Coronavirus Cases in India: The recovery rate is 85.01 per cent.
New cases of coronavirus infection in India were recorded nearly 2 lakh, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,56,16,130 according to the Union Health Ministry data.
The COVID-19 active caseload is 21,57,538 which now comprises 13.82 per cent of the total infections.
The recovery rate has increased to 85.01 per cent, the data stated.
A total of 2,95,041 new infections were registered in a day, while the death count increased to 1,82,553 with 2,023 daily new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.
Meanwhile, after an acute oxygen shortage in Delhi hospitals was flagged in court and through appeals by politicians, including Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, some of the city's biggest medical facilities received a late night refill yesterday. Oxygen tankers arrived late on Tuesday at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital and Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, which were merely hours away from running out of stock.
Here are the Highlights on Coronavirus India Cases:
Nashik reports record 90 COVID-19 deaths, 6,257 new cases
The count of COVID-19 cases in Nashik district of Maharashtra rose to 2,81,877 with the addition of 6,257 new patients on Wednesday, while a record 90 patients died, health department officials said.
The virus claimed 90 lives, which took the deaths in the district to 3,122, they said. This is the highest number of deaths recorded in a day so far.
Earlier, 57 patients had died on April 20. Of the 90 deaths, 41 were from Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) areas, 46 from other parts of the district and one from Malegaon.
Odisha anticipates COVID will peak soon, keeps infrastructure ready
Anticipating that the second wave of coronavirus will reach its peak sometime between last week of April and first week of May, the Odisha government on Wednesday claimed that it is fully prepared for the eventualities.
The government also issued a stern warning to doctors who have been transferred asking them to immediately join their new places of posting or face action.
Directorate of Medical Education & Training (DMET) Director, Prof CBK Mohanty, said that the peak has started in Maharashtra and the national capital of Delhi might see the climax by last week of April.
"In Odisha, the peak might come between the end of April and first week of May. After that, the cases will decrease naturally at the same pace as it is increasing now," he said.
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally crosses 5,000-mark with 90 fresh cases
Mizoram's COVID-19 tally crossed the 5,000-mark on Wednesday as 90 more people, including nine CRPF personnel, tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
The fresh infections -- 69 in Aizawl, 16 in Lawngtlai, two each in Mamit and Kolasib and one in Serchhip -- have pushed the state's caseload to 5,085, he said.
Thirty-one new patients have travel history, while 59 infections were detected during contact tracing, the official said.
The state now has 497 active cases, while 4,576 people have been cured of the disease, taking the recovery rate among the coronavirus patients in the state to 89.99 per cent.
Nagpur district records 7,229 new COVID-19 cases, 98 deaths
The COVID-19 tally in Nagpur district of Maharashtra increased by 7,229 on Wednesday to reach3,43,589, while 98 more patients died due to the infection, an official said.
As many as 5,504 patients were discharged from hospitals during the day, pushing the recovery count to 2,65,457, he added.
With 24,163 more samples examined for coronavirus, the number of tests went up to 20,65,095, the official said.
Centre should announce free vaccination against COVID for all citizens: Ashok Gehlot
Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday said the Centre should provide free COVID-19 vaccines to all citizens. He also said the Centre should not discriminate on the ground of age when it comes to vaccination against the viral disease.
Referring to experts, Gehlot pointed out that a third wave of the coronavirus cannot be ruled out.
"The central government has allowed the private sector to administer vaccines, so those who can afford will be able to get the vaccine there by paying the money. For everyone else, the central government should provide free vaccines," he said in a tweet.
AIIMS COVID task force chief urges other departments for more doctors
The head of the medicine department at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has requested his colleagues from other departments to provide 80 per cent of the resident doctors and faculty members for COVID-19 management.
In an urgent request, Dr Naveet Wig, who is also the chairperson of the hospital's COVID-19 Task Force, said in view of an alarming rise in the number of patients suffering from the disease and the opening of multiple COVID-19 facilities in the hospital, the need of manpower has increased multi-fold.
"To meet this demand, as directed by the director, you are requested to provide 80 per cent of your residents and 80 per cent of your faculty members for COVID-19 management," the request stated.
Delhi Police arranges 116 oxygen cylinders for private hospitals with COVID-19 patients
The Delhi Police on Wednesday arranged 11 oxygen cylinders for a private hospital in the city's Janakpuri area where 32 COVID-19 patients are admitted, officials said.
A senior police officer said a distress call was received from Amarleela Hospital at around 9 am saying oxygen stock at the facility was nearly exhausted.
The hospital said it had 32 coronavirus patients, the police said.
"Police contacted local oxygen suppliers and succeeded in finding medical oxygen. Eleven cylinders were arranged for the hospital from three different locations -- Kirti Nagar, Gole Market and Mayapuri," Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (west) Prashant Priya Gautam said.
The police said they are in constant touch with the hospital and oxygen suppliers to meet any emergency.
Jharkhand reports 45 more COVID deaths, 4,969 new cases
Jharkhand's COVID-19 death count rose to 1,547 after 45 more people died due to the disease in the last 24 hours, while 4,969 fresh cases took the tally to 1,72,315, the health department said in a bulletin. It said that the number of active cases stands at 33,178, while 1,37,590 people have so far recovered from the disease.
Greece to roll out J&J COVID-19 vaccine on May 5Greece plans to start the rollout of Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine on May 5 after Europe's drug regulator backed its use, health authorities said. "We expect decisions by the CDC and FDA on Friday and then by our national committee on vaccinations in the following days. Vaccinations will begin on May 5," said Marios Themistocleous, secretary general in charge of vaccinations.
Greece had been expected to start J&J vaccinations on Monday before questions emerged over reports of very rare blood clotting disorders associated with the vaccine.
Bihar announces free COVID-19 vaccination to all above 18 yearsThe Bihar government will provide the COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced. "The Bihar government will provide COVID-19 vaccine free of cost to all above 18 years of age in the state," Mr Kumar tweeted in Hindi.
The Bihar government has imposed a impose night curfew in the state amid rising COVID-19 cases.
Punjab Chief Minister writes to centre asking for uninterrupted oxygen supplyAmid complaints of shortage of liquid medical oxygen across hospitals in the country, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has urged the Centre to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supplies. In a letter to Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Mr Singh has urged daily allocation of at least 120 MT medical oxygen for the state.
"Faced with shortage of medical oxygen supply for COVID-19 patients, Chief Minister Amarinder Singh writes to Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan for ensuring uninterrupted oxygen supplies, with at least 120 MT daily allocation for the state," Punjab Chief Minister office tweeted.
Centre should give vaccines to states for free: Kerala Chief Minister
Kerala Chief Minister said that the state governments have been asked to buy vaccines but states are already going through a financial burden because of COVID-19. "Instead of pushing states to further economic crisis, the Centre should give vaccines to the states for free," he said.
Resurgence of Covid is PM "Modi-made disaster": Mamata BanerjeeWest Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said coronavirus is a "Modi-made disaster" (referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi) and demanded that he should quit if unable to provide adequate medical supplies to combat the disease. She alleged that 65 per cent of the drugs manufactured in the country for tackling the pandemic have already been exported.
"The Covid-19 pandemic had subsided in the country but has surged in a second wave owing to the monumental failure of the central government and negligence and total incompetence on its part," she said. "The country is facing a Modi-made disaster. Modi Babu will have to take responsibility on why medicines to treat COVID-19 are not available in the market..."
Chhattisgarh government to bear cost of COVID-19 vaccination in state, urges centre to ensure suppliesExpenses to vaccinate all aged above 18 years against COVID-19 in Chhattisgarh will be borne by the state government, said Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel. He requested the central government to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines.
"Expenses, to vaccinate all aged above 18 years in Chhattisgarh, will be borne by state government. We will take all possible steps to protect our citizens'' lives. Request central government to ensure availability of adequate number of vaccines," Mr Baghel tweeted.
Delhi police setting up 3 Covid care centres for its personnel, their familiesThe Delhi Police said it was in the process of setting up three Covid care centres in the city for its personnel and their family members.
Delhi Police Commissioner SN Shrivastava said the facilities are being set up at Shahdara, Rohini and Dwarka with the help of Hamdard Foundation and Sewa Bharti. "Shahdara is functional with 78 beds (20 oxygen). Rohini will operate soon with 20 beds (10 oxygen)," Mr Shrivastava posted from his official Twitter handle.
Himachal reports 823 new cases, infection tally crosses 80,000-mark
Himachal Pradesh reported 823 new COVID-19 cases and 13 fatalities today, pushing the state's infection tally to 80,233 and the death count to 1,219. Four deaths were reported in Shimla, three each in Solan and Kangra, two in Sirmaur and one fatality was from Hamirpur, the hill state's special health secretary, Nipun Jindal, said.
Ten states account for over 76 per cent of new COVID-19 cases
Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and Rajasthan are among 10 states that account for over 76 per cent of the 2,95,041 new cases registered in the country, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily cases at 62,097. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 29,574 while Delhi reported 28,395 new cases.
The other states in the list of 10 are Karnataka, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
India's total active caseload has reached 21,57,538 and now comprises 13.82 per cent of the country's total infections. A net increase of 1,25,561 cases have been recorded in the total active caseload in a span of 24 hours.
Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Kerala cumulatively account for 60.86 per cent of India's total active cases.
India's cumulative recoveries stand at 1,32,76,039 with 1,67,457 recoveries being registered in a day.
Serum's Covishield At ₹ 400 A Dose For States, 600 For Private HospitalsCovishield will be sold at Rs 400 a shot to states and Rs 600 to private hospitals, the Serum Institute of India (SII) said today, days ahead of a new round of vaccinations from May 1 that will include all above 18.
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Aurangabad district sees 1,337 new COVID-19 cases, 37 deaths
Aurangabad district has reported 1,337 fresh coronavirus positive cases and 37 fatalities, taking the tally to 1,11,830 and the toll to 2,217, an official said on Wednesday.
At 706, most of the fresh infections were reported from rural areas while 631 cases were recorded in Aurangabad city.
In Aurangabad, a total of 1,840 patients were discharged, taking the count of recoveries so far to 94,523.
The district is now left with 15,090 active cases, the official added.
Of the 279 citizens who were found roaming without any valid reason on Tuesday, four were found to be infected after testing.
COVID-19: Puducherry adds 619 cases; Lt Guv asks public to get vaccinated without delay
Puducherry registered 619 fresh COVID-19 cases on Wednesday pushing the total caseload to 49,593 while the toll climbed to 722 as five more people succumbed to the infection.
Director of Health and Family Welfare Services S Mohan Kumar said there were 5,404 active cases which included 1,036 patients taking treatment in hospitals while the remaining 4368 patients were in home isolation.
He said 43,467 patients recovered and were discharged so far from hospitals.
Of the total new cases Puducherry region alone accounted for 470 cases followed by Karaikal 70, Yanam 41 and Mahe 38.
The 619 cases were identified at the end of examination of 5607 samples during last twenty four hours.
Coronavirus India Updates: Gujarat private hospitals, clinics permitted to treat COVID-19 patients till June 15
The Gujarat government has permitted all private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and dispensaries to treat coronavirus patients till June 15, an official said on Wednesday.
The decision was taken during a core-committee meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani on Tuesday night in light of the surge in coronavirus cases in the state.
"Looking at the growing number of novel coronavirus cases, the Gujarat government has decided to permit doctors in private hospitals, clinics, dispensaries and nursing homes to treat COVID-19 patients till June 15," an official release stated.
Coronavirus India Updates: India fastest to administer 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses: Health Ministry
India has become the fastest country to administer 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, taking just 95 days to do so, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
The US took 101 days to administer these many doses, while China 109 days, the ministry said.
Cumulatively, 13,01,19,310 doses have been administered in India through 19,01,413 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 am.
These include 92,01,728 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose, and 58,17,262 HCWs who have got their second dose.
These also include 1,15,62,535 frontline workers (FLWs) who have got their first dose, and 58,55,821 FLWs who have taken their second dose.
Also, 4,73,55,942 above-60 beneficiaries have been administered the first dose and 53,04,679 the second dose.
In the 45-60 age category, 4,35,25,687 individuals have taken their first dose and 14,95,656 the second dose.
Coronavirus India Updates: India fastest to administer 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses: Health Ministry
India has become the fastest country to administer 13 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses, taking just 95 days to do so, the Union Health Ministry said on Wednesday.
The US took 101 days to administer these many doses, while China 109 days, the ministry said.
Cumulatively, 13,01,19,310 doses have been administered in India through 19,01,413 sessions, according to the provisional report till 7 am.
These include 92,01,728 healthcare workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose, and 58,17,262 HCWs who have got their second dose.
These also include 1,15,62,535 frontline workers (FLWs) who have got their first dose, and 58,55,821 FLWs who have taken their second dose.
Also, 4,73,55,942 above-60 beneficiaries have been administered the first dose and 53,04,679 the second dose.
In the 45-60 age category, 4,35,25,687 individuals have taken their first dose and 14,95,656 the second dose.
Coronavirus Updates: Private COVID vaccination centres to procure directly from manufacturers starting May 1
From May 1, the present system of private COVID-19 vaccination centres receiving doses from the government and charging up to Rs 250 per dose will cease to exist and they will procure directly from vaccine manufacturers.
According to the Liberalised Pricing and Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, COVID-19 vaccination will continue to be free for eligible population groups comprising health care workers, frontline workers and population above 45 years of age in government COVID vaccination centres which receive doses from the Government of India.
Vaccine manufacturers would make an advance declaration of the price for 50 per cent supply that would be available to state governments in the open market before May 1.
Based on this price, states, private hospitals, industrial establishments may procure vaccine doses from manufacturers.
Just In| Serum Institute says states to get Covishield at Rs 400 a dose, private hospitals at Rs 600; price for centre stays at Rs 150
People await their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccine as the inoculation drive for people above 45 years of age continues across the country. Visual from Acharya Shree Bhikshu Hospital.
Vaccination for people who are of 18 years of age and above will begin on May 1st.
Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani takes his first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Gandhinagar.
One day complete lockdown imposed in Chandigarh today on Ram Navami, to prevent large gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Police personnel check IDs of people moving amid the lockdown.
'Corona curfew' imposed in Bhopal Municipal Corporation and Berasia municipality areas from till 6 am on April 26th, in the wake of COVID-19 situation.
Coronavirus India Updates: Telangana daily COVID-19 cases soar to new high
Telangana's daily coronavirus cases continue to soar and a record one-day increase of 6,542 fresh infections were registered in the last 24 hours, taking the total positives to over 3.67 lakh, while the toll rose to
1876 with 20 more fatalities.
Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) accounted for the most number of cases with 898, followed by Medchal Malkajgiri 570 and Rangareddy 532, a government bulletin said on Wednesday providing details as of 8 PM on April 20.
The number of cumulative cases stood at 3,67,901 while the total recoveries were at 3,19,537 after 2,887 patients were cured.
Coronavirus Updates: Uttarakhand tightens restrictions in view of COVID surge
The Uttarakhand government has ordered closure of markets in urban areas barring shops dealing in essential commodities from 2 pm onwards and changing of the night curfew timing across the state from 9 pm to 7 pm.
The order aimed at checking the spread of COVID-19 comes into effect from Wednesday, Chief Secretary Om Prakash said.
The night curfew timing for all 13 districts has been revised from 9 pm-5 pm to 7 pm-5 pm, it said.
The order of closing shops and business establishments also applies to shopping malls, he said.
Considering the likelihood of people from Uttarakhand working in Delhi returning home in the wake of a six-day lockdown in the national capital, online registration and a negative RT-PCR test report not older than 72 hours has been made mandatory for the returnees.
Just In| 2.95 lakh COVID-19 cases, 2,023 deaths in India in 24 hours, biggest spike so far
Just In| 27,10,53,392 samples tested for COVID-19 up to 20th April 2021. Of these, 16,39,357 samples were tested yesterday: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Coronavirus India Updates: Thane district sees 4,599 new COVID-19 cases, 49 deaths
With the addition of 4,599 fresh coronavirus positive cases, the infection count in Thane district of Maharashtra has risen to 4,25,987, an official
said on Wednesday.
These new cases were reported on Tuesday, he said.
As the virus claimed the life of 49 more patients, the death toll in the district went up to 7,031. The mortality rate is 1.65 per cent, he added.
The details of recovered and under-treatment patients were not provided by the district administration.
Coronavirus LIVE Updates: 45 new cases take COVID-19 tally of Andamans to 5,466
The COVID-19 tally of Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to 5,466 on Wednesday as 45 more people tested positive for the infection, a health official said.
Seventeen new patients have travel history, while 28 fresh infections were detected during contact tracing, he said.
Thirty-one more people have been cured of the disease.
The Union territory now has 159 active cases, while 5,243 people have recovered from the disease and 64 patients have succumbed to the infection to date, the official said.
The administration has so far tested over 3.55 lakh samples for COVID-19, he said.
COVID-19: Supreme Court adjourns regular hearing, miscellaneous matters scheduled for Thursday
Matters shown in the final cause lists of miscellaneous matters and regular hearing matters for April 22 (Thursday) stand adjourned and will not be taken up for hearing in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Supreme Court informed on Wednesday.
As per the official notice, matters shown in the final lists of Registrar's Court and Chambers Matters for April 22 and 23 will also not be taken up for hearing and stand adjourned.
Additionally, Regular Courts and Registrars Courts will not sit from April 22 onwards till further orders.
A separate circular will be issued with respect to the sitting of courts.
Tracking course of COVID-19 outbreak in India very closely: US
The United States is tracking the course of the COVID-19 outbreak in India "very closely", the State Department has said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised Americans to avoid all travel to India.
"We are tracking the course of the COVID outbreak in India very closely," State Department Spokesperson Ned Price told reporters at his daily news conference.
Responding to a question, he said, Secretary of State, Tony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the issue during a phone call on Monday. "Whether it''s India or any other country, we are committed to doing what we can both at present and going forward to see to it that this virus is brought under control," he said.
According to the World Health Organization, from January 3, 2020 to April 20, 2021, India has reported 15.3 million COVID-19 cases and over 1,80,000 deaths. As of April 11, a total of 104 million vaccine doses had been administered, the WHO said.
Maharashtra Government has imposed statewide restrictions till May 1st, in the wake of the COVID-19 situation. Section 144 imposed across the state.
Police personnel check vehicles and IDs of people who are commuting amid the 6-day lockdown imposed in the national capital in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The lockdown will continue till 5 am of 26th April.
Hospitals in Gujarat to treat COVID patients without prior permission till June 15
All private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes in Gujarat can treat COVID-19 patients till June 15, without any prior permission, Chief Minister Vijay Rupani has announced.
On Tuesday, Rupani said that no prior permission but just an intimation to Municipal Commissioner or District Collector is sufficient to treat COVID-19 patients.
"In view of the prevailing corona situation, CM Vijay Rupani announces Gujarat government''s decision to allow all private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes to treat COVID-19 patients till June 15 without any prior permission, by only informing Municipal Commissioner or Collector for the same," tweeted the Chief Minister''s Office.
The Gujarat government has imposed many restrictions, including night curfew, already so there is no need for a lockdown in the state at the moment, said Rupani earlier in the day.
Defence Research and Development Organisation to set up COVID-19 hospitals in Lucknow, Varnasi and Ahmedabad
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy has informed that work is on to set up a 450-bed hospital in Lucknow, a 750-bed hospital in Varanasi and a 900-bed hospital in Ahmedabad amid the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases.
As the construction of COVID-19 care hospital at Awadh Shilp Gram in Lucknow is on a war footing, the officials there on Tuesday said that the facility will have ICU wards with ventilators along with oxygen beds, as per a defence ministry statement.
Pucca structure is being used to build the wards of the hospital, which has all state-of-the-art medical facilities under one roof.
Around 77,000 migrant workers sent home: Ghaziabad administration
The district administration on Tuesday said around 77,000 migrant workers were sent home in over 1,500 buses.
Though the workers had started returning home after a rise in coronavirus cases, their number swelled after the Delhi government imposed a week-long lockdown on Monday, an official said.
According to District Magistrate Ajay Shankar Pandey, around 77,00 workers were sent to their destinations in 1,537 buses. Mr Pandey said the buses were operated from the ISBT, Anand Vihar, Kashmir Gate, and the Kaushambi bus stand.
Teams of officials from the Health Department and police were deployed for the task, which turned challenging due to the sudden announcement of lockdown in Delhi, he said.
Mumbai police issue orders on restricted operating time for shops
Mumbai Police on Tuesday issued orders under section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure prohibiting all grocery, vegetables, fruits and food shops from operating except between 7 am to 11 am, an official said.
Earlier in the day, the Maharashtra government had announced that these shops will remain open only between 7 am to 11 am till May 1, as part of efforts to curb the alarming rise in coronavirus cases. Besides, dairies, bakeries, confectioneries, shops selling agricultural implements and farm products and pet food are also allowed to remain open between 7 am to 11 am.
Any person violating the order shall be punishable under section 188 of IPC (disobeying government servant's lawful order), Epidemic Diseases Act and National Disaster Management Act.