of 27 more people, pushing the death toll in Thane to 6,760, he said, adding that the COVID-19 mortality rate in the district is 1.73 per cent.
So far, 3,25,669 patients have recuperated from the infection in the district, which reflects a recovery rate of 83.48 per cent.
There are 57,695 active COVID-19 cases in the district at present, the official said.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: Telangana reports 2,157 new COVID-19 cases, 8 deaths
Telangana recorded 2,157 fresh coronavirus cases, pushing the total positives to over 3.34 lakh, while the toll rose to 1,780 with eight more fatalities.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 361, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri (245) and Rangareddy (206), a government bulletin said on Wednesday providing details as of 8 PM on April 13.
The total number of cases stood at 3,34,738 while with 821 patients being cured, the total recoveries were at 3,07,499.
The state has 25,459 active cases and over 72 thousand lakh samples were tested on Tuesday.
Update| 26,06,18,866 samples have been tested up to April 13 including 14,11,758 samples tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research
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Drive-through RT-PCR testing launched at GMDC Ground in Ahmedabad today
"It will help to contain COVID by limiting the lab rush. Those getting tested have to register via QR code. Report to be sent in 24 hours," says one of the organizers.
People entering Odisha without negative RT-PCR report, vaccination certificate to go under self-quarantine
In an effort to maintain the crowd amid the surge of the COVID-19 pandemic, the East Coast Railway and Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation have tightened up the surveillance at the railway station. The people coming to the state without a negative RT-PCR report or vaccination certificate are being asked to go under self-quarantine.
Elaborating the arrangements made at the Bhubaneswar Railway Station, the station director, Chittaranjan Nayak told ANI, "We are collecting details of those coming from out of the state and do not have negative RT-PCR report, we ask them to self-quarantine. Those who have not taken both the doses of the COVID-19 vaccine are being registered."
Just In| 1,84,372 fresh COVID-19 cases in India in biggest daily spike so far, 1,027 deaths in 24 hours
Amid rising cases in Indore, district administration to convert Radha Soami Satsang Beas ground into Covid-19 care centre.
"Asymptomatic patients will be isolated here. 500 beds in 1st phase,1000 in 2nd, if need arises. Medicines, food will be free," said Nodal Officer.
Only Essential Activities For 15 Days In Maharashtra From Today
Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Tuesday stopped short of enforcing a lockdown but announced tough restrictions for the next 15 days that include a ban on gatherings and only essential activities to break the chain of Covid infections that he said were "exploding dangerously" in the state. "The war has begun again," he said, addressing the state on the massive surge in cases.
From today, Section 144 -- a rule that prohibits groups of more than four people -- will be in place across Maharashtra and only essential travel and services will be allowed, said Mr Thackeray, urging people to move to Work From Home and observe a "Janata Curfew" voluntarily. From 7 am to 8 pm only essential services will function, related to health care, banks, media, e-Commerce and fuel.