Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 36,45,164. (FILE)
A day after reporting the world's highest daily surge, India today saw more than 4,000 deaths linked to Covid in a day for the first time and over 4 lakh daily cases for the fourth time in a week. The government yesterday said a third Covid wave may not happen if strong measures are taken.
Registering a steady increase, the active cases have increased to 36,45,164 comprising 16.96 per cent of the total infections, while the national COVID-19 recovery rate has dropped to 81.95 per cent.
The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 1,76,12,351, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.
Meanwhile, a drug to treat coronavirus patients, developed by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), has been approved for emergency use by the country's top drugs controller as India battles the second wave of the pandemic that is killing thousands every day.
The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water.
A DRDO lab and Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories developed the anti-Covid therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG).
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) cleared the drug after clinical trial results showed that a molecule present in the drug helps in faster recovery of hospitalised patients and reduces supplemental oxygen dependence.
Here are the Highlights on coronavirus (COVID-19) cases:
Lucknow police starts Corona Oxygen Bank for needy patients
Amid the shortage of medical oxygen across Uttar Pradesh, the Lucknow Police have started a Corona Oxygen Bank to help the people suffering from COVID-19.
"To ensure that people get oxygen, we formed a pool of oxygen cylinders. The people can take oxygen cylinders from us and return it after use," Piyush Mordia told ANI.
"Many organisations are helping us. Some pharma companies are helping too by providing oxygen cylinders. We rotate those cylinders among people," the Joint Commissioner of police said.
With 127 COVID-19 deaths, Bengal registers highest single-day countWest Bengal on Saturday registered its highest single-day COVID-19 deaths with 127 new fatalities, pushing the death count to 12,203, the health department said.
The coronavirus caseload increased to 9,73,718 after the state also recorded its highest one-day spike of 19,436 fresh cases, it said.
North 24 Parganas district accounted for the highest number of fatalities at 39 while the city registered 34 deaths, it said.
Neighbouring Hooghly district reported 9 COVID-19 deaths, South 24 Parganas (7), Howrah (6), and the rest of the fatalities were from the other districts.
23 Covid Patients Leave Delhi Hospital Without Informing, "Happening Elsewhere Too", Says MayorThe mayor of North Delhi's civic body made a bizarre remark after at least 23 COVID-19 patients left civic body-run Hindu Rao Hospital between April 19 and May 6 without informing anyone. Mayor Jai Prakash claimed today that "It is happening even in Delhi government hospitals".
Hindu Rao, run by the North Delhi Municipal Corporation, is the largest civic hospital in the national capital. The hospital has 250 beds reserved for coronavirus patients and according to the Delhi Corona app, all beds are currently occupied.
150 Attended Burial Of Covid Positive Man, 21 Dead In Rajasthan VillageTwenty-one people died in as many days at a village in Rajasthan's Sikar district allegedly after a COVID-19-infected corpse was buried without following protocol.
However, officials said that only four deaths have occurred due to the virus between April 15 and May 5.
According to officials, a COVID-19-infected body was brought to Kheerva village on April 21 and about 150 people attended the last rites and the burial was done without following coronavirus protocol.
"Feeling Helpless": Bengaluru Doctors Amid Covid Surge, Lack Of ResourcesFor Dr Shilpa, a junior resident doctor at a Covid care government hospital in Karnataka's capital, the most daunting task amid the deadly second COVID-19 wave is deciding between several critical patients when there is just one ICU bed left in the hospital on most days.
"Most days, we will only have one ICU bed that is vacant and we have to choose between 30 sick patients, and choose one patient to be shifted to the ICU, knowing very well that the other 29 patients will die in the next one or two days," she said.
Karnataka is battling a massive COVID-19 surge with 47,563 new cases today taking the overall count to 18,86,448. This is a relatively big number in the deadly wave of the pandemic in a state that did not see a spike in cases last year. Some 482 deaths due to Covid were reported in Karnataka today.
Mumbai Police's Tweet On Covid Safety Has Star Cast - Tom And JerryMumbai police deployed humour in its tweets along with a dose of Tom and Jerry, the legendary cat and mouse cartoon strip, to ask people to adhere to COVID-19 norms in the metropolis, especially wearing masks in public, in order to "ride out this storm together".
Indicating that violators will have the police after them, a tweet from the force said, "Please don't go out without a cause or a mask on your face...let's not make it a cat and mouse chase. We really don't like "Tom-Tomming" about the consequences."
The tweet, with hashtags like #MasksNecessaryJerry #WhatsTheHurryJerry #TakingOnCorona, was accompanied by a 6- second video of perennial ''frenemies'' Tom and Jerry, which soon went viral on social media, garnering praise for the men in khakhi for their wit.
Gujarat Hospital Reports Rise In Covid Cases With Black Fungus InfectionA number of Covid patients at an Ahmedabad hospital have been diagnosed with a fungal infection - mucormycosis, or black fungus, which can be fatal for transplant recipients, people in ICU or those have long-term immunodeficiency concerns.
Dr Kalpesh Patel, an Associate Professor at the BJ Medical College and Civil Hospital, told news agency ANI 67 such patients, from the ENT ward, had been identified in the past 20 days alone.
"Of these 45 have yet to undergo surgery. We're doing five to seven operations daily," he said.
In Maharashtra at least eight Covid patients died due to the fungal infection, a senior official told news agency PTI, adding that around 200 more were being treated for the same.
News of black fungal infections from Ahmedabad also comes days after doctors at a leading Delhi hospital told PTI "we are seeing a rise again in this dangerous fungal infection".
At 718 Tonnes, Oxygen Express Trains Carry Biggest Single-Day LoadThe biggest single-day delivery of 718 metric tonnes of liquid medical oxygen in 41 tankers is being carried out across the country today by the special Oxygen Express trains, the centre said.
Uttar Pradesh is the biggest recipient at 222 metric tonnes, while Haryana will get 180 tonnes, it added.
Amid a rapid surge in coronavirus cases during the virulent second wave, the demand for medical oxygen in the country has gone up many times.
To plug the gaps in supply, the centre had earlier diverted oxygen meant for industries for medical use in the country amid depleting reserves of the critical component in the treatment of Covid patients.
PM Dials 4 Chief Ministers To Discuss Covid Situation In Their StatesPrime Minister Narendra Modi today spoke with four Chief Ministers in separate phone calls and discussed the coronavirus situation in their states, government sources said. He dialed Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur.
Maharashtra, the state hardest hit by the pandemic since last year, is among the states seeing a plateauing of fresh infections, the Union Health Minsirtry had said on Friday. The state logged 54,022 new cases in the last 24 hours. 898 Covid patients died in the same period.
Covid+ve Report Not Needed To Get Hospitalised: What New Guidelines SayA coronavirus test report is no longer needed to get hospitalised, the government has said in its revised guidelines that make sure that those suffering from Covid get "prompt, effective and comprehensive treatment". The new measures - that come as a huge relief amid an exponential surge in cases - also stress that "no patient will be refused on any count".
"In a significant directive to the states, Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has revised the national policy for admission of Covid patients to various categories of facilities," an official statement said this afternoon. Hospitals can also no longer refuse patients from another city.
Supreme Court Task Force To Look Into Oxygen Distribution Amid CovidA 12-member National Task Force has been set up by the Supreme Court to assess availability and distribution of medical oxygen - on scientific, rational and equitable basis - across the country.
The task force will also suggest measures to ensure similarly rational and equitable availability of medicines needed to treat COVID-19, and provide inputs, based on members' scientific and specialised knowledge, to meet others challenges to have been raised by the Covid pandemic.
Setting up of the task force had been ordered by the top court on Friday, when it called for a revamp of the centre's allocation of oxygen to different states. The court said the centre failed to consider factors like ambulances, lower-level Covid care facilities and patients in home quarantine.
Anti-Covid Drug Developed by DRDO Cleared For Emergency UseA drug to treat coronavirus patients, developed by the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation), has been approved for emergency use by the country's top drugs controller as India battles the second wave of the pandemic that is killing thousands every day.
The drug comes in powder form in a sachet and is taken orally by dissolving it in water.
A DRDO lab and Hyderabad-based Dr Reddy's Laboratories developed the anti-Covid therapeutic application of the drug 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG).
42 IAF Aircraft Deployed In Covid Relief Work
Indian Air Force (IAF) has deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID-19 relief tasks, including 12 heavy lift and 30 medium-lift aircraft.
"IAF has deployed 42 transport aircraft for COVID relief tasks including 12 heavy lift and 30 medium lift aircraft. They''re used to bring in relief measures, personnel and material from abroad," said Air Vice Marshal M Ranade.
"So far we''ve lifted about 75 oxygen containers and it is in progress," Mr Ranade added.
Puducherry Records 1,703 COVID 19 Cases, 19 New Deaths
Puducherry's coronavirus tally shot up to 70,076 as 1,703 infections were added afresh during the last 24 hours ending 10 am on Saturday.
The Union Territory also registered 19 new fatalities, raising the toll to 939.
Newly-Elected Village Head Dies Of COVID In UP's Sambhal
A newly-elected village pradhan in the district succumbed to COVID-19 at a hospital, news agency PTi reported quoting officials.
Health Department Nodal officer Manoj Chaudhary said that on Friday evening, Harpal Singh (52) died at a COVID hospital in Narauli.
Can Vaccinate Everyone Over 18 In Delhi In 3 Months If Provided With Enough Doses: Arvind Kejriwal
- There is a shortage of vaccines in Delhi. If we get enough vaccines, we can vaccinate the entire population of Delhi in just 3 months
- We are worried about kids. Those below the age of 18 cannot get vaccinated. I appeal to the centre to arrange a vaccine for those below 18 years of age.
- Need 80-85 lakh vaccine doses each month for 3 months to inoculate all in Delhi, 250-300 schools to be used as vaccination centres.
- Urge Centre to make some sort of vaccines available for children since we're worried about their wellbeing.
- One lakh people being given COVID-19 vaccine daily; people coming from Ghaziabad, Noida for vaccination
Ladakh records one more COVID death; 114 new cases
Ladakh's COVID-19 tally crossed the 15,000-mark with the addition of 114 new cases during the past 24 hours, while the death toll mounted to 152 as one more patient succumbed to the infection, officials said on Saturday.
Centre Issues Company-Wise Supply Plan Of Remdesivir To States, UTs
A company-wise supply plan of Remdesivir, a key drug used in the treatment of COVID-19 patients, has been issued to states and union territories, informed the Central government.
"The company-wise supply plan of Remdesivir for the period April 21 to May 16 has been issued to states/UTs," read an official statement.
"The plan has been prepared in consultation with the marketing companies. The companies have been instructed to ensure timely supplies to all states/ UTs strictly as per the supply plan," the statement added.
Here are the main developments on Covid cases in India
India saw more than 4,000 deaths linked to Covid in a day for the first time and over 4 lakh daily cases for the fourth time in a week. The government yesterday said a third Covid wave may not happen if strong measures are taken. (Read full story
here)
Total Lockdown In Tamil Nadu For 2 Weeks From Monday Amid Covid Crisis
The Tamil Nadu government has announced a two week "total lockdown" from May 10 amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. The order was issued a day after the state recorded its biggest day spike of over 26,000 new Covid infections.
Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a statement, said that the lockdown was being enforced due to "unavoidable reasons". The decision, Mr Stalin added, was taken based on inputs received at a review meeting he had with district collectors on Friday, besides consultations with medical experts. (Read full story
here)
Many states in the last few days have announced lockdowns and curfews to break the chain of transmission. Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Manipur are the latest to be added to the list.
India Sees Record 4,187 COVID-19 Deaths, 4.01 Lakh New Cases
India saw more than 4,000 deaths linked to Covid in a day for the first time and over 4 lakh daily cases for the fourth time in a week. The government yesterday said a third Covid wave may not happen if strong measures are taken. (Read full story
here)
5,559 new cases, 41 deaths in Telangana in 24 hoursTelangana reported 5,559 new COVID-19 cases, 8,061 recoveries, and 41 deaths on Friday
Active cases: 71,308
Total recoveries: 4,13,225
Death toll: 2,666
Covid Not Just Lung Disease, Can Also Cause Lethal Blood Clots: Experts
There is increasing evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is not just a disease of the lungs as initially thought but can also cause dangerous blood clots which need to be immediately removed to save limbs in some cases, say experts.
Global studies have shown that the prevalence of blood clot formation known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalised COVID-19 patients is 14-28 per cent and is a lower 2-5 per cent for arterial thrombosis. (Read full story
here)
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Discusses India's Covid Crisis With US Counterpart
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Friday had a virtual meeting with his American counterpart, Xavier Becerra, discussing the ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases in India.
US Health and Human Services Secretary Becerra, in his conversation with Mr Vardhan, reaffirmed the strong US support to India at this time of crisis, according to a readout of the call.
India is experiencing a raging second wave of the pandemic, with over 400,000 coronavirus infections and over 3,000 deaths being reported daily for the last one week.
Covid Not Just Lung Disease, Can Also Cause Lethal Blood Clots: ExpertsThere is increasing evidence to suggest that COVID-19 is not just a disease of the lungs as initially thought but can also cause dangerous blood clots which need to be immediately removed to save limbs in some cases, say experts.
Global studies have shown that the prevalence of blood clot formation known as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalised COVID-19 patients is 14-28 per cent and is a lower 2-5 per cent for arterial thrombosis.
The India experience is similar, said experts, stressing that the infection is about the blood vessels as much as about the lungs.
Lockdown In Karnataka For 2 Weeks From Monday As Daily Cases Near 50,000Karnataka has announced a two-week lockdown amid a surge in COVID-19 cases. In an order issued today, the BS Yediyurappa government said the lockdown will be from 6 am on May 10 to 6 am on May 24.
The movement of essential goods and services are allowed, and shops selling groceries can remain open from 6 am to 6 pm, the government said.
Other services and tasks allowed to continue during the lockdown are road repair work and cargo vehicles.
Shops and other commercial units like hotels, pubs, bars and industries that are not directly related to providing essential services will have to pull down their shutters.